Hard Fought Win For Kilmarnock

Killie before the game were looking to build on the 2 wins from 3 in the league so far this season, but were more than aware of how tough that would be after being beaten by Aberdeen the week before in the League cup. Kilmarnock made a few changes to the starting line up with Debbie Heggarty returning from injury, Kirsty Munro getting her first start and new signing Kirsty McLaughlin also getting her first game of the season. Kilmarnock playing at home for the second time this season started the brighter, looking to close down their opponents at every opportunity. Aberdeen for the second week running however were getting there first to any scraps and the second balls which were there to be won and made life difficult for the home side. Kilmarnock did have some fine crosses coming into the box from Kirsty Munro early in the first half, but the killer touch was never there. A goal looked a long way off with both teams failing to pull the trigger when required and would often try one pass too many, but a goal did arrive through an unlucky source. Debbie Heggarty arriving in the box after a bit of pin ball football to slot the ball past the Aberdeen keeper from close range. 1-0 Kilmarnock and that was the way it stayed until half time.

Half Time: FC Kilmarnock Ladies 1 Aberdeen Ladies 0.

Kilmarnock made one change at half time bringing on Lindzi Bayne for Kirsty Munro in a straight swap. With Kilmarnock wasting a lot of their possession in the first half, the players left the changing room knowing that although they were in front, the game was far from over. Aberdeen came out for the second half a different team with their number 7 standing out in midfield, working hard all over the place for her team. There hard work paid off when a shot from 20 yards out took a vicious bounce on route to goal and deceived Khym Ramsay to make it FC Kilmarnock 1 Aberdeen 1. Kilmarnock made a double substitution soon afterwards to try and freshen things up to get the points with Toni Mason and Clare Docherty making way for Sharon Hughes and Ainsley Kelly. Killie knowing 3 points was of massive importance started to put more tackles in, hassle that wee bit harder and got their rewards for their efforts from another unlikely source. A perfectly weighted corner from substitute Sharon Hughes found captain Tracy Burns in a packed penalty area who powered home a header to put Killie 2-1 up. FC Kilmarnock players, staff and fans celebrated and hoped that the goal would be enough to secure the 3 points. In typical Kilmarnock style though we were to make life difficult for ourselves when after a poor 10 minutes, conceded a penalty. The home fans held their breath, as the game lay in the balance with the outcome of the kick to follow. The Aberdeen player stepped up and hit it hard to the keepers left hand side, with Khym Ramsay diving across to make a fantastic save to all but seal the 3 points for the home side. Laura Ferguson came on late on to replace Laura Cooper who again had worked her socks off, to tighten up the midfield and see out the remainder of the game. FC Kilmarnock Ladies holding on to what was a good result in a league where competition is extremely tough and showed that the Squad was needed to get the points with each of the 4 substitutes coming on contributing to getting the result required.

Final Score: FC Kilmarnock Ladies 2 Aberdeen Ladies 1.

Killie Team: Ramsay, Smith, Quinn, Burns (1), Heggarty (1), McCombe, Mason (Kelly), Munro (Bayne), McLaughlin, Cooper (L. Ferguson) & Docherty (Hughes). Substitutes: Bayne, Davidson, Forsyth, L. Ferguson, C. Ferguson, Kelly & Hughes.

Afterwards FC Kilmarnock Ladies Club Captain Tracy Burns said; “ The girls were determined to make amends for the poor performance and result the week before in the League cup. There was improvement in our performance this week, but Aberdeen still made life difficult for us. The game was not the easiest to play in or for fans to watch, but determination perhaps won it for us today with probably the better team on the day securing the win and another 3 points.” Modest Tracy failed to mention her match winning header, but I am sure you will all hear about it non stop for the next few weeks as she tours Scotland looking for people to listen to her Burnsy Banter

************************************************************************************************************************************

Killie Keep Ahead Of Dons

FC Kilmarnock Ladies 2 – Aberdeen FC Ladies 1  

Aberdeen’s lack of success against Kilmarnock in the Premier League continued on Sunday despite beating them in the Premier Cup last Sunday.

Killie started the brighter of the two sides pushing the Dons into their own half for a spell and McLaughlan having a strike which went wide. A long ball forward from Chatham bobbled teasingly in front of Aberdeen’s Djahansouzi but just too far to reach.

Aberdeen were unlucky, Corsie with a fine run up the right before curling a ball in which Hamill just missed with a diving header then the clearance was fired over the bar by Murray. An end to end game now, both teams keen to push forward but the defences up to the mark and dealing with the constant attacks.

Killie took the lead 26 minutes in, a crossed ball from the right chased down by Quinn who tapped back in for HEGGARTY to finish from close range. Aberdeen attacked from the kick off a Corsie cross finding Wright who twisted and turned in the box then fired, the block rebounded to Murray who shot wide.

The home side were pressing hard now winning a couple of corners but Aberdeen scrambled them away. Towards the end of the half a chance for Kilmarnock’s Mason, latching onto a long pass but Hunter and Taylor did enough to slow the attack and allow Chatham to collect.

Half Time Kilmarnock 1 – Aberdeen 0

Kille came out battling forcing the Dons into their box culminating in Cooper shooting over the bar. Aberdeen had a push forward with a couple of clear chances. Martin out on the left crossing in to Murray on the 6 yard line but Heggarty intercepted with a header then poor kick out from Killie stopper Ramsey, fell to Wright who strode forward launching a shot but it wasn’t hard enough to trouble the keeper. Wright was involved again passing to Hamill who chested down in the box but under pressure from Heggarty played wide to Martin but too long and it went for a throw.

11 minutes in the Aberdeen onslought paid off as they won an equaliser with a pass from midfield and MURRAY beating the offside trap before sinking a long shot into the net. Spurred on by the goal Kilmarnock came back but Taylor, Hunter and Murray worked hard in the middle to defend against Ayrshire side.

The Reds used Martin from a throw as she brought Murray into play with a long pass, the latter taking a pot shot and the awkward bouncing ball causing a bit of trouble for the keeper.

Killie drew ahead on 65 minutes with a pass in from Docherty headed into goal by BURNS to give Killie the edge but Aberdeen had a chance to go even again with a penalty but Ramsay saved to keep the home side ahead.

Sharon Scott replaced Taylor as the minutes ticked by the Dons now desperate to earn at least a point. She was involved quickly picking up on a rebounded shot from P. Scott, turning and firing but well wide of the mark. Aberdeen pressed hard towards the end as right back, Small, pushed forward sending in a cross from near the corner just ahead of Wright who failed to connect then from a corner J. Scott delivered to Hamill who again just failed to connect at the back post.

A story of missed chances and once again lack of a league win against Killie.

Aberdeeen Team :-

Alana Chatham, Rachel Small, Jenni Taylor (Sharon Scott), Emma Hunter, Paula Scott, Rachel Corsie, Susan Murray, Rachel Hamill, Claire Martin (Rachel Guald), Nikki Wright(Sabrina Alexander), Neda Djahansouzi (Julia Scott).

DaveU, 12 September 2007