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The women of steel kicked off the 2024/25 SWPL campaign with a comfortable 1-5 victory over Spartans at Ainslie Park.

The women of steel travelled to the Scottish capital keen to pick up from where they left off last season, with a revitalised squad coasting past a competitive Spartans team to start the latest top-flight campaign on a high.

Competitive debutant Rachel Todd netted a prolific brace across both halves, with Bailley Collins, Sarah Gibb and Morgan Cross also finding the target in a dominant second-half display in Edinburgh.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie named three new additions within the starting XI, as Jenna Penman, Mason Blyth-Clark and Rachel Todd lined-up from the start, with Celtic loanees Sienna Mcgoldrick and Amy Sharkey featuring from the bench.

The hosts capitalised on the visitors early frustrations, netting the opener within the opening phases of play. Nevertheless, the women of steel persisted and soon netted an unpredictable equaliser, with Spartans gifting Bailley Collins a free close-range effort after misplacing an unpressurised goal-kick.

Debutant Todd soon netted Motherwell’s second from the penalty spot after Morgan Cross was hauled down after expertly escaping her marker within the penalty area. Sarah Gibb netted her first Motherwell goal early into the second-half, dispatching Bailley Collins whipped delivery across the face of goal.

Morgan Cross picked up from where she left off last season, drilling home Collins’ low delivery in an almost identical goal. Todd rounded off an exceptional afternoon under the Edinburgh sunshine, powering home Sarah Gibb’s floated corner kick with a precise headed effort.

The women of steel now head into the campaign with confidence and momentum in the pursuit of a historic top-six finish.

Striker Amy Sharkey has joined the club on a season-long loan deal from defending SWPL champions Celtic.

The 16-year-old joined the Hoops’ academy in February 2022 and instantly made an impression, earning a place on the bench against local rivals Rangers at only 15-years-old in the maiden women’s Scottish Cup final at the national stadium, Hampden park.

The forward soon made her senior Celtic debut, before featuring twice against Hamilton and Dundee United, with Sharkey netting her first top-flight goal in a 9-0 victory over the Tangerines.

“I’m delighted to have joined Motherwell,” said Sharkey.

“I want to experience regular first-team football and the club have a proven track record of developing young players and providing the platform to gain experience and progress both as a player and a person.

“I can’t wait to get started and am looking forward to playing my part in the season ahead.”

The striker, who has been capped internationally for Scotland at both U16 and U17 level, will be the sixth new acquisition for the women of steel this season.

“This is a very positive addition,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Making her Celtic debut at 15 emphasises how exciting a talent Amy is, and we knew she’d be able to positively strengthen our options in the final third. We are looking forward to supporting her progression this season.”

Creative midfielder Georgie Robb has joined the club on a permanent deal after departing Dundee United in the summer.

The 18-year-old, who made 54-top-flight appearances since 2022 will feature in claret and amber ahead of the forthcoming SWPL campaign after an extensive spell in the City of Discovery.

“I’m delighted to join the club,” said Robb.

“The club are building positively towards the future, they drive high standards, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play here.

“I’m really excited to step into such a competitive environment, with competition for places creating an environment where I can develop myself as a player but also as a person. I can’t wait to get started here.”

The midfielder, who has been capped internationally for Scotland at both U15 and U19 level, will be the fifth new acquisition for the women of steel this season.

“I am delighted to get this signing completed,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Georgie is an exciting young talent and I’m fully aware of the qualities she has. Georgie is versatile in position, she has the qualities to carve out goalscoring opportunities and create space in the final third. She’ll bring great balance to the team and I’m excited to continue her development this season.”

Edinburgh will await the women of steel this weekend, as Motherwell prepare for the first challenge in their 2024/25 SWPL campaign, with spartans the hosts in the Scottish capital.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Refreshed and rejuvenated following the summer break, the women of steel return to competitive action aiming to replicate their impeccable post-split form of the previous campaign. Paul Brownlie’s side coasted through to the 2023/24 season finale after maintaining an exceptional 11-game unbeaten run.

Following 13-summer departures, Motherwell faced an extensive squad rebuild after striker Laura Berry returned to Rangers alongside fellow loanee Kayla Jardine. Latest additions Jenna Penman, Mason Blyth-Clark, Rachel Todd and Sienna McGoldrick all are set to make their competitive Motherwell debuts after penning deals in ML1.

Motherwell remain unbeaten against Spartans across their last four league meetings, with the women of steel recording three victories throughout that run.

Spartans 

The Edinburgh side have also faced an extensive squad rebuild following the departure of key attacker Caley Gibb, with Hearts loanees Kate Fraser and Olivia Chomczuk trading sides of the Scottish capital on joint season-long loan deals.

Ticket information 

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £5
• Under 16s – Free to enter

How to follow the action 

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from Ainslie Park at 1PM.

Volvo Construction Equipment are our new official front of shirt sponsor for our women’s team until the end of season 25/26.

The club is delighted to announce a new partnership with Volvo Construction Equipment as front of shirt sponsor for the women’s first team. The globally recognised Volvo logo will feature on the front of the home and away shirts for a minimum of two years.

Volvo Construction Equipment is a global leader in delivering premium construction products and services. The business dates to 1832 and is present in more than 140 countries around the world.

Locally, Volvo Construction Equipment has a manufacturing facility in Motherwell which has been manufacturing construction machinery for over 70 years. The local site employs a highly skilled workforce from welders to engineers who design and manufacture Volvo Rigid Haulers and Rokbak Articulated Haulers.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the club,” Global marketing director, Jacqueline Reid stated.

“As longstanding organisations, we share many similar values and are very proud of our history and experience, which we use to pave the way for future generations and success. At Volvo we are committed to supporting our local community and in building a better world for all.”

“As a company, we are very committed to reaching 35% female employees by 2030. Therefore, the partnership with the women’s team is important for us as we work towards this goal and recognised as an employer of choice for all. I am sure we will share enormous success together and wish the team a fantastic season ahead.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with global brand Volvo Construction Equipment,” Suzanne Reid, commercial director at Motherwell FC added.

“The partnership will play a vital role in supporting the club’s continued growth and development of the women’s team. It is fantastic news to have another positive, high value and high caliber partnership for the future. We thank Volvo and Jacqueline for their support of Motherwell Football Club.”

The women of steel kicked off their pre-season preparations with a positive display against an experienced Livingston side, as both continued to build their fitness levels ahead of their respective SWPL and SWPL2 league seasons.

The joint training session enabled both clubs to feature the entirety of their squads, with rolling substitutions across both halves. Summer additions Mason Blyth-Clark, Sienna McGoldrick, Rachel Todd and Jenna Penman all featured in a mixed squad of experience and youth, with academy graduates Kyla Thomson and Hannah Cairns also featuring.

Blyth-Clark netted a hat-trick, with Todd securing a brace and contributions from McGoldrick, Jo Addie, Morgan Cross, Trialist and academy prodigy Thomson.

Motherwell broke the deadlock within the opening phases of play, as Blyth-Clark skilfully escaped her marker to convert from close-range before replicating the opener with a quickfire second moments later.

Todd added her name to the scoresheet moments later after calmly working her way through numerous Livingston jerseys before coolly dispatching an accurate finish into the top-right corner.

Morgan Cross evaded the Livingston backline midway through the first-half before racing through on goal and placing a precise effort through the legs of the goalkeeper. Blyth-Clark secured her first-half hat-trick as the half-time whistle neared, with the women of steel heading into the break with a comfortable advantage. 5-0.

Motherwell picked up from where they left off as the second-half resumed, with Todd netting her second from close-range. Jo Addie prodded home Katie Rice’s floated corner kick for Motherwell’s seventh of the evening. Trialist added to the scoreline moments later with an exceptional effort from the edge of the penalty area that nestled comfortably into the top-left corner.

McGoldrick calmly slotted home a ninth from within 10-yards before academy prospect Thomson drilled home an excellent composed finish after skilfully working her way into the box following an audacious solo-run from the halfway-line.

Sienna McGoldrick is our fourth signing of the summer.

The Scottish youth international midfielder came through the ranks at SWPL champions Celtic, breaking into first-team contention at only 15-years-old. The youngster joins the women of steel in search of regular first-team action – following in the footsteps of fellow international teammates Laura Berry and Kayla Jardine.

A combative and technically skilful player capable of operating across a variety of positions, McGoldrick broke the deadlock in the U18s SWF Scottish Cup final against Hearts; catching the eye of Head Coach Paul Brownlie.

“I’m really happy to have joined Motherwell for next season,” McGoldrick emphasised.

“Over the past few seasons, other young players have came here, gained the experience of first-team football and have really developed their game.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

McGoldrick has represented Scotland across a variety of age categories, making 5-appearances throughout her time within the international ranks; including an international call-up to the MIMA Cup in Murcia, Spain.

“This is a very positive signing,” head coach Paul Brownlie added.

“We identified Sienna as a very exciting young talent who could provide vital competition for places.

“I am looking forward to watching Sienna’s progression this season.”

Morgan Cross has extended her stay at the club after agreeing a contract extension.

Striker Morgan Cross will remain with the women of steel for a second consecutive season after initially agreeing to sign for the club following her departure from Coventry United last summer.

“We are delighted to have Morgan confirmed for next season,” Head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“We worked hard to get Morgan in last season and despite an early injury setback, Morgan returned and became one of our highest goal scorers.

“It was valuable to get this completed prior to the start of pre-season, as Morgan was a late summer arrival and struggled initially with a recurring injury. Having a full pre-season this time around will be an important step for Morgan to continue her exceptional run of form from last season.”

Cross became a vital component in the clinical goalscoring partnership with Rangers-loanee Laura Berry, with Cross netting six times across the 2023/24 SWPL campaign. The forward played a pivotal role in sustaining the women of steel’s exceptional 11-game unbeaten run.

“I’m really excited to stay at the club,” Cross said.

“Since returning from injury, I feel I’ve really hit the standards that I set for myself and have settled into the club.

“I am looking forward to the season ahead and am ready to continue the positive run of form that we built heading into the summer break.”

Rachel Todd is our third signing of the summer.

The former Dundee United and St. Johnstone captain will trade the city of Discovery for North Lanarkshire after three seasons at Foundation Park.

Capable of operating between the back four and forward line, Todd primarily played on the left flank whilst featuring throughout the entirety of the Tangerines 2023/24 SWPL campaign. Todd netted eight times across the previous campaign and captained the side to a closely-fought SWPL playoff victory over Kilmarnock to retain United’s Premier League status ahead of the forthcoming season.

“I’m delighted to have joined the club,” Todd noted.

“Paul and Leanne really expressed their interest in bringing me to the club early over the summer and their vision for the future really attracted me to Motherwell.

“I am excited to get started and can’t wait for the season ahead.”

Despite a tough SWPL campaign with United, Todd guided her side to Premier League survival after defeating promotion-hopeful’s Kilmarnock through a one-legged playoff-final at the Falkirk Stadium.

“I am delighted to bring Rachel to the club,” head coach Paul Brownlie added.

“We identified Rachel as a key target during the previous season and have been working to get this over the line for many months.

“Earning the captaincy at both Dundee United and St. Johnstone emphasises how important Rachel has been to both her previous clubs. A natural leader, Rachel will really develop our squad for the season ahead.”

Mason Blyth-Clark is our second signing of the summer.

The forward joins the women of steel ahead of the forthcoming 2024/25 SWPL campaign on a season-long loan deal from Rangers.

The Scottish youth international makes the switch across the River Clyde after featuring for local rivals Hamilton over two consecutive loan spells. Blyth-Clark’s performances were rewarded after picking up the Accies players player of the season award.

“I’m delighted to have joined Motherwell,” Blyth-Clark said.

“I’m excited by the vision Paul and Leanne have for the club and I feel I can really develop myself as a player here.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

The pacey 17-year-old joins the women of steel having gained a wealth of professional experience, having featured 22-times for the Accies and twice for parent club Rangers.

‘This is another great addition to the squad,” head coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Mason adds a new dynamic to the squad in the final third and is a technically exciting young player who can really drive us forward this season.

“Despite her age, Mason already has a wealth of experience at this level and we believe Motherwell is the perfect next step in her footballing journey.”