AFC Women battle to a well earned point

Scottish Women’s Premier League

1st March 2023

Hibernian 0-0 Aberdeen

Meadowbank Sports Centre

Aberdeen Women put in a battling performance in Edinburgh on Wednesday night, taking a point off a strong Hibernian team, in a 0-0 draw where the young side defended incredibly well throughout to ensure they had something to take back North with them.

Academy Director Gavin Levey made two changes to the side that was beaten by Glasgow City on Sunday: Skipper Loren Campbell returned after missing out the previous weekend due to illness, Maddison Finnie dropped to the bench, Bailey Collins was also replaced in the starting XI by Chloe Gover. Goalkeeper India Marwaha, signed earlier in the day on loan from Celtic, was on the bench.

Aberdeen started the match strongly; Francesca Ogilvie saw a shot from the edge of the box saved by Benni Haaland in the host’s goal.

Hibernian responded with a few chances of their own. The Dons defended a corner well and found themselves lucky when Hibs failed to capitalise on a loose pass from McCann.

It was then Gover’s turn to test the keeper, again firing down the centre of the goal making it a comfortable save for Haaland.

McCann was able to make a great diving save to deny her own teammates effort – Eilidh Shore slid across to block Liana Hind’s cross but instead sent it goal bound, forcing a great reaction save from the 17-year-old goalie.

Hibs were unfortunate not to go ahead when Michaela McAlonie’s hopeful effort struck the crossbar from distance, but the score remained level.

Before the interval there was time for a few more Aberdeen chances. Elidh Shore had two attempts in quick succession stopped, and some good work from Bayley Hutchison on the attack allowed Eva Thomson to try her luck, but she was unable to convert.

A positive first 45 minutes from the Dons on the road, they looked solid defensively and had managed to defend well to thwart Hibs in the air who had won a high number of corners.

HALF TIME. HIBERNIAN 0-0 ABERDEEN.

Aberdeen battled hard throughout the second half to ensure they took a point back up North. Bailey Collins entered the fray at the interval, with Eva Thomson making way.

Hibs dominated exchanges throughout but were unable to threaten Aberdeen’s goal.

Leah Eddie was booked for Hibernian after hauling down Bayley Hutchison as she ran through on goal, stopping a very dangerous counterattack. The Dons appealed for a more severe punishment but there was adequate cover coming across.

Joelle Murray had two big chances to break the deadlock as the game reached its conclusion. The skipper headed wide under no pressure from a deep free kick. Her aerial effort was followed up by a free kick just on the edge of the box which narrowly sailed over the goal, McCann rooted to the spot.

Aberdeen final chance of the 90 came through Shore who fired well over from distance as the game reached its goal-less conclusion.

In the end it was a performance made up of organised and aggressive defensive work that Aberdeen can be greatly proud of after a difficult period for the side.