Hearts Women were crowned SWPL Champions for the first time in the club’s history, despite a 2-0 defeat to Hibernian at Meadowbank on Sunday.
In her final match in charge, Eva Olid made just the one change from the side that drew with Glasgow City last time out as Eilidh Shore made a welcome returning to the XI with Sade Adamolekun dropping to the bench.
The permutations were simple for the Jambos, avoiding defeat would guarantee the women in maroon the trophy, however at Petershill, anything other than a Rangers victory over Glasgow City, would also see the Jambos crowned Champions.
Hearts wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game and Georgia Timms was a whisker away from opening the scoring after just five minutes, latching onto Ellen Dolan’s ball over the top, she shot just wide from a tight angle.
Hibs were seeing plenty of the ball, backed by a vocal home support, but it was Hearts carving out the better openings, with Carly Johns next to go close. After the striker dropped deep to start a promising attack, shifting the ball wide left to Lauren Wade, before continuing her run towards goal. The winger’s cross was blocked as far as the forward, but her effort from distance was well held by Noa Schumacher.
Ellen Dolan was next to go close just moments later, but from close range, she could head Joely Andrews’ corner wide at the far post.
It had all started so well for Hearts, but the home side took the lead against the run of play on 20 minutes. Danique Ypema was adjudged to have fouled Rosie Livingstone in the penalty box and Eilidh Adams stepped up to give Hibs the lead.
It was 2-0 on the half-hour mark. Tegan Bowie was causing problems down the left-hand side with her pace, and her cross was turned into her own net by the unfortunate Carly Girasoli.
Having been the better side to begin with, the two quickfire goals understandably spooked Hearts, who struggled to get into their rhythm for what remained of the first 45.
The travelling Jambos were doing their bit, informing the players of some positive news from Petershill, with Glasgow City leading Rangers 3-0 at the interval, Hearts were still in pole position at the break.
Half-time: Hibernian 2-0 Hearts
The second half was a bit of a non-event in truth. Olid looked to change things, using all five substitutions before the 65-minute mark, but from a Hibs point of view, the damage had been done in the first half, with few openings in 45 minutes that was filled with stoppages.
It didn’t matter however as news filtered through of Glasgow City’s thrashing against Rangers, meaning there was no late drama required as the Jambos lifted the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League trophy for the very first time in history. An afternoon to remember at a sunny Meadowbank Stadium and one that will now be etched in the history of Heart of Midlothian.
Hearts: Johnstone, Ypema (Hunter, 60), J.Husband, E.Husband, Shore (Fulton, 51), Timms (Slattery, 66), Wade (Forsyth, 60), Dolan (Adamolekun, 66), Andrews, Girasoli, Johns
Subs: Thomson, Hunter, Fulton, Forsyth, Adamolekun, Jardine, Richards, Burn, Slattery
