Match Reports - Hamilton v Aberdeen 14 oct 07 L

Aberdeen entered the match knowing a good performance was required to set themselves up for their Premier league Cup Semi-Final match on Wednesday the 17^th.

The home side created the first threat, Goudie seeking out Penglase on the right who crossed into Fleming but her poor first touch allowed keeper Chatham to pounce on the ball. Aberdeen replied, a Corsie Fitzpatrick one two bringing Wright into play but her long range effort going wide.

Hamilton broke forward forcing P. Scott into an excellent tackle conceding a corner which Hamill headed clear. Lucky 13 for the Dons who earned a penalty for handball on the 13^th minute allowing WRIGHT to fire home low and wide to put them ahead.

Liddell threatened for Hamilton with a couple of chances, her first effort fired over the bar then she pounced on a loose ball which Chatham blocked well. The pressure continued, Hamilton equalising from a corner 22 minutes in, LAFFERTY rising high to nod down and the ball trickling in at the back post.

Aberdeen pushed back, a clear chance created from a Small pass to Wright, her shot was blocked and Small’s shot from the rebound went wide. The Dons went ahead again, Corsie latching onto a long pass on the left, she charged forward, took time to get on her right foot and STIRLING side footed her cross into the net on 31 minutes.

Two minutes later the Reds made it three, Hamill looping a ball forward from midfield to WRIGHT who controlled the overhead ball well with her first touch before volleying past the helpless Hamilton keeper.

The half ended fairly dour with only a Hamill header from a corner narrowly past the post causing concern for the home side.

The second half started fairly flat but three minutes in after some ping pong in the Hamilton box the ball fell to GUALD on the edge of the box and she fired home into the right of the goal.

Hamilton’s pride seemed hurt now as they got fired up and fought back. A corner in headed onto the post before the Dons cleared. S.Scott replaced striker Wright up front as Aberdeen freshened up the team. Hamilton had a flurry of pressure using winger Fleming on the right who tested keeper Chatham with a high, hard shot.

13 minutes into the half Aberdeen made it five, a long ball forward to Stirling was crossed into the box, it bobbled about and just as keeper Fleming looked to have it covered SMALL in to chip it over the advancing keeper.

Taylor replaced Fitzpatrick as Hamilton upped the pressure again Fleming crossing into Penglase who fired over the bar. Then a lob over the defence again saw Penglase with a shot which Chatham blocked and held.

Aberdeen were under pressure but defending their lead well as Fleming’s pacey attacks up the right caused problems, winning a corner off P Scott. The corner came in, Chatham collected cleanly high but as she dropped to ground she was pushed over the line and the referee, in a questionable decision, awarded the goal rather than a foul against Hamilton.

Aberdeen continued to absorb the Hamilton pressure and threatened with a pass forward to Stirling but Thompson and Lafferty mopped up well at the back the home side.

The score remained unchanged despite chances at both ends, a pass forward from the Dons was met by Thompson who was a bit to casual allowing sub striker Djahansouzi to steal the ball off her but the keeper rescued the defender with a fine save at close range. At the other end Penglase received in the box, twisted and turned, then fired a close range effort but once again Chatham was there to save.

Allanah Chatham, Lorna Young, Emma Hunter, Paula Scott, Rachel Small (Susan Murray), Rachel Guald, Rachel Hamill, Chloe Fitzpatrick (Jenni Taylor), Rachel Corsie, Melissa Stirling (Neda Dlahansouzi), Nikki Wright (Sharon Scott)

Dons Fire Five Past Accies