The Dons returned to Balmoral on Sunday afternoon, taking on the Spartans in their final fixture before the league split. Only one point separated the sides before kick-off, with the Dons looking to extend it to 4 by full time.
Scott Booth made two changes to his starting XI following the 2-4 loss to Motherwell before the international break. Emily Kraft partnered Hannah Stewart up front starting in place of Kerry Beattie who missed out due to injury. Aimee Black was handed an opportunity to impress in defence whilst Niamh Noble plays out her suspension.
A well-taken first half Emily Kraft goal was the only thing to separate the two sides on the afternoon, in which the Dons had to dig deep to ensure their clean sheet and collect all three points going into the latter stages of the season.
Report:
The Dons began the game enjoying extended periods of possession, looking to build their way into the Spartans’ half.
Some lovely play would see Alix Mendez’s overlap found high and wide before she showed some real strength to beat Sarah Clelland and deliver a cross into the penalty area. Spartans’ keeper Alicia Yates would come for the cross but only punch out towards the edge of the box where Toni Leigh Finnegan volleyed over giving the visitors an early warning sign.
Aberdeen’s build up from the right-hand side was in action once again, this time with a goal for their efforts. Alix Mendez was the recipient of a switched through ball which she controlled and crossed into the box. Emily Kraft was most aware, stopping her run to the near post early to adjust her body before meeting the ball with audacious first-time spinning volley into the top left-hand corner on 9 minutes.
The Dons were made to keep their concentration though as the Edinburgh side would create two opportunities in quick succession. The first of which would come from a fast throw in which caught out Aberdeen’s backline, allowing Hannah Jordan in behind showing some composure to hold onto the ball before sliding through Aimee Anderson who had her shot blocked by Black.
The duo of Anderson and Jordan were at it again just seconds later, almost tying the score on 20 minutes. Jordan’s run would be found on the left wing as she drove into the penalty area to square the ball to her strike partner for what would look to be an easy tap in, however, Anderson would slice the shot wide of McCann’s goal somehow keeping the home side’s lead.
For a brief spell before the break, momentum shifted as Spartans would come out of their shell, pushing forward, however Finnie, Black, and Broadrick matched the intent of the away side’s front line.
Kraft was denied her 2nd of the afternoon just before half time after some neat build up play. Stewart would find Eva Thomson on the edge of the box who lined up a long shot which Yates spilled allowing Kraft to sneak in to tap home, however the forward was deemed to be offside after the fact.
Half Time Aberdeen 1-0 Spartans
The first attempt of the second period would come from the away team as a turnover in possession would see Jordan played through on goal, but Black did well to cover the shooting angle forcing the striker onto her weaker left side to stab wide.
Looking to get his side back into the game, Gordon Megson called to his bench to make some attacking changes. Cacee McKenna and Erin Rennie took to the field for Keeley Bryshaw and Mya Bates.
A Spartans goal kick would find travel into the path of Anderson who took on Maddie Finnie one-on-one, managing to get her shot away, however, Broadrick would be there to get the crucial block off.
The Dons were under the cosh for large portions of the second period as they struggled to get a strong foothold on the game, only exemplified by Scott Booth’s shouts for his midfield to slow the game down.
Cowie would make an instant impact, nearly grabbing an assist with her first touch as she played through her captain who would turn and strike onto the crossbar with 7 minutes to play.
It was almost heartbreak near the end for Aberdeen as Clelland and Anderson would combine down the left-hand side creating another huge chance for the visitors which Jordan would curl just wide of the post.
Aberdeen recognised the danger they were under and took the ball to the corner in the closing minutes, however, the Spartans would not lie down and braved on till the very end.
A late corner from the Edinburgh side would be dealt with by McCann and co to keep their clean sheet and earn themselves the 3 points.
Full Time: Aberdeen 1-0 Spartans
STATS:
Aberdeen: McCann, Mendez (Murray 65’), Broadrick, Stewart, Ogilvie, Finnie (Gover 81’), Ilijoski, Thomson, Kraft (Cowie 81’), Black, Finnegan
Subs: Maclean, Jameison, Murray, Gover, Miller, McEvoy, Innes, Cowie, Elder
Goals: Kraft 9’
Unused Subs: Maclean, Jameison, Miller, McEvoy, Innes, Elder
Spartans: Yates, Clelland, Browning, McCafferty, Anderson, Jordan, Bates (Rennie 60’), Reynolds, Brayshaw (McKenna 60’), Chomczuk, Christie
Subs: Thomson, Douglas, Rennie, McKenna, Davies, Fraser, Andrews
Unused Subs: Thomson, Douglas, Davies, Fraser, Andrews
Bookings: Clelland 25’
