Motherwell got back to winning ways with a thumping 4-1 win over Aberdeen at K-Park.
The women of steel returned to form with arguably their best performance of the campaign, with the win edging them close to the teams in the top six.
The hosts raced into a three-goal lead at the interval courtesy of Gill Inglis and Kaela McDonald-Nguah. Aberdeen pulled one back early in the second half through Bailley Collins, but McDonald-Nguah quickly restored the three-goal advantage, and that’s how it would stay as ‘Well picked up their first league win since late September.
Paul Brownline named just one change to the side that lost to Partick Thistle 18 days previous, with Lori Gardiner replacing Kodie Hay, who had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes. During the warm-up, Jo Addie picked up a niggle, and Georgie Rafferty replaced her in the heart of the back four before the teams kicked off.
Motherwell looked in the mood and after hitting the post in the opening three minutes through Inglis, who got on the end of McDonald-Nguah’s cross from the left, but her deft flick came back off the inside of the post before eventually being cleared.
However, it was only delaying the inevitable as Motherwell got their noses in front not long after. Rice picked up on a loose ball twenty-five yards from goal and send an effort crashing off the Dons cross bar. It bounced out to Inglis who wouldn’t be denied this time, bundling the ball home from close range to give the hosts a deserved lead.
‘Well doubled their advantage just ten minutes later with a really well-worked team goal. A throw-in deep in Dons territory was collected by McDonald-Nguah inside the area. She flicked it on to the supporting Carla Boyce, who cleverly pulled it back for Rice, who took a touch before reversing a low shot into the bottom corner.
The home side were relentless and were constantly knocking on the door for a third goal, before it finally arrived six minutes before the half-time interval. A loose pass in midfield was picked up by Inglis, who immediately drove towards goal. She timed her pass to McDonald-Nguah perfectly, who took aim from 25-yards, squeezing a shot through Annalisa McCann and into the net.
To their credit, Aberdeen came out of the blocks much improved in the second half. They made a triple sub and changed the shape, and it certainly gave the Reds more impetus, particularly as an attacking threat.
They hit the post through substitute Ogilvie before Eva Thompson came close with an effort from the edge of the area following industrious striker play from Hutchison, who had capitalised on a short back pass and had gone round the goalie before cutting the ball back, only for the shot to be saved on the line by Emily Mutch.
The Dons did eventually get one back though. A ball over the top created a foot race between Hutchison and Mutch in the ‘Well goal. It squirmed loose to the supporting Collins, who did well to lift her shot high into the unguarded net to give Emma Hunter and Gavin Beith’s side some hope.
However, that was quickly dashed when, within just one minute, Motherwell had restored the three-goal lead.
Collecting from deep, full-back Lauren Doran-Barr sent a superb pass down the right flank, setting Inglis scampering towards the penalty box. With McDonald-Nguah taking up a space inside the box, the skipper’s cross was perfect for the striker, who made no mistake, drilling home from close range to put the game beyond the visitors.
Motherwell could have added to their lead late in the game, but substitute Kodie Hay’s goal bound looking effort was bravely blocked by Eilidh Shore, before Boyce was denied by the fingertips of McCann, who had got her head to a teasing Amy Anderson cross from the right.
It finished 4-1, with ‘Well now facing a Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton at New Douglas Park next Sunday.
