Match Reports - Aberdeen v Raith Rovers

Aberdeen started 2007 with a hard fought win over Raith Rovers in the only game of the Premier League to survive the weather.

Raith made a sprightly start forcing an early corner which was nodded onto the crossbar before keeper Hutcheson caught it. Aberdeen replied, Stirling intercepting a pass, slipping past Raith midfielder Templeton and working a one two with McLellan before striking a shot just past the right hand upright.

A tough tackle from Taylor broke loose to Hamill, she slipped a pass to Wright but Halliday closed down quickly snuffing out the danger. Wright and Corsie combined well up the right with the former centreing a cross to Murray who headed goalwards but the Raith keeper Watson saved easily.

The Dons were almost caught, Wheatley breaking down the right, Hather did enough to force an early shot from the striker and Hutcheson blocked for Corsie to clear. Then on 18 minutes Raith went ahead, Cunningham cutting in from the right to chase a forward pass. Matched stride for stride by Hather, the defender’s attempt at clearing would have been a candidate for goal of the season if it had been at the right end but the swooping, curving ball beat the Aberdeen keeper Hutcheson for a spectacular own goal.

Raith continued to pressure the home defence trying to pick out their nippy forwards Wheatley and Scott with the long balls but the central defence of Hather and Taylor worked hard to break down the moves aided by Hutcheson in goal making several forays to the edge of the box. Despite constant Aberdeen pressure in the Raith half, it was 23 minutes before they won the first corner. Played in by Stirling the curving ball struck the crossbar, Murray played the rebound back in from the line but despite the tight angle it was judged offside.

Aberdeen looked the stronger side, constantly in the visitors half but unable to capitalise on good passing play. Corsie, Stirling and McLellan worked a throw forward to force a corner which was then cleared by hard working Raith striker Scott back helping her defence.

Raith were still threatening with the odd break and on 40 minutes a midfield pass to CUNNINGHAM looked clearly offside but she took her chance latching onto the ball, striding forward and placing a low shot past Hutcheson.

Undaunted, the spirited Aberdeen side were still up and at ‘em showing real fire which earned them a half time a goal. Wright collected on the right and winged up the line before centring a low cross for MARTIN to fire a close range hit which the keeper got two hands to but the ball carried over the line.

A bright start to the second half saw Aberdeen equalise 3 minutes into the half, Corsie collecting wide right and lining a pass to STIRLING who turned, broke forward and sent a long, looping shot over the keeper from 25 yards.

Dons keeper Hutcheson rescued a half chance as a slow passback forced a one on one but her brave block with her legs prevented Raith going ahead again. Aberdeen again though were causing pressure on the visitors, Martin switching a wide pass to Murray but Halliday had a fine tackle to snuff out the danger.

A pass from Murray was nodded towards goal and the clearance chipped back towards goal by Stirling but well over the bar. The midfield were working hard to win balls in the centre and get them forward, finding Wright on the penalty spot, she controlled, turned and shot but again well over the woodwork.

A short spell of pressure from Raith, Wheatley breaking forward but adjudged offside and receiving a yellow card for her complaint. The Dons replied, Stirling again attempting a half hearted shot which Watson held easily. Wright had a shot blocked, the clearance then sent from Murray to Stirling who crossed for Martin to head just wide.

Raith broke forward again via Wheatley, tightly marked by Hather, the two players wrestled each other to the ground and in the following tussle; Wheatley reacted and aimed a punch in plain view of referee Morag Pirie, giving her no option than to red card the Raith striker.

The Fifers did well with ten players working hard to counter the Dons extra “man” but the Reds were still having the best of the game but little luck in front of goal. Hamill started to turn it on spreading passes and taking the odd shot over the bar. McLellan forced another corner after a sprint up the left and forcing Thompson to slide in a good tackle to concede the flag kick. Played to the near post, Corsie got a foot to it but again Halliday earned her pay with a sharp clearance.

Aberdeen were lucky as Harley for Raith found Scott in space on the right, Dons defender Taylor blocked the shot and Scott placed the rebound high over the bar. Fraser for Raith was making good runs forward, ghosting into the box but the final ball forward never seemed to be there for her with the Dons defending well to intercept.

Aberdeen kept up the pressure, Martin placing a shot just wide of the right post, then Martin this time supplying a cross headed just wide of the left upright by Hamill.

After a succession of shys on the right the home pressure eventually paid off right at the end of the half as the ball went wide to CORSIE wide right level with the 18 yard line, she struck and the high, looping ball went into the far corner.

Jo Hutcheson, Rachel Corsie, Carolyn Hather, Jenni Taylor, Paula Scott, Melissa Stirling (Marnie McArthur), Susan Murray, Rachel Hamill, Claire Martin, Nikki Wright, Helen McLellan

Dons Off to Good Start to 2007