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Northern Ireland Senior team – Keri Halliday

The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers awaited the Northern Ireland Women’s National team, who were eagerly seeking to earn their first points of the qualification campaign. Manager Michael McArdle selected a 23-player panel for a home and away tie against the Malta National Team, with Forward Keri Halliday named amongst the squad.

The squad sought to secure their first victory of League B Group 2, with Switzerland and Turkey both level on six-points, as they chase qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Starting the first-leg on home soil, Northern Ireland cruised to a commanding victory at Mourneview Park, with Halliday netting her first and second senior international goal, and assisted a third, as the hosts coasted to a four-nil advantage.

Later that week, under the scorching heat of the Maltese sunshine, both sides lined up for the reverse encounter, with Halliday again named in the starting XI. Northern Ireland made it six-points from six, defeating Malta four-two.

Scotland Under-19s – Sophie Townsley & Mia McArthur 

The Scotland Under-19s came agonisingly close to qualification for the UEFA European Championships in Bosnia and Herzegovina this summer. Gary Doctor named midfield duo Sophie Townsley and Mia McArthur in his squad for the second round of qualifiers.

Scotland’s qualification campaign came down to the final day, with a victory over Norway securing their place in the last-eight in Bosnia and Herzegovina following an opening day victory over Austria, and a dominant display against North Macedonia.

The young team fought till the end, but a late consolation could only half the deficit, as the young Norwegian side earned a narrow 2-1 victory. Sophie Townsley featured in all three fixtures, starting two, and coming on as a second-half substitute in the final game. Mia McArthur unfortunately missed out on the final stage of the qualification campaign, after being ruled out of action with an injury prior to matchday one.

Scotland Under-23s – Mason Clark & Jenna Penman

Named in the 20-player flight to Murcia, Spain, defender Jenna Penman retained her place in the squad after receiving a late squad selection for the previous round over a month ago. Joining her on the flight to the Spanish coast would be midfielder, Mason Clark, who received her late squad selection following Kenzie Weir’s addition to the Scotland senior team.

Then National Team faced France in Matchday one before meeting Denmark in the final encounter at the Pinatar Stadium. Clark and penman were unused substitutes in the opening defeat to France before both receiving minutes as second-half substitutes against the Danes, with Clark scoring a penalty in a closely-fought shootout defeat following a goalless afternoon.

Northern Ireland Senior team

The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers await the Northern Ireland Women’s National team this month, with Manager Michael McArdle selecting a 23-player panel for a home and away tie against Malta.

The squad are still awaiting their first victory of League B Group 2, with Switzerland and Turkey both level on six-points, as they chase qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Named in the 23-player squad is forward, Keri Halliday, who has proven to be a bright spark since arriving in ML1. A magnificent strike on her debut swiftly opened her Motherwell account, with Halliday playing a crucial role in successive victories over Aberdeen, Montrose and Hamilton Accies.

Scotland Under-19s

Gary Doctor has named his squad that will compete in the UEFA European Championship Round Two Qualifiers this month. Scotland are aiming for a place in the last-eight in Bosnia and Herzegovina this summer, with the National team set to face a triple-header of fixtures.

The young team will play Austria, North Macedonia and Norway, as the squad seek to continue their unbeaten record in the qualifying round after victories over Belgium, Croatia and the Netherlands.

Amongst the 20-player squad, midfield duo, Sophie Townsley and Mia McArthur will both retain their place in the squad after supporting the side to victories in February.

Scotland Under-23s

The finishing line is in sight for the Scotland Women’s Under-23 squad, who will depart Scotland for Murcia, Spain this month for the final two competitive fixtures that will decide the final standings of this year’s inaugural European competition.

They will face both France, and either the USA or Denmark in the final fixture of the campaign.

Named in the 20-player squad, defender Jenna Penman will retain her place in the squad after receiving a late squad selection for the previous round over a month ago. Joining her on the flight to the Spanish coast will be midfielder, Mason Clark, who received her late squad selection following Kenzie Weir’s late addition for the Scotland senior team.

Motherwell continued their derby day dominance, defeating local rivals Hamilton for the sixth consecutive game – consigning the visitors to relegation from the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League.

Striker Carla Boyce continued her recent goalscoring form, powering home the opener midway through the first half, with midfielder Milly Boughton doubling the women of steel’s advantage less than a minute later.

Jenna Penman added her name to the scoresheet in the second half, forcing home a third from close-range. Boughton secured her brace, and Motherwell’s fourth in the latter stages of the game to complete a dominant display in East Kilbride.

Head Coach, Iain Robinson made three changes to the starting XI, with Rebecca Cameron returning in goal. Jenna Penman earned her place in the Motherwell backline, with Lucy Ronald partnering mason Clark in the Motherwell midfield.

After a controlled started to proceedings, the women of steel finally found the breakthrough on the 25^th-minute. Sophie Townsley drove with pace across the right flank before cutting back onto her left foot, clipping a delicate delivery into the Hamilton penalty area, with Boyce floating her header past Halliday in the Hamilton goal.

Almost straight from kick-off, Motherwell doubled their advantage. Townsley again the provider, working her way to the byline before drilling an enticing delivery across the face of goal, and Boughton calmly placed her right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner.

Boughton soon turned provider in the second-half, delivering a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, and Penman worked her way through the Hamilton backline before forcing home the Australian’s cross from close-range.

Boughton sealed the three-points in the latter stages of the game, curling home her corner kick over the head of Halliday to secure Motherwell’s sixth consecutive victory in the Lanarkshire derby.

From her childhood in the quaint picturesque family-run farmland of Ballymoney, Northern Ireland to coaching football to communities across Europe, forward Keri Halliday has kept three principles close to her heart. Faith, Farming and Football.

Growing up in one of the most Northerly towns in the country, Halliday spent her formative years working alongside her mum, dad, and sisters on the family farm – an environment that provided countless memories to look back on fondly.

“I’m very thankful for my upbringing, and I wouldn’t want to have it any other way,” Halliday said.

“I was brought up on a farm with my Mum, Dad, three sisters and my grandparents. From helping deliver lambs from the sheep, travelling on the Cattle lorry with my dad and running around a field, chasing after sheep with my sisters and mum meant life was never boring.

“Looking back, we now share a lot of fun and special memories with each other, which is something I get to share with my teammates now.”

Her love of football soon followed, as the youngster spent every spare moment on the pitch, with her dad being a key influence in guiding her first steps in the sport.

“My dad was a big influence,” Halliday added.

“My dad loves every sport but especially football. Growing up with three sisters, my dad didn’t think his daughters would be too interested in football, but after knocking doll houses and ornaments over, my dad took me to a football team and there I found my love for the game.

“He was always at every game and never failed to play out in the garden with me. So, growing up, he was a really big influence. My family are everything to me. The sacrifices they made so that I could achieve this are massive.

“My youngest sister only started being able to take up hobbies when I started driving as my parents were sometimes too busy with me to take her. Thankfully, I’ve been able to get home and see them a lot.”

Soon her talent caught the eye of domestic giants, Linfield – with Halliday travelling to the Northern Irish capital, Belfast, playing with an aspiration of someday turning professional.

“For me, I didn’t plan on moving to Linfield until I started university,” Halliday explained.

“However, at 16, after a lot of interest from the manager and a promise to play senior football in one of the biggest clubs in Northern Ireland, I didn’t want to turn it down.

“I’m very glad I didn’t. This was a great experience at such a young age and one I’m very thankful for.

The Ballymoney-born striker made her senior debut for Northern Ireland in a four-nil victory over Albania in 2023, and has since been capped 13-times for her national team.

Following a successful spell with both Linfield and her National side, Halliday was named the Northern Ireland Young Player of the Year in 2024.

“Receiving my senior call up is a feeling I can’t describe,” Halliday noted.

“Representing my country is something I will never take for granted. Playing for Northern Ireland and wearing the green and white shirt is my favourite thing to do and I hope to, God willing represent them for as long as I can.”

‘God willing’ being more than a simple phrase for the forward, who has shared the importance of her Christian faith on both her personal and professional life, and how her upbringing has helped shape her development.

“My Faith is the most important thing in my life and that will never change,” Halliday reiterated.

“Growing up, I attended church and the children’s church in Northern Ireland. Being a Christian in a football environment isn’t always the easiest thing, but I believe God is always with me and with him I can do anything.

“My faith is another reason that I’m so thankful for my parents, and their influence in my life.”

Faith and football has seamlessly united for the now 21-year-old, with Halliday combining her love for the game, and religious beliefs to teach communities across Europe about the sport and her religion.

Working with the Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney, and the Coaching for Christ charity, Halliday has travelled to communities in both Spain and Romania – visiting poorer communities, whilst sharing her footballing skills and passion for her faith with the children in those communities.

“With faith and football being my two biggest interests, I love putting them together,” Halliday said.

“I travelled to Spain to coach the children in these communities, but also to tell them about my faith in Jesus, so they could learn to put their trust in him to.

“I want to go as far in my football career as I can, and be the best player that I can be, but my future is ultimately in God’s hands, and he will work everything out for myself.”

The young striker shone through in the Northern Irish footballing pyramid, making 85-appearances for the Blues, scoring 53-goals, and assisting 26 throughout her time in South Belfast, with Halliday supporting the side to a third-place finish before crossing the Irish sea to the Scottish capital – joining Hearts on a permanent deal.

Joining the women of steel on-loan this month, Halliday wasted no time in opening her Motherwell account, scoring a decisive opener on her debut against Aberdeen.

“I’ve really enjoyed my first three weeks at the club,” Halliday said.

“Everyone has been very welcoming and to top it off with a goal on my debut but more importantly six-points from the last two games made the start even better.

“Every player wants to play at the weekend and that’s always one of the most important things, but ever since moving to Scotland in July, I’ve heard such good things about Motherwell from players that have previously been on-loan, so when the chance to join the club came around; it was a very easy decision.”

As Halliday mentioned, Motherwell have started their post-split campaign firmly on the front foot, defeating both Aberdeen and Montrose in the opening two games, with a double-header of Lanarkshire derbies to follow, and Halliday reiterated the importance of taking each game at a time.

“We’ve just got to take it each game at a time,” Halliday added.

“Every game is going to be so big, and as a team, we want to get the best out of these six-games, and ultimately receive 18-points at the end of it.

“Derbies are so big, and I’m excited to play in these Lanarkshire derbies. We definitely want to dominate these games and get the win. We would love to see your support in the stands.”

Matchday 21 of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign awaits the women of steel this weekend, as they contest the penultimate Lanarkshire Derby of the season at New Douglas Park.

High expectations of derby day in Lanarkshire are a constant, but both sides head into Sunday’s latest showdown with the stakes raised, as Hamilton stare down the prospect of relegation at the hands of their local rivals, with Motherwell continuing their push for survival.

Since earning his first three-points of his Motherwell tenure in the Granite City over a fortnight ago, before defeating Montrose the following weekend, Head Coach, Iain Robinson will now have his sights set of his first Lanarkshire derby victory. A result that would mathematically relegate Hamilton from the Scottish top-flight.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Back-to-back victories for Motherwell have propelled themselves back into contention for finishing best of the rest, as they aim to finish at the top of the split.

The women of steel remain eighth in the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League table, one-point shy of Montrose, who they overcame last weekend. The Dons trail by three-points, with Motherwell needing to continue their momentum if they are to evade the relegation playoff position below.

Motherwell have maintained an impressive record on derby day, earning five successive victories over their local rivals, scoring 15, and conceding four, with the women of steel securing four straight victories in East Kilbride.

Hamilton

Accies return to the Scottish top-flight, after comfortably securing the SPWPL2 title last season, has been a tough adjustment. Hamilton have yet to find their first three-points in the league, with their only victory this season coming against SPWPL2 leaders, Kilmarnock in the Sky Sports Cup.

The side have been defeated in their last four, scoring four, and conceding 23, with Montrose and Aberdeen defeating Accies in their opening two post-split fixtures this season. Their goal-difference tally reflects the difficulty of their return to the SPWPL, scoring 10, and conceding 88.

Their two-points recorded this campaign have both came in stalemates with Aberdeen and Montrose. Accies last tasted victory on derby day in 2024, with Josephine Giard, and Chloe Muir overcoming Laura Berry’s late debut consolation.

Ticket Information 

Tickets can be purchased through the matchday turnstiles at K-Park. Both cash and card payments are accepted.

• Adult – £10.
• Concession (Over-65s and Under-17s) – £5.
• Under-11 – FREE TO ENTER.

Additional Information – no pets allowed within The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park.

Matchday Travel 

• Sunday 5^th April 20276, kick-off 4PM.
• The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park, Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ.
• First Glasgow service No.21 stops at Jura Slip Road, a 10-minute walk from the stadium. East Kilbride railway station is approx. 20 mins away on foot.
• Free on-site parking is available, with overflow parking signposted at the park entrance. Please follow the one-way system upon your exit.
• Selection of hot food, baking, confectionary and both hot and cold drinks available at the kiosk before and during the match.

Follow our live matchday coverage on the Motherwell Women X (formerly Twitter) account.

Matchday 20 of the 2025/26 SPWPL campaign awaits the women of steel this weekend, as they contest their first post-split fixture at home against Montrose at The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park.

Encouraged by their emphatic opening post-split weekend victory over Aberdeen in the Granite City, Motherwell will be motivated to record back-to-back victories for the first-time since last season.

Debutant Keri Halliday opened her Motherwell account, with striker Carla Boyce completing her hat-trick to narrowly earn three-points in a 3-4 victory at Balmoral Stadium. Three-points which propels the women of steel to four-points behind Montrose, who occupy the seventh-place position.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Head Coach Iain Robinson secured his first victory of his Motherwell tenure, as the women of steel continue their efforts to evade the threat of relegation.

The women of steel remain eighth in the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League table, with victory over Montrose narrowing the deficit to one-point.

Motherwell will have their sights set on rectifying their frustrating defeat to Montrose at K-Park last August, with the Gable Endies scoring four.

Montrose

A two-nil defeat to title-chasers Rangers, and a 94^th-minute Partick Thistle winner over Hamilton Accies denied the visitors their maiden top-six finish. They have since responded in emphatic fashion, defeating Accies by six-goals to nil in their first post-split game.

Ticket Information 

Tickets can be purchased through the matchday turnstiles at K-Park. Both cash and card payments are accepted.

• Adult – £10.
• Concession (Over-65s and Under-17s) – £5.
• Under-11 – FREE TO ENTER.

Additional Information – no pets allowed within K-Park.

Matchday Travel 

• Sunday 22^nd March 2025, kick off 4PM.
• The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park, Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ.
• First Glasgow service No.21 stops at Jura Slip Road, a 10 minute walk from the stadium. East Kilbride railway station is approx. 20 mins away on foot.
• Free on-site parking is available, with overflow parking signposted at the park entrance. Please follow the one-way system upon your exit.
• Selection of hot food, baking, confectionary and both hot and cold drinks available at the kiosk before and during the match.

Follow our live matchday coverage on the Motherwell Women X (formerly Twitter) account.

The women of steel’s recent winless run came to a dramatic conclusion in the Granite City, as Motherwell fought off a late Aberdeen resurgence to seal a narrow 3-4 victory at Balmoral Stadium.

Recent addition, Keri Halliday netted the breakthrough on her Motherwell debut, with Dons skipper, Hannah Stewart finding the equaliser on the hour mark. Striker Carla Boyce restored the visitors advantage shortly before the half-time break – leaving Motherwell with a narrow advantage at the break.

The hosts levelled the scoreline for the second time shortly after, with Bridget Galloway finding the net from distance. Boyce converted her second from the penalty spot on the hour mark after being fouled in the Aberdeen box. Boyce completed her hat-trick in the latter stages of the game, escaping her marker before dispatching her strike into the bottom-right corner. Aberdeen scored a late consolation, but the women of steel held out to secure their first victory of Iain Robinson’s tenure.

Head Coach, Iain Robinson started the women of steel’s two new arrivals from the outset, with Hearts loanee, Keri Halliday and Australian youth international, Milly Boughton both named in the starting XI.

After intense pressure on the Aberdeen goal, Motherwell finally found the breakthrough. Halliday burst through on the left-flank before driving at pace towards the Dons penalty area. The youngster cut the ball onto her right-foot before dispatching a magnificent long-range strike over the head of Katie Cox.

Aberdeen skipper, Hannah Stewart made it level shortly after, with a composed finish beyond Emma Thomson.

Boyce soon restored Motherwell’s advantage moments later, with a defensive mix-up allowing Boyce to capitalise with a low strike into the bottom-right corner.

The Dons equaliser came suddenly against the run of play, with Galloway clipping an audacious delivery over the head of Emma Thomson, with the ball nestling comfortably into the top-right corner.

Boyce restored Motherwell’s advantage for a third time from the penalty spot, with the striker completing her hat-trick a moment later.

Abi Tobin narrowed the deficit in the latter stages of the contest, but Iain Robinson’s side held out for the first three-points of the split.

Matchday 19 of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign, and the first of the post-split campaign awaits the women of steel this weekend, as they travel North to face Aberdeen at Balmoral Stadium.

Iain Robinson’s side will face a daunting fight to preserve their top-flight status, with the women of steel ahead of Aberdeen in the relegation playoff position on goal difference.

Motherwell will seek to right the wrongs from their previous meeting with the Dons, with the hosts striking in the latter stages to complete a narrow 2-1 victory. Midfielder, Lucy Ronald discussed the women of steel’s preparations ahead of their visit to the Granite City.

“Preparations have been really good heading into this weekend,” Ronald said.

“We are excited to get back onto the pitch, and push for a positive end to our season.

“We understand that every game is going to be so important in the split, so we aren’t taking our preparations lightly. We recognise the importance of starting in a positive manner, and we have to take belief into the game this weekend.

“Balmoral can be an incredibly difficult place to go, our last visit to Aberdeen showed that. We knew our performance wasn’t good enough or at the standards we’d expect from ourselves, and that’s something we’ve discussed internally as a squad, and is a result we want to put right this weekend.”

The women of steel will have two fresh additions in their matchday squad, with midfielder Milly Boughton and Striker Keri Halliday both available to make their Motherwell debuts this weekend. Ronald noted that their additions has brought some additional positivity to the squad.

“It has been great to get them both in training, and settled into the squad,” Ronald added.

“They have both fitted in with the group really well, and will play a massive part in our push to preserve our status in the top-flight.

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.