Hibs Left With Mountain To Climb - Hibernian Ladies vs. Slavia Prague

Approach to Easter Road

I had been wanting to visit Pittodrie for a long time and with Arbroath playing on a Friday night, things fell into place for a week in Scotland. My first stop would be Edinburgh after friends and family had always raved about the city. On the off chance there would be a game while I was in the capital I looked at the fantastic Scottish Football Fixtures blog to see that Hibernian Ladies were playing Slavia Prague at Easter Road in the Women's Champions League in the round of 32 on the Wednesday night. This would be my first ever women's fixture and with Frankie Boyle playing the next night my evenings were planned out nicely. To get this stage Hibs played in a qualifying round hosted by ZNK Pomurje from Slovenia where the four teams played each other once and Hibs won all their games. This was Prague's first game in the competition as they were the champions of one of the top ranked countries - Hibs finished second so had to qualify.

Kick off at Easter Road

Hibs get off to a dream start as Prague fail to deal with a corner and the centre back scores from close range. The hosts are playing well and do well at restricting Prague before two lapses in concentration cost them dear. Firstly they lose the ball in midfield which allows the Prague midfielder to play in her team mate who slots past the keeper. Then the full back is robbed on the left side before the Prague attacker squares the ball and it forced in from close range. There is very little they could have done about the third as the midfielder hammers in a shot from distance. In the second half Hibs have a lot of the ball but are undone by a further late goal. A entertaining evening for my first women's match.

Hibs attacking in the first half

Direct trains to Edinburgh Waverley take just under five hours from St Pancras and Easter Road is then a half hour or so walk. If you get the plane you take the tram for the entire line to York Place which is where I started my pre game refreshments. I started at The Empress of Broughton Street which had a great selection of craft beers. Then just across the road (via extensive traffic management for road works) there is Jeremiah's Taproom which had an even wider selection including more cask options. Easter Road is about a twenty minute walk from here. A lot closer to the ground is The Iona Bar which is spot on for a lager pre match. Which is important as I forgot you can't get alcohol in Scottish grounds and so there is no bar at the ground.

Sadly no programme but team sheets were readily available

Hibs trying to force their way back into the game