SWPL Cup: Aberdeen 3-4 Forfar
Despite trailing by two goals at the break, Farmington emerged the victors after a goal filled second half. There were competitive SWPL debuts for Holly Napier and Kate Williamson, with both hoping for a victory to mark the occasion. Aberdeen had other ideas and set about their task with some gusto.
A quick free kick in the 4th minute saw Nikki Wright denied by a smart stop by Williamson, but it was her strike partner Becca Dempster who would draw first blood. A free kick on the edge of the box was expertly curled into the next to open the scoring in the 16th minute. The home side further extended their lead in the 35th when Dempster fired home from a Lisa Glennie cut back.
The second half saw a far improved performance from Farmington, with the deficit narrowed in the 55th minute. Holly Napier slipped the ball to Caroline Heron who in turn laid it into the path of Rachael Small who took no second invitation to steer the ball past Lauren Sangster.
The second half saw a far improved performance from Farmington, with the deficit narrowed in the 55th minute. Holly Napier slipped the ball to Caroline Heron who in turn laid it into the path of Rachael Small who took no second invitation to steer the ball past Lauren Sangster.
Six minutes later the score was all square when Napier won the race for the ball with Kirsty McKenzie before lobbing the ball over Sangster.
Read more... Add new comment
Women's football round-up
ACCIES Reds took to the Ravenscraig on Sunday to take part in the Gartcairn Festival, as their preparations for the season beginning in March stepped up. Despite mixed results on the day, head coach Emma Griffiths was delighted with the girls’ performance on the day: “I thought the effort form the girls today was excellent, they worked hard for each other displaying great teamwork. It is exciting to see the development in their playing ability in such a short space of time. They all had a fantastic day.”
The tournament saw the girls compete in five fifteen minute matches over the course of the day, their first match being against Gartcairn 2. The girls kicked the festival off in winning ways, Chloe Flannigan taking the lead for Accies in the opening minutes, Jacqueline Sweetin grabbed her first of the game two minutes later. Lucy Hutton was next up on the scoresheet, before Sweetin put another two away to complete her hat trick, wrapping up a convincing 5-0 victory in their first.
Their second game didn’t get off to such a great start however, as Falkirk were a goal to the good after only two minutes. Eight minutes in however, Hutton pulled one back for Accies, levelling the score. Accies threatened to go ahead and steal the win on many occasions after this, with Amber Morton delivering the ball into the box well, testing the Falkirk keeper, before the game ended a goal apiece.
Women's Football: Spartans 3-4 Hamilton
Accies travelled through to Edinburgh for a pre-season game with a bit of a difference as both teams had agreet o play 120 minutes instead of the standard 90 and Accies came out on top in a thrilling preseason game with goals from Ainsley Douglas, Carolina Richardson, Deborah McLeod and Michelle Russell.
The match began with both teams looking to attack, Accies in a more structured methodical fashion but Spartans had such high intensity and speed from the excellent Diana Barry that they looked to release her over the top of Accies back line. Kirstin McGuire made Accies first foray into the opposing half and looked to link with Helen “Dibs” Templeton on the right, with Dibs movement allowing the outstanding Karen McInally and Cheryl McCulloch a bit of room to receive the ball at feet in the inside right channels.
The match began with both teams looking to attack, Accies in a more structured methodical fashion but Spartans had such high intensity and speed from the excellent Diana Barry that they looked to release her over the top of Accies back line. Kirstin McGuire made Accies first foray into the opposing half and looked to link with Helen “Dibs” Templeton on the right, with Dibs movement allowing the outstanding Karen McInally and Cheryl McCulloch a bit of room to receive the ball at feet in the inside right channels.
Cheryl McCulloch in action. Photo by Ian Steele
Some excellent tackling from the Spartans defenders saw them quickly counter utilising Barry’s pace but Megan Cunningham stood tall to prevent a couple of opportunities going into the net.
Glasgow City return from Germany with impressive semi-final achievement
SCOTTISH Champions Glasgow City returned yesterday from the ‘Meet the Champions’ indoor tournament in Germany, hosted by German Champions and two times for Champions League winners Turbine Potsdam.
City were one of seven top European teams hand-picked to take part in the eight team tournament which included Brøndby IF (DEN), 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER), NöSV Neulengbach (AUT), Glasgow City FC (SCO), AC Sparta Prag (CZE), AZS Wroclaw (POL), Djurgårdens IF (SWE) and FC Honka Espoo (FIN).
Competing over two days, City finished second in their group, progressing to the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by Potsdam. This ensured a match for third place, which City lost at the hands of Neulengbach, leaving the Scottish Champions in fourth place for the tournament over all, which was won in the end by Danish Champions Brondby who defeated Potsdam 4-3 in the final.
City were one of seven top European teams hand-picked to take part in the eight team tournament which included Brøndby IF (DEN), 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER), NöSV Neulengbach (AUT), Glasgow City FC (SCO), AC Sparta Prag (CZE), AZS Wroclaw (POL), Djurgårdens IF (SWE) and FC Honka Espoo (FIN).
Competing over two days, City finished second in their group, progressing to the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by Potsdam. This ensured a match for third place, which City lost at the hands of Neulengbach, leaving the Scottish Champions in fourth place for the tournament over all, which was won in the end by Danish Champions Brondby who defeated Potsdam 4-3 in the final.
Photo by Mirko Kappes
Despite the initial disappointment of not securing third, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black was delighted with the performance of his team who were taking part in a tournament format and surface completely unknown to them, but second nature to the vast majority of the contestants.
