It was an afternoon to forget for the Women of Steel, as a clinical Rebecca Galbraith dashed Motherwell’s faint hopes of sustaining a challenge for seventh place.
A quickfire first-half hat-trick had Spartans firmly in the ascendency, despite Tiree Burchill narrowing the deficit before the break.
Following a serious injury to Amelie Birse, the game was temporarily suspended as the midfielder received treatment.
Upon the restart, Kayla Jardine pulled a second goal back with a composed finish, but this proved to be a consolation, as Spartans held out to ensure all three points returned to the Capital.
Manager, Paul Brownlie made four changes from the side that ended their recent winless run with a commanding 3-0 victory away to Glasgow Women midweek. Lauren Doran-Barr, Chelsie Watson, Katie Rice, and Kodie Hay all returned to action, replacing Emma Lawton, Niamh Noble, Kayla Jardine, and Lori Gardner.
Motherwell’s recent run of conceding early unfortunately persisted, as the visitors netted the breakthrough after nine minutes.
Julianne Ross’ dangerous through ball was shifted by Galbraith onto her stronger right-foot, and the striker drilled a powerful strike beyond the reach of Katie Andrews.
Seven minutes later, Spartans had their second. Lurking in the box, Galbraith escaped her marker with relative ease before connecting with Mya Bates’ floated delivery, dispatching it into the bottom-left corner.
Less than two minutes later, Motherwell narrowed the deficit. A hopeful cross from the right sailed accurately into the path of Louisa Boyes, who was initially denied by the Spartans keeper, but Burchill was the quickest to react, prodding home the rebound.
The hosts momentum proved to be short-lived, as Spartans regained their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Galbraith again capitalised on the hosts defensive indecision, lifting a cool effort over the head over Andrews.
The game was temporarily suspended for a lengthy period of time in the latter stages of the second half, as Spartans’ Birse received medical treatment following a serious injury.
Play resumed over 20-minutes later, with Motherwell chasing a route back into the game.
Moments after the restart, substitute Kayla Jardine netted after volleying Gill Inglis’ floated delivery into the bottom-right corner.
However, it proved to only be a late consolation, as Spartans stood resolute to leave K-Park with the three points.
This result confirms an eight-placed finish for the women of Steel, with only one remaining fixture against Aberdeen at K-Park next Saturday.
