Aberdeen Women 1 Spartans 1 SWPL 1 Balmoral Stadium 4 November 2026
Aberdeen Women claimed their first point of the season with a battling display against Spartans in Wednesday evening's re-arranged SWPL1 clash at the Balmoral Stadium.
It was an even start to the game, with both sides enjoying some dangerous attacking moments that were snuffed out by the opposition defence.
The Dons enjoyed the majority of possession in the early stages but it was Spartans who threatened first, Zara Andrews dragging her shot from distance narrowly wide.
Piper Lea had the first shot at goal for the Dons, space opened up with her on the edge of the box but she bent her shot over the bar.
Katie O'Hanlon produced a superb save at the midway point of the half to deny Andrews goal bound effort, the keeper pulling off a finger tip save to keep the score levels.
It was Aberdeen who threatened next, Soraya Walsh was sent racing down the left, the winger cut in but her her shot was deflected into the arms of Alicia Yates in the Spartans goal.
Both sides were creating chances and it was the away side who threatened next, Izzy Young made a bursting run through the Dons defence, but O'Hanlon was equal to her effort.
Half-Time: Aberdeen 0-0 Spartans
It was the away side who took the lead shortly after the re-start, O'Hanlon tipped a long range effort from Isla Taylor onto the bar but the rebound fell to Tegan Reynolds who nodded in from close range.
The Dons hit back straight away and equalised in superb fashion, Holly Daniel curling a superb effort from the edge of the box past the keeper to level things up.
Spartans produced a fine flowing move just past the 70 minute mark, substitute Emily Cadell bending a shot straight at O'Hanlon from a dangerous position.
It was Aberdeen who threatened next, Soraya Walsh was sent free down the left, she held off the full back but her shot was tipped away.
Moments later the Dons had strong appeals for a penalty turned away as Daniel went racing into the box, but Yates got just enough on the ball to clear the danger.
The Dons had a huge chance to take the lead when substitute Olivia Reid was played in by Daniel but she pulled her shot wide.
Both sides pushed for a winner late on but neither side could find a break through.
The Dons are back in action on Sunday when they travel to the capital to take on Hibs at Meadowbank.
Aberdeen Women: 1. Katie O'Hanlon, 32. Piper Mayhew, 15. Madison Finnie (C), 43. Selin Cemal, 14. Mya Christie, 5. Aimee Black, 4. Lola Nesbeth (Watt 74'), 8. Piper Lea, 7. Mia Selbie, 10. Soraya Walsh (Reid 80'), 11. Holly Daniel.
Subs: 12. Amber Signorini, 17. Melissa Regmi, 21. Millie Buchan, 24. Emily Simpson, 26. Emily Skinner
Booked: Black 38', Watt 89'
Goals: Daniel 56',
Spartans: 1. Alicia Yates, 4. Hannah Cunningham, 5. Robyn McCafferty, 6. Ronaigh Douglas (Hutchison 74'), 8. Emma McMurdo (Cadell 62'), 9. Zara Andrews (Brien 62'), 10. Olivia Hurrell (Murchie 85'), 11. Niamh Noble, 14. Tegan Reynolds, 18. Izzy Young, 23. Isla Taylor (Davies 85')
Subs Not Used: 13. Liamara Hensel-Burg, 3. Sara Clelland, 17. Eilidh, 19. Natalie Bandura, 20. Lauren McDonald
Booked: McCafferty 90+2
Goals: Reynolds 53'
Reaction from Nathan Flight:
"Delighted to get a point on the board, but frustrated that we didn't take three in the end. I think the performance was good enough to take three points from the game.
"I think in the first 30 minutes, we controlled the game. Maybe we didn't create chances, but we controlled it. We then regained control of the game for the last 30 minutes of the second half, and we were the team creating the bigger opportunities towards the end.
"So, delighted with the point and delighted that we're scoring again, but also a little bit frustrated that we didn't quite get three points tonight.
"We've changed Holly's position a little bit. Tonight she was in as a striker, and she's offering us more through the middle, which is great.
"It was a fantastic goal, well taken, touch out of the feet and into the far corner. A really, really great moment for her and a great moment for us.
"Everything's moving in the right direction, which is good. We're going to take that momentum with us now into Sunday and, of course, the games that come after that as well.
"It wasn't the start to the second half that we wanted.
"I felt we were a bit flat coming out at half-time, to be honest, for the first 12 or 15 minutes, and we got punished for that.
"But the reaction to going behind was fantastic, because sometimes you see teams that just collapse and it goes from bad to worse. Tonight, we rolled our sleeves up, worked hard and got ourselves back in the game.
"There was also a possible penalty 15 minutes to go that the referee decided wasn't a penalty.
"We were unlucky not to get more than just a point tonight.
"We know the quality that Hibs have. We had a good game against them up here a few weeks ago, winning 2-0 that day.
"We're hoping to get closer to Hibs again. We've got people back from injury and we've got people regaining more and more minutes in their legs, so we'll go into that game to attack it.
"We'll go into that game with confidence and do everything we can to get three points on Sunday as well."
