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The women of steel return to action this weekend, encouraged by their valiant and spirited display against league leaders Rangers, when they take to the K-Park turf against Dundee United.

The women of steel stood resolute against the Glasgow-side until the opening exchanges of the second-half, where a quickfire Rangers double sealed victory against a weakened Motherwell side, which left out Rangers loanees Laura Berry and Mason Blyth-Clark alongside Scotland under-17 internationals Amy Sharkey, Sienna McGoldrick and latest addition Sophie Black.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

The hosts head back to South Lanarkshire looking to replicate their late cup heroics after defeating local rivals Hamilton in the Lanarkshire derby almost a fortnight ago. The women of steel head into Sunday’s encounter keen to establish consistency in East Kilbride.

Motherwell’s squad selection limitations will improve this weekend, as Amy Sharkey, Sienna McGoldrick and latest addition Sophie Black all return from international duty with Scotland U17s, whilst Laura Berry and Mason Blyth-Clark are both eligible after being sidelined against their parent club.

The women of steel’s academy graduates have continued to prepare with the first-team squad, with striker Kyla Thomson, Hannah Cairns and Mia Gillespie all featuring against rangers at Broadwood last weekend.

Dundee United

The visitors have yet to pick up their first victory of the 2024/25 SWPL campaign, earning one point from their opening nine league games, after holding Aberdeen to a 1-1 stalemate at Balmoral Stadium. The Tangerines sit at the foot of the Premier. league table, four points adrift of the Dons in 11th-place.

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 K-Park at 4PM.

It was only in May of this year that Ewan Wilson was playing Junior football with Beith, after a failed loan spell at Stirling Albion.

With his contract coming to an end, he knew he had to impress to have a chance of continuing his career at Motherwell.

Fast forward to October and the 19-year-old is the first-team left-back for the Steelmen, having not missed a minute of league action.

He’s now a Scotland Under 21 internationalist and is preparing to play at Hampden in a League Cup semi-final against Rangers.

The rise has been nothing short of exceptional, but it isn’t just down to luck. Having came across personal issues with diet and weight, Wilson has been working hard behind the scenes to rectify his problems and come out the other side all the better for it.

Aston Oxborough has signed a new contract with the club. 

The new deal will see the goalkeeper remain at the club until the summer of 2027, with the club holding an option of a further year.

The 26-year-old has impressed everyone between the sticks this season. Oxborough has been named in the Premiership team of the week twice, and was voted player of the month for September by the Motherwell supporters.

“It’s great to get Aston signed on a longer contract,” manager Stuart Kettlewell added.

“There’s been no doubt in my mind that I wanted him to stay at Fir Park beyond this season. His qualities have shone through in his performances this season. And I think everyone knows how patient he has had to be for his opportunity.

“He is a huge part of the success we’ve had so far.”

The Englishman has started 11 games this season and has firmly secured his spot as the number one keeper at the club, with a string of impressive saves and performances.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind this season but I’m so happy to be signing on,” Aston Oxborough said.

“I’ve tried to give my absolute all and I’m pleased with how it’s went so far. Signing this deal doesn’t mean I’ll be taking my foot off the gas.

“We have huge games coming up and long-term, I want to be the number one keeper. So, it’s time to keep my head down and get back to work.”

Laura Berry has won the September ScottishPower Women’s Premier League player of the month award.

The 17-year-old returned to North Lanarkshire in emphatic style, netting five-times in her first month at the club since returning for a second loan spell from league leaders Rangers.

A promising young talent, Berry confidently resumed her scintillating goalscoring form from the previous league campaign, scoring four-times against Queens Park in only her second appearance since returning to the women of steel before striking in the final seconds of the game to level the Lanarkshire derby which eventually led to Motherwell securing their place in the Quarter-Final of the Sky Sports League Cup.

“I’m extremely proud to receive this award,” Berry said excitedly.

“It meant a lot to receive the award once last season and I wanted to achieve that again.

“Having the award voted on from fellow players and managers is especially meaningful, as their recognition is something I haven’t taken for granted. I’m looking to build on this start at the club this season and hopefully contribute to a successful season at the club.”

Chief Executive Brian Caldwell discusses the decision to give Stuart Kettlewell and Stephen Frail new contracts last month at the club. Caldwell also touches on the community spirit that he saw first hand in the build up the quarter-final match against Dundee United, as well as talking about the decision to move a December fixture against Kilmarnock to the Friday night. 

He also addresses the reasoning behind the ticket pricing for the semi-final match against Rangers before finishing on the relationship he has built with the Well Society.

Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough is your G4 Claims player of the month for September. 

The 26-year-old has made an impressive start to the season and has seemingly secured the number one jersey at the club.

He made a number of impressive stops against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, before a number of saves against Dundee United to help his side reach the semi-final.

Oxborough then went on to have a man of the match performance against St Mirren, which included saving Mark O’Hara’s penalty, which subsequently helped Motherwell pick up the three points.

Kofi Balmer has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for their upcoming matches. 

Michael O’Neill has brought Balmer into the squad a late addition.

The 24-year-old has been in Northern Ireland squads before however, he is yet to make his first appearance at senior level for his country.

Northern Ireland are on three points after two games in League C of the Nations League. They will continue their campaign on Saturday 12 October against Belarus.

They then travel home to take on Bulgaria on Tuesday 15 October.

• Belarus v Northern Ireland 
• Saturday 12 October 
• 7:45pm Kick Off 
• ZTE Arena

• Northern Ireland v Bulgaria
• Tuesday 15 October
• 7:45pm Kick Off
• Windsor Park

The second international break of the season has arrived, and we have five players away representing their countries over the next eight days. 

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos

Back from injury and back in the Australian squad, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos received a call-up to Tony Popovic’s first international camp.

The striker earned his first international cap back in the summer and is now looking for his second. After a slow start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, the Socceroos take on China in Adelaide before travelling to Japan in their second match.

Australia are on one point after two games.

Lennon Miller & Ewan Wilson

It’s a huge couple of games for Scotland’s Under 21 squad.

Scotland are in second place on 16 points and in their first match, face Belgium who are also on 16 points. The match will take place on Friday 11 October.

It’s then a long haul flight to Almaty on Tuesday 15 October to face Kazakhstan in their final group match.

Both Miller and Wilson impressed in the last camp, with both notching assists and Miller finding the back of the net against Malta.

Tawanda Maswanhise

Maswanhise is once again in the Zimbabwe squad.

The Warriors will continue their AFCON qualification group with a double header against Namibia in South Africa. They are on two points after the opening two matches, drawing 0-0 twice.

They play on 9 October and 14 October. Namibia were beaten in both of their September matches, against Kenya and Cameroon.

Krisztián Hegyi

With two games left to play, the Hungarians are six points off a qualification spot.

They play at home in their first match against Malta on 10 October, before travelling to Belgium on 15 October. There is only an outside chance of the Hungarians earning qualification from the group. They would need maximum points and hope results go their way.

Lennon Miller has won the September William Hill Premiership player of the month award. 

The 18-year-old was in scintillating form for the month, as he scored two goals against St Mirren at Fir Park.

A highly influential figure in Stuart Kettlewell’s side, Miller has made a fast start to his 2024/25 campaign, adding goals and assists to his already impressive CV.

“I’m extremely pleased to pick up this award,” Lennon Miller said.

“Not many Motherwell players win it, Blair Spittal won it last season and he was only the third Motherwell player in five years to do so.

“Personally, it’s great but more importantly, the team have been playing well collectively. There is a real sense of togetherness and cohesion between us all. We can’t wait to get back to the action.”

Motherwell travelled down the M8 to Edinburgh, looking to make it six wins out of seven going into the October international break. 

Taking on Hibernian at Easter Road, the Steelmen knew it wouldn’t be an easy task and they felt the full force of an attacking Hibs side in the first-half, with Aston Oxborough and Lennon Miller both called into action to prevent the hosts taking the lead.

A half-time alteration seemed to do the trick however, as Apostolos Stamatelopoulos netted his first Motherwell goal from a clever Miller free kick.

The lead didn’t last long as Junior Hoilett levelled the game minutes later. Moses Ebiye thought he had poked his team back in front, but the linesman had other ideas as he raised his flag for offside.

A red card for Hibernian’s Nectarios Triantis swung the momentum with ten minutes to go, and shortly after, Andy Halliday cushioned home the winner from a Kofi Balmer throw-in.

The win takes Stuart Kettlewell’s side fourth in table, and with a semi-final still to look forward to, things are looking good in ML1.