07/05/23 | Park’s Motor Group SWPL 1 | Spartans Women v Aberdeen Women | Ainslie Park | Kick-Off: 1pm

Spartans Women 6 | Galbraith 2, 9, 45′, Ross 25′, Bates 36′, Jordan 66′

Aberdeen Women 2 | Ross OG 28′, Shore 45+2′

Aberdeen went down to a heavy defeat in the capital as Spartans ran out 6-2 winners at Ainslie Park. An early barrage from the hosts saw them take a 5-2 lead in the first half with Rebecca Galbraith picking up a hat-trick. An Eilidh Shore strike and an own goal gave the Dons hope going into the second half but despite an improved showing Hannah Jordan added a sixth for the hosts.

Gavin Levey made two changes to his Aberdeen side that put five past Glasgow Women in midweek. Francesca Ogilvie replaced Mya Christie out wide whilst Annalisa McCann returned in goal in place of India Marwaha.

The Dons got off to the worst possible start as the hosts went in front with just two minutes on the clock. Rebecca GALBRAITH’s shot from a tight angle dropping in at the back post. It could’ve got even worse for the visitors a few minutes later as Kat Smart nodded an Alana Marshall corner wide from close range.

The hosts did double their lead inside the opening ten minutes though. Marshall out-muscled Hannah Stewart in midfield before releasing GALBRAITH who raced clear of Donna Paterson before firing home her second of the match.

A poor start was made even tougher just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark as Aberdeen keeper McCann was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Marwaha.

The substitute keeper was called into action almost straight away as she did well to claim header in the box. It was 3-0 to the home side on 25-minutes despite the best effort of the sub goalie. Marwaha did brilliantly to save a Galbraith shot but the rebound landed at the feet of Julianne ROSS who knocked it in from close range.

Aberdeen were gifted a potential root back into the game by virtue of a mix-up in the Spartans defence. A miscommunication between keeper Rachel Harrison and defender Julianne ROSS saw the latter head the ball over her keeper and into the empty net just minutes after scoring at the other end.

The visitors were unable to capitalise on getting a goal back as Spartans regained their three-goal advantage on 36-minutes. A Galbraith cross in from the right found Mya BATES in the centre of goal to score with the easiest of close-range finishes.

A dominant first half performance by the home team saw them add a fifth on the stroke of half-time. This one was the pick of the bunch as GALBRAITH completed a first half hat-trick with a stunning right-foot drive from 25-yards which gave Marwaha no chance.

Stoppage-time saw the Dons grab their second as Eilidh SHORE sent a shot over Harrison and into the net to reduce the arrears to three as the sides went into the break at 5-2.

HT: SPARTANS 5 ABERDEEN 2

There was a change in personnel for the Dons at half-time as Bayley Hutchison made way for Mya Christie. There was also a much-needed change of shape to counteract the first half dominance of the home midfield.

Aberdeen were posing far more of threat in the opening minutes of the half with Christie and Ogilvie now operating as a front two. Loren Campbell almost tested Harrison from out wide but her effort landed on the roof of the net.

Despite their positive start to the half the Dons fell further behind on 66-minutes. Hannah JORDAN burst down the left wing and carried the ball al the way into the box before firing a shot in off the back post from a tight angle.

It could’ve got worse on 70-minutes when Galbraith found herself unmarked at the back post but she headed Marshall’s corner over the bar.

The Dons were struggling to create any chances in the game and they introduced Eva Thomson to try and put some creativity into their play. Hannah Stewart had an attempt from 25-yards which went over Harrison’s crossbar before Elena Karkkainen was introduced in place of Bailley Collins for the closing stages.

A disappointing afternoon came to an end as the game petered out without any further chances for either side.

FT: SPARTANS 6 ABERDEEN 2

Teams:

Spartans Women: Harrison, Clelland, Douglas, Birse, Marshall, McCafferty, Galbraith, Jordan, Smart, Bates, Ross.

Substitutes: Yates, Mason, McMahon, McMahon, Jamieson, Frew, McCafferty, Goodman.

AFC Women: McCann (Marwaha 17′), Campbell (C) (Thomson 75′), Urquhart, Broadrick, Paterson, Shore, Hutchison (Christie (46′), Collins (Karkkainen 80′), Stewart, Ogilvie, Finnie.

Substitutes: Gover, Black.