Hibs Women 5 Aberdeen 1

The 2024/25 ScottishPower Women's Premier League Champions secured a strong 5-1 victory in their first game of the league season over Aberdeen.

A first-half brace from Rosie Livingstone, replicated by Kathleen McGovern’s second-half double, before an own goal secured the Hibees a dominant victory to kick-off the new campaign. 

A strong Hibs XI took to the Meadowbank pitch, with Club captain Rachael Boyle making her first competitive start for the Club in six months.

The Hibees controlled the opening minutes of the game, with a first chance coming from Kirsty Morrison’s powerful shot, which was ultimately saved by Aberdeen’s Katie Cox.

Hibs broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, with a precise ball from Ciara Grant landing into Rosie Livingstone's feet, allowing the forward to score the Hibees’ first goal of the season. 

Keeping the pressure up, Livingstone was on the hunt for a brace, taking a strong shot at the goal - saved again by Cox, earning the Hibees a corner. 

Grant lined up to take the resulting corner on 13 minutes, which connected with Kathleen McGovern, who headed the ball onto our number 18. Livingstone expertly caught the Aberdeen goalie off-guard and secured the second goal of the game. 

A chance for the visitors to open their scoring tally came with a corner, but Noa Schumacher ensured she was ready, denying Aberdeen the goal. 

It wouldn’t take long for the Hibees to add to their advantage, with the third goal driven into the back of the net in the 39th minute. Livingstone neatly passed to Grant, who quickly swept past the Aberdeen defense, playing a low ball to an awaiting McGovern on the edge of the box, who struck a third past Cox to close out the first half.

The first chance of the second half came with Kirsten Reilly hitting a long-range strike which was tipped over by Cox, denying Hibs a special fourth goal. 

The visitors pulled one back on the 73rd minute, after a mis-hit cross from Abigail Tobin was initially kept out by Schumacher but unfortunately bounced back in over the line off Siobhan Hunter’s leg as a scramble for the loose ball ensued.

The Hibees quickly bounced back moments later, with Livingstone taking a shot in hopes of completing her hat-trick. Her strike was saved but set McGovern up to strike the ricocheted ball home, bringing Hibs’ tally of goals up to four.

A fifth and final goal for the Hibees came in the 89th minute. Linzi Taylor lined up her set-piece, with her delivery knocked over Dox and into the net by Aberdeen captain Jessica Broadrick. 

The own goal wrapped up Hibs Women’s opening SWPL match of the new season, with the girls taking all three points on home turf.