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The final pre-split fixture of the 2023/24 SWPL season awaits the women of steel, with a highly-anticipated trip to the capital to face Spartans at Ainslie Park.

Three points separate Paul Brownlie’s side from the Edinburgh outfit, with both sitting precariously above the bottom-three ahead of an important run of post-split fixtures, with each side facing each other both home and away.

The expectations have been set for the squad, ahead of a crucial encounter that could be fundamental in retaining their SWPL status.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

A turbulent run of form for the women of steel persisted in East Kilbride over a fortnight ago, with defending champions Glasgow City cruising to a comfortable three-goal advantage, but the recent run of form fails to accurately reflect the performances of the squad, who have been unable to capitalise in the final third of the pitch.

Defeat in the Lanarkshire derby accurately reflected the women of steel’s frustrations this season, with Hamilton’s two shots on target prevailing over Motherwell’s 20-shots across the game, as the Accies secured their first Lanarkshire Derby victory this season.

Scotland International’s Laura Berry and Kayla Jardine will both return from international duty, as the pair featured in back-to-back victories over Wales, with Berry netting four and Jardine finding the target once.

Spartans

Spartans have briefly regained a positive run of form following a 12-game winless run, with a strong display over Aberdeen securing the Edinburgh sides place in the next round of the Scottish Cup, with an exceptional six-goal advantage over Dundee United in the league to follow.

Midfielder Hannah Jordan will be one-to-watch for the women of steel, with the 20-year-old netting three times in the last two encounters with Dundee United and Hamilton.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £4
• Under 16s – Free to enter

How to follow the action

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

Stuart Kettlewell reacts to tonight’s win over Livingston

• Poor structure for Livingston goal
• Collective performance
• What the result means to everyone

Motherwell put on a second half comeback to secure all three points against Livingston.

The hosts took an early lead but goals from Sam Nicholson, Blair Spittal and Jack Vale completed a spirited fight back.

The hosts got off to the best possible start as Tete Yengi netted with the first attack of the game. A pass was threaded through to McKay and although his shot was saved by Kelly, the Australian was on hand to fire in the rebound.

An already tricky destination to come to was made even harder by that poor start as Livi sat in to protect their lead, forcing Motherwell to play in front of them, with very little penetration from the front line.

A set-piece looked most likely to be the source of an equaliser and Bevis Mugabi headed just past from Spittal’s free-kick.

Livi passed up a great chance to double their lead as Joel Nouble’s cross to the back post found the head of goalscorer Yengi but thankfully his header just found the sidenetting.

Lennon Miller then sprayed a fine diagonal ball to O’Donnel whose first time cross found Spittal but his goalbound shot was deflected inches over the bar.

Stuart Kettlewell needed a big response from his men at the break and that is exactly what he got as within four minutes of the restart the game was level. Some good build up play found Stephen O’Donnell wide on the right and his pinpoint cross found the head of Sam Nicholson who powered in his first goal for the club.

Some excellent football was being played with ‘Well finding their feet at a soaking wet Tony Macaroni Arena and the Steelmen carved out a second with twenty minutes to go. More good play down the right as Vale combined with O’Donnell and Nicholson with the winger’s ball into the box being headed only as far as Blair Spittal who showed expert technique to fire the ball into the net.

Motherwell sealed the points three minutes from time. Jack Vale, who impressed as a second half sub, won the ball in midfield played it wide to Theo Bair who hung up a cross to perfection allowing the on-loan Blackburn striker to head past McGovern in the Livi goal.

Young Lennon Miller impressed on the big stage last weekend against Celtic, but the 17-year-old is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. 

The midfielder is grateful for the opportunities that have came his way this season but says he is focusing on closing out the season on a high.

Miller tells us about his father’s influence and about how he hopes to see more minutes due to recent injuries in his position.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell was pleased with many things that he saw from his team on Sunday but ultimately, they need to do more to see out the game. 

Kettlewell addresses recent speculation surrounding Dylan Wells as well as discussing the difference in opponent Motherwell will face on Wednesday compared to Sunday.

The Motherwell boss also discusses Lennon Miller and what the future could hold for the 17-year-old after yet another impressive display last time out.

Harry Paton has sustained a serious ankle injury that will keep him out for a significant period of time. 

The Canadian international picked up the injury last week prior to our match against Celtic and as a result, was missing from Sunday’s squad.

We await to hear back from test results to determine how long Paton will be sidelined for.

“It’s really disappointing to lose Harry to this injury,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He has been a regular in the team and I think he has had some excellent performances this season in the midfield. He has done a lot of work that can go unnoticed on the pitch.

“It’s a double disappointment as Harry was hoping to be in the upcoming Canadian squad for their vital match next month.

“The recovery starts now for Harry and the staff here will look after him and get him back to full fitness as quickly as possible. He has everyone’s full support.”

We wish Harry the very best for his recovery and hope to see him back playing soon.

We travel to the Tony Macaroni Stadium on Wednesday night to take on Livingston.

Kick off is 8pm.

Ticket Prices

Wheelchair/carer tickets will be available from our ticket office. Disabled/carer should contact Livingston FC directly on 01506 417000.

Tickets can be bought online.

How to follow the game

The match is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

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

Kit watch

We will be wearing our away kit for this match.

Injury News

Callum Slattery, Barry Maguire and Harry Paton will be missing.

Andy Halliday is a doubt having missed our last two matches.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It has been back-to-back defeats against Hearts and Celtic in our last two matches.

Prior to that, Motherwell went on a six game unbeaten run in the league.

Blair Spittal continues to be a pivotal part of the team. The number seven scored his tenth goal in all competitions against Celtic on Sunday.

Motherwell got the better of the Lions at Fir Park in December. Theo Bair got two whilst Spittal opened the scoring to seal a comfortable 3-1 win in ML1. Last time out in West Lothian, Livingston secured a 2-0 win in a game that turned when Lennon Miller saw red for a tackle just before the break.

Opposition Report

Livingston are currently bottom of the cinch Premiership after 27 games.

They lost out against 11th placed Ross County on Saturday, having come from two goals down. County scored in stoppage time to take the points.

Livingston won for the first time since October when they beat St Mirren 1-0 thanks to a Tete Yengi finish just before half time.

Bruce Anderson was back amongst the goals in their most recent trip to Highlands. That double took him to eight for the season as he remains their top goalscorer.

Live on Sky Sports, the Champions were in town and Motherwell knew they had a task on their hands.

In a jam packed match, Motherwell thought they were ahead inside 5 minutes, with Theo Bair finding the back of the net but the linesman had him just offside with VAR confirming.

Jack Vale went through on goals for the Steelmen as they continued to surge forward against the odds.

They got their reward just before the break when 17-year-old Lennon Miller produced a wonderful assist for Blair Spittal who smashed past Joe Hart to give them their just lead.

Adam Idah came off the bench at the interval and made an instant impact, levelling the game on 51 minutes.

Miller went close to restoring the ‘Well advantage but Hart produced a fine stop.

As the game wore on, Celtic grew more confident and applied further pressure. Four minutes into added time, history repeated itself and Celtic scored, to steal the points in stoppage time.

Luis Palma made it 3-1 with the last kick of the ball to make sure of the win. It’s been heartbreak for Motherwell against Celtic at Fir Park twice this season but positives must be taken into the midweek game against Livingston.

An afternoon of déjà vu for the steelmen, as an emphatic first-half display was soon undone, with Celtic striking twice in the final moments to ensure the points went back to Glasgow.

An unstoppable Blair Spittal opener fairly rewarded Stuart Kettlewell’s side for a dominant opening 45-minutes, with the hosts firmly in the ascendency at the break, but substitutes Adam Idah and Luis Palma both added stoppage time goals to secure a second late victory for the visitors at Fir Park this season.

Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, forcing the defending champions into trading possession deep into their own half, with the Steelmen capitalising on the visitors in-decision in the opening phases of play. The breakthrough looked imminent and was almost confirmed, as Theo Bair latched onto Lennon Miller’s pinpoint through ball before skilfully cutting inside and placing an accurate finish beyond the reach of Joe Hart, but the flag quickly went up; cutting the celebrations short.

A lively Jack Vale was continuing to cause the visitors problems, twice breaking through the offside trap and escaping the Celtic backline. The first chance was thwarted by the agile Celtic defence, who recovered well to put the ball out for a corner. The forward then hit the deck inside the box moments later, but Willie Collum looked disinterested in the adamant pleas of the Motherwell players.

Georgie Gent almost netted minute later, with Blair Spittal teeing up the defender from the edge of the box, but the youngster couldn’t steady himself and his strike sailed over the bar.

Motherwell looked comfortable, with Celtic limited to a single chance, as Kyogo drilled a low effort across the face of goal which Liam Kelly was more than equal to, saving with his feet.

The Steelmen finally got their reward and it came in stunning fashion. Lennon Miller beautifully spun his man before picking out Spittal, who coolly dispatched a curling effort past Joe Hart from 20 yards.

As the second half resumed, Celtic’s tactical alterations prevailed, with on-loan Norwich City striker Idah rising highest to divert Greg Taylor’s cross beyond Liam Kelly.

Idah netted his second of the game deep into stoppage time, refreshing the memories of a late defeat to Celtic in September. With the final few seconds ticking by, Palma expertly escaped his marker to prod home Yang Hyun-Jun’s floated delivery, securing all three points for the Glasgow-side.

Stuart Kettlewell post Celtic.

• Played well bar the last two minutes
• Strong first-half showing
• Picking up a lowly dressing room