Dons Take First Point

Aberdeen travelled to Hurlford on Sunday to meet Kilmarnock in the Thompson’s Premier League match and picked up their first point against tough opposition. The Reds started well immediately testing the Killie defence with a push forward only for McLellan to be caught offside. Hamill and Corsie overlapped well forcing the first of a brace of corners. Killie cleared the first and McLellan edged the second past the post. Kilmarnock countered with brief forays into the Aberdeen half but the Dons defence were well organised and snuffed out the danger. On 18 minutes, against the run of play, the home side won a penalty after a one on one with keeper Hutcheson was adjudged to be a foul. McLAUGHLIN stepped up and sank a firm shot low in the right of the net. A corner for Aberdeen was scrambled away by Killie to Hamill’s feet who fired immediately just wide of the right upright then Hamill again saw a goalbound shot deflected for another of a number of corners for the visitors the last of which Taylor headed wide. The Dons were the better team but unable to take advantage of long spells of pressure. An attempt as Martin cut a pass back for Hamill to send just over the bar. Two half chances again, Taylor passing a long ball forward to Wright but her shot was deflected just past the post then a McLellan header just over the woodwork. Killie took a rare run forward down the right and forced Hather into a tackle which earned Killie a second penalty. McLaghlin stepped up again firing to the right but keeper Hutcheson blocked this time for Scott to clear. Half Time Kilmarnock 1 – Aberdeen 0 End to end play as Killie won a corner two minutes in, cleared by Farquhar then Aberdeen  threatened at the other end, McLellan heading down at the back post and Killie keeper Ramsay shone, first blocking Murray’s close range shot then a strike from Corsie. A through ball from Martin in midfield was pounced on by Wright but centre half Burns slide a toe in for a shy. Still no luck for the Dons as a corner went in, Hather got a touch and the keeper got enough on it to stun it on the line before the defence cleared. The Reds finally got their break on 56 minutes, Martin chased a long ball which hugged the line then centred it to WRIGHT who’s first effort was blocked but she made sure of the second hitting the net from close range. Luck at the other end for the Dons as the ball broke to Mason, Hutcheson parried two shots before Scott cleared. More luck as Maxwell broke wide left on her own and tried a lob but put it wide. Gordon and Stirling replaced Hather and Wright as the Dons kept the pressure on but Killie were coming more into the game. Murray won a great tackle in midfield setting up Stirling for an attempt which the keeper collected. Then a great attacking move as Corsie slid a pass tight up the right, Stirling fooled her marker with a flick then squared to McLellan but the sharp Killie keeper was first to it to parry for a corner. Aberdeen proved to be a different team this week with long spells of pressure which only bad luck prevented taking all three points. Aberdeen Team Jo Hutcheson, Caroline Hather (Kelly Gordon), Vicki Farquhar, Jenni Taylor, Paula Scott, Rachel Corsie, Rachel Hamill, Susan Murray (Shireen Bradford), Claire Martin, Helen Mclellan, Nikki Wright (Melissa Stirling). Not UsedMirka Feregova

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Kilmarnock were held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Aberdeen. “Both teams worked very hard,” says Dons boss Rob Ritchie. “We were disappointed not to take all three points.”