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Refreshed and rejuvenated following the brief international break, the women of steel return to action this weekend looking to replicate their recent displays in East Kilbride, with Aberdeen the visitors at K-Park on Sunday.

Motherwell coasted to an exceptional 6-0 victory over Dundee United in South Lanarkshire, but struggled to replicate that dominance on the road, as a frustrating defeat to Hearts in the capital stalled the sides hopes of establishing a consistent run of form ahead of the forthcoming international break.

A return to K-Park will be a welcome change of scenery for the hosts, who have maintained the fourth best home record in the league so far – racking up four wins from five this season.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The women of steel will be aiming to redeem themselves following an opening weekend defeat to Aberdeen at Balmoral Stadium, as Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s brace could only shorten Aberdeen’s commanding three-goal advantage.

Motherwell have proven to be a formidable force at home, netting 14-times and conceding twice across the opening five home ties so far, ensuring victories over Spartans, Hamilton, Montrose and Dundee United.

Kayla Jardine will return to the matchday squad after representing Scotland throughout their UEFA European Championship Qualifying campaign in Albania, with the youngster netting against both Iceland and Belarus whilst featuring in a closely-fought encounter with Serbia.

Aberdeen

It’s been a frightful October for Aberdeen, who have struggled to break their run of five consecutive defeats in all competitions. The visitors have conceded 25-goals across that spell, with heavy defeats to Hibernian, Celtic and narrow defeats to Dundee United and Glasgow City.

The Dons sit level on points with Paul Brownlie’s side in seventh, but trail on goal-difference, as both sides target the elusive final top-six place in the SWPL league table.

Ticket Information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £3
• Under 11s – Free to enter.

*Concession tickets apply to those over 65, and to 12–17-year-olds, with full-time students also eligible with a valid matriculation card.

Additional information – no pets allowed within K-Park.

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 is at 4PM.

The international break will provide a vital two-week hiatus for the women of steel, and an opportunity to reflect on the season so far, as Paul Brownlie’s side sit three points adrift of Partick Thistle in the final top-six place.

Misfortunes and inconsistency on the road have continued to hinder the early signs of optimism for the squad, who have yet to secure their first points away from home despite maintaining the fourth best home record in the league, outside only title-chasers Celtic, Glasgow City and Rangers. Defender Chelsie Watson acknowledged that the international has come at the perfect time for the squad.

“The international break has come at a good time,” Watson said.

“It gives us a chance to reflect on our performances, time to recover well but also an opportunity to prepare properly for the next round of fixtures.

“Paul and Leanne both spoke about the importance of the break and the timing of it. We have been given individual training sessions to keep us up to speed, so that when the time comes, we are ready to hit the ground running.”

Motherwell brought their month-long goalless drought to a close in emphatic style, drilling six-goals past a dysfunctional Dundee United side to narrow the gap to the top-six in a rampant display at K-Park.

Bailley Collins netted her first Motherwell goal to break the deadlock in the opening 10-minutes before strikes from Jo Addie, Kayla Jardine, Laura McCartney and Gill Inglis put the women of steel five-ahead. Collins, who fired Motherwell into the ascendency, also netted late on to secure an exceptional six-goal victory.

“The game against Dundee United was massive for us as a group,” Watson explained.

“It really showed the strength of the squad’s character. We had been struggling to convert chances in previous games, so to have scored six was great and it merited our performance on the day.”

“We’ve had some really good performances, but have let ourselves down in some games where we know we can get results in.”

The following week, Motherwell travelled to the capital with high-flying Hearts in their sights, but the side struggled to replicate the desire and spirit epitomised in the performance of the previous week.

Hearts racked up five-goals in quick succession and despite a miraculous strike from Amy Anderson, Motherwell were unable to overcome the early setbacks and were consigned to defeat.

“As a squad, we know we are capable of so much more than what we’ve shown so far, but it’s our job to put it right.

“I definitely believe in the quality we have as a group of players, we set high standards every day both individually and collectively. We just need to continue driving our standards and the performances will come.”

“We know how competitive the league is now and it’s something that motivates us to be better everyday. We will be ready to go when the break is over.”

An impressive four wins from their opening five home fixtures at K-Park has secured the entirety of the squads points this season, but replicating those performances on the road will be crucial to earning the elusive top-six place that narrowly escaped their grasp last season.

“We love playing at K-Park and we’ve had some great results and performances there so far,” Watson explained.

“We love the support we get there which really helps us through tough games, but we can’t afford to have off games no matter where we play.”

“Each week we face a new challenge so it’s important that the mentality within the group remains strong and I believe we have that.”

Motherwell’s frustrations on the road persisted in the capital, with the visitors the architects of their own downfall, as a clinical Hearts side capitalised to record back-to-back victories ahead of the forthcoming international break.

A Katie Lockwood opener was soon complimented with a strike from Carly Girasoli, as the hosts cruised to a commanding early advantage.

Amy Anderson pulled one back for Motherwell, with an incredible strike from distance, but Hearts quickly restored their two-goal advantage on the half hour mark with Jenna Penman finding the target.

Chasing the game in the second half, the high Motherwell backline found themselves susceptible at the back, and Hearts racked up another two goals to complete a comfortable afternoon at the Oriam.

Head Coach, Paul Brownlie retained the same starting line-up from last weekend’s prolific six-goal thriller over Dundee United, with Kaitlyn Canavan and Kayla Jardine leading the line, as Amy Anderson and Louisa Boyes partnered in midfield.

Looking to head into the international break on a high, Hearts started firmly on the front foot, pinning the frustrated Motherwell backline into trading possession cheaply deep into their final third of the pitch.

Still yet to settle into the game and impose their game plan, Motherwell found themselves behind after only 10-minutes. Esther Morgan’s chipped through ball fell kindly to the feet of Lockwood, who rounded the onrushing Emily Mutch with ease before coolly dispatching her close-range effort into the empty net.

Less than two minutes later, Hearts had a second. Lockwood turned provider as her floated corner kick sailed invitingly into the path of Girasoli who powered home a well-placed header to give Motherwell a lot to ponder as the first half progressed.

The visitors halved the deficit minutes later, as Kayla Jardine’s excellent solo-run and delivery was bundled clear to the feet of Anderson, who arrowed a magnificent volley into the top-right corner for her first goal of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

With a foothold in the match, Motherwell pushed forward and were denied what looked to be a clear penalty kick in a vital stage of the match, as Gill Inglis’ drilled delivery from the right ricocheted off the arm of Lizzie Waldie in the box, but the referee waived play on much to the bemusement of the Motherwell technical area.

Nevertheless, Motherwell still couldn’t quite impose themselves in the final third as the half hour mark approached, and Hearts restored their two-goal advantage moments later.

A quick counter-attack left Penman to race through on goal, and the strikers low effort flashed across the face of goal before nestling into the bottom-left corner.

The women of steel found themselves chasing the game as the second half resumed, and Hearts capitalised on the high Motherwell backline to secure their fourth of the afternoon.

Olufolasade Adamolekun’s perfectly-weighted through ball allowed Lockwood to escape her marker before converting her second of the game

With less than 10-minutes remaining, the hosts netted a decisive fifth to secure a comprehensive victory, compounding the women of steel’s woes on the road.

The forthcoming international break will provide the opportunity for the squad to regroup ahead of their return to action against Aberdeen on the 5 November 2023 at K-Park.

An evening in the capital awaits the women of steel, as Motherwell prepare to head into the international break with back-to-back victories following last weekend’s prolific display against Dundee United.

Motherwell dusted off their month-long goalless drought in emphatic style, firing six-goals past an uninspiring Dundee United side to narrow the gap to the top-six in a rampant display at K-Park. Paul Brownlie’s side now turn their attention to Hearts this weekend in the final pre-international break match at the Oriam on Sunday.

The Tale of The Tape

Motherwell

Motherwell head to the capital buoyed by their exceptional display over United, a pivotal result ahead of the forthcoming international break.

Bailley Collins netted her first two goals in claret and amber, as Jo Addie, Laura McCartney, Kayla Jardine and Captain Gill Inglis also netted. The latter securing a rightful place in the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League for their impressive contribution.

Motherwell will seek to address their troubled away record this season, with the women of steel yet to pick up their first points on the road despite netting against Aberdeen, Glasgow City and Rangers.

Hearts

Hearts have cemented a positive start to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, with the Jambos unbeaten in their last three league encounters. A 6-1 demolition of Partick Thistle was soon followed by victory over Spartans and a closely-fought point against Montrose.

Eva Olid’s side sit narrowly outside of the Glasgow frontrunners in fourth, four points clear of Motherwell in seventh.

Whilst demonstrating the attacking threats at their disposal, the capital side have been susceptible to conceding numerous goals on the counter. 10-goals have found the back of the Hearts net in their past three matches in all competitions, with Hearts also dropping points from winning positions against both Montrose and Celtic.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £3
• Under 16s/Over 65s – £3.
• Supporters can purchase tickets here.

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.

Motherwell dusted off their month-long goalless drought in emphatic style, firing six-goals past an uninspiring Dundee United side to narrow the gap to the top-six in a rampant display at K-Park on Sunday.

A Bailley Collins double was complimented with strikes from Jo Addie, Kayla Jardine, Laura McCartney and the captain Gill Inglis to complete an extraordinary afternoon in East Kilbride.

Head Coach, Paul Brownlie made four changes from last weekend’s defeat to league leaders Celtic, as Murron Cunningham and Amy Anderson returned to the heart of the backline and midfield. Summer addition Kayla Jardine received her first-start of the 2023/24 campaign since returning from Rangers, as the youngster led the line alongside Kaitlyn Canavan who also returned to the starting XI.

Looking for redemption after last weekend’s confidence-draining defeat to Celtic, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, pinning the visitors deep into their own half and flooding the United box with dangerous deliveries from either flank.

Motherwell’s positive start was soon reflected in the scoreline, as the hosts broke the deadlock after 10-minutes. Gill Inglis’ floated delivery from the right sailed across the visiting penalty area before reaching Collins at the back post, and the forward coolly dispatched an unstoppable strike from close-range.

Motherwell continued to threaten and almost doubled their advantage moments later, as Louisa Boyes’ drilled cross from the right flashed across the face of goal, narrowly evading the head of Canavan, who was lurking on the goal line.

Chance after chance continued to go abegging, but Motherwell still remained in control and defensively intact as the half time whistle approached.

As the second half resumed, Motherwell instigated what is likely to be the most prolific 10-minutes in the club’s history. Kayla Jardine’s pinpoint delivery evaded everyone in the United penalty area before reaching Addie, who instinctively connected on the half-volley, bursting the net with a composed finish.

Less than four minutes later, Motherwell tripled their advantage, with the captain leaving her mark on the tie.

Inglis’ fortuitous strike from the edge of the penalty area took a fortunate deflection in the box, wrongfooting the goalkeeper, before nestling into the bottom-right corner.

Motherwell racked up their fourth of the afternoon three-minutes later, as Inglis turned provider, with an accurate chipped through ball sailing invitingly into the path of Jardine, who guided a precise header into the bottom-right corner.

Less than a minute after the restart, Motherwell had their fifth of the afternoon. Substitute McCartney announced her return to the K-Park faithful in style after netting with her first touch of the game, thundering a miraculous strike from over 30-yards out into the top-right corner. A special moment for the midfielder after a lengthy period of time on the sidelines.

Motherwell rounded off their afternoon with their sixth of the game and fifth in the space of 10-minutes, as Collins who broke the deadlock, netted her second of the game, with a composed right-footed finish.

Brownlie’s side will look to replicate this clinical display as they travel to face Hearts in the final pre-international break match at the Oriam next weekend.

Kayla Jardine has been called up to Scotland’s Under 19 squad ahead of their Euro 2024 Qualifying campaign.

Jardine, who has competed internationally for Scotland at U15, U17 and U19 level, has retained her place in the squad, as they prepare to start their qualification route to Euro 2024.

Scotland will travel to Albania next weekend ahead of three Round One matches in the capital city, Tirana.

The round-robin styled format will see the Scots campaign get underway on Tuesday 24 October when they face Iceland before meeting Serbia three days later. The series of Round One ties will conclude on Monday, 30 October as they line-up against Belarus.

Scotland U19 v Iceland U19

• KO: 10am
• Tuesday 24 October
• Arena Kombëtare

Scotland U19 v Serbia U19

• KO: 10am
• Friday 27 October
• Arena Kombëtare 

Scotland U19 v Belarus U19

• KO: 10am
• Monday 30 October
• Arena Kombëtare

Misfortunes on the road have continued to hinder the early signs of optimism for the women of steel, as defeat to league leaders Celtic last weekend compounded what has been a disappointing month for Paul Brownlie’s side.

Motherwell return to K-Park this weekend looking to restore their impressive start in East Kilbride, with three wins from four at home maintaining some momentum despite evident struggles away from home, and midfielder Louisa Boyes believes sticking together will be key to turning results around.

“We know we are better than what we have showed in the past few games,” said Boyes.

“The morale within the group has been good, we know collectively the strengths we have as a team and now it’s about sticking together and putting in the hard work on the pitch.

“We have the belief within the squad to know we can turn the results around and start performing.”

The squad have been left to reflect on a disappointing Sky Sports Cup campaign, as defeat to newly-promoted Montrose at Links Park saw the women of steel suffer a frustrating early exit.

Narrow defeats to Partick Thistle and Hibernian have also left the side to rue squandered opportunities in the league campaign, as their aspirations of a top-six finish remain a distant prospect, but Boyes understands what is required to meet the challenges ahead.

“I think we’ve let ourselves down in terms of how we have performed,” Boyes explained.

“We’ve had some close games but ultimately mistakes and not taking our chances have cost us. We know we have to be more clinical and start taking points from these games.

“Every game we play in the league is always a challenge, but we know how important this week is and we need to make sure we start collecting points and pushing up the table.”

After narrowly staving off a relegation play-off place last season, Dundee United initially struggled to build upon where they left off last season, picking up one point from their opening four league games.

United have since secured their first two victories of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign in an exhilarating eight-goal thriller against Hamilton and victory over Aberdeen last weekend.

As Motherwell look to get their domestic form back on track, Boyes detailed what Head Coach Paul Brownlie’s message was to the players ahead of what will be a vital encounter with the side from the City of Discovery this weekend.

“[The manager] highlighted how important it was that we recover and be ready for Sunday,” said Boyes.

“Everyone involved within the club knows the past few results haven’t reflected the potential of our squad, the reaction shown in training this week has been positive and we will be looking to take that into Sunday’s game.

Full details of Sunday’s encounter with Dundee United can be found here:

Motherwell return home to K-Park after almost a month-long hiatus, with the women of steel looking to overturn a disappointing recent run of form whilst retaining their impressive start in East Kilbride.

The women of steel suffered a confidence-draining defeat to league leaders Celtic last weekend, compounding a tough month of results for Paul Brownlie’s side.

A return to K-Park will be a welcome break for the hosts who have secured three wins from four at home this season, but have since struggled to replicate their form on the road, with the side yet to pick up their first points.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

K-Park has proven to be a formidable venue for travelling sides this season, with Spartans, Hamilton and Montrose all leaving East Kilbride empty-handed.

Brownlie’s side have netted eight times at home thus far, with Montrose the only side to find the target with a late consolation.

Motherwell have only suffered one defeat from their last five against United, as a Carla Boyce double was cancelled out by strikes from Robyn Smith, Jade McLaren, Dannielle McGinley and Neve Guthrie in their last meeting.

Dundee United

After narrowly staving off a relegation play-off place last season, Dundee United initially struggled to build upon where they left off last season, picking up one point from their opening four league games.

United have since secured their first two victories of the 2023/24  SWPL campaign in an exhilarating eight-goal thriller against Hamilton and victory over Aberdeen last weekend.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £3
• Under 11s – Free to enter.

*Concession tickets apply to those over 65, and to 12–17-year-olds, with full-time students also eligible with a valid matriculation card.

Additional information – no pets allowed within K-Park.

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.

It was an afternoon to forget for Motherwell, as the women of steel suffered a confidence-draining defeat at the hands of league leaders Celtic who cruised to a commanding six-goal advantage to extend their lead at the top of the SWPL league table.

An Aimee Gallacher and Katherine Loferski double was soon followed by strikes from Chloe Craig and former Motherwell striker Tiree Burchill to compound another frustrating experience on the road for Paul Brownlie’s side.

Brownlie made two changes from last weekend’s cup exit to Montrose, with Tara McGonigle and Jo Addie both returning to the starting XI, as Hannah Cunningham and Murron Cunningham settled for a place on the bench.

Looking to finally conclude their struggles away from home, a well-structured Motherwell side started brightly, limiting Celtic opportunities in the final third whilst creating chances on the break.

However, Motherwell were left to reflect on their positive opening to the game, as Celtic capitalised on a fast-paced counter-attack. Shen Menglu’s driving run from the left caught the Motherwell backline in knots before firing a low delivery across the face of goal, which Gallacher coolly dispatched form close-range.

The hosts doubled their advantage five minutes later, as Natalie Ross’ low delivery from the right was met by Loferski who directed a low effort into the bottom-right corner, beyond the reach of Emily Mutch.

Fran Alonso’s side had a third less than four-minutes later, as Craig powered home a well-placed header from Shen Mengyu’s floated corner kick, with Motherwell’s positive opening passage of play and structured game plan undone in a brief spell of complacency.

Celtic’s fourth came on the half-hour mark in similar circumstances to the opening few goals. Paula Partido’s low cross from he right flashed across the face of goal, and a clever first touch from Loferski allowed the striker to evade Gill Inglis’ late lunging tackle before netting her second of the afternoon.

The league leaders had five on the stroke of half-time, as Gallacher pickpocketed Addie deep into the Motherwell final third, and the striker calmly placed her effort past Mutch to secure a commanding five-goal lead at the break.

Celtic rounded off the afternoon on the hour mark, as former Motherwell striker Burchill drilled an exceptional effort from the edge of the penalty area which ricocheted off of both posts before nestling into the bottom-right corner.

The women of steel will return to action, with Dundee United the visitors at K-Park next weekend.