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Three successive victories in East Kilbride has preserved an impeccable unbeaten home record for the women of steel, but replicating their success on the road has proven to be a strenuous undertaking and midfielder Tara McGonigle believes finding their rhythm will be key to success.

“I think we’ve found it difficult to find our rhythm in away games so far,” said McGonigle.

“We’ve let ourselves down so far with away ties, but we’ve looked back on areas we need to tighten up on, and we look to do this in the tough run of away fixtures we have coming up.”

The first Lanarkshire derby victory of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign was complimented with commanding performances over Spartans and newly promoted Montrose, with Paul Brownlie’s side achieving maximum points at home thus far.

“It’s extremely important we keep our momentum at home,” McGonigle explained.

“I think we’ve shown a lot of resilience at home so far. We’ve had a few tough battles, but keeping our composure especially in-front of goal has really helped us to settle into our game and play our style of football.

“We don’t want this to be an easy place for teams to pick up points and we’re working hard on and off the pitch to be tactically hard to break down at all times.

“At home, we have been performing better although still not at the same level we are capable of, and battling for results is something we need to take on the road with us to really push our season on”

A late goal in Springburn denied Motherwell their first points on the road last weekend, with Partick Thistle salvaging a late victory in a game of defensive prowess and limited goalscoring opportunities for both sides. A tough 4-1 defeat to league leaders Rangers at a rainswept Broadwood Stadium followed, as the women of steel continue to seek their first points on the road.

“It was extremely disappointing to concede the late goal against Thistle. We looked strong defensively and were on top throughout the second half, but one moment of switching off gave them the lead.

“It’s something we need to learn from and be alert at every moment during the game, especially during set pieces.”

As the side look to get their form back on track, McGonigle detailed what Brownlie’s message was to the players for the upcoming season.

“The message was that we need to recover from the game and focus on the next challenge. We will definitely reflect and look over aspects of the game, but this gives us a good chance to bounce back

“We believe in ourselves and want to prove we are good enough to take points from the top of the table sides, and hopefully on Sunday we can take something from the game.”

Stuart Kettlewell speaks to the press prior to our return to competitive action against St. Mirren.

The Steelmen will refocus their attention back to league action this weekend following a short international break, as Motherwell look to preserve their unbeaten start to the 2023/24 campaign, with Manager Stuart Kettlewell keen to avoid complacency after a positive start.

“We’re always going to strive for more, we’re always going to think that we can do more”, said Kettlewell.

“We’ve had a good start that’s all it is. We’ve gave ourselves a decent platform, started the season relatively well and we now come into a real tough string of games.

“The one thing I know is that if we can keep applying ourselves and keep performing to the levels that we have done, we give ourselves a chance.”

Whilst the squad continue to make strides on the pitch, recent injury woes have continued to hamper the options at their disposal, but Kettlewell is hopeful to have more back to fitness in the coming weeks.

“We’ve not had our challenges to seek in terms of injuries”, Kettlewell explained.

“I think a lot of the long-term ones; John Obika, Mika Biereth, Connor Wilkinson, Pape Souaré, we know where they are, but unfortunately we had a few to add to that over the last week and a half.

“Blair Spittal, Liam Kelly, Shane Blaney, so again probably another three to add into the mix, but for those guys, they are edging closer towards fitness but again they remain doubts for the game unfortunately.

“It’s just a case of whether we can get enough work into them, get them on the park and see whether they are available for Saturday, but as it stands just now with all three, there’s absolutely no certainty on that.”

Goalkeeper, Liam Kelly has maintained an impeccable level of fitness in recent seasons, playing in 112 consecutive games, but a recent knock forced the Scotland international out of their recent Euro 2024 Qualifying campaign.

“He had a problem with his back, but he had to pull out of the squad”, Kettlewell announced.

“I think that anyone who knows Liam understand his professionalism and his will to play. He has been working away tirelessly since he left the Scotland camp, been through a few appointments and a couple of procedures, and it is just a case of how that settles over the next day or two.

“We’ll find that out, but he’s done a lot of travelling to make sure he’s seen the best people to put him in place to try and have a chance to play in the game, but I can’t confirm that at this minute in time unfortunately.”

One further squad departure in Joe Efford has limited Kettlewell’s attacking options, but insists that it has been a financially beneficial step for the club.

“There’s a couple of factors in the Joe Efford situation, it had been stop starts in my time coming in. Joe had a bad injury in his quad before I’d came in and was fighting his way back to fitness.

“Joe’s never been a problem with me and I need go on record in saying that, but I think sometimes in football you need a fresh challenge, you need a fresh start and that’s how I see it.

“My voice isn’t going to resonate with absolutely everybody. My message, my methods isn’t going to measure up with everybody. He’s been a kind of model professional in terms of how he goes about his business here, but sometimes you almost have to hold your hands up and say that there needs to be a fresh start and there needs to be a bit of change.

“Managers don’t get a lot of credit for it, but it’s the financial side it as well. Joe was one of the top-earners at the football club and I’m immensely proud with the work that’s been done over the summer in conjunction with the board, the chief executive, head of recruitment, myself and other members of staff at the football club, that will have managed to really kind of trim things down.”

Our kick-off time for our home match against Celtic later this month has been brought forward.  

Originally kicking off at 3pm, the match will now start at the slightly earlier time of 12.30pm on Saturday 30 September.

Motherwell’s matchday woes on the road persisted in Cumbernauld, as the women of steel suffered a 4-1 defeat to league leaders Rangers under the lights of a rainswept Broadwood stadium on Wednesday.

Kirsty Maclean got Rangers off the mark after half an hour to give Jo Potter’s side a slim advantage at the break. Rio Hardy doubled the advantage early into the second half, with Rachel McLaughlin adding a third on the hour mark.

Carla Boyce pulled one back in the latter stages of the second half, but a 90^th-minute Kirsty Howat strike settled an assured 3-goal advantage for the hosts.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made three changes from Sunday’s late defeat to Partick Thistle, with Kaitlyn Canavan, Sarah Gibb and Hannah Cunningham returning to the starting XI, as Katie Rice, Tara McGonigle and Carla Boyce settled for a place on the bench.

Looking to put a halt to their recent away record, Motherwell started brightly, testing Victoria Esson in the Rangers goal. Canavan shielded the ball well at the edge of the box before being impeded at the edge of the Rangers penalty area. McDonald-Nguah stepped up and drilled an exceptional effort that looked destined for the top-right corner before curling agonisingly over the crossbar.

The Gers broke the deadlock midway through the first-half, as Middag’s short corner caught the Motherwell defence off-guard, and Laura Berry coasted through the visiting penalty area before coolly dispatching an accurate finish into the bottom-right corner.

The hosts netted a second moments after the restart, with Mclaughlin’s pinpoint delivery from the right sailing invitingly into the path of Hardy, who headed home with ease.

The third of the evening came shortly after, with McLaughlin converting with a composed finish, picking out the bottom-corner.

A late Motherwell resurgence saw a flurry of chances narrowly evade the Rangers goal. A floated delivery from the right was accurately met by an unmarked Chelsie Watson in the air, but the centre-backs wayward header failed to trouble the Rangers stopper.

Amy Anderson tried her luck from distance, with a spectacular effort from over 30-yards out rattling the crossbar, but the breakthrough failed to materialise.

As the full-time whistle approached, Motherwell finally got their reward. Indecision in the Rangers backline allowed Boyce to capitalise, with the striker curling a precise effort into the bottom-left corner, leaving Esson caught in no-man’s land.

Motherwell pushed forward in search of a second and found themselves caught on the counter, with the hosts netting a decisive fourth, as Howat volleyed home Mia McAulay’s delivery.

Motherwell will return to home this weekend looking to preserve their unbeaten record at K-Park, with Hibs the visitors in East Kilbride.

Motherwell were in action all over the world this month, with five players on international duty.

Lennon Miller

Lennon Miller made his first appearance at Scotland Under 19 level. The midfielder played 90 minutes in Scotland’s first friendly match against Belgium. Miller and Scotland lost 3-0, despite an encouraging performance.

In their second match against Czech Republic, Miller was named on the bench however featured for 30 minutes in the second half. He notched an assist in the process as Scotland drew 2-2.

Bevis Mugabi

It was a huge night for Uganda as they had hopes of qualifying for AFCON in Ivory Coast. To do so, Uganda needed a win and to hope other results went their way.

Bevis Mugabi was named in the starting lineup and Uganda proved too strong for Niger as the Cranes recorded a 2-0 win. However, Tanzania drew with group winners Algeria which was enough for the former to finish second place, a point above Uganda.

During the Ugandan National Team’s time in Morocco, the country was hit with a 6.8-magnitude earthquake which has seen over 2000 people killed. Thankfully, Mugabi and his the rest of the squad avoided injury and departed the country safely.

Brodie Spencer

Brodie Spencer was called into Northern Ireland’s Under 21 squad initially but was then called into the senior squad due to injuries.

He was an unused substitute in both matches where Northern Ireland travelled to Slovenia and Kazakhstan. They lost both matches 4-2 and 1-0 respectively.

Liam Kelly

After joined up with the Scotland squad ahead of their matches against Cyprus and England, Liam Kelly had to withdraw prior the matches being played due to injury.

Davor Zravkovski

North Macedonia has two matches in this international period. The first match was a tricky game against Italy at home. Still waiting for his first senior international cap, Davor Zdravkovski wasn’t named in the matchday squad for their match against Italy. North Macedonia recorded 1-1 draw.

In their second match against Malta, Zdravkovski was an unused substitute with North Macedonia coming away with a 2-0 win.

With international football now over, domestic action returns with St Mirren the visitors to Fir Park on Saturday. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

– Concessions Tickets would be ages 65 and over and FT Students with a valid matric card.
– Young Adults tickets would ages 12 to 17.
– Juveniles would be 11 and under

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

Tickets can be purchased online.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

Kit watch

We will be wearing our home kit on Saturday.

Team News

Calum Butcher remains missing for this match.

Mika Biereth, Pape Souare, Conor Wilkinson and Jon Obika are also all unavailable for Saturday.

Liam Kelly is a doubt after he pulled out of the Scotland squad with a back injury last week.

Blair Spittal and Shane Blaney are also struggling with knocks and will be assessed this week.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It’s been an incredible run of form for the Steelmen. They are joint top of the table after four games and remain unbeaten.

It was a memorable trip to the capital in the last game before the international break, with Callum Slattery’s goal the difference in a 1-0 win over Hearts.

The result means Stuart Kettlewell is yet to taste defeat on the road in the cinch Premiership since his arrival, with Motherwell going ten games unbeaten in the league which is our best run since 2010.

Opposition Report

St Mirren are also unbeaten in the league thus far, with two wins and two draws in the cinch Premiership. They have drew their last two games against Aberdeen and Livingston before the break.

They got the better of Motherwell in the Viaplay Cup last month, with a 1-0 win in Paisley.

There has been a spread amongst the team when it comes to goals for St Mirren. Former Motherwell man Mikael Mandron remains their top goalscorer this season, with four goals in all competitions. Alex Grieve has two goals in his last four games with Stav Nachmani also notching his first league goal last time out against Livingston.

We have seven players currently out on loan in various leagues. 

Ricki Lamie

Joining Dundee at the end of August, Ricki Lamie was an unused substitute against Hearts as he joined the night prior.

He made his debut away to St Johnstone seven days later, playing the full match. He scored just shy of the hour mark to give his side a two goal advantage. The home side would produce a sensational comeback in the latter stages of the match as the Dee had to settle for a point.

Sam Campbell

Young centre-back Sam Campbell signed a new deal in the summer before joining League 1 side Annan Athletic on loan.

Making his debut against Kilmarnock in the Viaplay Cup back in July, Campbell has made eight appearances for Annan since with the Black and Golds Galabankies picking up four points in the league so far.

The 19-year-old did miss a couple of games in August due to a slight knock but returned to full fitness shortly after.

Robbie Garcia

17-year-old Robbie Garcia was on the bench for the Motherwell first-team against St Mirren last month, before joining Lowland League side Cowdenbeath on loan.

He made his debut on 2 September against Berwick Rangers, where he featured for 12 minutes in a 2-0 win.

Three days later, he was handed his first start against Tranent at home, with the visitors picking up the 2-0 win before being an unused sub against Gala Fairydean in Cowdenbeath’s last match.

Barry Maguire

The games have been coming thick and fast for Barry Maguire and Kidderminster Harriers in the National League. With three draws and two losses in his first five games in the league, Maguire has been building up fitness since his arrival Worcestershire.

Playing a half in both of his first two matches against Bromley and Ebbsfleet, he played an hour against Southend before playing a full 90 last Saturday against Rochdale. Continuing to apply his trade his trade in the middle of the pitch, Maguire has featured a total of four times now for The Harriers as they now get ready to take on Solihull Moors on Saturday.

Ross Tierney

Similarly to Maguire, Ross Tierney has been involved in a busy period for Walsall. From taking on Hollywood’s Wrexham to a tie against Premier League Under 21 side Brighton and Hove Albion, Tierney has been racking up the minutes on the pitch.

In his time down south, the Irishman has made six appearances for Walsall and has been an unused substitute on three occasions. He has been involved in every match day squad since his arrival. He scored against Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup in what was his debut for the The Saddlers. Against Rovers, he also bagged an assist. Sitting on 11 points after seven games in League Two, it has been a promising start for Tierney and his new side.

Adam MacDonald

Adam MacDonald has become something of a regular starter at Cowdenbeath in the Lowland League since his arrival on loan. The 17-year-old has started six games, with his first goal for the club coming in his second match against Edinburgh Uni.

He scored his second goal last Saturday, coming on a second half substitute against Gala Fairydean. The midfielder scored with only five minutes remaining, earning his side a point.

A successful spell so far at Cowdenbeath, MacDonald will now be looking to add to his eight appearances at the Blue Brazil.

Robbie Mahon

Winger Robbie Mahon has made eight appearances so far for Edinburgh City in all competitions. It has been a troublesome spell at the League One outfit, with no wins so far across the board and a SPFL Trust Trophy exit to East Kilbride on Saturday.

Despite the tricky run of form, Mahon has bagged an assist so far in his three starts and five substitute appearances. He missed their last match against East Kilbride in the SPFL Trust Trophy with a return to league action against Montrose next on the list for Edinburgh City.

Joe Efford has left the club having had his contact terminated by mutual consent.

The American forward joined the club in January 2022 and has made 31 appearances for the Steelmen, scoring four goals.

He has made three appearances this season, starting once against Kilmarnock at Fir Park in August.

We thank Joe for his efforts at Motherwell and wish him well for the future.

A swift return to action will see Motherwell turn their attention to title-chasing Rangers, with a tough trip to Broadwood expected, as the hosts remain unbeaten domestically with five wins and a draw against defending champions Glasgow City.

Motherwell will be looking to replicate their impeccable home record that has yet to materialise on the road. The women of steel’s hunt for their first points away from home continued in Glasgow, as Paul Brownlie’s side left Springburn empty-handed, with Thistle netting a decisive late opener.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The women of steel will be looking to break their recent struggles away from home, with three narrow defeats to Aberdeen, Glasgow City and Partick Thistle failing to mirror the squads successes at K-Park.

Brownlie’s side faced a closely-fought encounter last time out at Broadwood, with a 89^th-minute Chelsea Cornet goal doubling Hannah Davidson’s early first-half opener, as chances from Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Katie Rice narrowly evaded the target.

Laura McCartney has returned to the matchday squad and will be eligible for contention this week, with Morgan Cross, Morgan Hay and Eve Donald all doubtful for a return following injuries sustained in the past week.

Rangers

The hosts have built a fine start to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, with Jo Potter’s side remaining unbeaten in their opening six league encounters, including a pulsating 1-8 victory over Dundee United at Foundation Park.

Rangers’ prolific form in-front of goal has the Glasgow side sat comfortably at the top of the SWPL league table, netting 23-times thus far whilst maintaining a one-point advantage over rivals Celtic.

Midfielder Chelsea Cornet leads the goalscoring chart in Glasgow, netting five-times so far, with striker Kirsty Howat also netting her fourth goal of the new campaign by rounding off her hat-trick against United last weekend.

Ticket Information

• Adult – £7
• Concession – £3
• Juvenile – £3

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.

A closely fought afternoon in Springburn was narrowly separated by a late Partick Thistle goal, with the hosts capitalising on a late chance in a game scarce of goal-scoring opportunities for both sides.

Megan Robb’s late strike was enough to secure Thistle’s fourth victory of the new campaign, sealing a harsh 1-0 defeat to end the women of steel’s recent unbeaten run.

Head coach Paul Brownlie named an unchanged starting XI from Sunday’s commanding 3-1 victory over newly promoted Montrose, with Laura McCartney replacing recent acquisition Morgan Cross on the bench following an injury sustained midweek.

With both sides trading possession and failing to land a shot on target in the opening exchanges, Carla Boyce came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half. A dangerous delivery from the left caused indecision within the Thistle backline, with the ball falling kindly to Boyce on the half-volley at the edge of the box, but the strikers effort sailed wide of the target.

Motherwell’s claims for a penalty were soon dismissed despite Thistle stopper Megan Cunningham seemingly colliding with Louisa Boyes deep into the opposing penalty area, but the referee quickly waived play on despite the adamant protests from the Motherwell players.

With both sides tiring in the soaring heat and the game seemingly destined for another draw, Thistle netted the opener in the dying stages.

Amy Bulloch’s floated delivery from the left was punched clear by Mutch, but the following clearance fell into the path of Robb at the back post, and the midfielders volley ratted the crossbar before nesting into the roof of the net.

Chasing a late equaliser, Motherwell ambitiously flooded the hosts penalty area with crosses, and were seemingly denied their second penalty claim of the afternoon, with Boyes again on the receiving end of a replicated challenge from the first half, but again the referee dismissed Motherwell’s pleas.

Ultimately, chances proved to be too little too late for Brownlie’s side with Thistle earning all three points with a strong defensive display. Motherwell drop out of the top-six on goal difference, with Hearts gaining one place before facing local rivals Hibs later this afternoon.