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The thought of redemption will have remained firmly in the sights of the women of steel, as Sky Sports Cup action returned to the domestic calendar. Paul Brownlie’s side were left to reflect from the sidelines after their disappointing exit to Montrose last month.

Misfortunes from the penalty spot and an array of squandered opportunities epitomised the women of steel’s troubles on the day, as the hosts cruised to a commanding three-goal advantage.

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

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The brief hiatus from the domestic calendar will have provided the squad with much needed time to reflect and recuperate from their frustrating defeat to Aberdeen at K-Park, with the hosts dominance in possession and goalscoring opportunities failing to be reflected accurately in the scoreline.

Despite maintaining the fourth-best home record throughout the 2023/24 campaign, behind only title-chasers Rangers, Celtic and Glasgow City – Motherwell have struggled to replicate such dominance on the road, with the squad yet to achieve their first points.

The visitors previous league meeting with Sunday’s opponents saw the women of steel secure a comfortable 3-1 victory in East Kilbride, as Katie Rice, Louisa Boyes and Kaela McDonald-Nguah all found the target.

Montrose

The Gable Endies saw their Sky Sports Cup journey come to a conclusion last weekend, with Partick Thistle netting two quickfire goals late on to cancel out Louise Brown’s second half opener.

In contrast to Motherwell’s frustrations on the road, Montrose sit perilously at the foot of the SWPL home form guide, picking up a solitary point at Links Park in their opening six league encounters.

As both sides seek to address their troubles both home and away, Sunday’s encounter will mark a pivotal moment in the season for both sides.

Ticket Information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £7
• Concession – £5

How to follow the action

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

We have three players on international duty this month. 

Liam Kelly

With EURO 2024 qualification and a first cap for his country already secured, Liam Kelly and Scotland have ambitions to top their group ahead of the finals next summer.

Scotland travelled out to their camp in Turkey earlier this week and will then head to Georgia for their match on Thursday 16 November. Kick off is 5pm.

They will then round off their successful qualifying campaign against Norway at Hampden on Sunday 19 November. Kick off is 7.45pm.

Liam Kelly will be competing with Zander Clark and Robby McCrorie for the jersey, with Angus Gunn and Craig Gordon absent from the squad.

• Georgia v Scotland 
• 5pm KO
• Thursday 16 November
• Boris Paichadze, Tbilsi

• Scotland v Norway 
• 7.45pm KO
• Sunday 19 November
• Hampden Park, Glasgow

Brodie Spencer

Northern Ireland also round off their EURO 2024 qualification group this month. Although they can’t qualify, the young group will be looking to finish strongly ahead of their next set of fixtures in 2024.

First up, is a trip to Helsinki to face Finland on Friday 17 November. Kick off is 5pm.

They then finish their campaign at home to Denmark on Monday 20 November. Kick off is 7.45pm at Windsor Park.

• Finland v Northern Ireland
• 5pm KO
• 17th November 
• Helsinki Olympic Stadium

• Northern Ireland v Denmark
• 7.45pm KO
• 20th November
• Windsor Park

Bevis Mugabi

With a new manager in the dugout in the form of Paul Joseph, Uganda begin their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, as the Cranes aim to be in the tournament over in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

There are six teams in Group G. Uganda, Algeria, Guinea, Mozambique, Botswana, Somalia, with the the group winner qualifying directly for the main tournament and the second-placed team entering a playoff.

Both of Uganda’s matches are taking place in Morocco, although both fixtures are technically classed as away matches for the Cranes.

First up, is Guinea on Friday 17 November. Kick off is 1pm.

They then take on Somalia on Tuesday 21 November with a 1pm kick off.

• Guinea vs Uganda
• 1pm ko
• 17th November 
• Stade Municipal de Berkane, Morocco

• Somalia v Uganda
• 1pm ko
• 21st November
• Stade Municipal de Berkane, Morocco

Lennon Miller- Withdrew

Due to his knee injury, Lennon Miller will no longer be taking part in Scotland Under 19s matches this month.

John Philliben, or better known as ‘Softie’, was born in Stirling on 14 March 1964. 

His life in football began with his local side Stirling Albion in 1980, where he went on to make 109 league appearances.

Philliben earned a move to Doncaster Rovers in a transfer worth £70,000. The move was a club record signing in 1984 and the defender enjoyed three years down South.

However, north of the border, Philliben was attracting interest. Tommy McLean was the first to make his move to bring the defender to Fir Park and succeeded in September 1986.

Just two weeks after joining, John was involved in the League Cup Final defeat to Celtic where the Steelmen succumbed to penalties.

Nonetheless, John continued to forge a career in the claret and amber and scored a 30-yard screamer against Morton for his first goal.

In one of Motherwell’s most renowned victories, a 3-0 thrashing of Rangers in 1991 at Fir Park, John got himself on the scoresheet.

He was instrumental in Motherwell’s eventual Scottish Cup success in 1991, being voted man of the match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and featured against Falkirk, and both semi final matches against Celtic.

The epitome of a true professional, John was left out of the cup final squad however backed his teammates to get over the line against Dundee United.

In season 1992/93, he was an integral part of one of the most solid back five that has been constructed at Motherwell. Playing alongside Luc Nijholt, Chris McCart, Brian Martin and Rab McKinnon, John would produce and robust and professional performances for the Fir Park faithful.

He scored a last minute equaliser against Dundee United in 1993 that will live long in the memory of any travelling supporter that day.

He missed only five of the 36 league games in 1994/95 season where the team finished second in the Premier League.

John became only the 8th player in the club’s history to make 300 appearances for Motherwell in January 1998. His time in ML1 would draw to a close in May 1998 where he retuned to Stirling Albion as player/manager.

In the end, John made 302 league appearances for the club and scored seven goals. He was awarded a testimonial match against West Ham in 1998.

A popular figure for his work rate, professionalism and effort, John Philliben is a true Motherwell legend who gave everything anytime he pulled on the claret and amber.

But maybe the most fitting accolade that can be attributed to John Philliben, is that in a sport full of fickleness, mercenaries and greed, Motherwell had a player who was always prepared to put the team’s cause before his own personal well-being.

A true club legend and a thoroughly deserved inductee into the 2023 Motherwell Hall of Fame.

We will never forget those who have forged the path to where the club sits at present day. Some with us and some sadly not, we want to come together to celebrate the proud history we have at Motherwell Football Club.

This year, the event will take place at Dalziel Park Hotel on Friday 17 November, with host Tam Cowan inducting five new names.

If you would like to attend our night of celebration, tickets cost £66 for adults and £30 for children under the age of 12 are on sale now.

You can buy tickets for the dinner online or contact the commercial department on 01698 338011.

Please note than some of the colourful language on the night may not be appropriate for young children or those easily offended.

With a point gained in Perth on Tuesday night, it was still eight games without a win for the Steelmen, a run of form they were looking to rectify going into the November international break.

Hearts had other ideas and found themselves in front just shy of 30 minutes into the game.

VAR had checked for penalties for the visitors on two occasions, but on both occasions no penalty would be awarded.

They doubled their lead in the second half before Blair Spittal pulled one back from the spot as Motherwell looked to launch a second-half comeback once again.

Time ran out for the hosts and Stuart Kettlewell would be left frustrated at the end of the match.

Stuart Kettlewell’s thoughts post Hearts.

• No excuses
• Taking responsibility
• International break

Motherwell slipped to a disappointing 2-1 home defeat against Hearts at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon. 

Lawrence Shankland’s goal midway through the first half left the Steelmen once again chasing the game. And when the Hearts’ striker netted again 19 minutes from time it was game over.

When Blair Spittal slammed his penalty high past Clark it gave ‘Well 13 minutes to salvage something from the game but a dramatic fightback never looked on the cards.

With both teams eager rediscover some winning form, an open and evenly contested game was anticipated. And although Motherwell started the game with a great deal of intent and pressure towards the visitor’s goal, Zander Clark’s goal was rarely threatened.

Stuart Kettlewell made one change from the side which started in Perth on Tuesday. Theo Bair, who made an impact from the bench against St Johnstone as ‘Well fought back from two nil down for a draw, replacing Brodie Spencer.

And the Canadian forward had a great opportunity to open the scoring after only five minutes. Mika Biereth put Franke Kent under pressure to concede the first corner of the game. Blair Spittal’s out-swinger found Bair unmarked eight yards from goal but he screwed his header well off the target.

In an impressive opening spell the Steelmen forced Hearts onto the backfoot as the visitor’s defence looked rather nervous.

After 16 minutes though the attention was directed towards the home when Liam Boyce was given time to control the ball in the box before firing wide of Liam Kelly’s left-hand post.

It then took a couple of sturdy blocks from ‘Well defenders to prevent two consecutive drives from Shankland testing Kelly.

The Tynecastle side’s top scorer only had to wait until the 27th minute to claim his 9th goal of the season. Alex Lowry’s deep corner kick was nodded back towards the six-yard box where Shankland’s touch directed the ball into the corner of the net.

It might have been worse for the Fir Park men a couple of minutes later. But Hearts’ claims for a penalty after Dan Casey appeared to have caught Boyce just inside the box, were dismissed after a lengthy and nervous VAR review.

From then until the break Motherwell repeatedly failed to hold the ball in the opponent’s half as the Edinburgh side maintained the pressure on the home goal.

Perhaps relieved to reach half-time only one goal behind, Kettlewell kept Bair inside for the second half bringing on Brodie Spencer and allowing Spittal to move further up the park.

It took ‘Well only two minutes to respond to the change. Spencer’s pace on the left won a corner. Spittal’s delivery was only partially cleared and when the ball was returned it found Casey unmarked beyond the corner of the six-yard box. From a tight angle though, the defender fired his drive high and narrowly wide of Zander Clark’s right-hand post.

Hearts and Shankland looked more likely to double their advantage and on the hour mark the striker’s net bound shot from six yards was blocked by his fellow striker Boyce.

Three minutes later ‘Well survived another VAR check for a penalty after Shankland tumbled in the box.

Shankland, though, was not to be denied a second goal.

In the 71st minute the Scotland striker broke through the middle of the home defence, rounding Kelly and although Casey was racing back to protect the goal, Shankland calmly stroked the ball home to make it 0-2.

‘Well immediately made a double substitution, not universally received by the home fans, as talisman Biereth and Wilkinson made way for Oli Shaw and John Obika.

Six minutes later, though, the change paid off. Shaw’s quick turn and shot in the box struck Alex Cochrane’s raised hand. Referee David Munro immediately pointed to the penalty spot and VAR agreed leaving Spittal to confidently thump his spot kick high beyond Clark to give the Steelmen some hope of yet another dramatic fightback.

Spittal dragged his left foot drive wide before Shane Blaney’s lunge just failed to connect with Georgie Gent’s free kick into the six yard area.

In the now customary frenetic finish from the home side, Bevis Magubi was brought on as an extra forward for the five additional minutes.

However, Hearts controlled the closing minutes to ensure that Motherwell wouldn’t claim a late equaliser and a point they scarcely deserved.

From ML1 to the Mediterranean coast, Kayla Jardine has continued to represent the women of steel under the international spotlight.

The Scots faced a daunting triple-header with victories required over Iceland, Belarus and Serbia. However, despite missing out on their target, Jardine strengthened her international goalscoring pedigree, netting twice across the U19 Euro 2024 Qualifying campaign in the Albanian capital, Tirana.

“It’s always an honour to get the opportunity to play for my country,” Jardine explained.

“Although the results weren’t great, I still feel I performed well in each of the games and scoring two goals is an added bonus.

“I feel the experience and scoring the two-goals really gave me a confidence boost heading back into club level and hopefully I can continue that form.”

The 18-year-old, who extended her stay at the club this summer after signing a short-term loan deal in January, was recalled to her parent club Rangers before making her first appearance of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, as injury woes hampered the Glasgow side.

Returning to Lanarkshire for the second time this season, Jardine is focused on overturning the women of steel’s tumultuous domestic form whilst continuing her development at K-Park.

“There’s definitely positives to take from the season so far.” Jardine noted.

“There’s been games and performances where we know we are capable of a lot more individually and collectively. We are aware we need to be more consistent and if we find that consistency game to game then we should pick up more points as the season goes on.

“Personally, I am hoping to get consistent game time, so that I can become more familiar with playing at first-team level which will allow me to develop more as a player.”

Paul Brownlie’s side brought their month-long goalless drought to an emphatic conclusion, drilling six-goals past a dysfunctional Dundee United side to reinvigorate their ambitions of a top-six finish this season.

However, inconsistency on the road and misfortunes at home have continued to hinder the squads progress, with Aberdeen racking up five goals in a disappointing defeat at K-Park last weekend.

“As a squad we knew it wasn’t good enough,” Jardine acknowledged.

“We could’ve taken so much more out of that game, but it ultimately came down to our mistakes which cost us the goals. [Paul] told us that it wasn’t good enough and we have to reflect on our individual performances”

Motherwell will face another week-long hiatus from domestic football, with cup action back on the horizon, providing the squad with the ideal opportunity to prepare for their third meeting with Montrose this season, whilst reflecting upon their early Sky Sports Cup exit to the Gable Endies at Links Park in October.

“The next game after a defeat is massive,” Jardine said.

“A reaction is needed from the squad and it’s good that we have an extra week to prepare for the next game. It’s important that we approach training with the right mentality and work on the things that need improved on.

“The cup game was a tough one to take as a team as we didn’t perform to the levels we know we are capable of. It’s a chance to right the wrongs made in that game which is what we will look to do come next week.”

Manager Stuart Kettlewell has offered an update on the players who are currently sidelined. 

Speaking at Thursday’s press conference, the manager provided a more detailed update on the injury list.

It was announced this week that Lennon Miller has picked up a knee injury in our match against Aberdeen. The initial prognosis is that Miller will be missing for a minimum of three months.

“It’s a really unfortunate injury for Lennon and it’s a real blow for everyone,” Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He’s valuable to this team and I’m gutted for him. Despite the news however, the person with the best body language and the person with the most maturity was the 17-year-old.

“We know it’s a 12 week injury, as it’s a small fracture in his patella.

“He had to get everything else check out and has been to see the top guy in Britain for this type of injury.

“Lennon is comfortable and I have no doubts he’ll come back stronger.”

We also discovered this week that Paul McGinn picked up a facial injury against Kilmarnock and that we’d been advised that the defender will be missing for six weeks.

“Six weeks is what has been detailed for Paul,” the manager added.

“He had surgery [yesterday]. It’s a fractured cheek.”

Jon Obika has been a long-term absentee and hasn’t featured since our win over Hibernian at Fir Park in August.

“We had some positive news on Jon,” Kettlewell stated.

“The news is he starts to come into contention and hopefully for the next few games, or certainly beyond the international break, he’ll come into consideration for us.”