Hibs Ladies lift cup with goal blitz

Former Spartans striker Debbie McWhinnie returned to haunt her former club with a mesmerising display as Hibernian Ladies swept aside their city rivals 5-2 in the final of the Scottish Women's Premier League Cup.

The forward's spell-binding performance at Recreation Park in Alloa handed her side their second major trophy in six months and she warned the club's rivals that they have now set their sights on adding a third.

Spartans' attacker Hayley Lauder gave her side an early lead, however, Debbi McCulloch's team were unable to handle the Hibees.

Four goals in just nine first-half minutes ensured the trophy was heading back to Easter Road and finished the game as a contest.

Jenna Ross levelled on 21 minutes before McWhinnie provided assists for further strikes from Hollie Thomson, Leanne Crichton and Ross once more.

A speculative drive from Kirsty McLaughlin reduced the deficit after the interval before the impressive McWhinnie capped off a fine performance with the final goal of the evening.

The Hibs striker commented: "There's a lot of character in our side and there's goals throughout the team.

"Although we suffered a set-back by going behind so early in the game I always knew we would recover from it.

"It's always difficult to keep that level of momentum going into the second half because Spartans have some great players.

"We knew they would come at us but we did well and killed the game off long before the end.

"The league is now our priority and we will be doing all that we can to win it."

Hibernian Ladies: Lynn, S Robertson, Thomson, L Robertson, McWhinnie, J Ross, Emslie (Pia 76), Zoltie (Malcolm 87), Crichton (Cunningham 80), Murray (Jones 55), Dempster (Kennedy 72). Subs: N Ross.

Spartans: Hutcheson, Rooney, Crosbie, Magilton, Lauder, McLean, Barry (Ewens 83), Beveridge, Scott (Mason 56), Young (Moultray 64), K. McLaughlin. Subs: Harrison, Nicholson, McKean, P McLaughlin.

Referee: Lorraine Clark.