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Paul Brownlie is a veteran in Scotland’s women’s football game all things considered, but the challenge he faces at Motherwell is one of his biggest.

Taking on a side in need of a lift after taking 12 points during the 2020/21 season, Brownlie is helping the women’s wing of the club reach its potential, both on and off the park.

Brownlie has extensive experience in the women’s game, having been a senior member of Celtic’s women’s academy for seven years.

The Scottish FA then headhunted him to be their high performance football manager, which involved the planning, coordinating, delivering and evaluating all aspects of the National Performance Centre’s programme.

He has also been involved in the youth and senior women’s international teams, including the Under 15s, 16s, 17s and the A squad. Brownlie has enough to guide Motherwell through a pivotal stage of the building process.

There was also a smaller stint in the youth side of the men’s game. Brownlie coached in the Motherwell elite men’s academy at Braidhurst between 2018 and 2020.

But this season has proven promising for his new and young women’s team, taking 10 points already before Christmas, closing in on last season’s tally of 12 overall. Seventeen out of the 21 games played behind closed doors ended in defeat during a bruising term.

In a league where full-time operations like Glasgow City, Celtic and Rangers reside, it has proven challenging for provincial clubs to keep up with the rest.

But Brownlie says his side are giving it their best shot as smaller clubs work around the clock to try and maintain standards that allow them to be competitive at Scotland’s top table.

“We’re only six months into the project and it’s been really enjoyable,” said Brownlie. “It’s been challenging, but I think we are going in a really positive direction.

“I think our game last week against Glasgow City when we lost 5-1 showed the quality we are coming up against. Their quality was just the difference.

“For 55 minutes of that game we matched them, and then the calibre of player came into it.

“They can afford that as they pay money for it – as do Celtic and as do Rangers.

“There’s still a long way to go. Even for us as a football club, we still have a long way to go, but we are getting there. Our league position I think shows that.

“We already have 10 points for the season and that’s just two off what we got in total last season.

“So it gives you an idea of the transformation that is happening at this football club. I think it shows how seriously the club is taking this project and we are moving forward in a really positive manner.

“I think the challenge for the clubs in the same boat as us – Hamilton, Partick Thistle, Aberdeen and Spartans – is we are all aiming to be the best of the rest. That is probably the goal.

“Every team I have mentioned thinks they can beat each other. And everyone is entitled to think that way as they have belief in their players. That’s how I think as well.

“We’ve been quite fortunate that in this period of games we’ve had, we have beaten Hearts, we have beaten Aberdeen.”

Finances can be the difference at any level of the game, but it’s been very apparent in Scottish football’s elite women’s division. There’s some hope that a title sponsorship with Park’s Motor Group can help bridge some of the gap.

It won’t make up the full distance, but it will go some of the way. Celtic and Rangers’ decision to go full-time is indeed a positive move for the game, but it has created initial gaps in quality.

Alongside Glasgow City and Hibs, the top four are beginning to break away, with Motherwell leading the best of the rest column. Rangers’ 40 goals scored to three conceded over 10 games highlights the gulf.

It was only in 2017 when prize money for the winners of SWPL1 was introduced. But things are improving and coverage across the spectrum is on the rise.

There are more independent networks like Anyone’s Game providing regular coverage on the Scottish women’s game while on a more national level, BBC coverage has brought a weekly highlights package, live-streamed games and BBC Alba showings.

Indeed, 56,000 people tuned in for the SWPL highlights show via the national broadcaster in one September show, with a further 18,000 catching it on replay. It proved the largely untapped audience Scottish football has to build upon.

But everything loops back round to finances. Already this season, close to half of Motherwell’s prize money from last season has been used on bus travel to Aberdeen alone. That’s not including other associated factors that come with running a football club.

SWF chair Vivienne MacLaren said of the league’s new sponsorship deal: “This is a historic moment for SWF, the SWPL, and the entire game.

“To have a brand such as Park’s Motor Group show their support to girl’s and women’s football in Scotland is a sign of the work that has been done and the progress we plan to make.

“The Covid pandemic was difficult for everyone and I’m sure many had concerns about the momentum of the game. However, today’s deal showcases that the Scottish game is more attractive to commercial sponsors and partners than ever before.”

Brownlie acknowledges the progress that has been made in getting women’s football in Scotland more into the public eye, but there’s still a long way to go before it’s in full view.

“I hope the sponsorship can make some sort of difference,” explained the Motherwell head coach. “Certainly for us as a club, we are trying to drive things commercially. That side of things is really important.

“We are still waiting to see what we will be getting off the back of the sponsorship. We are working out the costs and different things we’ll get in terms of the BBC Alba TV deal and things like that. So right now, we don’t know the full extent of what the bottom line will look like.

“I think last season in terms of where we finished in the league, which was third bottom on 12 points, the money we got was roughly around £4,000. That’s not exactly a lot of money.

“You think about the cost of buses. We paid nearly £700 for the bus to Aberdeen for our away game there. We still have to go up there once more this season.

“So we will be about £1,400 on buses to Aberdeen alone this season and that eats into the £4,000 we earned from our league position last season. When you begin to break things like that down, it isn’t a lot of money.”

Attendance figures prove another challenge for Brownlie’s team to try and overcome. While figures at home games for the men’s team at Fir Park have traditionally been between 3,500 and 5,000 in the last 10 years, the women’s game is trying to catch up on the numbers.

They are still to hit the 100 attendee mark in the league, but Brownlie is confident that the figures will rise and rise as his team continue to build on the park.

He’s got eyes on swapping Bothwellhaugh for one afternoon and hitting the Fir Park turf in an attempt to boost attendances.

The Edinburgh derby between Hibs and Hearts this season has proven a template. 5,512 people attended September’s derby match at Easter Road, followed by a swathe of media coverage and external interest in proceedings.

Taking everything that has been done on the league’s promotion into account – and the women’s national team now playing their home matches at Hampden Park – Brownlie says there’s plenty going on to bring more eyes to the game.

“The attendances have actually been ok for us,” explained Brownlie. “At the game against Glasgow City, there were 97 people there. We are still trying to make it past the 100-mark in a league game. We are actively chasing that total.

“I think the highest attendance we had was 115 for the game against Rangers in the League Cup. But in the league, we have been falling just short of that 100 mark.

“I think the attendances are roughly about what we have been getting. I think that by nature, the likes of Celtic and Rangers, the city clubs, these attendances tend to be a bit bigger.

“Then some of the games get higher attendances because they are higher profile. I think every club is trying to market games and try to provide a bit of coverage.

“Obviously the Alba coverage does that for us and the BBC streams have been good as well. So these are all positive things. I know every club is working hard to try and generate interest in their games.

“Whether that’s capturing external clubs or trying to attract fans of the football, with the latter being something we are working on. We are trying to work out at Motherwell how we get the people who are watching the men’s team on a Saturday to watch our matches on a Sunday.

“That’s part of the challenge we are facing at the minute. I don’t think Hearts and Hibs are bigger clubs than Motherwell either to be honest. As a club, we are trying to go in the right direction and hopefully at some stage this season, we get the chance to play at Fir Park.

“We know that is something that is on the radar for the football club. But again, it’s about us trying to generate our profile with the club and work with the support. That comes with the product on the park too and we want to develop what we are offering on the park.

“That will allow supporters to hopefully get along and support us. For us as a club, we can only control what we can at this football club. We are trying to work in the right direction and there’s been real positivity since I got here. So I want to try and continue that.”

There’s a gradual building process happening with Brownlie’s plan and it will not all click into gear overnight. It will take time, patience and a lot of effort to get it to where he wants it to go, eventually.

He has ambitions for the club to fight right at the top of the game. And signings like ex-Scotland international Leanne Crichton certainly go a long way to fulfilling that ambition.

There’s one more game to go before the end of the calendar year – and it comes in the form of a big test against Brownlie’s former side, Celtic.

Motherwell aren’t near the level, on and off the park, to compete with a club like Celtic over the course at the moment. But Brownlie is hopeful of one day getting close to that.

“We need to be able to access the same resources to make sure we can compete with the top teams,” he added. “Celtic and Rangers are full-time professionals. They are both a long time into their projects.

“We are just at the start of our journey. That is something we are working towards but there is a process to get to that point.

“We’re in that process at this moment in time. There’s been a real integration from the football club right from the first minute I walked in the door here at Motherwell. That bond between the women’s team and the club is getting stronger.

“That can only be a really positive thing for us.”

Motherwell’s SWPL1 fixture against Hibernian, due to take place on Sunday 28 November, has been postponed.

This is due to a number of international call ups within the Hibernian squad.

A new date for the fixture and ticket information will be communicated in due course.

Motherwell showed fighting spirit but would ultimately suffer a heavy 5-1 defeat to defending champions Glasgow City in a tough encounter at Alliance Park on Sunday.

Priscilla Chinchilla fired the visitors in front early into the second half, before Ode Fulutudilu netted a spectacular second minutes later.

Fulutudilu added a third on the hour mark, before Aoife Colville netted a fourth with a well-placed header.

Jenna Clark sealed victory for Glasgow City with a fifth, before Katie Rice added a late consolation for the hosts.

The women of steel started on the front foot with Paul Brownlie’s side showing real intensity in the early stages.

Clever link-up play between Amy Anderson and Carla Boyce allowed Motherwell to break quickly, and Boyce’s incisive through ball left London Pollard racing Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Alexander to the ball, but the experienced stopper reacted quickly to clear her lines.

Khym Ramsay would be called into action in the Motherwell goal minutes later. Julia Molin’s floated delivery found Fulutudilu with her back to goal, but Ramsay was alert to close the angle and produce a smart save.

The visitors then came close to the opener on the half-hour mark following an exquisite interchange of play in the build-up. Hayley Lauder’s clever through ball was skilfully flicked on by Chinchilla, but Lauder’s low driven effort whistled past the post.

Motherwell headed into half-time with the scores level, following a strong battling performance in the first half.

However, Glasgow City would break the deadlock minutes into the second half.

Lauder’s looping free-kick was punched clear by Ramsay, but only as far as Chinchilla, who calmly placed her strike high into the net past the Motherwell shot-stopper from a few yards out.

The visitors doubled their advantage minutes later. A well-worked counter attack allowed Tyler Dodds to break with pace on the right, before playing through Fulutudilu who rifled her strike high into the top left corner, leaving Ramsay with no chance.

City then added a third on the hour mark. Leanne Crichton was dispossessed deep into her own half in what appeared to be a clear foul on the midfielder, but the referee waved play on and Fulutudilu coolly slotted her strike past Ramsay for her second of the game.

The visitors added a fourth with 20 minutes left to play. Molin’s perfectly weighted delivery was met superbly by Colville who guided her headed effort off the inside of the post to secure a comfortable advantage.

City continued to threaten the Motherwell goal and would add their fifth in the latter stages of the game. Lauder’s curling free-kick was met excellently by Clark, who diverted her header into the bottom left corner.

Motherwell netted a well-deserved consolation in the dying stages. Rice’s powerful strike from long-range was too hot to handle for Alexander, who spilled the midfielder’s effort over the line to give Brownlie’s side something to show for their efforts.

Despite the scoreline, Motherwell will have several positives to take after a strong battling performance against tough opposition. The women of steel will look to rectify the result with a win away to Hibernian next week.

Every day is a school day for Motherwell midfielder Gill Inglis as she mixes her career as a primary teacher alongside captaining the Motherwell women’s side in SWPL1.

It is a tough routine, but one that is going well, with children back in the classroom and Paul Brownlie’s side on a run of three straight home wins in the league – taking them into the top half of the table and within two points of last season’s points tally after just nine games played.

The last 18 months have not been easy, however, and through the more difficult periods of the pandemic, Gill believes that football was often her escape from the difficulties and stresses she endured.

She also points to the sacrifices made by female footballers during one of the most challenging times in the game’s history and hopes with a degree of normality returning to our everyday lives that women’s football in Scotland can continue to thrive.

“It has been challenging at times, it was hard working from home and doing online learning,” she explained. “I’m just happy things are getting back a bit closer to normal now.

“There are numerous teams in the league where players will still have full-time jobs alongside training in the morning, training at night and having games at the weekend. We are used to making sacrifices for football.

“We continued to work hard during the pandemic, and I think like it was for many of us, football was a bit of a saviour for us at times. It gave us something to focus on when things weren’t so easy in other parts of our lives.

“I think we are all delighted and grateful that it has been able to continue and was able to start back as quickly as it did.”

This summer saw wholesale changes in the women’s setup at ‘Well, with a new management team appointed and almost a complete overhaul of the playing squad.

Inglis captained the side during the 2020/21 campaign and shortly after the arrival of new head coach Brownlie, it was announced she would again lead the team in what is their third season in the top flight.

Inglis has over 10 years experience of playing club football at the highest level in Scotland and after her appointment as captain, Brownlie praised her leadership qualities and her abilities to work as a connection between players and staff.

The captaincy is a role that she has embraced and this season she has been assisted by the addition of a former Scotland star with great experience in the game.

Leanne Crichton was capped 72 times, with two of her three goals for the national side coming in games hosted at Fir Park. She joined the ranks at Motherwell in June as a player/coach and has already made a positive impact on the squad – scoring twice in nine appearances and playing a key role in helping the younger players integrate into the team.

“Being captain is a huge honour and something I am really proud of,” Inglis explained. “I love captaining the team – my aim is to do my best for the squad and I’m happy to help in any way that I can.

“Leanne is a great role model for us as a squad and for the younger players coming through as well. You can always learn; it doesn’t matter what age or stage you are at in your career – you always want to better yourself.

“She’s a huge factor in anyone that wants to play for Motherwell, playing alongside someone so experienced helps anybody, no matter how old you are or how long you’ve been in the game.”

As the women’s game continues to gain increased exposure and respect, there has been increased importance on the players conducting themselves in a professional manner off the pitch.

The players have adjusted well to the increased media exposure as well as being aware of the importance of conducting themselves in the correct manner in the press and on social media.

“I think with the Scottish national team doing so well we need to carry that into Scottish football domestically,” the former Rangers midfielder said.

“Having the focus on social media and the highlights show on the BBC was a wee bit strange at first, it wasn’t something we were used to, but it is something as players that we have all embraced as players.

“The club having a dedicated press officer for the team shows how much the club is invested in us and we are aware of our responsibilities as players and how we conduct ourselves.”

In their first few seasons in the top league, there has been an element of frustration that the Motherwell women’s side have been unable to find a settled ground for their home matches.

That has changed this season with an agreement in place to host all home fixtures at Alliance Park, based in Strathclyde Park, and a settled home seems to be paying off.

‘Well have defeated Hamilton, Hearts and Aberdeen in their last three home encounters, while in contrast have yet to record a league win on the road.

Inglis feels like having a solid base has been integral in the team’s recent success and believes that the new management team at the club have brought with them a new lease of life to the women’s side.

“It is massive for us, we definitely feel a bigger part of the club and having a home ground that we can base ourselves at and can pick up positive results will definitely help us over the course of the season,” she added.

“Everything has completely changed; the manager has tried to bring in a mix of people – I think he has a mix of characters and is finding the best way to get the best out of us.

“You can see the positive changes that have been made. The staff are a breath of fresh air; he’s changed the squad and the way we do things.

“Our approach is different, the manager always says ‘trust the process’, some things he’s fixed in the short term, but there are still things he wants to change, and he has set long term goals for us. We now have a clear vision of where we are going as a squad and that definitely helps us.”

The change of management team has also brought an increased focus on the women’s academy at Motherwell.

As well as his role as head coach, Brownlie also holds the position of head of women and girls performance and he brings with him a great deal of experience from his seven years with the women’s academy at Celtic.

The vision of the women’s academy is like that of the men’s – develop young talent and integrate them into the first team reckoning and given the financial disparity between the top three teams in Scotland (Celtic, Glasgow City and Rangers) and the rest of the teams in the top two leagues, it is imperative that the chasing pack try to find ways in which they can bridge the gap.

“We are probably quite like the men’s team in that model, we want to have an academy and bring players through to the first team,” said Inglis. “If they can successfully make that transition from academy right the way through, then I think the club have done their job well.

“It is difficult because obviously there is a huge financial gap to the teams at the top and sometimes that can be evident on the pitch.

“The governing bodies want to push women’s football and a lot of focus is on the so-called bigger clubs – they bring in a lot of attention and media, but it’s about finding that balance of promoting every club and closing the gap between teams in the league so that it is more competitive – you will get a lot more viewers in if the league is more competitive all over.”

One occasion that was sure to increase interest in the women’s team at Motherwell was the first Lanarkshire derby of the season as the women of steel welcomed Hamilton to Alliance Park.

It was to be an occasion to remember for Brownlie’s side as they recorded a convincing 3-0 success to claim the local bragging rights.

Having spent 10 years at Accies, the result held extra significance for Inglis and it is one she hopes will help tempt more supporters along to future matches.

“It was great, we were firstly delighted with the win in the first derby,” she said. “We were happy with how large parts of the game went.

“It was great to see the media attention around the game and hopefully some of those who go see the men’s team will consider coming along and watching us one week too.”

With the first third of the season completed, Inglis has been pleased that Motherwell have recovered from a difficult start to the campaign.

After dropping out of the SWPL Cup at the group stage and losing their first four league matches, their recent run of 10 points from the last five league matches has come as a much-needed boost.

Behind the scenes, the team have been set targets, though the ‘Well captain is keen to stress that they must focus on continuing to improve and find an improved level of consistency.

“We had quite a tricky start to the season, but we are relatively happy at how we have played over the last few weeks,” she said. “Now the aim is to make our home ground a fortress – having three wins on the bounce there is huge for us.

“Everything is really positive just now, we are only two points off our total for the entirety of last season, when you compare this season to last, I think we have made huge gains.

“We just want to pick up as many points as we can, we obviously have certain targets that we will work on, though the main one is continuing to improve and show a level of consistency as well.”

Motherwell return to league action on 21 November at Alliance Park, when they face champions Glasgow City.

Kick off is at 4pm.

Adult entry to the stadium will cost £5. Children will get in for free. All spectators will be housed in our covered seating area.

Tale of the tape

Glasgow City have won each of the last nine matches with Motherwell in SWPL1.

Motherwell last faced City in the league opener back in August, where the champions ran out 6-0 winners.

Form guide

Motherwell come into this game off the back of a 4-3 victory against Aberdeen to climb up to fifth in the table.

The women of steel have picked up ten points out of a possible 15 in the last five games.

Glasgow City sit in second place after the first round of fixtures, two points behind leaders Rangers.

The champions have yet to be beaten after the first nine games, having won seven and drawn two games against Celtic and Rangers.

New manager Eileen Gleeson got her tenure off to a strong start with a 3-0 win against Spartans in her first game last week.

Motherwell showed fighting spirit to hold off a late Aberdeen comeback to secure a closely-fought victory at Alliance Park on Sunday.

Carla Boyce fired the hosts in front early on, before Chelsie Watson doubled Motherwell’s advantage in quick succession.

Boyce then prodded home the third to give Motherwell a comfortable three goal advantage after 10 minutes.

Bayley Hutchinson pulled one back for the visitors midway through the first half, but Boyce responded to net her hat-trick and Motherwell’s fourth in the second half.

Francesca Ogilvie netted a late second for the visitors, before Johan Fraser added a third to give Motherwell a nerve-racking final 10 minutes.

However, Paul Brownlie’s side stood resolute to record their third league win this season.

Motherwell would break the deadlock after five minutes. Katie Rice’s powerful strike from the edge of the box ricocheted off the crossbar, and Boyce calmly followed up to earn her first goal in claret and amber.

The hosts then doubled their advantage minutes later. Rice’s perfectly weighted free kick was misjudged by the goalkeeper, and Watson stepped up to place her strike high into the net past Gail Gilmour from a few yards out.

The women of steel continued to look threatening in the early stages and would add a third on the 10-minute-mark. Gill Inglis’ curling effort was parried away by the keeper, but only as far as Boyce, who headed home her second of the game.

The visitors pulled one back midway through the first half. Hutchinson latched onto Nadia Sopel’s long ball, and the forward skilfully chipped Khym Ramsay from distance with an exquisite strike to give the Dons a lifeline.

With the hosts continuing to dominate possession, Motherwell restored their three-goal advantage on the hour mark.

Amy Anderson’s floated free kick deflected off the underside of the crossbar and fell kindly to Boyce who rifled her effort low past Gilmour to secure a hat-trick on her first home game of the season.

With the visitors chasing the game in the second half, Aberdeen netted a quickfire double against the run of play. A quick counter attack left Ogilvie through on goal, and the midfielder coolly slotted her strike past Ramsay.

Then, less than a minute later, Hutchinson’s low-driven cross was steered past Ramsay by Fraser to give the women of steel a tough final few minutes. However, the Motherwell defence held firm to secure their third league win of the season.

Motherwell’s valiant display will be a real confidence boost for Paul Brownlie’s side, before they host Glasgow City later this month.

London Pollard has joined Motherwell.

The striker goes straight into the squad for the SWPL1 home clash with Aberdeen on Sunday.

“I have been well aware of London’s talent for several years, so to get her signed for Motherwell is a massive signing,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“London is still very young and as with all our youth players our approach is always holistic, they have massive commitments with academic studies and we will continue to support our youth players to provide balance with football and studies.

“London can play anywhere along the front three and that provides us with more attacking options.”

Coming through the ranks at Cove Rangers, the 17-year-old burst onto the SWPL1 scene last year at Forfar Farmington, marking her top flight debut for the Station Park side with a double against the women of steel in a 4-2 opening day win in October 2020.

She added further goals against Celtic at K-Park in December, which was enough to catch the eye of the Hoops boss Fran Alonso, who recruited the pacey forward in May of this year.

Pollard was on loan at Thistle from Celtic, and looks to be a real talent for the future.

“I’m so happy to have joined Motherwell,” Pollard added.

“I want to develop my game further and feel Paul and the coaching staff are able to do just that.

“I feel this is a place I can flourish.”

Pollard will wear the number 40 shirt this season.

Kevin van Veen’s clinically-taken double gave Motherwell the win at Aberdeen.

The Dutch striker’s two goals early in the second half did the damage to ensure the Steelmen ended their barren run with all three points taken.

Graham Alexander changed three men from the side which lost last time out to Rangers.

The suspended Stephen O’Donnell was replaced on the teamsheet by Juhani Ojala, with the Finn coming in at centre back and Bevis Mugabi switching to right back.

Callum Slattery and Connor Shields dropped to the bench, with Maguire and Van Veen their respective replacements.

Motherwell came north looking for a reaction to that loss but they found themselves under siege from the off at Pittodrie.

Solholm had to react quick to deny Watkins a free shot at goal from 10 yards early on, before Kelly was called into action soon after with a fingertip touch to turn away Ramirez’s goalbound header.

Motherwell settled but the Aberdeen attacks continued to come in waves.

Kelly just about got to a one-on-one with Watkins to clear, shortly before Ferguson slalomed his way through the ‘Well defence to only fire over from the right side of the area.

Hedges also saw a header from the corner flicked off the line by the head of Ojala, as Motherwell struggled to create any chances of their own in a challenging first half.

Motherwell though have proven time and again they are clinical when the chances do arrive and that proved to be the case just five minutes into the second half.

After a period in possession in attack, Goss swung a pinpoint cross to the near post where Van Veen found himself completely unmarked.

He still had work to do, but picked his spot perfectly to steer the ball across the face of goal and into the bottom-right corner of the net.

Motherwell were invigorated and were two ahead 10 minutes later.

A free-kick from the left was met at the back post by Lamie – on as a sub for the injured Ojala.

His header back across goal found Van Veen perfectly on the penalty spot, and he showed all the composure in the world to half-volley the ball into the net.

Motherwell switched to five at the back soon after and, against a wave of Aberdeen attacks, stood firm brilliantly.

They did have Kelly to thank again, with an unbelievable double save from Ramirez’s header keeping the Dons at bay.

Motherwell take on Aberdeen next in the final game of the first round of fixtures in SWPL1.

Kick-off on Sunday 7 November at Alliance Park is at 4pm.

Tickets will cost £5 for adults, while children go free.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell and Aberdeen faced off in the group stages of the SWPL Cup in August, with the Dons coming away with all three points in a tightly contested 1-0 victory.

The last league meeting came in 2018 in SWPL2, where Motherwell won comfortably 4-0.

Aberdeen’s victory in August was their first victory against the women of steel in the last four encounters.

Form guide

Motherwell and Aberdeen are both locked on seven points after eight games, with an identical match record of two wins, one draw and five losses in SWPL1.

Aberdeen currently occupy sixth in the table due to a superior goal difference.

Motherwell returned to action after the international break with a 5-0 defeat against title-chasing Rangers on Wednesday night.

Prior to that, Motherwell claimed seven points in nine in the league.

Aberdeen also played on Wednesday night, where they fell to a 5-0 defeat to Glasgow City. Three days earlier, they lost 2-0 to Hibernian.

Motherwell showed fighting spirit but would ultimately suffer defeat to Rangers in a tough SWPL1 encounter on Wednesday.

Brianna Westrup fired the hosts in front midway through the first half at the Rangers Training Centre, before Rachel McLaughlin added a second on the stroke of half-time with a clinical finish.

Zoe Ness prodded home a third from close range minutes later to give the hosts a comfortable advantage at half-time. Then, in the second half, Kayla McCoy added a fourth, before Lizzie Arnot struck late on to seal a 5-0 defeat for Motherwell.

The hosts came close to the opener early on with Khym Ramsay performing heroics in the Motherwell goal.

Nicola Docherty’s floated corner fell kindly to Kirsten Reilly at the edge of the box, who set herself before drilling her effort across the face of goal. But Ramsay reacted quickly to parry her strike wide of the post.

Rangers would break the deadlock after 22 minutes. Docherty’s deep cross found Westrup unmarked in the box, and the defender’s perfectly timed volley sailed over the head of Ramsay into the back of the net.

The hosts doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Chelsea Cornet’s incisive pass sliced through the Motherwell defence leaving McLaughlin in space, and the forward maintained her composure to coolly slot her strike past Ramsay into the bottom right corner.

Rangers continued to threaten the Motherwell goal and added a third in quick succession. The visitors failed to clear McLaughlin’s floated delivery and Ness calmly placed her strike past Ramsay into the bottom corner from a few yards out.

With the women of steel chasing the game in the second half, Paul Brownlie’s side thought they should’ve been awarded a penalty after Carla Boyce’s effort appeared to strike the hand of Demi Vance.

However, the referee looked disinterested and waved play on despite the adamant pleas of the Motherwell players.

The hosts continued to press and added a fourth in the dying stages of the game.

Rangers skilfully broke through the Motherwell backline with a quick counter attack, and Cornet’s low-driven effort was unfortunately deflected past Ramsay into the bottom corner by the outstretching McCoy.

Rangers sealed all three points in the final minute with a fifth goal. Brogan Hay’s perfectly weighted through ball left Arnot one-on-one with the keeper, and the striker calmly placed her strike nto the bottom right corner to settle the tie.

Despite the scoreline, Motherwell will have plenty of positives to take into this weekend’s encounter with Aberdeen at Alliance Park after a spirited display.