Aberdeen FC Women v Montrose Women ScottishPower Women’s Premier League Pittodrie 30th April 2024 | 19:30
Aberdeen | 3
Ogilvie 6′ Innes 44′ Hutchison 59′
Montrose | 3
Harkin 20′ 45+1′ Cowper 51′
Aberdeen and Montrose shared six goals, some of them of superb efforts, in front of a record crowd for a women’s game at Pittodrie.
A perfect night for football under the floodlights as the Dons girls got off to the perfect start.
A beautiful cross field pass from Phoebe Murray on three minutes eventually led to Eva Thomson winning the first corner of the evening but the ball in from Innes went out of play. But two minutes later it was Murray again who got the Dons moving forward. Stewart chipped in a cross which Hutchison did really well to lay into the path of Francesca Ogilvie on the left who produced a clinical finish across keeper Perry into the net. A really well worked goal.
Montrose came back strongly and on nine minutes Currie was forced into a smart stop before the visitors won a free kick 25 yards out. Cassie Cowper took the set piece but the wall did its job, deflecting the ball behind for a corner which was defended well. Then Eilidh Shore played a ball forward looking for Hutchison.
The league’s top scorer showed great strength and determination to create an opening for herself but keeper Perry produced an excellent diving save. On 17 minutes the keeper made an even better stop after Stewart burst forward, again the through ball delivered from Murray. Although she was at an angle the captain still got a lot of power in her shot which Perry saved with her legs.
Then on 20 minutes Montrose were level. The ball fell to Tammy Harkin a good 30 yards out and she produced a superb finish, high into the top corner to beat Currie who had no chance.
A short time after Hutchison had the ball in the net but the flag had gone up for offside.
Hutchison then beat the offside trap after a great through ball from Gover and her cross was only inches away from the head of Shore.
Just before the half hour mark Demi Taylor cut the ball in from the byline after a good run and Currie did very well to cut out the low cross. Cowper at the other end also then did very well to intercept a one two between Stewart and Hutchison.
After a quieter period of play, the game burst into life again when Hannah Innes, who picked the ball up on the touch line, drove infield before unleashing a left footed shot into the top corner. What a goal! Hannah had scored a long range effort when the two sides had met recently, and this was an even better finish.
However, the lead did not last long.
Montrose went up the field and Harkin netted her second, with a low drive from the edge of the area. Another good finish from the captain.
A very entertaining first 45 minutes for the crowd of 2,006.
HT. Aberdeen 2 Montrose 2
During the interval Darcie Miller replaced Eva Thomson. Early in second half a free kick from Cowper just missed the run of Aimee Culley at the back post. On 51 minutes it was Culley who then set up Cowper and see powered home a shot from the six yard box to give the visitors the lead for the first time.
After 55 minutes Miller was almost released on the left, the ball fell back to Stewart in space but her long shot from distance was easily saved. On 57 minutes the first change, former Don Louise Brown was replaced by Charlotte Gammie. 59 minutes in, the Dons were level.
From a corner the ball was only half cleared. Stewart at the back of the area collected the ball and played a really clever looping cross into the box and Hutchison was on hand to head home.
On 61 minutes Hutchison broke free before being hauled down by Cowper who received the first booking of the game. Gover very nearly netted the set piece but Perry again produced another fine save from the Northern Ireland number one.
After 65 minutes the keeper was quickly off her line to thwart Hutchison and her clearance led to promise Montrose attack and Gover had a produce a goal saving interception inside the six yard box.
Outstanding defending. Then it was the turn of Currie to produce a top draw save, Robb’s header looked goal bound before the Dons number clawed it to safety before getting quickly to produce a double save. Robb shortly after that went off injured as the visitors made a double change. Shortly before Jess Broadrick had replaced Murray. Banfield moving into midfield.
After 77 minutes Innes was replaced by Adele Lindbaek. With ten minutes to go substitute Neve Guthie collided Currie after she had cleared the ball. After treatment the keeper was able to recover.
All the changes had broken up the flow of the game, but could either team find a winner?
Gammie had as shot which was well helped by Currie. Then in injury time substitute Alma Codegoni was clean through with only the keeper to beat but Jess Broadrick somehow managed to get back and make a superb tackle.
That was the end of the action, a very entertaining evening and deserved share of the spoils.
STATS
Aberdeen:
1. Jennifer Currie, 7. Eilidh Shore, 8. Chloe Gover, 9. Hannah Stewart (C), 10. Bayley Hutchison, 13. Francesca Ogilvie, 15. Madison Finnie, 16. Hannah Innes (Adele Lindbaek 77′), 17. Keely Banfield, 18. Eva Thomson (Darcie Miller 45′), 22. Phoebe Murray (Jess Broadrick 67′)
Subs: 20. Annalisa McCann (GK), 2. Lois Edwards, 19. Amelie Martindale, 21. Emma Lawson, 23. Aimee Black, 26. Kiera Macpherson
Booked: Miller 80′
Montrose:
1. Lauren Perry, 5. Georgia Carter, 6. Jade McLaren, 11. Holly Daniel, 12. Aimee Culley (9. Neve Guthrie 72′), 14. Demi Taylor, 15. Louise Brown (10. Charlotte Gammie 58′), 17. Claire Delworth (8. Erin Ross 81), 20. Tammy Harkin (C) (23 Alma Codegoni 81), 21. Tally Robb (16. Flora Bruce 72), 31. Cassie Cowper.
Subs: 18. Beth Mowatt, 3. Charley Creamer, 7. Nyla Murphy, 22. Aimee Ridgeway
Booked: Cowper 61′
