Aberdeen Women 2 The Spartans 0
Sunday 17th March 2024
Balmoral Stadium
Scottish Power Women’s Premier League | Kick-off 14:00
Aberdeen won their first post-split SWPL1 fixture as they defeated Spartans 2-0 at a sunny Balmoral Stadium. Bayley Hutchison had the Dons in front in the first half before a Hannah Stewart penalty doubled the lead in the second period.
There were two changes in the Aberdeen side from their last outing against Glasgow City. Adele Lindbaek and Hannah Innes returned to the starting line-up with Darcie Miller and Eva Thomson moving to the bench. Annalisa McCann spent the day at Dundee United on an emergency loan deal whilst Phoebe Murray was away with Scotland.
It was the hosts who were first to get a shot on target when skipper Hannah Stewart tested Alicia Yates in the Spartans goal with a shot from distance. The striker couldn’t direct the shot to either side of the keeper who easily held on to the shot.
The visitors had their first sight of goal just inside the opening fifteen minutes. Rebecca Galbraith getting in behind the Aberdeen defence and her low shot-come-cross was well held by Jennifer Currie. The Dons keeper came to the rescue again a few minutes later as Simone McMahon prodded the ball towards goal which Currie did well to stop down to her left.
Spartans had the best chance of the opening twenty minutes. A ball in from the Aberdeen left found Hannah Jordan in the centre of the penalty box but she couldn’t keep her shot under the bar from 12-yards.
Adele Lindbaek then tried to open her Dons account when she attempted a long-range lob, but the ball deflected off a Spartans defender before landing in the arms of Yates.
It was an uneventful opening half-hour with neither side taking control of the match. The visitors could claim to have had the better of proceedings though as they again tested Currie’s goal. This time it was Caley Gibb, who scored on her last two appearances at the Balmoral, who made the Aberdeen keeper work to keep out a looping header.
Bayley Hutchison almost carved out a path to goal five minutes before the break. She found herself in the box with her back to goal but just couldn’t find a way through a crowded penalty area.
The striker did however find a way through two minutes later as she put the Dons in front. HUTCHISON picked up a loose ball after a tackle on the left. The forward drove into the penalty area on the left before cutting in on her right foot and finding the bottom corner of the net for her 18th of the season.
HT: ABERDEEN 1 SPARTANS 0
Aberdeen almost doubled their lead in the opening minute of the second half. Francesca Ogilvie was denied by the post when she fired in a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box. Eilidh Shore then picked up a booking as she fouled Gibb when the Spartans forward threatened to break.
Spartans went in search of an equaliser and Currie did well to claw out a corner which looked to be swinging in at the far post.
The second half was taking on the same appearance as the first with lots of endeavour from both teams but there was a scarcity of chances being created. The Dons had a half chance just after the hour when Lindbaek and Stewart combined to release Innes on the right. Innes cut in on her right foot and sent in a powerful shot which Yates was able to hold.
It was the keeper at the other end that was next to show what she could as she brilliantly kept Aberdeen in front. Galbraith got on the end of a ball into the box and looked as though she had found the net only to be denied by the fingertips of a diving Currie.
Spartans threatened again through the ever-lively Gibb with twenty minutes remaining. The forward skipped by Innes before sending in a powerful shot which was straight at Currie. The keeper had her post to thank minutes later when Alanna Marshall fired in a free-kick which clattered off the inside of the upright.
Banfield and Innes had departed and were replaced by Eva Thomson and Darcie Miller before the Dons were gifted a chance to double their lead. Hutchison was tripped just inside the box by Simone McMahon and the referee awarded a penalty. STEWART stepped up to find the bottom right corner from the spot for her eighth of the campaign.
Spartans missed a glorious chance to pull one back as the game entered stoppage time. Jordan’s cross from the left was right on the head of Galbraith but the striker headed over from close range despite being completely unmarked.
Lindbaek almost added a third four minutes into added time as she weaved her way into the box on the left before firing in a low shot which Yates turned round her near post to keep the score at 2-0.
FT: ABERDEEN 2 SPARTANS 0
Aberdeen | 1. Jennifer Currie, 4. Jessica Broadrick, 7. Eilidh Shore, 8. Chloe Gover, 9. Hannah Stewart (C), 10. Bayley Hutchison, 11. Adele Lindbaek, 13. Francesca Ogilvie, 15. Madison Finnie, 16. Hannah Innes (Miller 81′) , 17. Keely Banfield (Thomson 75′)
Substitutes | 30. Zoe Maclean (GK), 19. Amelie Martindale, 12. Darcie Miller, 18. Eva Thomson, 23. Aimee Black, 26. Kiera Macpherson
The Spartans | 1. Alicia Yates, 3. Sarah Clelland, 4. Simone McMahon, 5. Dion McMahon, 9. Ronaigh Douglas, 15. Caley Gibb, 17. Robyn McCafferty, 18. Rebecca Galbraith, 21. Hannah Jordan, 26. Summer Laird, 27. Mya Bates
Substitutes | 52. Leyla Gallagher, 2. Louise Mason, 6. Erin Henderson, 10. Amelie Birse, 11. Alana Marshall, 42. Cerys Corey, 43. Chloe Kean
