RANGERS fell to a 2-0 defeat to Hibs in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League at Meadowbank this afternoon.
First half goals from Kathleen McGovern and Stacy Papadopoulos put the hosts in control of the contest at the break as the Gers were unable to mount a fightback in the second half in the capital.
The Gers knew prior to kick off that victory would take them four points clear at the top of the standings after results elsewhere. Jo Potter’s side looked to continue their positive momentum from the midweek result with the former Lioness naming just one change from their midweek win as Mia McAulay came in for her first start since mid-February in place of Jodi McLeary.
Rangers looked to assert themselves on the contest from the off. A clever ball down the side from Brogan Hay set the midfield runner Chelsea Cornet away down the channel. She cut the ball back looking for Rio Hardy initially before it broke for Kirsty Howat, but the referee penalised the number 10 for a foul before her strike partner could put the ball into the back of the net.
After a delay in the game as the Hibs goalkeeper received treatment, it was the hosts who took the lead through their first chance of the game. A ball down the right side set forward Eilidh Adams free. She seeked out strike partner Kathleen McGovern inside the box as she picked her out before she headed it beyond Jenna Fife into the back of the net inside the opening 10 minutes in the capital.
The Light Blues looked to respond to the early setback after going 1-0 down for the second match running. Defender Leah Eddie looked to pick out Howat at the top end of the pitch, but her long through ball was carried by the wind through into the hands of Noa Schumacher in the Hibs goal.
Hibs looked to create further problems for the visitors and almost doubled their advantage on the break. Tegan Bowie, who was operating down the left, swung in a cross which Mia McAulay looked to be in control of to clear, between her and Fife they hesitated which almost allowed Adams in at the back post, but the goalkeeper narrowed the angle to stop her in her tracks and divert it behind.
The away side were struggling to create anything clear-cut as they patiently had to go in search for openings. After working the ball in the final third, Howat found herself a half chance to shoot from range, but her left footed shot was comfortable for the Hibs shot stopper.
After a period of few chances at both ends, Hibs doubled their advantage. The hosts wanted a foul for a tackle on McGovern on Kathy Hill. Play continued as the cross field ball worked its way to Stacy Papadopoulos who tried her luck from range as it beat Fife and found the corner as Hibs made it two as the game approached 10 minutes to half time.
Potter’s side looked to get themselves back into the game with them having it all to do. Eddie swung in a cross as she looked to pick out Camille Lafaix inside the area, put the ball was too high for the midfielder who couldn’t make the desired contact with her head.
Hay’s in swinging corner kick delivery was met by Cornet at the back post but she couldn’t turn it goalwards at the angle, as the Light Blues’ frustrations mounted as they went at half time two goals down.
Rangers introduced Jodi McLeary and Lizzie Arnot at the interval with the latter making her 150th appearance for the club, as the away side looked to turn things in their favour and got back into the contest in the capital.
The home side continued to threaten as they again went close to adding to their lead. Striker Adams picked the ball up unmarked on the edge of the box, she swiveled and fired and effort goalwards, with only the post denying her from making it three.
At the other end, it was Cornet who went close to halving the deficit on the counter. A ball down the outside saw the midfielder close in on goal from a wide angle, she spotted the goalkeeper off her line, but the looping effort went the wrong side of the bar from a Rangers perspective and stayed out.
After a period of few chances and safe possession for the away side, they created another opportunity with Lafaix unable to convert at the back post. Captain Nicola Docherty swung in a cross for the French-American, but her header lacked the desired power to trouble Schumacher who held.
Frustrations continued to mount for the away side as Hibs remained defensively sound in the latter stages whilst looking a threat on the break themselves, with the home side leapfrogging their opponents back to the top of the standings as a result of the victory with five games left to play.
HIBS: Schumacher, Hunter, Papadopoulos, Grant, McAlonie (Notley, 80), Adams (Ferguson, 90+1), McGovern (Morrison, 71) , Doran-Barr (Gibb 90+1), Bowie (Livingstone, 71), Taylor, Reilly
SUBS: Armitage, Ramsay, Taylor
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, Eddie, Hill, Hay (McLeary, 45) Howat, Hardy (Wilkinson, 58) McAulay (Arnot, 45) Cornet, Lafaix (Berry, 78), Maclean
SUBS: Esson, Rafferty, Middag, Ross, McLoughlin