Scottish Women’s grassroots seasons gets underway with big wins for Barclays leagues newcomers

Stirling University and East Fife’s return to the Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship were marked with wins as the Scottish Women’s Football grassroots season got underway, Stirling winning 2-1 at Ayr United and East Fife enjoying a late flurry of goals to beat Morton 6-0 in Methil. Promoted Elgin City won 4-0 against visiting Forfar Farmington in Moray, while fellow newcomers Dunipace edged in front against Inverness Caledonian Thistle before the Highlanders showed their experience in the third tier with first-half goals from Betty Ross then Iona Macarthur earning them a 2-1 victory and the three points.

Hayden Coutts scored a late goal to give Dryburgh Athletic a 1-0 victory over Rossvale, while in the late kick-off there were chances at both ends in a pulsating second half but Bonnyrigg Rose and Stenhousemuir playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw.

Bishopton and Edinburgh South recorded big 7-0 victories in their first matches in Barclays League One.

Bishopton started with Championship winners and former Renfrew stars Emma Baird, Nicole Haggerty and Paige Henry, and the three combined well to give the latter an first-half brace against Queen of the South, with Frankie Fern adding a brace of her own in the second half, alongside goals for Amy Allan, Sammy Davies and Erin McGregor.

Edinburgh South enjoyed the same scoreline against fellow newcomers Giffnock in the capital, with substitute Anna Hume grabbing a brace and former Edinburgh Caledonia striker Isi Orlishausen also getting on the scoresheet.

Suzanne MacTaggart grabbed a hat-trick as Airdrie CC got off to a flying start with a 6-1 victory against Westdyke in Carluke, Cambusdoon beat Inverurie Loco Works 5-1 and Dunfermline Athletic came from behind to beat Huntly 3-2 in Fife.

Teams in the Regional SWFL kicked off the season with the group stages of the ScottishPower Regional League Cup and Plate. The brand new women’s teams entering for the 2026/27 season had mixed fortunes. Dundee East lost the Dundee derby 0-6 to West, Aberdeen West End won 3-2 against Ross County, Dalkeith Ladies played a goalless draw with last year’s Plate finalists Penicuik Athletic and newly relegated Edinburgh Caledonia lost the capital derby 0-7 against Edinburgh University Thistle.