Page 3 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.10 2022-23

A super weekend of SWPL and SWPL 2 football is in store for players, officials, and fans alike on
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November. With no Scottish Premiership action, fans of all teams
are being encouraged to show their support across the various elite women’s matches taking place.
On Saturday 26th it’s an Old Firm derby in the SWPL as Rangers welcome Celtic to the
Broadwood Stadium. It’s a 5.15pm kick off and the game will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA. The
reigning champions, Rangers, have a 100% domestic record this season and are yet to concede a
goal. Celtic are three points behind in the league, having suffered only one loss against Glasgow
City.
The remaining nine SWPL and SWPL 2 matches are on Sunday 27th, with a potential record
domestic crowd at Easter Road for Hibernian against Heart of Midlothian. Over 6,500 people
have secured their free tickets for the 4.10pm kick off and are on course to beat the previous
record, set by Hibs back in September 2021, of 5,512. The match is also live on BBC ALBA.
There are three other SWPL derbies taking place on Sunday, including the Lanarkshire
derby between Hamilton Academical and Motherwell at New Douglas Park. Alongside the local
rivalry, both teams are separated by just one point. Motherwell prevailed in two out of three
meetings last season but it was Accies that came away 1-0 winners when the two sides met back
in April at Fir Park.
In the North East it’s Dundee United against Aberdeen. The two sides are separated by just
three points with United currently sitting above Aberdeen in tenth. This is the first meeting of the
two sides in the SWPL after Dundee United clinched the SWPL 2 title last season.
The final derby in the SWPL is Partick Thistle against Glasgow City, both a Glasgow and
‘Petershill Park’ derby. Thistle are the home side on this occasion, at the ground both teams
share. Glasgow City will be strong favourites, currently second in the league with a 100% record
but these games have traditionally been close affairs. Thistle are currently fifth in the table with
12 points after nine games.
The final SWPL game on Sunday is East against West as Spartans welcome Glasgow
Women to Ainslie Park. The Glasgow side are without a point this season and will be looking to
take something away as we approach the completion of the first round of fixtures.
In SWPL 2, there is plenty of excitement as one of Scotland’s most competitive leagues
continues to heat up.
As part of this exciting weekend of SWPL action, St Johnstone will be playing Stirling
University at McDiarmid Park. The two sides are separated by just six points, with the Saints
coming away 3-1 winners at Stirling University when the sides last met in August.
Top of the table Gartcairn are at home to Kilmarnock at MTC Park, East Fife welcome
Montrose to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium, and Queen’s Park host Boroughmuir Thistle at
New Tinto Park.
SWPL Managing Director, Fiona McIntyre, said: “This is a hugely exciting weekend for the
SWPL. When planning for this season, we knew that the men’s FIFA World Cup would present
opportunities for us. This weekend, with little SPFL football, is a great opportunity for us to drive
attendances and visibility for our game.
“We’ve worked closely with clubs to spread the games out across the weekend and it is
fantastic that a number of these matches have been moved to the club’s main stadium. Based on
current arrangements, it’s possible for fans to get to three games in one weekend, including the
Old Firm and Edinburgh derbies.
“For fans unable to attend matches, we’ve also worked with our broadcast partners to make
matches as accessible as possible. BBC ALBA will be broadcasting Rangers v Celtic on Saturday
and Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian on Sunday. This is on top of the live stream offering from
clubs including Partick Thistle and Spartans.
“I encourage everyone to get along to a game. It’s hard to beat the atmosphere of a live
match. If you’re a football fan or are looking for a family day out, SWPL games are high-quality,
entertaining, and very much family-friendly in terms of atmosphere and ticket price.”
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk