It was back-to-back victories for the women of steel, as Motherwell built upon their Lanarkshire derby triumph with an assured performance against Montrose.
Katie Rice fired the hosts ahead early into the first-half with a composed finish from distance, with Louisa Boyes netting her first goal of the new campaign within the opening exchanges of the second half.
Montrose pulled one back against the run of play, but Kaela McDonald-Nguah continued her prolific run of form, netting her fourth goal of the new campaign to restore Motherwell’s two-goal advantage.
Head coach Paul Brownlie was forced into making slight alterations to his matchday squad, as latest addition Morgan Cross received a place on the bench following a midweek injury to Morgan Hay that ruled the midfielder out of action.
Buoyed in confidence following their recent run of form, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, with Tara McGonigle almost adding her name onto the scoresheet. The wingers cutting run freed up space at the edge of the box to strike, but the wingers drilled effort narrowly evaded the crossbar.
The hosts continued to press and deservedly netted the opener moments later. Rice’s left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area sailed past the Montrose stopper before nestling comfortably into the bottom-right corner.
With the women of steel maintaining a narrow lead at the break, Brownlie’s side came out of the traps early into the second half and soon doubled their advantage. Boyes’ right-footed effort midway through the Montrose penalty area coasted through the visiting defence before picking out the centre of the goal.
Motherwell continued to control possession and almost added a third in quick succession, as McDonald-Nguah met Rice’s floated corner kick in the air, but the strikers headed attempt fell agonisingly over the crossbar.
The hosts control and composure in the game was soon threatened as Montrose netted a quickfire response. Aimee Ridgeway coolly converted Charlotte Gammie’s low delivery, picking out the bottom-corner with a smart finish.
Despite a sudden spell of attacking threat from the visitors, the hosts restored their two-goal advantage to maintain their place in the top-six of the SWPL. McDonald-Nguah’s threatening right-foot proved to be beneficial yet again, as the strikers close-range finish sailed into the bottom-right corner to secure a second consecutive victory for the women of steel.
Brownlie’s side will return to action next weekend, as a highly anticipated meeting with Partick Thistle awaits.
