Hibs Women 2 Motherwell 0

Hibernian welcomed Motherwell to a very sunny Meadowbank for the first of our final five ScottishPower Women's Premier League split fixtures.

First half goals from Kathleen McGovern and Kirsten Reilly extended the Hibees' lead at the top of the table to three points following tonight's victory and results elsewhere. 

Grant Scott made three changes from his side that defeated Rangers on Sunday with Ellis Notley, Rosie Livingstone and Kirsty Morrison coming into the side to replace Ciara Grant, Eilidh Adams and Linzi Taylor. 

The opening chance of the match came from the Hibees after nine minutes. Michaela McAlonie won possession in the middle of the park and moved it wide to Tegan Bowie, who then gave the ball back to the midfielder. McAlonie delivered a great cross to the back post, which found its way to Livingstone but the forward's first-time shot blazed over the bar. 

Following a promising start, it wasn't long before Hibs nabbed the first goal of the evening on 15 minutes.

Motherwell comfortably held possession in their own half, but Jenna Penman played a poor back pass back to her goalkeeper, Emily Mutch, which Kathleen McGovern pounced upon. Before Mutch could react, our number 10 tapped the ball in on the goal-line to put the Hibees ahead.

Hibs’ next chance came after 25 minutes. Lauren Doran-Barr intercepted the ball brilliantly and continued to take the ball down the right flank before playing the ball inside to Livingstone. She had a first time go from 20 yards but her ambitious attempt went just over the bar. 

Hibs continued to put pressure on the Motherwell goal just a few minutes after Livingstone’s chance. An over-the-top long ball from keeper Noa Schumacher wasn't dealt with by the visiting defence, which allowed Morrison to run through. She was outstrengthed by Eilidh Austin, who then failed to clear the danger as her clearance only went as far as Tegan Bowie - though the winger's shot was saved low by Mutch. 

Just after the half-an-hour mark, Doran-Barr whipped in a great cross into the box which found its way to the back post, but on this occasion Stacey Papadopolous couldn't keep her shot down and her effort rose over the bar. 

Motherwell were limited to chances in the first half, with shots from distance throughout the half not troubling Schumacher. 

Five minutes into stoppage time of the first half, Hibernian doubled their lead. Notley played in a great corner from the right-hand side, which met the head of Kirsten Reilly. Despite a fingertip from an outstretched Mutch, the ball hit the back of the net and the Hibees went into the break with a two-goal lead. 

Motherwell had an opportunity to get one back just after the break. Bailey Collins delivered a great cross from out wide, which met the head of Louisa Boyes, but Schumacher got down to the ball and saved well to keep ahold of Hibs' clean sheet. 

Hibernian had a big opportunity to make it 3-0 after 53 minutes. Tegan Bowie whipped in a teasing cross from the left wing which landed straight on McGovern’s head, but her header just grazed the post as Hibs sought out a third.

Hibernian were given a free-kick from 22 yards as Brodie Greenwood cynically brought down Morrison. Reilly, looking for her second goal of the evening, stepped over the ball and hit a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar.

After 57 minutes, it looked like Hibs were goalbound again after a great cross from Morrison was not dealt with by Motherwell, but Mutch got down and saved well again to halt an own goal. 

Hibs continued to pile on the pressure as McAlonie received the ball 25 yards from goal and played a sublime ball through to Morrison, who promptly delivered a great first-time cross to McGovern, whose header just flew past the post again just after the hour mark.

Hibs hit the woodwork for a second time in the second half. Substitute Caley Gibb did brilliantly down the left-hand side and cut the ball back to McGovern, who quickly laid the ball to Grant, whose shot from inside the box smacked the post. 

Motherwell had a free kick opportunity in the 80th minute from 25 yards, but Collins' effort was hit straight at Schumacher.

Grant once again created an opportunity after coming on for the Hibees, playing a superb pass in behind to fellow substitute Abbie Ferguson, who then went on to square it to McGovern, but her left-footed strike went wide of Mutch’s goal.

After three minutes of stoppage time at Meadowbank, referee Cameron Stirling blew his whistle for a final time, and Hibernian Women secured another important three points in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League title race.