Hibernian 1-1 Spartans: Draw 'fair' admits Debbi McCulloch as her side hold onto fourth in SWPL 1
Debbi McCulloch admitted Spartans’ draw with Hibernian was “fair”, as a late Leah Eddie goal denied her side an Edinburgh derby win.
McCulloch’s side led through Kaley Gibb before being pegged back, but despite failing to pick up the three points they remain in fourth place in SWPL 1.
“I think a draw’s a fair result and I think that we probably created the better chances in the game, especially from open play,” McCulloch told Anyone’s Game.
“Hibs want set pieces, they want corners to win games, and you've got to find some different ways of scoring.
“I felt in the second half we were under a wee bit more pressure but I thought in the first half we were absolutely excellent.”
Hibernian remain in fifth place in SWPL 1, three points behind their capital rivals.
Moments before kick-off at Ainslie Park, the heavens opened and the downpour continued throughout the first half, making slick attacking football hard to come by early on.
Hibernian midfielder Amy Gallacher was influential in the opening stages, testing Spartans goalkeeper Rachel Harrison from a corner.
Gallacher also caused problems with deliveries into the Spartans area, with some last ditch defending preventing Colette Cavanagh and Kirsty Morrison from converting from close range.
Defences remained on top for the majority of the first half, with chances at a premium in the difficult conditions. However, just before the break Spartans broke the deadlock.
Sarah Clelland drove forward from deep in her own half, exchanged passes with Louise Mason, and then found Gibb in space in the area with a precise cutback which the winger slotted home.
The second half was played at the same furious pace as the first, but once again chances were few and far between.
The game became an intense midfield battle until the final 20 minutes of the match, when Hibs won a series of corners and free kicks to put Spartans under some real pressure. Eddie, in particular, had an effort well blocked from a corner.
But the Hibs defender was not to be denied 10 minutes from time as a low Rachael Boyle free-kick was neatly flicked into the net through a sea of bodies.
Hibs pushed hard for a late winner, but the closest they came was a curling Joelle Murray effort which was headed off the line.
Player of the Match
The award could have gone to a number of players, with tireless shifts from back to front on both sides, but with a well taken goal in addition to a solid defensive effort, Leah Eddie made a huge impact for Hibs.
Along with Murray, she prevented Becky Galbraith from getting any clear opportunities and was a threat from set pieces going forward all evening long.
