It was a tough test for the side to kick off the year, facing Hibernian in the third round of the Scottish Gas Womens Scottish Cup.
SWPL 1 side Hibs, unlike Saints, are a full-time outfit, and are managed by Grant Scott, now in his second spell with the side. Grant Scott was previously manager with St Johnstone Women in the first half of 2022. The other link between the sides is Abbie Ferguson, who played her youth football at Jeanfield Swifts Girls before a move to Celtic, from whom she spent a period on loan with Saints in 2020.
It was also the first time Saints would be taken by manager Kevin Candy, following the departure of Jamie Reynolds last month who had served as joint manager.
Hibs opened the scoring after just four minutes. Ellie Mitchell saved a Poppy Lawson effort, but Kirsty Morrison was able to knock the rebound home before Mitchell could smother the ball. Abbie Ferguson provided the cross from the left for Hibs second, headed home by Michaela McAlonie. McAlonie’s second was a spectacular curling effort from out on the right which the flailing Mitchell had no chance of keeping out. The same was true when McAlonie’s powerful free kick from the edge of the box was rifled into the top right corner.
As half time approached, Hibs had a fifth. Some neat play in and around the box eventually saw Eilidh Adams slot home from close range. Saints had a half chance with Jodie Malcolm and Morgan Steedman had a chance but took too long and the opportunity was gone. On the stroke of half time midfielder Scarlett Brady had an audacious volley from all of thirty-five yards which was looping high and over Nina Wilson, who tipped it onto the bar before gathering the ball.
The second half did not start well for Saints, conceding three goals in the first seven minutes. Eilidh Adams scored within the first minute from close range, before Poppy Wilson with a free kick from distance caught out Ellie Mitchell, and Ellis Notley following up a saved effort from a couple of yards out.
McAlonie got her fourth of the match with twenty minutes after being set up by Lia Tweedie. Ellis Notley finished off the scoring with a couple of minutes left. Saints had a better spell after that initial three goals in the second half, substitutes Ellie MacIver, Elvie McLean making a difference in the middle of the park with Steffi Simson using her pace to put the Hibs rear guard under some pressure but there were no real chances of note for Saints in the second half.