Hardworking Dons lose out to Rangers

Aberdeen FC Women 1 Rangers Women 2

Scottish Power Womens Premier League

Sunday 28th November 2024 14:00

Balmoral Stadium

Aberdeen were narrowly beaten 2-1 by league leaders Rangers at a blustery Balmoral Stadium in this afternoon’s Scottish Power Women’s Premier League. A double from Rachel Rowe in the first half had the visitors ahead at the break but a Bayley Hutchison strike early in the second half reduced the arrears.

There was one change in the Dons starting line-up as Aimee Black replaced Francesca Ogilvie. New signing Adele Lindbaek was name amongst the substitutes after arriving in the city this week.

The league leaders started as the more dominant team as you would expect with Jeni Currie getting called into action in the opening minutes to dive on a Lizzy Arnot ball across goal. Arnot went close again in the early stages as she rattled the Aberdeen crossbar with a long-range effort.

Rio Hardy the passed up a good opportunity just after the 15-minute mark as she flashed a shot just wide after a clever near-post run. Aberdeen were looking very well organised as they kept their shape in the face of pressure from the visitors. New Rangers signing Olivia McLoughlin was looking very lively in the opening stages and she had a shot fly wide and a strong run forward.

The hosts looked to threaten on the break as Bayley Hutchison spun a pass in behind for Hannah Stewart but her ball into the box was easily cut out by Tessel Middag.

Rangers went in front on 34-minutes when Rachel ROWE collect the ball 30-yards from goal before making her way towards the edge of the box and shooting high past Currie in the Dons goal.

It should have been two just minutes later when Chelsea Cornet found herself unmarked in front of goal from a corner but the former Hibs midfielder headed over from close range.

Despite a relatively solid defensive display by Aberdeen the visitors got a second four minutes before the interval. A swift passing move down the right saw the ball worked into the area where ROWE was lurking to side-foot home her second of the game.

The half-time whistle brought some respite from the wind which was getting considerably worse as the game went on and the visitors went in two goals in front.

HT ABERDEEN 0 RANGERS 2

Aberdeen made two changes at the break as Eva Thomson and Hannah Innes were replaced by Francesca Ogilvie and debutant Adele Lindbaek.

The Dons were gifted a goal right at the start of the half as Rangers’ keeper Jenna Fife passed the ball straight to HUTCHISON in front of goal and the striker kept her composure to slide home her 15th goal of the campaign.

Rangers introduced Scotland striker Jane Ross to proceedings, and she had chance to score within minutes of coming on as she was denied by a combination of Lois Edwards and Jeni Currie. Currie again denied Ross when the striker was played through the middle one on one with the keeper and the Dons goalie saved well with her feet.

The visitors weren’t enjoying the same dominance in the second period as they played into the wind which continued to cause both teams problems. New signing Lindbaek drew a foul 25-yards out as Aberdeen went in search of an equaliser, but Chloe Gover’s driven set-piece went straight into the arms of Fife.

Currie was called into action again as the game entered the final ten minutes when she got down well to hold a Mia McAulay effort from the edge of the box.

Rangers went close to stoppage time goal as Ross again got an effort away, but her shot was deflected into the grateful arms of Currie. Aimee Black then did well to block a dangerous cross in the dying embers of the game as the away team came away with the narrow win.

FT ABERDEEN 1 RANGERS 2

Aberdeen:

1. Jennifer Currie 2. Lois Edwards 7. Eilidh Shore 8. Chloe Gover 9. Hannah Stewart (C) 10. Bayley Hutchison 16. Hannah Innes (Lindbaek 45′) 15. Madison Finnie 17. Keely Banfield (Murray 57′) 18. Eva Thomson (Ogilvie 45′) 23. Aimee Black

Subs:

20. Annalisa McCann (GK) 30. Zoe Maclean (GK) 22. Phoebe Murray 19. Amelie Martindale 21. Emma Lawson 12. Darcie Miller 13. Francesca Ogilvie 11. Adele Lindbaek

Rangers:

1. Jenna Fife 2. Nicola Docherty 4. Kathy Hill 6. Tessel Middag 8. Rachel Rowe 10. Rio Hardy 14. Mia McAulay 15. Lizzie Arnot 19. Chelsea Cornet 23. Kirsty Maclean 24. Olivia McLoughlin