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Refreshed from their Scottish Cup triumph over Bonnyrigg Rose in the ScottishGas Scottish Cup, Motherwell turn their attention back to the league campaign, when they welcome Spartans to K-Park on Sunday.

The women of steel booked their place in the quarter-final’s of the Scottish Cup in fine form, placing six-goals past the Rose to tee up an enticing contest against Boroughmuir Thistle, with a place in the Semi-Final at stake. Striker Amy Sharkey celebrated her 17th birthday and first match in claret and amber since signing permanently from Celtic last week, scoring an impressive hat-trick, with Louisa Boyes, Sophie Black and Jenna Penman also adding to the tally.

Paul Brownlie’s side will refocus their priorities towards the league campaign, with victory over Spartans this weekend putting the women of steel within touching distance of a top-six finish this season.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell 

Motherwell remain five-points clear of closest-rivals Partick Thistle, having already played an extra game, as both sides remain firmly in the chase for a top-six finish this season. Motherwell are in control of their own destiny, with victory in their next two-games potentially securing their top-six place if results elsewhere are favourable.

The women of steel are unbeaten in their last four domestic encounters, holding high-flying Hearts to a goalless stalemate, before defeating Dundee United, Montrose and Bonnyrigg Rose last weekend. Motherwell will have to contend without top-goalscorer Laura Berry, who returned to Rangers on deadline day after being recalled by the Glasgow-side.

Motherwell bolstered their squad ahead of a vital run of fixtures, with Rangers loanee Eilidh Austin, and experienced defender Shannon Leishman both joining the ranks at K-Park.

Spartans 

The capital-based club remain ninth in the SWPL table, three-points ahead of the relegation-places after a difficult fixture list against five of the top-six sides. Spartans are without a league victory since November, defeating Montrose by three-goals to nil before encountering five defeats and one draw. The Edinburgh side also secured their place in the quarter-final’s of the Scottish Cup, racking up six-goals against SWPL2 side Kilmarnock.

Ticket Information

Supporters can purchase their ticket on the day, with pay-at-the-gate in operation. Both cash and card payments will be available.

Adult – £8.

Concession – £3.

Under 11’s – Free to enter.

Defender Shannon Leishman has completed a loan move from Hibernian until the end of the season. 

A stalwart in the Scottish capital, Leishman achieved over 150-appearances in Leith, becoming one of the Hibees most decorated and long-serving players. Completing successive Scottish Cup and SWPL Cup title victories, Leishman has lifted four trophies during her time in Edinburgh, whilst representing the club in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The 28-year-old versatile defender will be a key asset for the women of steel’s as they chase their long-evaded ambition of a top-six finish in the SWPL table.

“I’m excited to be at the club,” Leishman said.

“Motherwell are a really competitive and ambitious team, who are looking to achieve a historic top-six finish this season. I knew when Paul spoke to me about coming to the club that I would be keen to be a part of their plans for the season ahead.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the squad and getting started at K-Park.”

Leishman will add experience to the already strong Motherwell backline, who have kept two back-to-back clean sheets since New Years Day.

“This is an important addition to the squad,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Shannon is an incredibly talented and experienced footballer, who has showcased her ability in the SWPL for countless seasons, and has been a fundamental component for Hibs in recent years.

“To have someone of her ability in the squad is a real statement of intent for where we want to be by the end of the season.”

Defender Eilidh Austin is our first new addition of the January window after agreeing a six-month loan deal with the women of steel. 

The Rangers academy prodigy rose through the ranks in Glasgow, making 19-appearances whilst also plying her trade at Hamilton – scoring five times across 15-appearances at New Douglas Park.

“I’m really pleased to have signed for Motherwell,” Austin said.

“I’ve made a lot of appearances in the SWPL already, but I really wanted to find a consistent run to continue my progression at this level.

“Motherwell are a very competitive side that have been competing closely within the top-six of the SWPL table. It felt like the perfect opportunity for me to support their efforts whilst continuing to gain experience.

Despite her youthfulness, Austin has already achieved a vast amount in the women’s game, lifting two SWPL Cups alongside one Scottish Cup title.

“This is a positive addition to the squad,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie emphasised.

“Eilidh is a very technically gifted player and someone we felt could provide an added dimension to our options in the backline.

“We felt it necessary to add a fresh face to the squad, as we near the final set of fixtures before the split.”

Striker Laura Berry will return to parent club Rangers. 

Laura Berry returned to Motherwell for her second consecutive loan spell, netting 11-goals in her first-spell before replicating that tally in one fewer game second time around.

The forward will return to Rangers after being recalled by the Glasgow-side.

“We are incredibly disappointed to lose Laura especially at this stage of the season,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie said.

“We were expecting Laura to remain at the club until the end of the season, so to lose someone of Laura’s quality especially at such a late stage of the transfer window is frustrating.

“I’d like to personally thank Laura for her tremendous effort and contribution to the club. She has excelled on the pitch, and been pivotal to our season so far. Laura leaves with our best wishes, and support for the future.”

The trials and tribulations, the illustrious icons and the storied legacy of the Scottish Cup will add another chapter this weekend, as Motherwell welcome Bonnyrigg Rose to K-Park. 

Motherwell coasted through to the fourth round, defeating SWPL2 side Rossvale by seven-goals to nil at the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex. There were seven different goalscorers on show, as Sophie Black, Bailley Collins, Louisa Boyes, Jenna Penman, Lucy Barclay, Sienna McGoldrick and Mason Clark all etched their names on the scoresheet.

Head Coach, Paul Brownlie’s side will return to East Kilbride this weekend for the first time in 2025, facing Bonnyrigg Rose following back-to-back victories over Dundee United and Montrose on the road.  A six-nil and four-nil victory have maintained motherwell’s unbeaten start to the new year.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell started 2025 on the right note, defeating relegation-survival hopefuls Dundee United with an assured display in the City of Discovery. Motherwell face a closely-fought race to the finish line to achieve a top-six place this season, with the women of steel five points clear of nearest league rivals Partick Thistle, who have a additional game in-hand. Motherwell continued their strong opening to 2025, defeating Montrose with an assured performance on the North-East coast.

The women of steel will be looking to rectify their disappointing early exit to last season’s Scottish Cup campaign, with Motherwell exiting the competition at the first hurdle after reaching the Semi-Final in the previous season.

Bonnyrigg Rose

SWF League One side Bonnyrigg Rose head to K-Park looking to cause a cup upset after overcoming Ross County and Morton to secure their place in the last-16. The Rose defeated the Stages by three-goals to two before another narrow 2-1 away victory against the Ton.

Ticket information 

Supporters can purchase their ticket on the day, with pay-at-the-gate in operation. Both cash and card payments are acceptable.

Adult – £8

Concession – £3

Under-11 – Free to enter.

The trials and tribulations, the illustrious icons and the storied legacy of the Scottish Cup are all memories to last a lifetime. 

The famous competition returns to the forefront of the domestic calendar this weekend, as Motherwell welcome SWF League One side Bonnyrigg Rose to K-Park. The defeated Finalists to Hibernian in 2018, and Semi-Finalists to Rangers in 2023, Motherwell are on the hunt for Scottish Cup glory, with the weekend visit of Bonnyrigg Rose standing in their way of a place in the Quarter-Final stage.

Midfielder Sarah Gibb discusses the importance of Scottish Cup success for the women of steel.

“The Scottish Cup means absolutely everything to the squad,” Gibb explained.

“You never know how many chances you’ll have to lift silverware in your career. There’s always financial disadvantages between the full-time and part-time teams in the SWPL, but cup competitions are one-off matches where you have the opportunity to defy the odds and reach stages where you’re competing for silverware.

“This weekend will be a massive test for us. Bonnyrigg are a lower-league opposition, but in no way are we expecting a simple route to the next round. They will be motivated and determined to cause a cup upset, and we have to ensure that we have prepared in the correct manner to achieve a positive result. ”

Motherwell overcame four-sides before succumbing to a closely-fought two-nil defeat to Rangers in the first-ever domestic women’s match to be held at the National Stadium, Hampden Park back in 2023. Celtic loanee Amy Sharkey and Lucy Barclay were both unused substitutes for the eventual champions, with Laura Berry featuring in the latter stages for Rangers in the proceeding final.

Paul Brownlie’s side sought to replicate the cup success of the previous season, but their ambitious aspirations failed to live up to expectations. A disappointing run the following year saw the women of steel eliminated at the first hurdle, with a 4-2 defeat to close league rivals Partick Thistle.

“The cup exit last year was a sore one,” Gibb noted.

“We battled Thistle close, but ultimately we weren’t at the standards we knew we were capable of. It is something that the entire squad haven’t forgotten, and we are determined to give a better account of ourselves. We are focused on building back from that disappointing defeat last season, and are ready to put it right this weekend.

“We have been performing to a high standard in the league, picking up two back-to-back victories in 2025, and maintaining our position in the top-six of the SWPL table. We’ve been prolific in the final third and defensively sound in our own half, scoring 10-goals and conceding none from our last two-games. These are encouraging signs, but we understand that we need to be consistent in our performances.

“The game against Bonnyrigg could prove to be a difficult afternoon if we don’t start the game on the front foot, but the atmosphere in training has been positive. We’ve had a few players back from injury and a couple new additions in the squad, so we are really coming together as a team.

“The atmosphere within the dressing room has been unbelievable. We have a really close-knit squad, who are there to support you through the good and bad times on the pitch, and we are all heading into the game this weekend full of confidence.”

The K-Park faithful have turned out in their numbers to support the women of steel this season, and Gibb is hopeful that a strong home following could help support their efforts of achieving a place in the next round of the Scottish Cup.

“The supporters have been great so far this season,” Gibb said.

“We’ve had a really strong following at K-Park, and one that is only continuing to grow. We are looking forward to seeing you all in East Kilbride this weekend, and are ready to give a performance deserving of your support.

“We hope to see you all there.”

Motherwell coasted to their second consecutive victory on the North-East coast, defeating Montrose by four-goals at Links Park on Sunday.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that defeated Dundee United in the City of Discovery a fortnight ago. Goalscorer Sophie Black’s performance was rewarded with a place in the starting XI, as Amy Sharkey also lined-up alongside Laura Berry.

Louisa Boyes broke the deadlock within the opening phase of play, wrong-footing her opponent with a clever run into the box, before diverting Katie Rice’s whipped delivery past Kirsten Platt in the Montrose goal with a swirling header. After teeing up her teammate for the opener, Rice soon etched her name on the scoresheet, curling a magnificent free-kick into the top-left corner to seal a commanding two-goal cushion at the half-time break.

Laura Berry racked up her 16^th league goal early into the second-half, reacting sharply to volley home the rebound from Bailley Collins’ long-range strike. Collins dipping effort from distance rattled the face of the Montrose crossbar before ricocheting invitingly towards the striker’s feet, and Berry drilled home from close-range with a first-time right-footed volley.

Laura McCartney wrapped up an assured performance on the North-East coast, chasing down what appeared to be a lost cause long-ball. The midfielder caught the Montrose stopper in no-man’s land before dispatching a precise low-finish through the keeper’s outstretched leg. With the final kick of the game, McCartney sustained Motherwell’s advantage over closest-rivals Partick Thistle in the SWPL table.

The women of steel sit five-points clear of the Jags in the final top-six place, with Motherwell turning their attention to the Scottish Cup next weekend, when they welcome Bonnyrigg Rose to K-park.

The women of steel have secured the signature of highly-rated youth prodigy Mason Clark on a permanent deal from Rangers after a successful initial loan spell. 

The 18-year-old traded royal blue for claret of amber in the summer of 2024 after a productive loan move across the River Clyde at local rivals Hamilton last season. Clark featured 22-times in red and white, scoring five-times at New Douglas Park. The youngster was then awarded Accies’ Player & Young Player of the Year.

“I’m delighted to make the move to Motherwell permanent,” Clark said.

“It’s already been an incredible few months at the club. I feel my game has significantly progressed, and the competition for places in the squad has been a challenge that I’m proud to have taken on.

“I’ve been at Rangers since I was very young, but I felt that this was the right moment to make that step into regular senior football, and I felt that there was no better opportunity than to continue with the club.

The midfielder has already featured 14-times for Motherwell, netting once in a 6-1 victory against Queens Park.

“We’re delighted to have Mason remain at the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“She has came to the club with the correct attitude and the mindset to challenge other players for places, and strengthen the squads ambitions of a top-six finish this season.

“Mason has started to really hit her stride, and we are looking forward to continuing her progression this season.

Signing from Dundee United in the summer of 2023, defender Eve Donald added a wealth of Premier League experience to the Motherwell backline after defying the odds to protect her predecessors top-flight safety in the previous domestic season. 

Despite maintaining an impressive CV throughout her time in the City of Discovery, Donald sought to continue her development at the women of steel whilst then still being at the youthful age of 23. However, a recurring injury rapidly disrupted her progression on the pitch, as Donald featured on only nine-occasions before a serious and unforeseen knee injury ruled the defender out of action for over nine-months.

Donald has continued to quietly work behind the scenes, whilst progressively building up to a return to action,

“It’s been the most frustrating part of my footballing journey,” Donald explained.

“There were small recurring injuries that stalled the start of my time at the club, but I’d started to overcome them and earn a more consistent run in the team. Then, in a single unpredictable moment, I turned sharply on the ball, and it resulted in one of the most challenging injuries a player could ever encounter.

“It became apparent on the pitch that I’d sustained an ACL rupture, which we then confirmed after an MRI scan. This specific injury has been increasingly prominent in the women’s game, and it’s always a concern that you try to keep in the back of your mind, but that day it ultimately became a reality for me.”

A physically and mentally demanding challenge for the now 24-year-old, with Donald acknowledging that the severity of the injury and the expected duration on the sidelines was tough to comprehend.

“It’s been a slow arduous time away from the pitch,” Donald noted.

“I was aware of the time scales attached to ACL injuries. Having witnessed many teammates go through it in the past, I knew how long the process would be.

“I wasn’t able to immediately receive the surgery that I needed, so my recovery time only stagnated as the days and weeks went by. Thankfully, since being able to get the operation, the recovery time has been slightly shorter than what was originally anticipated, which has allowed me to get back training.

“You don’t fully appreciate it until you’re on the sidelines, but having the opportunity to be around your teammates and train is a perfect motivator to continue working behind the scenes and regain my place in the matchday squad.

“I’ve been working tirelessly to get back as soon as possible, and for myself, gradually building up my sharpness and gaining momentum will be the best approach going forward. Once I’m mentally and physically ready to play, I will do my upmost to support the squad whenever I’m called upon.”

With teammates Laura McCartney and Lucy Ronald both recently returning from severe long-term injuries, that collectively amounted to over three seasons on the sidelines, Donald expressed the importance of having those with related experiences to aid the recovery process.

“There’s obviously a lot of concerns and fears of the unknown and the extent of the recovery process,” Donald said.

“Until you’ve been in that position, it’s difficult to understand exactly what the process involves and how to prepare myself for the surgery as well.

“The support from the rest of the squad was pivotal, especially from the players who have been in the same situation, so the reassurance and guidance really helped to alleviate those initial fears and concerns around when I’d get back onto the pitch.

“There is a really good core group of players at the club, and everyone in the dressing room looks out for each other. They’ve been essential throughout this year, and I can’t wait to be back sharing the pitch with them.”

The women of steel return to action this weekend for the first-time in under a fortnight, as they travel to face Montrose at Links Park on Sunday. 

Motherwell haven’t faced a competitive matchday since defeating Dundee United by six-goals to one at Foundation Park in the first SWPL matchday of 2025. Head Coach, Paul Brownlie’s side will travel up the A9 to the North-East coast, facing the Gable Endies for the first-time since a narrow 3-2 victory at K-Park last August. Former striker Morgan Cross broke the deadlock, before summer addition Rachel Todd and Bailley Collins both added to the scoresheet in East Kilbride.

The visitors will be keen to continue their unbeaten run against Sunday’s hosts, with the women of steel unbeaten in their last-four against Montrose, earning two-wins and two-draws. Motherwell will be motivated to secure their first victory at Links Park, after picking up two-points from four in their previous trips to the North-East.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell started 2025 on the right note, defeating relegation-survival hopefuls Dundee United with an assured display in the City of Discovery. Motherwell face a closely-fought race to the finish line to achieve a top-six place this season, with the women of steel five points clear of nearest league rivals Partick Thistle, who have a additional game in-hand. Motherwell will face Montrose, Spartans, Aberdeen and Glasgow City in their remaining four SWPL fixtures, with victory this weekend putting Motherwell’s ambitions within touching distance.

Montrose 

The Gable Endies sit precariously above the relegation places, level on points with Aberdeen in 10th, but ahead of the Dons on goal difference. The hosts have picked up one-win from their last 11, defeating relegation rivals Queens Park by a single goal before the winter break.

Ticket information 

Supporters can purchase their ticket in advance through the Montrose ticketing website or on the day, with pay at the gate available.

Adult – TBC

Concession – TBC

Under-11 – TBC