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With the battle for the final spot in the top-six going down to the wire, Motherwell’s permutations were simple. They had to beat fellow top-six contenders Hibernian and hope Aberdeen beat Dundee. 

In blustery conditions, the first-half had very few chances due to both sides struggling to control the ball due to wind.

In the second-half, Theo Bair thought he had opened the scoring but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside, to which VAR confirmed. Hibernian took the lead from the penalty spot and with Dundee drawing 0-0, put themselves in the top-six.

Stuart Kettlewell threw the kitchen sink at the Leith side, with strikers Mark Ferrie, Oli Shaw and Moses Ebiye all coming on to create a 4-2-4 formation.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Shane Blaney rifled home a magnificent volley to remove Hibernian’s top six status and gave the Steelmen a glimmer of hope. But with only seconds remaining, time was running out.

From the kick off, a long ball forward seen Motherwell go through on goal in a four v one scenario, Ebiye crossed into Shaw who could only poke wide from close ranges, causing a dramatic ending to a weather tarnished match.

The draw meant both sides missed out on top-six and the focus shifts to the remaining five fixtures.

A special night under the Fir Park lights saw the women of steel coast past Dundee United to extend their unbeaten run to four games and continue their momentum in closing down nearest league rivals Aberdeen.

Morgan Cross broke the deadlock shortly after half-time, latching onto Bailley Collins’ pinpoint through ball. The visitors levelled in the latter stages of the game, but the women of steel’s never say die attitude showed, with Laura Berry finding the target less than two-minutes later.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made one change to the starting XI from the side that overcame rivals Aberdeen over a fortnight ago. Murron Cunningham made way to settle for a place on the bench, with Kayla Jardine returning to the starting line-up.

The hosts were poised to continue their exceptional run of form when they took to the Fir Park turf in a pivotal encounter with the Tangerines after cruising into the post-split with three successive victories over Hamilton, Spartans and nearest rivals Aberdeen.

Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, controlling the majority of possession and finding space in-behind the United backline. The hosts earliest opportunity fell to Brooke Nunn, as Katie Rice’s whipped delivery from the right floated into the Hibernian loanees path, but the pacey winger couldn’t divert her headed effort past Lisa Rodgers in the United goal.

Motherwell continue to threaten the United penalty area, with Berry’s whipped delivery across the face of goal finding the unmarked run of Louisa Boyes, but the midfielder couldn’t find a clean connection on the ball, and the chance fell wide of the target.

Berry continued to be a focal point for the women of steel in the final third, with the youngster driving across the edge of the box before drilling an ambitious strike, but the forwards effort flashed across goal before eventually curling agonisingly wide of the bottom-left corner.

Despite having numerous goalscoring opportunities, the hosts couldn’t find the breakthrough as the half-time whistle blew.

Nevertheless, the squad rallied in the opening few minutes of the second-half and almost instantly found the opener. Substitute Bailley Collins made an instant impact from the bench, working her way through several lacklustre challenges before teeing up Morgan Cross, who coolly converted from a few yards out.

Motherwell looked to be firmly in the ascendency as the  final stages of the game emerged, but against the run of play, United netted an equaliser, with Georgie Robb capitalising on a defensive mix-up at the back before slotting an accurate effort beyond Emily Mutch in the Motherwell goal.

Nevertheless, the women of steel stuck to their game plan and almost instantly restored their advantage. Collins again the provider, clipping a precise delivery to the edge of the 18-yard-box, and Berry calmy worked her way past Rodgers before placing her strike into the empty net.

Motherwell held out in the final few minutes to record their fourth straight SWPL victory and their second successive victory at Fir Park.

A night under the Fir Park lights will await the women of steel this weekend, with Motherwell returning to ML1 for the third successive season after previously facing Hamilton and Glasgow Women in the previous two SWPL campaigns.

The hosts will be poised to continue their exceptional run of form when they take to the Fir Park turf in a pivotal encounter with Dundee United after coasting into the post-split with three successive victories over Hamilton, Spartans and nearest rivals Aberdeen. Midfielder Sarah Gibb is relishing the opportunity in North Lanarkshire.

“We are all absolutely buzzing to be playing at Fir Park,” Gibb emphasised.

“As a squad, we want to be playing on the biggest stages and to be given the opportunity, we are all just full of pride and excitement.

“The opportunity to play on a pitch of that quality, with a larger crowd in the stands, we are all really looking forward to what will be an incredible occasion.”

Despite the magnitude of the game on the remainder of Motherwell’s SWPL campaign, Gibb insists the weight of the occasion won’t distract the squad from their preparations.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say our preparations change heading into this weekend,” Gibb noted.

“Every week, we train harder than ever and we always want to push each other to the standards we know we can hit. Of course, given the occasion every single player will want to play but as a squad the most important thing has to be sticking together.

“Ultimately, it isn’t just about the eleven that start the game, we all have to go through the occasion as a full squad like we have been doing these past few months.”

A resurgence in form has continued to apply pressure on nearest rivals Aberdeen, with the women of steel within touching distance to the top of the split after cutting the deficit to Aberdeen, with a comfortable three-goal victory over the Dons at K-Park a fortnight ago.

“We’ve definitely hit a good run of form and are starting to build that momentum,” Gibb explained.

“When looking at our results you can see that we are starting to earn the rewards from the performances we’ve put in, which we couldn’t consistently maintain at the start of the season.

“Sunday’s game is massive for us, we need to perform and stay on track if we want to hit the goals we have set for ourselves. We’re hopeful as a squad that as many fans can get out and support us as possible, as we all want to represent Motherwell and do the club and fans proud.”

Since trading Springburn for North Lanarkshire in the summer, Sarah Gibb has cemented herself as a central component at the core of the Motherwell midfield, with the 20-year-old fondly looking back at her first season in claret and amber.

“⁠I’ve loved coming in and working with the squad and the staff,” Gibbs said.

“We haven’t hit some of our expectations in terms of getting top six or reaching the latter stages of the cup competitions, but as a player, I’ve learned a lot from our experiences as a team.

“Since the turn of the year, we have hit a positive run of form, so currently the squad is in a good place and not only are we focused solely on finishing this season well, we are also looking to use the second half of the season to create an identity as a team and build on it for our next campaign.”

The women of steel’s forthcoming meeting with Dundee United at Fir Park will have free entry for all supporters. However, if you are able to, there will be buckets available for fans to place donations. All profits will go towards the girl’s academy.

“⁠I think on behalf of the team we would be so grateful for as many fans to turn up for us on Sunday, Gibb said.

“We want to be able to use the platform to show what we can do and encourage the fans to continue to watch us at K-Park.

“We’re all well aware of the standards we need to hit when we pull on the Motherwell jersey and we would love the fans to give us as much support as possible.”

The women of steel return to action after another fortnight break to the domestic calendar, with Motherwell determined to replicate the performance that coasted past nearest league rivals Aberdeen when they host Dundee United at Fir Park this afternoon.

Paul Brownlie’s side headed into the break in fine form, firing 11-goals past Spartans, Hamilton and Aberdeen in three back-to-back victories, conceding only once in that time.

Motherwell’s prolific spell in East Kilbride and on the road firmly placed the women of steel in the ascendency to preserve their SWPL status this season, with the hosts now 15-points clear of Dundee United and Hamilton in the relegation playoff position.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Motherwell return to ML1 for the first time since facing Glasgow Women in the latter stages of the 2022/23 SWPL campaign, placing four-past the visitors in an assured performance under the Fir Park lights.

The women of steel remain unbeaten in the post-split, with victory over Spartans in the last day of the regular season prompting an impressive run of form, with a confident performance over Spartans in the Capital preceding an assured Lanarkshire Derby victory in ML3.

Louisa Boyes continued her recent goalscoring pedigree, netting a second-half brace over Spartans before breaking the deadlock in the local derby with Hamilton. Morgan Cross, Amy Anderson, Bailley Collins and Jo Addie have also found the target throughout that spell.

Dundee United

The Tangerines have struggled to overcome a frustrating run of form, picking up no points since November in a spell of 14-straight defeats in all competitions.

Dundee United came close to ending their winless run of form in the City of Discovery against Spartans over a fortnight ago, but a late second-half response saw the Edinburgh side coasting to a 4-2 victory.

Ticket Information

This afternoon’s encounter will have FREE entry to all supporters. Fans will be situated in the John Hunter stand.

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from Fir Park at 4PM.

Motherwell’s heroic push for a late top six place came up short at the final hurdle.

Myziane Maolida’s second half penalty looked to be the decisive moment, as Hibs appeared to be firmly in the ascendency, with victory continuing their top-six fight if results favoured elsewhere.

However, ‘Well’s never say die attitude saw them strike late on for the second consecutive game.

Irishman Shane Blaney demonstrated his attacking capabilities, connecting beautifully on the half-volley, bulleting a magnificent right-footed strike into the top-left corner. Roared on by the Motherwell support, the hosts almost clinched another late victory from the jaws of defeat, but striker Oli Shaw couldn’t find a clean connection from Moses Ebiye’s low drilled delivery.

Motherwell bravely chased their dream of a top six finish to the final whistle, but this afternoon’s result confirms the Steelmen’s place for the remainder of the SPFL campaign.

Stephen O’Donnell and Lennon Miller who both came off the bench to spark the remarkable fightback at Dundee last week, kept their places in the starting line-up for this critical confrontation for the top-six.

Torrential rain and overcast skies pre-match gave way to the Lanarkshire sunshine ahead of kick-off and on a perfect pitch it looked ideal for such a critical game as both teams aimed to grab the last top six place.

However, the swirling wind made it difficult for both sets of players to maintain possession in what turned out to be a frustrating first half.

Things looked promising for the home side inside the opening 10 minutes. Firstly, Dan Casey nodded O’Donnell’s cross wide of goal before Jack Vale burst into the box and although his cut-back found Blair Spittal 15 yards from goal, his snap shot was blocked by Rocky Bushiri.

The response from Hibs was brief and after a quick exchange along the home penalty box, Elie Youan failed to test the keeper, curling his effort off target.

Midway through the half, Kelly produced the first save of the game. Martin Boyle set up former Fir Park full back Chris Cadden and his angle drive was tipped over the bar by the ‘Well number 1.

Facing the Davie Cooper stand and a bit more protection from the wind, the hosts made a positive start.

The Edinburgh side, in need of at least a point from the game, upped their urgency, with successive saves from Kelly denying them the lead.

The hosts earned a spot kick midway through the second-half after Blaney’s foot caught Will Fish at the edge of the box. Maolida calmy stepped up and rolled the ball into the right hand corner in front of 2,800 Hibs fans.

With 20 minutes remaining, and ‘Well needing all three points, Stuart Kettlewell made a triple substitution, bringing on Andy Halliday, Sam Nicholson and Ebiye Moses.

Eight minutes from time his cross found its way across the box to Cadden and only a brilliant block from Kelly kept his side’s hopes for another late fightback alive.

And with the game three minutes into additional time Motherwell produced an equaliser to stun the visitors.

With the ball bouncing about a packed box, Blaney unleashed a shot on the volley which thundered past Marshall.

There was just enough time for ‘Well to grab all three points when Moses crossed into the six yard box giving Oli Shaw a glimpse of glory but he scooped the ball beyond the post to leave the home side with only a solitary point.

Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the 1-1 draw with Hibernian.

• Late top-six push
• Coming up just short
• A new target set

Dylan Wells has agreed a two-year contract extension, which will see him remain at Fir Park until the summer of 2026. 

The young attacking midfielder made his first-team debut against Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Cup, before making his first league appearance as a second half substitute against Aberdeen.

“It’s great to see Dylan commit his future to the club,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“We have had to fend off some interest from some big clubs here but I think Dylan understands the path and the journey the first-team here at Motherwell.

“He’s had a taste of that first-team action and when you see the likes of Lennon Miller, Mark Ferrie and Luca Ross all involved this season and making progress, it gives that extra incentive for a young player to try and kick on.”

“I’m really pleased to sign this deal,” Wells added.

“I’ve came through the ranks here and getting a taste of first-team experience here this season, only makes me hungrier to get more time on the pitch.

“Getting the deal complete was the first stage, now I need to knuckle down and show everyone what I can do.”

Voting has now opened for this season’s player of the year. 

The six nominees are:

• Lennon Miller
• Paul McGinn
• Stephen O’Donnell
• Blair Spittal
• Georgie Gent
• Theo Bair

To have your say, vote online now.

Our end-of-season awards dinner will take place on Saturday 4 May at Dalziel Park Hotel.

A number of awards will be up for grabs on the night recognising top performers across the first team, women’s team and the academy.

Hosted by Tam Cowan, the night will consist of live entertainment, 3-course meal and will kick-off at 7pm with first-team players and coaching staff in attendance.

Individual places are available at £72 per person with tables available in multiples of 10 or 12.

To book, please call the events team on 01698 338 011 or online.

Dan Casey says he’s glad the team have some decent form at the right time in the season, as his team still have a chance of reaching the top-six. 

Despite Dundee’s match against Rangers being postponed, thus meaning a win still won’t confirm a top-six spot, Casey is adamant that it doesn’t change anything for the players and they will just remain focused on winning.

Celebrate the start of the school summer holidays with our School’s Out event at Fir Park.

Our ‘T in the Fir Park’ themed party returns for a second year and will feature live music from local singer/songwriter Tommy McGuire.

Date: 26th June 2024
Location: Centenary Suite, Fir Park Stadium
Time: Doors open at 13.30
Cost: £20pp includes burger and chips

To book: please phone 01698 338012 or email Amanda McKindless at amanda.mckindless@motherwellfc.co.uk