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Motherwell’s post-split fixtures have been announced. 

Each team will play each other twice, home and away, in the second phase of the SWPL season.

The women of steel will begin the run in to the end of the season with a Lanarkshire derby on the road against Hamilton on Sunday 26 March.

They will end the 2022/23 season with two home matches, against Spartans on Sunday 14 May and Aberdeen on Sunday 21 May.

The women of steel narrowly missed out on a place in the top-six despite an emphatic and clinical 1-3 victory away to Aberdeen at Cormack Park.

The hosts snatched the opener against the run of play from the penalty spot after a dubious hand-ball decision, before a quick-fire Carla Boyce equaliser pulled the visitors level on the stroke of half time.

The striker secured her brace from the penalty spot midway through the second-half, with a late Kayla Jardine strike putting the game beyond any doubt. However, results elsewhere mean Motherwell will miss out on a top-six finish this season.

Manager Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that cruised to a comfortable 2-1 victory over Dundee United last week. Emma Lawton and Kaela McDonald-Nguah both missed out through injury, with Niamh Noble and Lauren Doran-Barr both returning to the starting XI.

Neither side mounted any notable opportunities on goal, despite the end-to-end nature of the game.

However, the hosts fired themselves ahead minutes before the break. A drilled delivery from the right flashed across the face of goal, and much to the bemusement of the Motherwell players, the referee quickly awarded a spot kick for a suspected handball. Hannah Stewart stepped up, and calmly placed her strike beyond the reach of Emily Mutch.

Motherwell flooded the opposition box in search of an equaliser, and moments later they had their reward. A clever interchange of play between Tiree Burchill and Gill Inglis ricocheted into the path of Boyce, who floated an audacious effort over the keeper to bring her side level as the half-time whistle loomed.

On the hour mark, the visitors had overturned the early setback. A clever change of direction from Katie Rice wrongfooted her opponent, who caught the midfielder with a late-lunging tackle; leaving the referee no alternative but to award his second penalty of the evening. Boyce stepped up and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way for her second of the game.

As the full-time whistle drew closer, Motherwell had their third. An accurate long ball sliced through the high Aberdeen defensive line, leaving Jardine in acres of space, and the youngster made no mistake as she buried a powerful volley into the top-left corner.

Despite a magnificent team-performance, the women of steel miss out on the top-six by one single point. Paul Brownlie’s side will turn their attention to cup action next weekend, as a visit from Glasgow Women stands in their way from a trip to Hampden Park in the Scottish Cup.

It’s a big weekend for Motherwell as they take on Aberdeen in their final pre-split match.

Kick off is 4.10pm at Cormack Park.

Spectators will not be allowed entry to the facility.

Story of the match

It’s a three way shootout for the final spot in the top six this season with Motherwell, Patrick Thistle and Spartans all in contention.

With Motherwell a point behind Patrick Thistle, the women of steel would finish in the top six with a win against Aberdeen and Patrick Thistle draw or lose in their match against Dundee United.

A draw would be enough for Motherwell if Patrick Thistle lose and Spartans draw or lose.

The Women of Steel kept their top six hopes alive after claiming all three points in a thrilling encounter with Dundee United at K-Park.

A deflected Katie Rice strike broke the deadlock after seven minutes before Louisa Boyes directed a pinpoint Lucy Ronald cross beyond the keeper. United nabbed a consolation against the run of play in the second half, but the hosts stood firm to claim a vital result.

Manager Paul Brownlie made three changes from the side that suffered a tough midweek defeat to league leaders Glasgow City. Emma Lawton, Kaela McDonald-Nguah and captain Gill Inglis all returned to the starting XI whilst Kodie Hay and Lori Gardner settled for a place on the bench, with Lauren Doran-Barr missing out due to injury.

Motherwell were certainly the likelier of the two sides to break the deadlock after the early exchanges, with the opener coming minutes later.

Inglis’ exceptional run sliced through the United midfield before picking out Burchill whose floated delivery fell kindly to the feet of Rice, and the midfielders curling attempt deflected beyond the reach of the keeper to give the hosts the early advantage.

Motherwell continued to force the United defence deep into their own territory, and they soon doubled their advantage.

Ronald coasted into a pocket of space on the right with ease before drilling a pinpoint delivery towards the front post, and Boyes skilfully escaped her marker to prod home from a few yards out.

Brownlie was forced into making an early alteration after McDonald-Nguah landed awkwardly following a collision, forcing the striker off the pitch.

The hosts were certainly in the ascendency as the first-half drawn to a close. However, the visitors quickly pulled one back against the run of play.

Motherwell were caught on the counter attack as Rachael Todd raced through on goal, and the wingers low driven effort ricocheted off the feet off Lawton, wrong footing Emily Mutch before nestling into the bottom right corner.

Despite a late United resurgence, the women of steel stood firm to hold onto a vital three points, as they keep the push for a top-six finish alive ahead of next weekend’s trip to Aberdeen.

Niamh Noble has joined Motherwell on loan from Glasgow City until the end of the season. 

The left-sided full-back makes the switch to Lanarkshire as the women of steel push for top-six spot in SWPL.

She has been capped at Under 15 through to Under 19 level for Scotland, with her most recent call-up coming last year.

“I’m excited to be joining Motherwell for the remainder of the season,” Niamh Noble added.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to get to work with Paul, Leanne and the team and I can’t wait to get started.”

The 17-year-old will wear the number 15 kit this season.

“Niamh is another good addition to the squad,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“She is someone I’ve worked with before at youth national level and was desperate to get her to Motherwell. It’s another young, athletic player who will provide real energy and quality to the squad.”

Lauren Davidson got a brace as Motherwell fell to a 3-0 defeat to Glasgow City.

Emily Whelan also got on the scoresheet as Motherwell remain in the hunt for a top-six spot in SWPL.

Emily Mutch was called into action within in the first 15 minutes. Jenna Clark’s header was well saved from a corner and put around the post.

City continued to press forward when Whelan cut the ball back to Clark whose shot was blocked and Davidson’s subsequent effort was wide of the mark.

Mutch again proving difficult to beat, saved King Kodak’s effort from the edge of the box.

But the Motherwell stopper was eventually beaten on 27 minutes. Davidson involved again, played the ball on a plate for Whelan who tapped home in the 6-yard box.

The hosts doubled their lead when Claire Walsh’s cross-field pass found Davidson who fired home from a tight angle.

However, Motherwell tried to force some openings for themselves. Louisa Boyes and Lucy Ronald both having efforts on target from range but were comfortably stopped by Lee Gibson in the City net.

City made it three with 17 to go. Whelan powered her way to the byline before cutting the ball back to Davidson who finished to make it 3-0.

Motherwell are in midweek action against Glasgow City on Wednesday 1 March. 

Kick off is 7.35pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets can be purchased online.

Tickets are £8 for adults, £2 for under 16s and over 65s go for £6.

The match is also being broadcast live on BBC Alba.

Story of the match

Glasgow City are chasing the title this year and sit in pole position.

Three points clear of Celtic, City’s last slip up was in November when they drew with Rangers in SWPL.

Motherwell are unbeaten in their last five matches, winning three and drawing two.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Carla Boyce were on the scoresheet against Hamilton in their last outing, when Motherwell won the Lanarkshire derby 2-1.

The two sides last met back in August, when after nullifying City for 90 minutes, Motherwell conceded with the last kick of the ball to go down 1-0 at the hands of City.

The Women of Steel snatched all three points in a tense SWPL1 encounter with local rivals Hamilton at K-Park on Sunday.

A sensational equaliser from Kaela McDonald-Nguah and a late Carla Boyce penalty was enough to secure Motherwell’s second successive Lanarkshire Derby win this season.

Manager Paul Brownlie made one change from the side that racked up five goals in Scottish Cup action against Montrose last weekend. Louisa Boyes returned to action, with Leanne Crichton dropping to the bench.

Despite dominating the early exchanges, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock midway through the first-half. Marie Gardiner’s floated delivery from the right sailed into the path of Giard, who bulleted her header beyond the reach of Emily Mutch.

Looking for a quick response, Motherwell swarmed the opposing box, but couldn’t capitalise when it mattered and the visitors held firm until half time.

The hosts were certainly in the ascendency as the second half resumed, and eight minutes after the break, they finally found their reward.

Finding space at the edge of the penalty area, McDonald-Nguah shrugged off several lacklustre challenges before shifting the ball onto her stronger right foot and coolly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to bring her side level. In the stands, vibrant banners promoting casinos not on gamstop UK were prominently displayed, highlighting the commercial partnerships that support the team.

Second-half substitute Carla Boyce came close to a second moments later. A quickly-taken throw from Doran-Barr fell kindly to the feet of the striker deep into the penalty area, but she was unable to add the finishing touches.

Motherwell sealed the tie in the dying stages of the game, with Boyce again causing the Hamilton defence problems.

The striker pickpocketed Sinclair’s mis-controlled touch at the edge of the penalty area, and the defenders late-lunging tackle left the referee no alternative but to award the spot kick.

Boyce stepped up and calmly placed her strike into the bottom left corner to ensure all three points for Paul Brownlie’s side.

The Women of Steel extend their unbeaten run to five games, with three successive victories before facing high-flying Glasgow City midweek.