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The women of steel hit six goals for the fifth time this season as well as another clean sheet as they defeated Edinburgh University Hutchinson Vale 6-0 at Fir Park on Wednesday night.

The league leaders won convincingly in their debut match at Fir Park to extend their stay at the top of SWPL 2.

The Steelwomen nearly got off to a perfect start as Sammy Hare got on the end of a Megan Burns cross, but her shot was just inches wide of the post.

The ladies seemed to make full use of the width of the Fir Park pitch with Caitlin Russell and Emma Black causing havoc down the wings.

As the game entered the 20th minute, Motherwell battered the EUHV defence and was rewarded with the first goal of the match. Russell put the hosts in front with 22 minutes played. The defence didn’t deal with the ball and it fell to Russell who poked it into the net.

It didn’t take long for the ladies to double their advantage; they did so in the 33rd minute with Russell grabbing her second of the match. A brilliant cross into the box by Black was met by the head of Russell who powered home her header to put the ‘Well 2-0 up.

EUHV had their chances to get back into the game, Anna Hume with the best chance of the game so far for the Edinburgh side, she was played in one on one against the keeper as the Motherwell defence was split open by a through ball. Her initial shot was blocked but then hit the deck seeking a penalty, the referee waved play on and she had another shot on goal as the defence struggled to clear their lines but it was well saved by Johnstone.

EUHV came close again with Hume being involved once more as Katherine Smart intercepted a slack ball and proceeded to start the counter attack; picking out Hume with a lovely through ball but to Motherwell’s relief, the linesman flagged the pass as offside to stop a certain one on one.

The first half would come to a close with Motherwell creating the better chances, Sammy Hare came close but could only find the side netting and despite plenty Motherwell shirts in the box, Megan Burns and Hayley Cunningham’s crosses were dealt with by the Vale defence.

Motherwell went in at the interval with a two goal advantage as the rain continued to bombard with Fir Park turf.

The Steelwomen started the second half picking up from where they left off in being the more attacking force in the game; however EUHV came out with a point to prove and started strongly as well.

The first real chance of the half fell to Cunningham who crashed one off the bar. Spotting Lessells in the Vale goal off her line, she tried her luck from range, the ball floated over the head of Lessells but clipped the bar and back into play.

Continued chances followed for the women of steel and they got their reward with two quick-fire goals in a matter of seconds in the 54^th minute. The first goal was courtesy of Sammy Hare who headed home from a Black cross, to put the hosts three nil up with a glancing header.

The second came as Captain Suzanne Mulvey added her name to the scoresheet, the former Scotland international picked the ball up from outside the box and hit a low driven shot into the bottom right corner, a finish that Lessells could do little about.

As the half progressed it was still Motherwell who were the dominant team as they looked in full control of the game, constantly attacking the EUHV goal and looking to win every ball as if their lives depended on it.

Motherwell scored the fifth goal with ten minutes to play, Sammy Hare grabbed herself another, getting on the end of deep cross into the box in which she controlled and brought down with her right foot before smashing her shot into the roof of the net.

The second half rout concluded in the 87^th minute as new permanent signing Megan Burns produced a rocket which flew into the top left corner, a right footed shot from a long way out and a shot that the keeper could do very little about as it was sweetly struck by her right foot.

The game would conclude under the Fir Park lights with Motherwell continuing to be the dominant side in possession as the referee blew his final whistle.

The Fir Parkers had hit six goals yet again in a dominant performance as well as making it an incredible 420 minutes since they last conceded a goal. As well as yet another clean sheet, it was a fantastic win all round for the ladies who continue their push for promotion to the top flight.

Next up is Hearts at Braidhurst High School on Sunday, 13 May.

The manager of Motherwell’s women’s side talks about his stroke treatment in the USA, his recovery and his review of how the team are performing so far.

Motherwell defeated Kilmarnock 2-0 in a top of the table clash to go five points clear at the top of the SWPL2 table.

The win at Braidhurst marked the third consecutive clean sheet for Eddie Wolecki Black’s side, as they continue to fight for promotion to the top flight of the women’s game.

However, it was the visitors that started the game more brightly, Clare Docherty was causing the ‘Well defence problems as she passed up two great opportunities to put Killie in front. Both were from one on ones, with Clare Johnstone in the Motherwell goal keeping them out.

As the game progressed, the women of steel eventually settled into the game and it became a well contested encounter with little separating the sides.

But at the tail end of the half, the Steelwomen flexed their attacking muscles and began to create the better chances of the half.

With 37 minutes played, Caitlin Russell was causing problems for the Killie defence on the left wing. She managed to fend off two defenders before working the ball to a shooting position, cutting in from the wing, with her driven shot flashing just wide of the post.

Just two minutes later it would be Russell who would break the deadlock for Motherwell. From a Hayley Cunningham corner, Russell towered above the Killie defence and powered her header home past the helpless keeper.

With the goal coming late on in the half, Motherwell would go into the interval ahead, despite Kilmarnock’s attempts to nick an equaliser just before the break.

The Fir Parkers came out for the second half looking the better side. Their early attacking pressure paid off when Cunningham slotted home Motherwell’s second of the match.

The former Scotland striker rounded off the perfect start to the second half for the ‘Well by finishing off a superbly worked goal after just two minutes played.

Captain Suzanne Mulvey done well to hold up the ball in the Kilmarnock box, fending off the defence before passing the ball back to the oncoming Cunningham to place in to the bottom right corner of the goal.

Straight from the kick off, Motherwell could’ve extended their lead with Lauryn Reside being played through for a one on one. Beating the offside line, she held up the Killie defence before letting fly her shot which unfortunately sailed just wide of the post.

What followed would be end to end attacking football for both sides, with the Motherwell defence withstanding the best Kilmarnock could throw at them.

On 63 minutes, Mulvey had the chance to put the game to bed. From a corner, she attempted a half volley from just inside the box, but she couldn’t keep the shot down as it flew over the bar and out for a goal kick.

The Steelwomen came close again from a free kick. Whipped in by Cunningham, Ashley Nicolson tried her best to flick the ball goalward, but the shot cannoned off the defender and Kilmarnock subsequently cleared.

As the game approached the final 15 minutes, Kilmarnock increased the tempo of the game by stepping up a gear to get back into the match. But despite their possession in the Motherwell half, they couldn’t find a way through to score.

With ten minutes to play, the ever dangerous Mulvey had another excellent opportunity to add to the Motherwell tally. Russell done brilliantly down the wing as she took it past two defenders to get her cross away at the byline and the cross would reach the feet of Mulvey, who couldn’t find the net.

Despite trailing, Kilmarnock had another excellent opportunity to get a goal back with nine minutes to play. The ‘Well defence was split open by a through ball in which Lauren Sloan got on the end of to find herself in on goal with another player in support. Despite this she opted to shoot and her shot was well saved by Johnstone.

It was yet another clean sheet for the resilient Motherwell defence, meaning its now 330 minutes since they last conceded a goal. Twinned with the clinical attacking prowess of the side, the ‘Well claimed what could be a vital three points.

Next up is Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale at Fir Park on Wednesday, 9 May.

Motherwell blitzed Aberdeen for six to retain their place at the summit of the SWPL2 table.

It is the third consecutive game Eddie Wolecki Black’s side have notched a sextuple as they look to secure promotion to the top flight.

After a fairly even but end-to-end start, the deadlock was finally broken on the 33rd minute. The Dons were unable to deal with a testing cross and when the ball landed at the feet of Hayley Cunningham; the former Scotland striker added another to her season’s tally thanks to a smart half volley from just inside the box.

After the goal Motherwell relaxed into the match and continued to search for another to extend their lead. The Dons were playing a high line at the back and were repeatedly catching ‘Well with a disciplined offside trap.

As the half came to a close it was the hosts who were setting the tempo, Caitlin Russell looked dangerous any time she got the ball in the final third, but nothing more materialised and ‘Well would go into the break having to be satisfied with just a single goal advantage.

The Fir Parkers came out the traps strong at the start of the second half, looking to pick up from where they left off. Their initial attacking pressure was rewarded when Heather Magill doubled the Steelwomen’s lead just seconds in.

Cunningham was again involved; it was her corner that allowed Magill to guide her header into the bottom right corner to put ‘Well very much on the path to victory.

The Women of Steel continued to push and after a spell of relentless attacking, found themselves 3-0 up on the 59th minute when Niamh Johnston netted. Picking up the ball out on the wing, Johnston dribbled her way into the box only for her initial shot to be saved before turning the rebound home.

Almost straight from the restart, Motherwell were awarded a penalty when Mulvey was tugged down inside the box. Cunningham made no mistakes from the spot, firing high and down the middle her second goal of the game to put the home side 4-0 up.

Motherwell made a double substitution just after the hour and one of them, Emma Black, made an instant impact, setting up Caitlin Russell to fire home from close range. The 40-times capped former Glasgow City skipper dribbled down the wing before picking out Russell, ensuring a straightforward finish to put the ‘Well five in front.

But the women in claret and amber weren’t done yet. On the 71st minute Megan Burns added her name to the score sheet, striking a half volley into the back of the net from a corner. 6-0 ‘Well.

Prolific scorer Suzanne Mulvey was close to getting amongst the goals on the 79th minute as she was put through for a one on one; however the keeper produced a great save to keep the score at six.

Despite trailing, Aberdeen kept plugging away and had a great chance to grab a consolation goal with just four minutes left, Alexandria Vanous sent a curling effort inches wide of target.

But it was to be Motherwell who after a clinical second half performance ensured that they would extend their stay at the top of the table with yet another 6-0 victory at home, the second in a row.

Next up for the Women of Steel is a top of the table clash against Kilmarnock at Braidhurst on Sunday, 6 May.

Motherwell: Johnstone, Condie (Black – 69mins), Cunningham, Magill, Johnston, McLaughlin, Mulvey, Nicolson, Reside (Canavan – 65mins), Russell, Burns

Report: Andy Ross
Pictures: Sally Neil

Report by Andrew Scott at Braidhurst

Motherwell produced an emphatic performance on Sunday to win 6-0 against St Johnstone.

The win was their second in a row and it sees the ‘Well retain top spot in the SWPL 2.

The sides were level in points going into the fixture but the ladies put the game to bed in the first half. A hat-trick from Suzanne Mulvey, a double from Hayley Cunningham as well as an own goal, sent the hosts to victory.

The deadlock was broken just after 20 minutes as Cunningham’s corner ended up in the back of the net. The Saints defence was unable to clear the cross as it snuck under the keeper and over the line.

The goal seemed to have revitalised the St Johnstone team as they began one of their better spells in the match. There was controversy as the Perth side’s appeal for a penalty was waved away by the referee, much to the despair of the players.

Motherwell added their second just minutes later, Suzanne Mulvey was brought down just outside the box and the Steelwomen were awarded another free kick after a handball by the wall.

Cunningham stepped up and hit a driven shot through the legs of the wall and into the bottom left hand corner. Not for the first time this season, she demonstrated her ability from a dead ball.

Cunningham’s second goal started Motherwell’s best spell of the match, as skipper Mulvey bagged a fine hat-trick in just over five minutes.

The first came from the corner where Cunningham originally put the ‘Well in front, this time she played an inviting cross straight to the head of Mulvey who fired it past Cameron in the Saints goal.

A matter of three minutes later, the striker added her second. Sloppy play at the back from St Johnstone and a slack backpass enabled her to nip in to intercept, dinking the ball over the onrushing keeper in the process.

Mulvey bagged her hat-trick two minutes later. Great link up play with Sammy Hare allowed Mulvey to break clear from her marker and fire her shot into the net. A superb five minutes from the ex-Scotland capped striker, who showed how deadly she could be to put Motherwell 5-0 up.

It would be the visitors who would come out the traps the better side as the second half got underway, a team that looked re-energised and with a point to prove following the first half performance.

Unlike the first, the second half was a more end-to-end encounter with Motherwell eventually getting a foothold in the game at around 50 minutes.

The Steelwomen showed their attacking prowess shortly after with substitute Reside proving to be a handful down the right flank.

There was another penalty shout with 65 minutes played, this time for Motherwell after Mulvey was brought down into the box, but the referee waved play on.

As the half progressed Sophie Gallagher entered the pitch and boosted the Motherwell attack.

With just over ten minutes to play, the sub helped put the ‘Well 6-0 up as she and Hare produced great link-up play to allow Hare to dribble to the byline and put a pass into the box. Her cross met the foot of a Saints defender, Rihanna Tweedie who put it into her own net.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Motherwell continued to push on to add more goals to their tally but the match would end 6-0, a clinical first half performance ensuring the three points would stay in Lanarkshire.

The victory for Motherwell sees them retain top spot in the SWPL 2. Next up for the ladies is Aberdeen at home on Sunday, 29 April.

Andrew Scott at Petershill Park

Motherwell showed their fighting spirit on Sunday as they came back from 2-0 down to win 6-2 against Glasgow Girls at Petershill Park in Glasgow.

It’s a result that sees the Steelwomen shoot to the top of the SWPL2 table, after a recent break from competitive action.

The women of steel found themselves 2-0 down after half an hour thanks to goals from Lauren Evans and Rachel Halliday.

Evans put the hosts ahead after converting a one on one against Claire Johnstone in the Motherwell goal. Things would then go from bad to worse for the girls in claret and amber, when Halliday doubled Glasgow’s lead by finishing off a long ball into the box.

The month-long break was evident in the Motherwell side due to the uncharacteristically poor start to the game, but captain Suzanne Mulvey’s goal sprung the ‘Well back into life and kick started the comeback.

The equalising goal would come from Hayley Cunningham, who proved herself to be a dead ball specialist after hitting a rocket into the top right corner from just outside the box.

The sides would go into the break level pegging after an end to end first half, but the second half showcased what the Motherwell side were really capable of.

After a physical first ten minutes, Motherwell were ahead for the first time of the match. Caitlin Russell found space on the left-hand side of the pitch and drilled her shot low and hard into the net.

Following the goal, it was Glasgow Girls who seemed the more dangerous side with numerous chances, but it would be the Steelwomen who would strike a fatal blow to their chances of getting something from the game.

Motherwell would strike twice in a matter of minutes. Firstly, Kirsty McLaughlin found herself in space and lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the net. And then Cunningham added another to her tally for the day from a free kick from some way out, which struck a defender and spun into the net.

The hosts tried to fight their way back into it but ‘Well would add more misery to the hosts by striking their sixth and final goal just before full time. Sammy Hare was played in on goal and she calmly slotted home to round off a superb second half performance from Motherwell.

Victory for ‘Well sends them top of SWPL2, next up for the ladies is St Johnstone at home on Sunday, 22 April.

Motherwell Ladies assistant boss Donald Jennow will take the managerial reins when the women of steel return to action against Glasgow Girls at Petershill Park on Sunday.

Manager Eddie Wolecki Black jetted out to America on Saturday for pioneering treatment that he hopes will help aid his recovery from the near-fatal stroke he suffered in March 2016 and as a result will be absent from the dugout.

In his absence, Wolecki Black’s trusted assistant and close friend, Jennow is aiming to help the ladies continue their strong start to the season and he expressed his support for the ‘Well boss.

“Eddie is one of my best mates, I’ve known him a long, long time now,” he said.

“If this treatment can help him at all I’ll be over the moon, but not nearly as much as his family will be – there are bigger things in football at times and this absolutely is one of them – I wish him all the luck in the world with his treatment.

“In a footballing sense, we’ve worked together for a long time, we have similar ideas and know what we want from this team. We speak on a daily basis in terms of what is the best way to approach certain games and how we get the best out of our team.

“I’ve stepped up and taken up before for Eddie in particular on a number of occasions, at Glasgow City when he was doing his pro licence and also when we worked at Airdrie where I stepped in to cover in his immediate absence, so we have no concerns.”

Sunday’s clash with Glasgow Girls ends a four week break from competitive action for the ladies, who currently occupy second spot in SWPL2, having won their last two league encounters.

The coaching staff have used the time off to fit in extra training sessions and also managed a friendly victory over Stirling University last Sunday.

As well as the hard work on the pitch, there has been a magnificent sponsorship drive off it – with every member of the ladies squad now being backed by a sponsor.

“Obviously footballers want to play games more than anything else, so the main challenge has been keeping them motivated,” Jennow added.

“What we had to do is make use of the time we had, fitting in double sessions where we could and taking advantage of the great sponsorship opportunities that we’ve been given off the pitch – we’re now all delighted to get back to playing games.

“It’s important we go into the upcoming games with the same attitude and work rate as we have shown in the early games of the season and not allow for our momentum to be broken.

“We managed to get a friendly game in last week which will have done us a world of good, so the hope is very much that we start against Glasgow properly.”

Eddie Wolecki Black has urged his Motherwell Ladies squad to go all out to impress during their four-week break without a competitive fixture.

Following the postponement of last Sunday’s fixture with Aberdeen, Wolecki Black’s side will have had to endure a 28-day absence from action before they return to league action against Glasgow Girls on 15 April.

There has been no let up on the training field for the ladies though, with extra training and gym sessions keeping up fitness levels during the lengthy spell without a game. And the ‘Well boss has been pleased with the dedication and effort from some of his squad.

“The girls deserve all the support they get,” Wolecki Black said. “Currently at the club there is fantastic work going on in obtaining sponsorship for the ladies team.

“I see what they all give. We’ve got four players that are mothers, they have to juggle domestic life, with football and their careers, some of their dedication is magnificent.

“Over the next few weeks it is vital that everyone continues to attend training and prepare to develop as players.”

Motherwell currently sit second in the SWPL2 table having won two of their first three league fixtures. It could have been three wins from three, had it not been for an administrative error meaning the 2-1 opening day victory over Kilmarnock was reversed to a 3-0 defeat.

It was a big disappointment for the players and staff to have to endure early on in the season, but they have set their focus on using it as a catalyst to help drive them forward for the rest of the campaign.

“We weren’t beaten on the pitch, we were beaten off it,” added the manager. “Throughout the situation I got great support from the club and Alan Burrows, which was a massive help to me and my staff.

“After that we had to pick up the morale of the team and we did exactly that with a great win against Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale and then a strong performance against Rangers in the cup.

“We’ve made things a little bit harder for ourselves but we are more than capable of making up for it.

“I think we have the basis of the squad there to compete for the title, we may have to add one or two along the way and I’m confident we’ll do that to help us out. Points will be dropped elsewhere, we just have to make sure we don’t drop any more.”

Motherwell’s women’s team have had a strong start to their SWPL2 season and you can now support the team by sponsoring your favourite player.

For just £175, you can sponsor the home shirt of your chosen player for the 2018 campaign.

This opportunity is perfect for both businesses and individuals, or as a special gift for the Motherwell fan in your life.

Included in the sponsorship package is:

– Your name next to your chosen player on their player profile on the Motherwell official website

– A thank you from your sponsored player on social media or from the team account

– A signed photograph of your sponsored player

– An invitation to attend the team’s awards night at the end of the season at Fir Park

– Your player’s signed shirt at the end of the season

– A 10% discount on all full hospitality packages at Motherwell, excluding Celtic and Rangers matches

You can buy online or you can call Graham Carbis on 01698 338006, or email graham.carbis@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell battled back from behind last weekend to defeat Central Girls 3-1, making it two wins from two at Braidhurst so far this season.

Now both coach Eddie Wolecki Black and defender Ashley Nicholson are keen to make it three wins on the spin when Aberdeen make the long journey to Lanarkshire on Sunday.

“The players have got confidence from playing at Braidhurst now and winning results will always breed confidence,” said Black. “We are all really looking forward to Sunday.”

Nicholson added: “We’ve settled into playing at Braidhurst well and that’s really important. Winning our home games will be vital this season.”

Following last weekend’s win, Black maintained there was room for improvement in terms of performance and the former Glasgow City gaffer has warned that spells danger for ‘Well’s league rivals.

“We all agree we can play better than we have so far and that’s ominous for the other teams in the league, as when it does click then I think someone is going to be left with a bloody nose,” he added.

“Aberdeen were touted as definite title contenders, we have to use this game as a gauge of how far we have done and perhaps how far we have to go.”

Niamh Johnston meanwhile says there is a real buzz amongst the ‘Well squad right now, following an impressive start to their league campaign in which they have netted 11 times in their last two fixtures.

“We have been really successful in our first two home games, at the start of every week we analyse and reflect on our performances, then kick on from there,” she said.

“We’ve got such big ambitions within the squad and while we take everything one game at a time, looking into the horizon we are looking to reach new heights at Motherwell.”