Celtic Starts SWPL Title Defence with 9-0 Victory Over Dundee United

Celtic Dominates Dundee United in SWPL Season Opener

Celtic women's team kicked off their defense of the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) title with a stunning performance, overwhelming Dundee United with a resounding 9-0 victory at Celtic Park. The win sets a strong tone for the season ahead.

First Half Highlights

Lucy Ashworth-Clifford initiated the scoring in the 25th minute, followed shortly by Saoirse Noonan, who found the back of the net just three minutes later. Jenny Smith rounded off an explosive first half with a goal just before the break, leaving the score at 3-0.

Second Half Surge

As the second half commenced, Celtic didn't waste any time. Bruna Lourenco added to the tally with a striking goal from distance, followed by Amy Gallacher scoring her first of the season. Noonan topped off her performance with another powerful effort to make it 5-0.

Signe Carstens contributed to the goal fest with a fantastic shot from range after the hour mark. Maria McAneny, who came off the bench, capped off a perfect day by scoring two late goals, making it a final score of 9-0.

Rangers Crush Aberdeen in Historic Debut for Wilkinson

Rangers also had an electrifying start to their season, demolishing Aberdeen with an 11-0 scoreline. Abbie Wilkinson made an impressive debut with four goals, showing her prowess on the field.

Rapid Fire Goals

Wilkinson opened the scoring just six minutes into the match with a well-timed header, followed by Rio Hardy doubling the lead shortly thereafter. Wilkinson's hat-trick came quickly, as she capitalized on rebounds and defensive errors to keep the pressure on Aberdeen.

Lizzie Arnot and Laura Berry added to the embarrassment for Aberdeen, who struggled to contain Rangers throughout the game.

Glasgow City Triumphs in Impressive Away Win

Glasgow City opened their campaign with a confident 7-0 victory against Montrose. Nicole Kozlova started strong with a debut goal, while Sofia Maata followed up with a brace of her own.

Further Crushing Blow

City kept feeding goals into the net, thanks to solid teamwork and individual skill, culminating in Jo Love adding to the scoreline in the dying moments of the game.

Hearts Dispatch Queen's Park with a Flurry of Goals

Newly-promoted Queen's Park faced a harsh introduction to the league, falling 1-11 to Hearts. Kerry Beattie was instrumental in the match, scoring twice against her former club.

Unyielding Offense

Hearts showcased a relentless attack, highlighted by Lauren Wade's brace and contributions from several newcomers, including Sade Adamolekun and Jess Husband.

Motherwell's Comeback Against Spartans

Motherwell enjoyed a 5-1 victory against Spartans after initially falling behind. Goals from Bailley Collins and Rachel Todd helped secure the comeback, with Todd adding another late in the game.

Hibernian Edges Out Partick Thistle

In a tightly contested match, Hibernian defeated Partick Thistle 2-1 with standout performances from Abbie Ferguson and Tegan Bowie, who made crucial contributions to the scoreline.

What's Next for SWPL Teams?

As the SWPL season heats up, all eyes will be on the upcoming fixtures. After a strong opening weekend, Celtic, Rangers, and others will aim to maintain their momentum as they face off against tough competition.

Follow SWPL on Sky Sports

Fans can catch all the action through Sky Sports, which will provide extensive coverage of the Scottish Women's Premier League, including exclusive features, interviews, and highlights.

For more information, check out Sky Sports’ dedicated coverage of Scottish football.