Final Destination For FC Killie!

Goal machine Linda Brown and fellow striker Bev McLaughlin .

FC Kilmarnock 5 - 1 Hibernian LFC
(SWLC Match - 24th February 2003, 2.00pm Kick Off)

At the fourth time of asking this match was finally played at Blair Park, Hurlford on Sunday, after an early morning pitch inspection ruled out the neutral venue of Hannah Park, Shotts. The match was highly anticipated by players and spectators alike as both teams have been on fire domestically and in the cup competition.

The match started at a fast pace with each side looking to impose themselves on the game. It was Hibs who looked the better team in the opening half hour, and dominated the game causing the Killie girls some early problems. Hibs had them pinned back at times and Kilmarnock struggled to get out of their own half.

Just prior to half time, Killie won a corner which was swung in by striker Bev McLaughlin to former Scotland international team mate Linda Brown. Veteran Brown was first to the cross ball and cleverly back heeled into the net to put FC Killie 1-0 up. From then on Kilmarnock upped the pace and tempo of the game, looking the hungrier of the two teams, but despite this the scored remained the same going into the break.

Into the second half Kilmarnock started where they had left off, pressing and harrying the Hibs defence, but against the run of play it was the Edinburgh side who got the next goal. Hibs were awarded a free kick just outside the area and Under 19 international Suzanne Malone shook off her marker and stroked the ball home to level the score.

Despite the minor set back, the Killie girls stuck to their task and quickly took the lead again from another set piece, Linda Brown adding to her already impressive tally for the season. The provider of the first goal then turned taker and McLaughlin slid the ball into the onion bag to make it 3-1.

Kilmarnock were now getting into their stride, and when Sarah Hough brilliantly laid on the next goal for hat trick hero Brown it was all over bar the shouting. Not that it made any difference to her though as she proceeded to crack in another direct free kick from outside the box a few minutes later that would have put Roberto Carlos to shame!

Brown's fourth of the day rounded off the scoring for the afternoon and FC Killie ran out comfortable 5-1 winners and put an end to their closest rivals Hibs interest in the cup. The girls will now play their first, and probably not their last, final of the season against Glasgow City, the date and venue though has yet to be decided.

FC Kilmarnock: Johnstone, Cheyne, Burns, Kerr, Smith, Hind, Fowler (Sneddon), Love, McLaughlin (Hough), Hamill (Black), Brown.

Match Report courtesy of Angie Hind