Motherwell 0 Hibs Women 5
Despite the weather threatening to put a dampener on our latest away fixture, Hibs would win convincingly at a rain-soaked K-Park.
Kathleen McGovern starred, scoring her first Hibs hat-trick, with further goal contributions coming from Michaela McAlonie and Eilidh Adams.
Hibs made the trip to K-Park with the aim of continuing their positive start to the season, seeing the club joint-top of the SWPL, and chasing a fourth win in as many games.
Erin Clachers was named in the starting XI, making her first Hibernian appearance after signing on-loan from Glasgow City.
Grant Scott's side had to battle hard in the opening stages to gain the upper hand, with Motherwell threatening right from the off. Morgan Cross and Laura McCartney looked to attack Erin Clachers’ goal from a number of different angles, but the Hibs backline and ‘keeper held firm.
Despite this, and in the midst of the ceaseless wind and rain, the sun would look to shine on the Hibees as Kathleen McGovern opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Ciara Grant floated a brilliant ball into the area from the right flank and McGovern would rise highest on the line to head into the bottom of the net.
A similar move was replicated on the opposite flank after the restart thanks to some initiative brought by Tegan Bowie, although McGovern failed to find the target for a second time in as many minutes.
With the playing conditions continuing to deteriorate, McGovern would capitalise again after half an hour. An excellent lofted pass by McAlonie in the centre cut open the Motherwell defence, allowing our number 10 to pounce. She broke through and prodded a brilliant effort into the bottom of the net once more.
A faulty clearance from Motherwell captain Gill Inglis nearly resulted in a further goal, as the full-back nearly volleyed straight into her own net. Ellis Notley scuffed the bar with a brilliant header at the front post from the resulting corner.
With the start of the second half, Hibs would continue to drive forward - despite being under pressure themselves at times. A surging Kirsten Reilly run would see Abbie Ferguson find a promising position, but this opportunity would come to naught before McAlonie scored her first goal of the season.
Siobhan Hunter’s floated ball bypassed the entire Motherwell defence brillaintly, allowing McAlonie to pass unchallenged. After her first attempt was saved admirably by Emily Mutch, the midfielder rolled the ball across the goal-line from an acute angle.
McGovern celebrated her first hat-trick, and Hibs goal fourth of the afternoon, not long after. The forward struck a low strike into the bottom corner from outside the box which gave Mutch no chance.
With McGovern having been replaced after a terrific set of goals, her replacement Eilidh Adams kept the scoring coming. The Hibs number nine caressed a low ball into the net to grab her fifth goal of the campaign and wrap up another league victory for the Hibees.