Motherwell 2 - 2 Aberdeen Women SWPL1 K Park Stadium Sunday 17th May
Aberdeen Women were held to a 2-2 draw by Motherwell on Sunday in their final league match of the 2025/26 season.
Second half goals from Bridget Galloway and Darcie Miller ensured a slightly more positive end to a difficult league campaign for the Dons.
The XI which toppled Hamilton Accies 4-0 last week was unchanged by Scott Booth, as they looked to maintain momentum before the upcoming SWPL relegation/promotion play-off in a fortnight's time.
Report
The Dons started off proceedings in a confident manner, enjoying the majority of possession.
The first notable effort from the Reds was courtesy of Finnegan who tried her luck from a 30 yard free kick, comfortably held by Cameron.
20 minutes in and the Dons fashioned their first decent opportunity of the match. McLaughlin’s ball over the top found the onrushing Ogilvie, her effort from a tight angle inside the box was parried to safety by Cameron.
Another great chance for the Dons came moments later. An intelligent ball from Ilijoski set McLaughlin away into the Motherwell box, Cameron again making the save.
Despite a bright showing, it was the home side who would take the lead on the 25th minute. The Dons were opened up at the back from an opposition throw-in, allowing Halliday to progress into the box. Her first effort was superbly saved by Cox, but she couldn't prevent the winger’s follow up effort from finding the back of the net.
The Motherwell opener put a damper on the Dons momentum, who now looked like a shell of the team which began the contest.
A massive chance to level came for Aberdeen right before the interval. Fran’s driving run down the left hand side allowed her to swing in a cross, falling to the feet of Mia Selbie. Her effort from six yards was blocked, before Eva followed in and smashed her effort over the top of the crossbar.
Motherwell could’ve found the back of the net before the interval as well, a piledriver from Boughton from 25 yards out crashed off Cox's crossbar with the rebound from Boyce sailing over the woodwork.
Half-time, Motherwell 1 - 0 Aberdeen Women
Scott Booth introduced Alex Clarke and Bridget Galloway at the break, Mia Selbie and Eva Thomson making way.
Five minutes into the second period and the Dons had another great chance to score. Substitutes Galloway and Clarke combined inside the ‘Well penalty area, the former laying off for Clarke to strike, her effort rolling agonisingly past the post.
With half an hour to play, the Dons finally found the equaliser. McLaughlin found space within the Motherwell box, holding off the defender before laying off to Bridget, who rifled her effort past Cameron and into the bottom left hand corner.
Galloway's goal gave Scott Booth’s side a welcome momentum boost, who were now playing with the same confidence they displayed at the beginning of the game.
Scott Booth turned to his bench looking to find a second goal, sending on Stewart, Tobin, Black and Carrol in place of Christie, Ilijoski, Selbie and McLaughlin. The Dons were afforded an extra substitute due to the fact that Motherwell had used a concussion sub earlier on in the match.
Aberdeen were able to take the lead with ten to play, a goal made by the brilliant work of Stewart. The captain evaded her marker on the left wing, driving to the byline and laying a pinpoint cross to the feet of Darcie Miller, who couldn’t miss from 6 yards.
The hard work from Aberdeen was undone only three minutes later, as the hosts equalised. A mixup at the back gave space for substitute Hannah Cairns to pick up the ball and drive directly towards goal, rolling her effort underneath Katie to level proceedings.
Motherwell were close to finding the winner just before additional time. A slack backpass from ‘keeper Cox fell to Townsley who tried to chip her effort, well blocked by Maddie Finnie.
A final league outing for the Dons in 25/26 ends in a draw, with Scott Booth’s team having plenty of positives to take from that performance into the playoff.
Full-time, Motherwell 2 - 2 Aberdeen Women
STATS
Aberdeen: 24. Katie Cox, 6. Toni Leigh Finnegan, 7. Brodie Greenwood, 10. Naomi McLaughlin (Stewart 68’), 13. Fran Ogilvie (C), 15. Maddie Finnie, 17. Emma Ilijoski (Black 68’), 18. Eva Thomson (Galloway 46’), 25. Darcie Miller, 26. Mya Christie (Tobin 68’), 30. Mia Selbie (Clarke 46’(Carrol 72’))
Substitutes: 1. Anna Prawer, 4. Jess Broadrick, 5. Aimee Black, 8. Bridget Galloway, 9. Hannah Stewart, 20. Alex Clarke, 22. Abi Tobin 27. Kerry Beattie, 28. Erin Carrol
Goals: Galloway 61’, Miller 80’
Motherwell: 1. Cameron, 2. Leishman, 4. Watson, 6. Ronald, 9. Boyce, 11. Halliday, 14. Inglis (C), 16. Clark, 17. Hay, 22. Boughton, 23. Browning.
Substitutes: 3. Penman, 7. Collins, 19. Cairns, 20. Townsley.
Goals: Halliday 25’, Cairns 83’
