Mariana Speckmaier scored a hat-trick to lead Hearts Women to a 3–2 Edinburgh derby victory over Hibernian and secure the Capital Cup at Easter Road on Sunday.
Andy Thomson made two changes from the side that played in Spain on Wednesday. Emma Thomson made her debut in goal, replacing Rachael Johnstone, while Kayla Jardine came into midfield in place of Erin Rennie.
Hearts started strongly in Leith, controlling possession and keeping the hosts under pressure during the opening ten minutes.
The early pressure paid off after 23 minutes. Mairead Fulton sent a precise cross from a set piece to Speckmaier, who finished past Eve Annets to put Hearts ahead.
Hibs fought back as the half continued and found an equaliser in the 32nd minute through Aoife Colvill. Libby Smith nearly put the hosts ahead five minutes before half-time, heading just wide of the post.
Hearts regained the lead just before the break, with Speckmaier finishing one-on-one with the goalkeeper inside the box for her second goal, sending the Jambos into half-time ahead.
Half-time: Hearts 2–1 Hibernian.
The second half started at a fast pace. Emma Thomson produced a strong close-range save four minutes after the restart to deny Libby Smith.
At the other end, Lauren Wade nearly extended the lead twice in the 57th minute. Two darting runs created both chances, with Hibernian clearing one effort off the line and blocking another.
Speckmaier completed her hat-trick in the 69th minute. Kayla Jardine drove forward and delivered a dangerous ball which Annets saved, but Speckmaier reacted quickly to score the rebound and put Hearts 3–1 ahead.
Hibernian continued to push and set up a tense finish nine minutes from time when Colvill scored from distance in the 81st minute.
Hearts were reduced to ten players in the 90th minute when Ellen Dolan was shown a second yellow card. Despite the late setback, the Jambos held firm throughout stoppage time to secure the victory and retain their derby bragging rights in the capital.
Hearts | Thomson, J Husband, E Husband, Girasoli, Fulton (Rennie 65’), Speckmaier, Johns, Wade, Dolan, Jardine (Forsyth 76’), Campbell.
Subs: Anderson, Rennie, Forsyth, Smith, Halliday, Crawford, Fraser.
Hibernian | Annets, Bryson, Hunter, Herron, Fitzgerald, Smith, McQuade, Colvill, Notley, Boyle, Burchill.
Subs: Anastasiadis, Gibb, Boughton, Khrystiuk, Broadrick, Ramsay, Morrison, Keenan, Simon.
