Hamilton Academical 1 - 2 Aberdeen

Gavin Beith and Emma Hunter made four changes from the side that lost away to Celtic. Louise Brown and Bailley Collins moved to the bench whilst Jessica Broadrick wasn't in the squad. Eva Thomson returned to the side, as did Johan Fraser and Donna Paterson. The fourth change was in goal as Aaliyah‐Jay Meach made her Aberdeen debut as Gail Gilmour took a place amongst the substitutes.

The visitors looked to impose themselves on the game and started brightly in a first half which provided little in the way of goal mouth action. There was fifteen minutes on the clock when the Dons were rewarded for their positive start. HUTCHISON raced onto a through ball and fired in a low shot which squirmed under Accies keeper Jennifer Currie.

Aberdeen continued to dominate possession in the first period but couldn't create much in the way of clear‐cut chances. A Loren Campbell ball through the Accies defence looked to have released Chloe Gover but the winger couldn't gather as she was in the clear.

Hamilton's only chance of the half came just after the half hour mark when Lauren Evans fired wide at full stretch as she looked to get on the end of a ball across goal. Debutant A‐J Meach in the Dons goal wasn't called into action until the closing minutes of the half when a tame Kirstie McIntosh was easily held by the keeper.

HT: HAMILTON 0 ABERDEEN 1

Aberdeen started the second period on the front‐foot as they came close to doubling their lead in the opening minutes of the half. Eva Thomson sent Hutchison away down the right and the strikers cross just evaded Chloe Gover who was arriving at the back post.

The second goal wasn't too far away and it arrived in the 53^rd minute. Eilidh Shore lobbed a perfectly weighted pass forward from midfield for HUTCHISON who closed in on goal, rounded the keeper and sent a low finish into the net for 2‐0.

As the half went on the game became a bit tetchy with both sides guilty of some niggly fouls, Francesca Ogilvie picked up a booking after squaring up to Josephine Giard. Donna Paterson had a deflected effort from long range which landed in the arms of Currie. Hutchison then could've had a hat‐trick after being set up by Kelly Forrest's pass but the striker pulled her shot across the face of goal.

Hannah Innes replaced Johan Fraser as the Dons reshuffled, the substitute taking up the position vacated by Ogilvie who moved to the right to occupy the role Fraser had been in. There was almost an instant return as Thomson was sent through on goal but Currie did well to smother at the midfielder's feet.

Meach was called into action for the first time as she made a great close‐range save with 12 minutes remaining, Innes did equally well to clear off the line as the rebound looked to be heading into the net.

Lauren Gordon came on to replace Thomson as the game entered the final ten minutes but the striker never saw much of the ball in an attacking area as Hamilton finally managed to put some pressure on the visitors.

They were rewarded in the final minutes when Josephine GIARD pounced on an uncharacteristic mistake by Campbell to latch on to the defender's loose pass and send a low shot beyond Meach. Despite a nervous six minutes of added time Aberdeen held out for a well deserved three points to move them up the table.

Full Time: HAMILTON 1 ABERDEEN 2

REACTION:

Chloe GOVER: "I don't think the score reflected the game to be honest. I thought we were in control for most of the game and we created lots of chances. We put ourselves under a bit of pressure near the end which we didn't need to do. We knew this was a big game and one that we had to win so maybe there was a bit of nerves near the end because of that. Bayley is a massive part of the team and we missed her when she was out, she showed how important she is today. The defence was really solid too and it was just a shame to lose that late goal. We've been on a bad run of results but we knew that we had the ability and the players to turn that around."

Eva THOMSON: "We knew this would be a tough game because every game we've played against Hamilton has been close. I think we managed the game quite well and we dominated possession for most of the match. There were some nerves near the end with them scoring so late but we saw it out well. We've had a bad run of results and it was important to finish off the year well going into the break. This three points have moved us back up the table and a win is a good way to end the year."