Rangers 1 Hibs Women 0

A frustrating match in Cumbernauld ended in defeat for Hibernian Women as a penalty from Katie Wilkinson in the first-half sealed the hosts’ victory.

After a stagnant first half which the home team edged, the Hibees improved after the break but failed to capitalise on a smattering of chances to draw level. 

Head Coach Joelle Murray was forced into one change to the Hibs side that took victory against Celtic on Friday, with Tiree Burchill replacing Tegan Bowie up front.

We had the first opportunity of the game just 12 seconds after the whistle, as Kathleen McGovern took on an ambitious shot from 25 yards out, but her strike flew over the crossbar.

A couple of minutes later, an opportunity opened up for Ciara Grant as she tackled Shin Ji Kim to claim the ball, forcing Rangers keeper Jenna Fife to respond quickly to keep the ball out.

The hosts responded with their first chance of the game as Calliste Brookshire played through the ball to Camille Lafaix, though her sliding effort past Noa Schumacher went wide.

Rangers defender Laura Rafferty was forced off due to injury, with Jodi McLeary coming on, and with her first touch of the ball she took a shot at goal, forcing Schumacher into a low save.

A gilt-edged chance for the Hibees in the 27th minute almost saw the deadlock broken as Rangers’ Eilidh Austin attempted to clear her lines but hit Eilidh Adams instead, with the ball ricocheting just wide.

After a hefty shoulder-to-shoulder collision, Rangers were awarded a penalty, which Katie Wilkinson lined up to take, slotting the ball into the bottom-right underneath Schumacher. 

The Hibees sought to restore parity and a strong floated cross from Rosie Livingston to Tiree Burchill threatened to do so. The latter successfully beat her marker and took a strike at the back post, with the ball rebounding off Fife’s glove.

After the interval, Laura Berry threatened a second goal for Rangers, but Schumacher got down low to halt the ball at the striker's feet. However, she was forced off following the collision, with 17-year-old Rowena Armitage replacing the keeper, marking her fifth career game for the Club.

McGovern lined up to take an awarded free kick on 65 minutes from 25 yards out, but her whipped effort went over the crossbar. 

In the 70th minute, Adams received a strong cross from the left side and tried her luck from the edge of the box, though her thumping effort went wide.

On the cusp of full-time, Armitage made her first save following her introduction as Brookshire attempted to double the hosts' lead after she bypassed the Hibernian defence.

Time ran out at Broadwood Stadium with the hosts victorious, as we were left frustrated following a tightly-contested 90 minutes in east Glasgow.