Scottish Women’s Football | Division One North | Aberdeen 6 Westdyke 0 | Lawsondale, Westhill

A comprehensive victory for Aberdeen this afternoon who played some very good football, although the scoreline was a bit harsh on a well organised Westdyke side who worked tirelessly throughout.

match report

Despite having not played for a few weeks due to a break during the Women’s World Cup, the Aberdeen girls looked very sharp from the first whistle.

And they got off to a perfect start when Amy PHILLIPS finished off a neat move down the right within 90 seconds. It was a fine finish from Phillips and on eight minutes she almost grabbed a second but her powerful shot was just lifted a little too high.

A few minutes later a brilliant long ball by Lauren Gordon set Bailey Hutchison free but the keeper made a smart stop.

In the 11th minute the home side won the first corner of game from which captain Kelly Forrest made a very good block. Hutchison went close again on 17 minutes after a really good patient build up, something that was very evident with much of Aberdeen’s play today. Then Gordon produced another good save from the keeper before Natasha Woods, from her holding midfield role, started and almost finished a sweeping move.

Aberdeen were dominating possession but Westdyke deserved much credit for their organisation.

On 20 minutes Gordon was yellow carded for a late tackle.

A few minutes later a neat inside past from Phillips released Chloe Gover and despite being at tightest of angles her shot shaved the bar.

Westdyke continued to make Aberdeen work very hard to create any openings but on 27 minutes a really good through ball found GOVER unmarked and she coolly rolled the ball into the bottom corner to give Aberdeen a deserved 2-0 lead.

After 35 minutes Gover went close again but her shot was tipped round the post to give Aberdeen their first corner of the game. From the resulting set-piece there was a half chance for Forrest who looked a constant threat when she went up for corners.

The game continued to be played at a good tempo despite the heat, a credit to the fitness of both sets of players.

Westdyke had their best spell of the game just before the interval and on the stroke of half time went close with a shot which was dragged just wide.

Half time: Aberdeen Women 2 Westdyke Ladies 0

The second half was similar to the first, Aberdeen with plenty of possession but the away side continued to be very well organised and work hard to limit any space.

On 50 minutes Ogilvie cut the ball back for Woods and her first time shot just went wide.

Two minutes later Aberdeen added a third to kill the game.

It was Amy PHILLIPS who finished off a really nice move involving Hutchison, Forrest, Eilidh Shore and Phillips.

Three minutes later Bayley HUTCHISON added a fourth effort with a great solo effort. She cut in off her wing and her low shot went flying into the corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Another very good finish.

On the hour mark good an in-swinging corner from Ogilvie was headed just wide by Shore, her glancing header did not have quite enough on it. Three minutes later Phillips went down in the area, but referee Paulina Russzniak was right up with play and felt there was not enough contact.

Gover then became the second player to find herself in the referee’s book, which did seem a bit harsh as she appeared to be fouled initially.

With 20 minutes to go Sophie Brown replaced Lauren Gordon.

Aberdeen then won a number of corners but the home side continued to defend defiantly – typified when Gover rounded the keeper but someone got back to clear the ball off the line.

However with 78 minute gone Ogilvie played the ball inside to Shore who found GOVER on the edge of the area and she lifted the ball high into the corner. Probably the best finish of the afternoon.

With ten minutes to go Emma Murray made her first appearance of the season. Emma has been out for a considerable while with a serious injury so she will be delighted to have had a run out this afternoon after all the work she has put during her recovery. She replaced Phillips.

Late on the Westdyke keeper made a number of good stops but she was helpless in the final minute when Shore crashed a shot off the bar and Ogilvie was well positioned to slot the ball home and complete the scoring.

Full time: Aberdeen Women 6 Westdyke Ladies 0

Reaction and gallery to follow

Aberdeen:
1 Anna Blanchard
17 Francesca Ogilvie
3 Loren Campbell
14 Kelly Forrest
5 Carrie Doig
6 Natasha Bruce
7 Eildh Shore
8 Chloe Gover
9 Lauren Gordon (Sophie Brown 70)
15 Bayley Hutchison
11 Amy Phillips (Emma Murray 80)