The women of steel fought valiantly against the SWPL leaders Rangers, but couldn’t overcome their squad depth woes, as the hosts capitalised twice in the second-half to secure the three points at Broadwood on Sunday.
Katie Wilkinson and second-half substitute Lizzie Arnot both eventually broke through the resolute Motherwell backline, as Motherwell were forced into a makeshift back-five following a head collision to Jo Addie in the latter stages of the first-half.
Head Coach Paul Brownlie named an alternative line-up, with a variety of senior players unavailable. Sienna McGoldrick, Amy Sharkey and latest addition Sophie Black were all unavailable whilst remaining on international duty, whilst Mason Blyth-Clark and striker Laura Berry unable to face their parent club.
Both sides struggled to establish a foothold in the game throughout the entirety of the first-half, with both trading possession in a frustrating opening to proceedings. The hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock after Tessel Middag struck a side-footed effort following a whipped delivery across the face of goal, but Emily Mutch reacted brilliantly to parry the midfielders attempt clear of the Motherwell goal.
The Motherwell stopper was called into action moments later, denying Rio Hardy at the near post with a late reaction save with her outstretching leg.
The hosts thought they had found the breakthrough after Mia McAulay drilled a low-strike beyond the reach of Mutch, but the strikers celebrations proved to be short-lived, as the linesman correctly spotted a Rangers player directly interfering with the line of sight of Mutch.
Wilkinson added another goalscoring opportunity to Rangers’ tally moments before the half-time break, but Mutch again denied the forward, easily gathering the strikers headed effort. Defender Jo Addie received an accidental head-knock in the final seconds of the first-half, forcing the defender out of action for the second period of the game.
Motherwell’s makeshift back-five saw midfielder Rachel Todd partnering Chelsie Watson at the centre of the defence alongside Katie Rice, Jenna Penman and skipper Gill Inglis. Unable to resist Rangers’ early attacking progress, Motherwell conceded early into the second-half. Kathy Hill’s cross-field pass was skilfully controlled by McAulay who drove past Rice before flashing an enticing delivery across the face of goal, and Wilkinson expertly escaped her marker before converting at the front-post.
The second followed shortly after, as Arnot calmly worked her way through the centre of the pitch before striking a dangerous shot off the side of Watson, which inadvertently diverted the ball past the wrong-footed Mutch in the Motherwell goal.
Motherwell continued to toil in search of a route back into the game, with academy graduates Kyla Thomson and Hannah Cairns both making an impact off the bench, as Mia Gillespie also made her senior competitive debut. However, the women of steel couldn’t overcome the two-goal deficit and left Broadwood empty-handed, but were left encouraged by a positive display against the league leaders.
