Scott Booth shared his thoughts with afc.co.uk following a gripping 0-0 draw with Partick Thistle at the Balmoral, his AFC Women side unlucky to not find a late winner.
“I think it was a really good game of football. Both teams had their moments. The first period, maybe the first twenty minutes, was some of the best football we’ve played. We kept the ball, moved it well, dictated play, looked composed, and created opportunities. We had a few shots blocked, and their goalkeeper made a worldie save, tipping it onto the crossbar when it looked like it was going in.
“After that, they came into the game. We hadn’t scored in that dominant period, and they started gaining momentum. We got a little untidy in possession, giving the ball away too often, especially in the middle to higher areas of the pitch. That meant we were constantly in defensive transition, chasing back. At halftime, we talked about keeping the ball better and being tidier in possession.
“The second half was open, with both teams creating chances and going for the three points. We had a couple of really good opportunities late on, and if we had made slightly better decisions in the final moments, we could have taken all three points. But they’ll probably feel the same, as they had a couple of dangerous crosses that flashed across our goal.
“What I was really pleased with was the combative side of our game. We didn’t just play good football—we worked hard for each other, put in tackles, and kept a clean sheet. I think we showed the fans and the opposition that we’re improving all the time.
“Another clean sheet is really pleasing. The defence did really well. Aimee Black was excellent, continuing to put in strong performances. The entire back line, including the wing-backs and defensive midfielders, worked hard, put their bodies on the line, and defended well. It was a solid team effort.
“Aimee has been really impressive. She’s so versatile—she can play as the deepest defender, on the right, on the left, or in a back four in almost any position. She’s consistent, with a great balance between being a traditional centre-half and someone who can play a bit as well. Really pleased with her and the whole team for keeping a clean sheet against a side that is difficult to break down, even for the top teams in the league. Credit to them as well; they have some very good players.
“Alix also played her part. She trained just once before the match but came in and did really well. She looked composed, made good decisions, and timed her tackles well. Considering she had only an hour of training before stepping into the back line, she did a great job.
“You can feel the support growing. The fans are encouraged by what they’re seeing. That’s four games unbeaten now—three wins and a draw. We’re not just creating moments; we’re building something with longevity. These are positive steps, but as a group, we know we have to keep improving and building on what we’re doing.
“Against Rangers, we’ll need to be well-organized and aware of their threats. Defensively, we need the same mentality we’ve shown, but we also have the ability to hurt them. They’ll have a lot of possession, but we need to be ready to capitalize on transitions whenever possible.”
