Aberdeen 4 – 0 Falkirk
Scottish Cup
Falkirk Stadium
Sunday 7th December
The Dons kicked off their Scottish Cup campaign with a visit to the central belt to face SWPL Championship side Falkirk, hoping to make a return to Hampden Park for the second season running.
Scott Booth made three changes to the team that lost to Montrose before the break – Kerry Beattie replacing Darcie Miller, and Anna Prawer stepping in between the posts, replacing Katie Cox. Hannah Stewart also came in and resumed captain duties, with Jess Broadrick making way.
U17s midfielder Erin Carrol was named on the bench, a first appearance in a senior matchday squad for the young prospect.
Report
It was a quiet start to proceedings, with Aberdeen controlling the ball and tempo for the opening 15 without testing Bairns ‘keeper Molly Reeve.
The Dons would generate the first meaningful chance of the match 20 minutes in, and it was one they should’ve scored. Mya Christie showed great pace down the right hand side, driving past Mcfarlane before whipping a fantastic cross onto the head of Hannah Stewart, whose effort from six yards cannoned off Reeve’s crossbar.
But 5 minutes later, Hannah Stewart made up for her previous miss. Eva Thomson displayed great tenacity to steal the ball off Anna Dickov, before charging down the right hand side and floating a ball into the six yard box, with Stewart making no mistake this time, heading home and putting the Dons in the driver’s seat.
Thomson continued to look sharp in the midfield, regularly winning possession back in the Bairns final third and sending crosses the way of the Falkirk defence, whose resolute defending was only just keeping the Dons at bay.
The final action of the half was nearly Captain Stewart’s second of the afternoon. Receiving the ball with her back to goal on the edge of the box, Hannah showed great strength to hold off her marker, before finding a half yard of space and fashioning a shot which trickled agonisingly past Falkirk’s left-hand post.
A strong first half showing from Scott Booth’s side, who would feel hard done by heading in only a goal up at the break.
Half-time – Aberdeen 1 – 0 Falkirk
It was the perfect start to the second period for Aberdeen, who extended their lead within the opening 5 minutes.
Toni Leigh Finnegan picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, quickly lifting a ball over the top of the Falkirk defence which fell to the unmarked Aimee Black, who’s first time volley nestled into the Bairn’s bottom left corner.
The Dons had come out for the second half with their shooting boots on, adding a third 10 minutes later. A dangerous cross from the right hand side was met by Black, her header smashing off the woodwork, with the ball then falling into the path of Galloway who, having only been on for a few minutes, produced an acrobatic effort to steer the ball home.
The Dons were now in full flow, adding a fourth of the afternoon with 20 left to play. Aimee Black picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and began a mazy run, driving with power into the Falkirk box before eventually squeezing her effort in off Reeve’s post from a tight angle.
With a place in the next round all but certain, Scott Booth introduced young Erin Caroll for her Dons debut in place of Finnegan, who didn’t look out of place during her first outing in senior football.
10 minutes left on the clock, and Aimee should’ve had a hattrick. Substitute Alex Clarke did well to find space down the Falkirk flank and send the ball into the path of Aimee, whose thundering volley produced a fine stop from Reeve’s.
That would prove to be the last action of the match, as Scott Booth’s side booked their place in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup with a dominant display.
Full-time – Aberdeen 4 – 0 Falkirk
STATS
ABERDEEN – Prawer (GK), Black, Finnegan (Carrol, 75’), Stewart (CP) (Clarke, 65’), Ogilvie, Finnie, Ilijoski, Thomson, Tobin (Broadrick, 65’), Christie (Daniel, 65’), Beattie (Galloway, 52’).
SUBS – Cox, Mendez, Noble, Broadrick, Galloway, Daniel, Clarke, Miller, Carrol
FALKIRK – Reeve (GK), Docherty, Ross, Murray (CP), Sludden, Murphy, Mason, Munro, C. Mcfarlane, Dickov, Townsend.
SUBS – McCroary, Donnelly, E. Mcfarlane, Snell, Mcarthur, Reid, Dilworth, Hegarty, Smith.
GOALS – Stewart 25’, Black 49’ 71’, Galloway 55’
