YFS
Aberdeen FCL went head to head with Westdyke CC in the Under 15s Scottish Women’s Football North Cup Final held at Aberdeen Sports Village on June 3rd. It was always going to be a tightly contested game with fixtures between these sides at all age groups often being close.
Westdyke kicked off the first half which began a nervy affair for both sides as neither team gave the other a chance to take control of the game. Lyndsey Brown had Westdyke’s first attempt only 3 minutes in as she fired the ball over the bar from just outside the Aberdeen box.
Aberdeen also had early chances of their own as Carly Reid found herself through on goal thanks to a lofted ball over the opposition defence but good pressure from defender Katrena Morrison allowed Westdyke keeper Teigan Wilson to confidently collect the ball.
However, Westdyke were the ones to first capitalise on the cup final atmosphere and went into the lead as Jenna Penman found space in the midfield allowing her to hit a right footed shot from distance which curved its way in past goalie Nicole Miller who had no chance of saving it.
Spurred on by their goal, Westdyke began to take charge of the game as they fashioned more chances including another shot by forward Brown which went narrowly wide of the Aberdeen goal.
Aberdeen were not to be put off by the spell of Westdyke pressure and managed to take full advantage of a chance 27 minutes in. Amy Duncan's effort from the edge of the box flew high past Wilson and nestled into the corner of the net, levelling the score.
As the first half began to draw to a close both teams found themselves become more comfortable in the game. A long distance free kick from around the halfway line saw Westdyke attacker Caitlin Watt with a chance at goal as she skilfully took the ball round the keeper. However the tight angle and pressure from Aberdeen defender Leah Jones resulted in Watt’s shot going wide of the post.
As half time drew ever closer, Aberdeen turned the game on its head by capitalising on an unfortunate Westdyke error. Lack of communication between the Westdyke defenders and goalkeeper resulted in Aberdeen’s Reid stealing the ball in the Westdyke penalty area before calmly taking it past the keeper and providing a composed finish into the empty net.
Aberdeen made the most of their chances in a first half in which both teams began to grow as it went on, with the trophy still very much up for grabs in the second half.