Dundee United’s women endured late heartbreak in their first-ever top-flight fixture at Tannadice as a dramatic Bayley Hutchison strike secured a 2-1 win for Aberdeen.
Hutchison dazzled throughout and opened the scoring for the Dons in the first half.
Danni McGinley restored parity in spectacular fashion on the cusp of half-time — then passed up a glorious chance to give the Terrors the lead after the break.
But, against the run of play, it was Aberdeen who grabbed a 90th-minute winner through Hutchison.
Courier Sport analyses the talking points from a hard-fought New Firm clash in Tayside.
Breaking the line
Whether due to Tangerine stage-fright or the intensity of the opposition, Aberdeen were the dominant force in the opening exchanges.
Hutchison was a constant menace, playing on the shoulder of the United defenders and seeking to break the hosts’ high line.
She almost did exactly that in the early stages, with Claire Delworth forced into a super last-gasp challenge.
On several other occasions, Terrors keeper Fiona McNicoll rushed from her line to clear danger.
However, Hutchison — a PFA Scotland women’s young player of the year nominee last season — did break the deadlock when she sprinted onto a raking pass, held off Delworth and fired past McNicoll.
Magic McGinley
United grew into the game as the first period progressed and, entirely predictably, McGinley was at the heart of everything.
She created two wonderful opportunities for Robyn Smith, with her strike-partner firing one effort into the arms of Aberdeen keeper Annalisa McCann and another wildly over.
McGinley took matters into her own hands on the stroke of half-time, collecting a Delworth pass on the edge of the box before spinning and curling home a sumptuous curling shot.
It was her 48th goal in 51 appearances since joining United in December 2019.
McGinley should have bagged a brace when she fired straight at McCann after haring on to a fine Tammy Harkin flick-on.
Late heartbreak
There was a sense of déjà vu about the winning goal as the superb Hutchison broke Tangerine hearts.
As the hosts sought to complete the turnaround, a Ciara Bonner pass was intercepted in the engine room and the Dons countered like a coiled spring.
A through-ball was zipped to the speedy Hutchison and, with plenty to do, the Scotland under-19 international fizzed a wonderful low effort past McNicoll from 18 yards.
Making Tannadice history
United were backed by 444 supporters at Tannadice.
That fell short of the colourful 726-strong crowd for their SWPL2 title party against St Johnstone in May, albeit that game was not competing with an afternoon of free-to-air World Cup action.
Sunday’s showdown was the third fixture the Terrors’ women have played at the traditional home of United — and it is hoped there could be at least one more this term.
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