Dons fall to home defeat against Celtic

Aberdeen Women 0 |

Celtic Women 4 |

Craig 41

Menglu 74

Smith 77, 85

Aberdeen fell to a 4-0 defeat against title hopefuls Celtic in the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League despite a gutsy performance. The Dons gave a first start to 15-year-old Phoebe Murray and her performance was a real stand-out for the hosts.

There were some enforced changes for Clinton Lancaster as he named his starting line-up as Faye Kirby and Laura Holden were ruled out with the injuries they picked up midweek against Hibernian. Annalisa McCann took the goalkeepers gloves with youngster Murray making her first ever start for the team. Young goalkeeper Zoe MacLean took a place amongst the substitutes as she featured in a match day squad for the first time.

Aberdeen started brightly in front of an enthusiastic home support, Bayley Hutchison played Francesca Ogilvie down the right but her cut back was blocked by Collette Cavanagh. The visitors first attempt came 13 minutes in when Caitlin Hayes got her head to a corner, but McCann did well to hold on to the effort.

Natalie Ross then went close as she got on the end of an Amy Gallacher ball to the back post but the Celtic midfielder’s effort flew over the crossbar. Celtic are always a threat from set-pieces and Aberdeen had to be on their toes to deal with a few corners, one which was well blocked in the area by Hannah Stewart.

Midway through the half Nourimane Addi found some space in the penalty area and looked to be about to get a shot on goal but her effort was well blocked by Murray. Addi had another effort a few minutes later but Chloe Gover was able to pressure the Celtic player’s header which was comfortably held by McCann.

McCann then prevented Celtic taking the lead as she was tested properly for the first time. Kit Loferski found herself free in the box and her looping effort looked to be dropping over the Dons keeper, but McCann did well to claw the ball away at full stretch.

Celtic went in front five minutes from half-time and it was a corner that did the damage. Maria McAneny’s in-swinging corner came back off the back post. The rebound fell to Addi who herself hit the upright before Chloe CRAIG nodded home from close range.

The goal was harsh on the hosts who had soaked up a lot of pressure without conceding too many attempts on goal. It was almost two with a minute of the half remaining as Gallacher saw her right foot effort come back off the post and the visitors went in at the break with a one goal lead.

HT: ABERDEEN 0 CELTIC 1

Aberdeen started the second period on the back foot, but it was they who could grabbed the first goal of the half. Hutchison released Stewart through the middle and looked as though she had timed her run perfectly but just as she looked to get a shot on goal the assistant’s flag went up for offside.

The woodwork came to Aberdeen’s rescue on the hour as new Scotland call-up Gallacher broke into the box and smashed in a shot which clipped the bar and went over. Chloe Gover picked a booking for a foul in the middle of the park as the visitors continued to push for a second.

McAneny almost managed force a shot on goal when she wriggled free in the box, but Aimee Black did well to block the shot. There was a double change for the Dons with twenty minutes to go as Donna Paterson and Darcie Miller replaced Black and debutant Murray.

Celtic doubled their lead with just over fifteen minutes remaining. MENGLU twisted and turned in the box before firing in at the front post. It was three just minutes later when substitute Jenny SMITH turned in the middle of the park and sent an unstoppable 30-yard effort into the top corner.

As the minutes ticked down Celtic kept pushing and they got a fourth when SMITH fired home her second of the game from just outside the box.

The scoreline seemed a little harsh on the Dons although they never really caused the Celtic defence too many problems.

FT: ABERDEEN 0 CELTIC 4

Aberdeen:

20. Annalisa McCann 4. Jessica Broadrick 7. Eilidh Shore 8. Chloe Gover 9. Hannah Stewart 10. Bayley Hutchison 13. Francesca Ogilvie 18. Eva Thomson 22. Phoebe Murray (Miller 69) 23. Aimee Black (Paterson 69) 24. Nadine Hanssen (C)

Subs:

30. Zoe MacLean (GK) 5. Donna Paterson 11. Hannah Insch 12. Darcie Miller 16. Hannah Innes 19. Amelie Martindale 21. Emma Lawson

Booked: GOVER 66

Celtic:

1. Chloe Logan 5. Natalie Ross (Smith 60) 6. Chloe Craig 7. Amy Gallacher 11. Colette Cavanagh 15. Kelly Clark (C) 18. Caitlin Hayes 21. Kit Loferski 28. Shen Menglu 73. Maria McAneny (Partido Duran) 97. Nourimane Addi (Agnew 69)

Subs:

30. Kelsey Daugherty (GK) 2. Celya Barclais 8. Jenny Smith 12. Murphy Agnew 20. Paula Partido Duran 27. Tiree Burchill 41. Clare Goldie 46. Amy Sharkey 53. Sophie Timlin