Latest News

Motherwell are in SSE Scottish Cup action on Sunday, as Partick Thistle travel to Ravenscraig.

The SWPL2 side arrive during a break from a title challenge in the second tier.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell returned to league action after the summer break last Sunday, drawing 0-0 at home to Spartans.

Partick Thistle, meanwhile, sit two points off the pace in SWPL2, behind joint leaders Hamilton and Hearts.

The Jags have netted 17 times in their last three games without reply, with 16 coming in back-to-back wins over Hutchison Vale.

Manager sees cup chance to boost confidence

Donald Jennow saw his side take a point in their last outing in the league, but is mindful of the test Thistle will pose.

“Partick Thistle have aspirations to get to the top flight and their are in good form coming to face us,” he said.

“But with the changes we’ve made over the summer, and the confidence we got from the result last week, has put a spring in our step.

“It will be a very difficult test. But we have a cup pedigree and we’re hopeful that if we play to our strengths, we can get the result.”

Watch the match

Ravenscraig’s indoor facility is the venue for Sunday’s match, which kicks off at 1.30pm.

Morgan Hunter saved a penalty as Motherwell returned to SWPL1 action with a 0-0 home draw with Spartans.

The goalkeeper kept out Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s first half effort, diving low to her right to palm the spot kick away.

That contentious award came in an even match at Ravenscraig, as the two teams returned after a two-month summer break.

Head coach Donald Jennow welcomed a handful of new players into his side, as both teams had chances to take all three points.

Motherwell also had a penalty shout later on in the match, only to be turned away by the referee.

Next up for the women of steel is Partick Thistle in the SSE Scottish Cup. Kick off at Ravenscraig next Sunday is at 2.30pm.

Motherwell: Hunter, Doran-Barr, Rolph, Rafferty, Knox, Adams, Crooks, Rice, Montgomery, Cairney, McEachran.

Subs: Vincenti, Roberts, MacDonald, Arbuckle.

Motherwell return to SWPL1 action on Sunday after the summer break, with Spartans the visitors to Ravenscraig.

With 11 games played so far in 2019, Donald Jennow’s side sit six in the eight-team table so far and have the chance to overtake Sunday’s opponents with a win.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell have won three, drawn two and lost six so far in the league 2019, scoring 15 and conceding 31 in the process.

Two defeats came just before the break, with title-chasing Hibernian running out comfortable winners before a tight 2-1 defeat to Celtic in the final match.

The women of steel have taken six points from a possible 18 so far at home, having defeated Stirling University and Forfar Farmington.

Spartans sit two points further ahead in the SWPL1 table, and arrested a run of four straight defeats when they ended the first half of the campaign with a 4-0 home win over Stirling University.

Of their five away league matches so far, they’ve won two and lost three.

Head to head

It’s the second league encounter between the two sides this season on Sunday, with Motherwell having lost 3-1 away from home in March.

The two teams have also already met on cup business already in 2019. Spartans were convincing winners on that occasion, racking up five goals without reply at Ravenscraig.

Manager positive going into second half

“There have been changes to the squad over the summer, mainly with a view to bolstering our squad depth,” head coach Donald Jennow said going into the game.

“It’s been a long break, but we are all positive and ready to return to action against an opponent we know we can stand up better against.”

Watch the match

Ravenscraig’s indoor facility is the venue for Sunday’s match, which kicks off at 2.30pm.

Partick Thistle lie in wait for Motherwell in the third round of the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup.

Donald Jennow’s team will face SWPL2 opposition, as they look to repeat their run to last year’s final.

Thistle currently sit second in the second tier, four points behind leaders Hearts.

The date, kick-off time and venue will be announced shortly.

SSE Scottish Women’s Cup third round draw

Hibernian v Stirling University

St Johnstone v Boroughmuir Thistle

Spartans v Aberdeen

Motherwell v Partick Thistle

Queen’s Park v Westdyke

Hearts v Raith Rovers

Kilwinning v Hamilton Academical

Rangers v Glasgow Girls

Dunfermline Athletic v Stonehaven

FC Kilmarnock v East Fife

Hutchison Vale v Inverness CT

Clyde v Clark Drive

West Park United v Celtic

Dundee City v St Mirren

Forfar Farmington v Stenhousemuir/Pollok United

Edinburgh Caledonia v Glasgow City

Motherwell will learn their SSE Scottish Women’s Cup third round opponents on Wednesday.

Last year’s beaten finalists go into the hat as one of 32 teams in the draw at 4pm.

Donald Jennow’s side are in a free draw, meaning they could be paired with holders Hibernian or league leaders Glasgow City.

Alternatively they could take on fourth tier sides such as West Park United, who currently play in the same league as ‘Well’s development side.

Fixture information, venue and dates will be announced soon after the draw.

Four players have been added to the Motherwell ranks, as the squad head into the SWPL1 summer break.

Abby Callaghan, Lauren Doran-Barr, Anna Vincenti and Myia Arbuckle have featured for Donald Jennow’s side in recent weeks, as the women of steel compete in the top flight.

Forward Callaghan, 17, signed from fellow SWPL1 side Stirling University, having also previously played for Central Girls and Celtic.

Doran-Barr, a full back, also arrived from Stirling, with the 19-year-old having also spent time with Rangers.

Goalkeeper Vincenti played at youth level for Scotland before taking up skiing with the Great Britain squad. Formerly of Hibernian, she returned to football with Motherwell this month.

Full-back Arbuckle was formerly a member of the development team at Motherwell and returns after a short spell at Hamilton Academical.

Motherwell return to league action on Sunday, 4 August at home to Spartans at Ravenscraig.

Motherwell headed into SWPL1’s summer break with a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Celtic.

Facing an in-form side looking for a fifth straight win, Donald Jennow’s team knew they’d already been a match for their opponents this season, having drawn 0-0 at the start of the season.

The women of steel faced early pressure and fell behind in the 14 minute through a combination play from two ex-Well players.

Emma Black’s lofted ball put Kirsty McLaughlin through on goal, and she converted from a tight angle to have the visitors ahead within 15 minutes.

Motherwell, however, were not deterred, and had the game level within two minutes.

A swift counter and great play down the left saw the ball cut back for Katie Rice, who arrived at the back post to fire home the equaliser.

In a ferocious few minutes, Celtic then had the chance to go ahead from the spot moments later. But Morgan Hunter stood tall to deny Chloe Craig.

The second half saw Celtic regain the lead through Kathleen McGovern on the hour mark and that was how the game would finish.

Motherwell now head into the summer break on 11 points in sixth spot, having dropped a place owing to Spartans’ win over Stirling University.

Their return to action will come on Sunday, 4 August with the visit of Spartans.

Motherwell: Hunter, Doran-Barr, Rolph, Rafferty, Knox, Montgomery, Adams, Rice, McEachran, Gardner, Callaghan.

Subs: Arbuckle, Crilly.

Motherwell will contest their final SWPL1 fixture before the summer break when Celtic visit Ravenscraig.

Donald Jennow’s side have picked up some crucial results in recent weeks that have helped move them clear of the foot of the table.

They will now hope to gather some momentum ahead of a 10-week break from league action.

The test facing them is sure to be a tough one, with Celtic currently enjoying an excellent run of form that has seen then enter the battle for top spot.

Kick off at Ravenscraig is 2:30pm.

THE OPPOSITION

Celtic visit Ravenscraig looking to continue their title challenge.

The Hoops have enjoyed a strong start to the 2019 season and at the midway point sit in joint second place five points behind Glasgow City.

Challenging at the top of the table represents an improvement for Celtic who, despite finishing third last season, finished 20 points behind Hibernian and 23 behind eventual champions City.

There are signs that this season may be different though. What seemed like a significant turning point in their campaign came when Celtic recorded a highly impressive 3-0 triumph over Hibernian, to end a losing streak against the capital side that stretched to over 20 matches.

Eddie Wolecki Black’s side have already faced Motherwell this campaign, drawing 0-0 at home.

POSITION

Motherwell: SWPL1 – fifth – 11 points

Celtic: SWPL1 – third – 22 points

WHAT THEY SAID

Motherwell head coach Donald Jennow feels the first half of the season has been a mixed bag for the women of steel.

The ‘Well head coach has been challenged by the lack of depth within his squad during the opening 10 games of the season, but praised his squad for their resilience and togetherness.

“We have had an up and down first half of the season,” Jennow said.

“I look at the volume of changes to the squad and I am proud of the strong core we have both in terms of doing a bit extra when we have been short and also welcoming the new additions.

“Celtic will be another tough challenge, If we can play to the best of our capabilities then we will be competitive and that’s all I can ask of a newly promoted club.”

‘Well midfielder Katie Rice is hoping the team can recover from the disappointing loss against Hibernian on Wednesday and go into the break on a high.

“Against Hibs we put in a poor performance against a really top side, but it’s done now,” Rice said.

“Our focus now will be completely placed on Sunday’s game and I think we owe it to ourselves to put in a better performance and end the first half of the season on a high.”

Motherwell suffered a disappointing defeat against SWPL Cup winners Hibernian at Peffermill.

The women of steel couldn’t find a response to a rapid start from the hosts and they would go into the break 5-0 behind.

After the break, Shannon McGregor added her second of the match before Ellis Notley added Hibs’ seventh.

With six minutes remaining, Abbie Callaghan lifted the ball over Jeni Currie as ‘Well managed a consolation.

Despite suffering a heavy loss, Motherwell remain fifth and will hope to bounce back when Celtic visit Ravenscraig on Sunday.

Motherwell will face a stern challenge to make it three wins on the spin when they face Hibernian at Peffermill on Wednesday night.

After moving within two points of a place in the top half of SWPL1 following victories over Stirling University and Forfar Farmington, the weekend’s SWPL Cup winners lie in wait.

Successive wins for Donald Jennow’s side has created some much needed breathing space over the bottom two sides in the league and they will now aim to build some momentum.

There are just two more games until the league breaks up for the summer break, with attentions turning to the national side and their participation at the World Cup in France.

Before that the women of steel have two tough fixtures in five days. After the visit to face Hibs, who currently occupy third spot, they will take on Celtic, who sit second.

Kick off at Peffermill is at 7.30pm.

The Opposition

Hibs come into the fixture in high spirits, having captured their fourth successive SWPL Cup triumph by defeating Glasgow City on penalties in their last outing.

Despite the high of yet more cup success for Grant Scott’s side, they will be keen to eradicate the memories of a heavy loss to Celtic in their previous league match.

That defeat left Hibs in third place in SWPL1, five points off leaders Glasgow City, who have played a game less.

There surely can be no more slip-ups from the Hibees if they are to deny City a 13th successive league title.

Position

Hibernian: SWPL1 – third – 19 points

Motherwell: SWPL1 – fifth – 11 points

What They Said

Motherwell head coach Donald Jennow is hoping his side can take the positives from the victories over Stirling and Forfar into the match.

A dominant performance at Ravenscraig earlier in the season saw the Hibees emerge 4-0 winners and Jennow is urging his side to maintain their focus.

“The aim is exactly the same as in previous weeks,” Jennow said. “We need to continue to improve and learn as a group.

“We will need to be completely focused for the duration of the game as Hibs don’t let you off with mistakes.

“Our aim will to be disciplined and organised, but also take the greater level of composure we have shown on the ball recently into this game.

“When you play teams like Hibs, the game feels faster, but we are well capable of using the ball well.

“If we do that then it gives us a chance to force a mistake or two of our own.”