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Matchday 19 of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign, and the first of the post-split campaign awaits the women of steel this weekend, as they travel North to face Aberdeen at Balmoral Stadium.

Iain Robinson’s side will face a daunting fight to preserve their top-flight status, with the women of steel ahead of Aberdeen in the relegation playoff position on goal difference.

Motherwell will seek to right the wrongs from their previous meeting with the Dons, with the hosts striking in the latter stages to complete a narrow 2-1 victory. Midfielder, Lucy Ronald discussed the women of steel’s preparations ahead of their visit to the Granite City.

“Preparations have been really good heading into this weekend,” Ronald said.

“We are excited to get back onto the pitch, and push for a positive end to our season.

“We understand that every game is going to be so important in the split, so we aren’t taking our preparations lightly. We recognise the importance of starting in a positive manner, and we have to take belief into the game this weekend.

“Balmoral can be an incredibly difficult place to go, our last visit to Aberdeen showed that. We knew our performance wasn’t good enough or at the standards we’d expect from ourselves, and that’s something we’ve discussed internally as a squad, and is a result we want to put right this weekend.”

The women of steel will have two fresh additions in their matchday squad, with midfielder Milly Boughton and Striker Keri Halliday both available to make their Motherwell debuts this weekend. Ronald noted that their additions has brought some additional positivity to the squad.

“It has been great to get them both in training, and settled into the squad,” Ronald added.

“They have both fitted in with the group really well, and will play a massive part in our push to preserve our status in the top-flight.

Stephen O’Donnell says it hurt last Saturday to suffer defeat against Dundee, and believes it’s about a positive reaction which has started this week in training. 

The defender breaks down his season as a whole, speaking about his development and approach to the new style.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou says the remaining nine games will be filled with challenges and it’s very unlikely any top-six side will be unbeaten, and has laid down the challenge to his team to go and catch any of the sides above them in the table. 

Askou is looking forward to going up against Martin O’Neill, but respect aside, the Dane has full belief that if his side perform to their top level, they will win the match.

The team news is in for our trip to Parkhead on Saturday. 

Motherwell face Celtic and with Lukas Fadinger being a first-half substitute, and Aston Oxborough recalled from his loan spell at Dunfermline to cover Matty Connelly’s absence following a training ground injury, Jens Berthel Askou brought everyone up to speed this afternoon.

“Regan Charles-Cook suffered a small injury during the game last weekend,” the manager said.

“He will be out for a few weeks. Lukas [Fadinger] bumped his nose into an opponent in the game and had to come off but he’s fine and trained today. Eythor [Bjørgolfsson] had a knock in a session but was tested today and he’s good to go.

“Matty [Connelly] also had a knock and it’s very unlikely he’ll play at the weekend. That’s why we had to bring Aston back but if everything goes to plan, he can go back to Dunfermline.”

Wishing both Matty and Regan a speedy recovery.

Motherwell defied a late Aberdeen comeback in emphatic style, netting a decisive goal with the final kick of the game to continue their nine game unbeaten run whilst surpassing the Dons in the SWPL league table.

Motherwell comfortably cruised to a two-goal advantage in the first-half, with Kayla Jardine’s whipped delivery diverted goal-bound by the foot of an Aberdeen defender before striker Laura berry continued her remarkable goalscoring form with an exceptional solo-run and finish shortly before half-time.

The hosts were soon reduced to 10-players moments later leaving the women of steel firmly in the ascendency heading into the second-half. Despite controlling the first-half, the visitors lost their momentum, with Aberdeen responding with two quick-fire goals against the run of play.

As both sides looked certain to share a closely-fought point, defender Chelsie Watson powered home a header with the last kick of the game to secure the three points and ninth unbeaten game.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that drew with Montrose at K-Park last weekend, with Bailley Collins and Rebecca Cameron settling for a place on the bench whilst Murron Cunningham and Emily Mutch both returning to the starting XI.

Knowing a victory would propel the women of steel to the top of the split, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot and soon netted the opener within the first two-minutes. Kayla Jardine’s whipped delivery from the left flank coasted across the face of goal and a mistimed Aberdeen interception forced the ball into their own net.

Murron Cunningham was next to test the Aberdeen goal, latching onto Amy Anderson’s precise through ball that sliced through the Aberdeen backline, but the experienced defender lost her footing on the artificial turf, reducing the momentum in her strike.

Morgan Cross carved the next opportunity, racing through a series of Aberdeen jerseys before curling a hopeful right-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area, but the strikers attempt was equally matched by an exceptional reaction save.

Motherwell continued to threaten the Aberdeen half, with the second following shortly before the half-time break. Striker Laura Berry regained possession with a clever interception on the halfway line before running directly through the centre of the Aberdeen half. The youngster skilfully switched the ball onto her left-foot before dispatching a calm and composed finish into the bottom-right corner.

Motherwell looked firm favourites to coast to their seventh victory throughout their impeccable unbeaten run when Aberdeen were reduced to 10-players following a verbal discussion with the match officials.

However, the women of steel suddenly lost their rhythm and momentum in the game, with Aberdeen netting twice in a prolific spell.

However, the women of steel’s never say die attitude prevailed. In the final minute of the game, Katie Rice’s whipped corner kick sailed invitingly to defender Chelsie Watson, who steadied herself before guiding a precise headed effort into the top-left corner to seal a dramatic victory on the road in the Granite City.

Jens Berthel Askou has won the Glen’s Vodka Manager of the Month award for February. 

The Motherwell manager receives his second accolade of the season, having won the award in December. He becomes the first manager to win the award twice in the same season since Graham Alexander in 2021.

Motherwell enjoyed a fruitful month during February. Playing five matches, the team scored ten goals and picked up ten points from a possible 12.

Wins over Dundee United, Aberdeen and St Mirren were backed up by an eventful 1-1 draw with title-chasing Rangers, despite being down to ten men for the latter stages of the match.

“The pride of the first team staff as well as the rest of the club fills me with joy as I share this award with all my colleagues at the club,” Jens Berthel Askou stated.

“While we are receiving praise and recognition on our journey, we strive to continue to develop and aim ambitiously for a strong finish to the season.”

Tawanda Maswanhise is your G4 Claims February player of the month. 

Maswanhise is now on 21 goals in all competitions this season, with the forward scoring against St Mirren in Paisley and Dundee United twice at Fir Park.

Well done, Tawanda.

Midfielder Milly Boughton has completed a loan deal from defending champions Hibernian until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Australian youth international spent her formative years close to the Australian capital, Sydney, with the youngster breaking through at the Football New South Wales Institute.

The London-born central midfielder returned to the English capital at 16-years-old, joining West Ham United’s academy, and after a successful trial, Boughton began training with the first-team. Her first season within the club’s academy proved to be a productive one, with Boughton scoring eight-goals in 12-appearances for the Irons.

In 2023, Boughton departed West Ham for the academy of close-rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Boughton soon made her competitive first-team debut for Spurs, after being substituted in a three-nil victory over Bristol City in the English Women’s League Cup.

“I’m really excited to be at Motherwell,” Boughton said.

“The squad have been so welcoming, and it is an opportunity for myself to gain experience in the Scottish top-flight.

“I’m looking forward to getting started.”

After a brief loan-spell with Ipswich Town, the then 18-year-old traded Spurs for North-London rivals, Arsenal, with Boughton becoming the fourth Australian at the club – featuring alongside Matilda’s, Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord.

In her only season at the Emirates, Boughton picked up the PGA under-21 League One Division and PGA Under-21 South Division titles with the young Gunners.

Last September, Boughton made the full transition into professional football, signing her first professional contract with defending champions, Hibernian.

Boughton has represented her national team throughout various age categories, after first being selected for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, before making the 25-player squad representing Australia at the tournament in Uzbekistan, with the Matilda’s finishing third.

“We’re really pleased to welcome Milly to the club,” Robinson noted.

“Milly is an exciting young player, who can really add competition to our midfield.

“We are looking forward to seeing her on the pitch.”

Forward Keri Halliday has completed a loan deal from Heart of Midlothian until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old spent her formative years in the Northern Irish footballing pyramid, making 85-appearances for Linfield. The pacey winger scored 53-goals, and assisted 26 throughout her time in South Belfast, with Halliday supporting the side to a third-place finish before crossing the Irish sea to the Scottish capital.

The Balleymoney-born striker made her senior debut for Northern Ireland in a four-nil victory over Albania in 2023, and has since been capped 13-times for her national team.

“I’m really pleased to have joined Motherwell,” Halliday said.

“When Iain spoke to me about coming to the club, I was really excited by the opportunity, and I felt that I could really add to the already talented squad here.

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”

Following a successful spell at Linfield, Halliday was named the Northern Ireland Young Player of the Year in 2024.

“We’re excited to add Keri to the club,” Robinson noted.

“Keri is a natural goalscorer, who could really add a new dimension to the attacking players we already have at the club.

“We can’t wait to see her on the pitch for the rest of the season.”

Head Coach – Scott Booth

Sat precariously towards the foot of the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League table, Aberdeen are fiercely battling to preserve their top-flight status.

The Dons kickstarted 2026 in style, defeating Motherwell by two-goals to one at Balmoral Stadium. A frustrating 2-2 stalemate against Hamilton Accies followed, denying Scott Booth’s side the opportunity to evade the relegation playoff position.

Successive defeats to both halves of the Edinburgh divide have compounded their desire to start the post-split campaign on a high, after a six-nil defeat to Hearts preceded a three-nil defeat to defending champions, Hibernian.

Midfielder Darcie Miller added to her goalscoring tally for the campaign in their 2-2 stalemate in Lanarkshire. The 19-year-old twice netted the equaliser for the Dons, with the latter finding the target in the 80^th minute.

Team line-up

English shot stopper and Chelsea loanee, Katie Cox is the preferred option in the Aberdeen goal, with the 19-year-old featuring throughout the season ahead of Anna Prawer. The goalkeeper spent the international break representing the young Lionesses squad, after being selected for the England Under 23-side ahead of a double-header of friendlies, with both France and the Netherlands.

Midfielder, Abi Tobin was the Dons only other international player representing their respective nation over the international break. Tobin featured alongside Motherwell’s Sophie Townsley, and Mia McArthur, as the Scotland Under-19 squad faced a double-header of friendlies against Belgium.

Former Motherwell midfielder, Brodie Greenwood has also become a mainstay regular in the Dons midfield, after departing Hearts on a short-term deal.

Strike Darcie Miller may return to the starting line-up after netting twice against Hamilton Accies. Captain and former interim Head Coach, Hannah Stewart is the likely number nine.

League position

Despite currently occupying the relegation playoff position, Aberdeen could overtake Motherwell if they were to secure victory in the Granite City. Aberdeen sit level on points with the women of steel, but trail Iain Robinson’s side on goal-difference.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, the Dons found out their route to potential survival, with the announcement of the post-split fixtures. After facing the women of steel on the opening weekend, Scott Booth’s side will face successive games on the road against both Hamilton and Montrose.

Aberdeen will then face the reverse fixture against the Gable Endies before facing Hamilton at home. The Dons will finish how they started by concluding their 2025/26 Scottish Power Women’s Premier League campaign against Motherwell in East Kilbride.