Queen’s Park 0 Aberdeen Women 2 ScottishPower Women’s Premier League Ochilview Park Sunday 13 October 15:00
First half goals from Hannah Stewart and Emily Kraft saw Aberdeen pick up an important 2-0 win against Queen’s Park at Ochilview Park. The Dons looked confident throughout and could have scored more, before defending smartly towards the end at their hosts pushed to get back into the contest.
Aberdeen had a big chance in the opening minutes to get on the front foot, as Darcie Miller found space on the right to put in a low cross, but it was just too far in front of Kraft and the striker couldn’t get a touch on it.
After opportunities had been at a premium, two golden ones came in quick succession in the 22nd minute. First, Megan Sidey was forced to come off her line quickly after King’s cutback from the left found Robertson, and the Dons goalkeeper made a smart stop. Then Aberdeen raced up the right where Stewart got through one-on-one, but her attempt to find the far corner went narrowly wide.
Miller, who looked lively and was finding space, put McGregor under pressure in a race for a long ball, but the hosts’ ‘keeper got their first and cleared for a throw in.
A minute later the ball dropped just behind Miller after Innes’ cross was spilled by McGregor, and she couldn’t adjust her feet in time to get the crucial touch from close range.
But the pressure was building from the Dons, and they took the lead with the next attack. A bouncing ball dropped to Stewart on the edge of the box, who flicked it up and over the defender before finishing on the half volley.
It was nearly two a minute later as Stewart turned provider for Miller on the right, but her powerful shot was blocked by McGregor.
Kraft nearly capitalised on an error at the back from Hay, dispossessing her and going through on goal, but Hay recovered well to slide in and win the ball. From the resulting corner, Queen’s Park’s attempted clearance smacked off of Kraft, clattered the inside of the posts and went into the grateful, if slightly shellshocked, arms of McGregor.
With just under five minutes left in the first half, Miller was brought down on the edge of the box after turning Cunningham well. From the free-kick, Hannah Innes’ effort when just outside the right-hand post.
Aberdeen found time for a thoroughly deserved second just before the break. A corner was headed three times in the box, the home side unable to clear, and the ball finally dropped to Kraft on the six yard line who fired low into the bottom left corner.
Half time: Queen’s Park 0-2 Aberdeen
Aberdeen continued on the front foot as the second half began, perhaps without creating as many clear chances. In the 56th minute, Innes tried her luck from outside the box and McGregor had to tip it round the post.
Aimee Black became the first to enter the referee’s book two minutes later, picking up a booking as she was adjudged to have fouled King on the right.
Miller had the ball in the back of the net in the 66th minute, but she was ruled offside in what looked a tight call.
Muir found space around 30 yards out after picking up Eva Thomson half-clearance and went for goal, but her half-volley flew over.
Substitute Quigley was presented with the hosts’ best chance yet, racing on to Nicola Jameison’s backwards header, but her lobbed effort over Sidey came back off the crossbar. Seconds later she was put through on goal on the right and dragged her effort wide.
Phoebe Murray then joined Black in the book, perhaps harshly, after Cairney went to ground on the wing.
Miller was provided with an excellent chance to make get a third, racing onto Innes’ ball across the pitch, but it bobbled at the wrong moment and her effort went over the bar.
A timely intervention from Black as Queen’s Park began to create more chances put the ball out for a corner as she slid in to deny King. From the corner Queen’s Park looked to have pulled one back, but Lois Edwards got back brilliantly to head off the line and the rebound was saved by Sidey.
The points could have been sealed with just two minutes to go as Innes’ cross from the left found Johan Fraser at the back post. She took the ball down well but shot straight at McGregor and Queen’s Park scrambled the ball away for a corner. But it mattered not, as the Dons saw it out well in the closing stages to secure an important win.
Full time: Queen’s Park 0-2 Aberdeen
Queen’s Park: McGregor, Hay, Cunningham, Bonner (Tweedie 61), Craig, Cairney, King, Molley, Muir, McLintock (McFadyen 61), Robertson (McQuillan 79)
Substitutes: Callaghan, Harty, Graham, Wright, Quigley, McFadyen, McQuillan, Inman, Tweedie
Aberdeen: Sidey, Noble, Jameison, Stewart, Miller (Fraser 80), Ogilvie (Edwards 62), McEvoy, Innes (Elder 89), Thomson (Bruce 89), Kraft (Murray 62), Black
Substitutes: McCann, Edwards, Bruce, Murray, MacPherson, Fraser, MacLean, Elder
