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Motherwell exited the Scottish Women’s Cup on penalties after Partick Thistle twice came from behind to take the tie the distance.

Carla Boyce netted her third Motherwell goal with a well-placed header before Freya MacDonald fired the Jags level early into the second half.

With both sides battling for the winner late on, Leanne Crichton scored a spectacular free kick to restore Motherwell’s advantage with 12 minutes remaining. However, Cheryl McCulloch’s late header forced the game into extra time.

Motherwell started the game brightly and came close to breaking the deadlock after only six minutes.

Lori Gardner’s incisive through ball picked out Boyce on the left. The forward skilfully worked her way past several lacklustre challenges before firing towards goal, but her effort failed to trouble the keeper from distance.

The women of steel continued to dominate the early stages and deservedly took the lead after 12 minutes.

Exceptional link-up play between Gill Inglis and Gardner allowed Inglis to find space on the left, and the Motherwell captain accurately picked out Boyce in the box, who calmly placed her headed effort past Lauren McGregor to give her side the early advantage.

Looking for a response, the hosts came close to the equaliser on the half-hour mark. Clare Docherty was left through on goal after latching onto Amy Bulloch’s well-timed through ball, but debutant goalkeeper Ciara Duff reacted quickly to produce a smart stop.

With the half-time whistle looming, Motherwell came close to doubling their advantage. An excellent interchange of play between Inglis and Crichton left the midfielder in acres of space at the edge of the box, but her powerful effort sailed agonisingly wide of the target.

However, the hosts pulled themselves level early into the second half. Cheryl McCulloch’s low driven cross was brilliantly parried away by Duff, but MacDonald was on hand to coolly slot her strike into the bottom left corner.

With both sides battling for the winner in the dying stages of the game, Motherwell looked to have secured victory as Crichton stepped up and curled a spectacular free kick into the top right corner.

Katie Rice saw a second yellow card and was given her marching orders with only minutes to go.

Cara McBrearty’s subsequent looping free kick was easily prodded home by McCulloch deep into injury time, forcing the contest into extra time.

With neither side able to break the deadlock in the extra 30 minutes, the closely-fought encounter would be settled from the penalty spot.

Despite accurate spot kicks from Boyce and Chelsie Watson, Amy Anderson missed the target whilst Crichton saw her spot kick saved by McGregor, sending Thistle into the fourth round.

Despite exiting the cup prematurely, Motherwell will be encouraged with their display after controlling large periods of the game. Paul Brownlie will look to rectify this result when the pair meet at Alliance Park in the SWPL1 later this month.

Liam Shaw has joined on loan from Celtic.

The versatile midfielder has signed until the end of the 2021/22 season.

“We’re very happy to bring Liam into the club on loan until the summer,” manager Graham Alexander said. “He’s a player that has all the attributes we look for in our midfield.

“He comes into a strong group of players and his addition improves that again.

“He’s motivated and eager to play football and we look forward to working with him.”

Shaw, 20, moved to Celtic from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer.

Having risen through the ranks at Hillsborough, his professional debut came in the National League during a loan spell with Chesterfield in November 2019.

Returning to Wednesday, he made two appearances in the prolonged 2019/20 season before establishing himself in the Owls’ side, making a further 22 appearances.

Signing a pre-contract with Celtic last March, he made his debut in the UEFA Europa League match with Real Betis in early December, before following it up with a substitute appearance away to St Mirren.

Robbie Crawford has left Motherwell to join Partick Thistle.

The midfielder departs on a permanent basis to the Scottish Championship side.

Crawford initially joined on loan from Livingston in the summer of 2020, before making his move permanent last January.

He amassed 29 appearances in claret and amber, making his final outing in the Premier Sports Cup in July.

We thank Robbie for his contributions and wish him all the best for the future.

Lauded as one of the best football pitches in the country, our Fir Park surface takes an incredible amount of skill and effort to keep in top condition.

The winter months add a particularly difficult challenge to keep on top of things, and ensure the team have the best possible surface to play on.

Our head groundsman Paul Matthew talks us through the state of the pitch at present, and the work that goes in during the league’s winter break.

Barry Maguire has signed a new deal.

The midfielder has extended his stay at the club until the summer of 2024.

“I’m delighted Barry has committed himself to us at an important stage of his career,” manager Graham Alexander said.

“He’s consistently shown he has all the attributes of a player we want, from how he trains and prepares, to his will to win and quality.

“He’s great to work with and we believe he will continue to progress into a top midfield player.”

Maguire has been an impressive and regular performer in midfield this campaign, making 15 appearances and netting one goal.

The 23-year-old has played 57 times in total, scoring twice, since making his professional debut in April 2018.

Motherwell get their 2022 Scottish Women’s Cup campaign underway on Sunday 9 January when they face Partick Thistle in round three. 

Kick off is 12.30pm at Petershill Park in Glasgow. 

HOW TO WATCH

Tickets will be sold at the gate of the stadium. There is not an option to buy online before the match. 

Tickets are priced at £7 for adults and kids go free. 

Alternatively, there will be a live stream of the match on Partick Thistle Women’s YouTube channel. The stream will launch shortly before kick off.  

TALE OF THE TAPE

Motherwell last faced off against the Jags in September in SWPL1.

In a back and forth game, Thistle came away with all three points in a 3-2 win. Lori Gardner and Kaela McDonald-Nguah grabbed the goals for the women of steel. 

The sides have history in the Scottish Cup. In 2019 Motherwell came out on top in a 2-0 win after extra-time and progressed to the next round. 

FORM GUIDE

Both sides haven’t played since 12 December 2021.

Thistle’s last encounter came against champions Glasgow City, where they were beaten 2-0.

In SWPL1, the Jags last picked up points at the start of November with a 0-0 draw against Spartans. 

Motherwell come into this cup tie after a 7-0 defeat to SWPL Cup winners Celtic before the winter break.

The women of steel have two wins in five stretching back to the end of October. 

Goalkeeper Katie Andrews has joined Glasgow Women on loan until the end of the season.

The 16-year-old, who joined Motherwell in the summer, joins up with the SWPL2 side to get vital game time and experience.

“This is an opportunity for Katie to play at a very good level and help fulfil her potential,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“She has trained well since joining us in the summer and we are looking forward to seeing her progress.”

Paige McAllister has signed a permanent deal with Motherwell.

Signed initially on loan from Celtic in the summer, the centre back now moves on a permanent basis from the Hoops. 

Making six appearances thus far in the claret and amber, the number 66 joins after spending five years with Celtic. 

“We were really excited to get Paige in the door,” head coach Paul Brownlie said. 

“She is an exciting prospect who has looked assured and strong when she has played this season for us.

“The loan period has allowed her to get settled and now she can kick on from here.”

McAllister is looking to establish herself in the Motherwell team this season.

“I believe this is the best place for my long-term development,” she added. 

“It’s a great project here and we want to play football the right way.

“We are a really ambitious group on and off the pitch, it’s an exciting time to be at Motherwell. 

“If we keep building, improving and working hard I think we can take this club on a special journey.”