Aberdeen 1 Montrose 2
Balmoral Stadium
SWPL 1
Sunday November 23rd, 2025
Summary:
The Dons returned to Balmoral after a month on the road, taking on Montrose FC in the SWPL 1. The fixture saw familiar faces return to Cove with former Dons Chloe Gover, Pheobe Murray, and Hannah Innes named in the visitor’s squad.
Aberdeen were left frustrated at Balmoral Stadium as Montrose edged out a tight encounter, despite the Dons taking an early lead through Mya Christie. A quickfire double before the break from Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Louise Brown turned the game on its head.
Chasing the match throughout the second half, Aberdeen pushed numbers forward and carved out dangerous moments in wide areas, yet Montrose’s resolute defending ensured the Dons could not find the equaliser.
Report:
The Mo’ kicked things off and began the first five in the Dons half. Keeping their shape, Aberdeen prevented any danger from occurring.
The visitors did grab the first opportunity soon after though after Maddie Finnie was dispossessed on the halfway line. Play fell to Demi Taylor on the left who whipped in a teasing cross into the box. A ricocheted clearance saw the ball drop to Louise Anne Brown who looked destined to score; however, Katie Cox came rushing out to make the stop in the 7th minute.
Play was tentative following the chance, Aberdeen picked their moments to spring into attack. Francesca Ogilvie’s looked to provide a much-needed spark as she went on mazy run down the right wing winning her side a corner. Tobin’s ball in just evaded Broadrick looking to head home at the back post.
Ogilvie was involved again winning a free kick 30 yards from goal. Abi Tobin and Eva Thomson stood over, but it was the latter’s strike that stung the palms of Lauren Perry, so much so, that she could not scramble it safety. Mya Christie was at hand to follow in and tap home the rebound in the 27th minute.
The Mo’ responded almost immediately. A long ball reached the Aberdeen penalty area igniting miscommunication from Katie Cox and Toni Leigh Finnegan. Kaela McDonald-Nguah sneaked past both and wheeled away in celebration after tapping the ball into the empty net on the half hour mark. And just like that, the score was level.
Five minutes later, Montrose found the back of the net again. Louise Brown made up for her earlier missed opportunity. Another long ball was Aberdeen’s undoing. McDonald-Nguah flicked the ball on, catching the run of Brown. The forward made no mistake with her finish, striking with her right foot across goal into the bottom left corner in the 35th minute, putting Montrose ahead for the first time in the game.
Half Time Aberdeen 1–2 Montrose FC
The second half was more end to end as Aberdeen looked to get back into the game. The Dons however, couldn’t find the openings to get their shots off.
Mya Christie isolated Demi Taylor on the right wing, beating her for pace before whipping in a cross into the box. Ogilvie got to it first striking off the hand of Carter. Aberdeen appealed for a penalty, but the referee was not interested.
Looking to get back into the game, Scott Booth made a double substitution changing his strike partnership. Alex Clarke and Kerry Beattie took to the field in place of Aimee Black and Darcie Miller.
Cox was forced into a diving save from Finnegan’s attempted clearance. The midfielder deputised in defence this afternoon and looped a header over Cox who leaped backwards to claw away.
Georgia Carter nearly put the game to bed in the 67th minute as she headed just over from McLaren’s corner. A real warning sign for Aberdeen.
No real chances of note followed the header as Montrose kept their shape and smartly began to run down the clock.
The Dons finished the game with four recognised forwards on the pitch looking to snatch an equaliser, but things weren’t to be as Montrose stood strong firm, earning themselves the victory. partnership… Cox was forced into a diving save from Finnegan’s header.
Full Time: Aberdeen 1– 2 Montrose FC
STATS:
Aberdeen: 24. Katie Cox (GK), 4. Jessica Broadrick, 5. Aimee Black (Clarke 63’), 6. Toni Leigh Finnegan, 13. Francesca Ogilvie (C), 15. Madison Finnie, 17. Emma Ilijoski, 18. Eva Thomson (Galloway 88’), 22. Abigail Tobin, 25. Darcie Miller (Beattie 63’), 26. Mya Christie (Stewart 73’)
Subs: 1. Anna Prawer, 2. Alix Mendex, 3. Niamh Noble, 8. Bridget Galloway, 9. Hannah Stewart, 11. Holly Daniel, 20. Alex Clarke, 27. Kerry Beattie
Goals: Christie 27’
Bookings: Ogilvie 15’, Miller 45’, Finnegan 83’
Montrose: 1. Lauren Perry (GK), 5. Georgia Carter, 6. Jade McLaren, 7. Chloe Gover, 8. Erin Ross, 10. Sophia Martin (Guthrie 67’), 11. Kaela McDonald-Nguah, 14. Demi Taylor, 15. Louise Brown, 17. Cassie Cowper (C), 19. Ashley Robertson
Subs: 26. Ava Easdon, 4. Pheobe Murray, 9. Neve Guthrie, 16. Hannah Innes, 18. Freya Brien, 20. Olivia Chomczuk, 21. Talitha Robb
Goals: McDonald-Nguah 30’, Brown 35’
Bookings: Robertson 60’
