GLASGOW City recorded the most emphatic win of the SWPL Cup first round as seven of the eight ties were won by the seeded sides. Only Hearts, who beat newly-promoted Hamilton Accies, struck a blow for the second tier.
City, surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Rangers in a pre-season friendly, roared back with an 8-0 trouncing of Jeanfield Swifts in Perth. Highly-rated American striker Savannah Jordan, making her competitive debut, led the way with a hat-trick.
Abbi Grant scored two on her return to the club, with Savannah McCarthy, Nicola Docherty and Sam Hay scoring the other three.
Holders Hibernian had a 6-0 win over East Fife. With the game kicking off earlier than the other seven ties, Abi Harrison scored the season’s first goal after 15 minutes.
Chelsea Cornet notched the second just before the interval and Hibs added four more in the second half through Lisa Robertson (2), an East Fife own goal and Rachel McLauchlan.
Celtic were at home to relegated Forfar Farmington. The Glasgow club’s three new signings – Kelsey Hodges, Sarah Crilly and Sarah Ewens – all started, but although they went ahead through Natalie Ross after 19 minutes there was no further scoring. Forfar’s Gemma Collier was shown a second yellow card six minutes from the end.
Hearts got a measure of revenge for losing out to Hamilton in last season’s race for promotion with a fine 3-0 home win. Two goals in two second-half minutes from Ashley Carse, the second from the penalty spot, put Hearts in command. Jennifer Dodds added the third four minutes from time.
Rangers beat Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale 8-3 at New Tinto Park. The score was 2-1 at half-time and the visitors equalised midway through the second half to set up what looked to be a tense climax. Instead, Rangers scored six more and the amalgamated team one.
There was another big win for Stirling University against Buchan. The teams were level at the interval and again most of the goals came in the second half. Stirling eventually ran out easy 7-1 winners.
Motherwell have been promoted to SWPL2 this season and they competed well against top-tier Spartans despite losing 4-3. The quarter-final draw will take place on Wednesday.
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