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The women of steel are within touching distance of achieving their long-awaited aspiration of a top-six finish in the SWPL table. 

Motherwell have all but confirmed their top-six status after defeating Spartans by four-goals to one in East Kilbride last Sunday – maintaining a six-point and 11-goal advantage over closest rivals Partick Thistle with two-games left to play.

After a closely-fought league campaign, Paul Brownlie’s side could finally cement their top-six status with a victory over Aberdeen this weekend.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell 

Momentum has remained with the North Lanarkshire side since the start of 2025, earning four-straight victories, including two comprehensive victories on the road against Dundee United and Montrose. The hosts are in control of their own destiny, knowing victory will be enough to ensure Motherwell achieve a top-six SWPL finish for the first-time in their history.

Striker Amy Sharkey has firmly picked up from where she left off after signing a permanent deal from defending-champions Celtic. The 17-year-old completed a hat-trick against SWF league One side Bonnyrigg Rose to secure a place in the Quarter-Final of the Scottish Cup before adding to her tally against Spartans last weekend.

Sunday’s encounter will feature free transport to East Kilbride, with the Well Society overseeing a pre-match event in the Fir Park centenary suite before that match. Buses will depart Fir park at 3PM ahead of a 4PM kick-off at K-Park. Tickets for the coach can be claimed here:

Aberdeen 

The Dons return to action wounded from a heavy defeat to title-chasers Rangers. Scott Booth’s side conceded 10-goals for the second time to Rangers, with victory at Broadwood following an opening day defeat prior to his tenure at Balmoral Stadium. Aberdeen will be looking to cement their top-flight status for the following season, with the visitors seven-points clear of the relegation places.

Ticket Information

Adult – £8.

Concession – £3.

Under 11s – FREE TO ENTER.

Midfielder Emma McMurdo has completed a permanent move to Motherwell, as women of steel attract free agent to Lanarkshire. 

The 22-year-old central-midfielder spent nine years in Australia at the National Training Centre before experiencing two years in the National Premier League One – the second division of Australian women’s football.

McMurdo spent one season at fellow SWPL side Dundee United before a short stint in Glasgow for Queens Park.

“I’m really pleased to be at Motherwell,” McMurdo said.

“I’ve really experienced and understood the club culture within the squad whilst training behind the scenes, and I knew that I wanted to earn the right to play for the club.

“I want to be competing for regular match action at this level, and the opportunity to join Kilmarnock on-loan should prepare me perfectly for starting a fresh next season. ”

The Scotland under-17 international has already established herself within the youth ranks of the International stage, tallying seven appearances within the U17-squad and five amongst the U16 age category.

The young creative midfielder has trained alongside the women of steel for several months, and will be loaned to SWPL2 side Kilmarnock from the women of steel for the remainder of the 2024/25 SWPL campaign.

“We’re looking forward to having Emma sign permanently with the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“We were very impressed with her attitude and dedication towards our training sessions, with Emma instantly showcasing her flair and attacking ability.

“We felt Emma would benefit from a short-term loan deal to regain her match sharpness, and we are looking forward to seeing her development at Rugby Park this season.”

Refreshed from their Scottish Cup triumph over Bonnyrigg Rose in the ScottishGas Scottish Cup, Motherwell turn their attention back to the league campaign, when they welcome Spartans to K-Park on Sunday.

The women of steel booked their place in the quarter-final’s of the Scottish Cup in fine form, placing six-goals past the Rose to tee up an enticing contest against Boroughmuir Thistle, with a place in the Semi-Final at stake. Striker Amy Sharkey celebrated her 17th birthday and first match in claret and amber since signing permanently from Celtic last week, scoring an impressive hat-trick, with Louisa Boyes, Sophie Black and Jenna Penman also adding to the tally.

Paul Brownlie’s side will refocus their priorities towards the league campaign, with victory over Spartans this weekend putting the women of steel within touching distance of a top-six finish this season.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell 

Motherwell remain five-points clear of closest-rivals Partick Thistle, having already played an extra game, as both sides remain firmly in the chase for a top-six finish this season. Motherwell are in control of their own destiny, with victory in their next two-games potentially securing their top-six place if results elsewhere are favourable.

The women of steel are unbeaten in their last four domestic encounters, holding high-flying Hearts to a goalless stalemate, before defeating Dundee United, Montrose and Bonnyrigg Rose last weekend. Motherwell will have to contend without top-goalscorer Laura Berry, who returned to Rangers on deadline day after being recalled by the Glasgow-side.

Motherwell bolstered their squad ahead of a vital run of fixtures, with Rangers loanee Eilidh Austin, and experienced defender Shannon Leishman both joining the ranks at K-Park.

Spartans 

The capital-based club remain ninth in the SWPL table, three-points ahead of the relegation-places after a difficult fixture list against five of the top-six sides. Spartans are without a league victory since November, defeating Montrose by three-goals to nil before encountering five defeats and one draw. The Edinburgh side also secured their place in the quarter-final’s of the Scottish Cup, racking up six-goals against SWPL2 side Kilmarnock.

Ticket Information

Supporters can purchase their ticket on the day, with pay-at-the-gate in operation. Both cash and card payments will be available.

Adult – £8.

Concession – £3.

Under 11’s – Free to enter.

Striker Amy Sharkey has completed a permanent move from defending champions Celtic following a successful initial loan spell in ML1. 

The 16-year-old joined the Hoops’ academy in February 2022, instantly making an impression throughout her time within the youth ranks at Parkhead. The striker was named as a substitute against fierce rivals Rangers at only 15-years-old in the maiden women’s Scottish Cup Final to be held at the National Stadium, Hampden Park.

The forward soon made her senior Celtic debut, before featuring twice against Hamilton and Dundee United, with Sharkey netting her first top-flight goal in a 9-0 victory over the Tangerines.

“I’m really excited to be staying at the club,” Sharkey said.

“I’ve really wanted to continue my development in a first-team environment, and the season so far at Motherwell has been a vital learning experience for myself.

“I want to be competing for regular match action at this level, and the opportunity to stay with the club on a permanent basis was one I simply couldn’t turn down.”

The Scotland under-17 international has already established herself within the youth ranks of the International stage, tallying seven appearances within the U17-squad and five amongst the U16 age category.

“I’m delighted to have Amy remain at the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Amy is a very talented young footballer with an excellent amount of experience both domestically and internationally despite still only being 16-years-old.

“She has competed well with the other strikers already at the club and has been fundamental in the system we’ve played of late.”

Defender Shannon Leishman has completed a loan move from Hibernian until the end of the season. 

A stalwart in the Scottish capital, Leishman achieved over 150-appearances in Leith, becoming one of the Hibees most decorated and long-serving players. Completing successive Scottish Cup and SWPL Cup title victories, Leishman has lifted four trophies during her time in Edinburgh, whilst representing the club in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The 28-year-old versatile defender will be a key asset for the women of steel’s as they chase their long-evaded ambition of a top-six finish in the SWPL table.

“I’m excited to be at the club,” Leishman said.

“Motherwell are a really competitive and ambitious team, who are looking to achieve a historic top-six finish this season. I knew when Paul spoke to me about coming to the club that I would be keen to be a part of their plans for the season ahead.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the squad and getting started at K-Park.”

Leishman will add experience to the already strong Motherwell backline, who have kept two back-to-back clean sheets since New Years Day.

“This is an important addition to the squad,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Shannon is an incredibly talented and experienced footballer, who has showcased her ability in the SWPL for countless seasons, and has been a fundamental component for Hibs in recent years.

“To have someone of her ability in the squad is a real statement of intent for where we want to be by the end of the season.”

Defender Eilidh Austin is our first new addition of the January window after agreeing a six-month loan deal with the women of steel. 

The Rangers academy prodigy rose through the ranks in Glasgow, making 19-appearances whilst also plying her trade at Hamilton – scoring five times across 15-appearances at New Douglas Park.

“I’m really pleased to have signed for Motherwell,” Austin said.

“I’ve made a lot of appearances in the SWPL already, but I really wanted to find a consistent run to continue my progression at this level.

“Motherwell are a very competitive side that have been competing closely within the top-six of the SWPL table. It felt like the perfect opportunity for me to support their efforts whilst continuing to gain experience.

Despite her youthfulness, Austin has already achieved a vast amount in the women’s game, lifting two SWPL Cups alongside one Scottish Cup title.

“This is a positive addition to the squad,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie emphasised.

“Eilidh is a very technically gifted player and someone we felt could provide an added dimension to our options in the backline.

“We felt it necessary to add a fresh face to the squad, as we near the final set of fixtures before the split.”

Striker Laura Berry will return to parent club Rangers. 

Laura Berry returned to Motherwell for her second consecutive loan spell, netting 11-goals in her first-spell before replicating that tally in one fewer game second time around.

The forward will return to Rangers after being recalled by the Glasgow-side.

“We are incredibly disappointed to lose Laura especially at this stage of the season,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie said.

“We were expecting Laura to remain at the club until the end of the season, so to lose someone of Laura’s quality especially at such a late stage of the transfer window is frustrating.

“I’d like to personally thank Laura for her tremendous effort and contribution to the club. She has excelled on the pitch, and been pivotal to our season so far. Laura leaves with our best wishes, and support for the future.”

The trials and tribulations, the illustrious icons and the storied legacy of the Scottish Cup will add another chapter this weekend, as Motherwell welcome Bonnyrigg Rose to K-Park. 

Motherwell coasted through to the fourth round, defeating SWPL2 side Rossvale by seven-goals to nil at the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex. There were seven different goalscorers on show, as Sophie Black, Bailley Collins, Louisa Boyes, Jenna Penman, Lucy Barclay, Sienna McGoldrick and Mason Clark all etched their names on the scoresheet.

Head Coach, Paul Brownlie’s side will return to East Kilbride this weekend for the first time in 2025, facing Bonnyrigg Rose following back-to-back victories over Dundee United and Montrose on the road.  A six-nil and four-nil victory have maintained motherwell’s unbeaten start to the new year.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell started 2025 on the right note, defeating relegation-survival hopefuls Dundee United with an assured display in the City of Discovery. Motherwell face a closely-fought race to the finish line to achieve a top-six place this season, with the women of steel five points clear of nearest league rivals Partick Thistle, who have a additional game in-hand. Motherwell continued their strong opening to 2025, defeating Montrose with an assured performance on the North-East coast.

The women of steel will be looking to rectify their disappointing early exit to last season’s Scottish Cup campaign, with Motherwell exiting the competition at the first hurdle after reaching the Semi-Final in the previous season.

Bonnyrigg Rose

SWF League One side Bonnyrigg Rose head to K-Park looking to cause a cup upset after overcoming Ross County and Morton to secure their place in the last-16. The Rose defeated the Stages by three-goals to two before another narrow 2-1 away victory against the Ton.

Ticket information 

Supporters can purchase their ticket on the day, with pay-at-the-gate in operation. Both cash and card payments are acceptable.

Adult – £8

Concession – £3

Under-11 – Free to enter.

Motherwell coasted to their second consecutive victory on the North-East coast, defeating Montrose by four-goals at Links Park on Sunday.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that defeated Dundee United in the City of Discovery a fortnight ago. Goalscorer Sophie Black’s performance was rewarded with a place in the starting XI, as Amy Sharkey also lined-up alongside Laura Berry.

Louisa Boyes broke the deadlock within the opening phase of play, wrong-footing her opponent with a clever run into the box, before diverting Katie Rice’s whipped delivery past Kirsten Platt in the Montrose goal with a swirling header. After teeing up her teammate for the opener, Rice soon etched her name on the scoresheet, curling a magnificent free-kick into the top-left corner to seal a commanding two-goal cushion at the half-time break.

Laura Berry racked up her 16^th league goal early into the second-half, reacting sharply to volley home the rebound from Bailley Collins’ long-range strike. Collins dipping effort from distance rattled the face of the Montrose crossbar before ricocheting invitingly towards the striker’s feet, and Berry drilled home from close-range with a first-time right-footed volley.

Laura McCartney wrapped up an assured performance on the North-East coast, chasing down what appeared to be a lost cause long-ball. The midfielder caught the Montrose stopper in no-man’s land before dispatching a precise low-finish through the keeper’s outstretched leg. With the final kick of the game, McCartney sustained Motherwell’s advantage over closest-rivals Partick Thistle in the SWPL table.

The women of steel sit five-points clear of the Jags in the final top-six place, with Motherwell turning their attention to the Scottish Cup next weekend, when they welcome Bonnyrigg Rose to K-park.

The women of steel have secured the signature of highly-rated youth prodigy Mason Clark on a permanent deal from Rangers after a successful initial loan spell. 

The 18-year-old traded royal blue for claret of amber in the summer of 2024 after a productive loan move across the River Clyde at local rivals Hamilton last season. Clark featured 22-times in red and white, scoring five-times at New Douglas Park. The youngster was then awarded Accies’ Player & Young Player of the Year.

“I’m delighted to make the move to Motherwell permanent,” Clark said.

“It’s already been an incredible few months at the club. I feel my game has significantly progressed, and the competition for places in the squad has been a challenge that I’m proud to have taken on.

“I’ve been at Rangers since I was very young, but I felt that this was the right moment to make that step into regular senior football, and I felt that there was no better opportunity than to continue with the club.

The midfielder has already featured 14-times for Motherwell, netting once in a 6-1 victory against Queens Park.

“We’re delighted to have Mason remain at the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“She has came to the club with the correct attitude and the mindset to challenge other players for places, and strengthen the squads ambitions of a top-six finish this season.

“Mason has started to really hit her stride, and we are looking forward to continuing her progression this season.