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The women of steel’s positive return from the international break failed to materialise, as league leaders Rangers coasted to a commanding five-goal advantage at a rainswept K-Park on Sunday.

An early Libby Bance opener was soon strengthened with a quickfire Sarah Ewens double, as the visitors coasted to a comfortable three-goal cushion in the opening quarter of an hour.

Motherwell regrouped and started to find their rhythm in the game, limiting Rangers to few chances across the remainder of the first-half, with Rangers netting two late second-half goals to secure the three points in East Kilbride.

Head Coach, Paul Brownlie made four changes from the defeat to Partick Thistle prior to the International break, with Kaitlyn Canavan, Murron Cunningham and Sarah Gibb returning to the starting XI. Laura McCartney also secured a place in the midfield against her former side.

Rangers’ intense opening to the game forced the women of steel into trading possession deep into the own territory, and moments later, the visitors netted the opener. Mia McAulay’s driving run across the right flank allowed the winger to drill a low pass across the face of goal, with Chelsea Cornet’s initial effort denied by Emily Mutch, but Bance calmly followed up from two-yards out.

The league leaders doubled their advantage minutes later, with Lizzie Arnot deceptively escaping the high Motherwell backline, as Ewen’s prodded home the forward’s chipped through ball.

On the 15-minute mark, Rangers had three, as Ewen’s netted her second of the evening. The forward darted across the edge of the penalty area, latching onto Michelle Colson’s perfectly-weighted through ball and the experienced striker coolly dispatched a low strike off of the near post.

Despite a relentless opening period to the game, Motherwell started to find their rhythm and established a foothold in the game, but a decisive goal failed to materialise.

Despite numerous exceptional saves from Emily Mutch, the visitors netted two-late goals in the second half, with Jane Ross and Rio Hardy finding the target to extend their lead at the summit of the SWPL league table.

Motherwell will return to action next weekend, with the women of steel travelling to the City of Discovery to face Dundee United.

Making the switch to ML1 in the summer, award winning goalkeeper Rebecca Cameron made the step up to the SWPL after an exceptional campaign with SWPL2 outfit St. Johnstone in the previous season, with the 23-year-old named the Saints Player of the year.

Since putting pen to paper, Cameron has had to bide her time for her competitive debut, with impressive performances from Emily Mutch providing the Perth shot-stopper with competition for a place in the starting XI.

However, Cameron insists that this competitive environment has maintained high standards in the goalkeeping department.“Football is always about developing yourself as a player and facing new challenges,” Cameron said.

“I knew that taking the step up to the SWPL and moving to Motherwell would mean I wouldn’t be guaranteed a starting place, but I understood that if I wanted to continue to develop, facing that challenge was the best decision for myself.

“Emily and I have a great friendship off the pitch which helps in training, as we are always pushing each other to high standards and want to see each other succeed. [Paul and Leanne] made it very clear from the start that this team is very competitive to earn a starting place. They have both told me to continue to work hard and have spoken about areas in which I can improve.

Since trading the Fair City for Lanarkshire, Cameron has continued to work behind-the-scenes in preparation for her competitive debut, and acknowledged that the intensity and standard of training was the initial attraction to playing football in ML1.

“The standard of goalkeeping training is on another level. Paul and Leanne have set a high demand on the players and created a brilliant atmosphere to learn and develop, which is what initially attracted me to the club.

“Colin, our goalkeeping coach, has made the transition much easier with the way he has supported me both on and off the pitch. I definitely think it is the hardest position on a football pitch. The physical and mental side to the game is demanding, with no room for error as any mistake will risk the ball ending up in the back of the net.“I want to continue to work hard and develop in this competitive environment which will hopefully lead to my first competitive debut.

The women of steel return to competitive action this weekend, with the two-week hiatus from the domestic calendar coming to a close, as Motherwell seek to conclude their recent turbulent run of form when they face league leaders Rangers at K-Park.

Paul Brownlie’s side have secured one win from their last five SWPL fixtures, with a comprehensive six-goal thriller over Dundee United ending a frustrating month-long goalless drought, but replicating that prolific display since hasn’t materialised, with a late equaliser in Montrose denying Motherwell their first victory on the road this season.

“We know we aren’t where we would’ve liked to be at this stage in the season,” Cameron explained.

“A lack of consistency in certain games and disappointing performances has been frustrating, but the coaching team have been really positive in ensuring we all stay focused and are all on the same page as to where we want to go as a team.

“The morale is still very high within the team. Everyone is very motivated and focused on the next run of games and hopefully we can get achieve the results we know we are capable of.”

The two-week hiatus from competitive action concludes this afternoon, as the domestic calendar returns to the forefront, with the women of steel looking to regain their early signs of momentum, as they face league leaders Rangers at K-Park.

Three wins from their opening five SWPL encounters had Motherwell looking positively to the season ahead, but only a victory over Dundee United has materialised since, with the women of steel picking up one point from their last four.

Carla Boyce fired Motherwell firmly into the ascendency in the opening few minutes of their last fixture in East Kilbride, but a late second-half resurgence ensured Thistle returned to Glasgow with the three points.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The women of steel will be poised to reclaim their domestic dominance in Lanarkshire after successive defeats to Aberdeen and Partick Thistle undermined what has been an excellent start to the season at K-Park, with Motherwell securing four wins from their opening six.

Motherwell started brightly in their previous SWPL encounter with Partick Thistle, as Carla Boyce drilled a composed finish from the penalty spot to give Motherwell an early advantage, but complacency emerged, and Thistle coasted to a comfortable three-goal cushion. Kayla Jardine salvaged a late consolation, but it proved to be too little too late for the hosts.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie will be nearing a full squad, as Motherwell’s persistent injury woes show promising signs of improvement. Eve Donald will be eligible for contention in the matchday squad after returning to full-contact training prior to the international break. Morgan Hay and Morgan Cross will both be doubtful for this afternoon’s meeting with Rangers, as they continue to return from recent spells on the sidelines.

Rangers

Rangers head to Lanarkshire buoyed by their impressive start to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign. The league leaders have maintained a narrow one-point advantage over fierce rivals Celtic, with the visitors securing 13 wins from 14 and 12-successive victories in all competitions.

The Gers have confidently netted the second-highest goal tally in the league this campaign, with forwards Rio Hardy and Kirsty Howat collectively racking up 31-goals.

Ticket Information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £3
• Under 11s – Free to enter.

*Concession tickets apply to those over 65, and to 12–17-year-olds, with full-time students also eligible with a valid matriculation card.

Additional information – no pets allowed within K-Park.

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.

Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the 1-1 draw with St Johnstone.

• Accountability taken for the goal
• Digging in once again
• Have to find the right balance

Motherwell rescued a point with yet another goal in additional time as Bevis Mugabi’s own goal almost presented St Johnstone with all three points.

Despite repeatedly lamenting the loss of goals to set pieces, a cross into the box led to Bevis Mugabi deflecting the ball into his own net to give Saints the lead at the start of the second half.

However, in the first minute of added on time Mika Biereth leapt to head home his sixth goal of the season and grab the home side a point when his team seemed destined to finish empty handed.

Stuart Kettlewell, in an attempt to rediscover their winning form, was hindered in his selection by injury and suspension, particularly in front of Liam Kelly.

That forced a back three of Stephen O’Donnell, Bevis Mugabi and Shane Blaney, faced with the task of shoring up a defence which has conceded the most goals in the cinch Premiership. In front of them, Davor Zdravkovski and Georgie Gent were given their first starts of the season.

Craig Levein set up Saints with two up front clearly intent on testing the new look ‘Well defence from the start.

In a scrappy opening 20 minutes it reflected on two teams at the wrong end of the league table as both sets of players were guilty of misplaced passes and petty fouls.

Not for the last time, referee Euan Anderson ignored a challenge on Brodie Spencer at the edge of the box which ultimately allowed Graham Carey to test Kelly from 20 yards.

Almost immediately, Gent, revelling in a natural left wing role, earned ‘Well’s first corner as he powered towards the Saints’ byeline.

In the 27th minute the on-loan Blackburn defender latched on to a cross from Spencer and Gent’s powerful left foot volley took a deflection off James Brown before forcing Mitov to save low in front of his right post.

A couple of minutes later Jon Obika broke through the middle but with Biereth in support he elected to shoot from 18 yards, his weak effort posing no problems for the ‘keeper.

As the game continued to flow towards the Saints goal, Mirov got down to block Blair Spittal’s low drive after Callum Slattery had set him up at the edge of the box.

Although little had been seen of Biereth, his powerful run towards the six-yard box forced a last gasp tackle from Ryan McGowan as ‘Well ended the first half in control and only lacking a goal their first half performance possibly deserved.

Motherwell restarted on the front foot and after five minutes fine build up on the right ended with Mitov firmly holding Slattery’s curling shot from 20 yards.

Two minutes later, though, the Steelmen once again shot themselves in the foot from a set piece.

The ‘Well defence looked organised as Matt Smith floated a free kick into a packed box. But as Kelly raced out beyond his six-yard box to claim the ball it sped past him rebounding of the helpless Mugabi and into his own net to concede a horrible opening goal.

That knocked the wind and any confidence out of the home side as they pushed towards Saints’ goal more in hope than anything else.

With 20 minutes remaining Oli Shaw replaced Obika as ‘Well desperately searched for an equaliser.

However, it was the Perth side who almost found the net again when Carey’s curling free kick skipped off the top of the cross bar with Kelly stretching to tip it over.

As the clock moved toward the last ten minutes Theo Bair and Conor Wilkinson were given the chance to salvage something from the game.

Bair made an immediate impact collecting the ball on the right and dragging it across the box before his drive forced Mitov to save low to his right.

The ‘Well sub produced a second save from the ‘keeper when Biereth’s lob into the box gave Bair a free header from eight yards but once again Mitov denied him with a comfortable save.

Then in added time Bair turned provider. From wide left he fired the ball across goal to find Biereth rising high to bullet a stunning header high into the corner for a last gasp equaliser.

Callum Slattery reiterated the apology to supporters for their result against Ross County. 

The midfielder tells us how the group is still together in the dressing room and that it is up to the players to get the club out of this run that it is in. Slattery says the team need to give the supporters to something to get behind for them to fully back the team.

Stuart Kettlewell reiterated how poor a performance Tuesday was against Ross County and that stark improvements are required. 

The Motherwell boss says he will take his side back to basic preparation in the quest of simplifying the matches. Kettlewell is aware of the pressure building on his and his team’s shoulders but insists that this is something they all can deal with as they are all together.

Stuart Kettlewell has provided a squad update following our match against Ross County.

The manager updates following Dan Casey and Calum Butcher coming off injured in the Highlands on Tuesday night.

“Dan had an X-Ray and it doesn’t look as severe as we first thought,” Stuart Kettlewell said.

“There is no fracture so now he will receive further scans to see if there is muscle or ligament damage. It’s not as bad as first feared which is a positive but he’s going to be out for a period of time.

“Calum Butcher came off because he felt his calf, which is another blow.

“Again, it’s a bit early to say. He needs a scan to define how bad the damage is. But, if Calum Butcher comes off it would suggest it’s going to be enough to keep him out for a few weeks anyway.

“Paul McGinn got sent for an update last week. It was initially said he would be 6-weeks post operation, whilst still wearing a mask. They didn’t feel he was in a position to play on Tuesday so he still sits on that timeline.”

Lennon Miller remains sidelined due to a broken patella suffered at the start of November while Pape Souare is also missing due to a serious ankle injury with associated fracture.

St Johnstone are the visitors to Fir Park on Saturday in the cinch Premiership. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

– Concessions Tickets would be ages 65 and over and FT Students with a valid matric card.
– Young Adults tickets would ages 12 to 17.
– Juveniles would be 11 and under

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 9am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Injury Update

Pape Souare and Lennon Miller remain sidelined.

Dan Casey and Harry Paton are suspended for this match.

Paul McGinn won’t return in time from his broken cheekbone injury.

Calum Butcher came off against Ross County with a suspected calf injury and will miss this match.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It was a trip to the highlands to forget for Motherwell on Tuesday night, as they were beaten comfortably 3-0 by Ross County.

The Steelmen have four draws and eight defeats in their last 12 as they go in search of their first win since September.

St Johnstone and Motherwell met in Craig Levein’s first match in charge in November. St Johnstone took a handsome 2-0 lead into the interval before Shane Blaney and Mika Biereth sparked a second half comeback to earn a point.

Opposition Report

Levein has two wins since he took the reigns in Perth and has amassed seven points out of a possible 18.

Currently (Wednesday), St Johnstone sit below Motherwell in the table, in 11th on 11 points.

Graham Carey has proven to be a pivotal player for Craig Levein since his arrival due to Carey’s precise and dangerous delivery into the box.

He got his first goal of the season against Ross County last month.

Stuart Kettlewell discusses the defeat to Ross County.

• Apology to supporters
• Miles off the standard
• Deserved to lose