Reigning Henson Scottish Cup Champions, Glasgow City beat Hibernian in this year’s semi-final to go one step closer to retaining the trophy. City will now face Forfar Farmington, who beat Hamilton Accies 2-1 after extra time, with the final to be played on Sunday 11th November at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium. Both semi-finals were played last night at the Ravenscraig Football Centre.After beating Hibs 8-1 last Sunday, City went into the game as strong favourites. However, every game is different and although City were in charge of possession, they had to wait 5 minutes for their first effort on goal as Leanne Crichton hit a tame shot into the arms of Hibs keeper Shannon Lynn. Soon after City striker, Ruesha Littlejohn hit an effort from the edge of the box over the bar and team mate Emma Mitchell volleyed over from inside the box. Mitchell was to try her luck again on 12 minutes, bringing out a fantastic save from Lynn, as she hit a viscous shot towards goal from inside the area. City continued to press and a great ball from captain Rachel Corsie, released Leanne Ross down the right and she in turn picked out City and Scotland team mate Jane Ross who shot just past Lynn’s right hand post. Crichton thought she created the opener when she fired a great effort off the bar on 18 minutes and Jane Ross had a fine strike saved from Lynn at the second attempt soon after. Although not playing as fluently as they did last Sunday against the same opponents, it was City who were creating the chances and the goal did eventually come just before the half hour mark. Jane Ross combined well with Leanne Ross down the right before crossing for Mitchell to head home from 8 yards out. Mitchell almost doubled her side’s advantage two minutes later. Turning well inside the box, the striker shot just wide as the diving Lynn scrambled across her goal line. Hibernian had their first effort on goal on 39 minutes when Susan Fairlie shot from the edge of the box, but it was City who were to soon score again when Emma Mitchell hit a great left foot shot from 18 yards which went in off the keepers left hand post. Half time 2-0 Hibs best chance of the game came 3 minutes after the restart, when Fairlie got a fraction of space as she entered the corner of City’s box, but shot wide. Mitchell outpaced Hibs full back Frankie Brown in the flanks and with her powerful shot stinging the hands of Lynn, fellow striker Jane Ross was unable to capitalise on the rebound, shooting narrowly wide of the target. On 50 minutes, City midfielder Jo Love turned brilliantly in the Hibs box, but curled her effort wide and Littlejohn failed to find the target as City continued to create numerous chances to find the third goal of the game. Lizzie Arnot for Hibs had a great touch inside the City box, but her shot at the near post was well saved by Claire Johnstone. City then broke up the park and a good cross from Mitchell was headed wide by Crichton. Love then tried her luck, but Lynn once more was up to the task and saved well. Another excellent pass from Corsie set Mitchell free down the right, but Lynn saved her powerful effort to deny the striker a hat-trick. She then hit another cracking shot just over the bar as City searched for the goal to kill off the game. Another effort from Jane Ross and one more from Mitchell went wide, but the Cup holders did eventually get the third goal their chances and possession deserved, when full back Danica Dalziel’s cross found the perfectly timed run of Love, who headed the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0 to City on the night. Commenting on the win, City Head Coach, Eddie Wolecki Black said: "I need to congratulate the girls and all the staff as they have got us into another Cup Final and we are one step away from completing yet another remarkable season. I always knew tonight’s game was going to be more difficult as it always is when you play a team back to back. I felt we were wasteful in our chances and good credit to Hibernian for putting a brave battle and they defended well. With Hibs pushing three up late in the game, it created more space and that eventually allowed us to get the third goal. It would have been an easier night for us if we had taken our chances early on, but 3 goals, a clean sheet and a Cup final so I am happy."
Source: ScottishFitba
Source: FOOTYMAD
