Motherwell dusted off Sunday’s disappointing defeat after securing a hard-fought victory over league rivals Spartans at K-Park on Sunday.
Kaela McDonald-Nguah rifled home the only goal of the afternoon deep into the latter stages of the second half to secure the first three points of the new SWPL campaign.
Head Coach Paul Brownlie made three changes to the side that suffered defeat at Balmoral stadium last weekend. Goalscorer McDonald-Nguah had to settle for a place on the bench following a midweek injury setback, with Kaitlyn Canavan leading the line up-front.
Amy Anderson also made her return from a brief injury spell, with Tara McGonigle also earning a start.
The women of steel had to settle for three successive draws and a defeat against Spartans last season, and the hosts eagerness to break that duct was certainly evident from the opening exchanges.
McGonigle’s delivery from the left ricocheted between several players in the box before finding Carla Boyce at the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker couldn’t apply the finishing touches.
Motherwell continued to press and almost caught the visitors off-guard, as Katie Rice directed a quick free-kick from the left to the feet of Bailley Collins at the edge of the box, but the forwards ambitious effort drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.
With neither side breaking the deadlock in the opening 45-minutes, Brownlie made an alteration to his side early into the second half, with Canavan making way for McDonald-Nguah.
The forward made an instant impact, almost setting up the opening goal, as Boyce raced through on goal, forcing a smart stop from the Spartans keeper.
As the full-time whistle neared, it looked as if an inevitable draw and an opportunity missed for the women of steel would be the outcome. However, with just under 10-minutes remaining, the breakthrough finally materialised.
Jo Addie’s floated free-kick, yards ahead of the halfway-line, sailed invitingly into the path of McDonald-Nguah in the box, who superbly controlled the ball with an accurate first-touch before drilling an unstoppable strike into the top-left corner.
Spartans flooded the Motherwell final third in search of a late equaliser, but the hosts stood firm to record their first three points of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.
Brownlie’s side will return to action midweek, with a short trip to Springburn to face Glasgow City at Petershill Park on Wednesday.