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Stuart Kettlewell reflects on Celtic defeat.

• An outstanding performance

• Won’t lick our wounds

• Straight back to it on Monday

Nathan McGinley has joined cinch Championship side Partick Thistle on loan until January. 

The defender, who made his comeback at the start of this season having missed over a year-and-a-half of football, has made four appearances this season in all competitions.

Best of luck, Nathan.

Narrowly missing out on top-six football was a bitter pill for Paul Brownlie’s side to swallow last season, but the campaign was littered with success. Beating the previous highest points total in the league but also reaching the semifinal of the Scottish Cup and becoming the first domestic women’s team to step onto the Hampden turf was just two of those successes.

It was a historical moment and despite a 2-0 defeat to Rangers on the day, it has given everyone within the squad the taste of a cup run, something they want to repeat this year. In Sky Sports cup action this weekend, Motherwell travel north to newly promoted Montrose in the second round, looking to get off to the best possible start and overcome the first hurdle.

For summer signing Hannah Cunningham however, reflecting on last season’s cup run with Glasgow Women was not one to fondly remember as her side were beaten by Motherwell, one stage before Hampden.

“The team had a great run last year,” said Cunningham.

“I was on the losing side in the quarter final, so felt the opposite feelings to the team, but for us to have another run this season only increases momentum, and as a squad we should always be aiming to achieve results in any game that we play.

“Going to their ground will be difficult and we can’t underestimate them, but concentrating on our game plan and executing it effectively will be crucial for us to get into the next round of the cup.”

Motherwell’s last victory in the domestic calendar came against the Gable Endies earlier this month, with strikes from Katie Rice, Louisa Boyes and Kaela McDonald-Nguah securing a comprehensive 3-1 victory at K-Park.

“The first game we played against Montrose was a test for us, as all games are in this league,” Cunningham said.

“We played some good football in spells, but we can always improve on our own performance, and I think that’s definitely something we identified moving forward.

“We’ve had some very good performances so far this season, but as Paul has said, it’s small details in some of those games that has let us down. It’s crucial for us as a squad to regroup and fix the small details.”

Arriving from Glasgow Women in the summer, Cunningham has instantly cemented her place at the core of the Motherwell backline, aiding a seamless transition to ML1 which the defender noted was an attractive move.

“Moving to Motherwell was a very attractive move for me,” Cunningham explained.

“Playing against Paul and Leanne on numerous occasions last year, you could see the standards set here. I always want to improve and push my levels as far as possible, so they were a huge influence on me coming here for sure.

“I’ve been settling in well within the team and getting used to the high demands set on us. It’s a very competitive and challenging environment to step into, which is always a positive, and we are moving in the right direction each day as a squad.”

Cunningham’s first taste of top-flight football in Scotland came last season in Glasgow Women’s maiden SWPL campaign, an experience that has proved instrumental this time around.

“Last year was an extremely good experience,” Cunningham added.

“Getting to know and testing yourself against some of the best players in the country will only improve personal performances. Even though last season didn’t end on a positive note, I hope to bring the experiences I gained into my game here at Motherwell.

“Morale is very strong within the group, the experienced players are always trying to help newer players strive to be successful within the team, and there’s also a great sense of togetherness within the squad.”

Motherwell were held to a 1-1 draw with Dundee United this afternoon at K-Park in the Under 18s league. 

The first chance of the game came on seven minutes. Zack Tomany battled to bring the ball under control from a throw in, he worked half a yard on the edge of the box before registering a shot on target.

The game would begin to become cagey there after, with very for chances for either side presenting themselves.

In fact, the next chance of the game wouldn’t come until the 35th minute of the match when forward Tomany latched onto a through ball from Mikey Booth, the striker raced through on goal and his strike was saved onto the bar by the United keeper.

Four minutes later however, Dundee United were in front. Josh Bogan seemed to come out of his box to clear the ball but the referee adjudged his studs to be too high and awarded a free-kick. Dundee United’s number 10 stepped up and curled the ball into the net from the subsequent free kick.

With a lacklustre first half performance now behind them, Motherwell came out all guns blazing for the second half, drawing themselves level in the process. After sustained possession, Campbell Forest volleyed into the bottom left corner from the right edge of the box to bring the game level after 50 minutes.

Motherwell continued to push forward in search of a second and it nearly came on 65 minutes. Brannan McDermott got on the end of a pass forward on the right wing before crossing into the box, Booth cut the ball back and Devon Johnstone tried to volley home but his effort was just off target.

Nathan Lawson came off the bench and was involved in the action straight away on 73 minutes. He twisted and turned in the middle of the pitch before driving into the penalty area and unleashing a strike into the side netting.

Dundee United would see a header from a corner headed off the line in one of their very few chances in the second half but on 83 minutes, Motherwell had another effort. McDermott again getting forward from right-back, this time he crossed into the box and Lawson managed to lay the ball off for goalscorer Forest but this time, his strike went wide of the goal.

Motherwell came close to winning the game with the last attack of the match through midfielder Olly Whyte. Tomany kept the ball alive from a cross and laid it back to the midfielder, he shifted it onto his right foot and seen his low, driven effort saved by the keeper.

The game ended 1-1, with Motherwell much improved in the second period.

Motherwell team: Bogan, M.Ross, McDermott, Webb, Bone, Whyte, L.Ross, Forest, Tomany, Booth, Johnstone.

Motherwell subs: Lawson, McConnell, Wells, McLean, Flatman, Nelson, McAllister.

Ewan Wilson has joined League One side Stirling Albion on loan for the remainder of the campaign. 

Wilson made two appearances in the Viaplay Cup this season, starting in the opener against Elgin City.

Promoted to the third tier this season, Stirling have started their season off well with three wins and a draw out of the first seven.

Best of luck, Ewan.

Forward Mark Ferrie has joined Stenhousemuir on loan until January. 

The 17-year-old has made six appearances in all competitions this season but moves to Stenny in League Two, who are currently top of the league.

Good luck, Mark.

Paul McGinn knows that Motherwell will need to be at maximum concentration for the full 90 minutes if they’re to get anything out of the match on Saturday. 

The Scottish defender also discusses manager Stuart Kettlewell’s philosophy of being a team and how that has aided the team’s performance in matches.

Stuart Kettlewell knows his team should have deserved more out of the last two games against St Mirren and Rangers but insists, the team will remain together there won’t be anyone pointing at individuals for any sort of blame.  

The manager says that the success that has came so far for his team has been because they have remained as a unit and that won’t be changing anytime soon.

Kettlewell discusses a proposed time scale for Calum Butcher, Mika Biereth and and Jon Obika returning to action and has also said Pape Souare has returned to training this week.

We’re asking both sets of supporters to bring along items for our food bank collection at our match with Celtic on Saturday 30 September.

We’re collecting items on the day of the game for the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank.

We are asking fans to bring what they can to support this important cause, so that those in need can receive a food parcel to help.

Items needed are:

• Soup
• Beans
• Tinned pasta
• Custard/ Rice Puddinga
• Tinned Fruit
• Tinned Meat
• Meals in a tin
• Tuna
• Pasta n Sauce
• Noodles
• Long Life Milk
• Breakfast Cereal
• Tinned Vegetables
• Potatoes in a Tin
• Toiletries -soap, shower gel, Shampoo etc
• Tea/coffee

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Collections are available from 11am. Stewards will direct you on arrival at the Davie Cooper Stand to drop donations inside the stadium.

Thank you for your help. Your contributions will be a massive help to those in need.

Following an extended international break, the women of steel return to action in the Sky Sports League Cup, as Paul Brownlie’s side look to replicate last season’s Scottish cup successes which saw the side overcome Gartcairn, Montrose and Glasgow Women before facing Rangers in a closely-fought Semi-Final at Hampden Park.

The brief hiatus from the domestic calendar has allowed the squad the ideal opportunity to regroup following a tough final week, with competitive performances against Partick Thistle, Rangers and Hibernian yielding no points.

With a trip to Links Park on the horizon, Motherwell will be looking to finally conclude their misfortunes on the road and secure their second victory over Montrose this season.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The women of steel will be keen to replicate their league victory over Sunday’s hosts, as they prepare to kickstart their league cup campaign.

Motherwell’s last victory in the domestic calendar came against the Gable Endies earlier this month, with strikes from Katie Rice, Louisa Boyes and Kaela McDonald-Nguah securing a comprehensive 3-1 victory at K-Park.

The women of steel will be looking to surpass last-season’s Quarter-Final exit to eventual champions Rangers, with the side envisioning a place in the latter stages of the competition.

Montrose

The hosts have had a tough start to life in the SWPL after their title-deciding SWPL 2 campaign last season, with the side picking up one win from their opening eight league encounters.

A heavy defeat to Rangers will have drained much optimism gained from their historic first Premier Legue victory over Dundee United in the same week.

The Links Park side will be keen to establish a lengthy cup run to support their efforts in their maiden league campaign.

Ticket Information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £7
• Concession – £5
• Under 16s – Free to enter when accompanied by an adult.

*Concession tickets apply to those over 65, and to full-time students eligible with a valid matriculation card.

How to follow the action

Supporters travelling to Links Park will be available to access the ground within the hour prior to kick-off at 1PM.

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