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Motherwell’s hopes of progressing from the group stage of the SWPL Cup took a dent on Sunday, as Forfar Farmington took the points at Ravenscraig.

Eddie Wolecki Black’s side were victors against the same side away in the league last weekend, but it wasn’t to be the same outcome on home turf.

The hosts were dealt a blow 14 minutes into the came when full back Rachel Connor had to be subbed with a bad cut to her lip that required her to be taken to hospital to get stitches.

Ten minutes later, with the home team still coming to terms with the injury, Forfar took the lead with a direct ball over the top that wasn’t dealt with correctly by the Motherwell defence. Billie Simpson run through and knocked the ball by the onrushing Khym Ramsay.

Going behind kickstarted Motherwell and they would  dominate the remainder of the first half but failed to break the deadlock, despite several attempts on the Forfar goal.

The closest the home side came to equalising in the first half was a well worked move that saw Abby Callaghan break free and hit an attempt straight at the Forfar goalkeeper from inside the box.

The second half saw a change of formation for Motherwell but a poor start to the second half. Billie Simpson would double the advantage for the visitors from 30 yards, unleashing a strike that flew in to the top corner despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Ramsay.

However despite the early goal, the second half was dominated by the Motherwell team who controlled large spells of the game and played most of the game in the Forfar half.

After a passage of several corners Motherwell opened their account for the afternoon when Chelsie Watson was found at the back post to comfortably head home.

Wave after wave of attacks saw Forfar defend deeper into their half and consistently make great defensive plays to stop Motherwell from equalising.

Late on Motherwell were denied a penalty when Katie Rice found herself on the end of a great delivery into the box.

She beat the oncoming Forfar goalkeeper to the ball and headed it past her, only to then be completely taken out by the Forfar number one. However, the Referee gave a free kick to Forfar, claiming the Motherwell captain had barged into the goalkeeper.

Forfar now top the group with six points having played all their matches, with Partick Thistle on four points and Motherwell on three. Kilmarnock sit bottom with a solitary point with all three games played.

Motherwell will face Partick Thistle in their final group match on Monday 9 March at Airdrie’s Penny Cars Stadium. Kick-off is at 8pm.

With their superior goal difference, a win against Thistle would send Motherwell top and through.

Motherwell host Forfar Farmington in their second of three SWPL Cup group stage matches on Sunday.

Having 1-0 away to their opponents in the league last weekend, Eddie Wolecki Black’s team play host indoors at Ravenscraig. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Motherwell sit with three points so far, having been awarded their tie with Kilmarnock 3-0 after the Ayrshire club were ruled to have postponed the match without due cause.

The women of steel will take on Partick Thistle to finish off the group in another rearranged match. A date and venue will be announced shortly.

Motherwell have been awarded three points following the cancellation of their SWPL Cup group stage match with Kilmarnock.

The league ruled that, due to the Ayrshire club calling the game off the night before the match on Sunday 16 February, they failed to fulfil the fixture.

Motherwell now move to three points in the table, having yet to take to the field in the competition following the earlier postponement of the match with Partick Thistle due to weather.

Eddie Wolecki Black’s side take on Forfar Farmington in the group stage at Ravenscraig on Sunday. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Motherwell opened their SWPL1 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Forfar Farmington.

Windy and blustery conditions made for very difficult conditions to play football, but Jordan McLintock’s debut goal ensured ‘Well returned back down the road with three points.

Both sides made the first half very entertaining with both trying to play despite the conditions. It was Motherwell who were on the front foot, making the most of the wind at their back and pinning Forfar in the own half for the majority of the first half.

In a strong 15 minute performance Motherwell saw four corners in a row cause the Forfar defenders issues without success.

In the 35th minute Motherwell’s best attempt in the first half fell to Katie Rice. The visitors pressed high, forcing the Forfar defender to make a cross field pass which was intercepted by Kodie Hay, who drove forward and shot but the attempt was well held by the Forfar goalkeeper.

The second half saw a much more competitive half, with Forfar changing formation and utilising the wind at their back to their advantage, but having no real efforts made on Khym Ramsay’s goal.

Motherwell then began having more of the play again and forcing corner and corner without any success.

Finally in the 85th minute the deadlock was broken. Rice drove down the left and put in a effort which saw they goalkeeper fumble into the path of McLintock. who calmly slotted the ball home.

The last five minutes saw Forfar pile on the pressure through long balls forward into the box. But ‘Well held firm to take the points.

The SWPL1 season starts for Motherwell on Sunday, with a trip to take on Forfar Farmington.

Having been beaten by the weather so far this campaign, leading to the cancellation of two SWPL Cup matches, the women of steel finally get a shot at competitive a action on league business.

Kick-off at Station Park in Forfar is at 2pm.

The story so far

While Motherwell have been dormant, Forfar have managed one SWPL Cup game – a 2-0 home win over Kilmarnock.

Motherwell finished 10 points ahead of their weekend opponents in their maiden SWPL1 season last campaign, although only one league place separated the two with ‘Well in sixth and Forfar seventh.

Head to head

Motherwell and Forfar Farmington have met six times through games in SWPL2 and SWPL1 over the last few years.

Forfar won the first outing 5-3 back in 2017 and have been victorious three times, as have Motherwell, who won the most recent encounter between the two at Station Park 1-0 last season.

The two sides will also meet in the SWPL Cup on Sunday 1 March at Ravenscraig.

Ticket information

Admission to Station Park is priced at £4. Children under 16 get in for free.

Motherwell’s SWPL Cup tie at Kilmarnock on Sunday has been cancelled.

Poor weather conditions have led to the second cancellation in the group stage, after last week’s home match with Partick Thistle also fell foul.

A rearranged date will be announced shortly.

Motherwell kick off the SWPL1 league season next Sunday at Forfar Farmington.

Motherwell’s season-opening SWPL Cup match with Partick Thistle on Sunday has been cancelled.

High winds have led to the postponement of the fixture at Bothwellhaugh, which was due to kick off at 3.30pm.

A rearranged date will be announced shortly.

Motherwell are currently due to travel to face Kilmarnock in their next group stage fixture on Sunday, 16 February.

Partick Thistle are Motherwell’s first opponents of 2020 in the SWPL Cup on Sunday.

Eddie Wolecki Black’s side play host to the second-tier side at Bothwellhaugh as part of the new-look group stage format. Kick-off is at 3.30pm.

A trip to Kilmarnock then lies in wait on Sunday, 16 February in the second match, before Forfar Farmington visit on 1 March.

Forfar are also the women of steel’s first league opponents of the season, with the team making the trip north on Sunday, 23 February.

The story so far

Motherwell warmed up for the new campaign with a 5-3 friendly win over Dundee United, followed by a 2-0 win at St Johnstone last Sunday.

Head to head

The two sides last met in Scottish Cup action last term, as Motherwell went on a run to the semi-finals of the competition.

It took two goals in extra-time at Ravenscraig to get the job done against the Jags, with Motherwell running out 2-0 winners through goals from Chelsea McEachran and Katie Rice.

From the dugout

“We’re shaping up well for the new season,” head coach Wolecki Black said. “We’ve added strong options to our squad which will stand us in good stead.

“The opening cup games will give us an opportunity to continue to build. We’ve brought in a lot of new faces with top-flight experience, as well as keeping a core of the team who did so well to stay in the league last season first time around.”