Aberdeen Women v Gartcairn Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup Balmoral Stadium 8 December | 13.00
Aberdeen progressed to the fourth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Women’s Cup with a 3-1 win against a tricky Gartcairn.
A sensational goal from Niamh Noble was combined by an Eva Thomson strike and a late second from Noble to wrap up the victory in style, after the visitors had hit back to level the contest before the break.
Darcie Miller and Francesca Ogilvie returned to the side for the cup clash, Hannah Innes and Natasha Bruce dropping to the bench.
It took the hosts just 37 seconds to opening the scoring.
Holly McEvoy found Niamh Noble with acres of space on the left-hand side. The full back seized the opportunity and unleashed a hammering strike from range that was too powerful for the keeper to get her hands on.
Moments later, Darcie Miller found herself through on goal after a clever through ball from Kraft. Her effort sadly ended on the wrong side of the post.
Kraft herself thought she headed the ball into the net in the 10th minute but was judged to have been standing in an offside position.
In the 23rd minute, Hannah Stewart was close to grabbing a second with a shot from the left side of the box. Her effort bounced off the woodwork and was cleared by the defence.
Gartcairn continued to show they were not going to lie down and nearly grabbed an equaliser in the 28th minute.
McDonald-Nguah found herself free in the box, but her shot rolled wide.
The visitors made it 1-1 in the 34th minute when a clearance was picked up by Yasmin Boyce. Her shot looped past Sidey to tie the game.
Nicola Jameison was next to try and get Aberdeen’s second in the 41st minute, meeting a free kick with a header. Her effort ended up just over the bar.
The Dons made a triple change at the interval, Hannah Innes, Phoebe Murray and Jo Fraser all introduced – Kraft, McEvoy, and Miller replaced.
Aberdeen’s first real opportunity of the second half came 68 minutes in when captain Stewart picked up a through ball and rounded the keeper. Her strike unfortunately missed the target.
The second finally arrived in the 72nd minute.
Noble drove down the left-hand side and found Stewart with a cross. The skipper laid the ball for Eva Thomson to strike from the edge of the box to give the Reds the upper hand.
Niamh secured the team’s progression into the next stage in the 88th minute.
Winning a free kick on the right side of the box, the left back aimed for goal. Despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball, it bounced off the post and floated into the net for 3-1.
Job done at the Balmoral – the draw for the next round will take place on Monday night at 7PM, and can be viewed by clicking here.
Aberdeen: Sidey, Noble, Jameison, Gover, Stewart, Miller (46), Ogilvie, McEvoy (46), Thomson, Kraft (46), Black
Subs: McCann, Edwards, Bruce, Murray (46), MacPherson, Fraser (46), Innes (46), Elder
Gartcairn: McPhie, M. Wilson, J. Wilson, Carter, McDonald-Nguah, Wands, Boyce, Anderson (66), McDonald (66), Maxwell (79), Lawson
Subs: Johnston, Healey (66), Gray, Robb, Jackson (66), Simpson (79)
