FIFTH SPOT PLATFORM FOR DONS, SAYS BEITH

Aberdeen Women co-manager Gavin Beith says that a fifth place finish in SWPL 1 is a platform to build on – but the Dons won’t be getting ahead of themselves.

Despite Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat to Glasgow City, Aberdeen were confirmed as SWPL 1’s fifth-placed side, with a game to spare, after Spartans failed to win at Partick Thistle.

It’s an impressive return for their first season back in the top-flight, after successive promotions, and co-manager Beith has hailed it as an ‘incredible’ achievement.

“It was one of our objectives at the start of the season,” Beith explained.

“We knew it was going to be really difficult, but to get there with a game in hand, it’s an incredible achievement.

“The girls are really chuffed, and it’s a great achievement for everyone after coming back into this league after a few years away.

“It’s something to build on for next season, but it’s a big step to go and jump into fourth or higher.

“We just need to make sure we continue to improve and hopefully we can go and give the same kind of account of ourselves next season.”

Aberdeen’s season was always going to be determined by how they performed against the teams outside of the top-four, and 26 out of their 29 points came against those sides.

The Dons recorded three wins against both Hamilton and Partick Thistle, two draws with Spartans, a win against Hearts, and have one win over Motherwell, who they meet in the final game on Sunday.

Beith added: “If you take away the top-four, the other teams are in the same kind of boat as us.

“We’re delighted to come on top of that ‘league’ – every other team would have wanted to finish fifth.

“Our objective was making sure we can be the best of the rest – and we’ve managed to do that.”