Hibernian Ladies overcame rivals Glasgow City to win the SWPL League Cup in dramatic fashion at Ainslie Park last night.
Glasgow opened the scoring when Leanne Ross’ corner was flicked on by Savannah McCarthy towards Julie Fleeting who controlled the ball and scored with her second touch.
Hibs equalised before the break when Kirsty Smith was brought down by Savannah McCarthy inside the penalty area and the referee had no esitation in pointing to the spot.
Lizzie Arnot took the spot-kick but Fay parried the ball and Lucy Graham was on hand to blast the ball into the net.
With extra time looming, Arnot pounced on a city mistake and stole the ball on the touchline before her shot was deflected into the net to secure the club’s first trophy five years.
After the game Hibernian Head Coach Chris Roberts said: “It’s just an amazing feeling for this group of players to win that after the knock-backs we’ve had in the cups… I’m so proud for the girls.”
Lizzie Arnot said, “I did see Sarah (Ewens) and I was like I needed to get a cross in and hopefully she’d get a knick on it. I just remember Gemma (Fay) diving and the ball in the back of the net.”
Hibernian: Jenna Fife; Rachel McLauchlan, Joelle Murray (c), Emma Brownlie, Kirsty Smith; Chelsea Cornet (Heather Richards 85), Lisa Robertson, Lucy Graham; Abigail Harrison, Sarah Ewens, Lizzie Arnot.
Subs: Clare Williamson, Zoe Johnstone, Siobhan Hunter, Lia Tweedie, Cailin Michie, Caroline Heron.
Glasgow City: Gemma Fay; Leanne Ross (c), Cheryl McCulloch, Savannah McCarthy, Nicola Docherty; Lauren McMurchie (Ruesha Littlejohn 77), Joanne Love; Fiona Brown, Erin Cuthbert, Hayley Lauder; Julie Fleeting (Sarah Crilly 57).
Subs: Sam Kerr, Brogan Hay, Erin Clachers (GK)
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.
