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The women of steel travel North this weekend for the second-time, looking to capitalise on their previously postponed fixture, when they head to the Granite City to face Aberdeen.

Motherwell faced an unfortunate change to the fixture schedule, as Storm Ashley brought intense wind throughout Balmoral stadium, forcing the women of steel to make the midweek journey on Wednesday night.

Motherwell comprehensively overcame the Tangerines in their last victory of the season, sending four past visitors Dundee United in an assured performance at K-Park. Laura Berry continued her remarkable goalscoring form since returning to Motherwell on her second consecutive loan spell from league leaders Rangers, netting twice alongside strikes from Louisa Boyes and Chelsie Watson.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

The hosts return to Balmoral Stadium for the first-time since securing three points with the final kick of the game last season. Motherwell cruised to a formidable two-goal cushion before Francesca Ogilivie received a straight red card, keeping the women of steel firmly in the ascendency.

The Dons bounced back with two quickfire goals, but in the final seconds of the game, Chelsie Watson bulleted home the decisive header to gift Motherwell all three points.

Paul Brownlie’s side retain a positive record against Sunday’s opposition, returning three wins from their last five meetings. The women of steel have netted 18-times against the Dons since 2023 and will be looking to add to their tally this weekend.

Aberdeen

Sunday’s hosts have had a mixed start to their 2024/25 SWPL campaign, picking up victories against Montrose and Queens Park whilst also enduring substantial defeats to Rangers and Hibernian. Aberdeen sit ninth in the SWPL table, four points adrift of Motherwell.

Ticket information

Supporters can purchase tickets on matchday, with the clubs turnstile in operation. Tickets can also be purchased in advance through the Aberdeen FC ticketing website.

• Adult – £5.
• Under-12s – Free to enter.

How to follow the action 

Supporters can follow Wednesday’s encounter on X formerly Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from Balmoral Stadium at 8PM.

Motherwell return to William Hill Premiership action on Saturday 9 November against St Johnstone at Fir Park. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

• Young Adults tickets would be ages 14-17
• Juveniles would be 13 and under
• Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

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

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Team News

Stephen O’Donnell, Paul McGinn, Callum Slattery, Harry Paton, Jack Vale, Ross Callachan and Sam Nicholson remain out for this game.

Liam Gordon is suspended.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell fell at the semi-final hurdle of the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday. A 2-1 win for Rangers ended a busy week for the Steelmen.

In the William Hill Premiership however, Motherwell are sitting fifth. It’s five wins in the last eight league outings for Stuart Kettlewell’s side, as they look to close the gap on those above.

Opposition Report

St Johnstone named former Motherwell man Simo Valikari as their new boss last month, and he got off to a flyer. Winning at Dens Park was followed up by a defeat at home to Hearts last weekend.

Benjamin Kimpioka has impressed everyone since arriving at McDiarmid Park. The Swedish Under 21 international has found the back of the net ten times this season, and is joint top goalscorer in the Premiership.

Kofi Balmer has kept his place in the Northern Ireland squad. 

A late addition last month, Balmer has been named the initial squad this month, with Northern Ireland in Nations League action.

After a strong camp last month, Northern Ireland are looking to confirm their spot top of League C Group 3 and subsequently earn promotion to League B.

It’s first against second on Friday 15 November, with Belarus travelling to Windsor Park. Northern Ireland then finish their campaign with a trip to Luxembourg on Monday 18 November.

A win against Belarus would all but secure top spot in the group for Michael O’Neill’s men. Balmer will be looking to earn his first cap for his country. 

• Northern Ireland v Belarus 
• Friday 15 November 
• 7:45pm Kick Off
• Windsor Park, Northern Ireland 

• Luxembourg v Northern Ireland 
• Monday 18 November 
• 7:45pm Kick Off
• Luxembourg Stadium, Luxembourg

Motherwell made their first return to Hampden in six years and were tasked with taking on Rangers in the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup. 

With over 8,000 Well fans in attendance, Stuart Kettlewell’s side got off to a great start. Andy Halliday somehow got onto the end of Steve Seddon’s cross to send the Motherwell section of Hampden into rapture.

The Rangers supporters voiced their concerns, and their team came out for the second-half in sharper fashion. Cyriel Dessers levelled the game only minutes into the second period, and Rangers continued to ply pressure onto the Motherwell net.

Aston Oxborough made a number of saves, but Nedim Bajrami would find the winner just ten minutes from time to break Motherwell hearts.

The 8,000 strong supporters stayed behind to show their appreciation of the team’s efforts to get to this stage, and now the Steelmen will take on St Johnstone on Saturday prior to the November international break.

A late decisive winner ended Motherwell’s exciting Premier Sports’ Cup run, as Rangers narrowly progressed to the final.

Andy Halliday’s opener after 25 minutes had ‘Well fans dreaming of a return to Hampden next month, but second-half goals from Cyriel Dessers and a rather fortunate second from Nedim Bajrami ended such hopes of progression.

However, the Steelmen’s efforts were thoroughly recognised by the ‘Well fans, who remained behind after the final whistle to applaud the players as they trudged over to reciprocate their support.

Following the midweek win over Dundee United, Stuart Kettlewell made two changes to the starting line-up. Liam Gordon returned from suspension to replace the injured Stephen O’Donnell, while Andy Halliday came back into the fold at the expense of Tom Sparrow.

Not surprisingly, after his two goals at Tannadice, Tawanda Maswanhise retained his place, supporting Apostolos Stamatelopoulos in attack.

Lennon Miller confidently led Motherwell onto the pitch, becoming the club’s youngest ever captain. However, the match faced an immediate wait, as kick-off faced an impromptu delay due to the smoke hanging over the pitch from pyrotechnics at both sides of Hampden.

When vision was restored, it was Rangers who had the first attempt at goal. Aston Oxborough scooped up Vaclav Cerny’s shot before Liam Gordon nodded the ball behind.

Cyriel Dessers was next to have a pop at goal, but despite getting in behind the ‘Well defence, the forward dragged his shot across the face of goal and beyond the far post.

At the other end, Jack Butland was untroubled until the 25th minute, when the Steelmen broke the deadlock.

A hopeful long ball found Maswanhise at the edge of the penalty area, and when the ball broke to Steve Seddon, the defender whipped an inviting cross into the six-yard area. Halliday, sneaking in at the back post, timed his run to perfection, stretching to delicately clip the ball past Butland.

Oxborough was called into action to preserve the Steelmen’s lead moments later. The commanding shot-stopper threw himself across goal to palm Connor Barron’s low drive round his right-hand post.

The Fir Park stopper was soon forced into a couple of saves before half time, again at full stretch to beat away Mohamed Diomande’s curling shot before palming John Souttar’s headed effort behind to keep his clean sheet intact.

Unfortunately for the Steelmen, it took Rangers five minutes to finally beat Oxborough. Barron squared the ball across to Dessers, and from eight yards, he scooped his finish beyond Oxborough.

That prompted an immediate change for ‘Well, with Tom Sparrow coming on for Seddon and Wilson taking a step back on the left side.

While that change prompted a bit more action around Butland’s box, Kettlewell made a double change after 63 minutes, swapping his front-two, with Zach Robinson and Jair Tavares coming on.

Six minutes later, Marvin Kaleta’s whipped pass sent Sparrow racing down the right-hand side but the substitute couldn’t strike a clean connection on the ball, allowing Butland to easily gather.

At the other end, Oxborough produced another fine save low to his right, pushing Cerny’s drive across his goal to safety.

A positive late challenge from Kaleta brilliantly delayed a promising Rangers attack, but the interception took its toll on the ‘Well defender as he limped off with Shane Blaney taking his place in the back five.

It was Rangers, though, who found the winner ten minutes from time, with the goal carrying more than a slice of good fortune.

Oxborough had Bajrami’s angled shot covered at his near post until Balmer’s sliding challenge inadvertently deflected the ball over the ‘keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Six minutes of additional time was the signal for Dan Casey to join the attack, but despite a late flurry towards Butland’s goal, ‘Well couldn’t find an equaliser to prolong their cup run.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts on his sides 2-1 defeat to Rangers at Hampden.

Lennon Miller says nothing will change in his approach to the game, after the manager has assigned him captain for Sunday’s big showdown with Rangers.

The 18-year-old remains unfazed about the responsibility and is firmly focused on the challenge of Rangers.

Assistant manager Leanne Crichton has departed the club to pursue a coaching role with league leaders Glasgow City. 

The experienced Scottish international joined the women of steel in the summer of 2021, balancing a player coaching role until the 37-year-old’s official retirement the following season. Crichton continued with the women of steel, assisting Head Coach Paul Brownlie to two successive seventh-place finishes and a Scottish Cup Semi-Final appearance.

“We can’t thank Leanne enough for her effort and commitment at the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Leanne has worked tirelessly to support the development of the players at the club and that shows through the performances on the pitch.

“Myself, the entire coaching staff and the players wish her all the best for the future.”

We thank Leanne for her efforts at Motherwell and wish her well for the future.

We will open on Sunday from 10am until 11.30am for last minute sales and any tickets still not collected.

Any uncollected tickets will be taken to Hampden.  The ticket cabin is situated at the Southeast corner of the stadium, next to the turnstiles G3 – G8.

Persons attending events at Hampden Park should be aware that the area immediately surrounding the stadium is mainly residential and the availability of on-street parking is extremely limited due to event specific parking restrictions.

On event days we would advise persons attending Hampden Park where possible to use public transport to get to and from the stadium, if not travelling by organised coach/bus.

Parking Wardens will be on duty patrolling the restricted areas.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This is an excellent source of information regarding all forms of public transport to and from the stadium and provides up to date, live time information. The Journey Planner can be found here.

A guide on how to get to Hampden Park can be found here.

Scotrail:

Additional carriages and services run both pre and post event, with Motherwell fans going to and from Kings Park.

An online timetable can be found here.

Park & Ride: Several railway park and ride options are available.

BUSES – WITHOUT official Hampden car parking passes

M8/M73 to M74 Jct 1A (Polmadie) – onto Polmadie Road towards Stadium and follow directions from Police motorcyclists to allocated supporters bus parking areas in the east of stadium area

Luke was lucky enough to be drawn out of a hat to be the mascot for Sunday at Hampden.

The club bought him a new strip for the big day to ensure he looked the part. So, we got a very special deliveryman to surprise him with his new strip.