Hibs Women 4 Durham 0

Hibernian Women concluded their pre-season with a strong 4-0 win over English Women’s Super League 2 side, Durham at Meadowbank.

A first-half strike from Hannah Jordan, a second-half brace from Kathleen McGovern, and a goal from Kirsten Reilly gave the Hibees the victory.

A strong defensive performance from Grant Scott's side also meant Hibs Women have not conceded a goal across this season’s pre-season matches ahead of the new SWPL season.

The first chance came Durham’s way in the fifth minute, when Grace Ede delivered a great low cross into the box which found Beth Hepple, but her shot from 12 yards narrowly went close past Noa Schumacher's post.

Summer signing Jordan opened the scoring with our first chance of the game. After great work from Ciara Grant in the middle of the park to intercept the Durham pass, she passed it wide to Kirsty Morrison - who delivered a low cutback pass to Jordan in the centre of the box, who put the ball past Cat Sheppard to put the Hibees’ ahead at Meadowbank after 20 minutes.

Durham threatened with a potential equaliser as Hepple once again had a chance after finding space in the box, but her effort did not have enough power and the attempt landed straight at Schumacher on 33 minutes.

Durham had the ball in the back of the net in the 37th minute after a lovely pass from Abbey Jones split the Hibernian defence and found Hannah Blake, who then went onto the put the back of the net with a nice finish past Schumacher, but Blake was adjudged to be offside by the linesman and the Hibees remained one goal up.

Hibs had their second chance of the game in the 39th minute, as Ellis Notley attempted a powerful shot from 20 yards away, but her strike blazed over the bar as Hibs threatened to go two goals ahead at Meadowbank.

Hibs had yet another opportunity just a few moments later, as McGovern attempted an acrobatic overhead kick, though her attempt went straight into Sheppard’s hands.

Hibs then threatened from a set piece just before half time as Grant’s corner ended up causing a stramash inside the six-yard box - which eventually landed to Tiree Burchill, but her poked effort ended up going straight at Sheppard.

The opening chance of the second half came Durham’s way as a loose Hibs pass found attacker Blake, who laid the ball off to Mollie Lambert - though her effort was saved well by Schumacher.

Hibs doubled their lead just moments after that Durham chance on 51 minutes. A defensive mix-up from the visitors led to McGovern regaining possession on the edge of the box. She shot powerfully - forcing a parry by Sheppard back into her path - allowing McGovern to take the ball round the keeper and slotted the ball in the back of the net to put the Hibees two ahead.

Just four minutes later, McGovern scored yet again. The Scotland international found herself through on goal after getting past the Durham defender and hit a low, powerful finish past Sheppard to extend the Hibees' lead further.

McGovern almost completed her hat-trick with an hour on the clock, as Ciara Grant delivered a great corner from the right-hand side which met the head of the striker, but last season's Hibs top goalscorer could not direct it on-target.

Hibs continued their attacking intent, as Rosie Livingstone showed fantastic footwork to squeeze past her marker and had a strong effort well saved by Sheppard and parried out for a corner.

That eventual corner led to the Hibees’ fourth goal of the game as Ciara Grant delivered another threatening corner, which eventually found its way to substitute Kirsten Reilly, who smashed home on the half volley from close range to put Hibernian four goals ahead at Meadowbank.

In the 72nd minute, Livingstone had another great effort from distance, with this curling effort from 20 yards rattling the crossbar as the Hibernian number 18 continued to threaten to write her name on the scoresheet.

The referee decided no added-on injury time was needed at the end of the second half and blew his whistle for a final time at Meadowbank - with a strong victory over Durham concluding Hibs Women’s pre-season.

HIbs Women: Schumacher (Armitage 77'), Boyle (Doran-Barr 63'), L Taylor, Hunter, Papadopoulos (Gibb 63'), Grant, Notley (McAlonie 63'), Jordan (Burchill 35'), Morrison (Reilly 63'), Livingstone, McGovern (Bowie 63')