Aberdeen Women’s place in the SWPL1 Relegation Play-off Final was confirmed on Sunday afternoon at the Balmoral Stadium after defeat against Montrose.
The Dons now sit ten points behind their opponents on the day and nine points behind Motherwell, who kicked-who beat Hamilton 3-0 later in the day. There are just two games of the regular season remaining.
Georgia Carter’s goal in the second half was the difference on a frustrating afternoon where it was the visitors who created majority of the chances. Scott Booth made two changes to his side that fell to a late defeat at Links Park last time out, Toni Leigh Finnegan and Eva Thomson dropping out, with Aimee Black and Emma Ilijoski coming into the side. Thomson was on the bench, Finnegan in the stand. Montrose were without striker McDonald-Nguah for the trip North, Neve Guthrie drafted in for their only change. Maddie Finnie made her 100th appearance for The Dons and led the side out at The Balmoral. The first half was as cagey as was expected with so much at stake for both sides. Player of the Year Hannah Stewart came closest midway through the first 45, clipping the bar from outside the box with a looping effort. That was pretty much that for a tight first half. Half-time, Aberdeen 0-0 Montrose Ashley Robertson started the second half with a bit of intent; she tried her luck from distance but could only fire wide. It looked like Montrose would break the deadlock on the hour mark through Carter who forced an outstanding stop from Cox from close-range, The Dons eventually surviving a brief scramble around the box that culminated in Elliot firing high and wide. Another Montrose corner followed, Cox bravely punching to safety. The away side’s pressure continued to mount, and they found the back of net on 63’. Cox produced another impressive stop but was unable to do anything about the rebound, Carter scrambling home from near the goal line. 0-1. The Dons responded with a triple change: on came Thomson, Kerry Beattie and Alex Clarke, Naomi McLaughlin, Stewart, and Mia Selbie withdrawn. Carter again came close on 70’. Ilijoski done well to clear off the line, the chance coming from another corner. The introduction of Clarke on the flank looked a clever one, she did well to charge down the line and cut back for Ogilvie for a rare Aberdeen half chance, the No.13 unable to apply the required touch. Jess Broadrick was next to be introduced to the action for the last 15, Mya Christie forced off. A sharp Dons break produced a chance for Ogilvie, this time she could only fire into the hands of Perry as the clock continued to tick.
No late drama to be had in the closing stages.
Full-time Aberdeen 0-1 Montrose. STATS Aberdeen: 24. Katie Cox, 5. Aimee Black, 7. Brodie Greenwood, 9. Hannah Stewart (C) (Beattie 67’), 10. Naomi McLaughlin (Thomson 67’), 13. Francesca Ogilvie, 15. Maddie Finnie, 17. Emma Ilijoski, 22. Abi Tobin, 26. Mya Christie (Broadrick 76’), 30. Mia Selbie (Clarke 67’) Substitutes: 1. Anna Prawer, 4. Jess Broadrick, 8. Bridget Galloway, 11. Holly Daniel, 14. Holly McEvoy, 18. Eva Thomson, 20. Alex Clarke, 27. Kerry Beattie, 28. Erin Carrol Montrose: 1. Lauren Perry, 3. Charlie Elliott, 5. Georgia Carter, 6. Jade McLaren, 9. Neve Guthrie, 10. Sophia Martin, 14. Demi Taylor, 15. Louise Brown, 17. Cassie Cowper (C), Ashley Robertson Substitutes: 26. Ashley Milne, 4. Phoebe Murray, 7. Chloe Gover, 16. Hannah Innes, 21. Talitha Robb, 22. Erin Henderson.
GOAL: Carter 63'
