Hibernian 6 Queen’s Park 1

The Spiders remain a point above the relegation zone as their spirited performance garnered them no points in their second consecutive match away from home.

Six players remained from their last away outing against Glasgow City with Darcy Molley, Chloe Muir, Megan Quigley, Jordan McLintock, Murron Cunningham and Ciara Bonner all named again; Ciara Bonner with the armband as Ellie Kane remained on the sidelines. Hannah Cunningham was back in the starting eleven, alongside Olivia King and Ami Robertson, after she had served her one-match suspension. Lauren McGregor was also back in the starting lineup as she made her 30th appearance for the club. Morgan Graham made her first start for Queen’s Park and her second overall appearance with her first being a substitute appearance in the season opener against Hearts.

Hibernian had the first opportunity of the game with less than a minute on the clock when Michaela McAlonie made a good run down the left-hand side before setting up Eilidh Adams who found her shot denied by the out-stretched leg of Lauren McGregor.

The Spiders found themselves on the front foot a minute later but Chloe Muir was unable to make the most of her side’s first chance as her shot found the gloves of Noa Schumacher.

Hibernian found the back of the net early with Kathleen McGovern’s strike but the play was pulled back – offside the verdict. McGovern looked to respond immediately but the shot carried over the bar.

The hosts came knocking again with two shots back to back. The first, taken by McGovern, was blocked well by Lauren McGregor and the second, from McAlonie, blocked by Molley.

Constant pressure from Grant Scott’s side found its reward in the 13th minute as Eilidh Adams capitalised on a great through ball by catching it nicely and slotting it past McGregor.

Quickfire goals gave Hibernian a cushion as Abbie Ferguson stepped up to convert a carbon copy of her side’s first.

Within seventeen minutes Hibernian found themselves three goals to the good; Eilidh Adams added to her tally as she caught the cross from out wide before slotting it away.

Hannah Cunningham looked to inspire a response as she made a great run at pace down the left flank but the cross was deflected and Hibernian were able to pick up possession.

Queen’s Park found themselves behind by four as Lauren McGregor’s initial save of Eilidh Adams’ shot to deny her hat-trick wasn’t enough as Kathleen McGovern picked up the loose ball and tapped it home.

Two minutes later, Hibernian put the ball in the net for the sixth time but for the second time in the match, it was ruled out for offside.

Half Time – Hibernian 4-0 Queen’s Park

Craig Joyce made one change to his side at the halfway point with Jordan McLintock making way for Nicole Cairney.

Hibernian extended their tally to five with four minutes played in the second half courtesy of Poppy Lawson who got on the end of a pass from Eilidh Adams.

Hibernian failed to keep themselves onside again as they netted their third offside goal of the match with 53 minutes on the clock.

Three minutes later, The Spiders pulled one back from an attack started by a Nicole Cairney cross into the box to find Megan Quigley who knocked it on to Chloe Muir who fired it high into the roof of the net.

Hibernian looked to capitalise again with fifteen minutes to go but Mya Christie failed to convert as she managed to hit it wide despite the open goal.
However, the hosts didn’t fail to convert their next chance with Eilidh Adams heading home to finish off her hat-trick.

Queen’s Park dealt with the remainder of chances effectively in the closing stages at Meadowbank Stadium denying the hosts the opportunity to add to their tally. A seventh was in their sights in additional time but Emma Craig rose above the rest of the bodies to clear before the final whistle was sounded.

Full Time: Hibernian 6-1 Queen’s Park

Hibernian: Noa Schumacher, Poppy Lawson (Mya Christie, 76′), Siobhan Hunter, Ellis Notely (Stacey Papadopoulos, 76′), Tegan Bowie (Shannon Leishman, 76′), Linzi Taylor, Michaela McAlonie (Kirsty Morrison, 62′), Ciara Grant, Abbie Ferguson (Lauren Dorian-Barr, ’62), Kathleen McGovern, Eilidh Adams. Subs not used: Erin Clachers.

Queen’s Park: Lauren McGregor, Hannah Cunningham, Ciara Bonner (Emma Craig, 62′), Morgan Graham, Darcy Molley, Olivia King, Chloe Muir (Monica Harty, 83′), Jordan McLintock (Nicole Cairney, 46′), Megan Quigley, Ami Robertson (Rosie McQuillan, 70′). Subs not used: Abby Callaghan, Rachel Wright, Charlize McFadyen, Millie Paton, Elise Macara.