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Motherwell gave up a three-goal lead as they drew 3-3 with Rangers in SWPL1 on Wednesday night.

First half goals from Mhairi Fyfe and Lori Gardner, and a strike from Sarah Crilly early after half time, had given Donald Jennow’s a deserved and comfortable lead at Ravenscraig.

But the visitors racked up three in the last 10 minutes, including a stoppage-time equaliser, to take an unexpected share of the spoils.

Motherwell were good for their lead and were ahead within 15 minutes.

Katie Rice found herself with the ball from close range but, as she was crowded out, her shot was blocked.

Fyfe however was on hand to cooly sidestep away from the goalkeeper to pass the rebound into the net.

Minutes later, it was two, and it was a sensational strike from Gardner. Cutting in from the left, she curled an unstoppable effort into the top right corner of the net.

Crilly then looked to have sealed the game early in the second half, finding room just inside the box to fire home.

Amy Muir’s low driven effort with 10 minutes on the clock gave Rangers a goal, but what was to follow was still unexpected.

With three minutes left, Jade Gallon broke through to fire past Morgan Hunter and set up a nervy finish.

The women of steel couldn’t hold on and, from a Muir corner, Holly Napier was able to strike from a few yards out in injury time to grab a point.

Motherwell: Hunter, Roberts, Montgomery, Rolph, Knox, Adams, McEachran, Rice, Gardner, Crilly, Fyfe.

Subs: McManus, MacLeod, Liddell.

Nobody expected an easy transition for Motherwell in SWPL1, and it certainly hasn’t proved one so far.

Following on from getting the league campaign off to a winning start against Stirling University, Motherwell haven’t managed to add another victory in their subsequent four matches.

As the women of steel prepare to host Rangers at Ravenscraig on Wednesday evening, Steph Knox insists nobody is reaching for the panic button at this early stage.

With a two-and-a-half-week break without a game, the defender thinks that will have helped the side recover from painful successive defeats against Spartans in their last outings.

“The break has given us much needed time together on the pitch to work on things and regroup,” Knox said. “It’s important to challenge any issues and move past them to improve as a team.

“To suffer back-to-back defeats against Spartans was very disappointing, but we can’t deny that Spartans are a very good team with very good players.

“We know we need to really up our game to compete with teams like Spartans and we proved we can do that against Celtic – it’s just trying to find that consistency.”

With big challenges coming thick and fast, Knox knows that finding consistency won’t be a straightforward exercise.

After hosting Rangers, Donald Jennow’s side head to Petershill Park to face 12-in-a-row title winners Glasgow City.

Only five games into the season, Knox reckons the league table isn’t too significant at this early stage and stressed the importance that they the team don’t look beyond their next game.

“The Rangers game will be a massive challenge for us,” added Knox, who played for the Ibrox side between 2009 and 2015.

“They are an experienced top league side and have a lot of quality.

“We know we’ll have to work hard and really focus to take anything away from the game but we’re up for there challenge and are looking forward to the game.

“It’s important to be realists with our league position, we have seen some interesting results so far this season.

“You can’t take anything for granted and one game at a time is definitely our strategy right now.”

Having had a brief spell at ‘Well last season, Steph rejoined the ranks at Fir Park during the close season and has been an ever-present so far this term.

The defender is enjoying playing regular football and is excited about the heightened attention being placed on the women’s game.

Scotland’s brilliant 1-0 triumph over Brazil during the international break grabbed headlines across the country and Knox will be right behind Shelley Kerr and all of those in dark blue as they head to France for this summer’s World Cup.

“It’s been great coming back to Motherwell,” the 24-year-old said. “For me this season has been about getting back to enjoying playing football.

“The atmosphere at the club is one of the best I’ve been at from both the coaches and the players – I’m loving playing again.

“It’s brilliant to see our national side do so well they’ve really exceeded expectations.

“The result against Brazil was a real confidence boost going into the World Cup. It’s exciting for the country and I’m sure the girls will do us all proud over there.”

Motherwell are back in action following a 17-day break without a competitive fixture, when Rangers visit Ravenscraig on Wednesday evening in SWPL1.

Donald Jennow’s side went into the break with back to back defeats against Spartans and will be keen to bounce back against a Rangers side who are placed one place and two points above them in the table.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm.

THE OPPOSITION

Like Motherwell, Rangers have also suffered defeat in their last two outings.

They suffered a bruising 4-1 loss at home to Celtic ahead of the international break, before returning with a 5-1 hammering in the SWPL Cup semi final against Glasgow City at Broadwood on Sunday.

Despite their recent struggles, Amy McDonald’s side have shown their qualities as they swept aside Stirling University 4-1 and recording successes over Forfar Farmington in the league and SWPL Cup.

Six points from four games represents a mixed start to the campaign for the Light Blues, who will harbour ambitions to build on last season’s fourth place finish.

Meetings with ‘Well and Spartans within a five-day spell could prove very significant in how their season is to progress.

POSITIONS

Motherwell: SWPL1 – sixth – four points

Rangers: SWPL1 – fifth – six points

WHAT THEY SAID

‘Well defender Steph Knox insists nobody within the squad is reaching for the panic button after the disappointment of back-to-back defeats against Spartans.

“To suffer back to back defeats against Spartans was very disappointing,” she said

“We know we need to really up our game to compete with teams like Spartans and we proved we can do that against Celtic – it’s just trying to find that consistency.”

“The Rangers game will be a massive challenge for us.

“They are an experienced top league side and have a lot of quality.”

Head coach Donald Jennow is looking forward to returning to action and has urged his players to continue learning.

“We continue to learn as a squad and in recent weeks have had to count the cost of mistakes at this level,” Jennow said.

“What has been pleasing is the reaction to those mistakes. The players are supportive of each other and there is a resilience and commitment to looking forward.

“I always look at what’s next and that’s how I want the players to approach every action.”

Motherwell put up a fight but lost out to Spartans for the second week in succession.

Goals late in the first half from Elena Santoyo-Brown and Zoe Johnstone put the hosts in control at the interval, but Donald Jennow’s side fought their way back into contention in the second 45.

Claire Adams’ goal gave hopes of a comeback, before Georgie Rafferty’s red card was followed by a decisive strike from Becky Galbraith to seal a 3-1 win for Spartans.

Morgan Hunter, Kirsten Rolph and Caitlin Russell all dropped out from the team which lost at Ravenscraig to the same opponents in the SWPL Cup last weekend, with Anna Vincenti, Natasha Roberts and Mhairi Fyfe all taking their place.

The first clear chance at Ainslie Park fell to the visitors. A corner kick was met by Kerry Montgomery in the air, but her header sailed over the crossbar.

Down the other end, Spartans came close from chances from Clelland and Santoyo-Brown, before the latter broke the deadlock with five minutes left in the first half.

Douglas played through the scorer, who was able to slot under debutant ‘keeper Vincenti.

Just minutes later, it was two. Clelland’s cross from the right fell to Johnstone, who swept home to double the hosts’ advantage.

The second half saw the visitors get back into things when Adams struck, but Motherwell’s task became the more difficult when Rafferty saw red soon after.

They then saw hopes of a comeback extinguished, as Becky Galbraith headed in Tara McGonigle’s cross to seal the points.

Motherwell: Vincenti, Knox, Roberts, Rafferty, Crilly, Montgomery, Rice, Adams, McEachran, Fyfe, Gardner.

Subs: McManus, McLeod, Trialist.

Donald Jennow expects to see a reaction from his side when they take on Spartans for the second time in seven days on Sunday.

The women of steel suffered a highly disappointing 5-0 defeat against Debi McCulloch’s team at Ravenscraig last weekend.

Five goals in 20 first half minutes put the tie out of sight and Jennow admits he was shellshocked by his team’s below par showing.

A return to league business against their last opponents presents an opportunity for ‘Well to bounce back and the head coach is stressing the need for a much improved performance.

“I think last week caught us all a bit off guard,” he said. “It’s not a reflection of my team and so as group we have to put it down to a bad day and make sure that that kind of thing doesn’t happen again.

“After Monday’s analysis we put the game to bed and the focus has been on the next game since then.

“It wouldn’t matter who it was against, we know we have to play better.

“Scottish football often throws up these back to backs which can work either way for you.

“Ultimately the next game is a chance to prove last week was an anomaly.”

In a game where positives were few and far between, one glimmer of light for Motherwell was they didn’t concede again after Zoe-Ann Johnstone put Spartans 5-0 ahead after just before the half hour mark.

Jennow insists he has no doubts regarding the resilience within his squad, but feels they must improve their focus.

“I would hate anyone to see my team chuck it,” he added. “That would hurt more than any scoreline.

“We had a bit of a melt down for 20 minutes and that killed the game.

“After the half hour we created chances and did a bit better, but the damage was done.

“Resilience isn’t a concern for me with this group but we need to concentrate more. The unexpected part of Sunday’s game was our performance.

“After defending well against Celtic and being really competitive, we did neither in against Spartans.

“We all know the consequences of not doing those two things so we all expect to improve.”

After registering four points from their opening four league encounters, ‘Well occupy fifth spot in an already tightly contested SWPL1 table.

Though Jennow insists he’s paying little attention to the table at this early stage he is well aware of the importance of making the most of scoring opportunities.

Motherwell have failed to score in their last three games and Jennow knows that his team need to be more clinical.

“The table is irrelevant to me right now,” he added. “Everyone has played different teams in different conditions.

“The table matters in the final round of games once everyone has played home and away.

“All our focus is on the next game and we want as many points from each game as we can.

“Taking chances is massive for us. Top tier teams don’t give you as many and don’t make as many mistakes so you have to work that much harder to create.

“When we do the work to get a chance, we need to capitalise.”

Motherwell were defeated 5-0 by Spartans at Ravenscraig on Sunday, ending their run in the SWPL Cup for this season at the quarter-final stage.

An emphatic first-half performance from the visitors all but sealed the fate of the tie, as they scored five goals in under half an hour.

A hat-trick from Beth McKay and a double from Zoe-Ann Johnstone ensured that the Spartans were well in control at the end of the half. But an improved second-half performance from the women of steel ensured that the scoreline would remain to spare further blushes.

Spartans enjoyed most of the possession in the opening stages of the match before eventually finding the net through Johnstone with 10 minutes played. The attacker found space with the ball in the middle of the pitch before spotting Morgan Hunter off her line, she turned and fired her shot into the top right corner.

Goal number two came a matter of minutes later with McKay getting her first of the match. The attacker continued to exploit the space in the middle of the pitch before unleashing her effort just inside the box. Hunter couldn’t do anything to stop the ball hitting the net.

The onslaught continued, with McKay getting her second goal three minutes later. From a corner the on-form attacker prodded the ball into the net with 15 minutes on the clock.

The Spartans blitzkrieg continued as McKay got her hat-trick with 21 minutes played. The initial cross into the box was pushed away by Hunter, but McKay was there unmarked at the edge of the box to pass into an empty net.

Goal number five came with just under half an hour played, as Johnstone get her second after converting an inviting through ball into the box. The ball was played in front of the attacker, who dribbled past her marker before firing home.

Motherwell managed to contain Spartans more effectively in the second-half and even threatened the opposition goal at times. But confidence remained low as Spartans seemed to have the tie won at the break.

Second-half substitute Mhairi Fyfe got Motherwell’s best chance of the match as the game entered its closing stages, picking up a through ball she stepped past her marker before aiming her shot. The striker was off balance however, and the keeper was able to tip it out for a corner.

That proved to be as good as it got for the women of steel after a disappointing result ends their run in the SWPL Cup.

Motherwell return to league duty next Sunday as they face Spartans once more. The match will be at Ainslie Park Stadium, with the match kicking off at 1pm.

Kerry Montgomery will come up against familiar opposition when Spartans visit Ravenscraig in SWPL Cup on Sunday.

The ‘Well captain enjoyed a successful time with the capital side between 2012 and 2015, winning the SWPL Player of the Year award in her final season.

Last season, Montgomery had the chance to come up against her former club in the semi-final of the SSE Scottish Cup and she again made a big impact, netting the second goal in an impressive 3-1 win for the women of steel.

It’s a game that she ranks as one of her favourites since joining the club in early 2018 and she is determined for a repeat showing when the two sides clash for a place in the last four.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. “It should be competitive and a really good game to watch and be involved in.

“Spartans are always a tricky team to come up against, it was a club I played at previously so I know they’ll be very prepared for the match.

“I’m sure they’ll be looking for revenge after last years semi-final, we however have a completely different team from that match so will be a very different game from the last one.

“I’d love us to get through to the semi final in our first season in the top flight as a brand new team.

“It would be a brilliant achievement.

“I’m really proud to be a part of this group we have in just now, it’s a great bunch of hard working girls, eager to learn and become a name in this league.”

Motherwell have experienced a mixed start to life in the top flight of Scottish women’s football.

Four points from their opening four games mean they currently occupy fifth spot in the SWPL1 table.

Montgomery believes the start made has given the team a platform to build upon, but insists ‘Well will have to take some risks to book their place in the last four.

“Cup games are very different from league games,” she added. “We’re still building on our league performances and trying to cement our way of playing.

“In a quarter final cup match I think we’ll take a lot more risks and try new things.

“We have already shown this season that we can compete and everything we work on in training is coming together.”

Last week, ‘Well took a richly deserved share of the spoils when they came up against former boss Eddie Wolecki Black’s Celtic.

Much of the game took place in the middle of the park, with Montgomery playing a vital role.

The 30-year-old is relishing her role as club captain and is loving the challenges that come with top division football.

“The more of a challenge the more I know I need to lift my game,” she added. “I know the girls feed off of that too. So I made sure I left everything on the park in that game.

“It was a very good point away from home for us, but we need to push on now and find the cutting edge in the final third to take three points in big games.

“If Donald [Jennow] has the belief in me to let me wear the captains band then I know I need to prove every game that I’m willing to dig deep for the team and lead the very best I can.”

Motherwell are in SWPL Cup action on Sunday, as Spartans travel to Ravenscraig.

Having defeated the Edinburgh side in the SSE Scottish Cup semi-final last season, the women of steel face them for the first time in the 2019 campaign.

Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

The Opposition

Spartans started the season with a bang, picking up a highly credible draw against last season’s title contenders Hibernian.

Debbi McCulloch’s side followed that with defeats to Celtic and Glasgow City but they’ve also picked up a league win against Stirling University, and a victory in their cup first round match with Hamilton Academical.

Spartans were comfortably mid-table in 2017, but had a nervous year last season as they found themselves nearer the bottom end of the league.

This campaign they have four points from their four league games, though they trail Motherwell on goal difference. They currently occupy sixth place in the table, the same position as at the conclusion of the 2018 campaign.

Despite competing in different divisions last season, Motherwell did meet this afternoon’s opponents in the semi final of the SSE Scottish Cup in October 2018.

On that occasion it was Donald Jennow’s side who would emerge the victors with goals from Megan Burns, Kerry Montgomery and Caitlin Russell earning them a place in the final.

Sunday’s match will be the first of two meetings between the teams in the space of a week, with the sides facing off again in the league next Sunday at Ainslie Park.

Position

Motherwell: SWPL1 – fifth – four points

Spartans: SWPL1 – sixth – four points

Motherwell’s recent form

A 0-0 draw at Celtic last time out for Motherwell showed the progression the new-look side have made, holding the ambitious side with a hard-working performance.

A 13-0 SWPL Cup win over Hutchison Vale demonstrated the goalscoring prowess remains. In the league, an opening day win over Stirling University has since been followed up by a controversial defeat at Forfar Farmington, and a home defeat to high-flying Hibernian.

Donald Jennow believes a draw was a fair reflection on proceedings, as he watched his Motherwell side play out a goalless draw with Celtic.

The Motherwell boss’ team battled valiantly at K-Park against former Well manager Eddie Black’s side. Chances were limited throughout, with the game largely being played in midfield.

It was a valuable point for the women of steel, moving them onto four points from four games.

Jennow was pleased with his team but identified areas where the side could make some improvements.

“I think a point was probably fair,” he said. “I thought we defended well and we caused them some real problems on the counter-attack.

“I thought our midfielders were excellent. I thought we kept the ball quite well and we were really competitive. Their energy throughout the game was top notch.”

Jennow’s side came into the game on the back of a disappointing 4-0 home defeat to Hibs.

The result was harsh on the team, who were punished by their clinical opponents in ruthless fashion.

Friday saw a massive improvement from their last scoreline, and Jennow has taken away some big positives from his side’s fruitful performance.

“In the last couple of league games, we have conceded a few goals, and a few poor ones at that. I think throughout the team defensively, not just the back four and the goalkeeper, but the midfield and the shape in front of them.

“I think the clean sheet was a real positive for us. The defensive performance is going to be the foundation for us. If we keep clean sheets, we don’t lose games. So that’s a good place to start on.”

Motherwell’s next fixture is an SWPL quarter-final against Spartans, a repeat of last year’s Scottish Women’ Cup semi-final.

Jennow believes there is plenty to come from his side and that his side won’t begin to rest on their laurels after an impressive performance.

“I am happy enough with the point,” he said. “I think with the quality of squad we’ve got though, we need to get ourselves into a position where we’re not content with a point. I want to get us in a situation where we expect a bit more from ourselves.

“What we will look to build on is what can we add to our game, particularly in the final third. We just have to add a bit more quality and precision so we can perhaps get a few goals.”

Motherwell took a richly deserved share of the spoils on Friday night, after battling out a 0-0 draw with Celtic at K-Park.

Caitlin Russell replaced the injured Maxine Welsh in the only change to the ‘Well side that lost to Hibs five days previously.

Chances were at a premium throughout what was a fiercely contested encounter in SWPL1.

Natalie Ross spurned the best chance of the game for the hosts, while Katie Rice fired over from range and Mhairi Fyfe had an effort blocked as ‘Well looked to clinch the win late on.

A point moves the women of steel on to four points from four games.

They return to action next Sunday, when they host Spartans in the last eight of the SWPL Cup.

Motherwell: Hunter, Knox, Rolph, Rafferty, Crilly, Russell (Fyfe), Montgomery, McEachran, Adams, Rice, Gardner.

Subs not used: Cunningham, Hutchison, Roberts, McManus.