A round-up from the Scottish Women’s Premier League as Rangers remain top, closely followed by Celtic and Glasgow City, while Hearts and Hibernian also won heading into the international break.
Montrose 0-12 Rangers
Leaders Rangers were the biggest winners of the weekend as they made it three wins in a week by beating Montrose at Links Park.
After dealing with a dangerous Demi Taylor delivery within the opening 60 seconds, Rangers began to control the game but were stopped by Lauren Perry and the woodwork early on.
However, the opener came just before the half-hour mark as Megan Bell – on her first league start this season – linked up with Rio Hardy before firing into the top corner.
Hardy (right) scored four goals for Jo Potter’s side (Credit: Rangers)
Mia McAulay – also back in the starting line-up – got the second after good work from Kirsty Maclean who picked up the ball in her own half before finding the winger to slide home.
Rangers had a third before half-time as Kirsty Howat’s shot fell to Hardy who got in on the action as the visitors took control.
Nine goals followed after the break with deadline day signing Libby Bance getting the first one, becoming a second half substitute.
Hardy then grabbed his second and Rangers’ fifth before linking up with Howat who got on the scoresheet just after the hour mark.
Just five minutes later it was seven for Rangers as Hardy grabbed his second hat-trick in three games – heading home McAulay’s cross before the provider turned goalscorer as McAulay grabbed his second of the afternoon.
Middag (left), Bance (center) and Howat (right) all scored in Rangers’ win over Montrose (Credit: Rangers)
Tessel Middag got into the act after 76 minutes after linking up with Maclean – smashing home from just inside the area.
Rangers’ 10th came seconds later as Bance added his second on debut – latching on to Kathryn Hill’s pass – before Howat grabbed his second and Hardy finished with his fourth and the 12 of the Rangers.
Aberdeen 0-4 Celtic
Shen Menglu (right) scored in back-to-back games for Celtic (Credit: Colin Poultney/SWPL)
Celtic remain a point behind Rangers, with a game in hand, as they continue their 100 per cent start to the SWPL season.
Natalie Ross, Kit Loferski and Nourimane Addi went close before Chloe Craig put Celtic ahead before the break.
Addi took a corner and curled a shot past Annalisa McCann – only to be denied by the post – but the ball fell to Craig who tapped into an empty net.
Amy Gallacher, who was called up to the Scotland squad to face England, then hit the post either side of the break.
However, Celtic’s second came with 16 minutes remaining as Shen Menglu cut in from the left and fired at the near post.
Jenny Smith then sealed the win with a late double – her first goal contender of the season as she fired into the top corner from around 35 yards from her right foot, before grabbing a fourth by Celtic to his left from 20 yards.
Glasgow City 6-0 Dundee United
Meikayla Moore (centre) scored twice as Glasgow City beat Dundee United (Credit: Colin Poultney/SWPL)
Defending champions Glasgow City stayed two points clear – with a game in hand on Rangers – as they beat Dundee United at Petershill Park.
Meikayla Moore, Brenna Lovera and Aleigh Gambone went close for the hosts early on before Linda Motlhalo’s long shot hit the woodwork.
Lovera then saw his header cannon off the bar – but this time the ball fell to Moore who tapped home for the opener.
Glasgow City take on Celtic – live on Sky Sports – on October 5 (Credit: Colin Poultney/SWPL)
The pair combined minutes later as Moore grabbed City’s second before Motlhalo got in on the act with a curling effort before the break.
Substitute Aoife Colvill then scored her first touch – after a long injury lay-off – before Sophia Martin headed in City’s fifth and Colvill grabbed her second before the final whistle to wrap up the second. win of the week.
Motherwell 0-1 Hibernian
Hibernian remain fourth after a narrow win at Motherwell’s K-Park.
Grant Scott’s side started well and went close through Tegan Bowie and Shannon McGregor before the hosts took control of the early half after the restart.
However, Hibs struck just after the hour mark as Jorian Baucom – who scored a hat-trick against Aberdeen – fired home after good work by Abbie Ferguson.
It sealed a third straight win for Hibs, while Motherwell suffered a third straight defeat before the break.
Hearts 6-1 Partick Thistle
Hearts are up to fifth, just two points behind rivals Hibs, after a convincing win over Partick Thistle.
It only took four minutes for Eva Olid’s side to open the scoring as Ciara Grant’s header was first met by Danni Findlay and despite being blocked, the ball fell to Carly Girasoli who scored in consecutive games.
Three goals then followed in 13 minutes as first Georgia Timms fired home from the edge of the box before Olufolasade Adamolekun cut in down the right, beat two players and scored his first goal for the club and Kathleen McGovern grabbed Hearts’ fourth before the break after meeting Grant’s corner.
Rachel Donaldson pulled one back for Thistle with just over 10 minutes remaining but Hearts had the final say as Timms scored twice in the closing stages to seal a hat-trick and three points for the Jambos.
Spartans 2-2 Hamilton Accies
Bottom side Hamilton Accies denied Spartans three wins in a week as they drew at Ainslie Park.
The hosts took the lead after 45 seconds when Simone McMahon fired over from the edge of the box and just three minutes later Dion McMahon doubled the home side’s advantage with a header from a corner.
However, Accies responded after the break as Josephine Giard pounced on a long ball and slotted home after 51 minutes.
The comeback was sealed with 15 minutes remaining as Giard scored again after defeating Alicia Yates.
SWPL and Scottish Premiership on Sky Sports
Sky Sports – This season up to 48 cinch Premiership games will be available on Sky Sports’ flagship channels, including Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, plus at least five SWPL matches. From 2024/25, up to 60 cinch Premierships will be live on Sky Sports, in addition to the SWPL.
Sky Sports News – Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Scottish football fans can enjoy Sky Sports News’ (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the cinch Premiership and SWPL throughout the season.
Sky Sports Digital – Follow all the latest from Scottish football on SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from live matches on Sky Sports and free highlights.
Sky Sports Social – With coverage and visibility for the league on all of Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @ScotlandSky will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports.
Highlights shown – Tune in for a dedicated round-up from the cinch Premiership every week on Sky Sports Football.
To download the Sky Sports app click here, to visit the Sky Sports website click here.
Sky Sports is the home of domestic football in the UK and Ireland, with action from the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Women’s Premier League, Premier League, WSL, EFL, and more.
