SPARTANS beat Hibernian 5-3 in what can only be described as a tremendous Scottish Women's Premier League Cup semi-final under the floodlights at Riccarton.
This match was passionate, tough and committed, with the far-side referee's assistant even having to warn players, several times, not to swear at him!
Every blade of grass on the big, enclosed pitch belonging to Heriot-Watt University was covered
by these two ultra-fit teams. Spartans started at a high tempo and they had a real shining star in Diana Barry, in the No.9, jersey. The former St Augustine's High School pupil was the difference between the two sides and she went on to cap a great performance by scoring four of her side's five goals.
Another star of the show was referee Lorraine Clark, one of the best and fittest young match officials I have seen. In terms of fitness, Lorraine was a match for any player on the pitch and her control of the game, particularly in the second half when the tackles were flying in was brilliant.
Barry's pace and direct running caused the Hibernian defence to give away two first-half penalties with the Spartans flying No.9 brought down on both occasions in runs at the Hibs goal. Barry showed great composure to hammer both spot-kicks past opposition goalkeeper Gemma Fay.
Hibs were certainly not idle, and they had a chance to open their account from a free-kick on the left side of the 18-yard box after Barry had opened the scoring, but the delivery was poor and the chance passed.
Jo Murray had a good run on the right to put pressure on the Spartans defence, but goalkeeper Joanna Hutcheson collected the ball when it came over into the goalmouth. The blistering pace continued and the tackles were tough, to say the least, but Spartans had the edge when they attacked the Hibernian goal.
Laura Kennedy was denied a goal by a superb save from Joanne Hutcheson and it was the turn of the girls in green to have a good spell of attacking play. The action in the Spartans goal continued and a Murray shot was deflected past for a corner. Lisa Robertson had a great run halted by a crunching tackle, but the resultant free-kick was wasted. Then Stacey Cook was felled in the Spartans penalty box by Michelle Kerr, but the referee was right up with play and waved aside the Hibernian claims for a spot-kick.
Hutcheson again was brilliant in blocking what appeared to be a certain goal from Suzanne Grant. This fantastic game of football was watched by a very good turnout of fans and the amazing pace and commitment of the players was outstanding. It was a bad blow for Hibernian when Barry scored her second spot-kick but they kept up their passing game and they were rewarded when Grant reduced the deficit to 2-1 with an outstanding lob over the advancing Hutcheson.
Shortly after the restart, it was "game on" when a brilliant lofted shot from Grant crashed down from the underside of the crossbar and over the goal-line to level the scores at 2-2.
There was panic in the Hibernian goalmouth when Spartans upped the pace again and, with Barry leading the attack, it took three attempts by Fay to get control of the ball.
With Spartans on the rampage, Debbie McWhinnie blasted a good chance away over the Hibernian crossbar. At the other end, it took a superlative save from Hutcheson to deny Burns.
With the game finely balanced, it was Barry, again, who showed her class when she got in behind the Hibernian defence to get a foot to a bouncing ball and knock it past Fay to put Spartans back in front at 3-2. Then a good hook shot from McWhinnie was well held by Fay and the tackling got even tougher. Barry felt the full force of one tackle when she was sent flying and the Spartans No.9 needed attention before she could continue.
The Hibernian defence was breached again in another mass attack on their goal and Barry made it 4-2, scoring from close in after a shot was deflected into her path in front of goal.
It was all Spartans in the closing stages and they went on to go three goals in front when Hayley Lauder netted after Fay could only parry a fierce shot from Barry.
In another good attack on the Hibernian goal, Danielle Pagliarulo, had a good effort blocked by the overworked Fay.
Claire Crosby, the classy former Craigmount High School pupil, was another Spartans player who was hurt in the tough exchanges in the second half.
In a wonderful finish to this brilliant game of football, Hibernian scored a late, late goal to make the final scoreline 5-3.
Spartans now go on to play Glasgow City in the final at Forthbank in Stirling on Saturday, November 8.
Anne McConaghy, chairperson of the League Management Committee, said: "Glasgow City beat Celtic 3-1 in the other semi-final and the final against Spartans at Forthbank should be another very good game."
Hibernian: Gemma Fay, Mariel Kaney, Amanda Burns, Stacey Cook, Frankie Brown, Lisa Robertson, Suzanna Grant, Kirsty McBride, Jo Murray, Tracey Burns, Laura Kennedy, Nichola Sturrock, Hollie Thomson, Rhonda Jones.
Spartans: Joanna Hutcheson, Michelle Faughan, Siobhan Rooney, Clair Crosbie, Michelle Kerr, Danielle Pagliarulo, Hayley Lauder, Stacey Calder, Diana Barry, Molly McKean, Debbie McWhinnie, Sarah Archibald, Patricia McLaughlin, Julie Melrose, Kate MacGillivray, Louise Young, Louise Moultray.
Referee: Lorraine Clark. Assistants: Ian Kelly and Peter Stuart.
The full article contains 945 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
