Women's football: Hibees hit the heights.
Byline: GINNY CLARKHIBS have blown the Premier League wide open and are five points ahead of nearest challengers Glasgow City.
The Edinburgh club shocked Kilmarnock 3-1 to leave the current champions trailing seven points behind although they have two games in hand.
Nevertheless, it was a significant victory for Hibs who now look to build on that success with a home win against Cove Rangers this weekend.
Boss Iain Johnston said: ``I'm absolutely delighted, the team worked very hard and got the result they deserved.
``It really is an important win for us. If we'd lost then I think it would have been difficult to go on and push Kilmarnock for the title.
``Now we may have a more exciting finish to the league than we have in the past few years.''
Scotland trio Pauline Hamill, Mhairi Gilmour and Suzanne Malone were all on target with Nicky Grant's penalty the only consolation for Killie.
Johnston added: ``I think we'll go into the game against Cove on a high.''
Hibs have now completed the signing of Scotland defender Michelle Barr from Doncaster Belles and also snapped up Scotland striker Julie Ferguson from City.
Is there now anyone in the Hibs team who isn't in the Scotland squad?
Kilmarnock, of course, also have players in the national pool and Scotland goalkeeper Claire Johnstone's mistakes cost her side dearly against the visitors from Edinburgh.
Killie boss Jim Chapman admitted: ``Claire has been carrying an injury but those errors turned the game.
``We were very poor, there was too much negativity we didn't turn up in the second half.
``We must start believing in our own ability, rather than our own press.
``Hibs thoroughly deserved the victory but they'll never have an easier game.''
Despite his disappointment, Chapman believes the Ayshireteam can get back on track.
He said: ``I'll be making changes and we'll be working at the basics. We'll bounce back even stronger.''
Raith, Killie's next opponents, beware...
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
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| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | Oct 29, 2003 |
| Words: | 326 |
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