Motherwell progressed to the knockout stage of the SWPL Cup after a convincing 6-1 victory over Partick Thistle.
Jordan McLintock netted a hat-trick, with Kaela McDonald-Nguah bagging a double and an own goal rounding off the scoring as Eddie Wolecki Black’s side topped their group with six points.
After picking up three points from Kilmarnock and then being defeated at home by Forfar Farmington, the permutations were simple for the women of steel. Win – and progression would be secured.
They wasted little time in making sure that would be the case in Airdrie, despite the visitors starting the brighter of the two sides and having the first effort of the match, with Craig’s drive testing Ramsey in the horrendous conditions.
The opener came soon after though an own goal. Gallagher’s header skimmed off the surface and into the far corner of her own net.
Motherwell then doubled their lead at the perfect time right before the break, the final action of the half seeing a brilliant team goal.
Sinclair drove through the midfield and played in Puller, who had the vision to pick off McLintock for an open goal to give a two-goal lead at half time.
McDonald-Nguah added to the scoring with a wonderful drive only a minute into the second half. She then added to her tally with another outrageous strike, with the ball floated to the back post, her acrobatic volley flew into the net.
McLintock was next on the scoresheet, spinning the defender and slotting home with conviction to put Motherwell five up.
Her hat-trick was complete when she controlled the ball in a tightly contested box and calmly finished another great move.
Thistle pulled a goal back ten minutes from the end, with ex-Well striker Suzanne Mulvey rewarded for closing down Ramsey’s attempted clearance.
First team coach Stewart Hall was delighted with the performance.
“We had a poor result last week against Forfar, so we asked the girls for a positive reaction,” he said. “With six goals and three points, the girls delivered ten-fold. It was fantastic.
“Kaela has two outstanding finishes, I couldn’t tell you which one was better. It was also great for Jordan McLintock to get a hat-trick.
“We now have a squad of 23 strong, competitive players. Everyone is fighting for a place.
“We will look for a positive performance against Hibernian and it is a match we know we can get a result in.”
The women of steel now look forward to a return to SWPL1 action after an impressive victory, when they take on Hibernian at Ravenscraig on Sunday. Kick-off is 2pm.
Motherwell: Ramsey, Black, Gallon, Watson, Inglis, Hay, McDonald-Nguah, Sinclair, Rice, Puller, McLintock