Aberdeen 2 - 1 Boroughmuir Thistle

Donna Paterson made her competitive debut for the home side and they looked to take control of the game right from the start as they were the first to threaten. A good run by Bayley Hutchison forced a corner on the left. The ball in eventually fell to Bailley Collins who clipped a cross in towards Paterson who couldn't keep her header under the bar.

Despite having the majority of possession, the Dons were struggling to make any clear‐cut chances. Paterson had a speculative long‐range effort which went well wide whilst Eva Thomson forced a save out of Thistle keeper Ciara Duff.

The woodwork denied Aberdeen the lead after 31 minutes. Francesca Ogilvie gathered on the left side of the penalty area before curling a fine effort which crashed back off the crossbar.

Emma Hunter was forced into an early substitution as debutant Paterson was injured when she collided with Duff as she chased a Kelly Forrest through‐ball. Johan Fraser came on as the Dons reshuffled their pack.

The SWPL2 champions hadn't been at their best in the opening 45 minutes but they opened the scoring on the stroke of half‐time. A breakaway saw Collins gather on the right and her clipped cross was neatly finished by THOMSON who lifted the ball over Duff and into the net.

HT: ABERDEEN 1 BOROUGHMUIR THISTLE 0

The Dons were forced into another substitution at the interval as Amy Strath failed to shake off a knock and she was replaced by Jessica Broadrick.

It was the hosts who came out with an increased tempo to start the second half, Collins firing a shot well over as the reds went in search of a second. Thistle goalie Ciara Duff then did well to grab a Loren Campbell cross under pressure from Eilidh Shore.

A great through ball by Shore then found Hutchsion in the box, the striker rounded Duff and finished well but the linesman's flag went up to deny the Aberdeen number 10 a first goal of the season. The home side were getting closer to doubling their lead and Ogilvie almost found the net on the hour as her chip went just over.

The second goal arrived on 64 minutes and it came from the penalty spot. A brilliant through ball by Thomson found Fraser in the box the substitute touched the ball past Duff but the keeper brought the Dons winger down and the referee didn't hesitate in awarding a penalty. Francesca OGILVIE stepped up and made no mistake as she buried her spot kick into the bottom left corner of the net.

The two‐goal lead was short lived however as Thistle pulled one back a little more than a minute later. Good play down the left saw substitute Samantha Duncan cause the Dons defence some problems, the ball then broke to Brogan ANDERSON on the edge of the area and she smashed a low shot in off the post.

Hutchison almost re‐established the hosts two goal advantage as she smashed an angled shot off the post after taking the ball round goalkeeper Duff. Eilidh Shore then went close as she headed a deep Campbell cross wide at the back post.

Aberdeen was still in the ascendancy but the with only a single goal lead there was always a threat that Thistle could nick a point. They almost drew level when a long ball from Fiona Gibson found Duncan in the box but she couldn't guide the ball past Gail Gilmour.

Ogilvie and Collins both missed the target in the latter stages of the match whilst Boroughmuir thought they had a case for a penalty as the game drew to a close. Despite that the hosts held out to claim their first win of the season and a vital three points in SWPL Cup Group A.

FT: ABERDEEN 2 BOROUGHMUIR THISTLE 1

Reaction:

Eva THOMSON: "We knew it would be tough, Boroughmuir have improved and we knew they were a fit side. They came out today and made it hard for us to play through them. I thought we dominated the first half but we couldn't create much chances so I think getting the goal just before half time settled us going into the second half. I think we moved the ball quite well in the second half and had some good combinations in the wide areas. We created a lot more chances in the second half but we just weren't clinical enough in front of goal. Two go through from the group so three points sets us up well for the rest of the games. We've only had two weeks of a pre‐season, it's been intense but it needs to be because we need to be as fit as we can be for SWPL one so it's important that we are as fit as we can. Scoring more goals is one of my aims for the season and playing in the number ten position it's important I get some goals so getting one in the first game is good way to start the season."

Emma HUNTER: "It's been such a short pre‐season for us that it felt a bit like a pre‐season friendly today and it took us a while to get going. We were looking a bit rusty on the ball but it's nice to get that first game out the way and we'll look to improve as we go on. It's good to get the win and I probably would've liked to put it to bed earlier and take more of our chances but credit to Boroughmuir, they are an athletic team and they stayed in it and nicked a goal so the made it difficult for us. We know our mini league is tough with Motherwell and Rangers to come so it was important to get that first three points on the board. I think we did dominate the game but I probably would've liked a better performance. Strathy and Donna are key players in the middle of the pitch so it was difficult losing them and having to change things up. We've got a big squad and have good players that can come in and step up. I was really wanting Donna to get ninety minutes under her belt but it looks like she picked up an impact injury so it shouldn't be too bad. Strathy twisted her ankle slightly so hopefully a bit of rest will mean she's available for the upcoming games."