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The women of steel toasted their first matchday of 2025 in style, coasting to an assured victory in the City of Discovery, hitting hosts Dundee United for six at Foundation Park. 

Head Coach Paul brownlie named two changes from the side that held high-flying Hearts to a goalless stalemate in the final matchday of 2024 at K-Park.

Defender Chelsie Watson returned to the Motherwell backline, replacing the injured Jo Addie, with Sarah Gibb featuring in midfield in place of Laura McCartney. Midfielder Georgie Robb also returned to the matchday squad after an extensive injury spell left the youngster on the sidelines since joining the club from predecessors Dundee United.

Motherwell almost immediately imposed their attacking strengths onto the fragmented 13-player United squad, with striker Laura Berry firmly picking up from where she left off in the previous calendar year. The forward drove dangerously across the right-flank before slicing through the 18-yard-box and accurately dispatching a low-finosh underneath the on-rushing United goalkeeper.

Berry secured her brace after 14-minutes, dispatching a strike from the penalty spot after Louisa Boyes’ was brought down narrowly within the 18-yard-box.

Chelsie Watson made it three less than a minute later, prodding home Katie Rice’s whipped free-kick before repeating the feat shortly before the half-time break to ensure the women of steel headed into half-time with a comfortable four-goal cushion.

In almost inexplicable circumstances, United pulled one back with their only shot of the game, catching Emily Mutch out with a 50-yard strike directly from kick-off, baffling the Motherwell squad.

Berry completed her hat-trick on the hour mark, latching onto Jenna Penman’s pinpoint through ball before racing through and placing her curled finish beyond the reach of the United goalkeeper. Second-half substitute rounded off proceedings in the latter stages of the game, converting Mason Clark’s drilled delivery across the face of goal.

The women of steel will face a one-week break before returning to league action against Montrose in a fortnight’s time.

The sunshine failed to shine in Leith, as Motherwell were defeated by three-goals to one at a frosty Easter Road on Saturday afternoon. 

The Steelmen proved to be the architects of their own downfall, gifting the hosts three-goals across both halves to cement a disappointing end to a congested fixture list.

Manager, Stuart Kettlewell named six-changes from the side who held Kilmarnock to a goalless stalemate at Rugby Park on Wednesday evening. The departure of West Ham loanee Kristian Hegyi and an injury sustained midweek by Aston Oxborough prompted Motherwell to secure the signature of a replacement before the game in the Scottish Capital.

Goalkeeper Archie Mair was thrusted into his Motherwell debut after agreeing a season-long loan deal from Norwich City late yesterday evening, with Kai Andrews awarded his first Motherwell start alongside Stephen O’Donnell, Paul McGinn, Shane Blaney, and Tom Sparrow who all returned to the starting XI.

The hosts had the breakthrough shortly before the half-hour mark, as Nicky Cadden advanced across the left-flank before teeing up Martin Boyle, who calmly converted from a few yards out.

The second followed moments later, as Ewan Wilson was caught in possession deep into the Motherwell half, and Nectarios Triantis drilled his strike past Mair into the bottom-right corner.

Motherwell skipper Paul McGinn had an unfortunate return from a recent injury spell, with the 34-year-old forced off early in the first-half.

Second-half substitute Callum Slattery announced his return from injury in style, curling home a magnificent free-kick to earn a late Motherwell lifeline, but despite looking firmly in the ascendency, the visitors conceded a penalty kick in the later stages. Boyle stepped up and converted his second of the game to seal all three points for Hibernian.

Striker Jack Vale then received his marching orders with seconds left to play after contesting a Hibs counter-attack, which prompted the referee to brandish a straight red card.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts as his side end a gruelling run of games with a 3-1 defeat to Hibernian in Edinburgh.

Goalkeeper Archie Mair is our second January arrival. 

The 23-year-old shot stopper has joined from Norwich City on loan until the end of the season.

Mair started his career with Aberdeen before joining the Canaries in 2020. Since then, he has been out on loan on six occasions with King’s Lynn Town, Lincoln City, Dartford, Notts County, Gateshead, and, lastly, Morecambe.

One of his most notable moments on loan came for Notts County in the play off final, where in a penalty shootout, Mair saved two from the spot to help County get promoted back to the football league, having been subbed on specifically for the shootout.

He spent the first half of last season on loan at Gateshead, making 26 appearances and keeping seven clean sheets. He returned to Norwich early and moved immediately to Morecambe in League Two. There, Mair played 21 times.

This season, Mair has been named on the bench for Norwich six times, including their trip to Premier League side Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup.

Representing Scotland from Under 17 level through to 21s, Mair returns to his homeland for the first time since leaving in 2020.

Krisztián Hegyi has been recalled by West Ham United. 

Hegyi made two appearances in his time at Motherwell, both coming in the Premier Sports Cup.

“It’s great to get Archie on board for this afternoon’s match against Hibernian. He’s played plenty of games at various levels and carries some experience as a result,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“It hasn’t been an easy situation to navigate over the last 24 hours. Losing Krisztían to West Ham and then Aston Oxborough to injury, but we’ve got a really good goalkeeper through the door who will challenge Aston for that number one spot.”

Matty Connelly has returned to Motherwell, with the club exercising the option of an emergency short-term recall from East Kilbride.

For clarity, this is not a permanent recall, and the goalkeeper will return to East Kilbride shortly. Connelly is available for selection immediately.

Captain Paul McGinn spent months on the sidelines, missing out on the semi-final in the process, but the Motherwell skipper is pleased to be back in the fold. 

McGinn talks of the frustration on missing out in important matches, as well as talking about the importance of gaining results this month.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell says Liam Gordon will be assessed ahead of this weekend’s trip to Easter Road, with the defender coming off as a precaution after two head knocks on Wednesday night. 

Kettlewell goes into the detail about the danger of backing into a defender who is in the air. He also touches on the importance of having leaders like Paul McGinn and Stephen O’Donnell back on the pitch.

Motherwell are preparing for their seventh game in 21 days, with Kettlewell left a bit confused as to why the schedule has been so tight.

The Steelmen will play their seventh game in 21 days on Saturday 11 January when they travel to Edinburgh to take on Hibernian. 

Kick off is 3pm at Easter Road.

How to follow the game

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 away kit for this match.

Squad News

Ross Callachan, Zach Robinson, Steve Seddon, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Lennon Miller are out for this game. Harry Paton and Liam Gordon will be assessed.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

The Steelmen moved to within three points of third on Wednesday night, thanks to a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Kilmarnock.

Aston Oxborough was in top form between the posts to grab his second clean sheet in two games. It’s one a-piece when it comes to the head-to-head between Motherwell and Hibernian. Goals from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Andy Halliday secured a 2-1 win at Easter Road in October for the Well, with Hibernian winning 3-0 in the most recent match at Fir Park.

Motherwell’s progression continues, with Stuart Kettlewell’s side still ten points better off from this time last season.

Opposition Report

It’s been a season of two halves so far for the Hibees and David Gray. Named permanent boss in the summer, Gray came under pressure early on, with just two wins in 15 games.

A 3-0 win at Fir Park sparked Hibs into life and they have since won five of their last eight games, including two draws. Moving from the bottom end of the table to the cusp of top-six, Gray has turned fortunes around with Hibs looking up the table.

Nicky Cadden has impressed and picked up the Premiership December player of the month award.

Seven of our academy graduates have had their loans extended until the end of the season. 

Those who will remain at their respective clubs until the end of the campaign are:

• Dylan Wells (Edinburgh City)
• Mark Ferrie (Bonnyrigg Rose)
• Matty Connelly (East Kilbride)
• Olly Whyte (Cowdenbeath)
• Max Ross (Albion Rovers)
• Brannan McDermott (Broomhill)
• Luca Ross (Annan Athletic)

Best of luck, lads.

Motherwell are facing seven games in 21 days thanks to their postponed match against Kilmarnock being crammed in on Wednesday night.

The Steelmen travelled to Ayrshire, a place where they hadn’t tasted victory in almost four years. Aston Oxborough had to be at his very best keep Killie at bay, and when they did eventually get past him, VAR was on hand to rule Brad Lyons’ goal out for offside.

In a game where Motherwell were second-best, defenders stuck their body’s on the line to hold onto their clean sheet, with the game ending goalless and the Steelmen moving to within three points of third.

Motherwell moved a point closer to Dundee United in third place on Wednesday night after the Steelmen drew 0-0 with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. 

Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough had to work hard for his second clean sheet in as many matches, with Killie starting on the front foot from the off.

Marley Watkins looked set to at least hit the target inside the penalty area after just three minutes, but the Kilmarnock forward got the connection wrong, and his effort trundled past the post.

Oxborough produced a sensational save from a corner in the early stages. Joe Wright connected well with a header, but the Motherwell number one clawed the ball to safety.

With a quarter of an hour gone, Motherwell were presented with their first chance of the evening. After a good interchange with Marvin Kaleta, Tony Watt fizzed a low effort at goal, which forced Robbie McCrorie into action.

With Motherwell seemingly growing into the game, that momentum would change three minutes later. After Dan Casey’s pass was intercepted by the Killie backline, Fraser Murray brought the ball forward and fed Brad Lyons, who poked past the keeper. Having celebrated with the jubilant home support, VAR would have its say, ruling the goal out for offside.

Motherwell were digging deep, but they almost conceded on the stroke of half time. Again from a corner, Kilmarnock would create problems. Having had one already ruled out, Lyons was looking to get on the scoresheet, and his header came crashing off the bar. Half time, 0-0.

Neither team made any changes for the second period, and it was Watt who had a shot saved just before the hour mark, which was the first real notable chance of the half.

On 75 minutes, Oxborough was once again called into action, saving well from Watkins. Debutant Kai Andrews was introduced into the action and had an impact straight away.

He won the ball back for his side, Moses Ebiye nutmegged the defender, and set up Watt, who couldn’t get the strike on target. Stephen O’Donnell was presented with a big opportunity to snatch the win, but the full-back watched the ball go wide.

Kilmarnock weren’t done yet, however, and substitute Bruce Anderson had a big chance in stoppage time to win it, but the number nine’s effort didn’t trouble the keeper.

Jack Burroughs had one last chance at the death from a Bobby Wales pass, but Dan Casey was on hand to defend the situation.

Back-to-back clean sheets for the Steelmen, with four points from their last two matches, has them on 31 points, three behind Dundee United in third. Motherwell are on the road again on Saturday, travelling to the capital to face Hibernian.