Aberdeen Women Pick Up Three Points on Opening Day

Aberdeen got their SWPL 1 campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-2 win in a hard-fought game against Motherwell. The Dons were 3-0 ahead in the game after Hannah Stewart added to a Bayley Hutchison first half double. The visitors pulled two back as Kaela MacDonald-Nguah converted a couple of penalties as the hosts held on for a deserved three points.

Clinton Lancaster handed new signings Faye Kirby and Laura Holden their competitive debuts in his first game in charge. Former Don Bailley Collins started for the visitors after her summer move to Paul Brownlie’s side.

There was only five minutes on the clock when Aberdeen forced their first chance of the game. A great ball forward by Maddie Finnie sent Bayley Hutchison away down the left and the striker forced a corner. Francesca Ogilvie delivered the resulting set-piece and captain Nadine Hanssen headed just wide of the back post.

At the other end Motherwell almost forced an early chance themselves as Louisa Boyes bustled her way into the box but Aimee Black did well to block the striker’s shot.

It was a fiercely contested opening to the game that was littered with fouls as both sides started their campaigns in committed fashion. Former team-mates Ogilvie and Collins were given a talking to by the referee as they had a coming together on the near touchline.

The Dons made the breakthrough ten minutes from half-time as they converted their first clear-cut chance of the match. Bayley HUTCHISON ran onto a ball in behind the Motherwell defence and there was only ever going to be one outcome as she calmly slotted the ball beyond the advancing Emily Mutch.

The hosts were clearly buoyed by their opener as they went in search of a second. A deep cross into the box by Jess Broadrick caused some panic in the ‘Well defence that almost created an opening for Ogilvie. Hutchison then had a shot straight at Mutch from the edge which was comfortably held by the keeper.

Collins had a dipping attempt on goal for the visitors which was comfortably fielded by debutant Kirby before the home side came close to doubling their lead. Broadrick was picked out brilliantly by Hutchison down the right, but the defender’s shot was well saved by the advancing Mutch.

Aberdeen did go two in front in the second minute of first half stoppage time. Hanssen’s ball found HUTCHISON in the box who saw her initial shot saved by Mutch before burying the rebound from close range.

Half-Time: Aberdeen 2 Motherwell 0

There was a change at the interval as Holden, who looked to have picked up a knock, was replaced by Eva Thomson.

The visitors came out looking to get back in the game and they had the ball in the net early in the second half when Carla Boyce headed in from close range, but the striker had already been flagged offside.

Substitute Thomson then had a half-chance for a third, good play by Hannah Stewart culminated in a Hutchison ball across the box which Thomson just couldn’t get on the end of. The visitors then threatened again only to be denied by a fine save by Kirby.

Hutchison had a hat-trick on her mind when she blazed a shot over from twenty-five yards after some good play by Eilidh Shore. At the other end the home back three of Black, Finnie and Gover were dealing well with the threat from Motherwell’s front line.

The Dons went three in front on 65minutes. Hannah STEWART who had been impressive in her link-up play all game, raced onto a through ball before clipping a finish past Mutch for her first of the season.

The three-goal advantage only lasted a matter of minutes as Motherwell pulled one back from the penalty spot. Kaela MACDONALD-NGUAH smashed the spot-kick straight down the middle after Broadrick was adjudged to have given a way a foul in the box.

Aberdeen responded by sending on the experience of Donna Paterson in the aftermath of the goal as she replaced Black in defence.

The Dons should’ve put the game beyond the visitors with fifteen minutes remaining. A strong tackle in midfield and a good pass by Ogilvie sent Hutchison clear but this time it was Mutch who came out on top in the one-v-one as she saved well with her feet.

Stewart then had a chance for her second of the game as she got on the end of a ball over the top, but she couldn’t get her effort on target and was clattered into by Mutch as she tried to get her shot away. The officials never gave a foul, but the challenge ended Stewart’s involvement and she was replaced by Darcie Miller.

Miller showed she wasn’t lacking in confidence as she cut inside and fired a shot straight at Mutch just minutes after coming on.

Collins then had a shot that was well blocked by Hanssen as Motherwell looked to score in stoppage-time. They got their second goal six minutes into added time when another penalty was awarded for hand ball in the area and MACDONALD-NGUAH got her second of the game but it was too little too late as the Dons held out to take a three points.

Full-Time Aberdeen 3 Motherwell 2

Reaction:

Clinton LANCASTER: “I’m ecstatic to start with a win. The players deserved it today as i thought there was only one team deserving of picking up the three points. We knew that they would come at us in the second half but not to concede from open play is something I’m really proud of despite the two penalties. Considering the age of the squad you have to take your hat off to every single one of them. I can’t single anyone out as i thought they were al outstanding. It’s a difficult league and sometimes you can work hard and not get the results so we’ll just take each game as it comes but it’s a very good start.”

Next Up:

The Dons travel to Glasgow to take on Rangers at Broadwood Stadium next Sunday (20th August). Kick-off is 16:10.

1. Faye Kirby 23. Aimee Black (Donna Paterson 69′) 15. Madison Finnie 4. Jess Broadrick 8. Chloe Gover 24. Nadine Hanssen (c) 7. Eilidh Shore 6. Laura Holden (Eva Thomson 46′) 10. Bayley Hutchison 9. Hannah Stewart (Darcie Miller 79′) 13. Francesca Ogilvie

Substitutes: 20. Annalisa McCann 18. Eva Thomson 16. Hannah Innes 11. Hannah Insch 5. Donna Paterson 12. Darcie Miller 21. Emma Lawson

Motherwell Team:

13. Emily Mutch 5. Jo Addie 8. Katie Rice 15. Hannah Cunningham 4. Chelsie Watson 20. Bailley Collins 23. Sarah Gibb 14. Gill Inglis (C) 17. Kaela McDonald-Nguah 9. Carla Boyce 19. Louisa Boyes