Dundee United 0 Aberdeen Women 5 SWPL1 Foundation Park Sunday 11th May | 4PM
Summary:
Aberdeen Women were looking for nothing but a win at Foundation Park to secure safety and their place in the SWPL1 next season. Coming off a dramatic draw at Pittodrie on Wednesday, the Dons were looking for an improved display against the already relegated Dundee United, with only one win in their last five.
Scott Booth made three changes from midweek’s spectacle as Darcie Miller came into the XI on a high after her injury-time equaliser, while Hannah Stewart picked up a knock in training that ruled her out of action. Mendez was handed a start after her 20-minute cameo at Pittodrie in place of Aimee Black. Phoebe Murray returned to the midfield for her 2nd start in the last three.
Aberdeen got the job done in Dundee as they sailed to a comfortable 5-0 victory at Foundation Park. Goals from Beattie and Mendez in the first half got things going. Beattie bagged her brace late in the second half before substitutes Innes and Kraft got in on the action late on.
Report:
Aberdeen knew they had to start strong, and they did. Maddie Finnie picked out Emma Ilijoski in space down the left, who exchanged passes with Kerry Beattie. The striker cut inside on her stronger right foot and curled in a sublime effort into the top right corner, giving the Dons the perfect start just four minutes in.
Kaela McDonald-Nguah nearly responded immediately for Dundee United, drawing gasps from the Foundation Park crowd with her long-ranged strike, which just sailed over Annalisa McCann’s bar a minute later.
Maya Knight’s deep free kick kept Aberdeen alert at the back, forcing some solid defending. Successive corners from The Tangerines were routinely dealt with; the second sparking a fast break for Aberdeen, who were unable to capitalise.
Dundee Utd was forced into an early change as McDonald-Nguah could not continue after receiving treatment to her hamstring earlier in the half. Amy Taylor came on in her place.
For the most part, McCann remained untroubled for most of the half as the Dons searched for the cushionier in a game of few clear chances thus far.
Beattie came close to her second after Ilijoski superbly sat down Katie Frew, but her effort was blocked at close range by Sophie Timlin.
The resulting corner would indeed provide the all-important second for Aberdeen. Phoebe Murray’s delivery would be cleared to the edge of the box but returned and met with an overhead kick by Darcie Miller, whose attempt looked to be heading in, but Mendez’s smart flick on would ensure with five left of the half. The defender’s header was her first for the club after signing in January this season.
Aberdeen did not want the half to end as their safety net settled any nerves and allowed for the football to speak for itself.
Right before the whistle, Eva Thomson would play through Miller, who would have had the third not for Rennie’s quick reactions.
Half Time Dundee Utd 0-2 Aberdeen
Both sides returned from the break unchanged, and the rhythm remained largely the same as Aberdeen looked dominant and composed in possession.
It wasn’t long before the Dons made their first change, with Phoebe Murray making way for Ellie-May Cowie, whose natural width gave Aberdeen an added dimension out wide.
A third goal nearly came on the hour mark. Finnegan timed her late run perfectly to meet a clever ball from captain Francesca Ogilvie. The midfielder flicked it up for herself and sent a dipping volley just over the bar.
Aberdeen kept pressing. A superb switch of play found Ilijoski high on the left flank, and her cutback picked out Beattie lurking at the edge of the area, but her shot was smothered well by Rennie.
Despite the pressure, Dundee United’s energy didn’t wane. Their high press forced a rare error from Mendez, leading to a dangerous 3 vs 2 break. But a heavy touch from Anna Dickov allowed Broadrick to race back and snuff out the threat.
Aberdeen came within inches of a third when Cowie’s glancing header from Niamh Noble’s teasing corner clipped the crossbar.
The breakthrough finally came with five minutes remaining, and in stunning fashion. Beattie once again burned past Timlin and Burns, cut inside, and unleashed a sensational curling strike off the underside of the bar and in, her second of the day in the 86th minute.
Just two minutes later, the Dons made it four. Noble’s inch-perfect delivery was met by the late-arriving Hannah Innes, who tapped in with ease. A clinical finish to cap a well-worked move from the substitutes.
And the floodgates opened. Innes turned provider moments later, sliding a perfectly weighted through ball to Emily Kraft, who had just come on. Kraft showed great composure in the one-on-one, calmly slotting under Rennie to make it five and secure all three points and Aberdeen’s place in the SWPL1 for next season.
Full Time: Dundee Utd 0-5 Aberdeen
STATS:
Aberdeen:
Annalisa McCann, 4. Jessica Broadrick, 2. Alix Mendez (Black 75’), 15. Madison Finnie, 13. Francesca Ogilvie, 66. Toni Leigh Finnegan, 7. Pheobe Murray (Cowie 58’), 18. Eva Thomson (Kraft 88’), 17. Emma Ilijoski (Noble 75’), 10. Darcie Miller (Innes 75’), 27. Kerry Beattie
Subs: 3. Niamh Noble, 5. Nicola Jameison, 6. Laura Holden, 8. Chloe Gover, 14. Holly McEvoy, 16. Hannah Innes, 19. Emily Kraft, 22. Ellie-May Cowie, 23. Aimee Black
Goals: Beattie 4’, 85’, Mendez 40’, Innes 87’, Kraft 90+2’
Unused Subs: 5. Nicola Jameison, 6. Laura Holden, 8. Chloe Gover, 14. Holly McEvoy,
Bookings: Finnegan 72’, Cowie 84’
Dundee United:
Beth Rennie, 2. Katie Frew, 6. Ashley Jay Robertson, 8. Natasha Bruce, 10. Kaela McDonald-Nguah (Taylor 32’) 11. Alix Moodie (Stewart 70’), 12. Anna Dickov (Logan 70’), 17. Megan Burns, 19. Maya Knight, 20. Freya Jen Brien, 22. Sophie Timlin
Subs: 1. Beth Mowatt, 3. Amilie Martindale, 7. Maisy Stewart, 15. Lyla Marnie, 16. Alex Erin Logan, 18. Amy Taylor, 25. Hannah McFarlane
Unused Subs: 1. Beth Mowatt, 3. Amilie Martindale, 15. Lyla Marnie, 25. Hannah McFarlane
Bookings: N/A
