Aberdeen 2 Spartans 4
Balmoral Stadium
SWPL 1
Sunday 13th April 2025
The Dons returned to Balmoral Stadium for the first time in six weeks, welcoming the Spartans in a crucial clash. The visitors arrived encouraged after a vital win over Montrose, while the Dons aimed to extend their impressive four-match winning streak.
Scott Booth was forced into a change between the posts this week, with Annalisa McCann sidelined due to an injury sustained during the international break. That opened the door for Zoe Maclean to step in between the sticks. Aimee Black also missed out after picking up a slight knock while on duty with Scotland U19s. Meanwhile, Chloe Gover returned to the starting lineup, replacing Maddison Finnie, who featured in back-to-back-to-back matches for the national side.
A six-goal thriller with two awarded penalties ended in defeat for the Dons. Despite taking the early lead through Eva Thomson, Aberdeen were undone by goals from Zara Andrews, and Chomczuk going into the break. Kerry Beattie would spice things up just after halftime however Bates and Rennie would seal things up for the visitors and end the Dons’ winning run.
Report:
The Spartans got the match underway and came agonisingly close to an early breakthrough within the opening 40 seconds. Sarah Clelland’s whipped free-kick evaded everyone in the box, catching goalkeeper Zoe Maclean off guard as it slipped through her hands and clipped the post.
After a short spell of sustained pressure, Aberdeen broke the deadlock with a well-worked goal, piercing through The Spartans’ press to make their way up field. Ellie-May Cowie swung in a high cross which troubled Yates as she came to catch but could only manage a punch to the edge of the box which Eva Thomson caught sweetly on the volley to give the Dons the lead.
The game was starved of chances following the goal, but intensity certainly did not lack. The away side pressed as Aberdeen looked to play out from the back.
Spartans were awarded a penalty when Erin Rennie broke through on goal and went one-on-one one with Maclean, only to be nudged by March Player of the Month nominee Jessica Broadrick, enough for the referee to point to the spot.
Zara Andrews stepped up to take the spot kick, but Maclean produced a superb save, diving to her right to preserve her side’s lead.
However, just minutes later, a defensive lapse proved costly. A misjudged pass from Maclean was intercepted by Andrews, who made no mistake the second time around, slotting home the equaliser in the 32nd minute.
A fast break from The Spartans saw Alix Mendez and Erin Rennie involved in what looked to be a 50-50 tussle on the edge of the box, however, the referee deemed the challenge a bookable offence and a penalty to The Spartans. Chomczuk stepped up this time and cooly dispatched to Maclean’s left to give The Spartans the lead going into halftime.
Half Time Aberdeen 1-2 Spartans
Scott Booth made a double change at the break as he brought on Maddie Finnie and Holly McEvoy in place of Mendez and Cowie. This saw Ogilvie move into right wingback as McEvoy took her place in midfield.
Kerry Beattie would level the scoring on the 56th after a brilliant through ball from Stewart set the Northern Ireland international on her way before managing to lob Yates from just outside the edge of the box.
Substitute Mya Bates would react immediately to the setback to fire in the third goal for her side and the fifth in the match. Cacee McKenna’s run down the wing and square ball confused the Don’s backline allowing Bates to sneak in at the near post to tap in.
As Aberdeen chased the leveller, the game turned into a feisty affair with end-to-end attacks and firm challenges being let go. Emily Kraft looked most likely to tie things as she created back-to-back chances for herself – the first of which forced a brilliant reaction save from Yates.
A late Erin Rennie longshot would seal all three points for the Edinburgh side and end Aberdeen’s winning run.
Full Time: Aberdeen 2-4 Spartans
Aberdeen: 24. Zoe Maclean (GK), 22. Ellie-May Cowie (McEvoy 45’), 2. Alix Mendez (Finnie 45’), 4. Jessica Broadrick, 8. Chloe Gover, 17. Emma Ilijoski, 13. Francesca Ogilvie, 18. Eva Thomson, 66. Toni Leigh Finnegan (Innes 73’), 9. Hannah Stewart (C) (Kraft 73’), 27. Kerry Beattie
Subs: 3. Niamh Noble, 5. Nicola Jameison, 6. Laura Holden, 10. Darcie Miller, 14. Holly McEvoy, 15. Maddison Finnie, 16. Hannah Innes, 19. Emily Kraft
Goals: Thomson 12’, Beattie 56’
Unused Subs: 3. Niamh Noble, 5. Nicola Jameison, 6. Laura Holden, 10. Darcie Miller
Bookings: Mendez 44’, Ilijoski 83’
Spartans: Alicia Yates (GK), 3. Sarah Clelland (Bates 51’), 5. Robyn McCafferty (C), 6. Ronaigh Douglas, 12. Erin Rennie, 16. Cacee Mckenna, 17. Eildh Davies (Foote 73’), 19. Olivia Chomczuk (Reynolds 73’), 20. Kate Fraser, 21. Mya Christie, 26. Zara Andrews (Anderson 56’)
Subs: 4. Tegan Browning, 8. Rebecca Foote, 9. Aimee Anderson, 10. Hannah Jordan, 11. Mya Bates, 14. Tegan Reynolds, 15. Keeley Brayshaw, 23. Ella Beaton-Hill, 25. Emma Thomson
Goals: Andrews 32’, Chomczuk 44’, Bates 60’, Rennie 84’
Unused Subs: 4. Tegan Browning, 10. Hannah Jordan, 15. Keeley Brayshaw, 23. Ella Beaton-Hill, 25. Emma Thomson
Bookings: Christie 87’
