Match Reports - Hamilton v Abrdeen 24 may 09 SWPL

With Aberdeen safe in the Premier League it was Hamilton who needed the points in Sunday’s match to be sure of top flight football next season. However it was the visiting side who looked the more hungry team in the first half, only a multitude of squandered chances preventing Aberdeen having the points in the bag by half time.

Early efforts saw a strike from Small held by the Accies keeper Fleming and a second shot blocked by the defence prompting a claim for handball in the box from Aberdeen. Hamilton weathered the early spell of pressure then retaliated, Thomson latching onto a forward pass and forcing keeper Taylor to tip it over the bar.

Aberdeen continued to dominate with plenty of balls into the danger area but lack of composure in front of goal let them down. A shot for the Dons from two feet out was blocked and Gibson effort from outside the box forcing the Accies keeper to see it out over the woodwork.

Hamilton replied, Docherty and McCann working through midfield and finding McPherson who launched a shot straight at Taylor but Aberdeen countered again Djahansouzi receiving three feet out from goal but was closed down as she struggled for control then a Hamill effort was placed over the bar.

After a continuous bombardment the visitors finally scored on 33 minutes. Hamilton had launched an attack but Aberdeen mopped up then broke forward quickly down the left. SMALL, with her back to goal, picked up on the edge of the box, turned and curled a shot into the keeper’s left hand corner.

Aberdeen’s lead was short lived though, a ball over the top of Hather and Andersen was collected by CRULLY who sprinted forward and struck low under Taylor to set the scores even at half time.

Half Time Hamilton 1 – Aberdeen 1

Hamilton started the half better pushing Aberdeen into their own half but the Reds were defending well working hard to counter the attacks. The Dons had a foray forward, Wright slipping onto a pass but the ball bobbled badly allowing Hamilton to close her down. Hamill received from Andersen and charged forward but Fleming dived to claim the ball off her feet.

Gibson sought out Wright with a pass, she chased forward then cut across the box but fluffed her left foot shot wide. Small again looked dangerous collecting a long ball then turning inside, she twisted for space then fired just wide.

Hamilton upped the pace putting Aberdeen on the back foot but this left them exposed at the back. Aberdeen broke from a Hamilton corner forcing a pass back, the Accies keeper made an error clearing which Small picked up. She shot when a lob would have done and the keeper got hands to it to snuff the move.

Then uproar as Aberdeen were denied a certain goal. Small again collected, with only the keeper to beat and Wright alongside and behind her, she cut back a pass to give Wright an open goal but the linesman gave offside.

Aberdeen got justice right on the stroke of full time a Hamill pass reaching WRIGHT; she strode forward and slotted a ball wide of the keeper into the net.

Aberdeen Team:- Jenni Taylor, Loren Campbell, Susan Murray, Caroline Hather, Roxane Andersen, Rachael Gibson, Rachael Hamill, Rachael Small, Nikki Wright, Neda Djahansouzi (Tricia McQueen)