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Paul Brownlie has been Motherwell’s head of womens for two years now, and in that time, there has been a number of changes on the pitch and off it. 

A middle table finish in his first season in charge, Motherwell narrowly missed out on a top-six place by one point. However, they have reached the semi final of the Scottish Cup, where they will face Rangers at the national stadium, making history in the process.

The women of steel also face Glasgow Women at Fir Park in the lead up to their crunch cup tie with the ‘Gers.

Building and growing the profile of the team has been a priority for Brownlie and his assistant Leanne Crichton, however in the process of doing so, they have managed to improve players and the recruitment strategy at the club, while launching our first girls academy.

Motherwell are in midweek action at Fir Park on Tuesday 18 April as they take on Glasgow Women in SWPL. 

Kick-off is 7:45pm.

How to follow the game

There will be free to entry to the stadium for the match. However, if you are able to, there will be buckets available for fans to place donations.

All profits will go towards the girls academy.

Fans will be located in the John Hunter stand for the match.

Story of the match

Motherwell left it late to grab a point against Spartans on Sunday. Carla Boyce and Kayla Jardine got on the scoresheet as the women of steel made it six games unbeaten.

Glasgow Women come into the match still looking for their first points of the campaign.

Motherwell have won all three matches against Glasgow Women, playing them twice in the league.

The last meeting came in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup, with the ‘Well winning 4-0.

The points were shared in the capital, as Motherwell converted late on to secure an important point at Ainslie Park on Sunday.

Second half substitute, Kayla Jardine fired Motherwell into the ascendency with an impressive strike from distance before a quick fire resurgence saw the hosts cruise to a narrow 2-1 advantage.

In the final stages, Carla Boyce prodded home a late corner kick to secure a valuable point ahead of a monumental week for the team.

Manager, Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that were held to a draw with Dundee United last week. Kodie Hay and Katie Rice both returned to the starting XI, with Georgie Rafferty and Niamh Noble settling for a place on the bench.

Motherwell certainly had the better of the opportunities in the early exchanges. A clever exchange between Lucy Ronald and Tiree Burchill allowed Kodie Hay to race through on the right before drilling a low delivery across the face of goal, but Gill Inglis’ attempt failed to trouble the Spartans keeper.

Boyce soon came close to breaking the deadlock after latching onto Lauren Doran-Barr’s through ball, but the strikers curling effort flashed across the face of goal, narrowly avoiding the far post.

The first half was forced into an early stoppage after Ronald suffered a serious injury that required a lengthy break in play whilst the midfielder received medical treatment.

As the second half resumed, Motherwell deservedly found the breakthrough.

Spartans failed to clear their lines, and substitute Kayla Jardine coasted through to the edge of the box, lifting an audacious effort over the goalkeeper before finding the back of the net.

The women of Steel’s lead would be short-lived, as Caley Gibb pulled the hosts level moments later.

A composed Rebecca Galbraith finish from Katherine Smart’s through ball soon followed in what looked like a decisive moment in the game.

However, in the final few minutes, Rice’s floated corner kick sailed invitingly into the path of Boyce who bulleted her header high into the roof of the net to secure a vital point in Edinburgh.

Paul Brownlie’s side will now prepare for a historic week in the clubs history, as they face Glasgow Women at Fir Park on Tuesday night before a memorable trip to Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

With the international break over, Motherwell return to SWPL action with a trip to Spartans. 

Kick-off is 1pm at Ainslie Park.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the game can be bought online.

Adult tickets cost £7, with concessions going for £4.

Under 16s are free.

Cash or card are accepted on the gate.

Story of the match

Motherwell are currently two points ahead of Spartans in the league table.

Spartans are on a two match winning run, beating Aberdeen and Dundee United on the road.

In their fixture prior to the break, Motherwell earned a point against Dundee United with a 1-1 draw at K-Park.

The draw ended a run of four wins on the bounce for the women of steel.

Both matches between the two sides have ended in draws, with the last game at Ainslie Park ending in a 0-0 draw.

One to reflect on, as Motherwell failed to capitalise when it mattered and were forced to settle for a point at K-Park.

Tiree Burchill continued to add to her recent goalscoring form after converting prior to the half-time break, but the women of steel’s misfortunes saw United level in the second half.

Manager, Paul Brownlie made three changes from the side that secured their third Lanarkshire Derby victory over local rivals Hamilton at New Douglas Park last weekend.

Jo Addie, Niamh Noble and captain Gill Inglis all returned to the starting XI, whilst Kodie Hay, Katie Rice and Lori Gardner settled for a place on the bench.

Looking for their fifth straight victory, Motherwell quickly picked up where they left off, pinning the visitors deep into their own half.

Burchill skilfully evaded the offside trap as she narrowed in on goal before squaring it to the awaiting Carla Boyce in the box, but the striker lost her footing and couldn’t apply the finishing touches.

The hosts continued to cause the United defence problems in the early exchanges, and moments later, Boyce was through again, but this time her effort ricocheted off the woodwork.

The women of Steel struggled to find the consistency and rhythm that had been instrumental in recent games, but midway through the first half; the deadlock was broken.

Lucy Ronald was bundled over on the halfway line, but the referee’s advantage caught the United defence off guard, leaving Burchill racing through on goal and the striker coolly dispatched her strike into the bottom-left corner.

As the half-time whistle drew closer, Motherwell hit the woodwork for the third time.

Ronald’s floated delivery fell kindly to the feet of Georgie Rafferty who connected perfectly on the half-volley, but the defender’s effort cracked off the crossbar.

As the second half resumed, the visitors found an equaliser against the run of play.

A mix-up at the back gifted United possession deep into the Motherwell penalty area, and McGinley accurately placed her strike under Emily Mutch to pull her side level.

Motherwell flooded the United box in search of a late winner, with chances from Kayla Jardine and Lori Gardner hitting the woodwork, but they were unable to find the breakthrough and were forced to settle for a point.

Paul Brownlie’s side will face a short international break before returning to league action against Spartans in two weeks’ time.

Motherwell will face Glasgow Women at Fir Park on Tuesday 18 April. 

Kick-off will be 7:45pm.

It will be the second time in two seasons that the women of steel will take to the Fir Park turf.

The match comes in an important week in the ‘Well calendar, as they build up to their Scottish Cup semi-final clash at Hampden against Rangers.

There will be free to entry to the stadium for the match. However, if you are able to, there will be buckets available for fans to place donations.

All profits will go towards the girls academy.

Fans will be located in the John Hunter stand for the match.

Motherwell face Dundee United on Sunday 2 April at K-Park. 

Kick-off is 2pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the match cost £8 for adults, with concessions and kids costing £3.

Cash and card are accepted at the turnstiles. There is no facility to buy tickets online before the match.

Story of the match

Motherwell continued their fine run of form with a convincing 4-1 Lanarkshire derby win over Hamilton on Sunday.

That result meant the women of steel have lost one game in their last ten in all competitions.

Dundee United are currently four points ahead of the relegation play-off space in their first season in the top-flight.

Their last win came on the road against Aberdeen at the start of February.

The two sides have met three times this season, with Motherwell winning two and draw in the other.

Motherwell coasted past local rivals Hamilton with a comprehensive 1-4 victory at New Douglas Park to secure their third straight Lanarkshire Derby win this season.

An emphatic Tiree Burchill hat-trick across both halves alongside a composed Carla Boyce penalty was enough to ensure all three points went to the claret and amber side of Lanarkshire.

Manager, Paul Brownlie made three changes from the side that secured a historic semi-final place in the Scottish Cup and a trip to Hampden after a convincing 3-0 victory over Glasgow Women at Cliftonhill last weekend.

Amy Anderson made her first start since returning from a recent injury spell, with Lori Gardner and Georgie Rafferty also featuring in the starting XI. Niamh Noble, Kayla Jardine and Jo Addie settled for a place on the bench.

The visitors were certainly the likelier to break the deadlock after the early exchanges.

A darting run by Kodie Hay saw the winger coast through to the edge of the box, before firing an ambitious attempt towards goal, but her strike narrowly evaded the far post.

Motherwell were still struggling to find their rhythm as the half-time whistle loomed, but they soon found the breakthrough.

Hay, again looking lively on the right, sprinted beyond her marker before drilling a low delivery across the face of goal, and Burchill was on hand to convert from a few yards out.

As the second half resumed, the women of steel increased the intensity, and soon took complete control of the game.

A skilful run from Lori Gardener saw the winger edge her way into the penalty area before teeing up substitute Gill Inglis’ whose close-range effort ricocheted through a number of bodies before falling kindly to the feet of Burchill, who calmly netted her second of the afternoon.

Less than two minutes later, Motherwell had their third. A clear handball in the box was spotted by the referee who correctly awarded the spot kick. Boyce stepped up and clinically dispatched her strike into the bottom right-corner for her seventh goal in recent prolific spell.

On the hour mark, Burchill secured her hat-trick and Motherwell’s fourth of the derby.

Latching onto Boyce’s incisive through ball, Burchill’s fast footwork allowed her to shift the ball onto her stronger right-foot before placing her strike into the bottom-left corner to secure Motherwell third successive Lanarkshire Derby triumph this season.

Paul Brownlie’s side will now turn their attention to Dundee United who are the visitors at K-Park next Sunday.

Niamh Noble, Kayla Jardine and Tiree Burchill have been named in Scotland’s Under 19 squad. 

The trio, who all joined in January, are available for Scotland’s upcoming UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship qualifiers against Albania and Liechtenstein.

Scotland take on Albania on Wednesday 5 April before they tackle Liechtenstein on Saturday 8 April.

Both matches take place at the Arena Kombëtare, Tirana.

• Albania v Scotland – Wednesday 5 April (1.30pm K.O)
• Scotland v Liechtenstein – Saturday 8 April (10.30am K.O)