Motherwell boss Donald Jennow has issued a rallying call to fans to turn out to support the women’s team in their forthcoming SSE Scottish Women’s Cup semi-final.
After securing the SWPL 2 title, the women of steel booked the place in the last four with a battling 1-0 victory over St Johnstone on Sunday.
Jennow is delighted that the players are reaping the rewards of all their efforts and believes they deserve all the attention that will come with a Scottish Cup semi final, which will take place on 14 October at Forthbank Stadium against Spartans.
“From our perspective we went into the draw against a big three,” he said. “They are all SWPL 1 sides and all of them therefore would go into a tie against us as favourites.
“The excitement comes in it being a Scottish Cup semi-final, it was well earned courtesy of a very hard fought quarter-final.
“The more Motherwell fans we can get along there the better it will be for us. I know the reserves play a number of their games at Forthbank, so it’ll be a familiar ground for a number of ‘Well supporters.
“My big thing is it’s the same badge on that shirt, it’s your club and we’re a part of it and trying to do the club proud.
“If you can come along and give us a wee bit extra support then it would be more than appreciated.”
Having wrapped up the title early and standing just one game away from a prestigious final, the head coach has rightly heaped praise on the achievements of his squad over the course of a magnificent season so far.
“It’s a platform that the players deserve,” he said. “There’s a whole number of off-field issues that individuals have had to deal with this season
“Football can be a different world at times, but there is a life away from the game and there are a number who haven’t had their troubles to seek.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team of how they’ve handled and managed that, together with their dedication and commitment to playing for Motherwell.
“Those two things together make them deserving of a place in the semi-final and the attention that comes with that.”
Since taking over from Eddie Wolecki Black, Jennow has overseen two victories, a 9-0 win over Central Girls in the league, followed by the cup victory over St Johnstone.
Currently 16 points ahead in the table, the team now have their sights set on finishing their league campaign on a high.
Sunday will see the third visit to Aberdeen in as many months, the Dons will be reeling for a points deduction that almost certainly will see them relegated, but the ‘Well boss insists his team won’t drop their standards.
“The first league game was so important,” he added. “We spoke about momentum and how easy it can be to lose that despite having worked so hard over the course of the season, so to win so well against Central was very pleasing.
“We’re very keen to show the league the respect it deserves, we don’t want to end the season on a whimper and reduce the gap that we’ve worked incredibly hard to create.
“I was also told the other day that there’s potentially some records there to be broken, so as competitors that obviously holds motivation for us too.
“The plaudits always go to the players at the end of the day, they are the ones who win the games, score the goals and keep the clean sheets.
“Wounded animals can often be the most dangerous and we know we’ll have to be at our best to win at Aberdeen.”