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Motherwell battled bravely as their unbeaten run came to an end against Champions League participants Hibernian in SWPL1 on Sunday.

With Donald Jennow’s side set to face the Edinburgh side in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, the match at Ravenscraig was a rehearsal and a chance to pick up a positive result against one of the nation’s top teams.

The visitors always prove tough opponents, but the women of steel’s performance arguably merited more than the 2-0 defeat.

After having a number of first half chances, Motherwell would be undone just after the half hour mark. A ball over the top was met by Colette Cavanagh, who was able to knock the ball into the net.

Having more than held their own in the first 45, the second half started in disappointing fashion as Hibs doubled their lead.

A free-kick was well saved, but Cavanagh was on hand to tee up Chelsea Cornet to fire home.

The visitors had chances to extend their lead, but Motherwell more than held their own in a dogged second half performance.

Motherwell host Hibernian in SWPL1 on Sunday, in the first of two big games against the Edinburgh club.

The game at Ravenscraig kicks off at 2.30pm.

The form guide

Motherwell have now won five and drawn one of their last six competitive games.

Since returning from the summer break, three wins have come in the cup, defeating Partick Thistle, Inverness CT and Queen’s Park.

In the league, last weekend’s 1-0 televised win at Forfar Farmington came after a draw with Spartans came before victory over Stirling University.

Hibernian exited the UEFA Women’s Champions League in midweek, losing out 9-2 on aggregate to Slavia Prague.

The Czech side were formidable opponents, having reached the quarter-finals last season before going out to giants Bayern Munich.

Back in domestic competition, the Hibees have won their last six, including a big 3-0 win over Celtic in their last league outing.

MANAGER ON THE TASK IN HAND

“We’ve been on a brilliant run of form since returning from the summer break,” said head coach Donald Jennow. “But the games in the coming weeks will ultimately determine our season.

“We’re all too aware of the threat that they pose as they try to push closer to the top and also hold on to the cup.

“We can see the opportunity to claim fourth spot which, if we achieve it, would be a remarkable feat for us considering it’s our first season in the top flight and also considering the strength of the teams – Rangers and Spartans – we would have to overcome to manage it.”

Download the match programme

You can download and read our Motherwell v Hibernian match programme here.

WATCH THE MATCH

Ravenscraig is the venue for the match on Sunday. Kick off is at 2.30pm.

Kerry Montgomery’s late penalty gave Motherwell a deserved 1-0 win at Forfar Farmington on Friday night.

The captain’s spot kick, after substitute Lori Gardner was felled in the box, came in a match controlled in large part by the women of steel.

Victory lifts Donald Jennow’s side to fourth in SWPL1, leapfrogging Spartans and Rangers at least temporarily until Sunday’s fixtures.

Knowing the win could lift them up the league, Motherwell had plenty possession at Station Park and had chances to take home a more convincing scoreline.

Nevertheless, the assured performance marked the fifth straight win for the team in claret and amber, who are now also unbeaten in all six games since returning from the summer break.

“Forfar were organised and made us work for it,” head coach Donald Jennow said.

“We were a bit wasteful when we got chances near their goal, but we were still worth the win.

“We will continue to make sure we work hard and continue to improve. It’s great to be in fourth spot, and our main priority is staying above the two teams below us now.”

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

Subs: Vincenti, Gardner, Crooks, Roberts, Arbuckle. Otto, Munro.

Motherwell travel to take on Forfar Farmington on Friday night in a televised SWPL1 match.

The game, which kicks off at 7.35pm, will be broadcast live on BBC Alba.

The form guide

Motherwell have won four and drawn one of their last five competitive games.

Three wins have come in the cup, defeating Partick Thistle, Inverness CT and Queen’s Park.

In the league, a draw with Spartans came before victory over Stirling University.

Forfar Farmington have won one and drawn two of their 14 league games so far.

That victory came against Motherwell at the same venue back in February, which controversially ended with the visitors netting just after the whistle had blown. Their two draws came against bottom club Stirling University.

Their last five league games have seen them draw one and lose four, scoring three and conceding 21.

MANAGER

With his side in form, Donald Jennow knows there’s an opportunity to kick on further and jump up to fourth in the league.

“We’ve performed well since coming back from the break, and the team are playing with confidence,” he said.

“It’s another important game in terms of where we finish in the league this season. With the Scottish Cup semi-final on the horizon too, it’s a chance for players to stake their claim.”

WATCH THE MATCH

Station Park is Forfar is the venue for the match, which will be broadcast live on BBC Alba. Kick off is at 7.35pm.

Motherwell will take on Hibernian in the semi-final of the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup.

The game will take place on Sunday 13 October with a 3.30pm kick-off at Forthbank Stadium.

Motherwell booked their place in the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup semi-finals with a 5-0 win over Queen’s Park on Sunday.

A hat-trick from Chelsea McEachran, as well as goals from Lauren Doran-Barr and Myia Arbuckle, helped the women of steel progress to the semi-final stage of the competition for the second year in a row.

McEachran opened the scoring with 25 minutes on the clock, rising highest from the corner to head home.

Doran-Barr  thenadded the second ten minutes later with a powerful drive from the edge of the box.

In a one-sided first half, McEachran put the match beyond the visitors with a stunning strike, delicately placing the ball into the far corner from 30 yards.

Determined, and skilful throughout, McEachran got her hat-trick five minutes into the second half. The Queen’s defence could only watch as she moved past them into the box and finished easily.

Substitute Arbuckle completed the scoring on 77 minutes as she caught onto a loose ball, placing the ball past the keeper.

Motherwell will now be in the draw for the semi-final which takes place on Tuesday, 17 September. They will face either Glasgow City, Hibernian or Rangers.

Motherwell take on Queen’s Park in the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Donald Jennow’s side welcome the SWFL1 team to Dalziel Park in the quarter-final of the competition.

MANAGER CALLS FOR FOCUS

The head coach wants his side to target another final after the side were runners up last year.

“It’s a great opportunity to reach the prestigious end of the competition, which is where we want to be. Our full focus is on Sunday however.

“I don’t think you get to quarter-finals of any cup and get an easy game. Queen’s Park have had to go through numerous rounds to get to the last eight and they will come with their threats and dangers we have to deal with.”

THE LEAGUE ISN’T OVER YET

Donald Jennow was delighted with the team’s performance last time out but made clear safety has not yet been reached.

The women of steel consolidated their place in mid-table with an important 2-1 victory over Stirling University. Chelsea McEachran’s strike and a Kerry Montgomery penalty secured three points.

“It was a really crucial win, from the start of the season we knew the games against Forfar Farmington and Stirling University would be important and as the league has levelled out that has become clear.

“It was a big step, but we are not safe yet. Forfar (Farmington) on Friday will be another game we want to take three points from. We are looking up the table, rather than down.”

INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS

Donald Jennow’s squad have a clean bill of health with no injury doubts.

WATCH THE MATCH

Dalziel Park is the venue for Sunday’s game, which kicks off at 2pm.

Motherwell closed the gap on Spartans and Rangers in SWPL1 with a 2-1 home win over Stirling University on Sunday.

Chelsea McEachran’s strike and a Kerry Montgomery penalty put the women of steel in control in the first half, before Claire Petersen halved the deficit in the second.

Donald Jennow made two changes to the team which won 5-0 over Inverness CT in the cup two weeks previous.

Morgan Hunter and Nicole Cairney came into the team. Anna Vincenti and Kirsten Rolph dropped to the bench.

Motherwell started the brighter side, hitting the post early on and testing the visiting goalkeeper on a number of occasions.

The breakthrough came just over 20 minutes into the match. McEachran, who netted a double in the last outing, firing home.

Then, with 15 minutes left in the first half, Montgomery stepped up to steer home a penalty to put her side in the driving seat.

Stirling got a goal back in the second half through Petersen, but the hosts were more than good for their victory.

The win, paired with defeats for Spartans and Rangers, means ‘Well are now two points behind fourth-placed Spartans, and one behind Rangers.

Victory also opened a 13-point gap over Stirling at the bottom of the table, with eight games left to play in the league season.

Next up for Motherwell is a home SSE Scottish Women’s Cup quarter-final with Queen’s Park at Ravenscraig on Sunday, 15 September.

Motherwell: Hunter, Doran-Barr, Roberts, Rafferty, Adams, Cairney, Crooks, Montgomery, Callaghan, McEachran, Rice.

Subs: Vincenti, Rolph, Arbuckle, Fyfe, Knox, Otto.

Motherwell return to SWPL1 action again on Sunday with the visit of Stirling University to Ravenscraig.

After two weeks on Scottish Cup business, recording consecutive wins, a chance to consolidate a league position is the task this weekend. Kick off is at 2.30pm.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell progressed in the Scottish Cup in their last outing two weeks ago, defeating Inverness CT 5-0.

Having recorded a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle and a 0-0 draw with Spartans previous, Donald Jennow’s side have not conceded in three.

Stirling University are currently bottom of SWPL1 with two points and are 10 behind Motherwell.

A win for the hosts could open a 13-point gap with eight games to play, and also put pressure on Spartans and Rangers in fourth and fifth respectively.

For the visitors, a win could at least put them level with second bottom Forfar Farmington.

Their two points so far this season came against Forfar, having lost their other 12. Stirling University have also not scored in their last six games, drawing one and losing five.

Head to head

Motherwell have won both encounters against Stirling University so far this season.

The campaign opener at Fir Park saw the women of steel win 1-0, before a 4-1 away win in April.

Manager want league focus

Donald Jennow’s team have a Scottish Cup quarter-final with Queen’s Park on the horizon, but the head coach says the opportunity in Sunday’s match to consolidate a league position is the absolute priority.

“We’ve a chance to extend the gap at the bottom and put pressure on the teams above us,” he said.

“It’s a very important game to set us up for the run-in to our first season in the top flight.”

Watch the match

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

Motherwell will face Queen’s Park in the quarter-finals of the 2019 SSE Scottish Women’s Cup.

Last year’s finalists will host the SWFL1 team at Ravenscraig on Sunday, 15 September.

Donald Jennow’s side have defeated Partick Thistle and Inverness CT so far in the competition.

Queen’s Park have so far seen off Westdyke Ladies and Dunfermline Athletic.

SSE Scottish Women’s Cup quarter-final draw

Hibernian v Hamilton Academical

Celtic v Glasgow City

Motherwell v Queen’s Park

Aberdeen v Rangers