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The big games kept coming for Motherwell as they travelled to the Highlands to take on Ross County. 

In what had been described as a six-pointer for both teams, the opening exchanges of the game were cagey with both sides having half chances within the game.

Coming out for the second half, it would be a slow start for the Steelmen and they looked to have conceded a penalty at the start of the second period.

Referee Don Roberston pointed to the spot after he had adjudged Calum Butcher to have fouled the County defender Iacovitti however after a watch at the VAR screen, the decision would be overturned.

VAR would intervene again just after the hour mark. Kevin van Veen’s excellent touch looked to be taking him through on goal before Jack Baldwin fouled the Dutchman and the referee showed him a yellow card. Robertson would again go to the monitor and eventually awarded the County man with a red card.

Motherwell made the extra man count. Van Veen grabbed his 16th and 17th goal of the campaign to give his side a huge three points as Stuart Kettlewell made it 10 points out of a possible 12 in charge of Motherwell.

The Women of Steel kept their top six hopes alive after claiming all three points in a thrilling encounter with Dundee United at K-Park.

A deflected Katie Rice strike broke the deadlock after seven minutes before Louisa Boyes directed a pinpoint Lucy Ronald cross beyond the keeper. United nabbed a consolation against the run of play in the second half, but the hosts stood firm to claim a vital result.

Manager Paul Brownlie made three changes from the side that suffered a tough midweek defeat to league leaders Glasgow City. Emma Lawton, Kaela McDonald-Nguah and captain Gill Inglis all returned to the starting XI whilst Kodie Hay and Lori Gardner settled for a place on the bench, with Lauren Doran-Barr missing out due to injury.

Motherwell were certainly the likelier of the two sides to break the deadlock after the early exchanges, with the opener coming minutes later.

Inglis’ exceptional run sliced through the United midfield before picking out Burchill whose floated delivery fell kindly to the feet of Rice, and the midfielders curling attempt deflected beyond the reach of the keeper to give the hosts the early advantage.

Motherwell continued to force the United defence deep into their own territory, and they soon doubled their advantage.

Ronald coasted into a pocket of space on the right with ease before drilling a pinpoint delivery towards the front post, and Boyes skilfully escaped her marker to prod home from a few yards out.

Brownlie was forced into making an early alteration after McDonald-Nguah landed awkwardly following a collision, forcing the striker off the pitch.

The hosts were certainly in the ascendency as the first-half drawn to a close. However, the visitors quickly pulled one back against the run of play.

Motherwell were caught on the counter attack as Rachael Todd raced through on goal, and the wingers low driven effort ricocheted off the feet off Lawton, wrong footing Emily Mutch before nestling into the bottom right corner.

Despite a late United resurgence, the women of steel stood firm to hold onto a vital three points, as they keep the push for a top-six finish alive ahead of next weekend’s trip to Aberdeen.

Motherwell made it 10 points out of a possible 12 under Stuart Kettlewell’s, with a 2-0 win in the Highlands against Ross County. 

The win lifted the Steelmen 10 points away from Dundee United at the foot of the table.

A second half brace from Kevin van Veen secured three points for his side, with the hosts being reduced to ten men with Jack Baldwin given his marching orders following the intervention of VAR.

Yan Dhanda was proving to be a handful in the early stages as Liam Kelly was called into action early on. George Harmon seen his volley stopped by Kelly after just two minutes.

It was then Motherwell’s chance to open the scoring. Some excellent work from Blair Spittal on the left hand side who found Obika with a pinpoint cross and the striker headed just wide.

The rest of the half was largely an even affair, with Motherwell’s best chance of the half coming on the stroke of half time. Van Veen turned his man on the edge of the box before lashing a shot at Laidlaw who saved and the rebound came to Johnston who fizzed a low cross into the area that just missed Callum Slattery who was sliding in.

The second half started with a bang. Ross County were awarded a penalty by Don Robertson. Initially given for a pull on Alex Iacovitti, the referee went to the monitor and changed his decision. No penalty awarded.

VAR would get involved again on 69 minutes. Van Veen controlled the ball out of the air with a lovely touch to take him through on goal before Jack Baldwin tripped the Dutchman. Robertson awarded the defender a yellow card at first but was again advised to go to the monitor. Upon his return, he showed the skipper a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Motherwell went on to make the extra man count. Some lovely work from Dean Cornelius to find Blair Spittal who hung a ball into the box for Van Veen who headed in the opener. 0-1.

The Steelmen made sure of the points with minutes remaining. Max Johnston’s initial effort on goal found Van Veen who controlled and volleyed home from close range to make the points safe.

Niamh Noble has joined Motherwell on loan from Glasgow City until the end of the season. 

The left-sided full-back makes the switch to Lanarkshire as the women of steel push for top-six spot in SWPL.

She has been capped at Under 15 through to Under 19 level for Scotland, with her most recent call-up coming last year.

“I’m excited to be joining Motherwell for the remainder of the season,” Niamh Noble added.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to get to work with Paul, Leanne and the team and I can’t wait to get started.”

The 17-year-old will wear the number 15 kit this season.

“Niamh is another good addition to the squad,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“She is someone I’ve worked with before at youth national level and was desperate to get her to Motherwell. It’s another young, athletic player who will provide real energy and quality to the squad.”

Motherwell have two pre-split games remaining, with the first coming on Sunday against Dundee United at K-Park. 

Kick-off is 4pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the match cost £8 for adults, with concessions and kids costing £3.

Cash and card are accepted at the turnstiles. There is no facility to buy tickets online before the match.

STORY OF THE MATCH

Story of the match

Motherwell were beaten 3-0 by Glasgow City midweek.

The two sides met in the first game of the season, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. They also faced off in the Scottish Cup, with Motherwell gaining the upper hand with a 2-1 victory to progress to the next round.

Dundee United’s last win came against Aberdeen at the start of February. They were beaten 2-0 by Hearts midweek with United seven points behind the women of steel in the SWPL table.

Stephen Frail is the new assistant manager of Motherwell Football Club. 

The 53-year-old joins as Stuart Kettlewell’s number two in the dugout and will begin his role immediately.

Frail had spells with Dundee, St Johnstone, Tranmere, Hearts and Morton before retiring in 2002.

Well versed as a coach, Frail has had experience at international level with Northern Ireland and at club level.

In 2005, he was number two at Hearts for over two years before stepping up as manager of the club for the rest of the 2007/08 season.

He was Micky Mellon’s assistant at Dundee United and was most recently at East Fife working alongside Darren Young.

“I am delighted to be here and given this opportunity,” Frail said.

“Stuart phoned me last week with regards to coming in and we discussed at length the short-term and long-term visions he has at the club.

“It was an easy decision to make. This is a good club and I’m well aware of the history of it.

“From my perspective, I’m looking forward to getting back on the training pitch again.”

“When I took the job, I knew I wanted an experienced head in the dugout with me,” manager Stuart Kettlewell added.

“Stephen is highly regarded and respected in the game and is someone who has coached at various different levels, at club and international level.

“He is an excellent coach who builds good relationships with players and has been in work recently.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with Stephen and hopefully forging a successful time at Motherwell.”

It’s a trip back to familiar territory for Motherwell managerStuart Kettlewell as they take on Ross County in the cinch Premiership.

With seven points collected out of nine so far, the Motherwell manager has bee drilling in the mindset of ‘the next game’ in the hope that his player focus purely on each game as it comes and give it their all.

Lauren Davidson got a brace as Motherwell fell to a 3-0 defeat to Glasgow City.

Emily Whelan also got on the scoresheet as Motherwell remain in the hunt for a top-six spot in SWPL.

Emily Mutch was called into action within in the first 15 minutes. Jenna Clark’s header was well saved from a corner and put around the post.

City continued to press forward when Whelan cut the ball back to Clark whose shot was blocked and Davidson’s subsequent effort was wide of the mark.

Mutch again proving difficult to beat, saved King Kodak’s effort from the edge of the box.

But the Motherwell stopper was eventually beaten on 27 minutes. Davidson involved again, played the ball on a plate for Whelan who tapped home in the 6-yard box.

The hosts doubled their lead when Claire Walsh’s cross-field pass found Davidson who fired home from a tight angle.

However, Motherwell tried to force some openings for themselves. Louisa Boyes and Lucy Ronald both having efforts on target from range but were comfortably stopped by Lee Gibson in the City net.

City made it three with 17 to go. Whelan powered her way to the byline before cutting the ball back to Davidson who finished to make it 3-0.

Richard Foster has been appointed head of coaching. 

Joining the club and starting immediately, Foster will oversee coaches within our academy at all youth levels.

Alongside this, he will be coaching our Under 16s team and will be involved at Under 18s level. With Stuart Kettlewell’s role of lead development coach vacant, since he became first-team manager, Foster will be coaching the Under 18s until a replacement has been appointed.

Foster began his career at Aberdeen where went on to make over 200 appearances for the Dons.

In his time, he turned out for Rangers, Ross County, St Johnstone, Bristol City and Partick Thistle while also being selected for Scotland duty in 2012.

He was assistant manager with USL Championship side Detroit City for the 2022 season before returning to Scotland earlier this month.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for me at the perfect time,” Foster said.

“Motherwell is renowned for developing young players that go on to have sustained careers within the game and they have some great, young talent coming through with excellent people working here.

“This all makes me feel very fortunate to be given this role and I’m looking forward to getting started.”