Hearts and Hibs Women’s teams met at Tynecastle in the much anticipated Edinburgh derby. Hibernian took home all three points to move up to 4th in the table just one point behind their Edinburgh rivals. A monumental game in the title race. Eve McKenna reports from Tynecastle.
Heart Of Midlothian 0-1 Hibernian R.Livingstone 81’ (Assist: Papadopoulos)
Significant changes were made by Eva Olid to her Heart’s side that took the points from an outstanding 9-0 victory over Dundee United in the previous SWPL1 game. There was some shocking news that regular starter and club captain Emma Brownlie was unavailable for the derby clash due to illness. Her absence felT unnerving for fans who wondered how their side would cope without their experienced skipper.
Another surprise for the Gorgie faithful was that first choice goalkeeper Charlotte Parker-Smith dropped to the bench to be replaced by 19-year-old shot-stopper Rachael Johnstone. She had made her Hearts debut in the previous derby victory.
SWPL Player of the Month and Hearts academy graduate, Erin Husband, earned her place in the starting 11 after missing out on the previous fixture. Initially eyebrows were raised at the prospect that the previous winning team had changed significantly.
On the away side, only one change to the starting team that took a 4-1 win against Partick Thistle in the Sky Sports Cup quarter final. Hat Trick-scorer Kathleen McGovern was raring to go and hoping to make a real impact on this game. The only Hibee absentee was Michela McAlonie.
Over 5000 supporters took in the action at Tynecastle despite the temperature being just above freezing. Proper Edinburgh derby conditions. Both teams walked out the tunnel looking fierce and ready to go. When the referee blew her whistle, ninety minutes of battle in the capital commenced.
A lacklustre and uninspiring first 20 minutes for Hearts meant constantly losing possession and lacking in confidence. Not capitalising on the home crowd advantage, rather looking fearful and intimidated. All signs were pointing to the away team, driving the ball forwards and winning corners and throw-ins in dangerous positions.
25 minutes into the game, not many positives could describe either side, both displaying how evenly matched the rivals really are.
Bayley Hutchison was at the forefront of creative play for girls in maroon, driving the ball forward but with poor attempts on goal and repeatedly giving the ball away to the green side, she cut a frustrated figure.
Relentless Hibernian were all over the home side, but lacked that clinical final ball. Attempts were flying everywhere but the young goalkeeper Johnstone looked confident and composed. Comfortably saving strikes from the eager opposition.
The first convincing strike on target was in added time in the first half, Adamolekun fearlessly attempted to cut in a strike on Erin Clachers’ goal with a whistling shot on the right hand side of the field, 10 yards from the box, just curling over the crossbar. With half-time looming the whistle couldn’t come fast enough for Eva Olid, a half time team talk to compose her side was needed.
The Jambos looked changed and composed into the first five minutes of the second half, winning a free kick in a threatening position.
In the 54th minute, the first change of the game was for the girls in maroon with Andrews on for Timms. Welcomed onto the field by a raucous Tynecastle Park, the notorious goal scorer was just what Hearts needed to lift their attacking play. After this substitution, Hearts were still lacking numbers in the box with efforts from Husband wasted with no one on the receiving end of her efforts.
In the 59th minute the away side made their first change with Ferguson off for Livingstone who had just recently returned after a long term back injury. Instantly making an impact off the bench, Livingstone had a shot on goal, but it was saved comfortably by Johnstone.
Hibs were starting to get the better of the home side, Hearts being shown the first yellow of the game with Wade the first in the referee’s book, 65 minutes in. The game was starting to become desperate and scrappy.
In the 71st minute, recently booked Wade left the action for Richards, who then made a real difference on the left side of the field. She was a nuisance to the Hibs game plan. But the same issue occurred: silly mistakes and a real lack of attacking threat in the final third with no attempts on goal or the need for Clachers to get her gloves dirty.
A triple substitution for the Hibees: McGovern,Bowie and Doran-Barr all off for Adams,Bole and Christie. Fresh legs were a real concern for the already unconvincing Hearts.
In the 81st minute, Papadopoulos dribbled the ball around several opposition players in the box and placed a pass to the all alone Rosie Livingstone who capitalised on the space created and fired into the net. The lifelong Hibees fan ecstatically ran over to the 750 away fans who had made the journey.
Not all was lost for Hearts, the desperation forced them to take more chances and become bolder – with several moments that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The most promising attempt of their match came in the 89th minute. Husband had a great attempt on goal but Clachers wasn’t allowing the lead to be stripped from her team. The fourth official signalled for 3 minutes of added time and all that was heard was Hibees’ chants with the home fans silenced.
93 minutes of a scrappy yet intense derby and Hibernian were crowned capital cup champions. Hearts looked defeated and disappointed to lose the cup on home turff. All celebrations were in the away stand, with a trophy presentation.
Eva Olid, clearly disappointed with the result, spoke to the media afterwards. She was asked if the decision to play at Tynecastle had affected the players’ performances:
‘‘I felt that the team started nervously and that affected our start. The main difference is unfortunately we don’t play at Tynecastle.”
“[We play here] only once a year and that doesn’t [help us get] used to it. We’re used to playing at the Oriam where we feel confidence, but our players should be mentally strong too, to play everywhere.”
Attentions now turn to the game up north against Aberdeen in a week’s time, as the title race is ever so close. Hearts title charge hopes isn’t over yet
