Aberdeen FC Ladies 5 – Raih Rovers LFC 1  - Premier League 24th. February 2008

Aberdeen Win Against Raith

Aberdeen started the game with Jenni Taylor replacing suspended keeper Chatham and three injuries forcing a total of four changes of personnel in the starting line up. Included from the start was trialist Lauren Campbell from the Aberdeen FC Girls under 17 team with team mate Kirsty McKenzie also making an appearance from the bench.

Aberdeen posted an early warning for Raith with a chance from the kick off with a lob sent wide by Wright. Three minutes in they went ahead Wright sending a ball in and after a scramble in front of goal S.SCOTT fired in from close range. Two minutes later The Reds broke forward and crossed in from the left. The keeper tried to collect at the near post but FITZPATRICK nipped it away and scored from an acute angle.

The game evened out for a spell with Raith pressing forward and a shot from Wheatley which stand in keeper Taylor held easily. More chances for Rovers with Schmidgall putting the ball over the woodwork and Scott racing onto a long ball and firing a blistering shot which Taylor parried and held.

Wright was causing problems for the Raith defenders, she chased forward onto a long ball paced by Glover but her shot was stopped by visiting keeper Watson. Raith responded pushing forward again pinning Aberdeen back for a spell but with no direct chances. Aberdeen’s third came 20 minutes in, WRIGHT collecting wide left then jinking in past Davies and curving a ball into the net.

Raith tried to push forward once more trying to use Bennett on the left but right back Small had her marked tightly snuffing out any threat from the attacking midfielder.

Wright got Aberdeen’s third on 38 minutes, sprinting onto a long through ball. Raith defender Tyndal matched her for pace and seemed to have gained the advantage by using a hand in the penalty box but the ball broke badly and fell to WRIGHT who turned her and scored.

The Reds were well on top at this point, a corner in offering more chances from a corner as Hather and Young and S.Scott all had shots stopped on the line before Raith cleared for shy.

Half Time Aberdeen 4 – Raith 0

Raith replaced keeper Watson and defender Tyndal at half time and pushed from the kick off earning a corner. Sent in high Taylor did well to fingertip it away from danger for Aberdeen to clear. The Dons replied with a long ball forward which S.Scott did well to chest and control but then volleyed her shot into orbit.

Twelve minutes in McKenzie replaced Hather as the Fifers continued to push forward. The visitors were more in the game this half but Aberdeen still seemed to be on top, out jumping on high balls and first to the ball more often than the visitors.
Djahansouzi replaced Campbell for the home side, with S.Scott dropping into midfield and the Rovers reshuffled sending Davies up front with Halliday coming on in defence. Davis immediately drove forward working with Scott and a shot tested keeper Taylor again which she blocked.

Raith were better this half, keeping the score down and gradually upping the pressure at the home end which seemed less settled than before, Anderson and Scott causing problems for the defence. Finally the Kirkcaldy side pulled one back on 32 minutes Scott and Bennett combining well on the left giving SCHMIDGALL the chance to score which she took.

Raith continued to press looking for a second but were denied. A free kick into the box sent away by Young and a hard shot saved by Taylor. The push forward was then countered as broke with Wright running onto a pass. She was intercepted by the Rovers defence but the tackle broke badly for them and DJAHANSOUZI made no mistake from close range to wrap up the game on 41 minutes.

Aberdeen Team
Jenni Taylor, Rachel Small, Lorna Young, Caroline Hather, Paula Scott, Lauren Campbell (Neda Djahansouzi), Rachel Guald, Chloe Fitzpatrick, Rachel Corsie, Nikki Wright, Sharon Scott

Claire Martin, Susan Murray, Kirsty McKenzie

DaveU, 25 February 2008