Dunfermline 0-1 Hearts Women
From Hearts News at Pitreavie, Dunfermline

Hearts skipper Kim Borthwick was the hero as the women's team progressed to the third round of the League Cup at the expense of second division favourites Dunfermline, on Sunday

The visitors kicked off playing up the hill and immediately went on the offensive with Kiyomi Honjigawa very prominent down the right flank. Her pace, tenacity and crossing was causing their rear-guard all sorts of problems and her performance level never dropped throughout the entire match.

Time after time she sped away from her opponents and delivered tremendous crosses into the box.

The onslaught from Hearts continued throughout the half but they could not find a way through the packed home side's defence.

Ironically, and completely against the run of play, the best chance of the first half fell to the home side as their lone striker found herself through one on one with the keeper but Susan Milby, back in goal against her previous club, pulled off a tremendous save to keep the score-line blank at the interval.

The second half got underway with the away side continuing to dominate proceedings but the Dunfermline defence were still holding firm and Hearts were finding it difficult to find space in the crowded penalty box.

But the break finally came 25 minutes from time, when Kim Borthwick, collected the ball 20 yards from goal in the inside-right channel, and after side-stepping the defender hit a low shot from the edge of the box that beat the keeper.

From the restart the away outfit went in search of a second goal that would surely kill the tie, especially as their opponents were finding it difficult to get the ball out of their own half, but although they came close on several occasions that goal from Kim proved to be the winner and secured Hearts place in the last sixteen.

Head coach Tam Milne said afterwards: "We always knew that this would be a difficult tie and so it proved, but I have to compliment my girls on their work-rate and effort.

"It is very frustrating and difficult to play against such a well organised, packed defence but the girls stuck to their task and got the result that they deserved.

"I was delighted with the performance from Kiyomi today. She was a constant threat down that right wing and was at the heart of most of our good play."

Hearts: Milby, Scobie, Gill, Johnston, Campbell, Honjigawa, Borthwick, Paterson, Buchanan, Wilkins (McGovern), Piaskowski (Rogers). Sub not used: Porteous.

On the adjoining pitch at Pitreavie yesterday, Hearts U17s were also in League Cup action against Cowdenbeath and to round off a great double they also progressed with a well deserved 2-1 victory with goals from Kerry Henderson and Sam Cunningham.

U17s coach Billy Morrison said after the match: "I was absolutely delighted with the girls today. We played some good stuff and worked very hard for a well deserved victory."

In other news, Kim, who took her goal well, is off to Holland next week to represent Scotland U19s side as they look to progress in the UEFA European Championships with matches against Holland, Denmark and Finland. Everyone at Hearts wishes Kim, and the rest of the girls all the very best in their quest.