| 6 | Dundee | 31 | 10 | 9 | 12 | -10 | 39 |
| 7 | Hibernian | 32 | 9 | 11 | 12 | -7 | 38 |
| 8 | Motherwell | 32 | 8 | 12 | 12 | -5 | 36 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | 32 | 8 | 10 | 14 | -5 | 34 |
| 10 | St Johnstone | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | -20 | 31 |
We are looking to add coaches to our girls academy staff.
The ideal candidates would require a minimum 1.2 coaching certificate with prior coaching experience and ambitions to progress within the game.
If you are interested and require further details, please contact Motherwell Girls academy coordinator Craig Slater at Craig.Slater@motherwellfc.co.uk.
Motherwell dusted off Sunday’s disappointing defeat after securing a hard-fought victory over league rivals Spartans at K-Park on Sunday.
Kaela McDonald-Nguah rifled home the only goal of the afternoon deep into the latter stages of the second half to secure the first three points of the new SWPL campaign.
Head Coach Paul Brownlie made three changes to the side that suffered defeat at Balmoral stadium last weekend. Goalscorer McDonald-Nguah had to settle for a place on the bench following a midweek injury setback, with Kaitlyn Canavan leading the line up-front.
Amy Anderson also made her return from a brief injury spell, with Tara McGonigle also earning a start.
The women of steel had to settle for three successive draws and a defeat against Spartans last season, and the hosts eagerness to break that duct was certainly evident from the opening exchanges.
McGonigle’s delivery from the left ricocheted between several players in the box before finding Carla Boyce at the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker couldn’t apply the finishing touches.
Motherwell continued to press and almost caught the visitors off-guard, as Katie Rice directed a quick free-kick from the left to the feet of Bailley Collins at the edge of the box, but the forwards ambitious effort drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.
With neither side breaking the deadlock in the opening 45-minutes, Brownlie made an alteration to his side early into the second half, with Canavan making way for McDonald-Nguah.
The forward made an instant impact, almost setting up the opening goal, as Boyce raced through on goal, forcing a smart stop from the Spartans keeper.
As the full-time whistle neared, it looked as if an inevitable draw and an opportunity missed for the women of steel would be the outcome. However, with just under 10-minutes remaining, the breakthrough finally materialised.
Jo Addie’s floated free-kick, yards ahead of the halfway-line, sailed invitingly into the path of McDonald-Nguah in the box, who superbly controlled the ball with an accurate first-touch before drilling an unstoppable strike into the top-left corner.
Spartans flooded the Motherwell final third in search of a late equaliser, but the hosts stood firm to record their first three points of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.
Brownlie’s side will return to action midweek, with a short trip to Springburn to face Glasgow City at Petershill Park on Wednesday.
The women of steel return to K-Park for the first time this season, as the squad prepare to redeem themselves following an opening weekend defeat to Aberdeen.
Motherwell left the Granite City empty-handed despite Kaela McDonald-Nguah netting twice from the penalty spot to narrow the hosts initial three-goal advantage.
Paul Brownlie’s side face a tough return to action with Spartans also looking for redemption after suffering a heavy opening weekend defeat to Rangers.
The Tale of the Tape
Motherwell
The hosts will be looking to kickstart their season with the first three points of the new campaign, as ambitions of a top-six finish remain firmly in their sights.
The women of steel have maintained a prolific record against Spartans, netting six times across the 2022/23 campaign, with Kayla Jardine and McDonald-Nguah both finding the target twice.
Amy Anderson will be available for a return to the matchday squad after being sidelined following a brief spell with an injury.
Murron Cunningham and Laura McCartney will both continue their return from long-term injuries but will be doubtful for this weekend’s match. Lucy Ronald will also be unavailable, as she continues her long-term return to competitive action.
Spartans
Like Motherwell, the visitors narrowly missed out on a place in the top-six last season, but seven successive victories ensured a seventh-place finish for the Edinburgh side.
The visitors suffered a disappointing opening day defeat to Rangers, with the Glasgow side cruising to a comfortable 6-1 victory.
However, both shared several closely fought encounters last season, with three successive draws preceding a narrow 3-2 post-split defeat, as Rebecca Galbraith’s first-half hat-trick cancelled out strikes from Tiree Burchill and Kayla Jardine on that day.
Ticket information
Sunday’s encounter will see season-ticket holders at K-Park for the very first-time, with supporters requiring their season ticket card upon arrival. Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.
*Concession tickets apply to those over 65, 12–17-year-olds and full-time students with a valid matriculation card.
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 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.
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 11th.
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.
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.
2023/24 women’s season tickets are now on sale.
A historic season awaits for the women of steel and supporters can now feel closer to the action, with season tickets available for the first-time in the club’s history.
Paul Brownlie’s side narrowly missed out on a top-six place, with the club finishing one point behind nearest rivals Partick Thistle, but a remarkable Scottish Cup run saw Motherwell overcome Gartcairn, Montrose, and Glasgow Women before facing Rangers in a momentous Semi-Final at Hampden Park.
It’s easy to buy new. Head here to our online ticketing platform and then press ‘SWPL Season 2023/24’.
Supporters will have the option to purchase season tickets outright either online or at the ticket office with a solitary payment.
Season tickets will not apply to cup games and there will not be an option to select a designated seat.
For those looking to purchase their season ticket ahead of the forthcoming season, concession prices apply to those aged 65 and over.
In addition, a concession ticket will also be available to full-time students with a valid matriculation card.
With the 2022/23 campaign firmly in the past and the forthcoming season almost upon us, I am proud of the progression at the club in the past year and am excited for the challenges that lay ahead.
Although disappointed at narrowly missing out on a place in the top-six, the commitment and endeavour from the players to reach the Semi-Final of the Scottish Cup was an unprecedented achievement for the club.
The opportunity to play at the National stadium is a memory we’ll look back on fondly but we want to progress further.
The squad hit new heights last season and that achievement is shared with supporters, whose effort and dedication played a vital part in our success on the pitch.
The support and connection the players have had with supporters in the past year has allowed the club to continue to develop in the right direction.
Attendances at K-Park throughout our maiden season at the stadium has continued to grow and we are excited for the next step in that journey.
Announcing season tickets is the start of an historic chapter for women’s football at the club and an important step in our development.
We know you will continue to support us on that journey and we look forward to welcoming you back at K-Park in the near future.
Paul Brownlie
I’m really proud to be captain of this team, I love the direction the club is going in.
When I first joined, it was Motherwell in name, but not a lot else. There wasn’t a huge association, there was a disconnect between the women’s team and the rest of the club. I feel really privileged to have seen how far its grown.
When I look at the standards on and off the pitch, I think it has changed and improved for the better. I think the club and we as the women’s team realised, we still have a way to go and I think to continue to improve every season is definitely our aim.
Gill Inglis
Where can I find my customer number?
If you need assistance with using our online ticketing website, a guide can be found here.
Alternatively, call us on 01698 333333 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.
Motherwell wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a commanding 0-7 victory over Fleetwood Town at Poolfoot Farm on Sunday
A selection of players etched their name onto the scoresheet, with Carla Boyce, Kaitlyn Canavan, Jo Addie, Kaela McDonald-Nguah, Tara McGonigle and a Bailley Collins brace ensuring a positive conclusion to the 2023/24 pre-season schedule.
Head Coach, Paul Brownlie made six changes to the side that suffered defeat to defending SWPL1 champions Glasgow City last week, with Rebecca Cameron, Hannah Cunningham, Katie Rice, Kaitlyn Canavan, Tara McGonigle and Morgan Hay all returning to the starting XI.
Looking to build momentum ahead of our opening SWPL1 match with Aberdeen, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, with Boyce breaking the deadlock in the early exchanges.
Latching onto the ball on the left, the striker floated a composed finish over the head of the keeper that sailed through the box before nesting into the bottom corner.
The women of steel soon doubled their advantage midway through the first half, with Canavan expertly escaping her marker to convert Collins’ low delivery from the right.
Moments after the restart, the visitors added a third in quick succession. Canavan turned provider after rounding the goalkeeper before picking out Collins, who calmly placed her shot into the bottom-left corner.
As the second half resumed, Motherwell picked up from where they left off, racking up their fourth of the afternoon. Rice’s dangerous delivery from the right ricocheted through a number of players in the box before eventually reaching the feet of Addie at the back post, who fired home on the half-volley.
Motherwell continued to flood the opposition penalty area, and were soon awarded a penalty after substitute Gill Inglis’ cross struck the arm of a defender in the box, leaving the referee no alternative but to award the spot kick. McDonald-Nguah stepped up and drilled an unstoppable strike beyond the reach of the keeper.
McGonigle got onto the scoresheet as the second half progressed, firing home Louisa Boyes cross from the right, earning her first non-competitive goal for the club in the process. 6-0.
Collins picked out the bottom-right corner in the latter stages of the game for her second and Motherwell’s seventh of the afternoon in what proved to be a prolific day on the Fylde coast.
Brownlie’s side will now look ahead to the opening weekend of the SWPL1 campaign, with a trip to Balmoral stadium to face Aberdeen.
A trip to the Fylde coast awaits, as Paul Brownlie’s side look to conclude their 2023/24 pre-season campaign in style, with Fleetwood Town the hosts at Poolfoot Farm training facility this afternoon.
The Tale of the Tape
Motherwell
Motherwell will be looking to put the finishing touches on their pre-season preparations, as next weekend’s opening league meeting with Aberdeen approaches. The women of steel have encountered a variety of opposition and playing styles throughout this pre-season campaign, with tests against Gartcairn, Celtic, Boroughmuir Thistle, Hearts, East Fife and defending champions Glasgow City all building towards the opening weekend of the SWPL1 campaign.
The visitors will be looking to replicate the performance that ensured a comprehensive 9-0 victory over East Fife last month, with Fleetwood providing an unknown entity and a unique test for the squad.
Motherwell will be travelling with a lightened squad, as Amy Anderson, Georgie Rafferty, Eve Donald & Lucy Ronald all recover from injury, whilst Laura McCartney, Lori Gardner, & Kayla Jardine remain unavailable for this afternoons encounter.
Fleetwood
The hosts secured a top-six finish in North West Women’s Regional League last season, finishing in fifth-place, eight points shy of Salford City FC Lionesses in second.
The Cods have been proactive in their preparations for the forthcoming campaign, with a 3-2 victory over Chorley Women building upon a narrow 2-1 defeat to Preston North End in a behind closed-doors friendly at Bamber Bridge the previous week.
Motherwell will conclude their 2023/24 pre-season campaign with a trip to the Fylde coast to face Fleetwood Town at Poolfoot Farm training facility on Sunday.
The hosts concluded their 2022/23 campaign with a fifth-place finish in the North West Women’s Regional League, eight points shy of Salford City FC Lionesses in second.
The Cods most recent test came in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Preston North End in a behind closed-doors friendly at Bamber Bridge.
The women of steel’s final pre-season encounter will build upon prior meetings with Gartcairn, Celtic, Boroughmuir Thistle, Hearts, East Fife and defending champions Glasgow City ahead of the opening weekend of the SWPL1 campaign.
