Glasgow City 5 Aberdeen 0 SWPL1 Petershill Park Sunday 2 November | 1pm Referee: Lauren Whitehead
Aberdeen Women fell to a 5-0 defeat at the hands of top of the league Glasgow City at Petershill Park this afternoon, in what was another case of the Dons putting in a better showing compared to previous years against one of the countries top sides, but again leaving with nothing but an ugly scoreline to show for it.
The Dons competed well in the first half and had the better of the chances, before losing a quick-fire double at the end of the first 45 after Francesca Ogilvie had cracked an effort off the bar.
Set pieces, both defending and attacking, proved to be a key difference, with the Dons spurning good opportunities to get on the scoresheet, before conceding a handful at the other end in the second half.
Boss Scott Booth made two change to his side that fell to defeat at home to Hearts before the international break.
Bridget Galloway returned up top alongside Kerry Beattie, with injury to Maddie Finnie forcing a defensive reshuffle that saw Aimee Black back in a more familiar roll in the defence after moonlighting as a striker on her last few outings.
Emma Ilijoski, unable to feature against her parent club last time out, also came straight back into the side, Mya Christie dropping to the bench.
City made three changes to the side that beat Celtic last time out, with Chloe Warrington, Katie Lockwood and Emily Whelan all introduced from the go. Amy Muir, Nicole Kozlova and Linda Motlaho dropped out, with the latter in action for South Africa in Soweto as recently as Tuesday.
The Dons looked sharp and up for the challenge in the opening 15, causing the home side some problems going forward without quite been able to fashion any clear cut chances.
Whelan’s day was short lived, with the winger forced off after being unable to shake off a knock, Kozlova on in her place.
The hosts looked sure to take the lead after Maatta capitalised on a slack clearance and charged towards goal, the forward denied by an excellent block from the covering Jess Broadrick.
An Aberdeen corner produced a half chance for the away side, Stewart’s floated delivery met by the head of Toni Leigh Finnegan, her flick on just about scarpered to City safety.
Again it was the Dons who came ever so close to opening the scoring after 35 minutes, with a sensational effort from the cutting in Ogilvie denied by Lee Gibson at full stretch who could just about tip onto the crossbar.
Fran was looking lively on the flank and soon she chopped inside and was then chopped down herself, earning a free-kick from a dangerous position.
From the dead ball, again it was Finnegan who rose highest, the midfielder only able to head over on this occasion.
Against the run of play it was City who took the lead. An excellent one on one save from Katie Cox lead to a swirling ball inside the six-yard box, and after a flurry of brave last ditch blocks on the line, it was the substitute Kozlova who managed to bundle over at the third time of asking with five first half minutes remaining.
Määttä added a quick second City goal when she found herself through on goal right on the stroke of half-time, slotting past the helpless Cox to ensure Aberdeen had it all to do at the break.
Half-time Glasgow City 2-0 Aberdeen.
A set-piece continued to look like the most likely avenue that would lead to a Dons goal, this time it was Ogilvie who met Abi Tobin’s wide free-kick, she could only head wide.
Ogilvie’s race was run just after the hour mark, the wide player forced off. 18 today, the birthday girl Holly Daniel was introduced in her place.
It was Aberdeen who again created the next meaningful chance, only the second of the half for either side, Galloway forcing a good stop out of Gibson.
Despite the handful of Dons chances it was City who grabbed the third goal of the match to render the contest over, Golob powering home from a free-kick to put the game out of reach. Immediately after, Darcie Miller was introduced up top, replacing Galloway who had put in a tireless shift on her return to the XI.
With things continuing to unravel, substitute Tanaka added the fourth, Aberdeen again unable to properly clear their lines from a free-kick.
Again it was a substitute who wrapped up the City victory, Lisa Forrest netting her sides fifth of the afternoon.
The Dons will return to Petershill next week to take on City again, this time in the Sky Sports Cup.
STATS
Glasgow City: 29. Lee Gibson (C), 2. Chloe Warrington, 5. Lana Golob, 8. Katie Lockwood, 9. Abigail Harrison, 10. Natalia Wrobel, 11. Emily Whelan, 14. Amy Anderson, 17. Lisa Evans, 18. Kimberley Smit, 21. Sofia Määttä
Substitutes: 25. Erin Clachers (GK), 3. Amy Joan Muir, 4. Hayley Lauder, 7. Lisa Forrest, 19. Nicole Kozlova, 20. Linda Motlhalo, 22. Mebae Tanaka, 24. Emma Brownlie, 28. Louisa Boyes
Goals: Kozlova 40′, Maata 45+2, Golob 73′, Tanaka 81′, Forrest 90′
Aberdeen: 24. Katie Cox, 4. Jessica Broadrick, 5. Aimee Black, 6. Toni Leigh Finnegan, 8. Bridget Galloway (75′ Darcie Miller), 9. Hannah Emilie Stewart (CP), 13. Francesca Ogilvie (11. Holly Daniel 63′), 17. Emma Ilijoski, 18. Eva Thomson, 22. Abi Tobin, 27. Kerry Beattie
Substitutes: 1.Anna Prawer (GK), 3. Niamh Noble, 11. Holly Daniel, 14. Holly McEvoy, 20. Alex Clarke, 25. Darcie Miller, 26. Mya Christie
Booked: Finnegan 73′
