ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 1 Hibernian 7 Aberdeen Women 0 Sunday 18 August 1:00PM Meadowbank Stadium
Aberdeen Women suffered their second heavy defeat in as many weeks on Sunday afternoon as they went down seven goals to nil at the hands of Hibernian at Meadowbank.
The Dons went in two nil down at half-time, but the hosts ran away with things in the second half to make it a miserable afternoon for the young side on the road.
Aberdeen Manager Colin Bell made three changes to his side that were beaten last weekend in the curtain raising fixture of the campaign. Holly McEvoy came in for her first start after appearing at half-time against Rangers, while Nicola Jameison slotted in at the back to make her AFCW debut. They replaced Hannah Innes and Gracie Robertson. Francesca Ogilvie also returned from suspension to replace Aimee Black.Unlike the previous weekend, the Dons survived the opening ten minutes without falling behind to an early goal. Ferguson had muted appeals for a penalty turned down when she hit the deck under the pressure of Chloe Gover. There was brief concern in the Dons dugout when Niamh Noble went down, the defender thankfully able to continue after receiving treatment.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t much long after that Hibernian did take the lead, Bowie manoeuvred well inside a crowded box to enable herself to lift an effort over Sidey to open the scoring.
The hosts were largely in control of the contest but were struggling to carve out any chances of real quality. McGovern came close to a second in addition to an in-swinging corner that seemed to evade anyone in green or red, instead ending up nestling on the roof of the net.
Just before the half hour mark Hibs did get their second goal, Papadopoulos came short to collect a corner, she fired low from the edge of the box and into the back of the net.
Sidey produced an excellent save to deny Ferguson after the Hibs wide player broke beyond the Dons defensive line and into the six-yard box, the former Dundee United ‘keeper making herself big to keep her side in the contest.
It really should have been 3-0 to the hosts at half-time, Grant delivered an excellent free kick low to the back post that just required the deftest of touch, but luckily for the Dons there were no takers.
Half-time, Hibernian 2-0 Aberdeen.Mya Christie came close to finding the net against her former club at the start of the second half, her effort from long range grazing the roof of the net.
The third goal arrived through Bowie again, who had the simple task of slotting beyond Sidey after the ball was squared across goal courtesy of Ferguson to allow the Hibs no.24 to grab her second of the afternoon.
Eva Thomson saw the first real sight of the Hibernian goal just shy of the hour mark: Her hopeful lofted effort from close range wound up just over the bar.
Hibs added a fourth five minutes later from the penalty spot through McGovern after Madison Finnie was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.A difficult afternoon was quickly becoming a horrible one. Adams added a fifth, again Aberdeen struggling to defend a cross which this time was headed into the path of the Hibs striker to convert.
Darcie Miller replaced Hannah Stewart following the goal.
It was soon six, again a cross into the box emphatically slammed home by McGovern.
A triple Aberdeen change soon followed: Grace Elder, Hannah Innes and Lois Edwards all introduced, Thomson, Bruce and Noble making way.
The only positive Dons move going forward came through Elder and Miller who combined to send Darcie goal bound, her effort saved.
Hibs added a seventh goal in the final minute of the match after Ogilvies’s clearance was charged down by Adams to bounce backwards into the net, which summed up a dismal afternoon for Aberdeen in Edinburgh.
Full-time. Hibernian 7-0 Aberdeen Women.Aberdeen: 1. Megan Sidey, 3. Niamh Noble (2. Lois Edwards,79′) , 4. Natasha Bruce (16. Hannah Innes 79′), 5. Nicola Jameison, 8. Chloe Gover, 9. Hannah Stewart (C) (10. Darcie Miller 72′), 13. Francesca Ogilvie, 14. Holly McEvoy, 15. Madison Finnie, 18. Eva Thomson (25. Grace Elder 79′), 19. Emily Kraft
Subs not used: 24. Annalisa McCann (GK), 11. Kiera MacPherson, 12. Johan Fraser, 17. Grace Robertson, 23. Aimee Black
Hibernian: 12. Noa Schumacher, 3. Mya Christie, 4. Siobhan Hunter, 5. Stacey Papadopolous, 6. Chiara Grant, 7. Abbie Ferguson, 8. Michaela McAlonie, 10. Katheen McGovern, 16. Ellis Notley (C), 24. Tegan Bowie, 32. Kirsten Reilly
Substitutes: 1. Erin Clachers, 25. Rowena Armitage, 2. Shannon Leishman, 9. Eilidh Adams, 15. Lia Tweedie, 22. Lauren Doran-Barr, 31. Linzi Taylor
