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Motherwell overcame an early second-half response to continue their emphatic run of form, extending their unbeaten record to six-consecutive games whilst ensuring their SWPL status remained intact for the following season.

Kayla Jardine broke the deadlock within the opening phases of play after prodding home Gill Inglis’ whipped delivery, but the visitors capitalised upon Motherwell’s frustrations in the final third to level the game against the run of play.

Nevertheless, the hosts stood resolute and restored their advantage in the latter stages of the game, with Morgan Cross converting after latching onto a swift counter-attack from Louisa Boyes on the left of the Montrose penalty area.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made five changes from the side that were held to a stalemate in the Scottish capital on Wednesday evening. Emily Mutch returned in the Motherwell goal, with Jo Addie, Gill Inglis, Kayla Jardine and Brooke Nunn all featuring in the starting XI.

With a victory mathematically securing Motherwell’s SWPL status ahead of the forthcoming season, the hosts were poised to continue their unbeaten run.

The hosts preparations were almost instantly forced into an unpredictable rethink, as defender Eve Donald landed awkwardly following a contested corner, leaving the centre-back on a stretcher within the opening two-minutes.

Despite the early setback, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot and deservedly netted the breakthrough prior to the 20-minute mark.

Laura Berry skilfully shifted the ball onto her stronger right-foot to escape her marker before teeing up the overlapping Gill Inglis, who’s whipped delivery across the face of goal was calmly placed into the bottom-left corner by Kayla Jardine.

Motherwell continued to flood the Montrose penalty area, with Morgan Cross almost doubling the women of steel’s advantage moments later. The striker coasted through the centre of the box before curling a precise effort towards the bottom-right corner but the forward’s effort was equally matched by the opposing goalkeeper who reacted well to parry clear of the Montrose penalty area.

The women of steel retained their foothold in the game, but couldn’t extend their advantage as the half-time whistle blew.

Moments after the restart, the visitors capitalised on Motherwell’s frustrations in the final third. Midfielder Demi Taylor shifted the ball in-between the Motherwell backline before picking out the bottom-right corner with an accurate finish, beyond the reach of Emily Mutch.

Irrespective of the visitors signs of momentum, Motherwell stuck to the game plan and soon restored their advantage.

Boyes’ quickfire counter-attack left the midfielder in acres of space on the left before finding the run of Cross, who coolly converted from close-range to extend the women of steel’s unbeaten run to six-games with five victories within that period of time.

Motherwell will face another swift return to action when they take to the K-Park turf this weekend, with Montrose the visitors in the women of steel’s third game in eight days.

Victory under the Fir Park lights last weekend and a closely-fought point in Edinburgh on Wednesday night extended Motherwell’s unbeaten run to five games, sustaining the momentum in closing down nearest league rivals Aberdeen.

Paul Brownlie’s side return to East Kilbride for the first time in three weeks after coasting past Aberdeen in a comfortable three-goal victory last month.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Motherwell maintained their unbeaten run in the Scottish capital, overcoming an early second-half goal, with Laura Berry netting from the penalty spot before completing a brace in the latter stages of the game. However, despite looking firmly in the ascendancy, Spartans found a late equaliser to frustrate the women of steel’s hopes of closing down Aberdeen’s slim advantage in the SWPL league table.

The women of steel are now mathematically safe from instant relegation after developing a 19-point advantage over Dundee United with only six games remaining. However, an additional two-points is all that is required to establish Motherwell’s SWPL status next season, with Brownlie’s side holding a 56-goal advantage over Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton in the goal-difference table.

Motherwell have continued their remarkable goalscoring form, scoring 15-times across the last five games, with striker Laura Berry netting five within that congested run of fixtures.

Montrose

The visitors head to South Lanarkshire in fine form, with four back-to-back SWPL victories over Dundee United, Spartans and Hamilton twice prior to a narrow 3-2 defeat to Aberdeen at Links Park.

The Gable Endies have extended their advantage over their fellow relegation rivals, with Montrose 12-points clear of Dundee United at the foot of the table and nine ahead of Hamilton in the playoff-place.

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.

Following this afternoon’s statement from the SWPL, Motherwell FC can confirm that our recent win over Dundee United has now been recorded as a 3-0 victory following a disciplinary hearing.

Motherwell won the initial match 2-1 at Fir Park last Sunday, but with Dundee United having fielded an ineligible player, the panel has overturned the initial scoreline.

A frustrating evening of mixed-emotions for the women of steel in the Scottish capital, as Motherwell extended their unbeaten run to five games but were forced to settle for a point in a tense encounter with relegation-survival hopefuls Spartans at Ainslie Park.

The hosts broke the deadlock early into the second-half through Rebecca Galbraith, with Laura Berry restoring the scoreline with an assured equaliser shortly after the hour mark. Motherwell rallied in the second-half and looked firmly in the ascendency when the young Scottish forward secured a brace after converting Gill Inglis’ low delivery, but a Dion McMahon header in the latter stages of the game ensured a point for both sides.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made six changes to the starting XI from the side that overcame Dundee United at Fir Park last weekend. Rebecca Cameron returned to start in the Motherwell goal, with Eve Donald, Bailley Collins, Sarah Gibb, Murron Cunningham and Sophia Martin all featuring in the starting teamsheet.

Despite being named captain for the encounter with Spartans, illness forced midfielder Amy Anderson to drop out of the matchday squad with Louisa Boyes taking place in the Motherwell midfield-three.

Neither side could find a foothold in the game within the opening exchanges, but Motherwell came closest to netting the early advantage. Cutting inside from the right-hand side, Berry skilfully worked her way across the edge of the Spartans penalty area before teeing up Cunningham at the edge of the box, but the midfielders ambitious attempt forced Alicia Yates into a comfortable stop.

Cameron was soon tested in the Motherwell goal, with a close-range Spartans free-kick clearing the claret and amber wall, but the young shot-stopper reacted quickly to parry beyond the near post.

Unable to find their rhythm in the game, Motherwell’s frustrations were confounded when the referee was forced to pause the game with an injury to the match official. Without an immediate replacement on-hand, the lengthy break in play remained until a local backup could arrive.

Efforts from Berry and Morgan Cross threatened the Spartans goal, but the visitors couldn’t find the breakthrough as the first-half drew to a close.

Despite having a greater share of possession and goalscoring opportunities, Spartans found the opener against the run of play. A floated free-kick from the halfway-line sailed invitingly into the Motherwell six-yard box, and the unmarked Galbraith calmly placed a headed effort beyond the reach of Cameron.

However, Motherwell’s never say die attitude shone through, and the visitors soon netted the equaliser. A quick counter-attack left Brooke Nunn racing through the centre of the Spartans half before teeing up Berry at the edge of the box. The forward accurately picked out the overlapping run of Gill Inglis, who was brought down inside the penalty area.

Berry stepped up and calmy dispatched her fifth Motherwell goal, with a composed side-footed finish into the bottom-right corner.

In the latter stages of the game, Motherwell had completed the comeback, with Inglis’ again the provider, drilling a low delivery across the face of goal, and Berry again escaping her marker to convert from 12-yards out.

Despite remaining firmly in control of the encounter, Spartans found a late equaliser against the run of play, with McMahon guiding a header beyond Cameron from a whipped corner kick.

Motherwell move five points behind Aberdeen in the push for seventh place, but continue their unbeaten run to five successive games.

Motherwell swiftly return to action on Wednesday night, as the visitors travel to the Scottish capital to face relegation-survival hopefuls Spartans at Ainslie Park.

A special night under the Fir Park lights last Sunday saw the women of steel coast past Dundee United to extend their unbeaten run to four games whilst continuing the momentum in closing down nearest league rivals Aberdeen.

Paul Brownlie’s side make the trip to Edinburgh in fine form on the road after overcoming this evening’s opponents last month ahead of a comfortable four-goal victory in the Lanarkshire derby with local rivals Hamilton.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Ensuring a positive return to SWPL action at Fir Park, Motherwell marked the occasion with an assured performance over Dundee United in ML1. Morgan Cross broke the deadlock shortly after half-time, latching onto Bailley Collins’ pinpoint through ball. The visitors levelled in the latter stages of the game, but the women of steel’s never say die attitude showed, with Laura Berry finding the target under less than two-minutes later.

The women of steel are amidst their most clinical and prolific spell of the season, netting on 13-occasions whilst only conceding twice through that time. Rangers loanee Laura Berry and Louisa Boyes have both found the target three-times, with striker Morgan Cross scoring in four consecutive games.

Victory in the Scottish capital would mathematically secure SWPL status for Motherwell ahead of the forthcoming season, with three points opening up and 21-point advantage over Dundee United and Hamilton at the foot of the SWPL league table if results elsewhere are in the women of steel’s favour.

Spartans

This evening’s opponents sit precariously at the foot of the SWPL league table, six-points ahead of Hamilton and Dundee United.

The Edinburgh outfit’s last two league victories have came against Dundee United, with defeats to Montrose and Aberdeen preventing Spartans from finding a consistent run of form.

Ticket Information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

Adult – £8

Concession – £3

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 Ainslie park is at 7.45 PM.

A special night under the Fir Park lights saw the women of steel coast past Dundee United to extend their unbeaten run to four games and continue their momentum in closing down nearest league rivals Aberdeen.

Morgan Cross broke the deadlock shortly after half-time, latching onto Bailley Collins’ pinpoint through ball. The visitors levelled in the latter stages of the game, but the women of steel’s never say die attitude showed, with Laura Berry finding the target less than two-minutes later.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made one change to the starting XI from the side that overcame rivals Aberdeen over a fortnight ago. Murron Cunningham made way to settle for a place on the bench, with Kayla Jardine returning to the starting line-up.

The hosts were poised to continue their exceptional run of form when they took to the Fir Park turf in a pivotal encounter with the Tangerines after cruising into the post-split with three successive victories over Hamilton, Spartans and nearest rivals Aberdeen.

Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, controlling the majority of possession and finding space in-behind the United backline. The hosts earliest opportunity fell to Brooke Nunn, as Katie Rice’s whipped delivery from the right floated into the Hibernian loanees path, but the pacey winger couldn’t divert her headed effort past Lisa Rodgers in the United goal.

Motherwell continue to threaten the United penalty area, with Berry’s whipped delivery across the face of goal finding the unmarked run of Louisa Boyes, but the midfielder couldn’t find a clean connection on the ball, and the chance fell wide of the target.

Berry continued to be a focal point for the women of steel in the final third, with the youngster driving across the edge of the box before drilling an ambitious strike, but the forwards effort flashed across goal before eventually curling agonisingly wide of the bottom-left corner.

Despite having numerous goalscoring opportunities, the hosts couldn’t find the breakthrough as the half-time whistle blew.

Nevertheless, the squad rallied in the opening few minutes of the second-half and almost instantly found the opener. Substitute Bailley Collins made an instant impact from the bench, working her way through several lacklustre challenges before teeing up Morgan Cross, who coolly converted from a few yards out.

Motherwell looked to be firmly in the ascendency as the  final stages of the game emerged, but against the run of play, United netted an equaliser, with Georgie Robb capitalising on a defensive mix-up at the back before slotting an accurate effort beyond Emily Mutch in the Motherwell goal.

Nevertheless, the women of steel stuck to their game plan and almost instantly restored their advantage. Collins again the provider, clipping a precise delivery to the edge of the 18-yard-box, and Berry calmy worked her way past Rodgers before placing her strike into the empty net.

Motherwell held out in the final few minutes to record their fourth straight SWPL victory and their second successive victory at Fir Park.

A night under the Fir Park lights will await the women of steel this weekend, with Motherwell returning to ML1 for the third successive season after previously facing Hamilton and Glasgow Women in the previous two SWPL campaigns.

The hosts will be poised to continue their exceptional run of form when they take to the Fir Park turf in a pivotal encounter with Dundee United after coasting into the post-split with three successive victories over Hamilton, Spartans and nearest rivals Aberdeen. Midfielder Sarah Gibb is relishing the opportunity in North Lanarkshire.

“We are all absolutely buzzing to be playing at Fir Park,” Gibb emphasised.

“As a squad, we want to be playing on the biggest stages and to be given the opportunity, we are all just full of pride and excitement.

“The opportunity to play on a pitch of that quality, with a larger crowd in the stands, we are all really looking forward to what will be an incredible occasion.”

Despite the magnitude of the game on the remainder of Motherwell’s SWPL campaign, Gibb insists the weight of the occasion won’t distract the squad from their preparations.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say our preparations change heading into this weekend,” Gibb noted.

“Every week, we train harder than ever and we always want to push each other to the standards we know we can hit. Of course, given the occasion every single player will want to play but as a squad the most important thing has to be sticking together.

“Ultimately, it isn’t just about the eleven that start the game, we all have to go through the occasion as a full squad like we have been doing these past few months.”

A resurgence in form has continued to apply pressure on nearest rivals Aberdeen, with the women of steel within touching distance to the top of the split after cutting the deficit to Aberdeen, with a comfortable three-goal victory over the Dons at K-Park a fortnight ago.

“We’ve definitely hit a good run of form and are starting to build that momentum,” Gibb explained.

“When looking at our results you can see that we are starting to earn the rewards from the performances we’ve put in, which we couldn’t consistently maintain at the start of the season.

“Sunday’s game is massive for us, we need to perform and stay on track if we want to hit the goals we have set for ourselves. We’re hopeful as a squad that as many fans can get out and support us as possible, as we all want to represent Motherwell and do the club and fans proud.”

Since trading Springburn for North Lanarkshire in the summer, Sarah Gibb has cemented herself as a central component at the core of the Motherwell midfield, with the 20-year-old fondly looking back at her first season in claret and amber.

“⁠I’ve loved coming in and working with the squad and the staff,” Gibbs said.

“We haven’t hit some of our expectations in terms of getting top six or reaching the latter stages of the cup competitions, but as a player, I’ve learned a lot from our experiences as a team.

“Since the turn of the year, we have hit a positive run of form, so currently the squad is in a good place and not only are we focused solely on finishing this season well, we are also looking to use the second half of the season to create an identity as a team and build on it for our next campaign.”

The women of steel’s forthcoming meeting with Dundee United at Fir Park will have free entry for all supporters. However, if you are able to, there will be buckets available for fans to place donations. All profits will go towards the girl’s academy.

“⁠I think on behalf of the team we would be so grateful for as many fans to turn up for us on Sunday, Gibb said.

“We want to be able to use the platform to show what we can do and encourage the fans to continue to watch us at K-Park.

“We’re all well aware of the standards we need to hit when we pull on the Motherwell jersey and we would love the fans to give us as much support as possible.”

The women of steel return to action after another fortnight break to the domestic calendar, with Motherwell determined to replicate the performance that coasted past nearest league rivals Aberdeen when they host Dundee United at Fir Park this afternoon.

Paul Brownlie’s side headed into the break in fine form, firing 11-goals past Spartans, Hamilton and Aberdeen in three back-to-back victories, conceding only once in that time.

Motherwell’s prolific spell in East Kilbride and on the road firmly placed the women of steel in the ascendency to preserve their SWPL status this season, with the hosts now 15-points clear of Dundee United and Hamilton in the relegation playoff position.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Motherwell return to ML1 for the first time since facing Glasgow Women in the latter stages of the 2022/23 SWPL campaign, placing four-past the visitors in an assured performance under the Fir Park lights.

The women of steel remain unbeaten in the post-split, with victory over Spartans in the last day of the regular season prompting an impressive run of form, with a confident performance over Spartans in the Capital preceding an assured Lanarkshire Derby victory in ML3.

Louisa Boyes continued her recent goalscoring pedigree, netting a second-half brace over Spartans before breaking the deadlock in the local derby with Hamilton. Morgan Cross, Amy Anderson, Bailley Collins and Jo Addie have also found the target throughout that spell.

Dundee United

The Tangerines have struggled to overcome a frustrating run of form, picking up no points since November in a spell of 14-straight defeats in all competitions.

Dundee United came close to ending their winless run of form in the City of Discovery against Spartans over a fortnight ago, but a late second-half response saw the Edinburgh side coasting to a 4-2 victory.

Ticket Information

This afternoon’s encounter will have FREE entry to all supporters. Fans will be situated in the John Hunter stand.

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 Fir Park at 4PM.

A comfortable afternoon in East Kilbride saw the women of steel continue their impressive run of form, as Motherwell coasted past closest league rivals Aberdeen to narrow the gap to the top of the split at a sun swept K-Park.

Morgan Cross netted her third consecutive goal after latching onto Louisa Boyes’ pinpoint through ball before calmly dispatching a low strike beyond the reach of the Dons stopper. Laura Berry doubled the hosts advantage midway through the first-half after a clever interchange of play fell kindly to the striker within the opposition penalty area, and the youngster coolly slotted an unstoppable effort into the back of the net.

The Rangers loanee secured her brace and the three points shortly after the hour mark, prodding home the rebound from Brooke Nunn’s initial strike. The hosts secure their third consecutive victory after defeating Spartans and Hamilton, racking up 11-goals and conceding only once.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that earned their second Lanarkshire derby victory against Hamilton over a fortnight ago, with Murron Cunningham returning to the core of the Motherwell backline, as Laura berry also returned to the starting XI following a spell with Scotland U17s.

Looking to reverse the script that saw Aberdeen overcome the women of steel twice this season, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, finding space in-behind the visiting backline and testing the Dons goal within the opening phases of play.

Motherwell’s early persistence was soon rewarded, with breakthrough coming after only five minutes. Louisa Boyes skilfully worked her way through the Aberdeen half before threading a perfectly-weighted through ball to the feet of Cross, who shifted the ball onto her stringer right-foot before slotting a precise effort under the approaching Dons stopper.

Katie Rice almost doubled the hosts advantage moments later after expertly escaping her marker before clipping an audacious effort from over 30-yards out, but the midfielders dangerous attempt curled agonisingly wide of the top-right corner.

As the first-half progressed, Motherwell strengthened their foothold in the game. A clever interchange of play on the left fell kindly to Brooke Nunn on the edge of the Aberdeen penalty area and the wingers low delivery sliced across the visiting box, with Berry capitalising at the back post with an accurate finish.

As the second-half resumed, Motherwell picked up from where they left off, with Berry netting her second of the game. Nunn continued to threaten the Dons backline with her unpredictable turn of pace and the experienced midfielders drilled strike was brilliantly parried clear by the Aberdeen keeper, but Berry reacted first to prod home the rebound.

Motherwell move three points behind the Dons in the league table, with both sides set to meet only once more this season in the Granite city. The women of steel will return to action in a fortnights time to face Dundee united at Fir Park.

Trading Meadowbank for ML1, Hibernian loanee Brooke Nunn has re-ignited the attacking threat within the Motherwell forward-line, as the squad racked up eight goals in back-to-back victories over Spartans and local rivals Hamilton since the arrival of the versatile forward.

The experienced striker marked her arrival in claret and amber following a spell in the Scottish capital, with the Arsenal academy prodigy aspiring to preserve SWPL action in North Lanarkshire for the foreseeable future.

“The next few weeks could be really important,” Nunn emphasised.

“I think if we keep playing how we’ve been playing and implementing our game plan, with our momentum, we can hopefully get some good results.

“Our aim is to finish as high as possible and get as many goals and points behind us. The chase is on!”

Despite an established pedigree at Arsenal, London City Lionesses, London Bees and Turkish Super League side Altay S.K Women, Nunn struggled to maintain a consistent place in the starting XI throughout her maiden stint in Leith.

“I had a meeting at Hibernian about game time and we both came to the conclusion it would help me with a loan move to help grow my confidence and receive more consistent first-team action.

“After speaking to Paul, I was really interested in his vision for the club. He showed me his style of play and explained exactly what he wanted and expected from me. He encouraged me to play freely, enjoy myself and I am excited to finish off my season under his wing.

“I’ve settled in really well, the girls have been really nice and welcoming. I’ve also really enjoyed training, learning new things and having the opportunity to express myself as a player.”

Motherwell secured their second Lanarkshire derby victory of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, with a comprehensive victory over Accies on the other side of the River Clyde.

In her first start for the club, Nunn racked up three goal contributions in an exceptional full debut after impressing in a short cameo over Spartans the previous weekend.

“I’m delighted with the start I’ve made at the club,” Nunn noted.

“Paul has really aided my progression. The entire coaching staff have set the standard for performances that demonstrate the best of my ability. They’ve believed in myself as a player and have helped build my confidence.

“I’m a forward-thinking attacker who likes to take on players 1v1 and create goal scoring opportunities. I’ve always looked up to and developed my game around Rachael Yankee. She was a brilliant attacker and a great role model throughout my time at Arsenal.”

A product of the Gunners’ academy, the 31-year-old played a fundamental role in achieving successive WSL title victories in 2011 and 2012, whilst accomplishing two Women’s FA Cup and two FA Women’s League Cups.

Impressing at the pinnacle of the women’s game, Nunn’s breakthrough campaign led to an appearance in Arsenal’s Champions League squad.

“This was one of the highlights of my career,” Nunn explained.

“Playing and developing my game at the Arsenal Academy gave me a unique experience that enabled me to play with world-class athletes and understand a lot about the foundation of football from a young age.

“To complete the journey from U10’s to the first-team and compete in the Champions league was an unreal experience and really special to me.”