Hibernian Girls 15’s booked their place in the finals of SWF Girls Scottish Cup finals after a 3-1 win over defending champions Rangers. Goals from Kirsty Morrison, Ellie Fairgrieve and Megan Kerr were enough to give the Edinburgh side victory against a tough opponent in Rangers.
Having already secured the League Cup in June courtesy of an Ellie Fairgrieve strike, the Hibees entered the game in buoyant spirit. Despite starting the brighter of the two sides, Hibs almost conceded within the first five minutes. Hibs’ Scotland U17s goalkeeper Kirsty Jefferies had to be alert to block an effort from Rachel Ross. A well floated in corner found its way to Ross who flicked the ball goal ward but watched as Jefferies denied her superbly.
The first ten minutes were a scrappy affair with very little passing play or composure from either side. However, Hibs took the lead with just 12 minutes on the clock. It all came from a free kick deep in the Rangers half. The ball was launched towards the box and landed at the feet of Kirsty Morrison who followed the ball home to open the scoring for Hibs and net her 20th goal of the season.
Rangers were determined to get back into the game and defend their crown and could have been level just minutes later following some fancy footwork from midfielder Claire Farquhar. She evaded the challenge of several Hibs players before making her way into the box but the shot went wide of the right hand post.
The holders continued to keep up the pressure in search of an equaliser and were denied only by a wonderful save from Jeffries. Rangers’ Lauren-Anna Doran Barr smashed in an effort which looked like it was goal bound but Jeffries leapt up to push the ball away from goal before gathering it.
It wasn’t long though until Hibs had doubled their lead with Fairgrieve, like Morrison, notching her 20th goal of the season. It was a stunning effort from the striker as she got on to a flick on from another free kick and lashed the ball high into the net as Hibs placed one foot into the final. As half time approached, Hibs almost wrapped the game up but Morgan Turner’s effort smashed off the post before going wide.