Hibs Women 2 Glasgow City 2
In what could be a title-defining match, Hibs met their closest challengers, Glasgow City, in the third-last round of league fixtures, where points were shared between the teams.
Glasgow City opened the scoring minutes into the match, though Hibs responded back with two goals before the end of the first half. City bounced back in the second half to bring an intense battle to a draw at Meadowbank.
The team that took victory against Hearts last Sunday afternoon planned to take to the pitch unchanged. However, a last-minute switch to Grant Scott’s line-up saw Rosie Livingstone brought in for Tegan Bowie.
Hibs looked to head into the penultimate game of the season with a bigger advantage over title challengers, Glasgow City and Rangers.
The first chance of the game came early, with Lauren Doran-Barr hitting a shot on target from a cross, but it ultimately couldn’t meet the back of the net.
Another big opportunity followed when Eilidh Adams struck a strong ball into the penalty area, which connected with Livingstone. Just like the previous attempt, City keeper Lee Gibson saved the forward's low effort.
The visitors broke the deadlock after seven minutes with a successful corner turned in by Kimberly Smit, resulting in the first goal of the game.
Hibs nearly equalised soon after when Ciara Grant crossed to Linzi Taylor, but the defender's first-time attempt struck the post. The rebound created another chance for the home side, but it was hastily cleared away by Smit.
With 26 minutes played, City's Lisa Catherine-Evans attempted to double their lead after running down the right-wing and taking a threatening shot. However, Schumacher made an important save for the Hibees.
Adams brought Hibs the break they needed after 32 minutes. Following a foul on our number nine, Grant delivered a free-kick into the centre of the penalty area. Adams connected well with the ball in the air to level.
The towering effort adds to Adams’ remarkable goal tally for the season, bringing her record up to 26.
In the final minutes of the first half, a yellow card was handed to Brenna Lovera who knocked down Hibernian captain Kirsten Reilly, granting another opportunity for Hibs with a free kick.
Another dead ball delivery from Ciara Grant was headed away by City but the clearance only found the feet of Livingstone, who struck a deep cross to Kathleen McGovern.
McGovern's prodded effort slipped past Gibson and secured the much-needed advantage for Hibs in added time.
Carrying the momentum from the first half, Hibs returned to the field full of energy, with the visitors scrambling to keep their championship hopes up.
A long Siobhan Hunter clearance created the first opportunity for Hibs. Livingstone ran through the middle of the pitch while weaving past Glasgow City’s midfield, but the visitors' defence blocked the chance well.
The fourth and final goal of the game was scored on the hour mark, with the visitors evening the score. A splitting pass from Samantha Van Dieman reached Nicole Kozlova, who eliminated the home team's advantage.
A third goal for the Glasgow club was averted with another crucial save from Schumacher in the 70th minute, before another crucial Schumacher save in the closing minutes of the allocated 90 denied Lisa Forest’s late attempt.
Both teams sharing the points was a fair outcome, with Hibs remaining three points clear at the top of the SWPL. The Hibees now enter a must-win situation for the title, with the penultimate game taking place at home on Wednesday evening against Celtic.