Aberdeen 0-1 Glasgow City SWPL1 Saturday 23 August Balmoral Stadium
Aberdeen Women’s first home match of the 2025-26 season ended in a 1-0 defeat to Glasgow City in a tightly contested affair, where the Dons had chances to take something from the game.
Scott Booth made one change to the side which lost out in the capital last week, with Alex Clarke making her first competitive start in place of Darcie Miller.
It was a quiet first half hour at Balmoral, with Glasgow City seeing the majority of possession without threatening the Aberdeen goal.
Cox was eventually forced into action 30 minutes in when Natalia Wrobel played the ball into Nicole Koslova, but her effort from 18 yards was tame and easily held by the Chelsea loanee.
Aberdeen’s first opportunity came minutes later. Abi Tobbin’s over the top ball from down the left side was chased by Kerry Beattie in behind, with the striker closed down by Glasgow City keeper Lee Gibson who was equal to Beattie’s effort.
The deadlock was broken by Glasgow City in the 31st minute. A ball whipped in from the left hand side was nicely controlled by Lockwood in the centre of the box, who laid off for Abi Harrison to finish into the bottom right hand corner.
The away side continued to threaten around Aberdeen’s box, with winger Katie Lockwood whipping a teasing ball across the Aberdeen six yard box, evading both in red and blue.
Aberdeen’s best chance of the half came just before its conclusion. Toni Leigh Finnegan won the ball back in the middle of the Glasgow City half and slid her pass into the feet of Alex Clarke, whose effort flashed agonisingly wide of Lee Gibson’s post.
Glasgow City fashioned a chance right before the half time whistle when Katie Lockwood’s ball across the box found a Glasgow City shirt, however Cox stood tall and produced a fine save to keep the score at 1-0.
Half-time Aberdeen 0-1 Glasgow City.
Scott Booth made two changes after the break, introducing Hannah Stewart and Darcie Miller in place of Toni Leigh Finnegan and Alex Clarke.
Glasgow City started the second half strongly with their first opportunity coming 5 minutes into the second period. Amy Muir charged through the Dons midfield and found space just outside of 18 yards, well held by Katie Cox
Moments later Glasgow city won themselves a free kick in shooting range, with Lauder’s left footed effort flying high over Katie Cox’s net.
Glasgow City continued to threaten when Francesca Ogilvie was robbed of the ball in her own box by Kozlova, with Cox again denying the forward.
Aberdeen’s best chance of the second period came in the 72nd minute. Eva Thomson won the ball back brilliantly in the middle of the park and found Hannah Stewart who slid the ball through to Darcie Miller, her powerful effort tipped over the bar by Gibson.
With the game still in the balance, Manager Scott Booth made three changes for the remaining quarter of an hour as Bridget Galloway and the Dons lone trialist replacing Kerry Beattie and Maddie Finnie, with Phoebe Murray introduced minutes later after Darcie Miller was unable to continue.
The Dons fashioned their final big chance with five minutes remaining on the clock. A long free kick was shelled into the Glasgow City box which Gibson failed to claim and after confusion inside 12 yards, Hannah Stewart’s volley was blocked on the line by a Glasgow City shirt.
That proved to be the final chance for Aberdeen as the Dons fell to a 1-0 defeat at Balmoral. With resolute defending from the back line and chances to snatch something from the game, Scott Booth’s side can take plenty of encouragement into next week’s trip to Montrose.
STATS:
Aberdeen: Katie Cox, Jessica Broadrick, Aimee Black, Toni Leigh Finnegan (Miller 45’ (Murray 80’)), Francesca Ogilvie (C) , Madison Finnie (Trialist 75’) , Emma Ilijoski , Eva Thomson, Alex Clarke (Stewart 45’), Abi Tobin, Kerry Beattie (Galloway 75’).
Glasgow City: Lee Gibson, Amy Muir (C), Hayley Lauder, Lana Golob, Katie Lockwood (Whelan 45’), Abigail Harrison (Forest 66’), Natalia Wrobel, Lisa Evans, Kimberley Smit, Nicole Koslova (Määttä 66’), Linda Motlhalo
Subs – Ava Easdon, Chloe Warrington, Erin McLaughlin, Lisa Forest, Emily Whelan, Amy Anderson, Sofia Määttä, Mebae Tanaka, Louise Boyes
GOALS – Glasgow City – Harrison (31’)
