An emphatic second-half comeback saw Motherwell overturn a two-goal deficit to earn a point on a frustrating but rewarding return to SWPL action at K-Park.
Two perfect penalties from Kaela McDonald-Nguah cancelled out first-half strikes from Rebecca Galbraith and Katherine Smart to complete a thrilling afternoon in East Kilbride.
Paul Brownlie made three changes from the side the cruised past Dundee United in the Sky Sports Cup over a fortnight ago. Lori Gardner and Katie Rice both returned to the starting XI, with Kodie Hay and Brogan Anderson having to settle for a place on the bench. Carla Boyce also returned to action following London Pollard’s midweek departure from the club.
Looking to continue their positive run of form, Motherwell tried to impose themselves from the off, with Lori Gardner testing the Spartans goalkeeper in the opening few minutes.
Latching onto Katie Rice’s through ball, Gardner darted across the face of goal before shifting the ball onto her right foot, but the forwards ambitious effort failed to trouble Alicia Yates.
Emily Mutch was forced into making a superb reaction save moments later. Smart’s floated delivery fell kindly to Tegan Reynolds at the edge of the penalty area, but Mutch reacted brilliant to parry the midfielders effort around the post.
Seconds after keeping her side in the game, it was a moment to forget for the Motherwell shot stopper. Mutch looked to have gathered Galbraith’s deceptive low shot, but the ball somehow slipped through her grasp before nestling into the back of the net.
As the half-time whistle loomed, the visitors netted their second of the game. Marshall’s pinpoint free-kick caught the static Motherwell defence off-guard, and Smart raced through to convert at the front-post.
Trying to find a route back into the game, Motherwell came close to pulling one back on the hour mark. Second half substitute Jemma Hughes pickpocketed Sarah Clelland deep into her own half before driving towards goal, but the striker couldn’t apply the finishing touches as her strike fell agonisingly over the crossbar.
With 20-minutes left to play, the hosts pulled one back. Lucy Ronald was bundled over in the box leaving the referee no alternative, but to award the penalty kick. McDonald-Nguah stepped up and confidently placed her effort past Yates.
Motherwell continued to flood the Spartans penalty area in search of a vital equaliser, and their efforts were rewarded 10 minutes from time. Nicola Jameison was caught wrong side of Lauren Doran-Barr in the box, and the referee soon awarded Motherwell their second spot kick.
McDonald-Nguah stepped up again and coolly sent Yates the wrong way to seal an excellent second half response from the women of steel.
Paul Brownlie’s side will now turn their attention to the Sky Sports Cup, as they face league leaders Rangers in the Quarter-finals on Sunday.