Hibs’ Ladies lost to a strong Slavia Praha side in front of 1,287 spectators at Easter Road last night.
Hibs initially threatened a major shock when Siobhan Hunter opened the scoring after only two minutes with her sixth goal in three games after connecting with Rachael Boyle’s corner.
Mia Persson and Diana Bartovicova were both shown yellow cards as Slavia fought to get back onto the game but the Hibs’ defence stood firm.
Hibs lead lasted until the 36th minute then conceded three times in a disappointing seven minute period.
Tereza Kozarova twice breached the Hibs’ defence to score before Andrea Jarchovska’s long-range strike gave the visitors a 3-1 half time lead.
Hibs fought back and Shannon McGregor shot wide and had a header saved.
Amy Gallagher’s powerful shot was tipped over by goalkeeper Olivie Lukasova.
Hibs keeper Jenna Fife’s produced a superb save to deny Katerina Svitkova but this only postponed the visitors’ fourth goal and, on 75 minutes, Kozarova completed her hat-trick in the 75th minute.
Hibs have it all to do in the second leg on 25 September.
After the game Hibs’ Head Coach Grant Scott said: “It is one of these situations where it feels like the score flatters them, but ultimately they’ve had the chances and they’ve taken them really clinically.
“Each and every one of them we could have done better on, but credit to them, they have taken the chances when they’ve came along.
“But I felt we contained and minimised the opportunities that they had, so it is a wee bit difficult to swallow that one.
“We need to stop them scoring early over there and give ourselves a chance. They are a quality side and at the moment we are out of the tie, but an early goal for us might give them some doubts.”
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.
