Hibs’ performance leaves Gibson ‘proud’ despite defeat by Rangers
Hibernian head coach Dean Gibson paid tribute to his players despite losing 1-0 at Rangers in the SWPL1 game of the day. A goal by former Hibs forward Lizzie Arnot just after the interval separated the sides.
The visitors' preparations were interrupted by an injury to midfielder Amy Gallacher in the warm-up, but replacement Ria Mccafferty played her part a non-stop effort which restricted free-scoring Rangers to very few clear-cut chances.
“I've got nothing but pride in this group of players, as I always do,” Gibson said. “This performance gives me confidence going into the next couple of games against Glasgow City and Celtic.
“We knew if we could stop the Rangers full-backs it would take a lot out of their game. We didn't want them to bomb on as much as they normally do.
“Rangers didn't create an overload of chances against us. They scored and hit the post, but apart from that I wasn't concerned we were going to concede today.”
Emily Mutch, in the Hibs goal, had only one notable save to make, denying Jamaican central defender Chantelle Swaby a first Rangers goal from a header. What proved to be the winner came when Arnot took a pass from winger Brogan Hay and scored with a powerful shot after 47 minutes.
Despite the win Rangers –
who play Celtic at Parkhead on Wednesday night – slipped to second in the table on goal difference from Glasgow City. Scott Booth's side needed to beat Motherwell by eight clear goals to go top in the later televised BBC Alba match – and they did that with an 8-0 win at Broadwwod.
All three first-half goals followed corners by captain Leanne Ross, who came into the team as one of seven changes, and were scored by Aoife Colvill (2) and Ode
Fulutudilo. The South African Fulutudilo got two more in the second half to make it six in her only two games for the club. The other scorers were Lauren Davidson (2) and Leanne Crichton.
“Putting away the goals is my job and I'm fortunate and glad I was able to do that,” Fulutudilo said. “Every single player at the club is high quality which says a lot for the management and the way they scout players.”
Celtic stayed within five
points of the two leaders with a 5-1 win at Spartans. They got their opener after just one minute when Anna Filbey squared for Sarah Ewens to score from close range.
Sarah Teegarden made it 2-0 midway through the half but Alana Marshall scored direct from a corner just before halftime. Second- half goals from Filbey and Chloe Craig (2) gave the visitors a comfortable win.
Heartslookedtobeoncourse for only their second win of the
season when they led Forfar Farmington 1-0 at the end of regulation time. Their goal was scored early in the first half by Monica Forsyth.
Agooddayturnedsourwhen they conceded a bizarre equaliser in time added on. Forfar goalkeeper Lauren Perry took a free-kick which eluded her Hearts counterpart.
The result was nevertheless still good enough to move Hearts off bottom place thanks to Motherwell's defeat to Glasgow City.