Aberdeen FC Women 1 Dundee United 1
ScottishPower Women’s Premier League
Balmoral Stadium
Wednesday 15th May 2024
Aberdeen brought their home SWPL1 fixtures to a close as they drew 1-1 with Dundee United in the penultimate match of their campaign. The visitors led through a first half Morgan Steedman strike, but Eva Thomson’s fourth goal of the season earned a point for the hosts.
There were several changes to the Aberdeen starting line-up that narrowly lost out to Motherwell at the weekend. Francesca Ogilivie joined Madison Finnie on the suspended list following her red card on Sunday. Young goalkeeper Zoe Maclean made her first start of the campaign in place of Jennifer Currie. Aimee Black and Emma Lawson both came into the first eleven whilst youngster Katy West was named amongst the substitutes for the first time.
Former Aberdeen Women players Natasha Bruce, Johan Fraser and Brodie Greenwood were all in the United matchday squad as they looked for vital points in their bid to stay in the league.
The Dons made a better start to the game than they did on their previous outing as they retained possession for much of the opening quarter of an hour. The patient approach from the hosts meant they didn’t create too many chances early on. A speculative Innes shot into the arms of United keeper Meagan Sidey the only attempt on goal in the first fifteen minutes.
The visitors hadn’t troubled the home goalmouth yet, but they went in front from their first effort on goal on 19 minutes. A cross into the box by Robyn Smith was punched clear by Maclean but the ball land perfectly for Morgan STEEDMAN who fired home from 12-yards.
Aberdeen bounced back almost immediately as they got back on level terms in the 22nd minute. A ball straight through the heart of the United defence by Bayley Hutchison sent Eva THOMSON through one-on-one with the keeper and the Dons number 18 prodded the ball past the outrushing Sidey for 1-1.
The goals had caused the game to burst into life as a series of strong tackles from either side culminated in United defender Katie Frew picking up a booking for a foul on Chloe Gover. Frew was then forced off short time later being replaced by Rachel Todd.
Steedman had a chance to grab her second of the match in the closing minutes of the half. The ball fell kindly for her 20-yards out, but her lob landed on the roof of the Aberdeen net. The half ended with back-to-back United corners, but the away side couldn’t create a chance to go back in front as the teams went in level at the break.
HT: ABERDEEN 1 DUNDEE UNITED 1
United started the second half on the front foot as they forced an early corner when Georgie Robb had a shot blocked wide. The resulting corner was an inswinger which clipped the crossbar and rebounded to safety.
It took the hosts about ten minutes to settle into the half, but they looked to have regained the upper hand as the twice broke through the United defence. Lawson did well down the left but couldn’t find a red shirt with her cutback in the box before Phoebe Murray found herself through on goal and brought a good save out of Sidey.
A great save from Maclean prevented the visitors going back in front just after the hour mark. Substitute Todd bustled her way into the Aberdeen box and looked certain to score but the young keeper did well to block the forward’s powerful shot.
United had perhaps heard that the scoreline wasn’t going their way elsewhere with fellow strugglers Hamilton leading against Motherwell. There was a renewed urgency about United after Todd’s chance and Robb went close with a shot over the bar.
Keeley Banfield entered the fray in place of Murray as the Dons made their first change of the game on 67-minutes. Just three minutes later Aberdeen passed up a glorious chance to go in front when Banfield’s deep cross found Hannah Stewart unmarked at the back post, but the skipper’s header went wide of the target.
Stewart almost made amends for the miss a few minutes later when her clever pass released Thomson, but the midfielder couldn’t hit the target when through on goal as she pulled her shot wide.
United substitute Eilidh Davies almost put her side back in front with her very first touch on 77-minutes. The sat nicely for Davies 20-yards out and her powerful first-time shot clattered back off the crossbar.
Aberdeen made their second change when Lois Edwards replaced Aimee Black in defence for the final ten minutes. Neither side were willing to settle for a point which made for an end-to-end closing few minutes.
Katy West came on to make her debut as the final whistle approached but there was no further scoring as the game ended all-square.
FT: ABERDEEN 1 DUNDEE UNITED 1
Aberdeen: 30. Zoe Maclean (GK), 4. Jessica Broadrick, 7. Eilidh Shore, 8. Chloe Gover, 9. Hannah Stewart (C), 10. Bayley Hutchison, 16. Hannah Innes, 18. Eva Thomson, 21. Emma Lawson (14. Katy West 90+1′), 22. Phoebe Murray (17. Keely Banfield 66′), 23. Aimee Black (2. Lois Edwards 80′)
Subs: not used: 19. Amelie Martindale, 26. Kiera MacPherson
STATS
GOAL: Thomson 22′
Dundee United:
1. Megan Sidey, 3. Katie Frew, 4. Jade Wilson, 5. Nicola Jamieson, 6. Tash Bruce, 9. Robyn Smith, 10. Georgie Robb, 13. Morgan Steedman, 15. Leah Sidey, 20. Niamh Noble, 24. Brodie Greenwood
Subs: 7. Jo Fraser, 12. Rachel Todd, 14. Abbie Cusack, 16. Summer Christie, 21. Amy Taylor, 22. Maya Knight, 26. Eilidh Davies, 30. Ellie Mitchell
