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Refreshed from their Scottish Cup triumph over Bonnyrigg Rose in the ScottishGas Scottish Cup, Motherwell turn their attention back to the league campaign, when they welcome Spartans to K-Park on Sunday.

The women of steel booked their place in the quarter-final’s of the Scottish Cup in fine form, placing six-goals past the Rose to tee up an enticing contest against Boroughmuir Thistle, with a place in the Semi-Final at stake. Striker Amy Sharkey celebrated her 17th birthday and first match in claret and amber since signing permanently from Celtic last week, scoring an impressive hat-trick, with Louisa Boyes, Sophie Black and Jenna Penman also adding to the tally.

Paul Brownlie’s side will refocus their priorities towards the league campaign, with victory over Spartans this weekend putting the women of steel within touching distance of a top-six finish this season.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell 

Motherwell remain five-points clear of closest-rivals Partick Thistle, having already played an extra game, as both sides remain firmly in the chase for a top-six finish this season. Motherwell are in control of their own destiny, with victory in their next two-games potentially securing their top-six place if results elsewhere are favourable.

The women of steel are unbeaten in their last four domestic encounters, holding high-flying Hearts to a goalless stalemate, before defeating Dundee United, Montrose and Bonnyrigg Rose last weekend. Motherwell will have to contend without top-goalscorer Laura Berry, who returned to Rangers on deadline day after being recalled by the Glasgow-side.

Motherwell bolstered their squad ahead of a vital run of fixtures, with Rangers loanee Eilidh Austin, and experienced defender Shannon Leishman both joining the ranks at K-Park.

Spartans 

The capital-based club remain ninth in the SWPL table, three-points ahead of the relegation-places after a difficult fixture list against five of the top-six sides. Spartans are without a league victory since November, defeating Montrose by three-goals to nil before encountering five defeats and one draw. The Edinburgh side also secured their place in the quarter-final’s of the Scottish Cup, racking up six-goals against SWPL2 side Kilmarnock.

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Midfielder Mason Clark has been selected to represent Scotland Under-19 squad in a double-header of friendlies against Iceland later this month.

The 19-player squad will face two matches at Broadwood Stadium, with the first talking place on Thursday 20th and the second on Sunday 23rd February.

“I’m delighted to be in the squad,” Clark said.

“It’s always a real honour and a privilege to represent your national team, and I’m really looking forward to the games ahead.”

Calum Ward is the latest signing for Motherwell, subject to international clearance. 

The 24-year-old arrives on a deal until the end of the season.

The goalkeeper came through at Bournemouth and had a number of loan spells with Totton & Eling, Bashley, Thatcham Town, Weymouth and Finish side HIFK.

He then made a permanent switch to HIFK in 2021 before joining fellow Finnish outfit AC Oulu later that year.

Ward has played over 150 games in his career to date and will enhance competition for the number one spot between the sticks.

“It’s great to get this over the line,” Calum Ward said.

“I feel I can add serious competition, which I think is a good thing for everyone here. I’ve already met the players and they have all been very welcoming and friendly, I feel integrated already.

“From what I have been told, this is a great football club and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

After a difficult week at the football club, the Motherwell players were facing one of the toughest challenges of the league season, coming up against Champions Celtic.

With interim manager Stephen Frail saying the players owed it to themselves and the fans to put in a battling performance, all game plans went out the window after just 49 seconds, when Daizen Maeda opened the scoring for the visitors.

After the worst possible start, the Steelmen regrouped and battled their way back into the game. Luke Armstrong, having been handed his first start, found the back of the net for the first time in claret and amber just after 20 minutes.

Celtic went back ahead moments later through Adam Idah, and although Motherwell stayed in the game right until stoppage time, the Champions eventually applied the icing on the cake with the last kick of the ball to make it 3-1.

With a fortnight between this game and the next, a reset, recovery, and the small task of finding a new manager will all occur prior to Ross County’s arrival on the 15 February.

The club is aware of the racist abuse towards a Motherwell player on social media this afternoon. 

We will investigate this fully and will work with authorities to identify the individual. Motherwell Football Club condemns any form of racist abuse towards anyone. This kind of behaviour has no place in football or society.

Striker Amy Sharkey has completed a permanent move from defending champions Celtic following a successful initial loan spell in ML1. 

The 16-year-old joined the Hoops’ academy in February 2022, instantly making an impression throughout her time within the youth ranks at Parkhead. The striker was named as a substitute against fierce rivals Rangers at only 15-years-old in the maiden women’s Scottish Cup Final to be held at the National Stadium, Hampden Park.

The forward soon made her senior Celtic debut, before featuring twice against Hamilton and Dundee United, with Sharkey netting her first top-flight goal in a 9-0 victory over the Tangerines.

“I’m really excited to be staying at the club,” Sharkey said.

“I’ve really wanted to continue my development in a first-team environment, and the season so far at Motherwell has been a vital learning experience for myself.

“I want to be competing for regular match action at this level, and the opportunity to stay with the club on a permanent basis was one I simply couldn’t turn down.”

The Scotland under-17 international has already established herself within the youth ranks of the International stage, tallying seven appearances within the U17-squad and five amongst the U16 age category.

“I’m delighted to have Amy remain at the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Amy is a very talented young footballer with an excellent amount of experience both domestically and internationally despite still only being 16-years-old.

“She has competed well with the other strikers already at the club and has been fundamental in the system we’ve played of late.”

After a challenging defeat, Motherwell came up short to William Hill Premiership leaders Celtic on Saturday afternoon, with the visitors coming away with a 3-1 win.

Daizen Maeda got his side off to the perfect start, scoring after just 49 seconds. However, Motherwell showed ample character to stabilise themselves and levelled through Luke Armstrong after 23 minutes.

Celtic wouldn’t be level for long with Adam Idah scoring just six minutes later, before Jota put the icing on the cake in stoppage time.

With Stephen Frail at the helm, Motherwell made two changes to the side that conceded two late goals in Perth eight days prior, with both Dom Thompson and Luke Armstrong handed their first starts. Having signed the day before, Will Dickson and Luke Plange were both named on the bench.

And with a full away end behind them, Celtic got off to the perfect start. Anthony Ralston picked out Maeda at the back post with a perfect delivery, and the Japanese international headed past Ellery Balcombe to open the scoring inside a minute.

It was the worst possible start for the Steelmen, but they dug their heels in, and after some flashes of chances, they found the leveller. Thompson cut inside onto his right foot and crossed into the area; Auston Trusty could only set the ball up perfectly for Armstrong, who smashed it into the ground and into the bottom corner for the equaliser. 23 minutes gone, 1-1.

Celtic weren’t level for long, and having scored the opener, Maeda turned provider for Idah to level just before the half-hour mark. 1-2 to Celtic.

Tawanda Maswanhise got a sight of goal almost immediately from the restart after Armstrong flicked a long ball into the Zimbabwean’s path, but the winger dragged his effort wide of the post.

Maeda wasn’t able to convert a handful of chances before the half-time break, despite some good setup work from Luke McCowan.

The second-half almost got off to the worst possible start for Motherwell, with Idah wheeling away in celebration thinking his side had a two-goal advantage on 49 minutes after the ball eventually ended up in the back of the net via Tom Sparrow. After a VAR check, however, the number nine was offside, and the goal was ruled out.

Celtic continued to put pressure on the Motherwell goal, and on the hour mark, Nicolas Kuhn got in behind the Motherwell defence, and having seen his first effort saved by Balcombe, produced an acrobatic effort to finish on the rebound. The linesman’s flag was raised immediately, with the German offside.

Idah was denied a second by the post, with Motherwell stopper Balcombe producing a couple of decent saves to keep the visitors at bay.

With Stephen Frail introducing Plange and Dickson to the proceedings, which meant three strikers were playing, Celtic picked off the hosts and sealed the points in stoppage time. Arnie Engels released Maeda, who played the ball across the goal for Jota, who could tap in from close range.

A tough result for the Steelmen, but a free weekend will give time for rest and recovery before going again against Ross County at Fir Park on the 15 February.

Motherwell: Balcombe, Kaleta (Paton 38′), O’Donnell, Gordon, Blaney, Thompson (Zdravkovski 76′), Sparrow, Halliday (Dickson 76′), Nicholson (Wilson 63′), Armstrong, Maswanhise (Plange 63′)

Subs: Balmer, Zdravkovski, Paton, Wilson, Connelly, Watt, Andrews, Plange, Dickson

Stephen Frail speaks after Motherwell’s 1-3 defeat to Celtic at Fir Park.

Striker Will Dickson has joined from Manchester City on loan until the end of the season, subject to international clearance. 

The City youngster joins having progressed through the ranks of the Premier League champions.

Described as a versatile and skilful striker, Dickson joined the City ranks at the age of 15 and has consistently scored goals at all levels.

He signed his scholarship in 2021 and went on to have a successful 2021/22, scoring 19 times for City’s Under-18s as they lifted the Under-18 Premier League title and even featured twice for the EDS.

Dickson moved up to the EDS the following season and made an impressive 38 appearances, scoring 18 goals in the process.

His 2023/24 was disrupted by injury, but he still scored five goals in the limited games he played.

Now making his first loan move of his career, he is ready to show his talent at first-team level.

“This is my first loan move, and I couldn’t be more excited,” Dickson said.

“I’ve shown what I can do at City through the levels, but this is the next big step for me. It’s an ideal opportunity for me to showcase my talents, and I would love to see my game progress at Motherwell.

“It’s an ideal place to be, and I can’t wait to see all the fans.”

Motherwell have secured the services of forward Luke Plange on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, subject to international clearance. 

The 22-year-old joins from the Premier League side having been on loan with HJK Helsinki for the first half of this campaign.

Plange has a wealth of experience, in England and abroad, having turned out for six different clubs, as well as representing England at Under 21 level.

A product of the Arsenal Academy, Plange made the first move of his career to Derby County in 2021 and made his professional debut later that year. He made 26 appearances in the Championship for Derby, scoring four goals and was nominated for December’s PFA Championship Player of the Month.

His impressive displays earned him a three-and-a-half year deal with Crystal Palace in January 2022 but remained at Derby for the rest of the season on loan.

He continued to catch the eye of many following his return to Palace, and having netted a hat-trick against Ipswich Town, he moved to RWD Molenbeek in Belgium on loan for the first segment of the season. The Eagles recalled the forward at the midway stage of the season, where he’d made 16 appearances, and joined Lincoln City on loan for the second-half of the season.

In the summer of 2023, Plange was on the move again, this time to Carlisle United on a six-month loan. Upon the expiry of that contract, he returned to London where he scored pivotal goals for the Under 21 side.

The forward then moved on loan to HJK Helsinki in March 2024 prior to the season commencing in Finland. Plange made 36 appearances for HJK, scoring seven times and notching two assists. He played in the Champions League qualifiers for the Finnish outfit, and scored in the Europa Conference League group stage also.

He has been playing in Premier League 2 during January for Crystal Palace and is ready to make his mark.

“I feel fit, ready and optimistic about the rest of this season,” Plange noted.

“This is a great chance for me to build on what has been a successful season so far. I feel I have played in different leagues and bring a bit of experience on that front.

“I can’t wait to get started.”