Newcastle kicked the match off and started strongly. The first chance of the game came three minutes in when a Newcastle forward received the ball on the edge of the box, but she sent her shot flying over the bar.
Hibernian responded well and created a few chances of their own. Notably, when Nunn met the ball on the half-volley and sent Ferguson through on goal. She narrowly managed to latch onto the ball but couldn’t beat the keeper, the ball then fell to her feet once more but a defender had managed to plant herself on the goal line and cleared the shot wide.
It wasn’t just the attackers who impressed, Fraine made her presence known early on. The goalie saved well on multiple occasions, and was forced into action in the 12th minute after a defensive mishap allowed an opposition striker through on goal, but was unable to convert as Fraine closed the ball down quickly. Throughout the half, she collected crosses well and sent a powerful shot from inside the penalty area wide of the goal.
From the resulting corner, the ball was sent over the Hibs defenders and found a Newcastle player at the back post. However, Tweedie reacted quickly, getting herself on the line and cleared the ball to safety.
It took just three games into the season for Hibs to score directly from a corner. Bowie intercepted a pass on the edge of the Newcastle box and forced a good save from the keeper as she pushed it wide. Notley stood over the ball and sent her corner over the keeper and into the top corner of the far post, giving Hibs the lead 28 minutes into the match.
There weren’t many clear chances following Notley’s goal. The travelling side caused Hibs trouble with a good passing move which left Galloway with space inside the box five minutes before the break, but she could only swipe her shot wide and Hibs went into half-time with a single-goal lead.
Hibernian made two changes at the break, with Nina Wilson replacing Katie Fraine in goals, and Eilidh Adams coming on for Abbie Ferguson.
It wasn’t until the 53rd minute that either goalkeeper was tested. Kelly attempted to lob Wilson from outside the box, but she saved comfortably.
However, three minutes later Newcastle were back on level terms. Olivia Watt hit the ball from range and it nestled in the top left corner.
This shifted the momentum in Newcastle’s favour, and the visitors had another opportunity shortly after, Galloway received the ball inside the penalty area but her effort was deflected wide.
The Magpies made the most of their chances. Galloway got herself in front of her marker and headed the ball home from a corner to give Newcastle the lead on the hour mark.
Hibs made another two changes minutes later, with Leah Eddie making way for Joelle Murray, and Poppy Lawson replacing Michaela McAlonie.
Hibs failed to create many chances following the quick-fire goals from Newcastle. Nunn came close as she used her pace to take the ball past the opposition's backline, but a heavy touch allowed the goalkeeper to collect the ball.
In the 75th minute, the away side came close to extending their lead. However, a point-blank save from Wilson, and a block from Lawson allowed the danger to be cleared and kept Hibs in the game.
Hibs’ final substitution of the match came with just over ten minutes to go, with Shannon McGregor making her return from injury to replace Lia Tweedie.
With a fairly uneventful conclusion, the match drew to a close with Newcastle running out 2-1 winners at Meadowbank.
