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Motherwell took a step closer to their Sky Sports Cup dreams, as the women of steel dismantled visitors Dundee United to secure their place in the next round.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s magnificent strike from distance fired the women of steel into the ascendency midway through the first half, before Gill Inglis replicated her teammates strike minutes later.

Tammy Harkin pulled one back for the visitors in the second half, but Motherwell held out to progress to the next round of the Sky Sports Cup.

Following last weekend’s defeat to league leaders Rangers, Paul Brownlie made four changes from the previous outing, with McDonald-Nguah, Kodie Hay, Brogan Anderson and London Pollard all returning to the starting XI whilst Lori Gardner, Katie Rice, Carla Boyce and Georgie Rafferty all returned to the bench.

The hosts looked to impose their fluid possession game from the off, with United chasing the ball throughout much of the opening exchanges.

London Pollard’s darting run across the face of goal allowed her to skip past her opponent with ease before shifting the ball onto her stronger left foot, but the forwards off-balance attempt failed to trouble Fiona McNicoll.

Moments later, Motherwell were denied what looked like a certain penalty kick after Pollard was hauled down under the challenge of Jade McLaren, but the referee quickly waived play on despite the adamant pleas of the Motherwell players.

The hosts continued to threaten and deservedly netted the opener soon after. McDonald-Nguah was left unchallenged 20-yards from goal, and the strikers curling effort sailed beyond the reach of McNicoll before nestling comfortably into the top-left corner.

Motherwell continued to force the visitors to play with their own half, and moments later they had their second of the afternoon. Using her experience, Inglis skilfully drifted from her marker before latching onto Lucy Ronald’s through ball, and the midfielder replicated her teammates opener, dispatching her strike into the top-left corner.

As the second half resumed, United pulled one back. Motherwell failed to clear Cassie Cowper’s low corner kick, and McLaren’s through ball was easily converted by Harkin from a few yards out.

With United chasing an equaliser, Motherwell were forced to deflect wave after wave of attacking threats in the latter stages of the second half. Harkin’s low effort evaded everyone in the box before shattering off the outside of the post in a nerve-racking moment for the women of steel.

Nevertheless, the hosts stood resolute in the final few minutes to earn a precious place in the quarter-finals of the Sky Sports Cup.

Paul Brownlie’s side now await their fate in the next round before returning to league action against Spartans in a fortnight’s time.

“We tried to take the game to them whenever we could but the overall feeling is still frustration and disappointment.”

A brave, positive display from Motherwell wasn’t enough to earn them a share of the points, as 10 man Celtic, uncharacteristically, were left hanging on to their slender lead.

Motherwell were hoping to end a barren run of 24 games without a win against Celtic. The sight of Louis Moult returning to Celtic Park, where he grabbed both goals when they won 2-1 in December 2015, was a good omen.

By the time the striker came off the bench with 22 minutes remaining, though, ‘Well were trailing 2-1 to goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate. But Josip Juranovic’s first half own goal in first half not only brought the Fir Park men an unexpected equaliser but a belief they could take something from the game.

When Callum McGregor’s red card reduced Celtic to ten men for the final eight minutes, Motherwell had the opportunity to force an equaliser but in the end the efforts fell just short.

Steven Hammell was forced into a couple of changes and looking to expose the gap in the centre of the Celtic defence with both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt missing.

Joe Efford’s injury allowed Connor Shields to partner Kevin van Veen up front.

And Hammell’s positive approach was evident from the start as the Fir Park men kept Celtic pinned in their own penalty box for the first couple of minutes.

Sadly, after that Celtic forced the play and with ‘Well having to defend deep into their own half Kyogo Furuhashi’s tame shot gave Liam Kelly his first save of the afternoon.

The crosses from the Celtic flanks started to pepper Kelly’s goal and after 15 minutes the ‘Well ‘keeper produced a superb save to block Matt O’Riley’s powerful header, but Kyogo followed up to thump the ball into the net and put the home side one up.

For all their possession around the visitor’s box the Steelmen could have equalised after 28 minutes.

Paul McGinn’s cross from the right floated over Cornelius and bounced past a surprised Maguire, where, from eight yards in front of goal any touch would have threatened Joe Hart.

Motherwell almost paid for that miss in the 33rd minute when Josip Juranovic’s ferocious free kick left Kelly helpless only for the ball to crash back off the ‘keeper’s crossbar.

The Celtic full back knew his luck was out three minutes later when his own goal levelled the scores.

It started with a great piece of work from Matt Penney allowed Shields to cut into the box and drive a shot towards goal which Hart beat away for a corner.

When Sean Goss corner was only partially cleared, Blair Spittal hoisted the ball back into a packed box. Juranovic looked assured as he chested the ball back towards his ‘keeper only to watch Hart make a vain attempt to prevent the ball rolling over the Celtic goal line.

As the home fans were stunned into silence another corner from Goss caused concern in a nervous looking Celtic.

Two minutes from the break, though, Celtic came close to restoring their lead. Hatate made space 25 yards from goal and after his terrific drive rebounded from Kelly’s left hand post, Kyogo stooped to head the rebound into the net.

However, the assistant referee’s raised flag for offside ensured that the first half ended all square.

Motherwell should have ended that parity just three minutes after the break when another Goss corner whizzed across the six-yard line with three of his team mates unable to produce the killer touch.

The Fir Park men passed up another chance after 52 minutes. A deep free kick from Penney found Hart racing from his line and into a ruck of players in an attempt to punch the ball clear. As the Celtic ‘keeper slumped to the ground Van Veen could only hoist the loose ball over a packed box and the unguarded goal.

As the hour mark approached it was end to stuff as a drive from Juranovic dipped over Kelly’s bar before Hart outjumped Spittal to hold Shields’ tempting cross.

Three minutes later, though, Celtic were back in front when another stunning strike from Hatate screamed past the diving Kelly.

With 68 minutes played and Motherwell still very much in the game, Hammell made a double substitution, Stuart McKinstry and Louis Moult replacing Cornelius and Van Veen, who had just landed heavily on his shoulder.

Fifteen minutes from time a wonderful save from Kelly, nicking the ball of Kyogo’s toes when he looked certain to make it 3-1 kept ‘Well’s hopes alive.

Three minutes later the Fir Park men should have grabbed the equaliser. Maguire’s long throw found McKinstry eight yards from goal but he mistimed his attempt and the chance was gone.

As the game moved into the final five minutes and Celtic looking increasingly nervous Maguire’s 30 yard drive skimmed across the turf forcing Hart to get low down to his left to save.

The tension in the Celtic Park stands mounted two minutes from the end of normal time when Ross Tierney latched onto Maguire’s through ball only to be hauled back by McGregor. John Beaton had no hesitation in showing the Celtic captain a red card but they escaped further punishment when Penney’s effort from the resultant free kick sailed high over Hart’s crossbar.

‘Well were given five added minutes to use their one man advantage as the home fans screamed for the final whistle but couldn’t create an opening as the home side held out for a narrow win.

Corey O’Donnell has joined League Two leaders Bonnyrigg Rose on loan until the end of the season.

The young striker, who enjoyed a productive spell on loan at Albion Rovers last term, is recovering from a injury that will keep him out of action for a few weeks.

However, he will soon join up with his teammates at New Dundas Park as they look to record back-to-back promotions following their elevation to the SPFL last May.

“Corey had a couple of loan options, but he was keen on Bonnyrigg as they are a team and a club very much on the up,” Stevie Hammell said.

“He has had a frustrating period with injuries which has limited his time with the first-team since the summer.

“However, now he’s returned to training, we want to ensure he is in a position to continue playing regular matches with the ultimate aim of getting into our first-team squad.”

Irish winger Robbie Mahon has joined League One side Dunfermline Athletic on loan for the rest of the season.

The promising nineteen-year-old arrived from Irish club Bohemians back in March having played five first-team matches for Bohs.

He made his Motherwell debut against St Johnstone earlier in the season, but will now join Pars to gain valuable first-team experience.

“We have very high hopes for Robbie and see this loan as part of readying him to compete for a spot in our starting eleven,” said boss Stevie Hammell.

“He’s an exciting, attacking player with a good attitude to both training and matches.

“We think sending him to a club like Dunfermline, playing under the pressure of winning every game and the League One title, will add to his game and give him vital exposure to the challenges and rigours of weekly first-team football.

“We will monitor him closely and wish him every success at East End Park.”

Young left-back Ewan Wilson has joined Albion Rovers on loan for the season.

The 17-year-old, who turned professional in the summer of 2021, will join our North Lanarkshire neighbours with a view to gaining vital first-team experience.

“Ewan has been making good progress and we now believe he’s ready to take the next step in his development,” Steven Hammell said.

“Albion Rovers has been an excellent destination over the years with the likes of Steven Lawless, Chris Cadden and others getting vital developmental experience at Cliftonhill

“This will be a real solid challenge for Ewan and we wish him well.”

Steven Hammell says his side will have to be clinical when their chances come against Celtic in the cinch Premiership.

The manager knows how good Celtic are and is aware of the tough task that is ahead but insists his team can cause a major upset.

September player of the month Matt Penney has enjoyed his time at Motherwell thus far.

The full back says the experience of Celtic Park isn’t in any players’ mind and they are purely focused on trying to get three points.

Matt Penney is your player of the month for September. 

Comfortably winning the vote from the supporters, the Ipswich loanee has hit the ground running in his time at Fir Park.

Somehow still searching for his first goal at Motherwell, he saw the first of his long range efforts against Hearts saved by Craig Gordon with the second agonisingly hitting the bar moments later.

The attack minded full back has enjoyed having the freedom of attacking thus far and his accuracy of his crosses have seen strikers able to have numerous efforts on goal.

It’s time to pick your Paycare Motherwell FC player of the month for September.

Sean Goss, Blair Spittal, Matt Penney and Paul McGinn are all in contention.

To vote, head over to our Facebook page.

Games played in September:

• Motherwell 0-0 Dundee United
• Motherwell 0-3 Hearts

Sean Goss

Having another impressive month in the middle of the pitch, Sean Goss has been providing plenty chances for the attackers in his side.

Creating nine opportunities for his teammates, Goss also played 90 minutes in both games.

Blair Spittal

Spittal has settled in nicely to his new surroundings and is nominated for the second month running.

Unlucky not to have netted against Hearts, with his header coming off the post, has been pinpoint with his passing and proven to be handful for opposition defences.

Matt Penney

Another summer signing, Matt Penney is somehow still yet to score his first Motherwell goal.

The Ipswich loanee, saw the first of his long range efforts against Hearts saved by Craig Gordon with the second agonisingly hitting the bar moments later.

The attack minded full back has enjoyed having the freedom of attacking thus far and his accuracy of his crosses have seen strikers able to have numerous efforts on goal.

Paul McGinn

His second month in the claret and amber and his second nomination for player of the month.

Paul McGinn is yet to miss a minute this season and has quickly established himself a reliable full back for Steven Hammell.

Strong defensively, making eight interceptions in the two games, and providing an attacking option, McGinn came close to scoring his first Motherwell goal with his efforts narrowly going off target.