The Spartans 2 Aberdeen Women 1
ScottishPower Women’s Premier League
Ainslie Park Stadium
19th May 2024 | 12:00
Aberdeen’s SWPL 1 season ended in defeat in the capital as they went down 2-1 to Spartans at Ainslie Park. The Dons had led at half-time thanks to stunning goal by captain Hannah Stewart but second half goals from Simone McMahon and Mya Bates gave the hosts all three points.
Clint Lancaster made two changes to his side for his last game in charge. Madison Finnie returned from suspension and Jennifer Currie overcame the knock that ruled her out last week. Zoe Maclean and Aimee Black moved to the bench which also included Adele Lindbaek after her absence last week.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides as they stroked the ball around with confidence in the early stages. A cross-field pass by Hannah Innes almost saw Emma Lawson get in down the right wing before Bayley Hutchison tested Alicia Yates after being set up by Hannah Stewart.
Hutchison had another chance inside the opening twenty minutes when she was quick to pounce on a Currie clearance which was misjudged by the Spartans defence. The Dons top scorer looked like she was about to score but a combination of defender and goalkeeper deflected her effort wide.
Aberdeen were playing some brilliant football as they continued to dominate and the crossbar prevented them taking a spectacular lead on 23 minutes. A long spell of possession for the aways side ended with Phoebe Murray sending a 25-yard strike off the crossbar.
The hosts were only looking threatening on the counter-attack, Amelie Birse had already had a shot wide before Robyn McCafferty fired over the bar. They went very close to taking the lead ten minutes from half-time when Caley Gibb went down the right and sent a clipped shot just wide.
The Dons responded to that slight score by hitting the woodwork for the second time. Innes had the ball more 25-yards out on the right and sent a long-range effort crashing back off the crossbar.
Aberdeen took a deserved lead a minute from the interval, and it was a special strike that put them in front. She already secured the goal of the season award for her strike here earlier in the campaign, but STEWART may have gone one better here. The captain picked up 25-yards from goal before sending an unstoppable strike into the top corner of the net to give the visitors a half time lead.
HT: SPARTANS 0 ABERDEEN 1
The hosts had a chance for an equaliser in the opening minutes of the second half after Eilidh Shore fouled Caley Gibb out wide. The resulting free-kick created a scramble in the box and Currie did well to block at the feet of Tegan Browning.
Stewart and Innes linked up to create the Dons first attempt of the half as the latter fired a shot straight at keeper Yates from a narrow angle. Both sides exchanged chances to score ten minutes into the second period. Murray saw her dipping 20-yard shot tipped over the bar for Aberdeen before Spartans hit the bar at the other end when Chloe Gover deflected a cross onto the frame of her own goal.
It seemed as though another goal was coming in the game at it arrived on 58-minutes as the home side equalised. Simone MCMAHON got on the end of a pass from Rebecca Foote to level the scores.
Aberdeen looked to respond with some fresh legs as Adele Lindbaek was introduced in place of Lawson. Shortly after coming on Lindbaek drew a foul 35-yards out. Gover took the free-kick quickly but Eva Thomson’s snap-shot was held by keeper Yates.
The home side went in front with just under fifteen minutes remaining when two of their substitutes combined. A cross from the right by Louise Mason was bundled in from close range by Mya BATES.
The Dons made a second change when Aimee Black replaced Innes inside the final ten minutes.
Both sides pushed for a late goal as the final minutes of the season ticked away. Lindbaek passed up an opportunity in the last minute when her shot didn’t have the power or direction to beat Yates.
The visitors couldn’t force a late equaliser as the Spartans held on for the win.
FT: SPARTANS 2 ABERDEEN 1
Aberdeen:
1. Jennifer Currie, 4. Jessica Broadrick, 7. Eilidh Shore, 8. Chloe Gover, 9. Hannah Stewart (C), 10. Bayley Hutchison, 15. Madison Finnie, 16. Hannah Innes, 18. Eva Thomson, 21. Emma Lawson, 22. Phoebe Murray
Substitutes: 30. Zoe MacLean, 2. Lois Edwards, 11. Adele Lindbaek, 17. Keely Banfield, 19. Amelie Martindale, 23. Aimee Black, 26. Kiera MacPherson
Spartans:
1. Alicia Yates, 3. Sarah Clelland, 4. Simone McMahon, 8. Tegan Browning, 10. Amelie Birse, 11. Alana Marshall, 15. Caley Gibb, 17. Robyn MCafferty, 18. Rebecca Galbraith, 21. Hannah Jordan, 24. Rebecca Foote
Substitutes: 52. Leyla Gallagher, 2. Louise Mason, 6. Erin Henderson, 9. Ronaigh Douglas, 22. Hannah Robinson, 26. Summer Laird, 27. Mya Bates
