Queen's Park 0 Hibs Women 7
Our Sky Sports Cup campaign kicked off in fantastic fashion as we secured a convincing victory over Queen's Park.
Kathleen McGovern was the standout on the scoresheet, scoring her second Hibs hat-trick. Eilidh Adams also notched a brace, with further strikes from Linzi Taylor and Lauren Doran-Barr.
In an effort to re-energise the squad after our loss to Glasgow City last week, Grant Scott made four changes to his side that emerged at Ochilview Park.
Kirsty Morrison made her first start of the season, replacing Abbie Ferguson. McGovern, Erin Clachers and Ellis Notley, who was captain, also came into the starting XI. They replaced Eilidh Adams, Noa Schumacher and Ciara Grant respectively.
A scintillating volley from McGovern nearly started things off spectacularly within the opening five minutes. The effort flew narrowly wide of the mark, before she also flicked a neat header goal-ward to test the goalkeeper’s mettle again.
Hibs would continue to dominate and control the game, with Linzi Taylor ensuring the extra pressure paid off. A first attempt at goal was blocked well by goalkeeper Lauren McGregor, though Taylor swiftly swept a second effort beneath the keeper and into the bottom corner.
With the impetus firmly with Hibs - no doubt aided by the voices of the travelling faithful - a Notley effort from 40 yards cracked the crossbar, denying her side a sensational second. A further darting run from Stacey Papadopoulos also resulted in a similarly spectacular save from McGregor come the half-hour mark.
McGovern would be rewarded for her persistence with a rapid brace. A neat run from Tegan Bowie down the left saw a low ball drilled into the area, with our number 10 firing high into the roof of the net to secure her first of the afternoon.
On form and on character, her second came not long after. A perfectly weighted ball from Morrison on the right flank was delivered, with a neat header at the end from Gov which nestled into the bottom corner.
Into the second 45 and Hibs would continue to delight. A defence splitting pass allowed Michaela McAlonie to bear down on goal. Moments before her final finish, with the goalkeeper rooted to the turf, she unselfishly passed to McGovern on her left, who proceeded to slam the ball home to secure her hat-trick after 55 minutes.
With plenty to celebrate on the day both on and off the pitch, Lauren Doran-Barr ensured she would also get in on the goalscoring act. Firing high into the corner with a curling effort at the back post, she secured her first of the season and celebrated her birthday in some fashion!
In a similar vein to the player she replaced, Adams also secured a quick-fire brace. Aided by McAlonie’s long range strike, which struck the bar and was unlucky not to cross the line, Adams tapped home a rebound to secure her first
The striker would nod home a header from Doran-Barr’s excellent cross from the right flank minutes later to nab her brace.
Hibs would continue to dominate for the rest of the match, seeing them comfortably through to the next round of the Sky Sports Cup.