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The women of steel have maintained a positive start to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, with back-to-back victories at K-Park preserving an 100% unbeaten home record, and goalkeeper Emily Mutch believes that high squad morale has been key to dusting off the opening weekend defeat to Aberdeen.

“The morale we’ve built in the dressing room has definitely had a part to play in getting results and performances on the pitch,” said Mutch.

“It’s always the same at the start of the season with new faces, it’s going to take time to get together as a squad.

“I think we were all disappointed with the result against Aberdeen. We didn’t do ourselves justice in that game, but I think since then we’ve bounced back and shown what we’re all about.”

Paul Brownlie’s side have since impressed on three successive displays, overcoming Spartans and local rivals Hamilton, with Motherwell cruising to a commanding 4-0 victory in the first Lanarkshire derby of the new campaign.

“Everyone’s buzzing with the result on Sunday,” Mutch explained.

“A derby is always a different game because I think both teams naturally step it up and anything can happen.

“We aimed for three points and I think the fact we got that along with four goals and a clean sheet has definitely given us confidence going forward.”

Motherwell face a sharp return to competitive action against newly-promoted SWPL2 champions Montrose. A somewhat unknown entity for Motherwell, with their only recent meeting with the Gable Endies coming in a 4-0 victory in last season’s Sky Sports Cup.

“We played Montrose last season in the cup, but since then they’ve added a lot of new faces to their squad, just like we have. I think it should be a competitive game of football, and we will definitely be looking to carry on where we left off last week and make it two wins in two.

“It’s the same every game we go into, we’re looking to go out and win. Our wins and performances against both Hamilton and Spartans demonstrated how organised we’ve looked as a unit and has set the standard. We’re just looking to build on that and continue it into this weekend’s game.”

Establishing K-Park as a fortress could be vital in achieving the squads ambitions of a top-six SWPL finish, with a home advantage already proving to be beneficial to the side.

“We all love playing at K-Park”, said the Motherwell stopper.

“I definitely think we’ve settled well and it feels like how a home pitch should feel. The last couple of weeks we’ve seen a good turnout of people coming to watch us and that’s been helped with the season tickets being made available.

“It creates a good atmosphere and on match days at K-Park, there’s a real buzz about the place. I think it’s really important we can keep that up and keep getting good numbers at our games to make it as difficult a place as possible for teams to come and play.

Scottish forward Morgan Cross has joined the club on a permanent deal.

From Stateside to Strathclyde, Cross returns to Scottish football following a five-year spell at the University of South Alabama, where she netted 23-times in 89-appearances under a full scholarship at the Jaguars.

A spell at Coventry United in the Barclays Women’s Championship; the second tier of English football followed, with the Dunfermline-born striker set to enhance Paul Brownlie’s side for the forthcoming season.

“I’m really excited to have joined Motherwell,” said Cross.

“I’m looking forward to this new challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”

The 22-year-old has also received international recognition, featuring for the Scottish national team at U15, U16 & U17 age categories, with Cross netting a hat-trick against Croatia.

The striker will be the 12^th new acquisition for the women of steel this season.

“We are absolutely delighted to bring someone with Morgan’s quality to the football club,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“I have no doubt these attributes will be invaluable to the squad moving forward.”

Cross will be eligible for this weekend’s home meeting with Montrose and will wear the no. 16 jersey.

Following a physically demanding week, with the women of steel facing three back-to-back league tests, Paul Brownlie’s side return to action looking to replicate the performance that saw them cruise past local rivals Hamilton in the first Lanarkshire derby of the new campaign.

Striker Carla Boyce merited a place in the SWPL team-of-the-week, with the forward named as the ‘star player’ after netting a prolific hat-trick at K-Park.

Motherwell will face a somewhat unknown entity in Montrose, with the newly-promoted side looking to earn their first SWPL points after suffering four opening league defeats.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The women of steel have dusted off their opening weekend defeat to Aberdeen, impressing on three successive displays, picking up two victories over both Spartans and Hamilton.

The hosts will be looking to keep their unbeaten home record intact, with Brownlie’s side yet to concede in East Kilbride, whilst finding the target on five occasions.

Georgie Rafferty will remain doubtful for Sunday’s match whilst Laura McCartney & Lucy Ronald continue their return from long-term injuries.

Montrose

The Gable Endies reached the SWPL for the first time in the clubs history after achieving back-to-back promotions. The SWPL2 title-winning side cruised to a 13-point advantage over closest-rivals Gartcairn, but have since found life tough in the top-division.

The visitors have suffered four successive defeats to Celtic, Hibernian, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle, with the Angus side conceding 20-times since their promotion from SWPL2. Jade McLaren netted the sides only league goal in a 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen at Links Park.

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 derby day delight for the women of steel, as Motherwell dusted off Wednesday nights blues to secure the first Lanarkshire derby triumph of the 2023/24 campaign.

Carla Boyce netted an exceptional hat-trick across both halves to put the hosts firmly in the ascendency before Kaitlyn Canavan secured all three points with a composed finish minutes from full-time.

Motherwell move up into the top-six with six points from their opening four league games ahead of next weekend’s return to action, with Montrose the visitors at K-Park.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made two changes from the midweek defeat in Springburn, with Amy Anderson and top-goalscorer Kaela McDonald-Nguah both returning to the starting XI, as Kaitlyn Canavan and Sarah Gibb settled for a place on the bench.

Forward Shana MacPhail was named on the bench following the midweek acquisition of the striker.

Motherwell were certainly the livelier of the two sides in the opening few minutes, with the visitors forced into trading possession deep into their own penalty area.

Tara McGonigle’s in-swinging delivery from the right was superbly met by McDonald-Nguah in the air, but the forward’s headed effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by the Accies stopper.

Motherwell continued to dominate possession and almost netted the breakthrough minutes later, with McGonigle lashing a strike from the edge of the box, but the wingers powerful attempt was met with another smart stop from the Hamilton keeper.

McGonigle continued to cause the visiting defence problems, picking out Chelsie Watson in the box with a pinpoint delivery, but the defender’s mistimed header fell agonisingly wide of the far post.

Chance after chance evaded the Hamilton goal until the breakthrough finally materialised on the 20-minute mark.

McGonigle again tied her opponent in knots before picking out Boyce with a looping delivery from the right, and the striker confidently netted her first goal of the new campaign with a close-range header.

Motherwell doubled their advantage on the half hour mark, with Boyce again adding her name to the scoresheet. Gill Inglis’ chipped through ball was excellently controlled by the striker, who shifted the ball onto her stronger right foot before calmly dispatching her strike into the bottom-right corner.

With the women of steel firmly in control as the second half resumed, Hamilton pushed forward, opening the game and allowing Motherwell to capitalise. A quick counter-attack reached McDonald-Nguah on the right, and the strikers drilled cross sailed through the six-yard box before reaching Boyce at the back-post, who coolly converted for her hat-trick.

Motherwell continued to threaten, with chances from Katie Rice and Amy Anderson narrowly evading the Hamilton goal, but the hosts sealed all three points in the final few minutes, with Canavan rounding off an excellent team move after diverting Louisa Boyes’ cross into the bottom-left corner.

With the first Lanarkshire derby victory of the season secured, Brownlie’s side will turn their attention to newly-promoted Montrose next weekend.

Forward Shana MacPhail has joined the club on a permanent deal following a successful trial period.

The 22-year-old, who most recently featured for Stirling University Women in SWPL2 will make the switch to ML1 after a spell on trial.

“I am really excited to sign for Motherwell,” said MacPhail.

“It’s such a great environment to be part of. I’m confident that the quality of the players and the experience of the coaches will bring the best out of me.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in and play my part in helping the club achieve its goals.”

The striker has also tested her talents across the pond, with a brief spell at the University of Wisconsin, where she netted twice against both Loras College and Washington University.

Shana will be the eleventh new acquisition for the women of steel this season.

“Delighted to get Shana on board,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“She’s worked extremely hard over the pre-season period and I’ve been very impressed with what she has demonstrated across numerous training sessions.

“Shana will add more of an attacking threat and will provide further competition in the final third of the pitch.”

The first Lanarkshire derby of the 2023/24 campaign awaits, as the women of steel prepare for another swift return to action following Wednesday nights hard-fought encounter with Glasgow City under the lights of Petershill Park.

Carla Boyce netted Motherwell’s only goal of the evening, with the defending champions punishing the visitors numerous squandered opportunities, cruising to a comfortable 3-goal advantage.

Paul Brownlie’s side will return to K-Park, looking to keep their unbeaten home record intact, as the visit from Hamilton provides an ideal opportunity to continue their positive start to the league campaign.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The hosts will be looking to continue their recent Lanarkshire derby success, with the women of steel securing three successive victories from their last four, including a comfortable 4-1 victory at New Douglas Park.

The midweek return of both Amy Anderson and Murron Cunningham from both short and long-term injuries is a positive first step from the clubs recent injury woes.

Georgie Rafferty will remain doubtful for Sunday’s match whilst Eve Donald will remain unavailable. Laura McCartney & Lucy Ronald continue their return from long-term injuries.

Hamilton

On the other side of the River Clyde, Hamilton will be looking to develop upon their 11^th-place finish last season, where they narrowly staved off relegation with a 2-1 victory over Gartcairn in the SWPL Playoff Final.

Accies have yet to pick up their first points of the new campaign, after facing top-six opposition in their opening three games. An opening day defeat to Hearts was soon followed by Celtic and Partick Thistle, with Josephine Giard netting the sides only league goal in a 7-1 loss to the defending Scottish Cup champions.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are available for this fixture, with season ticket holders requiring their season ticket card upon arrival.

• 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.

Motherwell’s swift return to action following Sunday’s victory over Spartans proved to be challenging, as the defending champions punished the visitors squandered chances by racking up a four goal-lead under the lights of Petershill Park in Glasgow.

The attacking quality at Glasgow’s disposal was demonstrated only minutes into the game, with Emily Whelan breaking the deadlock after only five minutes. Claire Walsh powered home a header from close range 15 minutes later to double the hosts lead.

Carla Boyce narrowed the deficit midway through the first half with a composed finish from distance, but a late Cori Sullivan goal restored the hosts advantage seconds before the break. The midfielder netted her second of the evening late into the second half to seal victory for her side.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made one change from the side that secured the first three points of the new campaign. Sarah Gibb returned to the starting XI against her former side whilst Amy Anderson remained available from the bench.

Looking to continue their quest for silverware this season, City started on the front foot and netted the opener in the early exchanges.

Lauren Davidson’s driving run from the right allowed her to tee off Whelan midway through the Motherwell penalty area, and the forward calmly dispatched her strike into the bottom-left corner.

The hosts netted their second after surpassing the 20-minute mark, with Walsh powering home Sullivan’s floated corner kick from the left.

Moments after the half hour mark, Motherwell sought a vital route back into the game. Picking up the ball deep on the right, Boyce drove to the corner of the Glasgow penalty area before curling an exceptional effort into the top-left corner, beyond the reach of the City stopper.

Despite some positive play from the visitors, City netted a third against the run of play. Sullivan’s deep cross from the left sailed over Emily Mutch before nestling into the side netting.

Motherwell started the second half brightly, limiting the hosts to few chances whilst testing the Glasgow defence on numerous occasions.

Tara McGonigle’s whipped free kick from the left forced a smart stop from Erin Clachers in the City goal, with the looping strike destined for the top-corner.

Moments later, the winger’s floated corner kick sailed invitingly into the path of Chelsie Watson, who’s dangerous header narrowly evaded the crossbar.

The visitors squandered opportunities were soon punished as Glasgow netted a decisive fourth. Sullivan’s corner kick from the right sailed towards the back post, evading everyone in the penalty area before picking out the side netting at the far post for her second of the evening.

A disappointing and frustrating evening for the women of steel was brightened with a positive change late into the second half, with Murron Cunningham returning to action following a lengthy period on the sideline with injury.

Brownlie’s side will return to action this weekend, with a highly-anticipated visit from local rivals Hamilton in the first Lanarkshire derby of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

The women of steel will face a sharp return to action following last weekend’s hard-fought victory over league rivals Spartans, as the squad prepare to face defending champions Glasgow City.

Motherwell forced through the decisive opener in the latter stages of the game, with Kaela McDonald-Nguah powering home her third goal of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, following a brace from the penalty spot against Aberdeen the previous week.

Paul Brownlie’s side will likely face their toughest test to date, with a trip to Petershill Park already proving to be a difficult venture for several sides.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The visitors will be looking to build upon the first three points of the new campaign by breaking their recent record against the hosts, with Glasgow racking up three successive victories last season.

Despite suffering an injury setback prior to the meeting with Spartans, McDonald-Nguah made an instant impact from the bench, and will be within contention for a return to the starting XI.

Amy Anderson & Murron Cunningham both returned to the matchday squad last weekend and will remain available for tomorrow evening’s trip to Springburn. Laura McCartney & Lucy Ronald will both continue their return from long-term injuries.

Glasgow City

The champions have shown initial signs of retaining their crown, defeating both Hibernian and Partick Thistle 3-0. Hayley Lauder has already proven to be a dangerous goalscoring threat, netting in both matches.

The women of steel were narrowly defeated by a 97^th-minute Jenna Clark header in the sides closest encounter.

The hosts last defeat came in a 3-1 loss to Celtic in front of a record-breaking SWPL crowd at Celtic Park in May.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are available for this fixture, with supporters able to purchase their E-ticket in advance 

• Adult – £10
• Concession – £6
• Youth – £2

*Concession tickets apply to those over 65, with those under-16 eligible for a youth ticket.

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 8PM.

We are looking to add coaches to our girls academy staff.

The ideal candidates would require a minimum 1.2 coaching certificate with prior coaching experience and ambitions to progress within the game.

If you are interested and require further details, please contact Motherwell Girls academy coordinator Craig Slater at Craig.Slater@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell dusted off Sunday’s disappointing defeat after securing a hard-fought victory over league rivals Spartans at K-Park on Sunday.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah rifled home the only goal of the afternoon deep into the latter stages of the second half to secure the first three points of the new SWPL campaign.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made three changes to the side that suffered defeat at Balmoral stadium last weekend. Goalscorer McDonald-Nguah had to settle for a place on the bench following a midweek injury setback, with Kaitlyn Canavan leading the line up-front.

Amy Anderson also made her return from a brief injury spell, with Tara McGonigle also earning a start.

The women of steel had to settle for three successive draws and a defeat against Spartans last season, and the hosts eagerness to break that duct was certainly evident from the opening exchanges.

McGonigle’s delivery from the left ricocheted between several players in the box before finding Carla Boyce at the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker couldn’t apply the finishing touches.

Motherwell continued to press and almost caught the visitors off-guard, as Katie Rice directed a quick free-kick from the left to the feet of Bailley Collins at the edge of the box, but the forwards ambitious effort drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.

With neither side breaking the deadlock in the opening 45-minutes, Brownlie made an alteration to his side early into the second half, with Canavan making way for McDonald-Nguah.

The forward made an instant impact, almost setting up the opening goal, as Boyce raced through on goal, forcing a smart stop from the Spartans keeper.

As the full-time whistle neared, it looked as if an inevitable draw and an opportunity missed for the women of steel would be the outcome. However, with just under 10-minutes remaining, the breakthrough finally materialised.

Jo Addie’s floated free-kick, yards ahead of the halfway-line, sailed invitingly into the path of McDonald-Nguah in the box, who superbly controlled the ball with an accurate first-touch before drilling an unstoppable strike into the top-left corner.

Spartans flooded the Motherwell final third in search of a late equaliser, but the hosts stood firm to record their first three points of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

Brownlie’s side will return to action midweek, with a short trip to Springburn to face Glasgow City at Petershill Park on Wednesday.