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Report by Andrew Scott at Braidhurst

Motherwell produced an emphatic performance on Sunday to win 6-0 against St Johnstone.

The win was their second in a row and it sees the ‘Well retain top spot in the SWPL 2.

The sides were level in points going into the fixture but the ladies put the game to bed in the first half. A hat-trick from Suzanne Mulvey, a double from Hayley Cunningham as well as an own goal, sent the hosts to victory.

The deadlock was broken just after 20 minutes as Cunningham’s corner ended up in the back of the net. The Saints defence was unable to clear the cross as it snuck under the keeper and over the line.

The goal seemed to have revitalised the St Johnstone team as they began one of their better spells in the match. There was controversy as the Perth side’s appeal for a penalty was waved away by the referee, much to the despair of the players.

Motherwell added their second just minutes later, Suzanne Mulvey was brought down just outside the box and the Steelwomen were awarded another free kick after a handball by the wall.

Cunningham stepped up and hit a driven shot through the legs of the wall and into the bottom left hand corner. Not for the first time this season, she demonstrated her ability from a dead ball.

Cunningham’s second goal started Motherwell’s best spell of the match, as skipper Mulvey bagged a fine hat-trick in just over five minutes.

The first came from the corner where Cunningham originally put the ‘Well in front, this time she played an inviting cross straight to the head of Mulvey who fired it past Cameron in the Saints goal.

A matter of three minutes later, the striker added her second. Sloppy play at the back from St Johnstone and a slack backpass enabled her to nip in to intercept, dinking the ball over the onrushing keeper in the process.

Mulvey bagged her hat-trick two minutes later. Great link up play with Sammy Hare allowed Mulvey to break clear from her marker and fire her shot into the net. A superb five minutes from the ex-Scotland capped striker, who showed how deadly she could be to put Motherwell 5-0 up.

It would be the visitors who would come out the traps the better side as the second half got underway, a team that looked re-energised and with a point to prove following the first half performance.

Unlike the first, the second half was a more end-to-end encounter with Motherwell eventually getting a foothold in the game at around 50 minutes.

The Steelwomen showed their attacking prowess shortly after with substitute Reside proving to be a handful down the right flank.

There was another penalty shout with 65 minutes played, this time for Motherwell after Mulvey was brought down into the box, but the referee waved play on.

As the half progressed Sophie Gallagher entered the pitch and boosted the Motherwell attack.

With just over ten minutes to play, the sub helped put the ‘Well 6-0 up as she and Hare produced great link-up play to allow Hare to dribble to the byline and put a pass into the box. Her cross met the foot of a Saints defender, Rihanna Tweedie who put it into her own net.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Motherwell continued to push on to add more goals to their tally but the match would end 6-0, a clinical first half performance ensuring the three points would stay in Lanarkshire.

The victory for Motherwell sees them retain top spot in the SWPL 2. Next up for the ladies is Aberdeen at home on Sunday, 29 April.

Andrew Scott at Petershill Park

Motherwell showed their fighting spirit on Sunday as they came back from 2-0 down to win 6-2 against Glasgow Girls at Petershill Park in Glasgow.

It’s a result that sees the Steelwomen shoot to the top of the SWPL2 table, after a recent break from competitive action.

The women of steel found themselves 2-0 down after half an hour thanks to goals from Lauren Evans and Rachel Halliday.

Evans put the hosts ahead after converting a one on one against Claire Johnstone in the Motherwell goal. Things would then go from bad to worse for the girls in claret and amber, when Halliday doubled Glasgow’s lead by finishing off a long ball into the box.

The month-long break was evident in the Motherwell side due to the uncharacteristically poor start to the game, but captain Suzanne Mulvey’s goal sprung the ‘Well back into life and kick started the comeback.

The equalising goal would come from Hayley Cunningham, who proved herself to be a dead ball specialist after hitting a rocket into the top right corner from just outside the box.

The sides would go into the break level pegging after an end to end first half, but the second half showcased what the Motherwell side were really capable of.

After a physical first ten minutes, Motherwell were ahead for the first time of the match. Caitlin Russell found space on the left-hand side of the pitch and drilled her shot low and hard into the net.

Following the goal, it was Glasgow Girls who seemed the more dangerous side with numerous chances, but it would be the Steelwomen who would strike a fatal blow to their chances of getting something from the game.

Motherwell would strike twice in a matter of minutes. Firstly, Kirsty McLaughlin found herself in space and lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the net. And then Cunningham added another to her tally for the day from a free kick from some way out, which struck a defender and spun into the net.

The hosts tried to fight their way back into it but ‘Well would add more misery to the hosts by striking their sixth and final goal just before full time. Sammy Hare was played in on goal and she calmly slotted home to round off a superb second half performance from Motherwell.

Victory for ‘Well sends them top of SWPL2, next up for the ladies is St Johnstone at home on Sunday, 22 April.

Motherwell Ladies assistant boss Donald Jennow will take the managerial reins when the women of steel return to action against Glasgow Girls at Petershill Park on Sunday.

Manager Eddie Wolecki Black jetted out to America on Saturday for pioneering treatment that he hopes will help aid his recovery from the near-fatal stroke he suffered in March 2016 and as a result will be absent from the dugout.

In his absence, Wolecki Black’s trusted assistant and close friend, Jennow is aiming to help the ladies continue their strong start to the season and he expressed his support for the ‘Well boss.

“Eddie is one of my best mates, I’ve known him a long, long time now,” he said.

“If this treatment can help him at all I’ll be over the moon, but not nearly as much as his family will be – there are bigger things in football at times and this absolutely is one of them – I wish him all the luck in the world with his treatment.

“In a footballing sense, we’ve worked together for a long time, we have similar ideas and know what we want from this team. We speak on a daily basis in terms of what is the best way to approach certain games and how we get the best out of our team.

“I’ve stepped up and taken up before for Eddie in particular on a number of occasions, at Glasgow City when he was doing his pro licence and also when we worked at Airdrie where I stepped in to cover in his immediate absence, so we have no concerns.”

Sunday’s clash with Glasgow Girls ends a four week break from competitive action for the ladies, who currently occupy second spot in SWPL2, having won their last two league encounters.

The coaching staff have used the time off to fit in extra training sessions and also managed a friendly victory over Stirling University last Sunday.

As well as the hard work on the pitch, there has been a magnificent sponsorship drive off it – with every member of the ladies squad now being backed by a sponsor.

“Obviously footballers want to play games more than anything else, so the main challenge has been keeping them motivated,” Jennow added.

“What we had to do is make use of the time we had, fitting in double sessions where we could and taking advantage of the great sponsorship opportunities that we’ve been given off the pitch – we’re now all delighted to get back to playing games.

“It’s important we go into the upcoming games with the same attitude and work rate as we have shown in the early games of the season and not allow for our momentum to be broken.

“We managed to get a friendly game in last week which will have done us a world of good, so the hope is very much that we start against Glasgow properly.”

Eddie Wolecki Black has urged his Motherwell Ladies squad to go all out to impress during their four-week break without a competitive fixture.

Following the postponement of last Sunday’s fixture with Aberdeen, Wolecki Black’s side will have had to endure a 28-day absence from action before they return to league action against Glasgow Girls on 15 April.

There has been no let up on the training field for the ladies though, with extra training and gym sessions keeping up fitness levels during the lengthy spell without a game. And the ‘Well boss has been pleased with the dedication and effort from some of his squad.

“The girls deserve all the support they get,” Wolecki Black said. “Currently at the club there is fantastic work going on in obtaining sponsorship for the ladies team.

“I see what they all give. We’ve got four players that are mothers, they have to juggle domestic life, with football and their careers, some of their dedication is magnificent.

“Over the next few weeks it is vital that everyone continues to attend training and prepare to develop as players.”

Motherwell currently sit second in the SWPL2 table having won two of their first three league fixtures. It could have been three wins from three, had it not been for an administrative error meaning the 2-1 opening day victory over Kilmarnock was reversed to a 3-0 defeat.

It was a big disappointment for the players and staff to have to endure early on in the season, but they have set their focus on using it as a catalyst to help drive them forward for the rest of the campaign.

“We weren’t beaten on the pitch, we were beaten off it,” added the manager. “Throughout the situation I got great support from the club and Alan Burrows, which was a massive help to me and my staff.

“After that we had to pick up the morale of the team and we did exactly that with a great win against Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale and then a strong performance against Rangers in the cup.

“We’ve made things a little bit harder for ourselves but we are more than capable of making up for it.

“I think we have the basis of the squad there to compete for the title, we may have to add one or two along the way and I’m confident we’ll do that to help us out. Points will be dropped elsewhere, we just have to make sure we don’t drop any more.”

Motherwell’s women’s team have had a strong start to their SWPL2 season and you can now support the team by sponsoring your favourite player.

For just £175, you can sponsor the home shirt of your chosen player for the 2018 campaign.

This opportunity is perfect for both businesses and individuals, or as a special gift for the Motherwell fan in your life.

Included in the sponsorship package is:

– Your name next to your chosen player on their player profile on the Motherwell official website

– A thank you from your sponsored player on social media or from the team account

– A signed photograph of your sponsored player

– An invitation to attend the team’s awards night at the end of the season at Fir Park

– Your player’s signed shirt at the end of the season

– A 10% discount on all full hospitality packages at Motherwell, excluding Celtic and Rangers matches

You can buy online or you can call Graham Carbis on 01698 338006, or email graham.carbis@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell battled back from behind last weekend to defeat Central Girls 3-1, making it two wins from two at Braidhurst so far this season.

Now both coach Eddie Wolecki Black and defender Ashley Nicholson are keen to make it three wins on the spin when Aberdeen make the long journey to Lanarkshire on Sunday.

“The players have got confidence from playing at Braidhurst now and winning results will always breed confidence,” said Black. “We are all really looking forward to Sunday.”

Nicholson added: “We’ve settled into playing at Braidhurst well and that’s really important. Winning our home games will be vital this season.”

Following last weekend’s win, Black maintained there was room for improvement in terms of performance and the former Glasgow City gaffer has warned that spells danger for ‘Well’s league rivals.

“We all agree we can play better than we have so far and that’s ominous for the other teams in the league, as when it does click then I think someone is going to be left with a bloody nose,” he added.

“Aberdeen were touted as definite title contenders, we have to use this game as a gauge of how far we have done and perhaps how far we have to go.”

Niamh Johnston meanwhile says there is a real buzz amongst the ‘Well squad right now, following an impressive start to their league campaign in which they have netted 11 times in their last two fixtures.

“We have been really successful in our first two home games, at the start of every week we analyse and reflect on our performances, then kick on from there,” she said.

“We’ve got such big ambitions within the squad and while we take everything one game at a time, looking into the horizon we are looking to reach new heights at Motherwell.”

Eddie Wolecki Black praised his team’s battling qualities after Motherwell Ladies recorded their second successive home win with a 3-1 win over Central Girls.

Despite continuing their strong early season form, the ‘Well boss said he didn’t feel his side quite match the standards they have set in their early season performances.

“We said we wanted to make our home venue a tough place to come for anybody and we’ve backed up the win in our opening game here with another winning performance today,” Black said.

“There’s one thing about us, we’re competitive there’s no doubt about that. If teams want to have a physical battle with us we are more than capable of matching that as we showed against Central.

“That’s not to say that they were physical, I just believe we are more than capable of standing up for ourselves.”

Motherwell battled back after conceding an early goal to take a 2-1 lead into half-time courtesy of Hayley Cunningham’s penalty and Kerry Montgomery’s superb curling effort.

They would secure victory with 10 minutes remaining when Suzanne Mulvey turned home Sophie Gallagher’s lay-off.

“We were more pleased with the second half because we put the game to bed and saw the game out,” Black added. “It was a big victory as I don’t think we were at our best.”

Eddie Wolecki Black’s Motherwell Ladies side showed their fighting spirit as they recovered from an early setback to defeat Central Girls 3-1 at the Braidhurst Campus.

The women of steel found themselves a goal behind after Niamh Johnston headed into her own net from a dangerous corner after just nine minutes. But a stirring comeback saw ‘Well battle back into the game.

A two-week break from competitive action – and disrupted training schedule due to the severe weather – was evident as Motherwell were uncharacteristically slow out of the blocks. The visitors thoroughly deserved to make the breakthrough after controlling much of the early proceedings.

The goal seemed to be the wake-up call the home side needed though and Suzanne Mulvey’s shot on the turn spun wide of the target, before the hosts were offered the perfect opportunity to restore parity. Sammy Hare was bundled over just inside the box and Hayley Cunningham made no mistake from the spot.

Seven minutes later and ‘Well were ahead in wonderful fashion. The move began with Kerry Montgomery picking up possession inside her own half and driving forward before laying the ball to Mulvey.

She superbly picked out the Northern Irish international who had continued her run, before lashing the ball beyond Sarah Alexandrina King in the Central goal.

It was a goal of real class from Motherwell who were beginning to control the game. However they suffered a major let-off before the break when Ellie Kane’s brilliant effort was tipped on to the bar by Clare Johnstone and, with the goal at her mercy, Abbie Callaghan was unable to turn home the rebound.

The second half was a much more physical affair, with neither team really creating a great deal in front of goal. But it would be the home side who would secure all three points with 10 minutes remaining.

After the Central defence failed to clear their lines, Mulvey turned home from Sophie Gallagher’s lay off.

Victory for ‘Well means they move up to second in SWPL2, with another home fixture to look forward to next Sunday when Aberdeen visit Braidhurst.

Motherwell suffered SWPL Cup heartache as Rangers scored eight minutes from time to claim a 1-0 victory at New Tinto Park.

Eddie Wolecki Black’s side more than held their own in a fiercely contested affair, that saw the hosts reduced to ten when Chelsie Watson was shown a red card for bundling over Suzanne Mulvey as the striker raced clear on goal.

‘Well made a bright start and could have been ahead in the opening minute. Sophie Gallagher forced Rangers keeper Khym Ramsay into an excellent low stop.

The hosts grew into the game after a quiet start, however chances were at a premium, with the ‘Well defence coping brilliantly throughout periods of sustained pressure.

Three minutes before the break there was controversy when Carla Boyce hit the deck inside the box. Instead of awarding a penalty the referee adjudged the striker to have taken a dive and showed her a yellow card.

The second half began with two half chances for Mulvey, before Lauren Davidson sent a shot sailing over the bar as Rangers began to threaten.

Both sides were showing they were more than happy to get stuck in and there were bookings for Emma Black and Kerry Montgomery as the game became increasingly scrappy.

Boyce brought out a good save from Johnstone with 19 minutes remaining and a magnificent sliding challenge from Stephanie Knox denied Hannah Coakley an excellent scoring opportunity.

With very little to separate the two sides, extra time was looking increasingly likely, but it was the home side who would strike late to clinch the game.

With Motherwell temporarily down to 10 due to a knock to Montgomery, Rangers seized on their numerical advantage. A quickly taken short corner caught the ‘Well defence off guard and Chantelle Brown’s low drive evaded all in the penalty box and found the far corner.

Mulvey tested Ramsay as Black’s side tried desperately to find a way back into the game. And with two minutes remaining it looked like the striker was just about to do so before being cynically pulled to the ground on the edge of the box, resulting in a red card for a Rangers defender.

From the free kick, Cunningham was denied by an excellent save from Ramsay and the resulting corner was scrambled clear.

The late defeat was harsh on Motherwell who had performed superbly against their opponents from the league above. Their attentions will now turn to league matters, with their next fixture taking place after the international break,  a home fixture against Central Girls on March 11.

| @edblack65, @share000 and @lesleyjc4 preview this Sunday’s SWPL Cup tie with Rangers.

Kick off at New Tinto Park in Govan is at 2pm. pic.twitter.com/GJRObCFN5t

— Motherwell LFC (@MotherwellLFC) February 23, 2018

Motherwell’s women’s team continue the start to the new season with a trip to face Rangers in the SWPL Cup on Sunday.

Eddie Wolecki Black’s side are looking to build on last week’s emphatic 8-0 victory over Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale in the league by aiming to take a top flight scalp.

Kick off at New Tinto Park in Govan is at 2pm.