Report: Hibs 2 Hearts 0

Jorian Baucom and Lia Tweedie grabbed the goals as Hibs defeated city rivals Hearts in front of a sold out home crowd.

Grant Scott made four changes to his side for the game, with Leah Eddie – making her first start in five following injury – returning alongside Naomi Powell, Kirsty Morrison and Siobhan Hunter.

Club captain Joelle Murray started on the bench, though the Meadowbank faithful paid tribute to the retiring centre-back from the stands. Poppy Lawson took the captain’s armband for the game.

Hibs top scorer Jorian Baucom would let fly with the first shot of the game after three minutes, though her strained effort was blocked behind by Hearts defender Carly Girasoli.

Lawson tried her best to bring the game to life in the 20th minute with a long-range effort, though it was held with ease by Hearts ‘keeper Charlotte Parker-Smith.

The visitors grew into the game a little in the minutes that followed, with Kathleen McGovern and Olufoasade Adamolekun both firing off target for the visitors. 

After a lengthy quiet period that stretched beyond half-time, it was Hibs who opened the scoring just shy of the hour mark.

Excellent play from Kirsty Morrison sent in Baucom – who was initially denied by a low Parker-Smith stop. Determined to find the net, however, the striker pressured Addison Handley and blocked the defender’s attempted clearance into the back of the net.

Hibs kept the pressure on following the opener. However, it was Hearts winger McGovern who would come close next; her low shot was held by Katie Fraine.

A flurry of Hibs changes included the introduction of Lia Tweedie up front, with the forward almost netting with her first touch after Parker-Smith gathered the substitute’s back post header from a corner.

The striker got her goal as the clock trickled down in quite extraordinary fashion. A dropping ball from range connected sweetly with Tweedie’s boot and hurtled into the top corner of Parker-Smith’s goal, leaving the ‘keeper with no chance.

Baucom’s opener and Tweedie’s exceptional effort sent a sell-out Meadowbank crowd home happy as the sun set on Leith.