Aberdeen Women v Montrose Women Pittodrie Stadium SWPL1 Wednesday 7th May 2025 Attendance: 1500
Summary:
Aberdeen Women welcomed Montrose on Wednesday evening for a crucial SWPL 1 relegation showdown at Pittodrie. Gleeful from Sunday’s 2–0 win over The Spartans, the hosts entered the match in high spirits, fully aware of the stakes. Montrose, however, had edged a dramatic 3–2 victory in the reverse fixture only 22 days ago.
With just four points separating Aberdeen from the drop zone and Montrose hot on their heels, this was a high-pressure, must-win clash for both sides and rightfully played under the lights at Pittodrie Stadium.
A double change for the Dons from Sunday, with Aimee Black coming into the backline in place of Alix Mendez. Ellie-May Cowie earned herself a start after sealing the win at the weekend, meaning Ogilvie moved back into midfield as Murray dropped to the bench.
In the end, Scott Booth’s side drew 2–2 with Montrose in a dramatic clash at Pittodrie. Francesca Ogilvie gave the hosts the lead, but late goals from Georgia Carter and Holly Daniel turned the game in Montrose’s favour. Deep into stoppage time, Darcie Miller headed in a vital equaliser to keep Aberdeen’s survival hopes alive ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Dundee United.
Report:
In a game with so much at stake, a cagey start was no surprise. The opening minutes were played in Montrose’s half, with the Dons looking to unlock their well-organised defence.
Hannah Stewart’s early corner would be placed right on the head of Kirsten Pratt, which the latter managed to successfully punch away. Cassie Cowper would respond with a set-piece of her own minutes later as she similarly launched one into the path of McCann, who also punched clear.
Sophia Martin almost capitalised on a loose Broadrick pass as she found herself in the clear on the left before delivering a cross come shot which would kiss the crossbar on the way over 13 minutes in.
As minutes passed, Montrose grew into the game. Another misplaced Broadrick pass would be intercepted before ricocheting off Pollard into the path of Daniel. The striker raced through in a one-on-one situation with McCann, but the shouts of the recovering Don’s defence may have put her off, as she could only place wide.
Montrose continued to knock on the door as they surged forward. Holly Daniel would come the closest to opening the scoring as her strike on the edge of the box would force an acrobatic save out of McCann. Four successive corners would follow suit, however, leaps from Broadrick, Black, and McCann would keep things level with 25’ played.
The visitor’s chances seemed to awaken the Dons as they began to regain some control. An Eva Thomson long-range effort would be caught by Pratt on the half-hour mark.
The half would close out following a heart-racing goalmouth scramble. Demi Taylor would deliver a cross, which Pollard narrowly missed. A bunch of bodies would rush to get the ball clear, making things difficult for McCann to see, but the ‘keeper would remain concentrated to smother things to safety.
Half-time was much needed for Aberdeen as they struggled to really get to grips with Montrose’s physical front two. With things level at the break, Aberdeen were hopeful for a more attack-minded display in the second, hopefully capitalising on the Mo’s missed chances in the first.
Half Time: Aberdeen Women 0-0 Montrose Women
Cassie Cowper’s hopeful free-kick would get the second half truly underway before Demi Taylor’s cross gave McCann something to think about.
Ogilvie livened up Pittodrie as her sheer determination mustered her a shooting opportunity just inside the penalty area. Her attempt was blocked, but was clapped by her teammates as they looked for some inspiration.
The Dons seemed to have dusted off the first-half cobwebs as they enjoyed 10 minutes of pressure in the Montrose half. Eva Thomson’s smart turn would earn her side a foul just outside the D. Finnegan would step up to take, but her strike made its way comfortably into the hands of Pratt.
Broadrick’s mazy run nearly brought Aberdeen joy as Stewart found space in the penalty area. The in-form striker just could not find the room to get her shot off.
Stewart would not let her head drop following the chance as she provided the assist for the opener, finding Ogilvie’s underlapping run. The Aberdeen Player of the Year looped the ball over Pratt from distance before ecstatically celebrating with a roly-poly for her 2nd in as many games at Pittodrie. 1-0 Aberdeen with 18 to play.
Celebrations were cut short as Cowper’s deep free kick bounced into the path of Georgia Carter who made no mistake with her finish as she smashed the ball low and hard down the throat of McCann, who came close to making the stop on 82’.
The game would be completely turned on its head in the 86th minute. Darcie Miller was denied what looked to be a penalty following a Taylor challenge. With the referee letting things play on, the Mo’ found themselves up-field and with momentum on their side. Holly Daniel would cut in from the right and curl the ball into the bottom left, silencing the Pittodrie crowd.
A frenzied last ten would see the Dons fight to the death, and on the 96th minute, Darcie Miller would head in the equaliser from an Ogilvie corner to muster her side a point in a nail-biting second half affair.
Aberdeen still have the chance to seal their place in the 25/26 SWPL1 campaign with a win away to Dundee Utd on Sunday afternoon.
Full-Time: Aberdeen Women 2-2 Montrose Women
STATS:
Aberdeen:
20. Annalisa McCann, 4. Jessica Broadrick, 23. Aimee Black (Mendez 70’) 15. Madison Finnie, 22. Ellie-May Cowie (Murray 70’), 66. Toni Leigh Finnegan, 13. Francesca Ogilvie, 18. Eva Thomson, 17. Emma Ilijoski, 9. Hannah Emilie Stewart (Miller 85’), 27. Kerry Beattie
Subs:
2. Alix Mendez, 3. Niamh Noble, 5. Nicola Jameison, 7. Pheobe Murray, 8. Chloe Gover, 10. Darcie Miller, 14. Holly McEvoy, 16. Hannah Innes, 19. Emily Kraft
Goals: Ogilvie 72’, Miller 96’
Unused Subs: 3. Niamh Noble, 5. Nicola Jameison, 8. Chloe Gover, 10, 14. Holly McEvoy, 16. Hannah Innes, 19. Emily Kraft
Bookings: Murray 80’
Montrose FC:
18. Kirsten Pratt, 5. Georgia Carter, 6. Jade McLaren, 8. Erin Ross, 11. Holly Daniel, 14. Demi Taylor (Guthrie 88’), 15. Louise Brown (Henderson 96’), 19. Sophia Martin, 21. Talitha Robb (Delworth 96’), 22. London Pollard (Cadegoni 75’), 31. Cassie Cowper
Subs:
25. Ava Lamb, 7. Nyla Murphy, 9. Neve Guthrie, 13. Johan Fraser, 16. Flora Bruce, 17. Claire Delworth, 20. Erin Henderson, 23. Alma Cadegoni
Goals: Carter 82, Daniel 86’
Unused Subs: 25. Ava Lamb, 7. Nyla Murphy, 13. Johan Fraser, 16. Flora Bruce,
