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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.”

Motherwell recorded their second SWPL1 victory in the space of a week as they defeated Forfar Farmington 2-0 at Ravenscraig.

Katie Rice headed home the opener after 19 minutes and Chelsea McEachran secured the three points when she calmly slotted home with nine left on the clock.

Right from the start Motherwell threatened the Forfar goal.

The ball was worked out to Lori Gardner by Chelsea McEachran who took a first time shot in an attempt to lob the keeper. The shot looked like it would dip just under the bar, but it smashed off the woodwork and subsequent post to deny ‘Well the perfect start.

The women of steel enjoyed most of the early possession, with further attempts Beth McLeod and Sarah Crilly continuing to test Fiona McNicoll in the Forfar goal.

Forfar were repressed to trying to play the ball in behind the ‘Well defence to try and get a sniff of goal but Georgie Rafferty was up to the task of dealing with each attack.

The deadlock was broken on 19 minutes when Rice powered home a header from a corner. The initial ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by the Forfar defence and the midfielder was there to nod it into the left-hand side of the net.

Danni McGinley had Forfar’s best chance of the match with 39 minutes on the clock. The forward picked up the ball on the edge of the box, turned and got her shot away heading towards the bottom left corner but Anna Vincenti got down well to make the save.

Nicola Davidson came inches wide from getting a late equaliser for Forfar, she picked up the bobbling loose ball and opted for the half volley from range, she struck it sweetly, but it landed inches away from the bottom left corner.

Motherwell were able to withstand the late push from Forfar to see out the half and to go into the break leading 1-0.

McLeod came close to extending ‘Well’s lead with 60 minutes played. The winger latched onto Claire Adams through ball before taking on the shot from just inside the box, her effort however was straight at the keeper.

Cassie Cowper and Robyn Smith tested Vincenti with two well hit shots back-to-back between them both. Cowper came agonisingly close with a half volley and Smith was denied by a diving save to protect Motherwell’s slim lead.

McEachran doubled Motherwell’s lead with 81 minutes played as she picked up the over the top through ball, running in on goal she was able to compose herself to pick her place and slot the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Spurred on by the goal, Motherwell continued to keep their foot on the gas by continuing to search for another. Finding success by playing down the wings, Steph Knox was the supplier for numerous balls into the box but to no avail.

The scoreline would remain unchanged as the women of steel would see out the remainder of the match and get an important three points making it two wins on the bounce.

After picking up a highly significant victory at Stirling University last Sunday, Motherwell could take another big step away from the foot of the SWPL1 table when they face Forfar Farmington at Ravenscraig on Sunday.

Taking all three points at Ochilview lifted the women of steel seven points ahead of Stirling, who currently occupy bottom spot.

Three points on Sunday would take Donald Jennow’s sides advantage on Farmington in second bottom to the same tally.

‘Well will be boosted by the return of skipper Kerry Montgomery from suspension and the midfielder will be determined to lead the side to their first victory of the season at Ravenscraig.

Kick-off is at 2:30pm.

THE OPPOSITION

Forfar Farmington will visit North Lanarkshire on Sunday afternoon determined to record their second victory of the season over Motherwell.

It’s been a difficult campaign so far for Stevie Baxter’s side, with the 3-2 success over ‘Well back in February their only win from their opening eight league fixtures.

They currently sit second bottom in SWPL1, three points above Stirling University.

Their currently situation represents drastically contrasting campaign to the one they enjoyed last season – in which they narrowly missed out on a top four finish by just three points.

Despite their current struggles, Forfar are a team that carry a threat and their performance in last week’s narrow 4-3 defeat to Celtic serves as a timely reminder of their abilities.

POSITION

Motherwell: SWPL1 – sixth – eight points
Forfar Farmington: SWPL1 – seventh – four points

WHAT THEY SAID

Motherwell head coach Donald Jennow hopes his side can build on a big three points when Forfar Farmington visit Ravenscraig.

A dramatic encounter earlier in the season finished 3-2 for the hosts at Station Park and Jennow is anticipating similar excitement when the two sides meet again on Sunday.

“Personally I’d settle for a drab game with a better result than our last fixture with Forfar,” he said.

“Though with both teams scoring goals right now I think that’s unlikely. 

“Forfar have a knack for keeping themselves in games because they carry a goal threat and put teams under pressure.

“We will have to defend well and make sure we do the basics consistently.”

Claire Adams is targeting victory on Sunday to put to an end Mothwrwell’s wait for a win at Ravenscraig.

The women of steel have drawn one and lost two of their three fixtures so far at the indoor venue this season.

“It’s disappointing not to have picked up a win at Ravenscraig so far this season,” Adams said.

“Forfar will be a very competitive game on Sunday so it is important for us to play the best we can to try pick up that first home win.”

It was a big performance at a crucial time.

Motherwell’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Stirling University in SWPL1 last Sunday could prove to be a turning point in their season.

It was three points that lifted the women of steel seven points clear of bottom spot in the league and four clear of Sunday opponents Forfar Farmington.

Claire Adams played a starring role in last Sunday’s success, netting a brace – her first goals since joining the club from Celtic earlier this year.

Now, after tasting victory in the league for the first time since the opening day, Adams is determined to claim a further three points when Forfar visit Ravenscraig.

“The Stirling game was a very important win for us,” she said.

“We came off the back of a heavy defeat against Glasgow City, but to bounce back and take the three points was massive.

“It also give us a huge confidence boost going into the Forfar game.

“I don’t normally score a lot of goals over the course of a season, so to score two in the one game was a nice bonus.

“I’m just happy that it helped the team get an important win.”

With just three league games before the league breaks up for the summer, Donald Jennow’s side face an important few weeks.

The next games will have a huge bearing on whether they will fight it out for a place higher up the table – or face a battle against the drop.

‘Well have a four points advantage over Farmington and they will be well aware of their opportunity to stretch their lead on Sunday afternoon.

If they are going to achieve that however, they will have to record their first victory of the season at Ravenscraig.

The indoor venue hasn’t been a happy hunting ground so far, with two defeats and a draw from their three outings.

“It’s disappointing not to have picked up a win at Ravenscraig so far this season,” Adams added.

“Forfar will be a very competitive game on Sunday so it is important for us to play the best we can to try pick up that first home win.

“They sit four points behind us just now, so we obviously need a good performance to try and move us further ahead.

“We will take each game as it comes.

“As a newly promoted team the main aim is to maintain our spot in the league and if we can pick up another win today then that will keep us moving in the right direction.

“We know we can compete in the league having picked up points against Celtic and Rangers so this is something we can then begin to look at more.”

The last meeting between Forfar and Motherwell received heightened attention, as a controversial refereeing decision denied the visitors a share of the spoils at Station Park.

Kerry Montgomery appeared to have drawn ‘Well level, but they were denied by the full time whistle a fraction of a second before the ball hit the net.

Claire admits it was a tough one to take at the time, but insists that won’t be in anyone’s thoughts when the referee signals the start of the game today.

“There was a controversial decision that didn’t help us, but we won’t speak too much about that,” the youngster added.

“We just need to focus on what we can improve on to better our last result against them.”

Adams was one of the many new faces who arrived at Motherwell ahead of their first season in SWPL1.

The 20-year-old has adjusted to life quickly at Fir Park.

“I‘m thoroughly enjoying my time here,” the former Scotland Under 19 international said.

“When I first joined there was a lot of new faces but we bonded really quickly and this has helped us on the pitch and off.”

“I believe it will continue to get better as the season progresses too and look forward to seeing what we can achieve.”

Kick off indoors at Ravenscraig on Sunday is at 2.30pm. Entry is free.

The women of steel secured their first away win of the season after a tremendous second half performance sealed victory over Stirling University at Ochilview on Sunday.

Sarah Crilly and Claire Adams both grabbed two goals as they put the ‘Well out of sight, before a late consolation for Stirling through Kristina Kim with five minutes to play.

Motherwell started off the game looking the more threatening side. Early chances from Chelsea McEachran and Katie Rice almost saw Donald Jennow’s side get in front.

With just over five minutes played, McEachran found space in the centre of the pitch just outside the box. She let fly from her right foot and the shot was inches away from finding the top right corner of the goal, leaving the keeper routed to the spot.

Rice hit the woodwork moments later which was the closest both sides came to breaking the deadlock. Sarah Crilly burst down the right wing to the byline, cutting inside she tried to find Lori Gardner in the box, the deflected clearance fell to Rice who hit the ball sweetly before it cannoned off the barand eventually cleared.

Motherwell were nearly in again through Gardner, who beat the offside trap and was running in on goal to collect the through ball, but the keeper got there a fraction before her to clear the ball.

There were penalty shouts from the Stirling bench as they felt they should’ve had a penalty with 25 minutes played. Emma Lyons hit the ground from the long free kick, the ref however didn’t seem to agree.

The rest of the half was an end-to-end encounter with both sides looking to go into the break on top. However the defences remained stern and teams would go into the interval with nothing to separate them.

Motherwell replicated the high intensity start which they started the game with after the break, after a couple early half chances they would go on to score two goals in quick succession.

The deadlock was eventually broken with 51 minutes played through a Claire Adams free kick. The long-ranged cross was intended to find a claret and amber shirt in the box, but the defence failed to clear the incoming cross and the ball found the far side of the net.

Sarah Crilly made it 2-0 just four minutes later as she finished off a smart short corner routine. The winger danced past two defenders before finding the far-right corner with a curling shot to leave the keeper helpless.

Adams bagged another goal on 64 minutes straight from another set piece. This time a corner as the keeper failed to collect, the ball bounced into the net unchallenged to further extend the lead.

With the women of steel smelling blood, Beth McLeod came close to adding ‘Well’s fourth as she latched onto a through ball bounding down on the keeper, the Stirling keeper however got down well to make the save.

Crilly bagged another with 16 minutes remaining with a smart half volley finish. She collected Georgie Rafferty’s long ball into the box before bringing it down onto her right foot to strike back across goal and into the bottom left corner. A composed finish from the winger.

Stirling had one of their best chances of the match through Abby Callaghan shortly after, the striker collected the loose clearance and attempted to volley it into the net, she struck a nice connection with the ball but ultimately it floated harmlessly wide.

Shortly after Gemma Mason was superbly denied by Morgan Gunter in the ‘Well goal. Mason seemed to have struck a sweet connection with an ambitious strike and it looked to by heading into the top right corner, but Hunter was equally up to the task of saving the effort by tipping it out for a corner.

Stirling eventually got a goal back with five minutes to play through Kristina Kim, who rose above everyone from the corner to nod into the right-hand side of the net.

The women of steel were able to see out the remaining five minutes of play and secure an important victory to ensure that the three points would be heading back to Lanarkshire for the first time this season.

Next up for Motherwell is Forfar Farmington at Ravenscraig on Sunday 5 May with a 2.30pm kick off.

Motherwell: Hunter, Knox, Rolph, Rafferty, Crilly, Roberts, MacLeod, McEachran, Rice, Adams, Gardner.

Subs: Vincenti, K McManus, Hutchison, Trialist A, Trialist B.