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Sarah Gibb, Rebecca Cameron and Laura McCartney have extended their stay at the club after agreeing a contract extension.

Midfielder Laura McCartney will remain with the women of steel for a fourth consecutive season after initially signing on loan in 2021 before making the move permanent last summer.

Recent 2023 acquisitions Sarah Gibb and Rebecca Cameron will commit to their second season in claret and amber after signing on a permanent basis from Glasgow City and St. Johnstone respectively last term.

“This is another positive step in our preparations for the forthcoming season,” Head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Sarah has settled really well into the squad and has developed her game as the season has progressed. I’m excited to see that progression continue this season.

“Laura has had a tough time with injuries, and getting her back in action was a significant milestone. The season ahead is the perfect opportunity for Laura to find regular first-team action.

“Rebecca has had to bide her time for an opportunity, with Emily performing to a high standard, but when called upon, Rebecca has impressed myself and the rest of the coaching staff. Competition for places is key and crucial to driving high standards on the pitch.”

Gibb cemented her place at the core of the Motherwell midfield over the entirety of her maiden SWPL campaign, featuring on 30-occasions, with the youngster capable of playing in a variety of positions, providing versatility within the Motherwell midfield.

“I’m so happy here,” Gibb explained.

“There’s nowhere else I’d want to be. I want to be apart of the club and try to reach the next level with this group of players. The staff have been excellent with me and have made me feel really valued at the club.”

The return of Laura McCartney from a serious long-term injury – that ruled the midfielder out of action for over two-years – positively influenced the depth of talent in the Motherwell backline. As the squad prepare for the forthcoming season, McCartney will be determined to regain the early signs of momentum shown in a Motherwell shirt.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” McCartney emphasised.

“Returning to competitive action after an extensive amount of time on the sidelines was a real milestone moment for myself last season and pre-season will be the perfect time for myself to continue that return to regular match action.”

23-year-old shot stopper Cameron closely-fought fellow teammate Emily Mutch for a place in the Motherwell goal, impressing in an inspired performance over eventual league champions Celtic.

“Last season was a really good introduction to the squad and the club as a whole,” Cameron explained.

“Emily and myself have really pushed each others standards which has been a very positive and healthy competition for places. Extending my time at the club for the season ahead is exciting for myself personally and I can’t wait to get started.”

Tara McGonigle, Morgan Hay and Katie Andrews will all depart the club following the expiry of their contracts.

McGonigle and Hay both traded ML3 for ML1 last summer, as the pair departed local rivals Hamilton for claret and amber. However, both couldn’t establish a consistent place in the starting XI and were loaned out to SWPL2 survival hopefuls Gartcairn. The duo played a fundamental role in lifting Gartcairn from the foot of the SWPL2 league table to an eventual sixth-placed finish.

Shot-stopper Katie Andrews joined the women of steel at 16-years-old from Queens Park in 2021 and spent three seasons with the women of steel including two loan spells at Gartcairn and Glasgow Women respectively.

We thank Tara, Morgan and Katie for their efforts at Motherwell and wish them all well for the future.

Bailley Collins has extended her stay at the club after agreeing a contract extension.

The defender, who has been an integral component at K-Park since signing as a free agent from Aberdeen in 2023, has put pen to paper on a one-year extension after an impressive maiden season at the club.

“Bailley has really hit the ground running,” Head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Even during a tough run of form collectively, Bailley’s performances stood out and her importance to the squad is reflected after featuring in every SWPL game last season.

“Securing Bailley’s signature for the forthcoming season is a real statement of intent for our aspirations of a top-six finish next season.”

Collins wore claret and amber 32-times in the SWPL last season, starting on 27-occasions and netting three times from the Motherwell backline.

“I am delighted to have extended my stay at Motherwell,” Collins emphasised.

“I really enjoyed my first season at the club and am looking forward to continuing my journey here.

“I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”

Now that our 2023/24 ScottishPower SWPL season has reached it’s conclusion, we can provide an update on our playing squad.

Players under contract

• Emily Mutch
• Katie Rice
• Lucy Ronald
• Chelsie Watson
• Gill Inglis
• Louisa Boyes
• Eve Donald
• Jo Addie

Loan players returning to parent club

• Laura Berry
• Brooke Nunn
• Kayla Jardine
• Sophia Martin

Players departing

• Amy Anderson
• Kaela McDonald-Nguah
• Georgie Rafferty
• Kaitlyn Canavan
• Shana MacPhail
• Lori Gardner

Players offered new contract and negotiating

• Bailey Collins
• Tara McGonigle
• Morgan Hay
• Morgan Cross
• Sarah Gibb
• Murron Cunningham
• Laura McCartney
• Rebecca Cameron
• Katie Andrews

We are looking to add a physiotherapist to assist our women’s side ahead of the forthcoming SWPL campaign.

If you are interested and require further details, please contact Head Coach Paul Brownlie:

Paul.Brownlie@motherwellfc.co.uk

The women of steel rounded off the 2023/24 SWPL campaign with their third straight victory and eleventh consecutive unbeaten game to secure a seventh-place finish in a narrow 0-1 victory over Dundee United at Foundation Park

The women of steel travelled to the city of discovery with the understanding that victory over the Tangerines would mathematically secure a seventh-place finish ahead of nearest league rivals Aberdeen. Player of the Year Louisa Boyes netted the solitary goal moments before the half-time break, as Motherwell head into the forthcoming campaign on a high.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made four changes from the side that cruised to their third Lanarkshire derby victory under the K-Park floodlights midweek. Emily Mutch returned in the Motherwell goal, with Kayla Jardine, Brooke Nunn and Murron Cunningham all returning to the starting XI.

Despite Dundee United requiring a victory to escape the automatic relegation-place, Motherwell started firmly on  the front foot, with goalscorer on the previous meeting Jo Addie almost netting within the opening few minutes. Latching onto the ball from a corner, Addie tried to pick out the near side of the goal, but the defender couldn’t convert from close-range.

Morgan Cross almost netted soon after after shifting the ball onto her stronger right-foot, but the forward’s audacious effort was equally-matched by an excellent reaction save.

The breakthrough came three-minutes into stoppage time, with Boyes expertly escaping her marker to find space yards from goal, and the midfielder calmly placed a low effort into the centre of the United goal.

As the second-half resumed, chances from Berry and Anderson tested the United goal, but with Aberdeen conceding twice to Spartans and Hamilton three-behind Montrose, both sides were content to play out the remaining minutes with ease.

The women of steel now head into the forthcoming campaign with confidence and momentum in the pursuit of a top-six finish, as an eleven-game unbeaten run concludes the 2023/24 SWPL campaign in style.

The city of discovery will await the women of steel this weekend, as Motherwell prepare for the final challenge in their quest to finish at the top of the split, with victory in the season finale securing a seventh-place finish in the 2023/24 SWPL table.

The visitors travel to Dundee with the understanding that a solitary point would ensure a place ahead of nearest rivals Aberdeen on goal-difference.

Chelsie Watson’s 95^th-minute winner at the Balmoral stadium last weekend opened up a two-point advantage over the Dons prior to a third successive Lanarkshire derby victory this season after two convincing four-goal victories over Hamilton across both sides of the river Clyde.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The hosts have firmly taken the post-split fixtures in their stride, maintaining an exceptional unbeaten run of 10-successive games. Five straight home victories throughout that spell have propelled the women of steel to the top of the split.

Victory in the Granite City last weekend ensured the women of steel’s momentum in achieving a seventh-place finish remained firmly within their own hands ahead of a highly-anticipated encounter with SWPL survival hopefuls Dundee United.

Striker Morgan Cross deservedly earned a place in the Scotland U23s squad to face Denmark in a double-header of friendlies this month after impressing in recent weeks, including a brace against Hamilton on Wednesday evening.

Dundee United

The hosts sit precariously above the automatic relegation spot, one point ahead of Hamilton who travel to face Montrose on the final day of the season.

Five points from their last four SWPL encounters have noticeably aided the Tangerines survival hopes after a run of 15-straight league defeats.

Ticket information 

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £5
• Concession – Free to enter
• Under 11s – Free to enter

How to follow the action 

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from Foundation Park at 12PM.

Motherwell successfully rounded off their final home game of the season in emphatic style, twice overcoming early setbacks to cruise to their third Lanarkshire derby triumph of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

Melissa Reid broke the deadlock for the visitors shortly after kick-off, with Morgan Cross restoring the scoreline moments later. Chole Muir regained Hamilton’s advantage, with an accurate finish on the half-hour mark. Morgan Cross netted her second of the game minutes after the second-half restart to draw the women of steel level for the second time.

In the latter stages of the game, lifelong Well fan Amy Anderson fired Motherwell into the ascendency for the first-time, with Jo Addie scoring the decisive fourth in the final few minutes of the game to secure the women of steel’s third Lanarkshire derby victory this season.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made four changes to the side that overcame a late Aberdeen resurgence to secure the three points with the final kick of the ball at Balmoral Stadium last Sunday. Rebecca Camron replaced Emily Mutch in the Motherwell goal, with Bailley Collins, Brooke Nunn and Sarah Gibb all returning to the starting XI.

Motherwell almost picked up immediately from where they left off in the Granite City after starting firmly on the front foot. Anderson came close to breaking the deadlock within the opening two minutes after drilling a dangerous right-footed effort from the edge of the box off the crossbar.

Motherwell’s early momentum soon faced an early setback, as the visitors found the breakthrough. Reid escaped her marker before picking out the bottom-left corner with an accurate finish across the face of goal.

Motherwell’s’ attacking efforts persisted and the equaliser soon materialised less than 10-minutes later. Brooke Nunn’s whipped delivery sailed invitingly across the face of goal, and Morgan Cross rose the highest in the box to power home a precise headed effort.

Hamilton restored their advantage shortly before the half-time break, with Muir latching onto Justine Strain’s through ball and placing her strike into the bottom-right corner from close-range.

Four minutes into the second-half, Motherwell netted their second equaliser of the game, with Cross bulleting Katie Rice’s floated delivery into the top-right corner, with her second header of the game.

In the latter stages of the game, lifelong Well fan Amy Anderson found space in the Hamilton penalty area before dispatching a composed right-footed shot into centre of the Hamilton goal.

In the latter stages of the game, Jo Addie secured the three points after converting Kayla Jardine delivery across the face of goal.

A swift return to action awaits the women of steel following their dramatic late triumph over Aberdeen in the Granite City last weekend, with the women of steel returning to K-Park to face local rivals Hamilton in the final Lanarkshire derby of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

Chelsie Watson’s 95^th-minute winner at the Balmoral stadium ensured the women of steel continued their exceptional nine game unbeaten run and seventh victory throughout that time.

Paul Brownlie’s side return to East Kilbride with aspirations of securing their third Lanarkshire derby victory this season after convincing four-goal victories across both sides of the river Clyde.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The hosts have firmly taken the post-split fixtures in their stride, maintaining an exceptional unbeaten run of nine successive games. Four straight home victories have propelled the women of steel to the top of the split.

K-Park has proved to be a formidable venue for opposing teams this season, with Motherwell coasting to comfortable victories over Aberdeen, Montrose, Spartans whilst also overcoming Dundee United at Fir Park.

Victory in the Granite City last weekend ensured the women of steel’s momentum in achieving a seventh-place finish remained firmly within their own hands ahead of the final two games against Hamilton and Dundee United.

Hamilton

Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton sit precariously above the automatic relegation spot, level on points with Dundee United, but only one ahead on goal difference.

Three defeats in their last four haven’t aided Hamilton’s survival hopes, with the side from ML3’s solitary point in the last two months coming in a closely-fought 3-3 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie stadium.

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. Kick-off at K-Park from 8PM.

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.