Eight a plenty for City 
Glasgow City showed their Championship credentials today with an 8-0 defeat of nearest rivals Hibernian.
Going into the match, both teams had enjoyed a 100% League record so far, and a large crowd at Petershill gathered to watch the biggest League match of the season so far. In the end, it proved to be one way traffic for virtually the whole 90 minutes as City dominated from start to finish.
Fast out of the blocks City raced into a one goal lead only minutes from the referee’s first whistle. Good play by Leanne Ross saw the City and Scotland midfielder beat two players before playing in Christie Murray who hit a great right foot low strike from 25 yards into the bottom right hand corner.
Murray had gone inches close moments earlier when her thunderous left foot shot cannoned off the cross bar with Shannon Lynn in the Hibernian goals beaten.
Leanne Ross was next to go close for the home side but her lobbed effort just went over the bar. A minute later, Jane Ross thought she had doubled her side’s advantage, when she got on the end of a Leanne Ross pass and fired her shot inches past the post.
As City put more and more pressure on the visitors goal, they almost scored from the move of the match so far. Jane Ross played in Lisa Evans down the side of the box and she back heeled to Jo Love, who hit a great effort at goal, only to be denied by an outstanding save from Scotland’s number 2, Shannon Lynn.
Lynn was to prove once more to be in fantastic form when she touched an excellent free kick from Christie Murray round the post.
Seconds later, Emma Mitchell hit a 40 yard low drive against the post, as the visitors escaped going behind for a second time.
Hibernian’s first period of pressure on the City rear guard came from a flurry of three consecutive corners, which City dealt with well against the strong swirling winds.
Hollie Thomson showed her experience in the heart of the Hibernian’s defence when she made an impressive defensive tackle on Jo Love at the edge of the six yard box after some inventive play from City to create the opening.
Five minutes before half time, City got the second goal their pressure and play deserved. Leanne Ross released Jo Love in the box and the Scotland and City midfielder backed heeled to Christie Murray who hit a powerful effort towards goal, well saved once more by Lynn. The resultant corner for City was put in the box by Emma Fernon and centre half Elish McSorley hit an over head kick into the back of the net.
Half time 2-0.
In the second half, City gave the visitors no time to settle and Lisa Evans made it 3-0 two minutes after the re-start as she took the benefit of the strong wind as her wide crossed evaded Lynn to nestle high into the back of the net.
Ten minutes later, Lynn held a shot from Evans, but could do nothing about City’s next chance as Leanne Ross beat the offside trap and lobbed the Hibernian keeper to put her side four goals up.
Less than 60 seconds later and City were 5-0 ahead. Emma Mitchell received a pass from Christie Murray and the City left back hit a low left foot drive into the bottom corner.
Christie Murray was next to test the Hibernian rear guard, with a shot from distance producing another fine save from Lynn. Form the resultant corner, Eilish McSorley was unlucky not to get her second goal of the match as her effort went inches wide of the post. City’s next chance came after Lisa Evans beat the full back and fired a tempting cross along with 6 yard box, but City had no takers.
Christie Murray then had another effort inches wide as she received a pass from Jane Ross before placing her side foot shot just past the post. The next chance fell to Jane Ross as City relentlessly attacked the Hibernian goal. Beating a player at the edge of the box, Ross passed to Emma Fernon and the City full back hit a good shot under pressure, which once more Lynn had to be at her best to divert around the post.
With just over ten minutes remaining, Lisa Evans took the ball around Lynn and passed to Kat Lindner, and the City midfielder finished with ease, to make it 6-0.
A minute later and Christie Murray wriggled her way past numerous challenges in the box before playing in Evans who shot just wide.
Hibernian’s player of the match, Shannon Lynn had another fine save, this time from Jane Ross as she tipped her Scotland team mate’s curling effort around the post.
With five minutes remaining Lynn could do nothing about City’s seventh as Murray juggled the ball in the box before brilliantly lobbing the defence to release Evans who cooly slotted past the Hibernian keeper.
Before full-time, City made it 8-0. Lisa Evans took the ball around Lynn and in a carbon copy of Lindner’s goal, played in Leanne Ross and she calmly finished to complete a commanding City performance.
Commenting on the match, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, “We are obviously really delighted with the result. Even more pleasing was the performance, considering the conditions and the standard of the opposition. We remained true to ourselves and we continued to play our way. When we have an edge to our game and we play with the intensity that we can, we are a really competitive side. I am delighted for the girls and for them to see the benefits of all of the hard work they have put in.”
Pictures by Glasgow City Club Photographer Lorraine Hill. A full picture report will follow on our photos page. These images belong to Glasgow City FC. To copy or reproduce any images, please contact photos@glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk
29.05.11
