Five in a row bid ends as Hibs and Spartans are knocked out in cup semi-finals

Hibernian’s five-year grip on the SWPL Cup is over after both they and Spartans came up short in their respective semi-final ties at Forthbank.
STRILING, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 14: Spartans Alana Marshall despairs at full-time during a SWPL Cup semi final match between Glasgow City and Spartans at Forthbank Stadium, on November 14, 2021, in Stirling, Scotland.  (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)STRILING, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 14: Spartans Alana Marshall despairs at full-time during a SWPL Cup semi final match between Glasgow City and Spartans at Forthbank Stadium, on November 14, 2021, in Stirling, Scotland.  (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)
STRILING, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 14: Spartans Alana Marshall despairs at full-time during a SWPL Cup semi final match between Glasgow City and Spartans at Forthbank Stadium, on November 14, 2021, in Stirling, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

The Hibees, who were aiming to win the trophy for the fifth time in a row, lost 2-1 to Celtic, while Spartans were beaten 3-0 by league champions Glasgow City yesterday afternoon.

Dean Gibson's Hibs side led at the interval courtesy of a stunning Rachael Boyle strike, the tenacious midfielder picking up a pass from Shannon McGregor before sending an unstoppable drive into the top corner from outside the box.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, the Capital outfit were pegged back two minutes into the second half as Jacynta's low strike beat goalkeeper Gabby English and Charlie Wellings completed the turnaround with 11 minutes remaining as her shot went in via the crossbar.

Glasgow City's Lauren Davidson is tackled by Spartans 'Robyn McCafferty. Picture: Mark Scates / SNSGlasgow City's Lauren Davidson is tackled by Spartans 'Robyn McCafferty. Picture: Mark Scates / SNS
Glasgow City's Lauren Davidson is tackled by Spartans 'Robyn McCafferty. Picture: Mark Scates / SNS

In the earlier kick-off Spartans and City couldn't be separated at the break after a fairly even first 45.

However, the Glasgow outfit finally grabbed the opener on the hour through Costa Rican Priscila Chinchilla's astute finish into the far corner. Hayley Lauder's close-range effort doubled City's lead just moments later and it was game over for Spartans when Chinchilla grabbed her second of the afternoon in stoppage time.

Spartans manager Debbi McCulloch was proud of her players' efforts despite coming up just short in their quest to reach the final.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I thought in the first half we kept our shape really well and the game-plan seemed to work," she said afterwards. "But if you make a small mistake against Glasgow City in key areas then they punish you and that's what happened. They had the better chances but I don't think it was a 3-0 game.

Spartans' Louise Mason, right, is sent off for a second yellow during the SWPL Cup semi-final match against Glasgow City. Picture:  Mark Scates / SNSpartans' Louise Mason, right, is sent off for a second yellow during the SWPL Cup semi-final match against Glasgow City. Picture:  Mark Scates / SN
Spartans' Louise Mason, right, is sent off for a second yellow during the SWPL Cup semi-final match against Glasgow City. Picture: Mark Scates / SN

"The attitude and the commitment the players gave us was absolutely phenomenal. We want to keep competing at the top level so that's what we ask for every week. Some players never get to play in semi-finals. We know how hard we have to work to continue that. It was a tough group to get out of but we managed to get ourselves out of it and reach a semi-final. We're disappointed not to have made the final but I couldn't be prouder of the girls."

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our sports coverage with a digital sports subscription.