Hibernian 4 - 1 Aberdeen

There were two changes to the side who beat Partick Thistle at Cormack Park in midweek. Bailley Collins who scored against Thistle returned to the starting eleven in place of Natasha Bruce. The other change saw 16‐year‐old Millie Urquhart coming in to make her debut in place of Loren Campbell who picked up an injury against the Jags. Hibernian had former Dons full‐back Jenna Penman at right‐back.

It was a relatively cagey start to match with both sides battling to gain control in the opening stages. It was the hosts who were the first to threaten though when Colette Cavanagh?s curling effort from the right side of the penalty box crashed back off the crossbar.

Hibs made got the game?s opening goal after 16 minutes. Eilidh ADAMS did well to get in behind Collins on the Aberdeen right and the Hibs striker sent a curling finish high into the net. The Dons were forced into a substitution just minutes after conceding the opener as Chloe Gover were forced off with injury being replaced by Bruce.

Chances were at a premium in the opening half hour with the hosts having marginally more of the ball without really troubling Meach?s goal. The Dons levelled on the half‐hour mark with their first attempt of the match. Bayley HUTCHISON pounced on a loose Hibs pass and she raced into the area before cutting inside and slamming a shot high beyond Gabby English.

The visitors almost went in front just minutes after squaring the match. Francesca Ogilvie stepped inside Penman before hitting a powerful shot which English parried away. At the other end former Aberdeen Ladies player Shannon McGregor tested Meach from 20‐yards but her shot was straight at The Dons keeper.

Hibs thought they had regained the lead on 38 minutes when a scramble in the box resulted in Collins clearing off the line. The Hibs players were convinced the ball went in, but the officials thought otherwise. It didn?t matter a minute later as the hosts went in front, a high dipping cross by Joelle Murray into the penalty area was difficult to defend was headed home by ADAMS for her second of the match.

There were no further chances as the first half drew to close with the hosts going in at the interval ahead by two goals to one.

HT: HIBERNIAN 2 ABERDEEN 1

There was a stoppage right at the start for the second half as a heavy collision saw both Eva Thomson and Cavanagh requiring treatment, both players managed to play on.

It was 3‐1 to the hosts on 53 minutes as they extended their lead in somewhat fortuitous fashion. A good ball down the right by Murray found McGregor who sent a dangerous looking ball into the box towards Adams, Dons captain Kelly FORREST tried to get something on the cross but unfortunately for her, she diverted the ball beyond Meach and into the net.

Hibs extended their lead on 59 minutes when Michaela MCALONIE burst clear on the left to get on the end of a Leah Eddie pass before sending a composed finish beyond Meach for her side?s fourth of the match. The Dons looked to rally, and Hutchison sent in a low shot from the left which was fielded comfortably by English.

Good work by Broadrick and Ogilvie on the left culminated in the latter pulling the ball back to Eilidh Shore who fired well over the bar from twenty yards out. McGregor then went close at the other end, but her spectacular effort dipped just over the bar.

Thomson never managed to shake off the knock she took at the start of the half and she, along with Bailley Collins, were replaced by Lauren Gordon and Hannah Stewart.

Hibs continued to threaten when substitute Amy Muir sent a header wide whilst Adams missed a chance for her hat‐trick when she fired straight at Meach. The Dons made their last change of the match as Carrie Doig came on to replace Forrest in the final ten minutes.

The visitors were still battling to get themselves back in the match, Jess Broadrick worked hard to get up the left wing before delivering a cross which was just too close to keeper English. Gordon the tested the American goalkeeper after being set up by Ogilvie in the box.

It wasn?t to be for the visitors as the hosts took the spoils by four goals to one.