Latest News

Motherwell were unable to cap an incredible season by lifting the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup as they fell to a crushing 8-0 defeat against Hibs.

The women of steel headed into the showpiece fixture at Firhill as massive underdogs and, after conceding in the second minute, rarely came close to defying the odds.

Abigail Harrison’s deflected shot put Hibs ahead after just two minutes and they doubled their lead just three minutes later when Jamie-Lee Napier headed home Rachel McLauchlan’s cross at the back post.

Donald Jennow’s side were shell shocked and things went from bad to worse on 14 minutes when Harrison added to her tally with a clinical finish from close range.

Harrison limped off to be replaced by Lauren Davidson and the substitute made an immediate impact when a clinical counter from a Motherwell corner ended with the striker slotting the ball under the helpless Autumn Farrell.

The ‘Well goal continued to come under siege and Maxine Welsh was desperately unlucky to see her clearance from a low cross beat Farrell and find the net for 5-0.

A sixth Hibs goal followed before the break, Cailin Michie’s low drive from outside the area finding the bottom right corner.

Going into the half time break 6-0 down, Jennow was tasked with delivering one of the most difficult team talks of his managerial career.

Napier bagged her second of the afternoon five minutes after the restart and completed her hat-trick just after the hour mark when she tapped in after Farrell had denied McLauchlan.

Hayley Cunningham had a shot well saved and Suzanne Mulvey’s header was scrambled clear as Motherwell tried to find a consolation, but it was Hibs who continued to enjoy the better of the chances as the match drew to a close.

In the end it was a bitterly disappointing way for ‘Well to end the season, but they can take great pride in their record breaking league campaign and in the run to the final.

Motherwell will return to action in the new year, when preparations will begin for their first ever season in SWPL 1.

Picture: Lorraine Hill

Motherwell will bid to complete a historic league and cup double when they take on Hibernian in the final of the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup on Sunday.

The women of steel have enjoyed a quite remarkable season, racing to the SWPL 2 title, setting a record points tally along the way and they have carried their form into the Scottish Cup, scoring 20 goals in their four games in so far in the competition.

Donald Jennow’s side will go into the final as massive underdogs against a Hibs side aiming to clinch a Scottish and SWPL Cup double for the third successive season.

Kick off at Firhill is 4:10pm. Tickets are available on the gate priced £5 for adults, £2 for concessions and free entry for under 16s.

The Visitors

In Hibernian, Motherwell will be coming up against one of the very best sides in Scotland.

The Easter Road side have a wealth of quality throughout their side and have demonstrated those qualities with successes in both cup competitions over the last three years.

Despite their domination in the cups, Grant Scott’s side fell agonisingly short of ending Glasgow City’s stranglehold on the SWPL 1 title, missing out on the final day of the season.

Road to The Final

Motherwell

R2 – Cumbernauld Colts – 8-1

L16 – Aberdeen – 8-1

QF – St Johnstone – 1-0

SF – Spartans – 3-1

Hibernian

R2 – Thistle Weir – 7-0

L16 – Dundee United – 3-0

QF – EUHV – 11-0

SF – Glasgow City – 2-1

What They Said

Emma Black is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing Motherwell at Firhill and despite having won all there is to win in the Scottish women’s game, the defender insists sampling Scottish Cup success on the back of a superb league campaign would be amongst the best.

“Hibs have won all the domestic cups out with the league in the last few seasons, that show they have that winning mentality already in place,” she said. “They have a lot of quality and international players and we are under no illusions as to how difficult a game it will be.

“If you said to me when I signed in January that we’d have won the league having gone all the season unbeaten on the pitch and made the Scottish Cup final I’d have said there was no chance.”

‘Well gaffer Donald Jennow is determined to build on a fantastic season and is relishing the big occasion.

“I’ve spoken recently about the success of this season and the achievements of this squad but today I want to look forward,” he said. “The most successful teams always ask “what’s next?” For me today should whet the appetite for more success.

“I want more success for these players and for this club and so I want today to be the first step towards sustained success”

Don’t Miss Out

If you can’t make it along to Firhill, be sure to follow @MotherwellLFC on Twitter for team news, live updates, goal highlights and action shots from the match. The game will also be shown live on BBC Alba.

‘Well recorded their first home league win of the season thanks to David Turnbull’s stunning second half strike.

Gaël Bigirimana, Peter Hartley and Trevor Carson spoke of their delight as Motherwell made it two wins from two in a week.

The Steelmen followed up their victory at St Mirren by overturning Dundee 1-0 at Fir Park, with David Turnbull netting a sensational strike.

Stephen Robinson says his team have shown their character as they stepped up to secure back-to-back league victories.

The manager saw his side pick up a 1-0 win over Dundee, after the midweek result at St Mirren.

Motherwell made it a perfect four days with a hard-fought win over Dundee.

Although it took a superb David Turnbull goal midway through the second half to separate the sides, the Steelmen generally dominated the proceedings to thoroughly deserve their second win of the week.

And while it was a great week for the team, it was a personal achievement for the impressive Turnbull, who capped a mature performance with his second goal in only his third start this season.

Nor surprisingly Stephen Robinson stood by the same team who dominated the game in Paisley in midweek.

Searching for their first home league win of the season, the Fir Park men took the game to a Dens side who, rooted at the bottom of Ladbrokes Premiership, were equally desperate for a win.

That meant it was end to end stuff in the early part of the game. Inside 90 seconds, Peter Hartley blocked in front of Trevor Carson and as play raced towards the other end Gaël Bigirimana’s thumping drive was palmed out by Jack Hamilton.

In their next attack Dundee came within inches of opening the scoring, but Darren O’Dea’s powerful header crashed against the crossbar, before the ball was scrambled out of the home six yard area.

Most of the play, though, was towards the visitor’s goal.

In a packed box, Ryan Bowman could only force his effort wide of goal, before his pass inside set up Liam Grimshaw but his strike was blocked on its way to goal.

After an exchange of passes with Richard Tait, Turnbull cleverly dragged the ball back from the byline, before driving an angled shot just over the bar.

On the half hour Bigirimana’s cross fell for Carl McHugh near the corner of the box and his left foot dragged the ball across goal and beyond the far post.

The final chance of the half came in injury time but – straining to get his head to Turnbull’s corner – Tom Aldred could only direct the ball beyond the back post.

‘Well started the second half on the front foot and within minutes had penalty appeals turned away when Grimshaw was felled in the box. Turnbull then threaded a measured pass for Main and his cut back intended for the waiting Bowman was almost turned over his own goal line by O’Dea.

Another cross from the influential Turnbull was cleared in the direction of Bowman and his superbly executed overhead kick was blocked in front of goal.

The pressure on the Dundee goal was incessant and Chris Cadden provided Bowman with a more orthodox opportunity but his glancing header drifted beyond Hamilton but on the wrong side of the ‘keeper’s post.

After 65 minutes, Danny Johnson got his chance to find a way through the Dens defence.

However, before he could find his feet Turnbull found the back of the net with an absolute screamer of a goal.

Collecting the ball some 35 yards out the 19-year-old took aim before unleashing a sensational strike which sent the ball high into Hamilton’s right hand corner.

With five minutes remaining, Cadden had a chance to claim his second goal of the week but after racing into the box he powered Grimshaw’s pass over the bar.

After being pressed into their own half for almost the entire second half, Dundee made a late bid to take something from the game.

Despite launching a series of set pieces into the “Well box, the Peter Hartley and Aldred stood firm protecting Carson who finished the game without having to make a single save.

Stephen Robinson hopes the win over St Mirren will boost his side going into the match with Dundee.

Motherwell ended a run without a victory in the match, with David Turnbull and Chris Cadden netting in a confident and controlled performance.

“I’m hoping those who play on Saturday go in with renewed confidence and belief,” he said.

The majority of Motherwell’s first team games are available to watch live online outside of the UK and Ireland.

For just £12 a month, every home match and a selection of away fixtures can be streamed wherever you are, on your computer or mobile device.

To subscribe, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk, scroll down and choose your subscription package.

The following games are coming up in 2018

Dundee are bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership but will provide a significant threat to a Motherwell team looking to record back-to-back victories in the same week.

Here’s our weekend opponents profiled.

Problems to sort in defence

In their last four games, Dundee have let in 14 goals.

Having let in two to Kilmarnock, they then lost four at Livingston, three at home to Hearts and then five against Celtic in their last match.

A new face in the ranks

Having trained with the club for several weeks, former Ross County midfielder Martin Woods has been reunited with his old boss Jim McIntyre.

Signing a short-term deal on Friday, he will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s match.

The 32-year-old was previously with Partick Thistle and Ross County, and scored his first Staggies goal back in 2015 against the Steelmen.

New manager seeking first win

Manager McIntyre has been in the dugout for three matches since replacing Neil McCann on 17 October.

His three results so far have ended in defeat, with his team yet to find the net under his stewardship.

Motherwell are aiming to pull off a shock as they take on Hibernian in the SSE Scottish Cup final.

Having deservedly earned their place in Sunday’s showpiece at Firhill, Donald Jennow’s team are looking to lift the trophy by defeating a top flight Hibs side who have lost just once all season and missed out on the league title by just three points.

The women of steel won the SWPL 2 title with a record points tally, earning their place in the top division next season, and are going for the double in Glasgow.

Motherwell saw off Spartans in the semi final, having also defeated Cumbernauld Colts, Aberdeen and St Johnstone.

Hibs meanwhile saw off main rivals Glasgow City in the last four, having previously overcome Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale, Dundee United and Thistle Weir.

Kick off at Firhill Stadium on Sunday is at 4.10pm. Adult prices on the gate are £5 and concessions can get in for £2. Kids aged under 16 get in for free.

We encourage all Motherwell fans to get along and support the women as they look to defy their underdog status and pull off an upset.