Match Reports - Aberdeen v ELFC

The worst of starts for the Dons as in the first couple of minutes Edinburgh forced a save from Hutcheson then in a duplicate move in the 3^rd minute McLaughlin broke up the left, passing forward to McWHINNIE, who this time made no mistake to put the visitors ahead.

Aberdeen pushed from the re-start, Martin winning a free kick 40 yards out sent in by Scott Corsie headed on to force a clearance for a corner. The corner from Scott dropped at the near post and was tapped towards goal by Taylor but Faughnan cleared.

The Dons pinned Edinburgh in their box for a spell before they finally broke long to McWhinnie but youngster Small broke the move down. A mistake at the back by Rooney gave the Reds a chance, Stirling pouncing on it to pass to Wright but Edinburgh Centre back Pagliarulo timed a tackle well to prevent a dangerous situation.

Edinburgh picked up in the midfield, a long looping pass reaching McWhinnie who attempted a lob which went high. Edinburgh passed from the back as captain Murray strode forward passing to McLaughlin who squared to the middle where a long shot was diverted over the woodwork for a corner.

The Reds countered, Corsie attacking up the right then using Stirling who was closed down before striking, she turned and fired again forcing a parry and clear from Edinburgh keeper Brownlie. Bad luck for the home side as Hamill collected in midfield then launched a looping shot which hit the bar and Wright was unlucky, failing to reach the rebound before Rooney cleared for the visitors.

Edinburgh’s Murray and McLaughlin were combining well up the left the latter taking it wide before cutting inside to launch a shot from 25 yards which went past the left upright. Danger again with a ball forward to McWhinnie, tightly marked, she laid off to Barry but a timely tackle from Scott on the penalty box line snuffed out the move.

A half chance for the Dons, Corsie playing a pass back to Small on the right who sent a high ball into the box for the keeper to catch high under pressure from the advancing Wright.

An intense spell of pressure from the visitors now, earning a corner from a scrambled clearance in the box. Then a cross into the back post threatened but Farquhar did well to clear for a throw. A wide ball from Weir to right mid was received by McLaughlin, now on the right wing, breaking up the line forcing a corner from Scott. Sent to the near post another scramble ensued before Hamill cleared from the post just as the half time whistle blew.

The second half started fairly even, a half chance for Edinburgh as Murray slipped a wide ball to Barry who centred across goal but McWhinnie was late arriving to finish. Again a wide ball was delivered to the near post making Small conceding a corner. Edgar replaced Nicolson for Edinburgh on the left as Wright pounced on a mistake by Faughnan who had to worked well to recover and close the Aberdeen striker down before she could strike.

The Dons picked up on loose goal kick, Hamill placing the ball to Stirling who was tackled. As the ball broke out again Hamill struck from 35 yards which the keeper held easily. Then a wide ball to the right was well worked by Corsie and Wright who went one on one with keeper Brownie to force a corner. Played in to Taylor it was nudged forwards but the keeper managed to grab it off the feet of Wright before she could strike.

The Dons had a threatening spell as Corsie and Stirling worked well with Small to press into the box and hard work was needed from defender Rooney to keep the Edinburgh sheet clean. From a throw, Martin controlled and passed into Murray who fired a shot which went wide. Hamill and Murray combined well in midfield, Murray finding Stirling wide on the right. Stirling played a pass into the box but again the keeper was sharp beating Wright to the ball.

Edinburgh pushed winning a free kick 13 yards out on the right as Farquhar was forced into a tackle. Then a free kick from 40 yards out played into the box, headed out by Taylor it fell to Barry who fired and forced a fingertip save from keeper Hutcheson.

Aberdeen replied as Hamill chased forward and was brought down in a debatable decision where Aberdeen felt they had a clear penalty. The free kick from on the line was taken by Corsie who put it over the bar.

Then a spell of pressure from Edinburgh brought out some fine defending work from the back four breaking down several attacks as the visitors pushed hard. The Dons fought back, Corsie breaking wide right to feed a ball in to Wright who was again unlucky as the keeper snatched the ball first.

Edinburgh’s Barry went on a solo run closely tailed by Small who harried and chased interrupting the move forcing Barry to pass to McWhinnie. Tightly marked by Taylor she was held up long enough for Farquhar to tackle and clear.

After a midfield scramble Murray for Aberdeen played a pass wide to Wright who took it wide before crossing. The visiting keeper did well to collect the cross from the head of Corsie right in front of goal.

Right on full time the Dons felt aggrieved as Barry received a ball and looked to be well offside, Hutcheson seemed to hesitate before closing down and was adjudged to have penalised Barry as she tackled. BARRY ended the game with the penalty kick sinking a firm ball into the net.

Jo Hutcheson, Rachel Small, Jenni Taylor, Paula Scott, Rachel Corsie, Susan Murray, Rachel Hamill, Claire Martin, Nikki Wright, Melissa Stirling,(Shireen Bradford)

Aberdeen Lose Out To Edinburgh