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A tough week for the women of steel was further compounded, as visitors Hibernian narrowly edged a 0-1 victory to end Motherwell’s unbeaten home run in a closely-fought encounter at K-Park on Sunday.

Jorian Baucom’s second-half strike proved to be the difference, as Motherwell failed to capitalise on numerous goalscoring opportunities and were consigned to defeat, with Hibernian securing their third successive victory.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made one change from the midweek defeat to Rangers, as goalscorer Carla Boyce returned to starting XI, with Bailley Collins taking place on the bench. Injury woes have continued to hamper the side, as Morgan Cross, Morgan Hay and Eve Donald continue their return to full fitness.

Eagerly looking to impose themselves from the off, the visitors sprayed several deliveries across the Motherwell penalty area, with Baucom denied the opener early on by Emily Mutch. A skilful turn at the edge of the box allowed Baucom to evade Jo Addie before firing a low strike across the face of goal, but Mutch reacted well to produce a comfortable stop.

Motherwell came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with unarguably the best opportunity of the opening 45-minutes. Amy Anderson’s incisive through ball accurately picked out Kaela McDonald-Nguah lurking within the penalty area, and the striker expertly shifted the ball onto her stronger right foot, but her dangerous effort drifted agonisingly wide of the top-right corner.

With both sides failing to break the deadlock before the break, Motherwell picked up where they left off, threatening the visiting goal. Captain Gill Inglis’ exceptional solo-run saw the defender cruise past three or four Hibs jerseys, before a late lunging tackle from former Motherwell defender Lauren Doran-Barr, denied Inglis from getting a shot on goal.

Inglis was again called into action moments later, this time at the other end of the pitch, as Abbie Ferguson’s driving run on the counter-attack allowed the midfielder to coast into the Motherwell penalty area, but a late tackle from Inglis diverted Ferguson’s effort wide of the target.

With both sides looking evenly-matched throughout and the game seemingly destined for a closely-fought stalemate, the visitors found the breakthrough.

Ferguson’s through ball from the right fell kindly to the feet of Baucom deep inside the Motherwell penalty area, and a clever turn allowed her to escape pressure from Chelsie Watson and Amy Anderson before picking out the top-left corner with an unstoppable strike.

Brownlie’s side pushed forward until the final whistle, but were unable to find the eventual equaliser and were consigned to defeat. The squad will now face a short international break before returning to cup action, with Montrose standing in their way of a place in the next round.

Motherwell were held to a 1-1 draw with Dundee United this afternoon at K-Park in the Under 18s league. 

The first chance of the game came on seven minutes. Zack Tomany battled to bring the ball under control from a throw in, he worked half a yard on the edge of the box before registering a shot on target.

The game would begin to become cagey there after, with very for chances for either side presenting themselves.

In fact, the next chance of the game wouldn’t come until the 35th minute of the match when forward Tomany latched onto a through ball from Mikey Booth, the striker raced through on goal and his strike was saved onto the bar by the United keeper.

Four minutes later however, Dundee United were in front. Josh Bogan seemed to come out of his box to clear the ball but the referee adjudged his studs to be too high and awarded a free-kick. Dundee United’s number 10 stepped up and curled the ball into the net from the subsequent free kick.

With a lacklustre first half performance now behind them, Motherwell came out all guns blazing for the second half, drawing themselves level in the process. After sustained possession, Campbell Forest volleyed into the bottom left corner from the right edge of the box to bring the game level after 50 minutes.

Motherwell continued to push forward in search of a second and it nearly came on 65 minutes. Brannan McDermott got on the end of a pass forward on the right wing before crossing into the box, Booth cut the ball back and Devon Johnstone tried to volley home but his effort was just off target.

Nathan Lawson came off the bench and was involved in the action straight away on 73 minutes. He twisted and turned in the middle of the pitch before driving into the penalty area and unleashing a strike into the side netting.

Dundee United would see a header from a corner headed off the line in one of their very few chances in the second half but on 83 minutes, Motherwell had another effort. McDermott again getting forward from right-back, this time he crossed into the box and Lawson managed to lay the ball off for goalscorer Forest but this time, his strike went wide of the goal.

Motherwell came close to winning the game with the last attack of the match through midfielder Olly Whyte. Tomany kept the ball alive from a cross and laid it back to the midfielder, he shifted it onto his right foot and seen his low, driven effort saved by the keeper.

The game ended 1-1, with Motherwell much improved in the second period.

Motherwell team: Bogan, M.Ross, McDermott, Webb, Bone, Whyte, L.Ross, Forest, Tomany, Booth, Johnstone.

Motherwell subs: Lawson, McConnell, Wells, McLean, Flatman, Nelson, McAllister.

Stuart Kettlewell discusses today’s loss against St Mirren.

• The best we’ve played since February

• A draw would have been disappointing

• Avoiding this becoming a habit

Ewan Wilson has joined League One side Stirling Albion on loan for the remainder of the campaign. 

Wilson made two appearances in the Viaplay Cup this season, starting in the opener against Elgin City.

Promoted to the third tier this season, Stirling have started their season off well with three wins and a draw out of the first seven.

Best of luck, Ewan.

Motherwell’s hopes of extending their fabulous unbeaten run to 11 games were ended as a rather fortunate St Mirren took all three points back to Paisley.

In a battle for second place, Stephen Robinson’s men survived a first half which the Fir Park dominated in terms of chances, before snatching the lead through Scott Tanser nine minutes after the interval.

Despite the Steelmen producing the bulk of the chances, they couldn’t find the killer touch in front of goal that would have earned them a point their efforts richly deserved.

Following some injury concerns to key players Stuart Kettlewell made only one change from the side which won at Tynecastle a fortnight ago, Shane Blaney replacing the suspended Paul McGinn.

With both sides boasting an unbeaten league record a tight contest was envisaged.

The Fir Park set the tone for the first half closing down Saints and pressing them deep into their own half.

And with Theo Bair warming to his role as target man, the Canadian’s touches released Blair Spittal and Callum Slattery on either channel.

Repeatedly the pair got in behind the Paisley side’s back three and a better final ball would have punished the visitors.

After 15 minutes Slattery’s deep cross was headed back by Spittal for the waiting Harry Paton but his firm strike on goal was blocked by Marcus Fraser with loud appeals for handball.

That move was repeated a couple of minutes later when Bair released Slattery on the right and his high cross found Spittal but from a tight angle he could only direct the ball straight at the Zach Hemmings.

A quick exchange at the edge of the box ended with Paton being blocked by Fraser. Spittal’s free kick was powerful but again straight at the waiting ‘keeper.

The ‘Well midfielder had another chance to test Hemmings following a fine pass from Lennon Miller but the Saints’ ‘keeper was well positioned too comfortably hold Spittal’s curing shot.

At this stage Liam Kelly was largely deployed as an additional defender sending searching passes deep into the visitors’ half.

The ‘Well ‘keeper was untroubled when Saints only chance of the half arrived after 30 minutes when his former team mate Mark O’Hara curled the ball high over the bar from 25 yards.

‘Well’s best chance came a minute later. A surging run from Stephen O’Donnell allowed Miller to thread a ball into Bair’s path. After advancing towards goal the striker dragged the ball beyond the advancing ‘keeper and a few inches beyond his far post.

There was still time before the interval for Bair to find Slattery who cut inside before presenting Spittal with a shooting opportunity only for his drive to be blocked.

Within a minute of the restart it was Spittal who was first to test Hemmings from 20 yards but again the Saints’ ‘keeper held firm.

A patient build up after 52 finished with Paton slashing the ball wide of target but ‘Well’s pressure a seemed likely to earn them the opening goal.

When the goal arrived, though, it was at the other end as Saints took the lead largely against the run of play.

Ryann Strain’s deep cross found Tanser lurking at the back of the six-yard area and his first time volley sent the ball racing past Kelly and into the far corner of the net.

That gave the Paisley Buddies in the Tommy McLean stand the chance to get on their feet for the first time.

They were almost silenced in the 63rd minute when Slattery’s curling free kick was sneaking inside Hemming’s left hand post until the ‘keeper at full stretch pushed the ball the behind.

As the Steelmen pushed for the equaliser Saints had chances to double their lead.

But it was the home side and Bair who passed up two chances to level. Firstly, the striker’s turn and shot from 15 yards was deflected behind. From the resultant corner Dan Casey nodded the ball down but Bair, from three yards out, could only nudge the ball to Hemmings.

That was his last opportunity as he was replaced by Oli Shaw after 78 minutes.

And within a minute the former Ross County man had an ideal chance to make it a dream home debut. But after Paton’s pass found him unmarked on the left of the penalty area, Shaw tamely side footed the ball to the waiting Hemmings.

Georgie Gent came on for his debut and his first contribution was whipping in a cross from the left which Shaw met but could only guide his header high towards goal allowing the ‘keeper to make yet another routine save.

In the final minute of regulation time, the on loan Blackburn Rover’s youngster was within inches of making it a dream debut.

His inswinging corner was only cleared as far as Paton. And when he lofted the ball back into the box it gave Gent an opening, only to watch his stunning left foot drive rebound from the underside of the crossbar and keep the Saints’ goal intact and leave the Paisley side with three points they scarcely deserved.

Forward Mark Ferrie has joined Stenhousemuir on loan until January. 

The 17-year-old has made six appearances in all competitions this season but moves to Stenny in League Two, who are currently top of the league.

Good luck, Mark.

An intense week for the women of steel will come to a conclusion this weekend, as Paul Brownlie’s side get set to preserve their unbeaten home record, with Hibernian the visitors at K-Park.

Motherwell will be poised to enhance their impressive home record after struggling the break their misfortunes on the road. The hosts woes in Springburn were soon followed by defeat to Rangers at a rainswept Broadwood Stadium, with the side struggling to replicate their successes in East Kilbride.

Victory at K-Park has already proven to be a difficult proposition for visiting sides this season, with Motherwell achieving maximum points at home thus far.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Motherwell will be looking to bounce back from the midweek defeat to Rangers, as Carla Boyce’s solitary goal proved to be insufficient as the hosts cruised to a comfortable 4-1 lead.

The women of steel’s most recent victory over the Hibees came at Meadowbank last season, as goals from Jo Addie, Lori Gardner and Amy Anderson sealed a historic 3-2 victory for Brownlie’s side.

Despite Laura McCartney returning from a long-term injury, which kept her out of action for 855 days, Motherwell’s recent injury concerns will continue to limit squad selection on Sunday. Morgan Cross, Morgan Hay and Eve Donald will all remain doubtful for a return following injuries sustained over the past week.

Hibernian

One win from their opening five league games proved to be a confidence-draining start for the visitors. However, Grant Scott’s side have since overturned their early struggles, building a positive run of form that has earnt a place in the top-six of the SWPL league table.

The Edinburgh side will travel to Calderglen, buoyed by successive victories over Aberdeen and local rivals Hearts in the first Edinburgh derby of the 2023/24 campaign.

American forward, Jorian Baucom has proven to be a dangerous asset this season, netting five times thus far, including an impressive hat-trick in a dominant 5-0 win over Aberdeen midweek.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £3
• Under 11s – Free to enter.

*Concession tickets apply to those over 65, and to 12–17-year-olds, with full-time students also eligible with a valid matriculation card.

Additional information – no pets allowed within K-Park.

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. The match will also be available to watch live on the BBC Sport Scotland website. Kick-off is at 4PM.

Paul McGinn knows that Motherwell will need to be at maximum concentration for the full 90 minutes if they’re to get anything out of the match on Saturday. 

The Scottish defender also discusses manager Stuart Kettlewell’s philosophy of being a team and how that has aided the team’s performance in matches.

Our home match against Celtic will be shown live on our pay-per-view streaming service. 

The match will be available for £15.

You will be able to purchase online.

Kick off is 12.30pm on Saturday 30 September.

Stuart Kettlewell knows his team should have deserved more out of the last two games against St Mirren and Rangers but insists, the team will remain together there won’t be anyone pointing at individuals for any sort of blame.  

The manager says that the success that has came so far for his team has been because they have remained as a unit and that won’t be changing anytime soon.

Kettlewell discusses a proposed time scale for Calum Butcher, Mika Biereth and and Jon Obika returning to action and has also said Pape Souare has returned to training this week.