SWPL round-up: Glasgow City, Celtic, Rangers, Partick Thistle, Aberdeen and Hearts win on opening day
Champions Glasgow City beat Hibernian 3-0; last season's runners-up Celtic win 9-0 at newly promoted Montrose; Jo Potter's Rangers win 6-1 away to Spartans; Partick Thistle beat Dundee United 4-0; Aberdeen see off Motherwell in a 3-2 win; Hearts seal 4-0 victory at Hamilton Accies
Monday 6 November 2023 14:25, UK
A round-up from the opening day of the Scottish Women's Premier League season as Glasgow City, Celtic, Rangers, Partick Thistle, Aberdeen and Hearts kick off with wins...
Glasgow City 3-0 Hibernian
Glasgow City kicked off their ScottishPower Women's Premier League title defence with a 3-0 win against Hibernian at Petershill Park.
The champions got the opener inside 10 minutes as Swedish defender Anna Oscarsson got her first goal for the club, heading home from a corner after some poor defending.
Hibs were then reduced to 10 players as goalkeeper Katie Fraine was shown a straight red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity against Brenna Lovera.
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Substitute goalkeeper Nina Wilson was called into action just six minutes later when City were awarded a penalty for a foul by Eilidh Adams against Meikayla Moore.
Last season's SWPL top goalscorer, Lauren Davidson, however, was denied by Wilson who went the right way.
City did get their second with 15 minutes left as the ball fell towards Hayley Lauder who volleyed home before Davidson wrapped the game up in the dying moments as her free-kick deflected off the wall and in.
Glasgow City are away to Partick Thistle next Sunday, while Hibernian host Montrose at Meadowbank Stadium.
Montrose 0-9 Celtic
Runners-up Celtic showcased their intent to go one further this season with a convincing win against newly promoted Montrose.
Fran Alonso's side scored five goals in the opening 45 minutes through a Kit Loferski hat-trick, Chloe Craig, and an own-goal.
Loferski scored three league goals for Celtic last season after signing in March and looks like she may be a key player as the Hoops look to replace the likes of Jacynta and Natasha Flint.
Any fears of lacking firepower were certainly not on show as four more goals followed in the second half. New signing Nour Addi netted on her debut with Amy Gallacher scoring a double either side, while Loferski rounded off the win with her fourth.
Montrose's first away game in the SWPL is on Sunday against Hibernian as both sides search for their first points this season, while Celtic return to the Excelsior Stadium to host Hamilton Academical.
Spartans 1-6 Rangers
Jo Potter's tenure as Rangers head coach got off to a flying start with a 6-1 win at Spartans in the opening game of the season.
Spartans went into the game undefeated in their final 10 matches of last season but found themselves behind after just two minutes when Jodi McLeary opened the scoring, before new signing Rio Hardy doubled Rangers' lead 10 minutes before half-time.
It was the hosts who scored next, however. Lauren Berman - who joined Spartans on Thursday having previously played for MTK Hungaria FC in Budapest - slotted home Alana Marshall's ball.
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Rangers restored their two-goal lead just moments later as McLeary - who scored four goals last season - headed in her second of the game from Chelsea Cornet's cross.
Potter's side went on to dominate the closing stages, adding a further three goals. Cornet got two before Laura Berry, who signed professionally in July, rounded off the scoring with four minutes left to play.
The Gers host Aberdeen next Sunday at Broadwood while Spartans will look to bounce back away to Motherwell at K-Park.
Aberdeen 3-2 Motherwell
Clinton Lancaster's tenure as Aberdeen boss got off to the best possible start as the Dons beat Motherwell - despite the visitors winning all four meetings between the sides last season.
Aberdeen's top goalscorer from the last campaign, Bayley Hutchison, showed her importance with the opening two goals. Chloe Gover set up the opener with 35 minutes played before Hannah Stewart turned provider for the second.
Stewart then looked to have sealed all three points with the third after 65 minutes, however, Motherwell made it a nervy finish at the Balmoral Stadium through Kaela McDonald-Nguah.
She scored twice from the spot after Jessica Broadrick fouled Joanne Addie to make it 3-1, before Gover was adjudged to handle the ball and she converted that penalty too in the closing stages.
Motherwell, however, couldn't find an equaliser and will look to bounce back at home to Spartans on Sunday at K-Park as both sides look for their first points this season while Aberdeen face a tough tie away to Rangers at Broadwood.
Hamilton Academical 0-4 Heart of Midlothian
Eva Olid's Hearts made a strong start to their campaign with a comfortable win at Hamilton Academical which included debut goals for three players.
Just two minutes in, new signing Lizzie Waldie opened the scoring following Carly Girasoli's header from Katie Lockwood's corner.
That lead was doubled with 26 minutes on the clock as Addie Handley tapped in after Kathleen McGovern's initial header was tipped onto the post.
Hearts continued to apply pressure in the second half and ex-Hibs striker Lockwood got a goal on her debut with 53 minutes played, capitalising on a mistake at the back before rounding the 'keeper to finish and McGovern got her debut goal, heading home with just under half an hour remaining.
Hearts host Dundee United at Oriam on Sunday while Hamilton Academical travel to the ZLX Stadium to face Hamilton Academical
Partick Thistle 4-0 Dundee United
Partick Thistle kicked off with a comfortable victory over Dundee United, despite being down to 10 players for 70 minutes of the match.
With just four minutes on the clock, Partick Thistle opened their account through their top goalscorer last season, Cara Henderson - tapping home after Megan Sidey denied
However, 15 minutes later Clare Docherty was shown a straight red for foul and abusive language - despite Thistle head coach Brian Graham confirming it was not aimed at the referee.
Despite the extra player, United couldn't capitalise and Thistle extended their lead before the break as Rosie McQuillan, signed in the summer from Spartans, finished comfortably after Lucy Sinclair's assist.
Henderson would go on to score the first hat trick of the season, converting two penalties in the second half.
Partick Thistle host reigning champions Glasgow City next in the 'Petershill Park' derby while Dundee United travel to Oriam to face Hearts.
Sky Sports Cup draw
Rangers will begin their defence of the Sky Sports Cup with a trip to SWPL rivals Hearts on September 3.
The Gers won the trophy at Tynecastle Park last season - beating Hibernian 2-0 in the final in what was the first SWPL match to be shown live on Sky - before missing out on the league and Scottish Cup titles.
SWPL champions Glasgow City will take on St Johnstone or Livingston, while Celtic are also away from home at Hamilton Accies.
Seven-time winners Hibernian face Aberdeen - with both top-flight clubs under new management, while newly promoted Montrose face Motherwell and Partick Thistle host Spartans.
Dundee United will travel to Gartcairn or Kilmarnock, while Stirling University or Boroughmuir Thistle will face Queen's Park or Glasgow Women after the first round.
Key dates for the 2023/24 SWPL season
Start date - August 13
Winter break - December 18 to January 13
First post-split fixtures - March 17, 2024
Final round of matches - May 19, 2024
Play-off finals - May 23/24, 2024
Sky Sports Cup final - March 23 or 24, 2024
Scottish Premiership and SWPL on Sky Sports
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