MATCH REPORT | DUNDEE UNITED FC WOMEN 1 MOTHERWELL WOMEN 1

SWPL Matchday One

Dundee United FC Women 1 Motherwell Women 1

Dundee United FC Women came close to a landmark win on their debut in the SWPL.

Danni McGinley's early goal put United ahead at the break only for a late penalty from Kaela McDonald-Nguah to draw the visitors level.

Graeme Hart handed four starting debuts to Fiona McNicoll, Claire Delworth, Lisa Ryan and Eve Donald while Jodie Malcolm, Ciara Bonner, Ellie Mitchell and Johan Fraser had to settle for a spot on the bench.

United could have gone ahead after just 60 seconds when Danni McGinley was sent through on goal only to be denied by Emily Mutch.

A minute later, Jade McLaren made her way to the byline and cut the ball back for Robyn Smith who saw her effort rattle the crossbar.

Early goal

United’s early pressure paid off in the ninth minute as a poor kick by Mutch hit the back of McGinley.

McGinley then composed herself for the easiest of goals to make it 1-0.

Motherwell’s first effort on goal came from Kaela McDonald-Nguah but she failed to beat McNicoll from close range.

In the 20th minute, Tammy Harkin’s low cross was met by Rachel Todd but the winger’s shot was blocked by a defender.

Six minutes before the break Danni McGinley shrugged off seven defenders before laying the ball off for Claire Delworth but the debutant couldn’t get her effort on target.

Hay and Rice came close for Motherwell on the stroke of half time but United held on to take a well earned lead into the break.

Second half

Five minutes into the second half, Carla Boyce hit the crossbar for the visitors before Eve Donald headed inches wide at the other end.

Smith and debutant sub Jodie Malcolm were both denied by Mutch in quick succession, shortly before the hour mark.

With twenty minutes remaining, Amy Anderson tested Fiona McNicoll from distance as the keeper held her strike.

Mutch denied McLaren again as the former snatched at a strike.

But shortly after Motherwell were awarded a penalty as Cassie Cowper was adjudged to have pushed inside the box.

McDonald-Nguah stepped up to send the spot kick into the top corner and tied the game at 1-1.

United came closest to taking all three points with chances late on; Eve Donald heading just wide again.

Sub Johan Fraser found the net just two minutes before full time with what looked like a perfectly good strike.

However the referee ruled her to be offside and Fraser’s celebrations were short-lived.

Despite this, United came close once again in injury time when Neve Guthrie’s diving header was tipped past the post by a scrambling Mutch.

This meant it was just a point in their opening game of the season, albeit with plenty of positives to take.

 
Teamlines: Dundee United

McNicoll, Donald, Ryan, McLaren, McGinley, Smith (Fraser 72), Todd, Cowper (Guthrie 81), Harkin, Clemison (Malcolm 56), Delworth

Subs not used: Bonner, Murphy, McMillan, Mitchell