Competition: Park’s Motor Group SWPL1 Match: AFC Women v Spartans Women Venue: Balmoral Stadium Kick Off: 16:00 Ticket News: Click here for ticket information. Social Media: Follow @AberdeenWomen on Twitter for in game updates and match reaction.
After Wednesday’s historic night at Pittodrie, The Dons are back in action this Sunday as they welcome Spartans to the Balmoral Stadium.
The sides have met on three occasions this season, twice in the league and once in the Scottish Cup, with both teams winning a game apiece and drawing the third encounter. The Dons and Spartans are both competing for a place in the top half of the league, with Emma Hunter & Gavin Beith’s side currently occupying 5th spot, two points ahead of the Edinburgh based side, albeit Aberdeen have a game in hand.
Gavin Beith reflected on the match at Pittodrie and looks ahead to Sunday’s important game at the Balmoral Stadium:
“Wednesday night was a fantastic occasion which all the players embraced. More than anything we wanted them to go out and put a performance on, go and be brave and go and show what they are capable of doing. And they certainly did that. All the coaches could not have been prouder of the girls. They put in a tremendous performance for themselves first and foremost, but also for the club and everyone who came along to support them.
“It was a dream for so many of the players. They have put so much effort in over the years, made so many sacrifices and have had to go through some tough times.
“Spartans have proved to be a difficult team to play against this season. We have played them three times, the first game was a 0-0 draw down in Edinburgh earlier in the season. The second match was at the Balmoral when Spartans came from two goals down to beat us 3-2. In the third encounter we got the better of Debbi McCulloch’s team as we beat them 4-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.
“I think both teams have felt unlucky in the games against each other at points this season and they have been really competitive games. I think it will be season defining in a way as a win would give us a five-point advantage over them. We’re also well aware that if we lose that game then it allows the teams below us to catch up.
“I think we are happy with our current league position. It was difficult going through that period of losing seven games in a row but we have managed to call on those experiences in the last few games when we have really had to battle to wins without playing at our best against both Partick Thistle and Hamilton.
“Spartans are one of our direct opponents as we try to finish in the top half of SWPL1. That would be a fantastic for a team that have just been promoted to the league. We have got a difficult run of games to end the season with our campaign scheduled to finish with four consecutive away ties. That’s not to say that the home games we have left will be easy and we will need the help of the fans to get us through those games.
“We had had great support all season at the Balmoral and those who have come along have seen some great games. We value every single one of the fans who have come along and lent us their support and we will do everything we can to reward you all with another three points on Sunday.”
Defender Donna Paterson also previewed the game with Spartans:
“We take a lot of confidence from the game going into Sunday against Spartans, and into the final part of the season. Spartans only lost 2-1 against Rangers last Sunday so they will be in a good place as well. They will be coming up here well up for it. Our previous games against Spartans have been quite close so hopefully we can put in another good performance and get a positive result, but we know it will be another very tough game. Defending as well as we did as a unit will give us a lot of confidence. Our defensive play was very good, but we need to do more from an attacking sense to get the three points.
“There is a huge incentive for us to win the game because if we do, we increase the gap in the table between the two sides to five points with just six league games to go, so it another massive match.”
