Hibernian Women 5 Aberdeen Women 2 SWPL 1 Meadowbank Stadium 8 November 2026
Aberdeen Women lost out to their Leith counterparts on Sunday lunchtime in an entertaining SWPL1 clash at Meadowbank Stadium which saw five goals in the first half. Soraya Walsh netted two well taken finishes as the Dons twice came from behind in the opening 45.
The Dons travelled to the capital looking to build on Wednesday's draw with the Spartans, a game which saw Nathan Flight's side claim their first point of the season. Joelle Murray's Hibs team were looking to bounce back after their narrow midweek loss to Celtic.
It was the home side who took the lead after only five minutes, Jasmine McQuade opening the scoring after Faye Bryson had done well to keep the ball alive.
Despite Hibs enjoying the majority of the early play, Aberdeen pulled themselves back on level terms after 19 minutes. The Dons worked the ball from a deep free-kick in their own half, Briana Salvetti played the ball to Soraya Walsh whose shot from just inside the box beat Eve Annets at her near post to draw the away side level.
However, Hibs regained their lead only four minutes later. Bryson found space down the right and her low cross was turned into the net by Jess Ramsay.
Despite the setback, the Dons were starting to grow into the game and Holly Daniel produced a strong one handed save from Annets after the forward had been played in by a smart through ball from Iona Watt.
The home side were left to rue a couple of missed opportunities as the Dons hit back again before the half-time whistle. Walsh latched onto a through ball, she outpaced the Hibs defence and finished calmly past Annets to make it 2-2.
However, the away side couldn't keep the score level heading into the break as Hibs took the lead once again on the 43rd minute, Kyah Simon bundling the ball home from close range after the Dons had failed to deal with a Ellis Notley corner.
Half-Time: Hibernian Women 3-2 Aberdeen Women
Aberdeen made a triple change at the break with Piper Lea, Mia Selbie and Mya Christie replacing Iona Watt, Emily Simpson and Lola Nesbeth.
After the frantic end to the first half, the start of the second didn't produce as much drama, with both sides creating a couple of half chances that didn't threaten the opposition goal.
Hibs increased their lead on the 67th minute mark, Libby Smith finding space at the edge of the box to turn and her shot from 20 yards looped over O'Hanlon to make it 4-2 to the home side.
The game was put beyond the reach of the Dons just before the 80 minute mark as Smith grabbed her second of the game as the forward turned in a Kirsty Morrison's cross.
Aberdeen are back in action next weekend at the Balmoral Stadium when they host Motherwell in the SWPL1, kick-off, 1pm.
Hibernian: 12. Eve Annets, 2. Faye Bryson, 4. Siobhan Hunter, 5. Scarlett Herron, 6. Joely Andrews, 9. Libby Smith, 10. Jasmine McQuade (Khrystiuk 81'), 16. Ellis Notley (Fitzgerald 62'), 20. Jess Ramsay (Colvill 46'), 23. Rachael Boyle (C) (Keenan 78'), 71. Kyah Simon (Morrison 62') Subs Not Used: 1. Ariana Anastasiadis (GK), 3. Caley Gibb, 7. Milly Boughton, 14. Jess Broadrick,
Goals: McQuade 5', Ramsay 23', Simon 43', Smith 67' 79',
Booked: None Aberdeen: 1. Katie O'Hanlon, 2. Briana Salvetti, 4. Lola Nesbeth (Christie, 46'), 5. Aimee Black, 10. Soraya Walsh (Skinner 73'), 11. Holly Daniel (Regmi 64'), 15. Maddie Finnie (C), 22. Iona Watt (Lea 46'), 24. Emily Simpson (Selbie 46'), 32. Piper Mayhew, 43. Selin Cemal. Subs Not Used: 12. Amber Signorini (GK), 21. Millie Buchan
Goals: Walsh 19' 38'
Booked: None
Reaction from Nathan Flight:
"Really happy with the performance particulary the first 65 minutes, we competed and matched them well and got back into the game twice. The energy levels and quality in the final third was much closer to where we needed to be. We tailed off towards the end which was disappointing but it was really close if not potentially our best performance of the season.
"Soraya is someone we know who can give us a bit of x-factor in the final third, she hasn't had the service in the first nine games that we would like to give her but today she showed if we can get the ball to her in dangerous areas, she is someone who is more than capable of creating and taking chances, were really happy with the work that she has done."
