Following their victory over Partick Thistle at Easter Road in the midweek game, Dean Gibson’s side travelled to Celtic Park to face Celtic Women in Park’s Motor Group SWPL 1 action.
Celtic made the perfect start to the match as they opened the score within the opening minute through Clarissa Larisey. Celtic’s number 10 managed to latch onto a loose ball and after getting past the Hibs defence with some excellent skill, the forward finished past Gabby English to give her side the lead.
Hibs responded well to going behind and created their first half-chance in the 8th minute. Alexa Coyle took the ball down the left wing before switching it to the right where she found Michaela McAlonie in space. The midfielder managed to control the ball and take the shot on but her effort went just wide of Lisa Kerr’s post.
Larisey came close to getting her second of the match in the 12th minute but was denied by a terrific save from English. The chance came after Celtic won possession high up the pitch and looked to catch Hibs out. A perfectly threaded through ball in behind Hibs’ defence was latched onto by Larisey but the forward was denied by an excellent close-range save from English.
There was a nervy moment for Hibs in the 18th minute after Shen Mengyu’s effort went through the legs of English, however, the shot was denied by the post.
After some nice build-up play down the right, Hibs were able to win a corner in the 22nd minute. The ball was swung in by Amy Gallacher and after a scramble within the six-yard box, Celtic were able to clear the danger.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 25th minute through Liv Chance. After some nice play down the left from Jacynta, Celtic’s number 8 was able to drive into the box and play Chance through on goal. Chance controlled the ball well and finished beyond English to give Celtic a 2-0 lead.
The game turned into quite a cagey affair following Celtic’s second goal as neither team were able to keep possession.
Celtic came close to adding a third just before halftime through Jacynta, however, the number 8 was unable to get shot away in the box due to an excellent sliding challenge from McAlonie.
This proved to be one of the final actions of the first half as the referee blew their whistle for halftime shortly after.
Soon after the restart, Shannon McGregor had a chance on the edge of the box after some good build-up play from Hibs. The midfielder took the effort on but the shot went over Kerr and behind for a goal kick.
Despite a good start to the second half from Hibs, Celtic made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute through Jodie Bartle. Prior to the goal, Chloe Craig tried a speculative effort from over 30 yards out that was turned behind by a good save from English. The ensuing Celtic corner was met by Bartle who headed beyond English to extend her side’s lead.
Similar to the first half, the game went through a cagey period following a Celtic goal.
Hibs managed to win a free kick in the 80th minute near the Celtic corner flag. Gallacher delivered the ball into the box, however, the chance came to nothing as Celtic were able to clear to get it clear.
Celtic managed to make it 4-0 in the 85th minute through substitute Chloe Warrington. The hosts had a chance down the right that resulted in a good save from English, however, the ball came loose in the box and was pounced upon by Warrington who smashed the ball into the back of the net to extend her side’s lead.
After two minutes of additional time, the referee brought the game to an end meaning Celtic ran out 4-0 winners.
