Latest News

Global steel supplier Steel Plate & Sections and Management consultancy Faithful+Gould, since rebranded as AtkinsRéalis will become our new official U14s regional and national academy squad sponsors until the conclusion of season 2023/24.

With over 50 years of industry experience, SPS were the first and continue to be a leading supplier in high-yield steel for offshore fabrication and have been committed to ensuring the needs of numerous industries across the globe.

“We are delighted to announce that SPS Profiling have proudly sponsored Motherwell Football Club’s women’s U14 Academy squad,” SPS Division Manager, John Lynas said.

“Known as ‘The Girls of Steel’, this support pays tribute to the area’s steelmaking heritage, epitomised by the men’s team, “The Steelmen.”

“This partnership underscores the connection between local industry and community, fostering youth development and unity. It’s a symbol of the enduring legacy of steelmaking and a bright future for young athletes in the community.

“Our sponsorship equips the U14 girls with new training gear and features the SPS Profiling logo on their match day kits.”

AtkinsRéalis, previously named Faithful+Gould, design and deliver major projects on the built and natural environments all around the world, by advising and supporting public and private sector clients with the delivery of complex, outcome-focused projects.

The U14 national squad sponsor, build relationships based on understanding, integrity and collaboration. Engineering a better future for the planet and its people.

“We are thrilled to be sponsoring Motherwell Girls National Academy Programme under 14 Football team,” Director Tom McDougall said.

“Empowering the next generation of females is a cause close to our hearts, and we believe in fostering their passion and dedication.

“By sponsoring this talented group of girls, we hope to have contributed in a way that the girls have the resources, coaching, and opportunities they need to excel on the field and beyond.”

A tough week for the women of steel was further compounded, as visitors Hibernian narrowly edged a 0-1 victory to end Motherwell’s unbeaten home run in a closely-fought encounter at K-Park on Sunday.

Jorian Baucom’s second-half strike proved to be the difference, as Motherwell failed to capitalise on numerous goalscoring opportunities and were consigned to defeat, with Hibernian securing their third successive victory.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made one change from the midweek defeat to Rangers, as goalscorer Carla Boyce returned to starting XI, with Bailley Collins taking place on the bench. Injury woes have continued to hamper the side, as Morgan Cross, Morgan Hay and Eve Donald continue their return to full fitness.

Eagerly looking to impose themselves from the off, the visitors sprayed several deliveries across the Motherwell penalty area, with Baucom denied the opener early on by Emily Mutch. A skilful turn at the edge of the box allowed Baucom to evade Jo Addie before firing a low strike across the face of goal, but Mutch reacted well to produce a comfortable stop.

Motherwell came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with unarguably the best opportunity of the opening 45-minutes. Amy Anderson’s incisive through ball accurately picked out Kaela McDonald-Nguah lurking within the penalty area, and the striker expertly shifted the ball onto her stronger right foot, but her dangerous effort drifted agonisingly wide of the top-right corner.

With both sides failing to break the deadlock before the break, Motherwell picked up where they left off, threatening the visiting goal. Captain Gill Inglis’ exceptional solo-run saw the defender cruise past three or four Hibs jerseys, before a late lunging tackle from former Motherwell defender Lauren Doran-Barr, denied Inglis from getting a shot on goal.

Inglis was again called into action moments later, this time at the other end of the pitch, as Abbie Ferguson’s driving run on the counter-attack allowed the midfielder to coast into the Motherwell penalty area, but a late tackle from Inglis diverted Ferguson’s effort wide of the target.

With both sides looking evenly-matched throughout and the game seemingly destined for a closely-fought stalemate, the visitors found the breakthrough.

Ferguson’s through ball from the right fell kindly to the feet of Baucom deep inside the Motherwell penalty area, and a clever turn allowed her to escape pressure from Chelsie Watson and Amy Anderson before picking out the top-left corner with an unstoppable strike.

Brownlie’s side pushed forward until the final whistle, but were unable to find the eventual equaliser and were consigned to defeat. The squad will now face a short international break before returning to cup action, with Montrose standing in their way of a place in the next round.

An intense week for the women of steel will come to a conclusion this weekend, as Paul Brownlie’s side get set to preserve their unbeaten home record, with Hibernian the visitors at K-Park.

Motherwell will be poised to enhance their impressive home record after struggling the break their misfortunes on the road. The hosts woes in Springburn were soon followed by defeat to Rangers at a rainswept Broadwood Stadium, with the side struggling to replicate their successes in East Kilbride.

Victory at K-Park has already proven to be a difficult proposition for visiting sides this season, with Motherwell achieving maximum points at home thus far.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Motherwell will be looking to bounce back from the midweek defeat to Rangers, as Carla Boyce’s solitary goal proved to be insufficient as the hosts cruised to a comfortable 4-1 lead.

The women of steel’s most recent victory over the Hibees came at Meadowbank last season, as goals from Jo Addie, Lori Gardner and Amy Anderson sealed a historic 3-2 victory for Brownlie’s side.

Despite Laura McCartney returning from a long-term injury, which kept her out of action for 855 days, Motherwell’s recent injury concerns will continue to limit squad selection on Sunday. Morgan Cross, Morgan Hay and Eve Donald will all remain doubtful for a return following injuries sustained over the past week.

Hibernian

One win from their opening five league games proved to be a confidence-draining start for the visitors. However, Grant Scott’s side have since overturned their early struggles, building a positive run of form that has earnt a place in the top-six of the SWPL league table.

The Edinburgh side will travel to Calderglen, buoyed by successive victories over Aberdeen and local rivals Hearts in the first Edinburgh derby of the 2023/24 campaign.

American forward, Jorian Baucom has proven to be a dangerous asset this season, netting five times thus far, including an impressive hat-trick in a dominant 5-0 win over Aberdeen midweek.

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. The match will also be available to watch live on the BBC Sport Scotland website. Kick-off is at 4PM.

Three successive victories in East Kilbride has preserved an impeccable unbeaten home record for the women of steel, but replicating their success on the road has proven to be a strenuous undertaking and midfielder Tara McGonigle believes finding their rhythm will be key to success.

“I think we’ve found it difficult to find our rhythm in away games so far,” said McGonigle.

“We’ve let ourselves down so far with away ties, but we’ve looked back on areas we need to tighten up on, and we look to do this in the tough run of away fixtures we have coming up.”

The first Lanarkshire derby victory of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign was complimented with commanding performances over Spartans and newly promoted Montrose, with Paul Brownlie’s side achieving maximum points at home thus far.

“It’s extremely important we keep our momentum at home,” McGonigle explained.

“I think we’ve shown a lot of resilience at home so far. We’ve had a few tough battles, but keeping our composure especially in-front of goal has really helped us to settle into our game and play our style of football.

“We don’t want this to be an easy place for teams to pick up points and we’re working hard on and off the pitch to be tactically hard to break down at all times.

“At home, we have been performing better although still not at the same level we are capable of, and battling for results is something we need to take on the road with us to really push our season on”

A late goal in Springburn denied Motherwell their first points on the road last weekend, with Partick Thistle salvaging a late victory in a game of defensive prowess and limited goalscoring opportunities for both sides. A tough 4-1 defeat to league leaders Rangers at a rainswept Broadwood Stadium followed, as the women of steel continue to seek their first points on the road.

“It was extremely disappointing to concede the late goal against Thistle. We looked strong defensively and were on top throughout the second half, but one moment of switching off gave them the lead.

“It’s something we need to learn from and be alert at every moment during the game, especially during set pieces.”

As the side look to get their form back on track, McGonigle detailed what Brownlie’s message was to the players for the upcoming season.

“The message was that we need to recover from the game and focus on the next challenge. We will definitely reflect and look over aspects of the game, but this gives us a good chance to bounce back

“We believe in ourselves and want to prove we are good enough to take points from the top of the table sides, and hopefully on Sunday we can take something from the game.”

Motherwell’s matchday woes on the road persisted in Cumbernauld, as the women of steel suffered a 4-1 defeat to league leaders Rangers under the lights of a rainswept Broadwood stadium on Wednesday.

Kirsty Maclean got Rangers off the mark after half an hour to give Jo Potter’s side a slim advantage at the break. Rio Hardy doubled the advantage early into the second half, with Rachel McLaughlin adding a third on the hour mark.

Carla Boyce pulled one back in the latter stages of the second half, but a 90^th-minute Kirsty Howat strike settled an assured 3-goal advantage for the hosts.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made three changes from Sunday’s late defeat to Partick Thistle, with Kaitlyn Canavan, Sarah Gibb and Hannah Cunningham returning to the starting XI, as Katie Rice, Tara McGonigle and Carla Boyce settled for a place on the bench.

Looking to put a halt to their recent away record, Motherwell started brightly, testing Victoria Esson in the Rangers goal. Canavan shielded the ball well at the edge of the box before being impeded at the edge of the Rangers penalty area. McDonald-Nguah stepped up and drilled an exceptional effort that looked destined for the top-right corner before curling agonisingly over the crossbar.

The Gers broke the deadlock midway through the first-half, as Middag’s short corner caught the Motherwell defence off-guard, and Laura Berry coasted through the visiting penalty area before coolly dispatching an accurate finish into the bottom-right corner.

The hosts netted a second moments after the restart, with Mclaughlin’s pinpoint delivery from the right sailing invitingly into the path of Hardy, who headed home with ease.

The third of the evening came shortly after, with McLaughlin converting with a composed finish, picking out the bottom-corner.

A late Motherwell resurgence saw a flurry of chances narrowly evade the Rangers goal. A floated delivery from the right was accurately met by an unmarked Chelsie Watson in the air, but the centre-backs wayward header failed to trouble the Rangers stopper.

Amy Anderson tried her luck from distance, with a spectacular effort from over 30-yards out rattling the crossbar, but the breakthrough failed to materialise.

As the full-time whistle approached, Motherwell finally got their reward. Indecision in the Rangers backline allowed Boyce to capitalise, with the striker curling a precise effort into the bottom-left corner, leaving Esson caught in no-man’s land.

Motherwell pushed forward in search of a second and found themselves caught on the counter, with the hosts netting a decisive fourth, as Howat volleyed home Mia McAulay’s delivery.

Motherwell will return to home this weekend looking to preserve their unbeaten record at K-Park, with Hibs the visitors in East Kilbride.

A swift return to action will see Motherwell turn their attention to title-chasing Rangers, with a tough trip to Broadwood expected, as the hosts remain unbeaten domestically with five wins and a draw against defending champions Glasgow City.

Motherwell will be looking to replicate their impeccable home record that has yet to materialise on the road. The women of steel’s hunt for their first points away from home continued in Glasgow, as Paul Brownlie’s side left Springburn empty-handed, with Thistle netting a decisive late opener.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The women of steel will be looking to break their recent struggles away from home, with three narrow defeats to Aberdeen, Glasgow City and Partick Thistle failing to mirror the squads successes at K-Park.

Brownlie’s side faced a closely-fought encounter last time out at Broadwood, with a 89^th-minute Chelsea Cornet goal doubling Hannah Davidson’s early first-half opener, as chances from Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Katie Rice narrowly evaded the target.

Laura McCartney has returned to the matchday squad and will be eligible for contention this week, with Morgan Cross, Morgan Hay and Eve Donald all doubtful for a return following injuries sustained in the past week.

Rangers

The hosts have built a fine start to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, with Jo Potter’s side remaining unbeaten in their opening six league encounters, including a pulsating 1-8 victory over Dundee United at Foundation Park.

Rangers’ prolific form in-front of goal has the Glasgow side sat comfortably at the top of the SWPL league table, netting 23-times thus far whilst maintaining a one-point advantage over rivals Celtic.

Midfielder Chelsea Cornet leads the goalscoring chart in Glasgow, netting five-times so far, with striker Kirsty Howat also netting her fourth goal of the new campaign by rounding off her hat-trick against United last weekend.

Ticket Information

• Adult – £7
• Concession – £3
• Juvenile – £3

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.

A closely fought afternoon in Springburn was narrowly separated by a late Partick Thistle goal, with the hosts capitalising on a late chance in a game scarce of goal-scoring opportunities for both sides.

Megan Robb’s late strike was enough to secure Thistle’s fourth victory of the new campaign, sealing a harsh 1-0 defeat to end the women of steel’s recent unbeaten run.

Head coach Paul Brownlie named an unchanged starting XI from Sunday’s commanding 3-1 victory over newly promoted Montrose, with Laura McCartney replacing recent acquisition Morgan Cross on the bench following an injury sustained midweek.

With both sides trading possession and failing to land a shot on target in the opening exchanges, Carla Boyce came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half. A dangerous delivery from the left caused indecision within the Thistle backline, with the ball falling kindly to Boyce on the half-volley at the edge of the box, but the strikers effort sailed wide of the target.

Motherwell’s claims for a penalty were soon dismissed despite Thistle stopper Megan Cunningham seemingly colliding with Louisa Boyes deep into the opposing penalty area, but the referee quickly waived play on despite the adamant protests from the Motherwell players.

With both sides tiring in the soaring heat and the game seemingly destined for another draw, Thistle netted the opener in the dying stages.

Amy Bulloch’s floated delivery from the left was punched clear by Mutch, but the following clearance fell into the path of Robb at the back post, and the midfielders volley ratted the crossbar before nesting into the roof of the net.

Chasing a late equaliser, Motherwell ambitiously flooded the hosts penalty area with crosses, and were seemingly denied their second penalty claim of the afternoon, with Boyes again on the receiving end of a replicated challenge from the first half, but again the referee dismissed Motherwell’s pleas.

Ultimately, chances proved to be too little too late for Brownlie’s side with Thistle earning all three points with a strong defensive display. Motherwell drop out of the top-six on goal difference, with Hearts gaining one place before facing local rivals Hibs later this afternoon.

With three back-to-back home victories returning a current top-six place for the women of steel ahead of this weekend’s return to action, Paul Brownlie’s side will be aiming to replicate their success on the road.

A trip to Springburn awaits, with Partick Thistle the hosts at Petershill Park, as Motherwell hunt for their first points away from home following an opening weekend defeat to Aberdeen and defending champions Glasgow City.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The visitors will have the opportunity to preserve their impressive run of form, as victory this weekend would extend the sides record to three successive wins. Katie Rice and Louisa Boyes both netted their first goals of the new campaign to overcome newly-promoted Montrose last weekend, with the prospect of another contested meeting with Partick Thistle expected.

Brownlie’s side have faced several closely-fought encounters with the Jags, with three stalemates resulting from the last four meetings. In a recent test last season, Motherwell overturned an early two-goal deficit, netting three successive goals before a late Teigan McCann strike prevented a Motherwell victory on that day.

Despite the sides success on the pitch, their recent injury woes continue to hamper the team. Morgan Hay will remain unavailable for this weekend’s encounter, whilst Morgan Cross will be doubtful following an injury sustained midweek. Lucy Ronald and Laura McCartney will both continue their return from long-term spells on the sidelines.

Partick Thistle

The hosts have also made a positive start to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, racking up three wins from five, with their only defeats coming against Rangers and Glasgow City.

Brian Graham’s side have proven to be prolific in-front of goal, netting 12-times in their opening three league victories. Striker Cara Henderson has netted six-times so far, including an opening weekend hat-trick over Dundee United, placing the forward second overall in the SWPL top-scorer table.

They’ll be a sense of familiarity to Sunday’s meeting, with Emma Lawton, Claire Adams and Kodie Hay all set to face their former side.

Ticket Information

• Adult – £7
• Concession – £5
• Kids go FREE

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. The match will also be available to watch live on the BBC Sport Scotland website, with access to the ground available to fans from 12.15PM ahead of a 1PM kick-off.

It was back-to-back victories for the women of steel, as Motherwell built upon their Lanarkshire derby triumph with an assured performance against Montrose.

Katie Rice fired the hosts ahead early into the first-half with a composed finish from distance, with Louisa Boyes netting her first goal of the new campaign within the opening exchanges of the second half.

Montrose pulled one back against the run of play, but Kaela McDonald-Nguah continued her prolific run of form, netting her fourth goal of the new campaign to restore Motherwell’s two-goal advantage.

Head coach Paul Brownlie was forced into making slight alterations to his matchday squad, as latest addition Morgan Cross received a place on the bench following a midweek injury to Morgan Hay that ruled the midfielder out of action.

Buoyed in confidence following their recent run of form, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, with Tara McGonigle almost adding her name onto the scoresheet. The wingers cutting run freed up space at the edge of the box to strike, but the wingers drilled effort narrowly evaded the crossbar.

The hosts continued to press and deservedly netted the opener moments later. Rice’s left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area sailed past the Montrose stopper before nestling comfortably into the bottom-right corner.

With the women of steel maintaining a narrow lead at the break, Brownlie’s side came out of the traps early into the second half and soon doubled their advantage. Boyes’ right-footed effort midway through the Montrose penalty area coasted through the visiting defence before picking out the centre of the goal.

Motherwell continued to control possession and almost added a third in quick succession, as McDonald-Nguah met Rice’s floated corner kick in the air, but the strikers headed attempt fell agonisingly over the crossbar.

The hosts control and composure in the game was soon threatened as Montrose netted a quickfire response. Aimee Ridgeway coolly converted Charlotte Gammie’s low delivery, picking out the bottom-corner with a smart finish.

Despite a sudden spell of attacking threat from the visitors, the hosts restored their two-goal advantage to maintain their place in the top-six of the SWPL. McDonald-Nguah’s threatening right-foot proved to be beneficial yet again, as the strikers close-range finish sailed into the bottom-right corner to secure a second consecutive victory for the women of steel.

Brownlie’s side will return to action next weekend, as a highly anticipated meeting with Partick Thistle awaits.

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.