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Matchday four of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign awaits the women of steel this weekend, as they return home to K-Park for the first Lanarkshire Derby of the season. 

A frustrating, but confidence-building display over Rangers last weekend will have boosted the belief within the squad, as a refereeing mistake gifted Rangers a narrow 2-1 victory at Broadwood last Sunday.

Motherwell head back home this weekend, as they welcome Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton Academical to K-Park.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell came agonisingly close to completing a remarkable comeback against Rangers last weekend, after conceding a two-goal deficit. Carla Boyce pulled one back in the latter stages, but the women of steel couldn’t pull themselves level.

Motherwell will be without defender Jenna Penman, who remains unavailable after sustaining a shoulder injury in the opening matchday against Glasgow City, with teammate Shannon Leishman also unavailable after receiving a thigh-injury against Montrose. Rangers loanees Sophie Black and Lily Boyce will both return to action after being ineligible against their parent club.

Both sides will be desperate to get off the mark in the SWPL this season, with Motherwell and Hamilton remaining the only sides without a point this season.

Hamilton

Accies have endured a disappointing start to life back in the SWPL after lifting the SWPL2 title last year. Robert Watson’s side were defeated by Partick Thistle on the opening day before conceding five to title-chasers Celtic the following weekend. a two-nil defeat to Hearts at New Douglas Park followed, with Accies scoring once.

Ticket Information 

Tickets can be purchased through the matchday turnstiles at K-Park. Both cash and card payments are accepted.

• Adult – £10.
• Concession (Over-65s and Under-17s) – £5.
• Under-11 – FREE TO ENTER.

Additional Information – no pets allowed within K-Park.

Matchday Travel 

• Sunday 7^th August 2025, kick off 4pm. 
• The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park, Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ.
• First Glasgow service No.21 stops at Jura Slip Road, a 10 minute walk from the stadium. East Kilbride railway station is approx. 20 mins away on foot.
• Free on-site parking is available, with overflow parking signposted at the park entrance. Please follow the one-way system upon your exit.
• Selection of hot food, baking, confectionary and both hot and cold drinks available at the kiosk before and during the match.
• Follow our live matchday coverage on the Motherwell Women X (formerly Twitter) account.

We take a look at how our boys out on loan are getting on.

Matty Connelly

Matty Connelly made his first-team debut at Fir Park before joining Airdrie on loan for the season.

He made his debut in the Diamonds’ 2-0 defeat to Dunfermline, where the young keeper played the full 90 minutes. He also started and played the full game against Queen’s Park and Arbroath.

• Appearances: 3
• Clean Sheets: 0

Scott Williamson

Full-back Scott Williamson joined Cowdenbeath on loan for the season, as the club formed a new partnership with the Lowland League side.

He made his debut in a 5-1 defeat to Linlithgow Rose, coming on for the last 20 minutes off the bench. That short stint on the pitch earned him a start in his second match against Caledonian Braves, where his side won 2-1.

Williamson got his first assist in Cowdenbeath colours in his most recent outing against Tranent. The defender played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw.

• Appearances: 3
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 1

Ewan Wilson

Ewan Wilson joined Raith Rovers on loan until January at the end of August. The full-back was an unused substitute for Raith’s draw with Partick Thistle last Saturday.

• Appearances: 0
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 0

Olly Whyte

Motherwell and Stenhousemuir entered into a Cooperation Agreement also, which saw Olly Whyte head to Ochilview on loan.

Playing in the Lowland League last season with Cowdenbeath, Whyte has now made the step up to League One action, and has made an impressive start to proceedings.

Whyte made his debut in a 1-0 win over Cove Rangers in August, starting and playing 60 minutes. Stenhousemuir have played four games since, winning two and drawing two. Whyte has started every match so far.

• Appearances: 6
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 0

Nathan Lawson

Nathan Lawson is also on loan at Cowdenbeath. The forward made his debut against Clydebank, coming on with less than 10 minutes to play. He was a substitute in his second match against Broxburn.

After those to substitute appearances, he earned his first start against Linlithgow Rose, and played 55 minutes before coming off.

In the most recent game against Cumbernauld, he played the final 19 minutes.

• Appearances: 5
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 0

Picture credit: Thomas Gorman and Kristopher Dowell

Tawanda Maswanhise has experienced a lot during his 12 months in Scotland so far. A successful trial, two contract extensions, last-minute winners and some lows along the way. 

But alongside his successful and thriving Motherwell career comes the duty of representing his country. The Zimbabwean international is ready to go on his next international quest, and he shows what comes along with him on these trips around the world.

The winger also opens up about his Zimbabwean heritage, growing up through the Leicester Academy system, a sensible approach to football and future targets here in North Lanarkshire.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Motherwell FC Hall of Famer Bobby Graham. 

Born in Motherwell, his hugely exciting and successful career started with Liverpool, where he was guided under the late, great Billy Shankly.

Spending eight years at Liverpool and playing over 100 games for the Reds, Graham moved to Coventry City in 1972.

The following year he would return to his hometown to represent his beloved claret and amber.

Finishing as top goalscorer in his maiden season, his second campaign would see him build a formidable partnership with new signing Willie Pettigrew.

Across four seasons, he would play over 180 games for the Steelmen, scoring 48 times.A firm fan favourite and club legend, he was inducted into the MFC Hall of Fame in November 2022.

Graham passes away aged 80, and the thoughts of everyone at Motherwell Football Club are firmly with his family and friends at this sad time.

RIP, Bobby.

Below is the story of Bobby Graham’s career in full. He will always be remembered.

Although Bobby was born and brought up in Motherwell and supported the Steelmen as a kid, he would make his footballing name in the red of Bill Shankly’s Liverpool, joining the Anfield club from Motherwell Bridge Works aged 17.

Shankly had already made the trip to Lanarkshire to secure the signing of Ian St John from Motherwell just six months earlier for a then club-record fee.

Whilst St John was signed as a bona fide first-team starter, Graham, who was six years younger than his compatriot, spent several profitable years in the youth system before breaking into the Reds’ first-team in 1964 and made quite the impression.

He scored on his debut against KR Reykjavík, and then, 12 days later, netted a hat-trick in his first league outing against Aston Villa and followed that with a goal against Sheffield United the following week.

Bobby’s early time at Liverpool was somewhat unfortunate for him, as he found it difficult to dislodge the hugely successful strike partnership of St John and Roger Hunt as Shankly’s side became one of the best ever.

As the 1960s were coming to an end, he had forced his way into a regular starter position, but his ambitions were cut short courtesy of a cruel leg break at Anfield against Chelsea at the start of the 1970/71 season.

His eleven-year Liverpool career came to an end in March 1972 when he moved to Coventry City for £70,000. He stayed at Highfield Road for 18 months, playing 19 games and also being loaned out to Tranmere, where he linked up with Ian St John, who was coaching at Rovers.

So it was therefore little surprise when St John, upon his appointment as Motherwell manager, looked to Bobby to provide guidance up front, and it proved to be a very shrewd decision. Motherwell had to beat off the likes of Portsmouth, Peterborough & Luton Town, who were also vying for his signature, but the draw of coming back home and signing for his boyhood club was too much.

He finished his first full season as the club’s top scorer, but things would really click into gear when a certain young buck by the name of Willie Pettigrew arrived on the first-team scene, almost instantly forming a telepathic partnership with his new strike partner.

The youngster had spent most of the first half of the season on the bench under Willie McLean, but following a ‘play me or sell me’ ultimatum to the manager, the duo were put together for the first time against Ayr United.

Pettigrew, aided by Graham, netted four that day at Fir Park before Celtic came to Lanarkshire the following midweek. Pettigrew got one, Graham got two, and that was the start of a lethal four years together in claret and amber.

As a goalscorer, Graham was often considered second fiddle to Pettigrew in terms of goals, and whilst that is true, the diminutive forward still had a very impressive record. In 172 starts at Fir Park, he netted a total of 48 times and assisted countless others.

For ‘Well fans of a certain vintage, the mid- to late 1970s will be fondly remembered as an exciting, swashbuckling Motherwell side that could live with any team in the country. Sadly, despite the significant talent that was at the club at the time, a winner’s medal would prove elusive, although there were several near misses at the semi-final stages.

Bobby Graham was very much at the core of that. Quick and intelligent with a laser-guided passing ability, he’s the local lad who’s done good, not only in the bright lights of the English top-flight, but also back home at his beloved Fir Park. One of our own, he will be remembered as one of the best to ever grace the Fir Park turf.

Three of our Premiership matches have new dates or kick off times. 

Our Premiership match against Aberdeen will now kick off at 5:45pm on Saturday 27 September.

The match will be shown live on Premier Sports.

Our match against Celtic at Parkhead will now take place on Sunday 5 October, due to Celtic’s participation in the Europa League.

Kick off is 3pm.

Our match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the Premiership will now take place on Sunday 9 November, due to Aberdeen’s participation in the Europa Conference League.

Kick off is 3pm.

Tickets for our KDM Evolution Trophy match against Clyde are on sale now. 

You can purchase by clicking here.

The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 6 September at New Douglas Park.

We have four international players heading away on international duty this week, here’s where they are heading. 

Elijah Just

It’s friendly action for Elijah Just and New Zealand, as they face off against Australia in a double header. The Kiwis will be looking to add to their 13 wins over Australia in A international matches.

The first match takes place in Canberra, with the second game taking place in Aukland.

• Australia v New Zealand 
• Friday 5 September
• Kick Off 10:45am
• GIO Stadium, Canberra, Australia 

• New Zealand v Australia 
• Tuesday 9 September 
• Kick Off 8am
• Go Media Stadium, Aukland, New Zealand 

Tawanda Maswanhise

Tawanda Maswanhise is in World Cup qualifying action for Zimbabwe, as the Warriors look to make up some ground in their qualifying group.

Zimbabwe are currently bottom of Group C but are well in touch with qualification from the group. Just four points separate second place and Zimbabwe going into matchdays six and seven.

They face Benin first, before taking on Rwanda. Two wins could see Zimbabwe rise to potentially second in the group, and into a qualification spot.

Both Benin and Rwanda are on eight points, with Zimbabwe sitting bottom on four having drawn four of their six qualifying matches.

• Benin v Zimbabwe 
• Friday 5 September 
• 5pm Kick Off
• Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium, Côte d’Ivoire

• Zimbabwe v Rwanda 
• Tuesday 9 September 
• 2pm Kick Off
• Orlando Stadium, South Africa

Oscar Priestman

Having just arrived from Australia last week, Oscar Priestman is back on the road this week with Australia’s Under 23 squad.

The young Aussie’s play all three of their matches in China PR, as they look to qualify for the AFC Under 23 Asian Cup.

They take on Northern Mariana Islands first on Wednesday 3 September, before taking on Timor-Leste on Saturday 6 September.

Australia’s Under 23s round off their jam-packed schedule with their third and final match against China PR on Tuesday 9 September.

To qualify, Australia need to win the group, or be one of the four best runners-up.

• Australia v Northern Mariana Islands
• Wednesday 3 September 2025
• Kick-off 8:30am
• Xi’an Sports Training Centre, Xi’an, China PR

• Australia v Timor-Leste
• Saturday 6 September 2025
• Kick-off 8:30am
• Xi’an Sports Training Centre, Xi’an, China PR

• Australia v China PR
• Tuesday 9 September 2025
• Kick-off 12:35pm
• Xi’an International Football Centre, Xi’an, China PR

Kofi Balmer

Kofi Balmer was a late addition to the Northern Ireland squad, as they kick start their quest to reach the World Cup in 2026 later this week.

Balmer is looking to make his first appearance for the senior national side. They play two games on the road during this international window, taking on Luxembourg first on Thursday 4 September.

They then travel to take on European giants Germany on Sunday 7 September.

• Luxembourg v Northern Ireland 
• Thursday 4 September
• 7:45pm Kick Off
• Luxembourg Stadium, Luxembourg

• Germany v Northern Ireland
• Sunday 7 September 
• Kick Off 7:45pm.
• RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany

Tickets for our quarter-final clash with Aberdeen are now on sale. 

You can buy online by clicking here.

Please note that postage will only be on until Monday 15 September at 4pm.

Supporters Buses

We are also running a supporters bus to this match. This is priced at £25.

You can buy your seat online now.

It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for August. 

Tawanda Maswanhise, Elijah Just, Emmanuel Longelo and Lukas Fadinger are all up for nomination.

To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.

Games in September

• Motherwell 1-1 Rangers
• St Mirren 0-0 Motherwell 
• St Johnstone 0-1 Motherwell
• Hearts 3-3 Motherwell
• Motherwell 2-2 Kilmarnock

Stephen Welsh has joined on a season-long loan deal from Celtic. 

The 25-year-old makes the short trip from Parkhead to North Lanarkshire following a loan spell in Belgium last season. Welsh becomes our 12th signing of the summer window.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Stephen Welsh, our final addition of the summer transfer window,” Jens Berthel Askou said.

“Stephen joins us following a successful loan spell with Belgian top-flight side KV Mechelen, where he gained valuable experience at a very competitive level.

“Being comfortable and composed in possession, while also confident and reliable when defending big areas, Stephen possesses the traits we are looking for in a modern centre-back.

“Having featured regularly for Celtic’s first team, both in domestic competitions and on the European stage, Stephen adds quality, experience and even more competition to the squad.”

Welsh came through the academy at Celtic and progressed through the ranks at an impressive rate. He joined Greenock Morton on loan in 2019, where he built his initial first-team minutes. Initially a season-long loan deal, Welsh was recalled early from his time at Cappielow Park midway through the season.

Four weeks later, he made his Celtic first-team debut against Hamilton Accies in February 2020. From there, his experience in the first-team at Parkhead grew.

Welsh scored his first Celtic goal against Motherwell back in 2021. He has played 68 games for Celtic and was most recently on loan with Mechelen in the Belgian top-flight, where he featured 17 times from January 2025 until the end of the season.

The centre-back brings a wealth of experience, having played in the Belgian and Scottish top-flights, Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.

Welsh has also represented Scotland at various youth levels, most recently playing for the Under 21 side in 2022, where he was named captain.

“I’m looking forward to this next chapter,” Stephen Welsh explained.

“I have substantial experience in this division and feel I can really add to the project here. The squad have made a great start to the season, and the mood is positive.

“It’s good that I now have two weeks of training, where I can get familiar with how the team plays before the first game against Dundee.”

Welsh will wear the number 57 shirt this season.