03/09/2023 | Spartans Women v Aberdeen Women | Scottish Power Women’s Premier League | Ainslie Park | Kick-off:1pm
Spartans Women 0 |
Aberdeen Women 3 | Stewart 17, Hutchison 20′, 57′
Aberdeen claimed a fine 3-0 win over Spartans in Edinburgh to claim all three points in the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League. A stunning opener by Hannah Stewart was followed up by a Bayley Hutchison double as the Dons recorded their first clean sheet of the season.
Clinton Lancaster made one change to his team that started against Hearts last time out. Francesca Ogilvie returned in place of Hannah Innes whilst young Phoebe Murray made her first appearance in the match day squad as he was named amongst the substitutes.
The hosts started the game brightly and had the ball in the net in the opening minutes only for the offside flag to deny them an opening goal. It took the Dons ten minutes to force their first chance and it fell to Hannah Stewart. The striker did well to anticipate a Nadine Hanssen header forward before racing in on goal and firing a shot just over at the near post.
Aberdeen went in front after 17 minutes in spectacular fashion. STEWART controlled a throw-in with her back to goal 30-yards out before turning inside and sending a stunning effort into the top corner of the net.
It got even better for the visitors three minutes later as they doubled their lead. Bayley HUTCHISON had struggled got get herself into the match but introduced herself to the game in style by firing home a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.
The Dons made a substitution in the aftermath of the goal as Hannah Innes replaced Aimee Black. Rebecca Galbraith then had a chance to get an instant reply for the home-side but she dragged her shot across the front of Faye Kirby’s goal.
It was the visitors who were bossing the game as the half wore on and they looked more likely to extend their lead as half time approached. Hutchison made a strong run down the left wing and sent over a dangerous low cross. Stewart got on the end of it but saw her first effort blocked seeing her second attempt well saved by Rachel Harrison in the home goal.
If Spartans were to comeback, then a set-piece looked their most likely route to goal. A few corner kicks and a free-kick toward the end of the half were all well dealt with by the visiting defence to ensure they went in at the break with a two-goal lead.
HT: SPARTANS 0 ABERDEEN 2
The home side came out like a team who were desperate to get back into the game. They forced an early corner which caused a scramble in the area which ended with Hannah Robinson shooting over the crossbar.
Despite the hosts renewed vigour it was Aberdeen who extended their lead on 57minutes. The move started right at the back as the Dons as played through Spartans high pressing forwards. Broadrick, Finnie and Holden worked the ball to midfield where it was collected by Stewart. The striker then split the Spartans defence with a brilliant through ball from inside her own half which put HUTCHSION in on goal and she finished the move for her fifth of the season.
The home side came close to pulling one back when substitute Caley Gibb fired a shot in from the edge of the box, but her effort was well held by Kirby in the Dons’ goal. At the other end Hutchison may have got a hat-trick but the ball wouldn’t sit for her in the box and Stewart had a shot deflected wide.
Aberdeen had their goalkeeper to thank for maintaining their lead with twenty minutes remaining. Laura Berman went through on goal and looked to place a low shot into the corner of the net, but Kirby did brilliantly to save with her feet.
Kirby then required treatment after a nasty looking collision with Gibb but both players were able to continue after receiving treatment.
With time running out Aberdeen managed the game well and never really looked like giving up their clean sheet. They made a triple change in the dying moments as Hannah Insch, Darcie Miller and Phoebe Murray, making her debut, came off the bench. The Dons were able to enjoy the sunshine in the three minutes of stoppage time as they held out for a 3-0 win.
FT: SPARTANS 0 ABERDEEN 3
Spartans Team:
13. Rachel Harrison (c) 2. Louise Mason 3. Sarah Clelland 7. Lauren Berman 8. Tegan Browning 9. Ronaigh Douglas 17. Robyn McCafferty 18. Rebecca Galbraith 21. Hannah Jordan 22. Hannah Robinson 27. Mya Bates
Substitutes:
1. Alicia Yates (GK) 4. Simone McMahon 10. Amelie Birse 12. Ria McCafferty 15. Caley Gibb 16. Naomi Sleator 24. Rebecca Foote
Aberdeen Team:
1. Faye Kirby 4. Jessica Broadrick 6. Laura Holden 7. Eilidh Shore 8. Chloe Gover 9. Hannah Stewart (Phoebe Murray 90′) 10. Bayley Hutchison (Darcie Miller 90′) 13. Francesca Ogilvie 15. Madison Finnie 23. Aimee Black (Hannah Innes 20′) 24. Nadine Hanssen (C) (Hannah Insch 90′)
Substitutes:
20. Annalisa McCann (GK) 11. Hannah Insch 12. Darcie Miller 16. Hannah Innes 18. Eva Thomson 22. Phoebe Murray
REACTION:
Francesca OGILVIE: “We’re delighted with the three points. We came here a won in preseason but didn’t keep a clean sheet, so our objective was to do that today as well as win. The girls all put in a real shift too, so I’m delighted for them. We had to keep each other going as it was really hot out there, but we kept ourselves motivated right to the end. I think we looked the fitter team and even though they went for it later on, I thought we did really well. All credit to Clint because he came in and changed our formation and we’ve really taken to it. We’re back at home against Hamilton next week so we’ll work hard in the week ahead of that.”
