Partick Thistle 2 Aberdeen Women 2 ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 1 Wyre Stadium at Firhill Sunday 1 September
Aberdeen Women came agonisingly close to claiming a mightily impressive three points against Partick Thistle on Sunday afternoon, but two late goals from the hosts meant they were forced to settle for a point.
An early goal from Hannah Stewart gave the Dons the lead before Francesca Ogilvie doubled the Aberdeen advantage with a moment of individual brilliance, but it wasn’t to be in Glasgow.
There were a few changes made to the side that were defeated by Celtic last weekend. Johan Fraser and Lois Edwards both came in for their first starts of the season, they replaced Hannah Innes and the suspended Nicola Jameison. There was a space on the bench for Miriam Maclean for the first time since joining the club in the Summer.
Aberdeen managed to grab the perfect start at Firhill as they took the lead in just the third minute. Kraft done well to work her way into the box where she squared the ball to Ogilvie, her shot blocked by what looked to be a hand and a certain penalty, but Stewart was waiting in the wings to take a touch and slam the ball past ex Don Currie to give her side an important lead.
The Dons will feel aggrieved not to have been given a chance to extend their lead after Kraft looked to have been shoved in the back inside the box as she looked to get on the end of a cross but play rumbled on.
Niamh Noble went into the book early in the contest for an industrious foul on the edge of the Aberdeen box as Partick looked for a leveller, the Dons defence dealing well with the resulting dead ball.
Kraft had an excellent chance to get that second goal when she was slipped in one goal by Ogilvie, but she was denied by an impressive save from the onrushing Currie. The Dons looked good on the big Firhill pitch and seemed to be finding joy getting in behind the Partick defence.
The hosts did find the Aberdeen net but thankfully for Aberdeen the goal was quickly chalked off for offside after the Dons were undone by a free-kick routine.
Ogilvie was really looking bright and came close to what would have been an outstanding goal, she ran the length of the half and more before firing an effort off that ended up just wide.
Up the other end Sidey was called into action to make a smart stop to deny Lawton.
An end to end frantic first 45 eventually ended with the Dons ahead.
Half-time, Partick Thistle 0-1 Aberdeen.
During the break Hannah Innes replaced Fraser out wide, with the hosts making a double change: Boyce and Sinclair being introduced, Gibb and Gray making way.
A great performance from Ogilvie already turned into an outstanding one in the blink of an eye when the second goal finally came. The winger received a ball from Edwards, spun her defender, cut inside and effortlessly lifted the ball into the far corner to make it 0-2 to Aberdeen on the road. It was a deserved goal, and a special effort.
MacLean was introduced to the action following the goal for her Aberdeen debut, Eva Thomson making way.
The Aberdeen defence was performing incredibly well and were largely coping with everyone Partick threw at them. Sidey did eventually have to bail them out with an exceptional double save from close range, the keeper continuing her strong run of form.
A double Aberdeen change meant Holly McEvoy and Darcie Miller were introduced, they replaced Chloe Gover and Emily Kraft.
Partick did eventually find the net through Lawton with seven minutes to go, setting up a nervy finish at Firhill.
The Dons were now defending for their lives and continued to battle on. Partick had what looked to be potentially a strong appeal for a penalty after a handball dismissed.
Wave after wave of Partick attack in the closing stages eventually paid off and Boyce headed her side level with two minutes of regular time to play.
It was now a case of ‘If you can’t win it, don’t lose it’ for Aberdeen with Partick in the ascendancy and looking more likely of the two to take the three points but there was no more drama, and it ended all square at Firhill.
FULL-TIME. PARTICK THISTLE 2-2 ABERDEEN.
Aberdeen: 1. Megan Sidey, 2. Lois Edwards (4. Natasha Bruce ’89), 3. Niamh Noble, 8. Chloe Gover (14. Holly McEvoy 78′), 9. Hannah Stewart (C), 12. Johan Fraser (16. Hannah Innes 46′), 13. Francesca Ogilvie, 15. Madison Finnie, 18. Eva Thomson (21. Miriam MacLean 66′), 19. Emily Kraft (10. Darcie Miller 78′), 23. Aimee Black
Substitutes not used: 20. Annalisa McCann, 11. Keira MacPherson, 25. Grace Elder
GOALS: Stewart 3′ Ogilvie 61′
YELLOW CARD: Noble 12′
Partick Thistle: 1. Jennifer Currie, 2. Rosie Slater, 3. Emma Lawton, 5. Demi-Lee Falconer, 9. Cara Henderson, 12. Rachel Donaldson, 14. Amy Bulloch, 17. Jenna Ferguson, 19. Caley Gibb, 22. Georgia Gray, 23. Tiree Burchill
Substitutes: 10. Carla Boyce, 11. Rebecca McAllister, 18. Hannah Robinson, 20. Shona Cowan, 27. Imogen Longcake, 30. Lucy Sinclair
