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. 

As the second half began things went from bad to worse for Westdyke who appeared to still be shaken from the goal they conceded late in the first half. A goal kick from Westdyke keeper Wilson was sharply intercepted by Aberdeen forward London Pollard who took her chance by slotting the ball past the keeper and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Now facing a two goal deficit, Westdyke had to bring the game to Aberdeen. Eva Thomson’s snap shot from the just outside the box looked dangerous but was confidently collected by Miller between the sticks.

Continuing to try and find a goal to get them back in the game, Thomson displayed great skill on the right wing to break into space and send a cross to teammate Beth Stewart at the back post. However, solid work from the Aberdeen defence meant the danger was defused.

Westdyke’s intense second half pressure would pay off eventually as forward Watt took a chance on a long range effort which misleadingly bounced over Miller whose fingertip touch was not enough to stop the ball  from finding the back of the net and halving the deficit.

Although still in the ascendency, Aberdeen found themselves being pressurised by Westdyke and needing a way to regain control of the game. An impressive through ball from Aberdeen midfielder Georgia Park found Pollard whose equally impressive touch round a Westdyke defender allowed her to have a shot which forced Wilson to tip the ball round her left-hand post.

The intensity of the match only increased from there on out as both teams found themselves with opportunities to change the flow of the game. Aberdeen substitute Erin Henderson took a shot from a tight angle which she narrowly drilled past the far post. Moments later a dangerous through ball from the Westdyke midfield could have resulted in an opportunity for an equaliser if not for a crucial interception from Jones.

10 minutes from full time Westdyke once again fell victim to a stroke of misfortune. A mix up between goalkeeper and defender resulted in Aberdeen forward Henderson being rewarded for her persistence as she latched onto the end of a misplaced pass at the back which she converted low into the net, reclaiming a two goal lead for Aberdeen.

Even though the odds were now against them, Westdyke showed great character in refusing to give up and by continuing to be tenacious in their play. A shot from Rachel Booth inside the box forced a fantastic save from Miller who dived low to her right to push the ball away before clasping it in her hands to remove any further danger.

Aberdeen continued to hold out till the final whistle as Jones provided another piece of excellent defending in order to shut out Westdyke’s Brown who had worked her way into a shooting position in the Aberdeen box.

Despite a strong performance throughout the game, it was not to be Westdyke’s day as Aberdeen saw out their lead until the end and capped a convincing display with a trophy win.

Congratulations to winners Aberdeen and many thanks to both sides who provided an entertaining afternoon of football for all in attendance.