Aberdeen Ladies FC 5 - Dundee United LFC 0

 Aberdeen reverted to their more successful 4-4-2 formation against Dundee United and although the visitors were only promoted this year they came into the game as favourites currently sitting higher up the league than The Dons.

Aberdeen attacked winning an early free kick which was squandered with a free kick for a push handing Dundee possession allowing them to reply with a half hearted attempt which Johnston managed to collect.

The Dons opened the scoring five minutes in, Fitzpatrick working with Hamill through the midfield before laying off to WRIGHT who burst forward and truck a shot into the top left hand side.

United countered from the kick off winning a corner which was headed into the chest of Johnston who spilled the ball and Marks put it over the bar. The game was being played at a hectic pace with both teams working hard to regain possession then get forward quickly.

Aberdeen absorbed a spell of heavy pressure prior to Martin and Wright hustling well up the right to win a corner. The flag kick was delivered and headed in for Wright to toe towards the net but the keeper saved well. Twenty one minutes in Aberdeen went two ahead, a long ball forward from P. SCOTT went too far for the strikers but the high bounce caught out keeper Clark and it rose over her to go in the net.

A long pass forward to McCauley for United looked dangerous but Murray tracked back to put in a key sliding tackle. Hamill collected in midfield charging forward and seeking out Wright but United defender Williamson was quick to get a clearance in. For Dundee, McCauley slipped a ball in from wide which looked dangerous clearing the keeper but Murray was in place to clear.

Hughes was creating chances for Dundee winging up the right then crossing for Fraser who had an empty goal but struck it wide. On 30 minutes Aberdeen went three ahead, some great work from Hamill on the right chasing forward, selling Marks a dummy before passing to Wright in front of goal. Closed down quickly she slipped a short pass to MARTIN who made no mistake from six yards.

A mistake from S Scott in midfield gave away possession to the visitors who charged forward forcing Johnston to chase out and block at feet. The ball broke loose in front of goal providing a clear chance but the defence chased in quick and conceded a corner. Played to the back post it was headed in by former Don Young but straight at the keeper.

Wright and Small both troubled the defence creating chances and Martin had a firm shot forcing another great save from the keeper. On 41 minutes a solo effort saw WRIGHT pick up wide right slip past Marks and fire a hard shot which the keeper got a hand too but it carried in.

Half Time - Aberdeen 4 – Dundee United 0.

Aberdeen had an early let off as Hughes burst forward on the right and looked to score but the ball went just wide of the left hand upright. A ball into Boag right on the penalty spot looked a certainty but Taylor got a foot in to block. United were on top at this point putting Aberdeen through the ringer for a spell. Finally the Dons broke through with a throw in from the left, S.Scott weaved around then played to Wright who forced a corner off the keeper which was cleared, then hit well off target by Fitzpatrick.

United earned a free kick on the left just outside the box which was placed well wide by United’s Young. Aberdeen’sDjahansouzi replaced P.Scott after she collapsed with an ankle injury and Aberdeen reshuffled. United were still pressing hard but the Reds held out with the hard working back four aided by the midfield tracking back to assist. Finally Aberdeen broke forward, Campbell and Wright working the ball forward on the right before Wright attempted a 20 yard shot.

Aberdeen started to gain advantage as United seemed to tire and on forty one minutes as the game faded away FITZPATRICK picked up the ball 25 yards out a sent a high looping shot over the keeper for Aberdeen’s fifth.

Aberdeen Team

Kandy Johnston, Loren Campbell, Jenni Taylor(Lindsey Coutts), Susan Murray, Paula Scott (Neda Djahansouzi), Rachel Small, Chloe Fitzpatrick, Rachel Hamill, Claire Martin, Sharon Scott(Rachel Gibson), Nikki Wright(Sam McDonald)

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