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Motherwell faced an unfortunate reality check in their maiden matchday in the top-six of the Scottish Women’s Premier League, after being overcome by the attacking pressure of title-chasers Rangers, and forced to concede defeat at K-Park. 

“Last weekend was a reality check for the full squad,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie said.

“We understood the magnitude of the task ahead of us when we achieved our place in the top-six. Facing full-time sides on a weekly basis requires a strong mentality, especially when the other five-sides are all battling for the league title.

“We have demonstrated the capabilities within the squad against the strongest sides in the league, but the opening game against Rangers clearly fell below the standards we set collectively as a group.

“We couldn’t establish our rhythm in the game, and in those moments; teams like Rangers can pick you apart with the attacking quality at their disposal. We have to learn from it, we can’t just sit and reflect on the result, we are working hard on the training pitch to prepare for the fixtures ahead.”

After comfortably securing their top-six place and status as the best part-time team in the country, the squad have sought to surpass their initial end of season objectives, by setting additional goals.

“We’ve set additional target for the squad to achieve,” Brownlie added.

“We’ll keep these internally, but after reaching our season-long objectives of a place in the top-six and the Scottish Cup Semi-Final, we wanted to continue to build upon that motivation from the squad, and continually push their limits.

“We have a really honest and committed group of players. Immediately after full-time against Rangers, they wanted to get straight back onto the training pitch to put things right.

“We have another nine-league games remaining, and we are treating each one as a final. That has to be the mentality and approach within the squad, especially as we build up to another competitive fixture against Hibs this weekend.”

Sunday’s visitors will be keen to swiftly rebuild their confidence after a rampant Rangers side drilled five past the Edinburgh-outfit in the Sky Sports League Cup Final at Fir Park last weekend. The league leaders will head to East Kilbride looking to maintain their two-point lead in the SWPL table, but Brownlie insists that the squad are capable of a momentous result.

“Hibs will be an incredibly tough test, but one we are ready for,” Brownlie explained.

“They are top of the league for a reason, and will be heading to K-Park with a point to prove after the defeat in the Sky Sports League Cup Final.

“We performed well in our previous meeting in Edinburgh. We looked sharper and unfortunate not to capitalise on spells of dominance in the game. Hibs were clinical when the chances fell their way, and ultimately that’s why they are top of the league.

“If we start on the front-foot and are clinical in the final-third, we can achieve a momentous result. We hope to see you all there supporting the team on.”

The Motherwell youth academy is expanding and we are recruiting coaching staff to join. 

Working closely with the highly experienced Motherwell coaching staff through regular in-service training, there will be opportunities to progress within the club.

We are looking for someone who can inspire and motivate players, has good communication skills, good knowledge of the game and has high standards.

The candidates must be reliable, ambitious, creative and be positive role models for the players. A minimum SFA C-License will be required.

If you are interested or would like further information, please contact paul.brownlie@motherwellfc.co.uk

Motherwell will return to action to face league leaders Hibernian in the second post-split fixture at K-Park on Sunday. 

Looking to redeem themselves following a frustrating opening top-six display against Rangers, the women of steel will return to league action this weekend, as they welcome league leaders Hibernian to East Kilbride.

The showdown in South Lanarkshire will be key for the squad, as they look to get off the mark in the top-six.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Paul Brownlie’s side will be firmly focused on redemption after a frustrating and thought-provoking defeat to Rangers just under a fortnight ago. The women of steel battled hard throughout the early stages, and were unfortunate not to receive a penalty-kick, as Louisa Boyes was aggressively brought down by the Rangers goalkeeper the penalty area, but Rangers attacking prowess soon shone through, as they coasted to a comfortable advantage.

The tests won’t come much easier for the women of steel, as they turn their attention to league leaders Hibernian this weekend.

Motherwell will have a strengthened line-up this weekend, as Rangers loanees Sophie Black and striker Eilidh Austin both return to contention after being ineligible in the last matchday to face against their parent club.

Hibernian

The visitors head to South Lanarkshire in fine form, sitting comfortably at the top of the SWPL table, two-points clear of nearest rivals Rangers in second. The Hibees will head to K-Park keen to rectify their performance after conceding the Sky Sports League Cup Final to Rangers last weekend.

Ticket Information 

Adult – £8

Concession – £3

Under-11s – FREE TO ENTER

Motherwell will face Glasgow City in the Semi Final of the Scottish Cup on Saturday 26 April following confirmation from the Scottish FA. 

The women of steel secured their place in the final-four after defeating SWPL2 side Boroughmuir Thistle in the previous round.

Paul brownlie’s side will face SWPL title-chasers Glasgow City in the penultimate matchday, with kick-off at 12.15PM.

Ticket information will be communicated to supporters in due course.

Motherwell’s long-awaited first matchday in the top six of the Scottish Women’s Premier League failed to live up to aspirations, as the women of steel were dismantled by title-chasers Rangers in East Kilbride last weekend. 

Motherwell battled relentlessly till the final whistle in their maiden top-six encounter, but the part-time side ultimately couldn’t sustain their defence against the rampant Rangers frontline, as the visitors secured a comfortable victory at K-Park. A Katie Wilkinson hat-trick, braces from Camille Lafaix and Kirsty Howat, with a single-goal from Rio hardy secured a harsh victory for Rangers.

Defender Chelsie Watson acknowledged the frustrations of their opening post-split match, but remained adamant that the squad are capable of competing with the best in the country.

“We let ourselves down in that game,” Watson acknowledged.

“We have earned our place in the top-six and our status as the best part-time team in the country, but we want to continue to progress. We don’t want to just accept just being in the top-six as our ceiling, and struggle through to the end of the season.

“Facing full-time teams will always be a tough daunting task, but we have previously proven our standards against Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Hibs and Glasgow City – achieving some huge results during that time. Playing these teams on a weekly basis within the top-six is where we want to be as a squad. We want to be competing with the best, and continually developing our performances on the pitch.

“We have earned the right to call ourselves a top-six team, but we have to now kick-on and be competitive in that environment. Ultimately, with four teams chasing the title, every point and goal can be the difference maker, so we understand that everyone will be on their finest game, but we have an opportunity to demonstrate what we’re capable of.”

It has already been a historic campaign for the women of steel, with Paul Brownlie’s side achieving their first-ever place in the top-six of the SWPL whilst returning to Hampden Park for the first-time since 2022, as the women of steel achieved another place in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final, but Watson remained adamant that the squad aren’t there to make up numbers.

“We have come a long way this season,” Watson explained.

“Earning a place in the top-six was an incredible achievement in itself, but to also have our day at Hampden Park next month is immensely special to the entirety of the squad. We’re not there just to enjoy the occasion though, we are there to ultimately compete within the top-six and reach our first major cup final since 2018.

“We can’t and we won’t just accept our position and look to just make up the numbers. We have to head into these final few months with the mentality that we can be the best, and take the game to each team that we face.

“We want the top-six to be a regular occurrence for the squad, and we need to be consistent to achieve this. To be consistent, you have to perform against the full-time teams and we want to showcase what we’re capable of when we return to face Hibs in over a weeks time.”

Motherwell will face another lengthy break before returning to domestic action against Hibernian on the 30 March, and Watson explained how the squad will utilise their additional time on the training pitch ahead of their next top-six tie in East Kilbride.

“Hibs will always be a difficult test,” Watson added.

“They have really built and cemented their status over the past few months, as genuine title and Sky Sports League Cup contenders, so we recognise the challenges we will face at K-Park. They are top of SWPL for a reason and will obviously be a difficult test, but we have players in the squad capable of causing them problems, and we are continuing to work as hard as we can on the training pitch to prepare and craft our gameplan accordingly.

“We will be ready for the game against Hibs, and we can’t wait to see you all in the stands supporting us throughout the full 90-minutes.”

The women of steel battled relentlessly till the end in their maiden top-six encounter, but ultimately couldn’t repel the rampant Rangers frontline, as the visitors secured a comfortable 0-8 victory at K-Park on Sunday. 

A Katie Wilkinson hat-trick, braces from Camille Lafaix and Kirsty Howat, with a single-goal from Rio hardy secured a harsh victory for Rangers.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie named three changes from the side that defeated Boroughmuir Thistle to confirm their place in the Semi-Final of the Scottish Cup last weekend. Goalkeeper Rebecca Cameron replaced Emily Mutch between the sticks, as Shannon Leishman and Lucy Barclay both earned their place in the starting XI. Captaining Gill Inglis and Sarah gibb remained available from the bench. Recent acquisition Brodie Greenwood also featured in her first matchday squad since signing on loan from Hearts, with the midfielder amongst the substitutes.

Rangers swiftly got off the mark, as Wilkinson’s drilled delivery across the face of goal ricocheted through the path of Cameron before nesting comfortably inti the back of the net. Motherwell were somehow denied a penalty-kick moments later, as Louisa Boyes defeated Jenna Fife in their race to the ball, with Fife clattering aimlessly through the midfielder deep within the Rangers penalty area, but the referee incredibly waived play-on; much to the understandable frustration of the Motherwell technical area.

Lizzie Arnot teed up LaFaix moments later, with the American midfielder smashing home an unstoppable strike. The 23-year-old completed her brace minutes later, converting Kathy Hill’s delivery. Howat soon lashed home a fourth moments before the break, leaving Motherwell with much to reflect on at half-time.

Wilkinson continued Rangers’ persistent goalscoring form five minutes after the restart, with Howat making it six shortly after. Wilksinon claimed her hat-trick and Rangers’ seventh in the final stages of the game, as Hardy made it eight in the final few minutes from the penalty spot.

Motherwell will return to action in a fortnight’s time when they face Hibernian at K-Park at the end of March.

A dedicated and loyal addition to the Motherwell backline, defender Katie Rice entered the 2024/25 campaign ready to mark her sixth consecutive season at the club by earning a place in the top-six of the Scottish Women’s Premier League. 

As the final pre-split fixture came to a close, the women of steel can firmly set their sights on the top-six when they welcome title-chasers Rangers to K-Park on Sunday. Rice acknowledged the effort to reach this milestone, but remained adamant that the squad aren’t there to make up numbers.

“We are in the top-six to compete,”Rice explained.

“We have earned the right to compete amongst the best by becoming highest performing part-time team in the country. Whilst we’re all incredibly proud to reach the top-six, the hard-work doesn’t suddenly stop.

“We want the top-six to be a regular occurrence for the squad, and we need to be consistent to achieve this. To be consistent, you have to perform against the full-time teams and we want to showcase what we’re capable of this weekend.

“Rangers will always be a difficult test, they have an incredibly talented squad who understand that every single point matters for them at this stage of the title race. We know what to expect, but ultimately we can only focus on ourselves and ensure we can carry out our gameplan effectively.”

Preparations swiftly resumed following last weekend’s Scottish Cup Quarter-Final victory over Boroughmuir Thistle, as the women of steel secured their place in the final-four at Hampden. Louisa Boyes broke the deadlock midway through the first-half before a Boroughmuir Thistle own-goal doubled Motherwell’s advantage moments later. Captain Gill Inglis sealed victory shortly before the half-time break, as the experienced defender curled home a magnificent right-footed effort into the top-left corner.

“We certainly celebrated the night of the game,” Rice added.

“It was a massive moment for the squad to get back to Hampden for the first-time since 2022, so we made sure to celebrate after the game, but once Monday came around; we were straight back into our preparations for the game this weekend.

“Training has been really positive this week. We’ve had the girls, who represented Scotland under-17s back involved, and there has been a really friendly atmosphere amongst the squad. There is a real bond between the players in the dressing room, we all want to support each other to drive our standards and performances forward, and we will be ready to start our top-six fixtures this weekend.

A familiar face will line-up against the women of steel this weekend, as striker Laura Berry returns to K-Park for the first-time since departing Motherwell to return to her parent club in January, after countless impressive display in a Motherwell jersey; netting 11-goals in 11-appearances. Rice is relishing the opportunity against her former teammate.

“It will be great to face off against Laura,” Rice joked.

“Laura was an exceptional player throughout the season, and an absolutely pivotal part in achieving a top-six finish, but we’re on either side of the pitch now. Once we hear the first-whistle, we’ll be looking to capitalise on our knowledge of her style of play and will try to nullify her game as best as we can.

“It’s going to be incredibly tough to cope with the immense talent at their disposal, but we’ve prepared in the correct manner, are feeling positive heading into this weekend, and are ready to make K-Park a difficult venue for teams to visit.

The K-Park faithful have backed the women of steel both home and away this season, leading the squad to the top-six and a place in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final, and Rice hopes their following can guide Motherwell to a successful post-split campaign.

“The support we’ve received this season has been excellent,” Rice said.

“The crowds at K-Park have continued to grow season upon season, and with our position in the top-six and our Scottish cup run, we’re really keen to hopefully see these attendances grow. We’re really excited by the challenges at this stage of the season, and we hope to see you all supporting us through each game.

“I can’t wait to see you all backing us from the first whistle to the last this Sunday.

A stalwart of the Motherwell midfield, Lucy Ronald quickly established her place at the core of the squad after signing permanently from Glasgow Women in 2022, earning the women’s player of the year award in her maiden season, but the then 21-year-old soon had to face a cup heartbreak. 

The National Stadium beckoned, as the women of steel prepared to face Rangers in a highly-anticipated Scottish Cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park, but less than a fortnight until the meeting in Glasgow; Ronald’s sixteen-month spell on the sidelines with an ACL-injury began. Over two-years on, the women of steel have the opportunity to return to Hampden Park for only the second time in the club’s history when they face Boroughmuir Thistle at Meadowbank on Sunday. Ronald remains focused on making up for lost time.

“Missing out on the Scottish Cup Semi-Final at Hampden was heartbreaking,” Ronald explained.

“It’s been my biggest dream since I was young to play at the National stadium, so to miss out by a week when we had a massive double-header, playing one of our first games to be held at Fir Park only the week before the game at Hampden was a tough pill for me to swallow.

“The injury was incredibly sudden, so to head to Hampden two-weeks later, I was filled with so many mixed-emotions. I was so proud to watch the squad on the pitch, but at the same time, I was absolutely heartbroken to be watching from the stands because I knew that the opportunity to play at Hampden had been taken from me.

“However, I’ve used it as motivation through my rehab. I wanted to get myself back to performing at the same level with the belief that I could potentially have that opportunity again, but at the same time I’m remaining level-headed and taking every moment as it comes.”

Two-years on and Motherwell are on the road to Scottish Cup glory, cruising to a formidable 7-0 victory over Rossvale in their opening cup fixture before defeating Bonnyrigg Rose by six-goals to nil at K-Park. The women of steel will face SWPL2 promotion-chasers Boroughmuir Thistle at the Quarter-Final stage in the Scottish capital on Sunday, and Ronald is relishing the opportunity.

“Sunday’s game means a lot to me,” Ronald added.

“These occasions are what we live for as footballers, and ultimately you never know how many opportunities you’re going to have to play at these special venues in your career. Football is incredible sometimes though, because we have that opportunity to earn a place at Hampden again, and I am determined to do everything I can to support the team to another Scottish Cup Semi-Final.

“Boroughmuir Thistle will be an incredibly tough test. They are well-organised, performing to a high-standard in SWPL2, and will be fully motivated to cause a cup upset.

“They have a very strong side with a lot of experienced players, so we understand the challenge ahead won’t be an easy one. The squad consists of players that have played at the highest level for a number of years, so despite the difference in league position; they’re certainly not to be underestimated. We will be prepared for what’s to come and will be expecting a challenging contest.”

The women of steel have remained resolute since confirming their top-six SWPL status, with intense preparations continuing, as the squad prepare for Sunday’s Scottish Cup showdown.

“Preparations have been good,” Ronald said.

“Collectively as players, we know what’s at stake for ourselves and the football club. It’s a massive opportunity and a privilege to play at Hampden Park and we are all focused on securing our place at the Semi-Final stage. As a team and as a staff group, the expectations are always set at a high level, our standards and approach remain consistent whether in training or on a matchday. We have approached this week in the correct manner, and will be looking to replicate our performances on the training pitch this Sunday.

“Of course it’s an exciting prospect, as we’ve had a really good season so far. Securing the first top-six finish in the club’s history was a huge achievement, and we are determined ton continue that form into the cup competition. We are taking every game as it comes, preparing with the right mindset, as we know that Sunday will be a massive test for us.”