Hibs Women 0 Rangers 5
Hibs Women fell short in the Sky Sports Cup final as they succumbed to defeat against Rangers.
Katie Wilkinson put Rangers ahead at Fir Park shortly before the half-time whistle, before our opponents hit hard and fast in the second half through Camille Lafaix, Kirsty Howat, Rio Hardy and an own goal.
After a masterclass in heroics last Sunday during our 1-0 victory against Glasgow City, Grant Scott saw fit to only make one change to his side - with Erin Clachers replacing Noa Schumacher between the sticks.
Ahead of kick-off, both sets of players received a warm welcome by the travelling supporters. A healthy number of Hibs fans welcomed the players onto the pitch after seeing the players off at Easter Road.
The Hibees set plenty of traps early. Outdoing her marker, Tegan Bowie whipped in a superb cross towards Kathleen McGovern – with Jenna Fife desperate to cling on in the air before the forward had the chance to nod home.
Aiming to avenge a stinging league defeat the last team these sides met before the turn of the year, Rangers committed to a tough pressing game. Slim pickings were taken from outside a congested penalty area, but nothing seemed to trouble Erin Clachers to a great degree in the opening stages.
As record holders in this competition, and looking to add another trophy to their cabinet, Hibs continued to invent and prod for opportunities. A direct passage of play gifted Eilidh Adams time on the right flank, managing to release a tight shot which was simply gathered by Fife once more.
Perhaps beginning to feel the tide turn, Rangers were gifted an opportunity to open the scoring following confusion in the Hibs box. Kirsty Howat pounced in the area after a heavy touch from Stacey Papadopoulos, but Hibs number one Clachers made herself big to deny the Rangers forward.
The heart in mouth moment resulted in a similar opportunity at the other end. Michaela McAlonie slipped the ball into the back of the net after a brilliant bursting run through the Gers defence – but the linesman rightly flagged for offside, denying the midfielder the opportunity to put Hibs in front.
In a game that inevitably turned into an end-to-end affair, Hibs came agonisingly close to scoring yet again. Twisting, turning and producing sheer brilliant skill, Papadopoulos blitzed up the park before handing over to Adams; who in turn set up her strike partner to shoot. McGovern sent her low, guided effort agonisingly wide of the mark.
Hibs were made to rue that miss on 38 minutes. Having a second attempt at goal after Linzi Taylor was caught in the firing line, Rangers forward Wilkinson struck high into the roof of the net to put her side ahead.
Seconds before the full-time whistle, Rangers nearly doubled their advantage. A direct ball towards Howat sent the striker clean through on goal — only to be denied by a brilliant Clachers save, which allowed Siobhan Hunter to excellently clear a second attempt away.
Any promise following the second half restart all but evaporated in a matter of minutes for Hibernian. After a well-directed set-piece, American midfielder Lafaix pounced to send an acrobatic effort past Clachers to double Rangers’ lead.
Rangers found their third only moments later as Kirsten Reilly was unfortunate to divert Howat’s cross into her own net.
A good free-kick delivery from Ciara Grant — forcing a save from Fife — showed some promise as Hibs looked to begin an unlikely comeback. The resulting corner skimmed the laces of Reilly, with Papadopoulos forcing a follow up effort after another trademark run into the area.
Looking angsty at the back, Clachers remained composed to pull off a fantastic double save to deny Rangers lead further. She first stopped Howat from grabbing a second, before getting in the way of substitute Jodi McLeary’s venomous effort.
Still seeking to play progressively, McAlonie nearly struck back after another swerving run into the box. She made a similar move again after another neat free-kick delivery from Grant, but was again unable to convert.
With the travelling fans not letting up in their vocal support of the team throughout, Hibs were reliant on pushing forward, despite the odds.
Remaining clinical in front of goal and showing no mercilessness in the final stages of the game, Howat’s low drive deceived Clachers to nestle in the back of the net.
Substitute forward Rio Hardy scored a fifth in stoppage time to make sure of a comprehensive victory for Rangers.