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Kirsten Rolph says Motherwell must now build up momentum, after opening their SWPL1 campaign with a victory over Stirling University.

Former Kilmarnock defender Rolph joined the ranks at ‘Well earlier this year and played a big role as they opened their top flight account with a victory.

Next up for the women of steel is their first away fixture of the season, when they travel to Station Park to take on Forfar Farmington.

Going into the game on the back of a good victory will ensure Donald Jennow’s side are full of confidence, but Rolph is well aware they’ll need to be at their best to come away with a positive result.

“Nobody needs to stress to us not to get carried away,” Rolph said. “We all know we are in for a tough season and are taking it game by game.

“There is a great team spirit already, despite having only been together as a group for a few weeks.

“We have all gelled really well from day one and I think that showed against Stirling.

“During the game we all worked hard for each other and everyone was buzzing with the win.”

In contrasting fashion, Forfar opened their season with a 4-0 defeat against Celtic.

Last season, after gaining promotion to the top flight, the Blues handled the transition well and comfortably finished in fifth place.

Rolph believes Motherwell are more than capable of taking another positive result, but has warned they are in for a very tough encounter.

“They’ll definitely want to bounce back from last week and the defeat to Celtic,” she added.

“I know they have made some changes in coaching staff and similar to us brought in new players.

“Forfar are a good side who last year had some mixed results, but managed to stay a solid team in SWPL1.

“That being said we are confident in our own abilities and will definitely be looking to come away with a result.”

Despite a close season of major transition within the Motherwell squad, Rolph feels she and her fellow new recruits have settled in easily.

The 26-year-old also has been impressed with the quality within the squad and is relishing the increased exposure that has come with life in the top league.

“Since joining Motherwell it has been really clear how good the standard is,” she said.

“For me personally, I feel I’m always learning and there’s a lot of differences to take on board.

“I feel like I’m progressing every week, it’s been a good transition for me.

“We are part of the top league in Scotland, so are in the spotlight a lot more and as the newly promoted team there’s that added interest.

“It’s nice to get that added attention, but our focus is simply on achieving our goals for the season.”

Carl McHugh says there’s now even greater incentive to try and topple Hearts on Sunday.

With the team in touching distance of contending for a top six finish after five straight Ladbrokes Premiership wins, the midfielder says confidence continues to grow in the squad.

Hearts take on Motherwell for the fourth time this season on Sunday, paying visit to Fir Park in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Here’s the game previewed in numbers.

Five

The Steelmen have won five of their last 10 matches against the Gorgie side at Fir Park, drawing two and losing three.

Hearts were victorious on their last visit, with Steven Naismith netting in a 1-0 win.

Prior to that, Steven Robinson’s men won two on the bounce 2-1, including the memorable William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final win.

Six

Motherwell, of course, are chasing their sixth successive Ladbrokes Premiership victory. If they achieve it, it will be the first time its happened since 2014.

The last time it happened, Hearts were the team that sat as the sixth team in the run, with a 1-0 victory at Tynecastle hitting the mark for Stuart McCall’s side.

121

Both sets of fans have been treated to, or had to endure, a combined 121 goals across the Ladbrokes Premiership season so far.

Hearts have seen 60, scoring 31 and conceding 29 along the way. Motherwell, meanwhile, have netted 27 and conceded 34.

After a short break, Motherwell host Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Sunday.

Here’s an early look ahead to the match.

Head to head

Motherwell go into the game off the back of five consecutive league wins.

Victories over Dundee, Hamilton, Hibernian, Livingston and St Mirren put Stephen Robinson’s side on the verge of six back-to-back victories for the first time since 2014.

Hearts have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five league matches. Victories over Hibernian, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock have been mixed in with a draw with Livingston and a loss to Dundee.

Get your tickets in advance

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office. Kick off is at 12.15pm.

If you buy online, you can print at home and go straight to the gate, or even show us your ticket code on your mobile phone.

The cheaper price is for our John Hunter Stand, which runs along the sideline directly across from our Phil O’Donnell Main Stand.

A family ticket for one adult and two children aged 15 and under is available for £28, or £24 in the John Hunter Stand.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Away supporters should contact their club directly for ticket sales. Hearts fans will be situated in our South Stand.

Maurice Ross says he watched his reserves side with a smile on his face, after seeing hard work in training come to life in the 2-0 win over Queen of the South.

A second straight win in the Reserve League saw a youthful team emerge victorious, thanks for second half goals from Cole Starrs and Liam Donnelly.

James Scott was the creator on the hour mark, holding off his marker and sliding in Starrs to slot home from eight yards.

Adam Livingstone’s free kick from the left then found Donnelly at the back post, with the defender doing well to keep his header from a bouncing ball under the bar.

Motherwell dominated large spells of the first half, having a host of chances, with Scott in particular being denied on three occasions by the Queens ‘keeper.

“We struggled a wee bit with the final ball because we weren’t getting enough penetration from our good play in the first half,” he said.

“We re-emphasised it for the second half and it ended up that I’m sitting at the side of the pitch smiling.

“Anyone who saw us against Hamilton and then this game, they will see there is good football being played.

“It is controlled football. That for me, as a coach, is great to see.”

The first few weeks of Ross’ time at Fir Park has been working on getting his young charges to play without fear.

“I just want them to play, but to act on instinct based on what we’ve done in training through what we can control,” he added.

“What if you’ve not got that day where you are on fire? Your thought process should correct you.

“It’s about keeping a level of consistency in that you need to be aware of what you are doing instinctively.”

Defender Barry Maguire featured for Queen of the South as they crashed out the William Hill Scottish Cup, losing 4-1 to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The Doonhamers pushed their Premiership opponents hard and were level at just after the hour, Stephen Dobbie’s thunderbolt having cancelled out Niall McGinn’s opener. However, an Andy Considine header and a double from Sam Cosgrove booked Derek McInnes’ side a spot in the quarter-final.

Broque Watson made his debut for East Fife as an 82nd minute substitute in their cup defeat at home to Partick Thistle. On-loan St Johnstone defender Steven Anderson had the Jags ahead, but despite creating a couple of promising openings, the Methil side bowed out the competition. Shea Gordon wasn’t involved for the visitors but is getting close to making his return from a lengthy injury.

Aaron Taylor-Sinclair will have to wait for his Crewe debut as he was named amongst the subs for the Railwaymen’s 3-3 draw away to Maccelsfield in English League Two. The visitors thought they had won it with a goal in the 95th minute, but incredibly, there was still time for Town to square the match in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

George Newell and Peter Morrison were both starters for Albion Rovers in their 3-0 home defeat to Elgin. City defender Darryl McHardy scored a hat-trick, as the Wee Rovers remain rooted to the bottom of the League Two table.

Neil McLaughlin was an unused sub as Stirling Albion kept pace with Annan in the chase for a play-off spot with an important 2-1 away win at Berwick Rangers. Former ‘Well youngster Dylan Mackin was on the scoresheet for the Binos, who sit just four behind the Borderers with 14 games remaining.

Tickets for the 2018/19 Motherwell Football Club Player of the Year awards are now sold out.

This year’s event will take place at the Alona Hotel in Strathclyde Park on Saturday, April 20.

Hosted by sports broadcaster David Tanner, it’s sure to be a great night for fans, players and staff alike to get together and celebrate the moments that made the season.

Details of our awards will be announced shortly.

Motherwell’s reserve side return to action on Tuesday, 12 February, as they take on St Johnstone in the SPFL Reserve League.

Kick off at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie is at 2pm.