Motherwell 3-2 Aberdeen: Five-Goal Thriller Ends the SWPL1 on a High Note
Motherwell rounded off their best season yet in the SWPL1 with a dramatic late 3-2 victory over Aberdeen. Motherwell finished the season in seventh with 27 points with Aberdeen finishing fifth with 29 points, making their first season back in the top-flight a major success.
Motherwell and Aberdeen battle it out at Alliance Park Photo by Jenna Thomson
Captain Gill Inglis opened the scoring for the Women of Steel a mere 12 minutes into the game, but the lead didn’t last long, as Francesca Ogilvie scored a fantastic equaliser for the Dons at the stroke of half time.
With only ten minutes remaining in the game, Ogilvie gave the visitors the lead. The Aberdeen striker cut through the left side of Motherwell’s defence with ease before hurling the ball into the corner of the net.
As hopes of a top six finish were draining from the home support, the hosts came fighting back as Katie Rice’s free kick perfectly met Jemma Hughes and the striker’s shot soared above the goalkeeper to bring Motherwell level with only a handful of minutes remaining.
At the stroke of full-time, Kaela McDonald-Nguah penetrated a magnificent shot from distance into the top-right corner to keep all three points at Alliance Park. However, despite the victory, results elsewhere meant Motherwell finished in the bottom six.
The match also signified Carrie Doig and Kelly Forrest’s last match for Aberdeen as their captain and beloved centre-back were applauded off the pitch.
Upon the conclusion of the match, the end of season awards were dished out with McDonald-Nguah awarded Motherwell’s top goal-scorer, Amy Anderson presented with both the Player of the Year and the Player’s Player of the Year and Lori Gardner receiving the Special Merit award for her efforts this season.
Post-match reaction from Motherwell manager, Paul Brownlie: