Jack Gillies continues his in-depth look back in Part Two of our review of Hibernian Women’s start to the 2021/22 season.
October
October proved to a month of mixed fortunes for Hibs as Michaela McAlonie went in for knee surgery ruling her out for a long period of time and the side’s league form became patchy.
Rangers (Home, Loss, 1-0)
October kicked off with a tough game against Rangers who, alongside Celtic, had received a lot of investment and had built up an impressive squad including some ex-Hibs stars like goalkeeper Jenna Fife.
Despite being the better side for much of the game, Hibs couldn’t find the killer touch and in the 50th minute Ness scored what proved to be the winner for the Gers with a good strike which took a bit of a deflection.
Much like the Celtic game, Hibs had been unlucky and at the very least deserved a point. To make things worse captain Joelle Murray was ruled out of the Partick Thistle game after a nasty clash of heads with a Rangers players left her with nose and facial injuries.
Partick Thistle (Away, Loss, 3-2)
After a tough defeat against Rangers, Hibs travelled to Glasgow to face newly promoted Partick Thistle who had taken Forfar’s place in the league.
Hibs would have fancied themselves in this clash and it certainly looked like they were on course for a routine win when Siobhan Hunter opened the scoring in the 18th minute – but the second half proved to be a disaster.
The Jags got themselves level in the 54th minute after Bulloch converted a controversial penalty. The Glasgow side then took the lead thanks to McGowan and doubled their lead after a counter attack caught Hibs’ back line out and Bulloch calmly finished to grab her second goal.
Colette Cavanagh gave Hibs a lifeline but it wasn’t enough and the girls went along the M8 empty handed. A heavily rotated team was probably to blame for the shock defeat but all the same the performance was one of the worst fans had seen in a long time.
Aberdeen (Home, Win, 1-0)
Hibs needed to get back on the horse quickly after two losses on the bounce and they managed to do that in a dress rehearsal for the League Cup quarter final.
Aberdeen certainly weren’t to be underestimated; Emma Hunter’s side won the SWPL2 last season and had adapted to life in the top flight well, but Hibs took it all in their stride and ran out winners thanks to another Cavanagh wonder strike.
While Cavanagh’s goal was enough, Hibs put in perhaps their best performance of the season and had they been more clinical then the scoreline could have been larger.
The Aberdeen game also saw the return of Shannon McGregor after nearly two years out with a serious knee injury – she was treated to standing ovation when she came off the bench.
Aberdeen (Away, Win, 2-0)
After beating the Dons in the league Hibs were full of confidence as they headed up to the Balmoral Stadium for the League Cup quarter final.
Hibs booked their place in the semis at Forthbank Stadium with another comfortable win over Aberdeen inspired by a Rachael Boyle double, and had Hibs been more clinical it could have been a lot more than 2-0.
October had been difficult month, Hibs only claimed three points from a possible 9 in the league and the Partick loss was particularly disappointing. However, the month had also seen positives with progression to the League Cup semi final secured and Shannon McGregor’s return to first team football after nearly two years out.
The League Cup semi final draw also took place with Hibs getting a tough tie in the form of Celtic who had defeated Old Firm rivals and league leaders Rangers in their quarter final.
November
November was another tough month for Hibs that saw league form take another hit and a bitter end to the League Cup campaign.
Hamilton Academical (Away, Win, 1-0)
November started off with a trip to New Douglas Park for a clash with the newly promoted Accies. Much like the Partick game it was a heavily rotated starting 11 with Emily Mutch stepping in between the sticks in place of Gabby English.
Hamilton gave the girls a good run for their money but this season’s stand out Amy Gallacher added to her account in the 25th minute and that was enough to see out all three points.
Hibs had played well and Hamilton hadn’t really been allowed to come into the game. The scoreline would have been bigger had Hibs been more clinical – something a lot of fans and head coach Dean Gibson were beginning to pick up on.
Glasgow City (Home, Loss, 3-0)
Hibs now moved on to their old rivals Glasgow City at home in a game that many Hibees knew would be a difficult one for the girls.
Hibs and City are two of the biggest names in Scottish women’s football and before the rise of the Old Firm clubs they always used to battle it out for the title leading to many fans giving the tie the tag of the ‘Scottish El Classico’.
Glasgow City, who are battling it out with Rangers for their 15th league title in a row, blew a lacklustre Hibs away. Costa Rican international Chinchilla opened the scoring in the 18th minute as her hit-and-hope-effort caught out English.
Farrelly took advantage of some slack Hibs defending to make it two before ex-Hibs starlet and Scotland international Lauren Davidson put the final nail in the coffin in the 90th minute.
Hibs, who usually put up a good fight against City, looked off the pace and met the Glaswegian side on a day when they were out for blood.
Celtic (Neutral, Loss, 2-1)
Hibs had to dust themselves down and keep their heads up as they headed to neutral Forthbank Stadium for the League Cup semi with a chance for some revenge against Celtic.
Hibs were hoping their strong record in the competition would hold them in good stead and it certainly looked that way. After a great start Rachael Boyle put Hibs ahead with a stunning strike from range Hibs managed to maintain the lead heading into the break which boosted confidence levels even further.
However, the second half saw the Hoops come out with renewed vigour and just after the break Australian U21 international Galabadaarachchi fired Celtic level before Wellings nicked it for the Celts with 10 minutes to go.
Hibs had chances but unfortunately lady luck wasn’t on their side and the journey towards a fifth consecutive League Cup was over.
Spartans (Away, Draw, 0-0)
After disappointment in the League Cup semi final Hibs were back at their old stomping ground for the reverse against capital rivals Spartans in what promised to be a heated affair after a social media showdown between the two clubs.
The tie ended in a stalemate as both goalkeepers and the bar made sure neither Hibs nor the North Edinburgh side could score. Hibs could rightly feel unlucky however as an Amy Muir strike that had hit the bar and just crossed the line wasn’t given by the referee.
It had been a frustrating afternoon and for many Hibs fans it felt like two points dropped instead of one gained.
November saw four points out of a possible nine in the league. The defeats against Glasgow City and especially Celtic had left a lot fans and the players smarting but the girls had also proved they were more than capable of going toe to toe with a top side like Celtic in the League Cup semi so there was a sense of optimism heading into December.
December
Due to the international break the Motherwell game was postponed until the New Year leaving Hibs with just one game in December.
That game was a big one though with the reverse Edinburgh Derby. Hearts returned the favour from earlier in the season by playing the fixture at Tynecastle – again tickets were being offered to fans for free and another big night for the women’s game lay ahead in the capital.
Hearts (Away, Win, 3-1)
Hibs travelled to Gorgie for the last game of 2021 backed by a sold out away allocation. Hearts were steadily improving and were out for revenge on home turf but it was Hibs that drew first blood as Rachael Boyle yet again kept the family tradition of scoring against Hearts going with an absolute beauty in the 20th minute.
Veteran centre half (and massive Hibee) Siobhan Hunter doubled the Hibs advantage in the 34th minute and celebrated with a knee slide in front of the Hearts fans which was met with loud boos from the home support.
Hearts could have got a goal back not long after from the penalty spot, but Emily Mutch stepped up and not only saved the spot kick but the rebound as well.
The second half proved to be more difficult for Hibs as Hearts came out looking to control the game and in the 66th minute Hibs were caught out as ex-Hibs player Erin Rennie slotted home giving the Jam Tarts a lifeline.
Hibs had to survive quite a storm but momentum swung back in their favour as Eilidh Adams redoubled their advantage at the death to ensure a fourth derby win in a row. Unfortunately, Adams had to be stretchered off in injury time with an ankle injury but McAlonie came on after a successful return to training after her operation.
December and 2021 ended on a high after a fantastic, albeit hard fought, derby win at Tynecastle with the girls really proving they could tough it out and weather a storm. It was another big night for Scottish women’s football as well with just over 3000 fans making the trip to Tynecastle – hopefully there are more nights like that to come.
Overall, the season so far has been a positive one. Hibs currently sit fourth in the SWPL1 which is where they finished last season, so a platform is being built for consistency which will help the squad develop and while the bid to retain the League Cup ended in that bitter semi final defeat at the hands of Celtic, Hibs are still proving that they can compete at the top level despite the ever-shifting sands of women’s football in Scotland.
There were two historic derby victories with the game at Easter Road being the stand out with a crowd of just over 5,500 cheering Hibs on to a 3-0 win on home turf that crowd was a record for both Hibs (the previous had been just over 3000 fans at Easter Road for a Champions League clash with Slavia Prague in 2019) and for Scottish women’s football.
Hibs have been playing really attractive, attacking football and are confidently beating teams around them like Motherwell, Aberdeen and Hearts and while the Partick defeat and the inability to beat the three Glasgow clubs has put a dent in Champions League chances, the girls are still making good headway in the league.
All of the new signings have impressed, especially Coyle and English who are both key members of the squad, and have become firm favourites – fellow American Malone hasn’t featured much this season but has shown off her quality on the occasions she was given minutes.
McAlonie’s season has been somewhat hampered with her operation but she has proved to be a key creative influence in the midfield and hopefully she will continue her development as the season goes on.
It isn’t just the new signings that have impressed. Experienced players Boyle, Hunter and Murray are all still key members of the squad and Boyle especially has had an amazing season so far with plenty of goals to her name and even more assists.
Gallacher and Cavanagh have impressed too, both having their fair share of goals and assists. Eddie and Muir have been solid members of the defence with both young players proving to be two of the best defenders in Scotland while rising star Eilidh Adams is continuing her impressive goal scoring exploits at just 17.
This season has also seen Hibs players receive international call ups with Boyle, Muir and Eddie all getting senior Scotland call ups. Rachael Boyle played the full 90 minutes against second seeds and Olympic silver medalists Sweden in a friendly and Ukraine at Hampden in a World Cup qualifier.
While Muir and Eddie are yet to get minutes for the national team, if they keeping working hard it will come soon. Eilidh Adams has impressed for Scotland at U19 level with her turning in impressive performances in their Euro qualifiers – the highlight was her scoring Scotland’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Ukraine.
Hibs kick off the new year with a league meeting against Celtic on Sunday 19th January at the Tony Macaroni Arena – tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here.
There is plenty more to come for Hibs in 2022 with a favourable start to the Scottish Cup campaign in the form of SWPL2 St Johnstone away from home (ex-Hibs boss Grant Scott is their new manager). Lifting the cup could potentially offer a route into the Champions League so the girls will be out to win the trophy at all costs.
There is also plenty to look forward to in the league and while Glasgow City are 10 points clear in second place, a charge for Champions League qualification via the league is still possible if the girls can start competing with the Glasgow clubs again.
Watch this space as Hibernian Women are an impressive side and 2022 is going to be a massive year for them.
You can follow the progress of the women’s team via their social media channels here.
The East Stand 