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.
