Hibs Women 5 Hamilton 0

Hibernian Women got back to winning ways against Hamilton Academical on Sunday by defeating the Accies 5-0 at Meadowbank Stadium.

Ciara Grant opened the scoring, with Rachael Boyle and Rosie Livingstone also adding their names to the scoresheet as the match progressed. Eilidh Adams smashed home two goals to secure her first brace since October.

Joelle Murray made three changes to the starting team from last weekend’s clash against Celtic. Hannah Jordan made her much anticipated return to the starting line-up for the first time this season in the league, while Kirsty Morrison and Grant also returned. The trio replaced Kirsten Reilly, Jess Ramsay, and Rosie Livingstone.

The first chance of the game came Hibernian’s way with only three minutes on the clock. Morrison delivered a strong low ball to Adams, who attempted to slot it inside the right post but the ball ricocheted off the post.

The Hibees broke the deadlock in the tenth minute after Tegan Bowie believed a promising cross into the box. The ball connected with Ciara Grant who slotted the ball into the far right corner, with the goal opening Grant’s account for the season.

As the clock hit 17 minutes, Hibs came close to doubling their tally. Jess Fitzgerald bypassed the Accies defence to provide her an opportunity. However, her shot skirted off the side of the post.

Another close chance for the Hibees opened up minutes later, with Jordan taking an ambitious shot from 20 yards out - but her strike brushed over the crossbar.

Hibs grabbed their second goal of the game in the 34th minute. Morrison passed to an awaiting Adams at the box, who fired low to catch Accies keeper Erin Halliday off guard.

Moments later, Jordan took another dig at goal but hit the crossbar; a scrummage for the ball ensued as Hamilton desperately sought to eliminate the threat. In turn, our skipper, Boyle, seized the ball and slotted it into the empty net to grab our third goal of the game.

The Hibees opened up the second half determined to increase their advantage. Fitzgerald delivered a forceful cross to Adams, who attempted to play it low past Halliday, but the shot was halted.

However, with her next chance, Adams connected with the net - finding the fourth goal of the game and securing our number nine’s brace. Lauren Doran-Barr delivered a strong cross into the box, which the Hamilton defence struggled to eliminate, and the dangerous ball found Adams, who slid the ball in with ease.

Second-half sub Rosie Livingstone made an immediate impact on the field with the forward hunting to get on the scoresheet. Our number 18 took a compelling shot from 15 yards out, effectively bypassing Hamilton’s defence, to find the corner of the net.

Substitute striker Kathleen McGovern would hit the bar with a thunderous strike as Morrison was denied by the very impressive Halliday - whose superb stops throughout the 90 frustrated the Hibees - in the closing stages. 

Significantly, in the closing minutes, 16-year-old NextGen Academy player Olivia Cornet was brought onto the pitch, marking her professional league debut with Hibernian FC Women.