Glasgow City moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League, but despite victory over rivals Hibernian, the City players and staff were left slightly disappointed in the team’s overall performance on the day. Assistant Coach Donald Jennow, said: "I am delighted first and foremost to get three points, although I felt our preparation hasn’t been the best this week and that showed in our start to the game. But once we got in at half time and we discussed where we needed to exploit, we were a much improved side in the second period. Overall of course we are pleased with the win, but as coaching and playing staff, we all feel we didn’t quite meet our expectations in today’s game."
Four minutes into the match and referee Morag Pirie was faced with a big decision, denying City what arguably looked a penalty as Jane Ross was bundled over by Siobhan Hunter in the box. Less than a minute later, Leanne Ross played in Lisa Evans but the City striker hit a tame shot wide under pressure from the Hibs defence. City got a free kick outside the box at the far left as Frankie Brown felled Christie Murray, but Leanne Ross’s effort from the set piece was over the bar. Having threatened a number of times, City did break the deadlock on 8 minutes as Lisa Evans picked up a Nicky Docherty header before driving past two Hibs defenders and brilliantly finishing past Shannon Lynn in the Hibs net. Hibs tried to respond almost immediately as Kirsty McLaughlin headed over the bar in their first attack of the match. Evans then passed up a great chance to get her second but she fired over the bar with just Lynn to beat after some good play from Christie Murray in the box. The visitors equalised through Claire Emslie as the Hibs striker beat the City offside trap and raced through on goal to finish under the diving Lee Alexander in the City goals. City almost got their noses back in front right from kick off, but Lynn got down well to save a Leanne Crichton shot. It was to prove the first of a number of important saves that Lynn was to make in the match. On 25 minutes City were inches away from restoring the lead as great play between Murray and Evans saw the latter shoot a fraction past the post from wide left inside the box. A Jane Ross cross soon after found the head of Evans but Lynn held well again. City were carving out more and more chances with Lynn pulling off an excellent save to deny Evans in particular just after the half hour mark. However, the Scotland number 2 could do nothing to prevent Evans scoring her second of the match as she raced through on goal after another excellent pass from Murray to slot coolly past the diving Lynn, to put her side ahead once more. Before the break it was 3-1 as good work from Evans out right saw the City striker cross into the box where former Hibs player Leanne Crichton fired home. Half time 3-1 Five minutes after the restart and Christie Murray shot into the back of the net from close range after a good run and cross from Eilish McSorley to put City 4-1 ahead. Nicky Docherty had a long range shot brilliantly pushed away by Lynn who was in action seconds later with another superb save as she diverted a Lisa Evans shot for a corner. With City now dominating possession and play, it looked very unlikely that Hibs would be able to get themselves back into the match, with the Hibernian rear guard working tirelessly to prevent City extending their advantage. After withstanding mounting pressure, Hibs could do nothing about City’s fifth. With minutes remaining, substitute Emma Mitchell stepped up to hit a free kick which will take a lot to be bettered by any player this season as she fired a 25 yard screamer past Lynn into the top corner, to round off what proved to be a comfortable win for City in the end.
Source: FOOTYMAD
