Dundee United FC Women 3 | McGinley 43′; Dobbins 48′; McLaren 71′

Aberdeen FC Women 4 | Hutchison 28′, 86′; Urquhart 30′, 64′

FULL TIME | Gussie Park, Dundee | Park’s Motor Group SWPL1 | Kick off – 7.30pm | HT 1-2

MATCH REPORT by Mark Gordon

Aberdeen came out on top in a seven-goal thriller at Gussie Park in the shadow of Tannadice. A double from Bayley Hutchison and two stunning Millie Urquhart strikes were enough for a second consecutive win as Danni McGinley, Rachel Todd and Jade McLaren replied for United.

Gavin Levey made three changes to the Aberdeen side that won against Hamilton on Sunday. Eva Thomson, Mya Christie and Donna Paterson all started as Bailley Collins, Francesca Ogilvie and Chloe Gover dropped to the bench.

There was a lengthy stoppage in the opening minutes of the game following a heavy collision between Jessica Broadrick and United fullback Claire Delworth. Both players were able to continue after treatment from their respective physios.

When the game resumed it was Aberdeen that had the first chance of the match. Millie Urquhart lobbed a pass into the area which Bayley Hutchison got her head to but Fiona McNicoll in the home goal managed to parry the striker’s effort wide.

Delworth was then forced off for the hosts as she struggled to overcome the head-knock she suffered in the early collision with Broadrick. Leigha Dobbins came on to replace the defender.

Donna Paterson was the next to come close to an opener when she got her head to a Hutchison corner but her effort was cleared as it headed for the bottom corner. Hutchison herself then had a curling effort go wide from the angle of the box.

Broadrick was then forced off as she too failed to shrug off the heavy knock she took in the opening minutes, Bailley Collins replaced the defender.

Aberdeen continued to push for the opener and good passing move almost saw Nadine Hanssen find the net. The Dutch midfielder collected a ball for Christie before curling a short towards the top corner only to see McNicoll dive across her goal to catch the shot.

The visitors deservedly broke the deadlock on 28 mins. A storming run down the right by Urquhart saw the Scotland under-19 player fly passed Dion Young before cutting back for HUTCHISON who fired a shot on the turn into the bottom corner.

The hosts hadn’t yet recovered from falling behind when they found themselves two-down thanks to stunning Aberdeen goal. A clipped pass to the right side of the area found URQUHART in space and the full-back hit a first time shot flying into the top corner for her first goal of the season.

The Dons continued to dominate as United look to force their way back into the match. Annalisa McCann did well to claim a dangerous cross into the box before Collins curled a shot over from 20yards at the other end.

United reduced their deficit two minutes before half time. Their top scorer Danni MCGINLEY had been kept quiet by Dons defenders Paterson and Finnie but the striker took advantage or a rare bit of slackness to prod home from inside the box.

An exciting half of football came to end with another Aberdeen effort on goal. A strong tackle by Collins on Foote saw the Dons substitute win the ball before finding Shore but the midfielder’s long-range effort flew wide of the target.

HT: DUNDEE UNITED 1 ABERDEEN 2

The Dons made a change at half time as Hannah Stewart came on to replace Eva Thomson. It was the hosts who started the half brighter though. McCann had already produced a great save to tip a Cassie Cowper header over in the first minute of the half but the keeper could do nothing on 48mins as a DOBBINS shot from the edge of area flew into the top corner.

There was almost an immediate response at the other end as Aberdeen went close. Collins’ powerful effort was well saved by McNicoll and the rebound fell for Stewart but the keeper recovered to block the substitute’s effort.

A frantic start to the second half continued as both teams exchanged efforts on goal. Eilidh Shore was the first to go close as she headed narrowly wide. At the other end Rachel Todd broke clear down the left but her low shot came back off the post and was cleared by Loren Campbell.

Aberdeen regained their lead and it was another brilliant strike from their young full-back that did all the damage. Shore released URQUHART just over half way and the defender outpaced the United defence before sending a superb shot high into the United net.

A good move involving Collins and Hanssen ended with the former sending a shot over the bar from 20 yards. The game was being played at an unbelievable pace and it took another twist on 71mins as United equalised again. McGinley was again involved but this time she was the provider for Jade MCLAREN to sweep home from inside the box.

It was anyone’s game as it entered the final ten minutes and Aberdeen had their keeper to thank for keeping them level. McCann produced a fine reaction save to deny Todd what looked like a certain goal at the back post.

Francesca Ogilvie replaced Maddie Finnie for the last five minutes as the defender struggled with injury. The substitute was involved straight away as she combined with Urquhart to release HUTCHISON who saw her low shot find the bottom corner.

Hutchison almost scored again in the final minute when she got on the end of a long ball but couldn’t find the target after touching the ball past the out-rushing keeper. United rallied as they went in search of another equaliser, McLaren sending a shot wide from the angle of the box in stoppage time.

The Dons held on their second win of the week in what was a fantastic game.

FT: DUNDEE UNITED 3 ABERDEEN 4

REACTION- Millie Urquhart

“It was a really good team performance right from the start. We obviously had a few bad moments with the goals but you could see our determination to get three points from the game.

“We wanted to get the win to get the points back that we lost to them last time we played. We treated the games after the split like a mini league and we want to get as far up that mini league as we can. We got the win on Sunday and that gave us the added confidence. I don’t score many goals playing in defence so it was nice to get two tonight. The first was a bit of a hit and hope to be honest. The second came at the end of a run and just wanted to hit the target and it went in.

“I’m delighted I scored the goals but it wouldn’t have been the same if we didn’t win as that was the most important thing. I don’t mind where I play as long as I’m on the pitch. Playing me further up the pitch tonight suited how we wanted to play and it feels good to get the win.”

TEAM NEWS

Aberdeen: McCann, Campbell (C), Urquhart, Paterson, Broadrick (Collins 23′), Shore, Hutchison, Christie, Finnie (Ogilvie 83′), Thomson (Stewart 46′) & Hanssen

Substitutes not used: Marwaha, Gover, Sopel, Karkkainen & Black

Dundee United: McNicoll, Dobbins, Young, McLaren, McGinley, Robb, Todd, Foote, Cowper, Sidey & Delworth.

Substitutes: Perry, Donald, Guthrie, Murphy, Smith, Fraser, Bruce & Christie