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The women of steel valiantly fought against title-chasers Glasgow City, but couldn’t capitalise on their attacking dominance, as Glasgow City converted against the run of play to secure the three points under the South Lanarkshire sunshine.

Emily Whelan netted the decisive solitary goal, with experienced shot-stopper Lee Gibson proving to be a vital component, as the 32-year-old stood resolute to deny several goalscoring opportunities from Laura Berry, Bailey Collins, and Amy Sharkey in an afternoon of mixed emotions for Motherwell at K-Park.

Paul Brownlie named five changes to the starting XI from the side that were defeated by Partick Thistle at Fir Park last weekend. Chelsie Watson & Sarah Gibb both returned to the starting line-up, playing ahead of the back three of Gill Inglis, Jenna Penman, and Katie Rice. Rebecca Cameron & Amy Sharkey both made their first competitive starts, with deadline day addition Laura Berry also making an immediate return to the starting XI after completing a season-long loan deal on Friday evening.

Motherwell started brightly and grew in confidence throughout the opening phases of play, with Berry coming closest following the early exchanges. A clever shift of the ball and an unpredictable turn of pace allowed the forward to freely escape her marker before solely bearing down on goal. The striker attempted to curl a weighted effort past Gibson, but the Scotland international stood strong to parry clear.

Motherwell continued to control the early proceedings, limiting and frustrating the visitors into trading possession deep into their own half. However, despite the encouraging start, City netted the opener against the run of play.

Catching Motherwell on the counter-attack, City instantly progressed forward with ease, slicing through the scrambling Motherwell backline before Whelan fired past Cameron in the home goal.

As the second-half resumed, Motherwell firmly picked up where they left off, with Bailey Collins forcing Gibson into making an exceptional close-range save after an intricate piece of build-up play.

Cameron was soon called into action, as Whelan again pressured the Motherwell goal. The forward drilled an effort towards the near post, but young shot-stopper reacted well to parry over the crossbar.

Motherwell penned the struggling City side deep into their own half in the final stages of the game, but ultimately couldn’t find the fundamental equaliser, as City held out for the three points.

A frustrating afternoon in the North-East for the Steelmen, as Aberdeen narrowly sought off a late Motherwell resurgence to earn the three points in the Granite City.

A Pape Gueye double fired the hosts firmly into the ascendency, with substitute Moses Ebiye inspiring a late sense of optimism for the visitors, but the forward’s precise finish proved to be only a consolation, as the Dons held onto their slim advantage in the final phases of play.

Manager, Stuart kettlewell named an unchanged side from the late victory over St. Johnstone over a fortnight ago whilst naming deadline day arrival Jair Tavares on the bench for the first-time.

The hosts started brightly, forcing Motherwell into trading possession within their own half, with Jamie McGrath coming closest after the early exchanges, but the midfielder dragged his effort wide of the target.

The breakthrough came shortly before the half-hour mark, with Gueye accelerating behind the visiting backline before wrong footing Aston Oxborough with a low-drilled effort off the near post.

Motherwell came close to an equaliser in the second-half, with debutant Tavares bending a hopeful effort across the face of goal, but the forward’s attempt failed to trouble Dimitar Mitov.

The second soon followed in the latter stages of the game, with Gueye converting Devlin’s initial effort following an exceptional save from Aston Oxborough.

Ebiye narrowed the deficit in the latter stages, prodding home Tony Watt’s whipped strike across the face of goal, but the Steelmen were unable to overcome Aberdeen’s advantage in the game and were forced to leave the Granite City without any points.

Stuart Kettlewell gives this thoughts on defeat against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Striker Laura Berry returns to Motherwell after agreeing a deadline day loan deal.

The forward joins the women of steel on a season-long loan deal from parent club Rangers.

The Scottish youth international firmly introduced herself to the K-Park faithful throughout an initial short six-month loan deal, scoring 8-times in 12-appearances, including a debut goal against local rivals Hamilton.

Berry has since impressed in the Ibrox first-team, netting five-times this season from four competitive appearances. The 17-year-old also featured against Europe’s elite in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, lining-up against the likes of Arsenal and Atletico de Madrid.

“I’m delighted to have re-joined Motherwell,” Berry said.

“Paul and Leanne really progressed several elements of my game and I feel I really thrived in this environment last season. I want to continue my development and I feel I can really develop myself as a player here.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

The youngster will fill the void left following the departure of striker Morgan Cross to Celtic and will be looking to  pick up exactly where she left off in claret and amber.

‘This is another excellent addition ton the squad,” head coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Laura is a technically exciting young player who really impressed throughout her time at the club last season.

“We are looking forward to watching her progression this season.”

Our brand new third will be available to purchase on Monday. 

The first-team will wear the strip for the first time against Aberdeen on Saturday.

An alternate to our home and away kits, a champagne colour can be seen throughout the top, shorts and socks.

With an embossed diagonal pattern going through the front of the top, the sleeves, collar and bottom of the shirt show off our claret and amber colours.

The top has embossed MFC script writing in place of our club crest, to round off the classy look and feel of the kit.

Our third kit will be available to purchase online and in-store from Monday morning.

Lucy Barclay completes deadline day switch to ML1.

The forward joins the women of steel on a deal from defending champions Celtic.

The Scottish youth international makes the switch in search of regular first-team action after rising through the ranks at the hoops. Barclay made her debut for the Parkhead club at only 16-years-old and has continued to impress throughout the clubs youth academy.

“I’m delighted to have joined Motherwell,” Barclay said.

“I’m excited by the vision Paul and Leanne have for the club and I feel I can really develop myself as a player here. I’m a young player, so regular first-team minutes were exactly what I was looking to gain.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

The competitive 17-year-old sill add a new dimension to Motherwell’s defensive options and provide a valuable and productive competition for places.

‘This is another great addition to the squad,” head coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Mason adds a new dynamic to the squad in the already experienced backline and is a technically exciting young player who can really drive us forward this season.

“We are looking forward to aiding her development this season.”

An update has been provided by Stuart Kettlewell on the fitness of some of our injured players. 

“We’ve had a number of the guys back on the grass,” the managed stated.

“There’s still a bit of time to go. The three that stick out to me are John Koutroumbis, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Shane Blaney. They’re all working at a similar level.

“John has been out for longer so it may take him a bit longer to build. I don’t expect any of them to be involved in the squad this weekend.”

The women of steel return to South Lanarkshire this weekend looking to respond following a disappointing defeat to closest-rivals Partick Thistle at Fir Park.

The women of steel fell to a frustrating four-goal deficit, narrowly separating themselves from the top-six by a solitary point. The women of steel will be keen to grasp the opportunity to regain their early signs of progression after four straight defeats followed two comfortable victories over Spartans and Montrose.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell return their attention to competitive action after encountering a defeat against Brian Graham’s Jags last weekend. Goals from previous Motherwell striker Tiree Burchill and former defender Emma Lawton followed two goals from Hannah Robinson and an Emily Mutch own goal.

The women of steel will be without striker Morgan Cross who departed the club last night during the final moments of deadline day, joining defending champions Celtic on a three-year-deal. Summer addition Rachel Todd has found the target three-times and will be looking to add to their tally this weekend.

After a disappointing result in North Lanarkshire, Motherwell will be determined to earn three points when they take to the K-Park turf this weekend against Glasgow City.

Glasgow City

Dethroned champions Glasgow City have maintained a positive start to the 2024/25 SWPL campaign, comfortably securing five wins from six – defeated only by defending champions Celtic.

Ticket information 

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £3
• Under 11s – 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. Kick-off from Fir Park at 4PM.

Davor Zdravkovski was here 12 months ago when, after a great start to the season, Motherwell began a run of 15 games without a win. 

The North Macedonian is determined to keep the good run going, starting this Saturday against Aberdeen in the William Hill Premiership.

Motherwell has become one of the first professional clubs in Scotland to introduce Colostomy UK endorsed Stoma Friendly accessible toilets at Fir Park.

“It’s brilliant to see Fir Park becoming stoma friendly,” marketing and campaigns manager at Colostomy UK Giovanni Cinque said.

“A lack of suitable toilet facilities can be a huge barrier to doing many of the things most of us take for granted, like attending a football match, so we hope this announcement will encourage people living with a stoma in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, and beyond to attend a game.”

The Stoma friendly facilities include a number of useful features including:

• A hook on the door
• Shelf space
• A mirror
• Disposable bin in every cubicle
• Signage

“I meet regularly with the Disabled Supporters Association (DSA), and we’ve worked together on a number of projects over the years,” head of safety and facilities at Motherwell FC Robert Park explained.

“When the DSA Chair, Heather Horner, asked about the possibility of putting these facilities in place, I spoke to Colostomy UK and followed their guidance.

“We now have at least one male and female Stoma friendly toilet in each stand and function suite. These facilities are also suitable for those with Prostate Cancer or other medical issues, and I would remind all supporters that ‘Not all disabilities are visible.”

For more on Colostomy UK’s campaigns visit their website online.

“We are delighted to follow the excellent example shown by St Johnstone and Aberdeen and are grateful for the support of the club in putting these facilities in place,” chair of the DSA Heather Horner said.

“As an association we strive to ensure that irrespective of any disability or needs, Fir Park is welcoming and suitable for all.”