Hibs Women 1-1 Hearts Women
28 November 2022Hearts manager Eva Olid made two changes to the side that was beaten by Celtic last weekend. Jenna Penman and Erin Rennie were brought in to replace Rebecca McAllister and Katie Rood.
Ahead of the fixture, all the talk was about the record-breaking crowd that would be in the stands, so inevitably, the early stages were always going to be a little nervy.
Roared on by the majority of the fans in the stadium, the home side started the brighter of the teams. Charlotte Parker-Smith was in fine form though to keep the scores level, coming up big on numerous occasions to ensure the sides couldn’t be separated going into the break.
As is often the case with derby matches, the first goal was crucial, and it was Hearts who managed to get it just after the hour mark.
Ciara Grant swung in a wicked delivery from the right and defender Emma Brownlie timed her run perfectly to bullet a header into the back of the net. The goal sparked unbelievable celebrations with the travelling Jambos in the stand behind the goal.
Grant was running the show in the middle of the pitch and when she swung in another inviting delivery, substitute Katie Rood rose highest, but her looping header landed on the roof of the net.
Hibs were pushing for an equaliser as the game entered the final 20 minutes and continued to be a threat from cross balls and set pieces.
Gwen Davies thought she had doubled the Hearts advantage when pouncing on Georgia Timms’ blocked shot to prod home the rebound, only for the long arm of the linesman to rule it out and ensure the Hearts lead remained a slender one.
Just as it looked like Hearts were going to cling on for a famous three points. Hibs substitute Crystal Thomas was in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball home six minutes from the end after Hearts had failed to clear a Hibs corner.
Parker-Smith came up trumps once more in stoppage time to ensure Hearts left Easter Road with a point.
A penalty shootout followed to determine which side would take home the Capital Cup and after Georgia Timms saw her spot kick saved, Hibs were faultless. Scoring five out of five to claim the trophy, in a 5-3 shootout victory.
Hearts Women are back in action next Sunday as they welcome Hamilton to Oriam.
Hibs: Haaland, Parry, Hunter, Eddie, Hinds, McAlonie, Adams, McGregor, Notley, Murray, Freda
Subs: Kosinska, Leishman, Mustafa, Livingstone, Thomas, Kuyken, Giannou, Morrison, Lawson
Hearts: Parker-Smith, Penman (Rood, 46), Brownlie, Hunter ©, Grant, Timms, Smith, Rennie (Forysth, 70), Sampson, Davies, Michie
Subs: Rodgers, Rolandsen, Forsyth, Anderson, McAllister, Handley, Rood, Connor, Cowan