Hearts 6-0 Aberdeen Women SWPL 1 Ainslie Park Sunday 16 August
Aberdeen Women fell to a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Hearts on Sunday afternoon in Edinburgh to begin their SWPL 1 2026/27 campaign.
For the second season on the trot, The Dons began their league campaign with a trip to the Champions.
There was just three survivors from the squad that began last season at Hibernian: Aimee Black, captain Maddie Finnie, and back-up 'keeper Amber Signorini.
Nathan Flight handed debuts to six summer recruits: Katie O'Hanlon, Briana Salvetti, Lola Nesbeth, Piper Lea, Soraya Walsh and Selin Cemal.
Girls' Academy graduate Piper Mayhew also retained her place in the XI for the trip South. The average age of the Aberdeen substitutes, 16.5.
It was a nightmare start to life as a Don for Nesbeth, the midfielder forced off on her debut after just ten minutes after picking up an early knock she couldn’t shake off. Iona Watt was introduced in her place.
The Champions were quick to pick up where they left off, racing into an early lead at Ainslie Park.
After a couple early saves from O’Hanlon, the ‘keeper was caught out not long after, her ball forward intercepted by the hosts, Johns taking full advantage, the finish duly applied.
Just one minute later on 14’ it was two. Summer signing Speckmaier rounded O’Hanlon and tapped into the empty net.
The first half continued in a similar vein, the hosts dominating possession and creating chances at ease, Jardine striking the bar on 21’.
O’Hanlon was beginning to show her quality after her early errors, the on-loan West Ham stopper producing a series of fine saves to deny Johns and Jardine.
3-0 on 42’, Dolan heading home from Husband’s cross.
Half-time Hearts 3-0 Aberdeen Women
Millie Buchan was introduced during the interval; she replaced Piper Lea. Holly Daniel found her way into the book just two minutes after the restart for a high boot.
The fourth arrived just after the hour, Smith converting smartly.
Melissa Regmi and Olivia Reid were introduced immediately after, Salvetti and Walsh withdrawn.
Rennie came close to grabbing her sides fifth goal on 66’, her effort from range rattling the bar. One minute later, Mia Selbie replaced Daniel.
5-0 on 83,’ 16-year-old Crawford finding the net.
Speckmaier added the sixth goal at the death to cap off a miserable opening outing of the campaign for the young Dons side.
Full-time, Hearts 6-0 Aberdeen Women.
Hearts: 52. Rachael Johnstone, 3. Jessica Husband, 4. Erin Husband,5. Carly Girasoli, 8. Mairead Fulton, 9. Mariana Speckmaler, 10. Carly Johns, 11. Lauren Wade C, 12. Ellen Dolan, 14. Kayla Jardine, 15. Jennifer Smith
Substitutes: 25. Emma Thomson, 6. Erin Rennie, 7. Monica Forsyth, 18. Keri Halliday, 19. Ava Crawford, 20. Kate Fraser, 23. Ashley Robertson, 26. Ebonie Locke, 33. Toni Campbell
GOALS: Johns 13’ Speckmaier 14’ 89’ Dolan 41’ Smith 61’ Crawford 83’
Aberdeen: 1. Katie O'Hanlon, 2. Briana Salvetti (Regmi 63’), 4. Lola Nesbeth (Watt 10’),5. Aimee Black, 6. Erin Carrol, 8. Piper Lea (Buhan 46’), 10. Soraya Walsh (Reid 62’), 11. Holly Daniel (Selbie 82’), 15. Maddie Finnie C, 32. Piper Mayhew, 43. Selin Cemal
Substitutes: 12. Amber Signorini, 7. Mia Selbie, 17. Melissa Regmi, 21. Millie Buchan, 22. Iona Watt, 24. Emily Simpson, 25. Tyler Ferguson, 28. Olivia Reid
YELLOW CARD: Daniel 47’
