| 2 | Aberdeen | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 34 |
| 3 | Rangers | 15 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 32 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 16 | 8 | 1 | 7 | -1 | 25 |
| 5 | Dundee United | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | -5 | 24 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 17 | 6 | 3 | 8 | -6 | 21 |
Devante Cole has been chosen as the Motherwell FC player of the month for March.
The award, in conjunction with our main partners Paycare, comes after the English forward netted two goals across the month’s two matches.
Cole, who returned to Fir Park in the summer for a second stint, has scored nine times in 24 appearances this campaign.
Motherwell were made to rue missed chances as they lost out 3-2 against Forfar Farmington on their return to SWPL1 action.
Second half goals from Ryan, Cowper and Bruce ensured defeat for the women of steel in their first match back after the prolonged break.
‘Well went into the game with interim coaches Stewart Hall and Willie Kinniburgh in the dugout, following the departure of Eddie Wolecki Black in midweek.
Motherwell had the first chance of the match. Callaghan’s low drive was well saved by Perry, after she had sprung the offside trap after a delightful through ball from Adams.
McDonald-Nguah was next to test the visiting keeper, her brilliant touch on the far side taking out two defenders and her curling effort going agonisingly over the bar from just outside the box.
Motherwell looked like a team hungry to improve on a poorer earlier start to the SWPL1 campaign and Perry was forced to make another smart stop from McDonald-Nguah soon after. Skelton’s cross was deflected into her path and her effort was straight at the keeper.
Kilcoyne nearly put the visitors ahead after a mix-up from a corner left home goalkeeper Ramsay exposed. She recovered well to eventually smother the ball after the Forfar forward looked destined to score, sending the two teams in level at the break.
The second half would see the match open up further, as both teams felt the effect of playing their first competitive match for months.
Callaghan started the second half with an early effort that just went wide, after she found space outside the box, while McDonald-Nguah was a constant menace for the Forfar backline with her craft and guile.
But the visitors opened the scoring from a well-worked corner. An inch-perfect ball gave Ryan an easy header from close range and she made no mistake finishing well.
Motherwell rallied and quickly levelled the match. After a stramash in the box, the ball was cleared out to Callaghan, who expertly shot from outside the box to make it 1-1.
Shortly after, the visitors retook the lead. Cowper’s long-range lob caught out Ramsay in goals, who could only watch on as the ball flew into the top corner.
Fraser nearly sealed the three points for the visitors when the ball deflected to her in the box, but she blasted the ball well over to the relief of the Motherwell defence.
Sinclair and McLintock replaced Callaghan and Skelton as ‘Well looked to bring fresh legs into their attacking play. Crooks was the next player to have an effort at goal, but she rushed her attempt just inside the box and the ball flew past the post.
Motherwell then missed a golden chance, McDonald-Nguah played in Sinclair after great hold-up play, but she lost her composure at the vital moment and gave Perry an easy save after a tame effort.
Forfar sealed the three points when Bruce punished a lack of concentration at the back, finding herself goalside from Watson and finishing well past Ramsey.
Motherwell then pulled one back when substitute McLintock fired home from range to ensure a nervy ending at The Penny Cars Stadium, but the visitors held out for the victory – which keeps Motherwell rooted second bottom.
‘Well now face a trip to Ainslie Park to take on Hibernian next Sunday, Kick off is at 2pm.
Motherwell: Ramsay, Connor (Swanson), C Watson, G Crooks, Adams, Slater, Inglis, McDonald-Nguah, Gardner, Callaghan (McLintock), Skelton (Sinclair).
Subs not used: Pollard, K Watson, Roberts, M Crooks.
Assistant coach Stewart Hall was happy with the performance, despite the result.
“The three goals we conceded were poor and we will work on them,” he said. “But to score two well-worked goals like we did was pleasing.
“Most importantly, our team performance was back to the levels we expect here at Motherwell.
“We came in at the break knowing we should have been ahead in the match, but that’s what happens in this division. You have to take your chances against a team like Forfar because they have bundles of experience.
“To lose two set pieces, a corner and a free kick was disappointing, but those are things we can work on. Our application was spot on.
“If we continue to play like we did today, results will come. We need to look ahead of ourselves and not behind us.”
Motherwell will face Greenock Morton at home in the fourth round of the 2020/21 Scottish Cup.
Victory over Formartine United on Saturday saw the Steelmen progress, with Morton doing likewise with success over East Fife.
The game will be played on the weekend of Saturday 17 April.
A confirmed date and kick-off time will follow shortly.
Should Motherwell progress, a trip to Queen of the South, Hibernian or Stranraer will follow a week later in the quarter-finals.
Stranraer v Queen of the South or Hibernian
Motherwell v Greenock Morton
St Mirren v Inverness CT
St Johnstone v Clyde
Rangers v Celtic
Aberdeen v Livingston
Forfar Athletic v Dundee United
Kilmarnock v Montrose
Rangers or Celtic v St Johnstone or Clyde
Kilmarnock or Montrose v St Mirren or Inverness CT
Aberdeen or Livingston v Forfar Athletic or Dundee United
Hibernian or Queen of the South or Stranraer v Motherwell or Morton
“We had to earn the right to win the game.
“We wore them down and then showed our quality.”
Graham Alexander praises his players after a 5-0 win at Formartine United in the Scottish Cup third round.
Motherwell put on a professional show to emerge with a 5-0 win at Formartine United in the Scottish Cup third round.
A double from Jordan Roberts, followed by strikes from Christopher Long, Devante Cole and Allan Campbell, secured the Steelmen’s passage to Sunday’s draw.
Declan Gallagher was restored to the starting team for Graham Alexander’s men, with Nathan McGinley, Steven Lawless and Christopher Long also coming in.
The Highland League opposition were seeking a scalp and after a high energy start, could have been ahead within five minutes.
A cross to the back post found Anderson in space but his header was well read and well taken by a diving Liam Kelly.
Motherwell had plenty of the ball against a Formartine side sitting deep but the resistance was finally worn down 33 minutes in.
A direct ball over the top saw the goalkeeper rush out and misjudge the ball, allowing Long to nick in behind. Under pressure from defenders, he fired into the net from just outside the area.
Seven minutes later, it was 2-0. McGinley’s ball to the back post was knocked down well by Cole, and Roberts turned and bulleted his shot into the far right side of the net.
‘Well started the second period with the same intensity and found themselves three to the good eight minutes in.
Cole again was at the heart of things, firing across goal for Roberts to slide in at the back post and score.
Just after the hour mark, Cole got his rewards. A pinpoint Stephen O’Donnell cross was stood up to the back stick and Cole rose highest to head into the net.
There was time for another with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Great interchange play between substitute Jake Hastie, Long and Campbell saw the latter played into the box on the right side.
Composing himself, he fired low across the face and into the bottom-left corner to send Motherwell home with five goals, a clean sheet and progression in the competition.
“We haven’t performed well enough this season. This is a chance to give the fans something back.”
Bevis Mugabi speaks ahead of the Scottish Cup trip to Formartine United.
“We have to make sure we have the right mentality going into the game.”
Graham Alexander looks ahead to the Scottish Cup trip to Formartine United.
Robbie Crawford has signed a new deal with Motherwell.
The midfielder has penned a one-year contract, keeping him at Fir Park for the 2021/22 season.
Crawford has impressed in midfield since his initial loan switch from Livingston earlier in the campaign, which became a permanent deal in the January transfer window.
“Robbie has been an integral part of the team since we came in,” manager Graham Alexander said.
“He has proven he has the ability, commitment & character to continue his form with us.
“We’re very happy he’s agreed to stay and we feel it’s another positive step in our plan for the future”.
Crawford, 26, has made 19 appearances in claret and amber since his move in September last year.
Bevis Mugabi has signed a new deal with Motherwell.
The Ugandan international defender has extended his contract with the club for the 2021/22 season.
Mugabi, 25, joined Motherwell in September 2019 and has made 35 appearances in claret and amber.
“We’re delighted Bevis has agreed to extend his stay with us at Motherwell,” manager Graham Alexander said of the deal.
“We’ve been really impressed with his contribution since January, both on and off the pitch.
“We can also see the potential for him to get better and continue to help the team achieve future success.”
Mugabi, who has been capped 10 times by Uganda, has been a key figure at the heart of defence for Motherwell in the 2020/21 campaign, although injury has restricted his outings of late.
He gained international attention when his jump to head in the winning goal against Ross County in January was recorded at 262cm, with a leap of 75cm, breaking a record set by Cristiano Ronaldo for Juventus.
The SWPL1 season restarts with Motherwell hosting Forfar Farmington.
Kick off on Sunday is at 2pm.
The game is closed to supporters.
You can buy and watch a live stream of the game for £5 here.
Highlights of the match will also be broadcast live on BBC Scotland at 8.30pm on Sunday.
Forfar won the opening game of the campaign at home to Motherwell at Station Park.
A 4-2 victory for the hosts that day in October came in an end-to-end match, with Donna Paterson and London Pollard scoring doubles.
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Motherwell’s sole win in those seven games came away to Hearts, keeping them above the Edinburgh side on goal difference at the bottom end of the table.
Forfar are four points and one position ahead in the table, having defeated Motherwell and Hearts, as well as drawing with Celtic.
