Hibernian Ladies put in a sterling performance as they blew Aberdeen away 7-2 at Heathryfold Park in Chris Roberts’ last game in charge of the side.
Playing Aberdeen away has always been one of the more challenging matches for Hibernian Ladies, but within 120 seconds they claimed the lead in the match.
Abi Harrison drove into the box and was able to fire away a strike towards the near post, found the back of the net through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Although it was the start the side would have dreamed of, they were pegged back within three minutes as a free-kick evaded everyone as it bounced in the box, leaving Jenna Fife beaten.
Hibernian continued to fight on and eventually asserted their dominance once more, with Aberdeen under severe pressure.
Rachel McLauchlan’s burst forward with the ball created an opportunity for the visitors to reclaim the lead, and her measured throughball found Harrison’s run, who made no mistake and fired her side into a 2-1 lead.
That was soon turned into a 3-1 lead when Lucy Graham got on the end of Joelle Murray’s free-kick to loop a header over the goalie and into the net before the half hour mark.
Aberdeen, who have often proved to be a thorn in the side of Roberts’ side, clawed their way back into the game when they made it 3-2 with a fine finish nine minutes before half-time.
The flow of the game was being severely curtailed by the gust whipping around the park, at one point, Amy Gallacher’s chipped pass over the top ending up behind the midfielder.
Much like the first half, Hibernian started quickly out of the blocks and soon found themselves 4-2 up when Murray tapped in from Gallacher’s corner on 48 minutes.
Cailin Michie got on the scoresheet not long after with a fine strike from the edge of the box to put daylight between the two sides in a dank and grey Aberdeen.
There was not long to wait for the sixth goal to arrive either, with McLauchlan the provider again for Hibernian as Gallacher beat her marker to head into the bottom corner making it 6-2 before the hour mark.
Chances were created to make it seven goals for the side when Harrison and McLauchlan both went close, but Aberdeen’s reprieve was short-lived.
Lisa Robertson, scorer of an impressive goal from range last weekend, tried her luck from outside the box again. Her effort was parried, but McLauchlan was on her toes and alert to the chance to tuck the ball into the back of the net with 20 minutes still to go in the game.
Harrison, desperate for her hat-trick, rattled the frame of the goal and fired just wide of the target from distance as Hibernian ended the game in complete control.
It proved to be the fitting send-off for Roberts, who will now leave Hibernian Ladies to join Bristol City WFC after moulding the team into a potent force, capable of coruscating performances and, perhaps most crucially, winners.
Hibernian Ladies: Fife, Hunter, Robertson, Michie, Smith (Brownlie, 67), McLauchlan (Tweedie, 77), Graham (Leishman, 67), Gallacher (Turner, 77), Murray (C), Cornet (Notley, 58), Harrison. Substitute not used: Reid.
Report & Picture: Hibernian Media
