Motherwell’s frustrations on the road persisted in the capital, with the visitors the architects of their own downfall, as a clinical Hearts side capitalised to record back-to-back victories ahead of the forthcoming international break.
A Katie Lockwood opener was soon complimented with a strike from Carly Girasoli, as the hosts cruised to a commanding early advantage.
Amy Anderson pulled one back for Motherwell, with an incredible strike from distance, but Hearts quickly restored their two-goal advantage on the half hour mark with Jenna Penman finding the target.
Chasing the game in the second half, the high Motherwell backline found themselves susceptible at the back, and Hearts racked up another two goals to complete a comfortable afternoon at the Oriam.
Head Coach, Paul Brownlie retained the same starting line-up from last weekend’s prolific six-goal thriller over Dundee United, with Kaitlyn Canavan and Kayla Jardine leading the line, as Amy Anderson and Louisa Boyes partnered in midfield.
Looking to head into the international break on a high, Hearts started firmly on the front foot, pinning the frustrated Motherwell backline into trading possession cheaply deep into their final third of the pitch.
Still yet to settle into the game and impose their game plan, Motherwell found themselves behind after only 10-minutes. Esther Morgan’s chipped through ball fell kindly to the feet of Lockwood, who rounded the onrushing Emily Mutch with ease before coolly dispatching her close-range effort into the empty net.
Less than two minutes later, Hearts had a second. Lockwood turned provider as her floated corner kick sailed invitingly into the path of Girasoli who powered home a well-placed header to give Motherwell a lot to ponder as the first half progressed.
The visitors halved the deficit minutes later, as Kayla Jardine’s excellent solo-run and delivery was bundled clear to the feet of Anderson, who arrowed a magnificent volley into the top-right corner for her first goal of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.
With a foothold in the match, Motherwell pushed forward and were denied what looked to be a clear penalty kick in a vital stage of the match, as Gill Inglis’ drilled delivery from the right ricocheted off the arm of Lizzie Waldie in the box, but the referee waived play on much to the bemusement of the Motherwell technical area.
Nevertheless, Motherwell still couldn’t quite impose themselves in the final third as the half hour mark approached, and Hearts restored their two-goal advantage moments later.
A quick counter-attack left Penman to race through on goal, and the strikers low effort flashed across the face of goal before nestling into the bottom-left corner.
The women of steel found themselves chasing the game as the second half resumed, and Hearts capitalised on the high Motherwell backline to secure their fourth of the afternoon.
Olufolasade Adamolekun’s perfectly-weighted through ball allowed Lockwood to escape her marker before converting her second of the game
With less than 10-minutes remaining, the hosts netted a decisive fifth to secure a comprehensive victory, compounding the women of steel’s woes on the road.
The forthcoming international break will provide the opportunity for the squad to regroup ahead of their return to action against Aberdeen on the 5 November 2023 at K-Park.
