Montrose 1 | McLaren 74′

Aberdeen 2 | Broadrick 6′; Miller 69′ (Stewart penalty saved 42′)

ScottishPower Women’s Premier League MD3 | Links Park, Montrose | 7.30pm | HT 0-1 | Full time

Match report

Aberdeen Women stayed strong to claim all three points at Links Park on Wednesday night against an aggressive Montrose side after goals in each half saw them head back North with a 2-1 victory on the road under their belt, thanks to goals from Jess Broadrick and substitute Darcie Miller.

Clint Lancaster was left to make one enforced change to his side that were defeated 5-1 by Rangers at Broadwood on Sunday – Francesca Ogilvie was only deemed fit enough to make the bench with Laura Holden her replacement in the starting XI.

A positive Aberdeen start was rewarded with an early goal after Hannah Stewart did incredibly well to spin and send her attacking partner Bayley Hutchison in behind the backpedalling Montrose defence. She was then able to get to the by-line and put the ball on a plate for the lurking Broadrick at the back post.

Up the other end Faye Kirby was called into action for the first time after Charlotte Gammie found herself in enough space to test the on-loan Liverpool keeper, but the attempt was comfortably gathered.

The hosts continued to grow into the game, Louise Brown got the better of Nadine Hanssen and flashed a dangerous ball across the Aberdeen goalmouth, but there was to be no takers.

Hutchison, as she did in both league games this season prior to tonight looked lively going forward. Eilidh Shore found the eye of the needle and was able to thread a pass between two defenders for the striker to latch onto, but the shot was high.

With five minutes of the half to play Broadrick was involved going forward again, winning a penalty after cutting in from the right-hand side. It was a well worked move from one penalty box to another that deserved a goal to show for it but Stewart was unable to convert from 12 yards. Her effort was well saved, her attempt to make amends with the rebound denied by some impressive goalkeeping from Lauren Perry in the Gable Endies goal.

HALF TIME | Montrose 0-1 Aberdeen

Darcie Miller was introduced during the interval, Eva Thomson making way.

Aberdeen continued to create chances as they pushed for the second goal. Shore and Hanssen both came close from successive corners. Holden, who grew into the game and at times looked to have the ball on a string in the middle of the park, tried to catch out Perry at her near post but it wasn’t to be.

Hannah Innes was the next to feature off the bench for the Dons and it was a near immediate impact from the substitute as she found Miller on the stretch who slid in to make it 0-2 on the night.

Montrose reduced the deficit through Jade McLaren with just over 15 minutes to play. The goal came out of nowhere but it was a calm finish under the helpless Kirby to make the last portion of the game a nervy one.

The remainder was as scrappy as it was tense for the Dons as they looked to cling onto their lead. Kirby pulled out a great save at the death after Demi Taylor’s shot took a deflection of Broadrick.

To the relief of everyone in Links Park dressed in red and after what seemed like an eternity of stoppage time, there was to be no more action and Aberdeen grabbed what was ultimately a well-deserved victory on the road making it six points from three games to start their season. Next up is the visit of Hearts to the Balmoral Stadium on Sunday, kick-off 2pm.

FULL TIME | Montrose 1-2 Aberdeen

REACTION

Darcie MILLER: “It was so good. I’ve really enjoyed training with the girls and enjoyed playing as well. I’m getting more minutes than I expected at this stage but I’m really enjoying my football. It’s a massive confidence boost for me that the manager trusts me to come on at half time in a game like this. I scored in pre-season which gave my confidence a boost and scoring tonight will help that again. I heard Emma Lawson cheering in the stand when I scored, I love having her up with me from the eighteens and we’re really enjoying it. It was a bit of a nervy finish to the game but we got over the line and we’re happy with the three points.”

Clinton LANCASTER: “We’re happy with the three points. There’s going to be games like this across the season, especially midweek after a short turnaround. We knew what they would bring to the game tonight, they’re desperate for points and they tried every trick in the book tonight.

“We knew they would come at us, they played a lot more direct than I thought they would but we rode the storm near the end and deserved to win. I thought Darcie was outstanding coming on at half time and getting her goal. Jess was really good playing out of position and getting her goal.

“Chloe was outstanding as well. The substitutes did really well and Hannah Innes and Darcie linking up for the goal was great. Darcie has matured so quickly and she is just getting better and better. Hannah was outstanding when she came on, we know how good she is and what she can give the team and she was fantastic. Hearts at the weekend will be another different test, we’re at home so we’ll look forward to that after two away games.”

TEAM NEWS

Aberdeen: 1. Kirby, 4. Broadrick, 6. Holden, 7.Shore, 8. Gover, 9. Stewart, 10. Hutchison, 15. Finnie, 18. Thomson (12. Miller, 46′) , 23. Black (16. Innes 65′) & 24. Hanssen

Substitutes not used: 20. McCann, 11. Insch, 13. Ogilvie, 21. Lawson

Montrose: 1. Perry, 2. Brough, 8. Ross, 5. Carter, 9. Guthrie, 10. Gammie, 20. Harkin, 15. Brown, 6. McLaren, 14. Taylor, 22. Ridgeway

Substitutes: 18. Mowatt, 19. Blanchard, 21. Robb, 16. Bruce, 17. Burns, 7. Reid, 23. Codegoni