Aberdeen Women 2 Partick Thistle 0 SWPL1 | Balmoral Stadium Sunday 4 May | 1pm.
AFC Women took on Partick Thistle at Balmoral on Sunday afternoon in the SWPL1. The Dons were looking to get back on track following their 1-1 draw with The Spartans in Edinburgh midweek. The visitors entered this one on a good run of form, winning their last four matches, to earn themselves top spot in the bottom half split.
Scott Booth made only one change from Wednesday’s draw as Pheobe Murray was given an opportunity in midfield. Player of the Year Francesca Ogilvie showed her versatility as she was deployed at wing-back while Niamh Noble moved to the bench.
Aberdeen produced a disciplined performance to claim a 2–0 home win over Partick Thistle. Hannah Stewart gave the Dons an ideal start with a well-taken goal inside four minutes after a slick attacking move. Despite spells of pressure from Thistle in the second half, Aberdeen’s defence stood strong, with key contributions from Broadrick and Finnie. The result was secured in the closing minutes when Cowie fired home a rebound following a quick breakaway, capping off a deserved victory for the home side.
Report:
Aberdeen kicked things off in Cove playing against the wind, but it was no hindrance for their fast start. A great interception from Maddie Finnie began a move which saw Pheobe Murray find Kerry Beattie on the edge of the box. The striker played through the overlapping Ogilvie, who smartly cut the ball back to Hannah Stewart, who was at hand to finish a well-worked move four minutes in.
It looked as though things were heading from bad to worse early on for The Jags as the already injury-ridden side saw Amy Bulloch hit the deck on the eight-minute mark. After some attending to the midfielder was fit to continue.
Murray was the standout player in the first period, finding spaces on the pockets of the Thistle midfield. She played through Ogilvie on numerous occasions, creating dangerous chances for the home side.
Falconer was presented with Thistle’s biggest chance of the half as she took advantage of a defensive Dons mix-up, which saw her end up the recipient of Bulloch’s corner. The captain would blaze the ball over McCann’s net, reminding Aberdeen that they were only a goal to the good.
A clearance from Richardson would turn into a chance for the visitors as the ball evaded everyone and caught out the Dons’ high line. Burchill showed real striker’s instinct to follow the floater all the way but was stopped by a miraculous Finnegan recovery tackle to the applause of the Balmoral faithful on 25 minutes.
A fantastic Eva Thomson turn would unlock space for Beattie, who was found with a well-weighted through ball; however, the former Don Jennifer Currie followed the curling shot all the way to make the save.
Aberdeen deservedly led at the break, but the job was not finished as Partick slowly grew in confidence approaching the close of the half.
Half Time Aberdeen 1 – 0 Partick Thistle
A halftime change was made by Brian Graham as he looked for some attacking inspiration. Carla Jane Boyce took to the field for Tiree Burchill.
Thistle came forward early in the second period, earning themselves a couple of half chances, the closest of which was a shot from Kane, which McCann had covered. The pressure continued to mount for the Dons as Finnie’s handball to stop a counter earned her a booking.
The Thistle drummer seemed to urge his side forward as they continued to dominate. An irate Scott Booth recognised this and was heard demanding more from his team. His shouts were definitely heard as Ilijoski and Stewart linked up on the left wing before finding the run of Thomson, who could only strike on her weaker left foot, forcing a save from Currie on 55’.
A double change for the Dons saw Cowie and Noble come on for Murray and Ilijoski. This saw Ogilvie come into the midfield. Her marauding run and cross was received by Thomson, who had her attempt blocked in one of the few chances created in this half.
The final ten were challenging for Aberdeen as legs seemed to tire. Crucial blocks and interceptions from the likes of Mendez, Broadrick, and Finnie kept the Jags at bay during some nervy moments.
Ogilvie and Cowie were determined not to let anything slip as they drove their side forward in the closing stages. The latter was rewarded for her efforts in the 88th minute as a late breakaway saw Aberdeen three on one after Finnie found Beattie on the wing. The no.27 picked out Miller’s run, but her strike was saved by Currie. Cowie swept home the rebound to seal the victory in a hotly contested affair.
The Dons play at Pittodrie next on Wednesday as they take on Montrose, kicking off at 7:30 PM.
Full Time: Aberdeen 2–0 Partick Thistle
STATS:
Aberdeen:
Annalisa McCann, 2. Alix Mendez, 4. Jessica Broadrick, 15. Madison Finnie, 13. Francesca Ogilvie, 66. Toni Leigh Finnegan, 7. Pheobe Murray, (Cowie 69’) 18. Eva Thomson, 17. Emma Ilijoski (Noble 69’), 9. Hannah Emilie Stewart (Miller 74’), 27. Kerry Beattie
Subs:
Niamh Noble, 5. Nicola Jameison, 6. Laura Holden, 8. Chloe Gover, 10. Darcie Miller, 16. Hannah Innes, 22. Ellie-May Cowie, 23. Aimee Black, 25. Grace Elder
Goals: Stewart 4’ Cowie 88’
Unused Subs: 5. Nicola Jameison, 6. Laura Holden, 8. Chloe Gover, 16. Hannah Innes, 23. Aimee Black, 25. Grace Elder
Bookings: Finnie 47’
Partick Thistle:
Jennifer Currie, 2. Rosie Slater, 3. Amy Richards, 4. Cheryl McCulloch, 5. Demi-Lee Falconer, 12. Rachel Donaldson (Robinson 69’), 14. Amy Bulloch, 16. Ellie Kane (Hay 69’), 21. Olivia King (English 86’), 22. Georgia Gray, 23. Tiree Burchill (Boyce 45’)
Subs: 26. Ailey Tebbett, 7. Kodie Hay, 10. Carla Jane Boyce, 15. Mae English, 17. Jenna Ferguson, 18. Hannah Robinson, 20. Shona Cowan
Unused Subs: 26. Ailey Tebbett, 17. Jenna Ferguson, 20. Shona Cowan
Bookings: Slater 63’ Boyce 88’
