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Motherwell head to Spartans in the latest round of SWPL1 fixtures on Sunday afternoon.

Kick off at Ainslie Park in Edinburgh is at 2pm.

The game is closed to supporters but a live stream will be available on the day. A link will be published on the day.

Tale of the tape

The two sides have faced four times since Motherwell’s promotion to the top flight in 2019.

Spartans have won two, with two draws sandwiched in between the two defeats for the women of steel.

Sunday’s opponents sit fourth in the table with 15 points from 11 fixtures, nine points better off than second-bottom ‘Well.

Form guide

Motherwell picked up their first win since the restart with a 2-1 home win against Hearts on Wednesday night.

Prior to that, a heavy defeat to Glasgow City came off the back of consecutive 3-2 losses at the hands of Forfar Farmington and Hibernian.

Spartans have won two and lost two since the April restart.

A 2-0 home win over Hibernian was followed by losses to Celtic and Rangers, before a 2-1 away victory over Forfar Farmington in midweek.

Motherwell claimed an important win over Hearts to lift themselves off the bottom of SWPL1 at the expense of their opponents.

Goals from Claire Adams and Nicole Pullar gave the women of steel their second victory against the Edinburgh club in the 2020/21 campaign in a 2-1 success.

A heated, hearty home performance saw a high intensity first half, in which Motherwell dominated most of the possession and attacks in the first 30 minutes.

Adams opened the scoring with 17 minutes on the lock. A well-worked move saw her get on the end of a cut back, which she dispatched cleanly into the top corner of the Hearts net.

Six minutes later, Motherwell doubled their lead. Lori Gardner pressed the Hearts defender high up the park and, after winning possession, she then drove into the box and cut the ball back for Pullar to finish into an empty net.

Motherwell then kept the pressure on Hearts and had several opportunities to extend their lead, only to find former Motherwell goalkeeper Ailey Tebbett on fine form and making several expert saves.

The second half saw Hearts start the quicker and on the front foot.

A change of shape and tempo saw them draw one back through a cross which came off the knee of Kirstie Macintosh and roll helplessly by Lauren McGregor in the Motherwell goal.

After that, the game became very even, with both sides limiting each other to longer distance efforts with neither goalkeeper being tested properly.

The game stayed on a knife-edge right until the last 15 minutes, with Motherwell pinned back in their own defensive third until the referee blew the final whistle to seal a big three points.

Motherwell: McGregor, Connor, C Watson, Adams, Inglis, J Gallon, Gardner, Pullar (McDonald-Nguah), Skelton (Callaghan), L Gallon.

Subs: Pollard, K Watson, G Crooks, Sinclair, M Crooks.

Motherwell host Hearts in the latest round of SWPL1 fixtures on Wednesday.

Kick off at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie is at 7.30pm.

The game is closed to supporters but is available to watch live online.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell were victorious in the opening meeting between the two sides earlier in the campaign.

The 3-0 win at Oriam brought the team’s only points of the season so far, with ‘Well looking to do an early double to get back up the SWPL1 table.

Form guide

An 8-0 loss to Glasgow City on Sunday sent the champions back to the top of the table.

Prior to the weekend, ‘Well lost their two matches after the restart by the odd goal in five, going down 3-2 to both Forfar Farmington and Hibernian.

Paired with Hearts’ draw with Forfar Farmington, the women of steel dropped to bottom spot, a point behind the Gorgie side.

Hearts had also lost their first two games back, going down 6-0 to Rangers and 3-0 to Celtic.

Motherwell head to face Glasgow City in SWPL1 on Sunday.

Kick off at Broadwood Stadium is at 4.10pm.

The game is closed to supporters but is available to watch live and free on BBC Alba.

Highlights of the match will also be broadcast live on BBC Scotland at 8.30pm on Sunday.

Tale of the tape

City have won the four encounters between the two sides since Motherwell’s promotion to the top flight in 2019.

The hosts were victorious 3-0 earlier in the season, having netted 27 without reply in the three games previous.

Form guide

City have won their two league matches since the return to league action, defeating Celtic 3-0 and Forfar Farmington by seven without reply.

Sunday’s opponents sit level on points at the top with Rangers, with a poorer goal difference keeping them in second spot.

‘Well have lost their two matches by the odd goal in five, going down 3-2 to both Forfar Farmington and Hibernian.

Motherwell lost out by the odd goal in five for the second week running, going down 3-2 away to Hibernian.

After a home loss to Forfar Farmington on the return to play last weekend, the women of steel went east to take on a typically formidable opponent at Ainslie Park.

Early pressure from both sides saw a scrappy start to affairs, but it would be Motherwell who would make their chance count when it arrived.

With 26 minutes gone, two waves of attack from the visitors forced a corner. Claire Adams put in the ball for Rosie Slater, who bulleted past the Hibernian keeper.

The lead though would last three minutes. Boyle’s through pass found Gallagher, who rounded goalkeeper Ramsay to slot home from a tight angle.

Then, shortly before half-time, the hosts took control. A similar pattern of play saw Boyle break through, before squaring to Cavanagh to score from eight yards out.

Motherwell came out determined to put up a fight to get back into the game but would be penalised by a handball decision on the edge of the box with a minute of the second half gone.

Chelsie Watson’s arms appeared to be by her side as the ball hit off her, but the resulting set play would see Gallagher find the top-right corner of the net to extend Hibs’ advantage.

The visitors continued to rally, and got a foothold back in the game with three minutes left ot play.

Good play saw the ball worked wide before finding Nicole Pullar in the box, who rose above Murray to head past the goalkeeper.

Motherwell pushed and pushed in the dying stages but couldn’t find the goal to take a point back to ML1.

Motherwell: Ramsay, Connor, C Watson, G Crooks (McLintock), Adams, Slater, Inglis, Gardner, Callaghan (Sinclair), Skelton (Pullar), Gallon.

Subs: Pollard, K Watson, Roberts, M Crooks.

Motherwell head to Hibernian next in SWPL1.

Kick off on Sunday at Ainslie Park is at 2pm.

The game is closed to supporters.

You can watch a live stream for free on Hibernian’s Facebook page.

Highlights of the match will also be broadcast live on BBC Scotland at 8.30pm on Sunday.

Tale of the tape

Hibs have won all seven of the encounters between the two sides since the first meeting in June 2017.

Earlier this season, the Edinburgh side were 6-0 winners away against the women of steel.

Form guide

Both sides returned to action with defeat in their first SWPL1 matches on Sunday.

Motherwell put up a fight but ultimately lost out 3-2 at home to Forfar Farmington, while Hibs were defeated 2-0 at Spartans.

One place in the table separates the two teams, with Hibernian six points ahead in sixth spot, and Motherwell in seventh.

Motherwell were made to rue missed chances as they lost out 3-2 against Forfar Farmington on their return to SWPL1 action.

Second half goals from Ryan, Cowper and Bruce ensured defeat for the women of steel in their first match back after the prolonged break.

‘Well went into the game with interim coaches Stewart Hall and Willie Kinniburgh in the dugout, following the departure of Eddie Wolecki Black in midweek.

Motherwell had the first chance of the match. Callaghan’s low drive was well saved by Perry, after she had sprung the offside trap after a delightful through ball from Adams.

McDonald-Nguah was next to test the visiting keeper, her brilliant touch on the far side taking out two defenders and her curling effort going agonisingly over the bar from just outside the box.

Motherwell looked like a team hungry to improve on a poorer earlier start to the SWPL1 campaign and Perry was forced to make another smart stop from McDonald-Nguah soon after. Skelton’s cross was deflected into her path and her effort was straight at the keeper.

Kilcoyne nearly put the visitors ahead after a mix-up from a corner left home goalkeeper Ramsay exposed. She recovered well to eventually smother the ball after the Forfar forward looked destined to score, sending the two teams in level at the break.

The second half would see the match open up further, as both teams felt the effect of playing their first competitive match for months.

Callaghan started the second half with an early effort that just went wide, after she found space outside the box, while McDonald-Nguah was a constant menace for the Forfar backline with her craft and guile.

But the visitors opened the scoring from a well-worked corner. An inch-perfect ball gave Ryan an easy header from close range and she made no mistake finishing well.

Motherwell rallied and quickly levelled the match. After a stramash in the box, the ball was cleared out to Callaghan, who expertly shot from outside the box to make it 1-1.

Shortly after, the visitors retook the lead. Cowper’s long-range lob caught out Ramsay in goals, who could only watch on as the ball flew into the top corner.

Fraser nearly sealed the three points for the visitors when the ball deflected to her in the box, but she blasted the ball well over to the relief of the Motherwell defence.

Sinclair and McLintock replaced Callaghan and Skelton as ‘Well looked to bring fresh legs into their attacking play. Crooks was the next player to have an effort at goal, but she rushed her attempt just inside the box and the ball flew past the post.

Motherwell then missed a golden chance, McDonald-Nguah played in Sinclair after great hold-up play, but she lost her composure at the vital moment and gave Perry an easy save after a tame effort.

Forfar sealed the three points when Bruce punished a lack of concentration at the back, finding herself goalside from Watson and finishing well past Ramsey.

Motherwell then pulled one back when substitute McLintock fired home from range to ensure a nervy ending at The Penny Cars Stadium, but the visitors held out for the victory – which keeps Motherwell rooted second bottom.

‘Well now face a trip to Ainslie Park to take on Hibernian next Sunday, Kick off is at 2pm.

Motherwell: Ramsay, Connor (Swanson), C Watson, G Crooks, Adams, Slater, Inglis, McDonald-Nguah, Gardner, Callaghan (McLintock), Skelton (Sinclair).

Subs not used: Pollard, K Watson, Roberts, M Crooks.

REACTION

Assistant coach Stewart Hall was happy with the performance, despite the result.

“The three goals we conceded were poor and we will work on them,” he said. “But to score two well-worked goals like we did was pleasing.

“Most importantly, our team performance was back to the levels we expect here at Motherwell.

“We came in at the break knowing we should have been ahead in the match, but that’s what happens in this division. You have to take your chances against a team like Forfar because they have bundles of experience.

“To lose two set pieces, a corner and a free kick was disappointing, but those are things we can work on. Our application was spot on.

“If we continue to play like we did today, results will come. We need to look ahead of ourselves and not behind us.”

The SWPL1 season restarts with Motherwell hosting Forfar Farmington.

Kick off on Sunday is at 2pm.

The game is closed to supporters.

You can buy and watch a live stream of the game for £5 here.

Highlights of the match will also be broadcast live on BBC Scotland at 8.30pm on Sunday.

Tale of the tape

Forfar won the opening game of the campaign at home to Motherwell at Station Park.

A 4-2 victory for the hosts that day in October came in an end-to-end match, with Donna Paterson and London Pollard scoring doubles.

Form guide

Both teams have been out of action since mid-December, having completed seven league games.

Motherwell’s sole win in those seven came away to Hearts, keeping them above the Edinburgh side on goal difference at the bottom end of the table.

Forfar are four points and one position ahead in the table, having defeated Motherwell and Hearts, as well as drawing with Celtic.

Match programme

Eddie Wolecki Black has left his post as manager of the Motherwell FC women’s team.

Following discussions with the club, Eddie is leaving to concentrate on a degree course at a local college.

Assistants Stewart Hall and Willie Kinniburgh have agreed to lead the team on an interim basis.

Wolecki Black first joined the club in 2018 and, together with assistant Donald Jennow, led the club to the SWPL2 title and promotion to the Scottish top flight. The pair also guided ‘Well to their first Scottish Cup final in 38 years.

After leaving for a short stint at Celtic, Wolecki Black returned in late 2019, ahead of the proposed 2020 campaign.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to the season, with the league campaign resuming on Sunday after a lengthy break.

“I want to put on record my thanks to Eddie for all he has done for Motherwell in his time with us,” Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows said.

“He achieved everything we asked him to and more. However, we both felt that this was probably a good time for a change, allowing the club to focus on a new direction, particularly with next season in mind.

“I would like to wish Eddie every success, particularly with his impending degree and with his future football career.”

Wolecki Black added: “I am grateful for the opportunities Motherwell Football Club have provided me with to grow the women’s team over my two spells here.

“We have made great strides forward to become a top-flight team, and the club has every chance of continuing to build on that in the coming months and years.

“I wish everyone at the club all the best for the future and the resumption of the league season.”

Back in action with a special kit to mark our return.

Motherwell get back to Scottish Women’s Premier League 1 action on Sunday 4 April, after a break in the season due to Covid-19.

To mark the comeback, our players have designed their own special away strip in conjunction with You Are My Sunshine, a North Lanarkshire-based mental health charity.

You can buy yours on pre-order now. The profits from every sale will be donated to YAMS. Shirts will be delivered in mid-to-late May.

“You Are My Sunshine (YAMS), Gemma’s Mental Health Charity started in 2018 after our chair, Rhonda Jones, lost her younger sister Gemma to suicide,” said a spokesperson for the charity.

“After recognising the lack of mental health support available in the area, Rhonda and a group of local volunteers decided to turn the tragedy and grief of Gemma’s death into a positive action, to ensure services and support was accessible to all in a timely manner and to prevent another person and another family going through the same pain they had suffered.”

To find out more about YAMS, or seek support, visit them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, go to their website or email enquiries@yams.org.uk.

“We are delighted to be combining the launch of a new kit with support for YAMS,” added Alan Burrows, chief executive of Motherwell FC.

“The role they play in offering mental health support is invaluable and we are delighted to partner with them to spread the message further.

“We also extend our thanks to Pitch Teamwear for helping with the creation and purchase of the kits.”