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Motherwell are SWPL2 champions after defeating Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale 5-1 at Peffermill.

The women of steel sealed promotion to the top flight of Scottish women’s football with five games of the season remaining.

Victory over Hutchison Vale was rarely in doubt after from early in an encounter played out in driving rain.

Lauryn Reside replaced Megan Burns in the only change to the ‘Well starting team from last week’s victory over Kilmarnock and she blasted home a wonderful shot from range to put the visitors ahead after only two minutes.

Claire Johnstone in the Motherwell goal made a superb stop to keep the scores level as Hutchison Vale looked for a way back into the game. But they would find themselves 2-0 down on 17 minutes when Hayley Cunningham’s driving running ended with a shot that was parried only as far as Sammy Hare who tapped home from close range.

The hosts would reduce the deficit just before the half hour mark, when Nichola Sturrock’s free-kick was nodded on by Anna Hume and Lucy Brown calmly slotted the ball home.

Four minutes later it took another excellent stop by Johnstone to deny Sturrock an equaliser, but it would be Motherwell who regained their foothold on the match with a third goal.

Kerry Montgomery’s free kick caught the home defence cold and Cunningham slid the ball across the face of goal for Hare to slot the ball into the net.

Reside had a chance to add to her tally early in the second half before Motherwell made it 4-1. Cunningham again was the provider as she found Hare, who spun and unleashed a low drive beyond Charlotte Parker-Smith to complete her hat-trick.

Hare is enjoying a remarkable scoring run and has netted eight times in the last three games, taking her tally to 17 for the campaign.

There were chances for Kirsty McLaughlin and Caitlin Russell as the match drew to a close, before Cunningham completed a superb showing by converting Kaitlyn Canavan’s cut-back.

The final whistle brought scenes of delight among the players and staff, who have all played a huge part in an incredible season.

It was another magnificent display from ‘Well who have led the way in title race from a very early stage, racking up 14 wins and a draw in their last 15 matches and scoring 68 goals in the process.

Promotion to the SWPL presents the opportunity to come up against the top sides in Scotland including Glasgow City, Hibernian and Celtic.

Goal scorers Peter Hartley, Carl McHugh and Danny Johnson were delighted to claim a point against Rangers at Fir Park.

The hosts grabbed a last-minute equaliser and were more than a match for their opponents as they lifted themselves off the foot of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson was full of praise for his side and felt they could have won the match as they drew 3-3 with Rangers.

The Steelmen fought hard against a strong Ibrox side and took a share of the spoils through Peter Hartley’s last-minute equaliser.

An injury time equaliser from captain Peter Hartley earned Motherwell their first point in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

However, after twice taking the lead in the first half through Danny Johnson and Carl McHugh and pressing Rangers for most of the second half Stephen Robinson’s men might claim they deserved all three points.

In a pulsating first half, Steven Gerrard’s new look Gers twice came from behind with a double from Kyle Lafferty and Ovie Ejaria giving them a half time lead.

Allan Campbell and Chris Cadden returned to the midfield as ‘Well chased their first league points off the season.

Following his winner at Livingston last week, Danny Johnson kept his place alongside Curtis Main in the home attack. And it took the former Gateshead striker less than three minutes to open his league account.

Cadden’s long ball had Connor Goldson retreating and when the centre back slipped, Johnson latched on to the bouncing ball to calmly lob it over the advancing Allan McGregor for the perfect start.

Two minutes later it was almost a perfect start for Lafferty but his downward header was saved low in front of his right hand post by Trevor Carson.

Another great cross from Cadden whizzed across the six yard box with Andy Rose just failing to make contact. Minutes later Main’s glancing header sent Johnson in behind and having held off Goldson just failed to chip the ball over McGregor.

With ‘Well looking comfortable, Rangers equalised with a fortunate strike after 15 minutes. Borna Barisic’s cross was headed out of the box and although Lafferty’s drive might have been on target, it posed no real problem for Carson until a wicked deflection off Richard Tait sent the ball away from the ‘keeper and into the corner.

Amazingly it took the Fir Park men only two minutes to restore their lead. Gael Bigirimana, whose delivery from set pieces threatened throughout the game, whipped in terrific free kick. Carl McHugh at the corner of the six yard box then confidently steered his header across the keeper and into the far corner of the net to make it 2-1.

The game was hectic and end to for the next 20 minutes until Rangers and Lafferty produced another equaliser. James Tavernier sent over a tempting cross but the ex Hearts striker leapt unchallenged eight yards from goal to bury a header past Carson.

Three minutes from the end of a fast and entertaining half, the Ibrox side nicked another goal to take the lead. From Motherwell’s corner play raced to the other end where Ejaria collected the ball at the edge of the box. His curling shot appeared to bring out a great save from Carson but the ball spun from his left hand before creeping inside his right hand post.

Motherwell’s response to that set back was to press from the restart and dominate large spells of the second half. After early attempts from Johnson and Tait were blocked inside the six yard box the pressure on the visitor’s goal was incessant – especially after the introduction of Conor Sammon and Elliot Frear for the final 15 minutes.

A succession of corners from Bigirimana kept the pressure on the Rangers’ goal.

Nine minutes from time Hartley climbed high to meet a corner only to power his header narrrowly over the bar. As the clock ticked towards the final minutes another corner found Main and his header back across goal agonisingly raced a couple of inches outside the far post.

As three minutes additional time was signalled ‘Well continued to push for an equaliser and it duly arrived in the final minute. With Rangers desperately defending, yet another Bigirimana corner found Hartley a couple of yards out and he forced the ball over a crowded goal line for a richly deserved equaliser.

Three of Motherwell’s four young loanees were action for their respective teams this weekend.

Jake Hastie and his Alloa teammates made the long journey north to take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the Caledonian Stadium.

Inverness took a first-half lead through Brad Mckay, only for captain Andy Graham to level before the interval. However, shortly after the break, Wasps defender Zdravko Karadachki received his marching orders for a foul inside the box. Shaun Welsh made it 2-1 from 12 yards.

Caley had a golden opportunity to put the contest to bed with the game’s second spot kick, only for Coll Donaldson to hit the bar and there would be a late sting in the tail as Hastie would earn the third penalty of the match, brought down inside the area by Shaun Rooney with just four minutes left.

Iain Flannigan kept his nerve, slotting past Mark Ridgers to earn the visitors a very good point in the Highland capital.

Ross MacLean was named in the starting team for Morton’s fixture against Ross County at Cappielow.

Ex ‘Well man Iain Vigurs released Don Cowie to score and put the Staggies ahead just before the hour, but a cracker from Michael Tidser levelled things for ‘Ton before another former Steelman, Bob McHugh, netted the winner with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Neil McLaughlin, fresh from his goal for Stephen Craigan’s reserves against Hearts in midweek, started for Stirling Albion against Peterhead at Forthbank.

The youngster was withdrawn shortly after the hour, replaced by former Fir Park front man Darren Smith, however it didn’t stop the Binos slipping to a 2-0 defeat, courtesy of goals from Jamie Stevenson and Rory McAllister.

Shea Gordon missed out on Partick Thistle’s visit to Tannadice. The Northern Ireland youth international picked up an injury in last weekend’s Betfred Cup defeat to Celtic and wasn’t available for the match that eventually ended 3-1 to the Terrors, with goals coming from Craig Curran and a Paul Watson double.

Chris Erskine grabbed a late consolation for the Jags in an otherwise disappointing afternoon.

The Steelmen return to Premiership action after securing a quarter-final spot in the Betfred Cup last weekend.

But in Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side, ‘Well face a tough encounter against a side who look buoyed by the appointment of their new boss.

More than a name

It may be Gerrard’s first job in management, but the Englishman looks at home in the dugout already.

He may be one of the biggest names in recent Scottish football history, but the Gers boss is transitioning seamlessly in to his latest role in the game.

If there were any doubters, there can be few now, with Rangers enjoying one of the strongest starts they’ve had to a season in a number of years.

Speaking of that solid start…

It has been well documented now that Rangers have yet to fall behind in a game since Gerrard took over this summer.

In their opening 10 games, the Gers have managed an impressive six clean sheets and have only conceded four goals.

Last term, the top scoring side in the league struggled at the back, conceding the most goals of the top seven sides in the table. That problem looks to be resolved.

They’re sharp up top too

Alfredo Morelos has started the 2018/19 campaign in scintillating form, bagging six goals already.

He’s hit a third of his tally of 18 from last season, and he could well smash that total this term.

Add to the mix new signing Kyle Lafferty, and Sunday’s opponents look threatening at the top end of the pitch.

Balancing a busy schedule

It may be August, but Rangers are juggling a busy schedule in 2018/19, and that could pose a few problems.

With one eye on their midweek trip to Russia, and the pending clash with fierce rivals Celtic looming large next weekend, Gerrard may well be forced to rotate his players to maintain fitness levels.

Ex-Steelman Jamie Murphy is out through injury, and will inevitably be a loss for Sunday’s visitors to Fir Park.

Lauryn Reside says she is desperate to clinch the SWPL2 title with Motherwell for her family of fanatical ‘Well supporters.

Victory over Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale on Sunday would secure the league championship for the women of steel.

Motherwell have won all three matches since returning from the summer break, with a thumping 8-1 Scottish Cup success sandwiched in between narrow victories at St Johnstone and Kilmarnock.

“Winning the title would be amazing for me personally and for my family who are all massive Motherwell supporters,” Reside said.

“Everyone was buzzing after the Kilmarnock game, it meant so much to win and the feeling of being one step closer to lifting the trophy is amazing.

“We are all looking forward to Sunday’s game as we know what a victory would mean. It’s important we keep focused and not get ahead of ourselves though, as we still have a job to do against Hutchison Vale.

“When you are top of the league and winning games most weeks, it’s clear that other teams will raise their game against you.

“It’s important we never underestimate our opponents, keep our discipline and hard work ethic. As a team we want to win every game that we play.”

Despite a difficult season in the league, Hutchison Vale have enjoyed success in the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup, recently defeating top flight side Hamilton to reach the quarter finals.

Motherwell have recorded emphatic victories over the capital side in their two meetings this season, but Reside insists they’ll be taking nothing for granted on Sunday.

“We’ve won our last two games against them comfortably, but that doesn’t count for anything come Sunday,” she added. “Hutchison Vale got a great result in the cup and they’ll make it difficult for us.”

Winning the league title would round off a brilliant season for the 20-year-old midfielder, who has played a big part in ‘Well’s success over the campaign.

Last Sunday’s game against Kilmarnock saw debuts for three players from the Motherwell development squad and Reside is relishing the battle for a starting place.

“I’ve had a great season so far,” she reflected. “I feel that I have improved so much in quite a short space of time and that’s because of all the great players and coaches that I have around me.

“Every training session I’m learning, gaining more experience and more confidence. It’s great seeing new faces in and around the squad, it keeps you on your toes and ensures that you don’t become complacent.

“It will also benefit those players to have the chance to train and play alongside the players in our squad that have played at the highest level.”

Motherwell take on an in-form Rangers side at Fir Park on Sunday, as the Steelmen look to pick up their first Ladbrokes Premiership victory of the season.

Here’s the game in numbers.

Eight

The amount of wins Motherwell have tasted on home soil in 2018 thus far.

There have also been three draws, including against both halves of the Old Firm, and four defeats, against Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, St Johnstone and Hamilton, from 15 matches in ML1.

10

The amount of seasons that have passed since ‘Well failed to record at least one win in their opening three league matches.

That was in Mark McGhee’s second season of his first spell, when the team lost on the opening day at Tynecastle, before losing at home to Aberdeen followed by a 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Fir Park.

The team finally got a victory the following week, when a debut goal from John Sutton gave the Steelmen all three points against Hibernian at Easter Road.

15

The number of nationalities that could possibly be represented when ‘Well meet Rangers on Sunday.

As well as the home nations of Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, there are players from Nigeria, Croatia, Columbia, Mali, Burundi, Spain and others all vying to be involved in the big game.

16

The number of years that have elapsed since Motherwell last overcame Rangers at Fir Park on league duty.

The Fir Parkers last tasted success over their Ibrox counterparts back in the winter of 2002, with James McFadden the only scorer in a 1-0 win.

The Steelmen did have Fir Park twisting, shouting and shaking with a 3-0 home victory over a Stuart McCall led Rangers in May 2015, but that was in the SPFL’s Premiership/Championship play-off final, rather than the league itself.

20

The number of players that have arrived at both clubs during the summer transfer window this far.

Rangers have signed or made permanent eight players and currently have four on loan.

Motherwell have added six new faces to their pool and currently have two on loan: Conor Sammon from Hearts and Tom Aldred from Bury.

Our feature-packed match programme is available from sellers around the stadium ahead of Sunday’s match with Rangers.

Priced at £3, there’s plenty reading to enjoy. In this week’s edition, you can expect:

• Interviews with Gaël Bigirimana, Craig Tanner, Gary McAllister and Franny Jeffers.
• An in-depth look at our opponents Rangers.
• Our new “Around the World” and “Fun” sections, with plenty content to keep you entertained.

You can also get your copy in advance online.

Motherwell take on Rangers on Sunday in their third Ladbrokes Premiership match of the season.

Here’s the key information you need to know ahead of the match.

First meeting of the season

Motherwell and Rangers face for the first time in the 2018/19 campaign, with both sides having racked up plenty competitive minutes already.

The Steelmen came through their Betfred Cup group unbeaten and progressed to the quarter finals with a weekend win over Livingston. But they are still looking for an opening league win, having lost to Hibernian and Hamilton.

Rangers have been in Europa League action and are one game away from a place in the group stage, taking a 1-0 lead to FC Ufa next week.

Ticket information

Tickets are still available for Sunday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Rangers at Fir Park.

Kick off is at 12.15pm and the ticket office at the stadium will be open from 9.30am for home supporters to purchase their briefs for the fixture. We are closed on Saturday. Away supporters should contact Rangers directly for ticket sales.

Online sales are available for supporters who hold season tickets or purchased match tickets from the club prior to Monday, August 13.

All other home supporters are asked to visit the ticket office or call on 01698 333333 to purchase tickets.

All fans will have their tickets scanned on entry to the stadium. Please ensure your ticket has a barcode. If not, please contact the ticket office.

Plan ahead if coming by train

Network Rail have warned of mass engineering works on lines in Lanarkshire, mainly affecting travel between Glasgow and Motherwell.

Replacement buses are in operation between Glasgow and Motherwell, as well as to and from other locations in the west.

For a full breakdown of timetable changes, visit Scotrail’s website.

Can’t make the game?

If you’re in the UK, the game will be broadcast live on BT Sport.

If you’re outside the UK and Ireland, you can watch the game live via our new subscription service. Head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk, subscribe and you’ll be able to watch all Motherwell home games and the majority of away fixtures in the Ladbrokes Premiership.