Hibs’ Ladies open campaign with victory over Celtic

March 16, 2015 1:06 pm

Emma Brownlie scored the only goal of the game as Hibs opened up their new Scottish Women’s Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Celtic

After the game Hibs’ boss Chris Roberts told the club website: “It was good to pick up three points from a very difficult and tricky fixture.

“There was pressure on us before the game because a lot is expected from us whilst the changes Celtic have gone through has seen them written off by some.

“We know what it is to be like to be that young team that everyone knows little about and be written off, but they are a top side and will be there or thereabouts again this season.

“I thought Celtic were excellent; they were well organised and dangerous on the break although I was pleased we prevented them from creating any clear-cut opportunities.

“We created a lot of chances ourselves but either through good defending or poor finishing we didn’t take them and we will need to be more clinical.

“Given we had ten players away with the national sides, I was very pleased with the girls fitness and we finished the game playing a high tempo.

“I would’ve liked to have got a second goal as that would’ve allowed me to make a few changes however with the score so tight I was unable to do that.

“This year we have real competition for places and today there were some players who will feel hard done by to miss out.

“Our subs are all good enough to play. Look at Hannah Reid, she is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the country, Chelsea Cornett, Lia Tweedie and Amy Lynch are all Scotland youth internationals, whilst Simone McMahan has previously played at that level.

“We also have Zoe Johnstone to return from injury. That level of competition is excellent and keeps everyone on their toes.”

Hibernian: Fife, Williamson, Murray, Brownlie (Hunter 70’), Smith, Robertson, Richards (Turner 80’), Graham, Arnot, Harrison, Arthur. Substitutes not used: Reid, Tweedie, Lynch, Cornett, McMahon.

Referee: Euan Birch.

John Hislop

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John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.