Match Reports - Aberdeen v Hamilton

Aberdeen had to reshuffle the team with the transfer of first choice keeper to Hibernian Ladies and three younger players on under 17 Scotland duty leaving striker McLellan to wear the gloves for the Dons leading to changes around with positions for a few players.

The game started briskly, the visitors earning a penalty after a tackle from Hamill, Thomson struck from the spot but stand-in keeper McLellan did well tipping the high shot over the bar. Hamilton indicated their intentions early, their well tried tactic of finding striker Liddell being tested early but she was well offside. An error by Hamill at the back saw Hunter break forward but under pressure from centre half Taylor she shot wide.

Hamill, still settling into her role as sweeper strode forward passing to Corsie who crossed, Wright nodded it on to Murray who shot wide of the right hand upright then Murray again was unlucky heading a Martin cross just off target. A good piece of work in midfield, Wright dropping to lay a pass off to Corsie who played it wide to Murray. She took it wide and returned it to Wright, now in the box, who headed over the bar.

Hamilton pushed for a spell making the Reds defend hard against a corner then a series of throws at the Aberdeen end before they replied up the right wing, Corsie and Wright combining to gain ground. From a shy, Bradford picked out Corsie who crossed to the back post where the unchallenged Wright headed wide.

Liddell, ever a threat for Hamilton, took a run along the edge of the box before Bradford blocked her attempt at goal then again she threatened but McLellan was on top of the ball first. Aberdeen had ten players behind the ball at this point and proved difficult to break down. They finally broke out and got into the Hamilton half only to be caught by a long ball forward which LIDDELL latched onto and lobbed keeper McLellan on 42 minutes.

Early chances for both sides, Hamilton breaking loose with Malone attempting a strike with the outside of her right foot which went wide. At the other end a through ball from Fitzpatrick split the Hamilton defence but Murray was declared offside.

A Hamilton pass forward reached striker Hunter, jockeyed by Taylor she laid back to Penglase who launched a shot but well off target. Hamilton were proving stronger in midfield but squandered their possession with long balls too far forward which McLellan beat Liddell to time after time.

Aberdeen threatened again Wright unlucky first being found offside, then forcing a parry off Hamilton keeper Johnstone. Murray then forced the keeper into a fine save over the bar with a thirty yarder and then headed a Corsie cross wide.

A clear chance for the Dons as Wright, dropping back to collect a ball then charging forward before crossing, Corsie had an airshot in front of goal then it went wide towards Martin but Hamilton cleared. Wright had a solo effort placing the ball wide under pressure from Penglase.

The Dons were on top now but Hamilton were still breaking forward, Liddell with a shot wide of the left post then with a strike at McLellan who parried and cleared. More Aberdeen pressure won a free kick for the Dons which Penglase cleared for a corner. Corsie sent it to the penalty spot where HAMILL fired a clean header in to equalise with 2 minutes left on the clock.

However it was a close finish as a long ball up the right went over left back Scott for Hamilton’s Liddell to latch onto but Scott rescued the situation with a well timed tackle to hold on to a hard won point.

Helen Mclellan, Caroline Hather (Marnie McArthur), Jenni Taylor, Rachel Hamill, Paula Scott. Shireen Bradford (Adele Anderson), Rachel Corsie, Chloe Fitzpatrick, Claire Martin, Nikki Wright, Susan Murray

Hard Point for Dons