After a successful start to 2023 with a Scottish Cup victory over Hutchison Vale last Sunday, Aberdeen Women play their first league match of the year when Hamilton Accies travel north to the Balmoral Stadium this weekend (kick-off, 4:30pm). The sides last met on the opening day of the SWPL1 season back in August, with Hamilton running out 3-1 winners on the day. Heading into this Sunday’s match, The Dons are sitting in 11th position but are only one point behind Sunday’s opponents who are a position above in the league. The game at the Balmoral Stadium will be shown live on BBC Alba this weekend.

Academy Director Gavin Levey previews Sunday’s game:

“On the back of being unbeaten for the past three games, we find ourselves at home for the next two games and hopefully this afternoon we can build on recent performances and keep the momentum going in the weeks to come.

“The Spartans game just before the winter break was a deserved point in the end, against a side who were in good form. It is important in the league if you are not going to take all three points, that you at least take something from it and we did just that.

“We had a job to do last Sunday, coming into the Scottish Cup in the fourth round. The main objective was getting into the next round. We also wanted a clean sheet and to let all the players get some game time to keep the group tight and we managed to achieve all these aims. Since we’ve been in charge, all the players within the squad have featured and that is pleasing.

“Performance-wise it was far from perfect, especially in the final third. The conditions were difficult. Hutchison Vale made it tough for us to get into a rhythm, they were physical and competed well and they turned it into a real cup tie. We did better in the second half and created more, but we need to be more ruthless in front of goal.

“The Scottish Cup was our first game in over a month, so we were a bit rusty, but we have trained well this week ahead of what will be a very different game against Hamilton Accies.”

Following last weekend’s Scottish Cup win, Aberdeen are now unbeaten in their last three games across all competitions, ahead of their first league game of 2023 against Hamilton Accies.

After a slightly flat first half at Balmoral Stadium, there was a glimpse of what the Dons are capable of in the second half with youngster Brodie Greenwood impressing in centre midfield.

The 16-year-old spoke to Mark Gordon after the match last weekend at the Balmoral Stadium:

“It was a really tough game but the most important thing is that we got through. We needed that game to get up and get going after the winter break. With the Rangers game being postponed because of the weather, it has been a long wait since the Spartans game.

“As expected, we dominated possession and had a lot of the ball. We deserved to win the game, and I never thought at any stage it looked like we would get through the tie, they only really had one chance, but credit to them for making us work hard for the win.

“It would great if we could have a good cup run, but the draw for Round Five has certainly not been kind to us. We just need to focus on the next game and keep pushing forward.

“It was brilliant to be named in the starting XI. I was not expecting it. It felt great to be out there and to get minutes into the legs. I could not have been any happier.

“We do have real depth in the squad. When you see the strength of the bench last Sunday, plus the number of players who were sitting in the stand, it shows the quality and talent that we have. It is important when you do get a start that you go and impress, but the most important thing was helping the team to the win.

“The next two home games against Hamilton and Hearts are both really big games. There is a real chance for us to turn our season around if we can collect six points.”

Ticket Information

Full ticket information for Sunday’s game can be found here. For those who can’t make it to the Balmoral Stadium, the game is also live on BBC Alba.