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With a point gained on the road eight days ago, it was time for the first league match of the season at Fir Park. 

Hibernian made the journey down the M8 to North Lanarkshire, fresh off the back of an impressive Europa Conference League win against Luzern on Thursday night.

Dan Casey would go closest for the Steelmen in the first half, when his header came crashing off the bar just before half time.

Hibernian failed to register a shot on target until the 94th minute and Motherwell looked to make the most of it.

Arsenal loanee Mika Biereth came off the bench to make his debut and made his impact. He battled with Louis Stevenson before picking Conor Wilkinson, who opened the scoring on 66 minutes.

He continued to cause havoc upfront and doubled the ‘Well’s lead with five minutes to go.

Casey would be penalised for a handball in the area with seconds remaining as Hibernian got a consolation. There would be no comeback and Motherwell start the season with four points out of a possible six.

Due to high demand, St Mirren have ceased online sales for away supporters for Saturday’s Viaplay Cup match. 

With over 600 tickets sold already, we have sold over half of our initial allocation.

Physical tickets are now available to purchase from the ticket office at Fir Park.

You can also buy tickets online and collect from the ticket office.

Please note, signing section is N1.

Our Ticket Office is open from 9am until 5pm Monday to Thursday. The office will close at 4pm on Friday.

If you have purchased online prior to this alteration, there will be no change to your ticket. If you wish to attend the match but are unable to collect your ticket, please contact tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Bevis Mugabi has been named in the Uganda provisional squad. 

The Cranes take on Niger in their final 2023 AFCON qualification.

Uganda are three points behind second placed Tanzania going into this round of games. If Uganda win and Tanzania lose to Algeria, Uganda would move up to second in the standings and would ensure they qualify for the competition in Ivory Coast.

Mugabi last featured for his country back in June 2022.

Thursday 7 September

Niger v Uganda 

Grand Stade Marrakech in Morocco

The manager reflects on the first home win of the season.

• Limiting Hibernian’s chances
• Options in the forward areas
• Still striving to improve

The opening weekend optimism was soon diminished for the women of steel, as a first-half Bayley Hutchinson double was further added to by Hannah Stewart with the hosts cruising to a dominant three-goal advantage.

Motherwell salvaged two late goals, with Kaela McDonald-Nguah converting twice from the penalty spot, but their efforts went unrewarded, as Aberdeen picked up the first three points of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made three changes to the side that concluded their pre-season preparations with a resounding 7-0 victory over Fleetwood Town. Kaitlyn Canavan, Tara McGonigle and Morgan Hay had to settle for a place on the bench, with Sarah Gibb, Gill Inglis and McDonald-Nguah returning to the starting XI.

The excitement and anticipation of the league campaign failed to materialise in the opening exchanges. Both sides continued to trade possession throughout the opening 20-minutes, with opportunities on goal proving to be limited across both halves.

With the half time whistle looming, the hosts netted the opener. The Motherwell defence were sliced open with a quick counter attack, and Hutchinson raced through on goal, coolly placing her effort beyond the reach of Emily Mutch.

The Dons quickly doubled their advantage with seconds remaining in the first half, as Hutchinson again found her way through the Motherwell backline before securing her second of the afternoon.

The hosts soon had three not long after the hour mark, with Stewart picking out the far corner with a composed finish.

Motherwell flooded the opposition penalty area in search of a route back into the game, with a foul in the hosts box leaving the referee no alternative but to award the spot kick. McDonald-Nguah stepped up and drilled her strike down the centre of the goal to pull the women of steel back into the game.

The visitors continued to press and were awarded their second spot kick in the dying stages of the game. McDonald-Nguah stepped up again a coolly converted her third penalty in two successive matches.

Despite a flurry of late chances, Motherwell could not overcome the hosts early three-goal advantage and were consigned to defeat in the opening weekend of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

Brownlie’s side will return to action next weekend, with Spartans the visitors in our first home league match at K-Park.

Motherwell ran out 2-1 winners against Hibernian on Sunday afternoon, as the Steelmen picked up their first league win of the season. 

Goals from Conor Wilkinson and debutant Mika Biereth meant Motherwell came away with a relatively comfortable three points at home.

The first half was largely uneventful although ‘Well very nearly went in with a lead at the break.

Shortly after a lengthy VAR check for a potential penalty on Callum Slattery, Motherwell were heaping pressure on the Hibernian backline. Pape Souare had the ball at feet, he faked to cross before charging to the byline and drilling a ball into the area, Dan Casey connected but his header couldn’t beat the frame of the goal. A largely uneventful first half was complete, with the score 0-0.

Hibernian made two changes at the break in the hope of sparking the game into life. However, it would be Stuart Kettlewell’s substitution who would do just that. Making his first appearance for the club, 20-year-old Mika Biereth was subbed on for Theo Bair.

It didn’t take long for the Arsenal loanee to make his mark. On 66 minutes, Slattery played a curling ball up the right hand side of the pitch. Biereth gave chase, and looking second favourite behind Louis Stevenson. However, the striker battled with the full-back, stayed on his two feet as the Hibernian defender went to the ground, Biereth composed himself before picking out Wilkinson in the box who poked home for his first goal in the cinch Premiership.

On 85 minutes, Biereth was at it again. Lennon Miller picked up the ball and played a slicing pass forward where Biereth, again, looked second best to get there first. Will Fish looked to be in control before the Danish under 21 international outmuscled the defender, chopped twice and lashed into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

However, the game wasn’t over yet. Dan Casey was penalised for a handball after a VAR check in stoppage time. Adam Le Fondre stepped up and scored what would turn out to be a consolation goal but also Hibernian’s first shot on target, robbing Liam Kelly of a deserved clean sheet.

The opening weekend of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign awaits, with the women of steel facing a trip to the Granite city to face Aberdeen at Balmoral stadium.

Paul Brownlie’s side travel to the North-East following an intense pre-season campaign, with a 7-0 victory over English outfit Fleetwood Town concluding the squads preparations ahead of the upcoming season.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Motherwell will be looking to replicate the performance that ensured a commanding result on the Fylde coast last week. A range of players netted on that day, with Carla Boyce, Kaitlyn Canavan, Jo Addie, Kaela McDonald-Nguah, Tara McGonigle and a brace from former Aberdeen striker Bailley Collins securing a comprehensive victory.

The women of steel have maintained an impressive unbeaten record against the Dons, with Motherwell recording five successive victories. The pair last met on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign, as goals from Boyce, McDonald-Nguah & Lori Gardner sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory on that day.

Injuries have continued to hamper the squad, with Amy Anderson and Georgie Rafferty both unavailable for today’s season opener. Murron Cunningham and Laura McCartney have both returned to training in recent weeks but will not be available for a return to competitive action as of yet.

Lucy Ronald will also be unavailable, as she continues her return from a long-term injury.

Aberdeen

The hosts will be looking to improve upon their ninth-placed finish last season, which saw the side sit perilously above the playoffs, three points ahead of Hamilton in 11^th.

Aberdeen have been prolific in the summer transfer window with Laura Holden, Hannah Insch and Liverpool shot-stopper Faye Kirby joining the side. Changes have also emerged in the technical area with former Watford FC head coach Clinton Lancaster announced as the new AFC women’s manager last month.

The Dons wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw with Hamilton last weekend, as Bayley Hutchinson found an equaliser in the final few minutes.

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow this afternoon encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.

Bevis Mugabi speaks to the press prior to the match against Hibernian.

The Ugandan international picked up a long term injury last year and discussed the importance of staying fit and well this time round.

Mugabi also speaks about his hopes of an international call-up for Uganda, having recently spoken with the manager.

The manager reflects on last Saturday’s draw against Dundee and looks forward to the match against Hibernian.

Kettlewell discusses Hibernian playing in Europe and how that effects his preparations for the match.

He also touches on Joe Efford, Mika Biereth and our loan strategy this season.

Social care organisation and national charity, Blue Triangle will continue as our women’s official front of shirt sponsor until the conclusion of season 2023/24.

A social care organisation and national charity, Blue Triangle empowers people to thrive by providing trauma-informed support in shared accommodation services and in communities across Scotland. 70% of those entering Blue Triangle services move on to their own tenancy, helping to break the homelessness cycle.

“Blue Triangle is proud to continue its sponsorship of Motherwell FC Women’s team. As a social care organisation and a charity, we understand the importance of supporting and working with the local community”, acting CEO of Blue Triangle James Lloyd said.

“The Motherwell FC Women’s team is inspiring for the many young people who live in our services, and we look forward to bringing them to matches as the new season kicks off”, Lloyd added.

Breakthrough, Blue Triangle’s outreach service in North Lanarkshire, is based at Fir Park and works with those struggling with addiction, trauma, mental health and social isolation.

The Breakthrough team benefit greatly from being integrated with the community as the football club do so much for those most in need of support in North Lanarkshire and beyond. In the last year, Breakthrough have supported over 270 people in the community, with 66 of those attending SMART Recovery meetings.

The Breakthrough team’s work was recently featured in a film alongside new Motherwell signings Sarah Gibb and Laura McCartney.

Stuart Fortune of Breakthrough said: “Our professional, productive partnership with Motherwell FC & the Community Trust has been of great benefit to both us and the wider community.

“It has reduced the barriers people face in engaging with support and adds to the amazing work that the club already do within the community. Motherwell offer a variety in range of activities and additional supports for those in the community and this partnership has allowed those we support to get involved, make new connections and thrive.”

“It is important to us as a club, and a central part of this community, to support Blue Triangle and the fantastic outreach work that they carry out in North Lanarkshire.  I am delighted to be working with another local charity partner,” Commercial Director at Motherwell FC Suzanne Reid stated.