| 5 | Dundee United | 29 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 41 |
| 6 | Hearts | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 3 | 39 |
| 7 | Motherwell | 30 | 11 | 5 | 14 | -14 | 38 |
| 8 | St Mirren | 30 | 10 | 5 | 15 | -12 | 35 |
| 9 | Ross County | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | -20 | 35 |
Striker Carla Boyce has joined Partick Thistle on a permanent basis.
The 25-year-old forward, who joined Motherwell in 2021, will immediately join Brian Graham’s side following two seasons in claret and amber.
We thank Carla for her efforts at Motherwell and wish her well for the future.
There were no fireworks on display for the women of steel to celebrate their first competitive match of 2024, as an exceptional first-half display was quickly undermined by three-quickfire second-half goals, leaving Motherwell to reflect on their swift Scottish Cup campaign at a frozen Petershill Park on Sunday.
Summer acquisition Morgan Cross secured successive penalty kicks on her first competitive start in claret and amber, netting one with Bailley Collins dispatching the second. Emma Lawton narrowed the deficit in the first-half, with a Demi Falconer double and a strike from Rachel Donaldson securing the hosts place in the next round of the Scottish Cup.
Head Coach, Paul Brownlie made two changes from the victory over Dundee Unite prior to the festive break, with Katie Rice and Morgan Cross both featuring in the starting XI, as Eve Donald merited a place on the bench following a lengthy injury spell.
With the intense pre-match fog clearing and the pitch still blanketed in frost, Motherwell started the contest firmly on the front-foot, with the hosts trading possession deep into their own half.
Motherwell skipper Gill Inglis worked her way into the Thistle penalty area, before curling a close-range effort from the left, forcing Megan Cunningham into a routine stop in the Thistle goal.
The breakthrough materialised soon after, with Katie Rice’s clever change of direction providing an opening for Cross to breakthrough into the box before being tripped a yard into the penalty area, leaving the referee no alternative but to award the spot kick. The Dunfermline-born striker stepped up and coolly placed her effort into the bottom-right corner.
Less than two-minutes later, the hosts levelled the tie, with Emma Lawton firing a low effort into the bottom-right corner.
The visitors persevered and had their second spot kick moments later. A hopeful long ball left Cross racing through on goal, beating Cunningham to the ball before being hauled down under a forceful challenge. Receiving treatment off of the pitch, penalty duties turned to Bailley Collins, with the youngster calmly restoring Motherwell’s advantage with a well-placed effort.
As the second-half resumed, Motherwell’s competitive first-half display was soon eroded, as Thistle netted from three successive set-pieces. Amy Bulloch’s whipped free-kick from the left floated invitingly towards the back post, with Falconer powering home a header low into the bottom-left corner.
Frustrated by what appeared to be an offside player interfering with play, Motherwell appealed to the referee profusely to overturn his decision, but the goal stood. Moments after the restart, Donaldson headed home from a pinpoint corner kick to compound the women of steel’s second-half frustrations.
Falconer netted a decisive fourth late into the second half to secure her sides place in the next round of the Scottish Cup, leaving Motherwell to reflect on a chaotic second-half that failed to reflect their comfortable first-half performance.
Goalkeeper Katie Andrews has joined Glasgow Women on loan until the end of the season.
The 19-year-old shot-stopper, who joined Motherwell in 2021, featured throughout the first half of the 2023/24 campaign for Gartcairn, but will now continue her development with fellow SWPL2 side Glasgow Women for the remainder of the season.
All the best in Glasgow, Katie.
Refreshed and rejuvenated following the festive break, the women of steel will return to competitive action this weekend, with Partick Thistle the hosts in a highly-anticipated Scottish Cup clash at Petershill Park.
Paul Brownlie’s side will be seeking to replicate the successes of the previous campaign, as Motherwell etched themselves into the history books by becoming the first women’s side to contest a domestic cup Semi-Final at the National Stadium.
The short journey to Springburn will be the first step on the road to Hampden, as Motherwell prepare to start the 2024 calendar on a high.
The Tale of the Tape
Motherwell
A positive display over Dundee United in the City of Discovery ensured the women of steel concluded 2023 on a high after securing three points in a closely-fought one-goal victory.
Last season’s successful Scottish Cup campaign will remain firmly in the memory – with successive victories over Gartcairn, Montrose and Glasgow Women propelling Motherwell to a maiden appearance at Hampden Park.
The four-week hiatus from competitive action provided the squad with ample opportunity to continue their promising development from persistent injury woes. Morgan Hay will be doubtful despite returning to full-contact training in the past week following successive injury spells. Eve Donald continued her progression towards a return to action and will be eligible for contention this weekend.
Partick Thistle
Brian Graham’s side racked up their fifth successive victory in the last meeting between the sides, with a first-half Imogen Longcake brace complimented with strikes from Rachel Donaldson and Demi Falconer in a prolific 4-2 victory.
However, two back-to-back defeats to Hearts and Glasgow City left the Jags heading into the New Year on a disappointing note, scoring once and conceding 10.
Ticket Information
Supporters can purchase tickets on matchday at the turnstiles, with cash & card payment both available for this fixture on the day.
How to follow the action
Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.
Making the switch to ML1 in the summer of 2021, then Rangers loanee Laura McCartney had the world at her feet after breaking into the Ibrox first-team and consistent appearances on the international stage, but a serious injury sidelined the midfielder throughout her spell in Lanarkshire.
Looking for consistency at the domestic level, McCartney signed on a season-long loan deal with ambitions of establishing her place at the core of the Motherwell midfield, but a major injury sustained prior to her debut in claret and amber left the youngster on the sidelines for over two-years.
“I was returning from an ACL injury at the time,” McCartney explained.
“After returning from such a long period on the sidelines, I was looking to get back to a regular playing and training regime and Motherwell seemed the perfect place to be able to do that.
“After suffering an ACL injury previously, I was really excited to move to Motherwell and get back to playing football. For that to be curtailed with another stint on the sidelines with a cartilage injury was disappointing.”
McCartney’s highly-anticipated move to Lanarkshire proved to be a challenging process, as the combination of historical and fresh injury concerns left McCartney to face an extensive and unpredictable spell on the sidelines.
“At first, it was difficult to give an exact time frame,” McCartney outlined.
“With it being a cartilage injury, I knew that I would ultimately be on the sidelines for another long spell. Having already been through that experience and come back from an ACL injury, it was obviously really difficult to take.”
Despite having not featured for Paul Brownlie’s side across the following two seasons, the Head Coaches faith in McCartney’s ability persisted, with the 21-year-old signing on a permanent basis ahead of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.
“It was really encouraging,” McCartney noted.
“At the time it was really important for me to be able to return to play but not in a rushed manner. Paul and the rest of the coaching staff as well as the team were great in being able to facilitate that for myself and eventually get me back onto the pitch.
“Ultimately, it is about working hard and having a positive impact on the game. When I’m given the opportunity, I always try to have an impact by working hard, sticking to the game plan and creating opportunities that will hopefully be capitalised on.”
After 855 days on the sidelines, McCartney returned to action against her former side in September, before re-introducing herself back to the K-Park faithful with an exceptional long-range strike in a prolific six-goal thriller over Dundee United.
“It was really special,” McCartney said.
“To see former teammates and staff that helped me through the process of getting back onto the pitch was great and to finally make a contribution to the team was a long time coming.
“Having not experienced that feeling for such a long time, you almost forget what it feels like. For that strike to hit the back of the net, it was a really special moment for me.”
The women of steel will return to competitive action next weekend, as the Scottish Cup returns to the domestic calendar, with Paul Brownlie’s side looking to replicate their successes of the previous season.
Motherwell etched themselves into the history books by becoming one of the first women’s sides to contest a domestic cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park after a comprehensive four-goal victory over Glasgow Women in the previous round.
Forced to watch from the sidelines, McCartney is motivated to reclaim the lost experience at the national stadium.
“The team did well last year to be able to make it to that stage of the competition,” McCartney explained.
“To be able to do it with the group of players that we have now, it would be special and ultimately it would be great to be able to have the opportunity to continue to compete for silverware.
“Having missed out on the opportunity last season, I’m focused and motivated to get back to that stage and experience playing at the national stadium.”
From leading the women of steel out onto the Fir Park turf to representing ML1 at Hampden Park in an historic Scottish Cup campaign, Motherwell skipper Gill Inglis has been an integral component to the development of the women’s game in claret and amber.
“It’s an honour to be captain of this club,” Inglis explained.
“It’s about leading the team, setting high standards both on and off the pitch, and communicating effectively with players and staff as I can be the link between them.
“Paul and Leanne often talk about creating high standards and driving each other on, and there’s an emphasis on the captain to ensure that those standards are met.
”With the women of steel narrowly missing out on a place in the top-six in the previous season, the summer transfer window provided an ideal opportunity to progress, with an influx and integration of promising developing talent with experienced professionals at the club. An opportunity for the captain to mentor and guide the latest acquisitions at the club.
“It’s important that new players are welcomed into the squad both on and off the pitch,” Inglis noted.“
Everyone has to start their career somewhere. At that stage in my career, the positive impact from the more experienced players was invaluable, so we’re fortunate that within the current squad, there’s a number of more experienced players who the younger ones can go to for advice and look up to.
“We have to get to know them as players, as individuals and they have to get to know their new teammates. A positive ethos builds trust amongst players who strive for a common goal.”
That positive ethos was a fundamental component in the women of steel’s exceptional Scottish Cup campaign, with Motherwell etching themselves into the history books by becoming the first women’s side to contest a domestic cup Semi-Final at the national stadium, Hampden Park. A moment that will live long in the memory.
“Leading the team out at Hampden was an experience I’ll never forget,” Inglis said.“
Hosting the latter stages of the tournament at Hampden is a step in the right direction for the women’s game and it provides the players a platform to perform.
“Getting back to that stage and earning the opportunity to play at the highest level is an ambition we collectively share as a squad.”
The women of steel have faced a turbulent run of form in the domestic calendar, with an early Sky Sports Cup exit to fellow SWPL side Montrose preceding a five-game winless run, as several positive performances were left unrewarded.
“That result was really disappointing for everyone at the club,” Inglis said.
“Going into the game, there was a good feeling about the squad, as we felt we had prepared well. We created numerous chances on the day, with a penalty saved, a shot cleared off the line and several shots off of the crossbar.
“On another day, it could have been a completely different result, but individually and collectively we’ve learned a lot from that game.”
Jo Addie netted her second goal of the season after latching onto Sarah Gibb’s floated delivery to ensure a vital victory over Dundee United in the City of Discovery last weekend, as Motherwell concluded 2023 on a positive display.
“Sunday’s victory over Dundee United was a massive result for us,” Inglis detailed.
“Dundee is a hard place to go, and I thought we managed the game effectively, especially in difficult conditions by showing a lot of character to secure a vital three points.
“It’s good to finish the year on a positive result and hopefully we can kick on from this in the second half of the season.”
The women of steel will return to competitive action in a fortnights time to face Partick Thistle at Petershill Park, with Paul Brownlie’s side looking to replicate their Scottish Cup successes of the previous season.
“The cup game against Thistle is another huge game for the club.”
“Our recent meetings in the last few years have usually been quite close, and entertaining games for the spectator. As a squad, we are motivated to go as far as we can in any competition that we play in.“
“There won’t be a huge break over the Christmas period anyway, so hopefully we can hit the ground running in January.”
We are looking to add coaches within our girls academy.
The ideal candidates would have prior coaching experience and are working at UEFA B license level.
All roles within the girl’s academy are voluntary positions.
If you are interested and require further details, please contact academy coordinator Calum Ross calum.ross@motherwellfc.co.uk
Motherwell headed into the new year on a positive note, as the women of steel cruised past Dundee United to end their six-game winless spell at a windswept Foundation Park on Sunday.
Jo Addie converted the only goal in a promising afternoon for Paul Brownlie’s side, with the defender latching onto Sarah Gibb’s pinpoint delivery for her second goal of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.
Head Coach, Paul Brownlie made two changes from the defeat to league leaders Rangers last weekend, with Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Carla Boyce returning to the starting XI, as summer acquisition Morgan Cross secured a place on the bench following a three-month spell on the sidelines.
Keen to replicate their dominant display over the Tangerines at K-Park in October, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, with the visitors attacking setup forcing United into trading possession deep into their own territory.
The breakthrough almost came in the opening few minutes. Addie pickpocketed her opponent on the right flank, before chipping a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, as Boyce connected at the back post, but the strikers attempt failed to trouble the United stopper.
Moments later, Gibb’s first corner kick of the afternoon, floated precisely into the centre of the six-yard box, with Chelsie Watson’s initial attempt ricocheting off of the crossbar before falling to the feet of Louisa Boyes, who was denied on the rebound.
Less than a minute later, Watson was again denied by the woodwork. The referee adjudged a handball at the edge of the penalty area following a Bailley Collins strike, and from the resulting free-kick, Watson’s curling right-footed attempt rattled the near post.
As the half-time whistle neared, and Motherwell’s attacking frustrations continued to mount, the breakthrough finally emerged.
Gibb’s threatening delivery from the left continued to cause the hosts problems, with Addie rising highest above the United backline, to prod home at the back post.
Forward Morgan Cross returned to competitive action in the second half, and immediately impressed with her quick turn of pace. The winger teed-up teammate Bailley Collins after a driving run on the right, but Collins’ drilled effort connected with the crossbar for the third time of the afternoon.
United tried to rally late on, but the women of steel stood resolute to record a vital result, that narrows the gap to the top-six, ahead of a three-week hiatus over the festive period. Brownlie’s side will return to action in the first week of January, with a short-trip to Petershill Park to face Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup.
Match Preview – Dundee United (A)
All roads lead to the City of Discovery this Sunday, as the women of steel prepare to descend upon Dundee, with a crucial encounter against Dundee United awaiting at Foundation Park.
Motherwell’s last domestic victory came against the Tangerines in October, with a Bailley Collins double and strikes from Jo Addie, Gill Inglis, Kayla Jardine and Laura McCartney sealing an exceptional 6-0 victory at K-Park – concluding a five-game winless run.
Seeking to replicate their successes in East Kilbride on the road, Paul Brownlie’s side will be prepared to conclude the 2023 calendar on a high.
The Tale of the Tape
Motherwell
A positive performance over league leaders Rangers last weekend failed to be accurately reflected in the scoreline, as the Glasgow outfit cruised to a comfortable five-goal cushion.
As the festive period, and a four-week break from domestic football approaches, victory on Sunday will be vital in establishing the squads ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.
Head Coach Paul Brownlie will continue to have additional options at his disposal, as the squad continue their promising development from persistent injury woes. Morgan Cross will be doubtful after returning to full-contact training in the past week, with Eve Donald also making progress towards a return to action. Morgan Hay will remain unavailable for a place in the matchday squad.
Dundee United
After narrowly staving off relegation from the SWPL, with a four-point advantage over local Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton in the playoff position last season, United sit precariously above the congested bottom-three in the table.
Sunday’s hosts have also endured a turbulent domestic spell, with one solitary victory over Spartans in their last six league fixtures, yielding the sides only points in the last two months.
Strikes from Rachel Todd and Maya Knight overtured an early Montrose opener last weekend, as United looked to have regained some optimism, but a quickfire double in the dying stages of the game ensured victory for the Gable Endies
Ticket Information
Supporters can purchase tickets online, with cash & card payments are also available for this fixture on matchday
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 women of steel’s positive return from the international break failed to materialise, as league leaders Rangers coasted to a commanding five-goal advantage at a rainswept K-Park on Sunday.
An early Libby Bance opener was soon strengthened with a quickfire Sarah Ewens double, as the visitors coasted to a comfortable three-goal cushion in the opening quarter of an hour.
Motherwell regrouped and started to find their rhythm in the game, limiting Rangers to few chances across the remainder of the first-half, with Rangers netting two late second-half goals to secure the three points in East Kilbride.
Head Coach, Paul Brownlie made four changes from the defeat to Partick Thistle prior to the International break, with Kaitlyn Canavan, Murron Cunningham and Sarah Gibb returning to the starting XI. Laura McCartney also secured a place in the midfield against her former side.
Rangers’ intense opening to the game forced the women of steel into trading possession deep into the own territory, and moments later, the visitors netted the opener. Mia McAulay’s driving run across the right flank allowed the winger to drill a low pass across the face of goal, with Chelsea Cornet’s initial effort denied by Emily Mutch, but Bance calmly followed up from two-yards out.
The league leaders doubled their advantage minutes later, with Lizzie Arnot deceptively escaping the high Motherwell backline, as Ewen’s prodded home the forward’s chipped through ball.
On the 15-minute mark, Rangers had three, as Ewen’s netted her second of the evening. The forward darted across the edge of the penalty area, latching onto Michelle Colson’s perfectly-weighted through ball and the experienced striker coolly dispatched a low strike off of the near post.
Despite a relentless opening period to the game, Motherwell started to find their rhythm and established a foothold in the game, but a decisive goal failed to materialise.
Despite numerous exceptional saves from Emily Mutch, the visitors netted two-late goals in the second half, with Jane Ross and Rio Hardy finding the target to extend their lead at the summit of the SWPL league table.
Motherwell will return to action next weekend, with the women of steel travelling to the City of Discovery to face Dundee United.
