| 4 | Hibernian | 28 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 40 |
| 5 | Dundee United | 28 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 40 |
| 6 | Motherwell | 29 | 11 | 4 | 14 | -14 | 37 |
| 7 | Hearts | 28 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 36 |
| 8 | Ross County | 29 | 9 | 8 | 12 | -18 | 35 |
Motherwell will host Spartans in the last eight of the SWPL Cup.
Having progressed past Hutchison Vale on Sunday, Donald Jennow’s team will welcome their top flight opponents on Sunday, 24 March.
The kick off time and venue will be confirmed shortly.
In the other ties, Rangers will host Forfar Farmington, Stirling University will play Hibernian and Glasgow City will welcome Celtic.
Motherwell produced a stunning goal scoring display as they cruised into the last eight of the SWPL Cup with a 13-0 victory over Hutchison Vale.
Lori Gardner hit four goals and Mhairi Fyfe grabbed a hat-trick, along with doubles from Caitlin Russell, Katie Rice and Chelsea McEachran.
The ‘Well got off to the best possible start, attacking from the off and Rice fired high into the net to open the scoring in the opening minute.
After 12 minutes they would double their lead, Rice was felled inside the box and Fyfe converted the resulting penalty.
Five minutes later Gardner got in on the scoring act and Rice would add her second of the game just before the half hour mark.
‘Well were flying and the goals kept coming, Fyfe netting twice more from the spot before the break.
The 6-0 score at half time didn’t flatter the women of steel and they showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas as the second half got underway.
Russell poked home from close range into the bottom corner in the 48th minute to make it seven and Gardner added Motherwell’s eighth and her second of the game just after the hour mark.
Fyfe tapped home from close range to make it 9-0 and the scoreline moved into double figures, when second half substitute McEachran drove right at the heart of the defence, before picking her spot in the bottom left corner to finish off a great individual effort.
The goals kept coming and Russell stroked home after Fyfe was denied by a good stop by Claire Whitaker in the home goal.
McEarchran got her second with 15 minutes. A lovely ball over the top by Kirsten Rolph looked to have been dealt with by the Hutchie Vale defence, but the midfielder battled back and used her strength to force the opportunity for the shot. Despite being off balance, she managed to find the goal.
With five minutes to play Gardner bagged her hat-trick. Intercepting the loose ball at the back, she managed to beat the keeper before finishing into an empty net to extend the lead to 13.
The score would remain unchanged as a dominant ‘Well side blew away the Edinburgh side with an emphatic win to progress to the quarter-finals of the cup.
Motherwell will aim to progress to the quarter-finals of the SWPL Cup when they take on Hutchison Vale on Sunday.
Donald Jennow’s side suffered a controversial defeat against Forfar Farmington in their second league fixture of the season and will be determined to bounce back against SWPL2 opposition.
Kerry Montgomery’s last-gasp disallowed goal has garnered coverage from national media outlets, but the team must now regain their focus in order to advance in the cup.
The women of steel can draw on their cup exploits last season, where they progressed to the final of the Scottish Cup.
Kick off at the Saughton Enclosure in Edinburgh is at 3pm.
Hutchison Vale may be operating under a different name for the 2019 season. But the capital side represent familiar opposition for Motherwell.
The teams met on three occasions in 2018, the latest of which saw ‘Well emerging with a 5-1 victory that clinched the SWPL2 championship.
After their opening game of the SWPL2 season fell victim of the weather, Scott Paterson’s side suffered a thumping 9-0 defeat to Hearts, leaving them rooted to the foot of the table.
Hutchison Vale: SWPL2 – 8th – no points
Motherwell: SWPL1 – 5th– three points
Kerry Montgomery has set her sights on enjoying another cup run with the women of steel.
“We have a brand new team and are looking to our own journey in the cup competitions,” Montgomery said. “Despite saying that, it was a Motherwell team that made it to the final last year.
“We have to look to try and keep that focus and belief to push to that level.”
‘Well assistant head coach Gregg Harrison has been impressed by the reaction of the players in the aftermath of the Forfar defeat.
Now Harrison is hoping the players can produce a big performance against Hutchison Vale to right the wrongs of last Sunday.
“The players showed a real hunger at training all week,” Harrison said. “We know we under performed in the match against Forfar, especially the first half.
“The players are eager to put the right on Sunday; we are a really tight group with high standards so they know what’s required.
“We learned a lot from the cup run last year so will look to build on that experience.
“However, we are only looking forward now and with the squad we have we are capable of having another great season.”
We’ll have a full match report and goal highlights here and on the club’s social media channels.
Kerry Montgomery hopes Motherwell can put the controversial defeat to Forfar Farmington behind them by reaching the quarter finals of the SWPL Cup.
The Motherwell captain thought she had earned the women of steel a share of the spoils at Station Park last Sunday. However, the ball was judged to have hit the net after the referee’s final whistle.
Donald Jennow’s side travel to face SWPL2 side Hutchison Vale on Sunday, with a place in the last eight of the first cup competition of the season up for grabs.
Montgomery is relishing the chance to put last weekend’s disappointment firmly behind her.
“Last week was a tough one to take, but that’s done with now,” Montgomery said. “The focus all week has been firmly on the cup game on Sunday.
”We have a group of girls who are hungry and want to win. The game on Sunday is a great platform for us to get back to winning ways and more importantly with a good solid team performance.”
Last season, Montgomery played a big part as Motherwell reached the Scottish Cup final.
Although they were unable to upset the odds in the final against Hibs, the midfielder is aiming for more success in 2019.
‘Well will make the trip to the capital as firm favourites, but the skipper has warned against complacency.
“We have a brand new team and are looking to our own journey in the cup competitions,” she added. “Despite saying that, it was a Motherwell team that made it to the final last year.
“We have to look to try and keep that focus and belief to push to that level.
“The game is on Hutchison Vale’s patch, so we are looking at it as a tricky away fixture that we’ll need to be mentally and physically ready for.
“They will be looking to bounce back from their difficult start to the season, so we aren’t taking anything for granted.”
After a close season that brought wholesale changes to the ‘Well squad, Montgomery was one of the few players who remain from the side that surged to the SWPL2 title.
The 30-year-old is enjoying life at Fir Park and has praised the spirit within the newly assembled squad.
“The last couple months in training with the squad have been great,” said the former Celtic midfielder.
“We’re beginning to have a good understanding of each other.
“We all get on really well, the banter is great, but the focus is even better we have a group that want to learn, improve and push to win.
“It’s competitive and a really good atmosphere right now.”
Motherwell were defeated 3-2 against Forfar Farmington on Sunday in controversial circumstances.
Kerry Montgomery’s last minute goal was chopped off to deny Motherwell a point, after seemingly completing a late comeback.
However, the ball was judged to have hit the net after the referee’s final whistle.
Motherwell started the game well, coming out the traps by creating some early attacking chances.
Sarah Crilly was the architect of the best of the early chances, the winger making the most of the space out wide by making a bursting run down the left wing, before playing the ball straight into the path of Katie Rice who was arriving at the back post, the ball however was overhit and it came to nothing.
As the game progressed Forfar grew into the and created more chances in the Motherwell half.
They nearly went ahead through Robyn Smith’s long range volley, the ball was only partially cleared from the corner before falling to the striker who was situated at the edge of the box, the striker’s effort however slashed just wide of the post.
The hosts broke the deadlock with 10 minutes played. Hannah Stewart was on hand to blast a volley past Morgan Hunter in the ‘Well goal. The goal came from some attacking pressure before the inviting cross was finished well by the midfielder, who had found space in the box.
Spurred on by the early goal, the game was predominantly played in the Motherwell half. Minutes after the first goal, Donna Paterson was denied by a superb flying save from Hunter, tipping the headed effort past the post to prevent the hosts from extending their lead.
With half an hour on the clock, Forfar extended their lead. Stewart grabbed her second of the match, capitalising on a loose ball.
The bounce of the ball beat Maxine Welsh as she tried to clear it forward, Stewart was able to latch onto the loose ball before advancing forward. The midfielder then cut inside from the left before pulling the trigger on her right foot from outside the box, the ball sailed over Hunter into the net as the hosts began to pull away.
Farmington were able to see the half out with a two-goal advantage,despite the best efforts of the Motherwell attack, who continued to press and play the ball in the final third. Frustratingly they were restricted to long range shots with Kerry Montgomery’s effort being the closest to finding the net.
Motherwell started the second half brightly, determined to get an early goal to get themselves back in the game. Montgomery nearly got the visitors off to the perfect start as she came close with a long-ranged effort.
The shot looked destined for goal, but Fiona McNicoll in the Forfar goal done brilliantly to tip it over the bar.
Chelsea McEachren came close shortly after as the bright spell continued with the ‘Well looking the more dangerous of the two sides. The attacker picked up the ball down the left wing, wriggling past two defenders and working her way into a position to shoot. The shot was inches away from nestling into the top corner.
Eventually, the attacking pressure paid off on the 54th minute as Motherwell managed to grab a goal back and blow the game wide open again. Rice was the scorer as her long-ranged driven strike bounced off the post and over the line to reignite the contest.
Motherwell’s joy however was short lived. Four minutes later the hosts hit back, a superb free kick delivery from Nicola Davidson reached the head of Paterson, who broke free from her marker and produced a glancing header to direct it past Hunter to extend the deficit once more.
Despite being behind, the women of steel never let their heads drop as the continued to build from the back and to work the ball into dangerous areas, but they couldn’t find a way through the disciplined Forfar side.
With just over ten minutes to go, Motherwell came agonisingly close to reducing the gap once more. Montgomery pressed up the pitch well and nicked the ball back before making a run for the byline.
Drawing the keeper out wide with her, she picked out Mhairi Fyfe in the box with a low driven pass. All Fyfe had to do was get a touch on it and it was a goal but a superb covering block from Paterson denied the substitute a chance to get the ‘Well back into the game.
The chance seemed to have breathed new life into the ‘Well side as they continued to advance forward, looking to create something but once more the resilient Forfar were up to the task of batting back any Motherwell advance.
Substitute Fyfe gave Donald Jennow’s side some late hope as she made it 3-2 in additional time with a well worked goal. Latching onto the through ball, the striker took on and dribbled past the defence before slotting her shot into the opposite corner of the net past the diving McNicoll in goal.
There was drama at the final whistle as Montgomery fired a shot into the roof of the net, but the goal was chopped off as the ball was judged to have hit the net after the referee had blown the final whistle, denying Motherwell a late point.
Next up for Motherwell is SWPL Cup action as they face Hutchinson Vale next Sunday in the capital.
After getting off to a winning start in SWPL1, Motherwell are aiming to make it two wins from two on Sunday when they travel to Station Park for a meeting with Forfar Farmington.
Kerry Montgomery’s long range effort clinched all three points as the women of steel edged out Stirling University in their opening game.
It was the ideal way to start the new season, but life in the top flight will mean the tough games will come thick and fast.
Kick off at Station Park is 1pm. Entry is priced at £4 adults, £3 concessions and free for under 16s.
Forfar Farmington enjoyed a comfortable first season in SWPL1 in 2018, following promotion to the top flight the previous year.
The appointment of Stevie Baxter ahead of the 2019 campaign has also brought significant changes to the playing squad and the new boss will be hoping his side can gel quickly in order to build on last season’s success.
A 4-0 defeat to Celtic on the opening day was a disappointing way to begin the season, but Baxter’s side will be determined to make amends in their first home fixture.
Forfar: SWPL1 – 8th – zero points
Motherwell: SWPL1 – 2nd – three points
Kirsten Rolph is hoping Motherwell can build up momentum after a winning start.
“Nobody needs to stress to us not to get carried away,” Rolph said. “We all know we are in for a tough season and are taking it game by game.
“There is a great team spirit already, despite having only been together as a group for a few weeks.
“During the game we all worked hard for each other and everyone was buzzing with the win.”
Donald Jennow has been pleased with the attitude and work rate of his squad in the lead up to taking on Forfar.
The ‘Well head coach is now urging his players to keep on improving, after an impressing showing against Stirling University.
“We’ve put in a good week of work in the build up to Sunday’s game,” said Jennow. “What has been most pleasing is the determination of the players to keep on improving.
“Every coach will strive for consistency and so I want us to replicate the things we did well last week while adding those thing that we’ve looked at following the Stirling game.”
We’ll have a full match report and goal highlights here and on the club’s social media channels.
Kirsten Rolph says Motherwell must now build up momentum, after opening their SWPL1 campaign with a victory over Stirling University.
Former Kilmarnock defender Rolph joined the ranks at ‘Well earlier this year and played a big role as they opened their top flight account with a victory.
Next up for the women of steel is their first away fixture of the season, when they travel to Station Park to take on Forfar Farmington.
Going into the game on the back of a good victory will ensure Donald Jennow’s side are full of confidence, but Rolph is well aware they’ll need to be at their best to come away with a positive result.
“Nobody needs to stress to us not to get carried away,” Rolph said. “We all know we are in for a tough season and are taking it game by game.
“There is a great team spirit already, despite having only been together as a group for a few weeks.
“We have all gelled really well from day one and I think that showed against Stirling.
“During the game we all worked hard for each other and everyone was buzzing with the win.”
In contrasting fashion, Forfar opened their season with a 4-0 defeat against Celtic.
Last season, after gaining promotion to the top flight, the Blues handled the transition well and comfortably finished in fifth place.
Rolph believes Motherwell are more than capable of taking another positive result, but has warned they are in for a very tough encounter.
“They’ll definitely want to bounce back from last week and the defeat to Celtic,” she added.
“I know they have made some changes in coaching staff and similar to us brought in new players.
“Forfar are a good side who last year had some mixed results, but managed to stay a solid team in SWPL1.
“That being said we are confident in our own abilities and will definitely be looking to come away with a result.”
Despite a close season of major transition within the Motherwell squad, Rolph feels she and her fellow new recruits have settled in easily.
The 26-year-old also has been impressed with the quality within the squad and is relishing the increased exposure that has come with life in the top league.
“Since joining Motherwell it has been really clear how good the standard is,” she said.
“For me personally, I feel I’m always learning and there’s a lot of differences to take on board.
“I feel like I’m progressing every week, it’s been a good transition for me.
“We are part of the top league in Scotland, so are in the spotlight a lot more and as the newly promoted team there’s that added interest.
“It’s nice to get that added attention, but our focus is simply on achieving our goals for the season.”
Motherwell head coach Donald Jennow expressed delight at a winning start to life in SWPL1.
Kerry Montgomery’s second half screamer against Stirling University earned all three points for the women of steel, who were twice denied by the woodwork as they looked to extend their lead.
Jennow believes that a winning start will be a huge confidence boost and praised skipper Montgomery for her superb winning goal.
“To start with three points is very positive and reflects well on how quickly the group has come together,” Jennow said.
“There is always an element of uncertainty when starting a new season, so the win helps to boost confidence and trust within the squad.
“We were a bit hesitant to shoot in the first half so it was great to see Kerry take the shot on and then her ability to execute is why she’s so important to us.”
Despite getting off to the best possible start, Jennow is refusing to get carried away.
Instead, the ‘Well gaffer insists that the primary goal for the season is retaining their top flight status.
Motherwell romped to the SWPL2 title last season and have gone over a year without defeat on home soil.
“We need to win games to stay in this league,” he added.
“We have made the best possible start to that but I’m stating the obvious when I say one win isn’t enough.
“The earlier we can pick up enough points to make us safe, the sooner we can start to think about how we progress to the next level.”
The women of steel will play their home matches at Ravenscraig this season, but with resurfacing work ongoing at the venue, Fir Park hosted Sunday’s game.
Jennow felt that his team adapted to their surroundings and impressed on the big stage, though has stressed there’s still work to be done.
“Speaking selfishly, I love these opportunities,” the ‘Well boss said.
“It allows me to see which players thrive on the bigger stages and after a cagey start I thought everyone grew into their surroundings.
“We still have a lot of work to do but I firmly believe that, after today, I have a group that will relish the challenges we will face this year.
“We showed flashes of the type of football we are capable of but that level of performance needs to be sustained if we are going to have success this year.”
Motherwell got their SWPL 1 campaign off to a winning start, defeating Stirling University 1-0 at Fir Park on Sunday.
Captain Kerry Montgomery’s wonder strike was enough to ensure that the three points stayed in Lanarkshire, with a clean sheet as an additional bonus.
It was a nervy start for ‘Well. An early mix up at the back nearly gifted Eva Rule an early goal but home keeper Morgan Hunter, making her first appearance in claret and amber, saw the danger and tracked back to gather the loose pass to clear the danger.
The women of steel grew more and more into the game and the first chance fell to Scotland international Sarah Crilly.
The winger burst down the right wing producing a dangerous looking cross only for the ball to be scrambled clear by the Stirling defence.
With just under half an hour played, the hosts came the closest to drawing first blood.
Stephanie Knox was at the back post from the corner kick when the cross came over. Amongst the bodies in the box the ball fell to the defender, but she couldn’t stretch out to poke it over the line.
After the first sniff of goal, the momentum in the match looked to be with ‘Well. Some good build-up play between the midfield and forwards opened the door to more chances with the Stirling defence tested on numerous occasions.
But it would be honours even at the end of the first half, with both sides unable to find the net.
The start of the second half mirrored that of the first, Stirling started brightly but their attacking threat didn’t pose too many issues for Hunter.
At the other end, Motherwell’s first chance came in the form of a corner. Katie Rice’s delivery was swung into a dangerous area, but again the Stirling defence were able to clear their lines.
The deadlock was finally broken just after the hour when Montgomery opened Motherwell’s SWPL 1 scoring account in outstanding fashion.
The captain picked up a pass from the left wing, dribbled into space and, after spotting the keeper off her line, unleashed a rocket of a strike from her right foot that flew into the roof of the net.
Motherwell came so close to increasing their advantage shortly after, but struck the frame of the goal twice in a matter of minutes.
Former Hamilton Accies forward Rice met a teasing cross with a powering header that smashed off the crossbar, much to the delight of Stirling keeper Chloe Logan, who was rooted to the spot.
Substitute Mhairi Fyfe saw her shot cannon off the post as ‘Well sensed blood, but Stirling survived to keep the match delicately poised going into the closing stages.
Another sub, Caitlin Russell, could’ve ended the match as a contest when she was sent racing away. However, her effort lacked enough power and it was comfortably stopped by Logan.
After a slight scare late on in the home box, Russell had another opportunity to add to the score sheet, but her effort again lacked conviction and Logan again blocked.
Next up for Motherwell is a trip to face Forfar Farmington on 17 February.
Motherwell open their SWPL1 campaign on Sunday afternoon as Stirling University visit Fir Park.
The close season has been one of major transition for Donald Jennow’s squad, with only five members of last season’s SWPL2 winning side remaining at the club for their top flight challenge.
Making the step up to the top league in Scottish women’s football will represent a stern test for the women of steel, though they will take confidence from their performances and results in pre-season. A 2-2 draw with Newcastle United was followed up with a 3-1 success over St Johnstone.
Kick off at Fir Park is 2pm. Entry is free, for all with spectators housed in the Phil O’Donnell Stand.
After recording an impressive fourth place finish during the 2017 season, Stirling University found life in the top flight somewhat more difficult in 2018.
They would finish in seventh place, one place and three points above Hamilton Accies who were relegated to SWPL2.
Ahead of the new season, interim head coach, Craig Beveridge has targeted an improvement in their league position, sighting consistency as the key to ensuring a more successful year.
Motherwell: SWPL2 – 1st – 53 points
Stirling: SWPL1 – 7th – 15 points
Sarah Crilly is desperate to get her career with the women of steel off to a flyer when they face Stirling University in the season opener at Fir Park.
“I’m buzzing to get going, it’s been a long and cold pre-season,” said Crilly.
“It’s hugely important we get off to a good start, Stirling have always been a team that are difficult to take points from.
“They are a good team, a scrappy team and I think it’ll be a battle in the midfield.
“Hopefully we can come out on top and get a result that will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.”
‘Well gaffer Donald Jennow is relishing the challenge of mixing it with the country’s top sides.
And after overseeing a close season of big transition, Jennow has praised the attitude and desire of his new recruits.
“We are looking forward to it and I’m happy with how we are progressing,” Jennow said.
“Making the changes hasn’t been difficult because of the support I’ve had.
“The coaching team have been a great help with recruitment.
“Part of the reason that I’m so happy with the players we brought in is that it wasn’t a hard sell, they all want to be here and that’s half the battle.”
Our match programme is available for free download now.
You can also get goal updates from the match on the @MotherwellFC Twitter account.
