Scottish Women’s First Division | Kelty Hearts 1 Aberdeen 3

Aberdeen travelled down to Fife to play Kelty Hearts at their impressive little stadium. The artificial surface was certainly a lot better than the one the first team played on yesterday at Rugby Park.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine as Aberdeen won a corner inside the first minute. After that the Dons women slowly started to get on top. On 7 minutes a Chloe Gover free kick just went over the bar, then a minute later Bayley Hutchison shot just wide. Not long after that Johan Fraser headed a free kick just over.

With about 15 minutes gone, the impressive Gover fired a shot against the bar after a cleverly worked free kick.

On 20 minutes a high press saw Aberdeen win the ball back in the full back area, Lauren Gordon cut inside and fired an excellent shot low into the corner to give the visitors the lead.

The Dons were by now well on top and confidently passing the ball about.

Glover then had another chance on her deadly left foot before Kelty player Emma Spence was booked for a challenge on Natasha Bruce on the hour mark.

Aberdeen were well on top but Kelty were working very hard to limit the opportunities.

On 35 minutes Johan Fraser produced some great wing play on the right and her pin point pass inside the full back found Gover who produced an excellent first time finish.

A two goal lead was no more than Aberdeen deserved at this stage.

After 39 minutes an Aberdeen free kick on the edge of the area was played back to Kelly Forrest, her shot was blocked on the line by Claire Walker but Gordon tapped home. Kelty appealed for offside, so much so keeper Westwater was booked for her protests, but Gordon had held her run and was played on by Walker.

On the stroke of half time Gordon went close to a hat-trick but her free kick was well saved by Jamielee Westwater. And just before that Eildh Shore lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper but the ball bounced up and over the bar.

Half Time: Kelty Hearts 0 Aberdeen 3

Recent signing Francesca Ogilvie and Sophie Jamison both came on at half time. Ogilvie’s corner in the 50th minute clipped the cross bar as the Dons continued to look in complete control.

The game was then held up for almost an hour when Kelty player Claire Thomson received a serious injury. The midfielder dislocated her elbow and was understandably in significant pain. Everyone at AFC wishes her a speedy and full recovery.

The long break changed the dynamics of the game.

After the restart it was the home side who seemed to have benefited from the long break and they had regrouped.

They were rewarded for their efforts when on the hour mark Kelty pulled a goal back. A free kick was played in by Fowler and fellow centre half Claire Walker produced an excellent header inside the area, nodding it down into the far corner.

With fifteen minutes to go substitute Sarah Gibson was almost in but Dons keeper Blanchard was alert to the situation and quickly off her line.

On 77 minutes Amy Phillips replaced Baylay Hutchison.

With ten minutes to go Aberdeen had regained their composure and were starting to get on top again. They forced keeper Westwater into two fine saves with shots from distance. The game was then held up for a short time after a nasty clash of heads between two Kelty players but thankfully both were ok after treatment.

On 81 minutes another free kick into the Dons area caused problems but Forrest produced a great piece of defending to steer the ball back to her keeper. Full back Deirdre O’Riordan then made a vital last ditch tackle as Kelty made one final push to get something out of the game. O’Riordan was then replaced by Sophie Brown with six minutes to go.

On 85 minutes Aberdeen left back Campbell was booked for a late tackle. Aberdeen had stood up well to the physical challenge this week, although it was a game where both teams tried to play football.

With a couple of minutes to go Gover produced a good run down the right wing, her shot was on target but the Kelty keeper was equal to it. On the other side Ogilvie almost sneaked one in at the near post but there was to be no more scoring.

ABERDEEN

1 Anna Blanchard
2 Deirdre O’Riordan (16 Sophie Brown 84’)
3 Loren Campbell
14 Kelly Forrest
5 Carrie Doig
6 Natasha Bruce
7 Eilidh Shore
8 Chloe Gover
9 Lauren Gordon (10 Sophie Jamieson 45′)
15 Baylay Hutchison (11 Amy Phillips 77’)
12 Johan Fraser (17 Francesca Ogilvie 45’)