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The women of steel successfully preserved their SWPL status for a fifth consecutive season in emphatic style, retaining a formidable eight-game unbeaten run, with victories over Spartans, Hamilton, Dundee united and Montrose.

With only three games remaining, Motherwell are still within reach of nearest league rivals Aberdeen in the pursuit of concluding the season at the top of the split. Experienced defender Murron Cunningham understands that establishing our SWPL status for the forthcoming season has been pivotal to building momentum.

“Retaining our place in the league with over a month till the end of the season has been a real driving factor,” Cunningham explained.

“It’s hugely important to the players and the club. The risk of fighting to stay in this league could’ve hindered our vision to head in the right direction towards the top of the split.

“As a team, we value ourselves highly and know we can compete with the teams in the top-six. Securing a place in the SWPL next season was crucial and will continue to play a role in retaining the momentum for the remainder of the season.

“The atmosphere is good, as a team we have really demanded a standard from one another in training and games to compete at the best level we can. We have picked up good points recently and shown we are capable of competing with those teams around us.”

The women of steel’s remarkable run of form has accurately coincided with a monumental resurgence in the final third, with Paul Brownlie’s side netting 22-times across their last six domestic league encounters. Cunningham emphasised the importance of SWPL survival as a motivator for the squad.

“As a squad, we have had a lot of motivation these last few months,” Cunningham noted.

“The team have played with confidence recently and that may come down to the determination of securing a spot in the league for next season.

“That and the feeling of winning have been big driving factors for us as a team and I think it’s been clear to see that we have played recently with a real intent to be on the front foot and challenge teams.

“Having a run of eight games unbeaten is something that can be hard to do in football especially when you are playing against teams of similar ability and status. However, the changing point in our season so far was playing the top-three at K Park and coming close to a historic victory after putting in a respectable performance that gave us the confidence to continue to develop a consistent style of play.”

The 2023/24 SWPL campaign marked a long-awaited return to action for the experienced defender after facing an unimaginable two-year spell on the side-lines following a long-term injury.

“Returning from a long-term injury is something that is incredibly exciting at the start of the season,” Cunningham said.

“However, getting into the thick of the season, it can be difficult to adapt as quick as your team mates who have been playing consistently the season before. I would say it was a slow start for me and it definitely took time to find my feet, however I now feel I can contribute to the same standard as my team mates and I’m always ready for selection on game day when the opportunity comes.

“The unity in the squad really helped me through this process. When you have a unity within a team, you all have common goals you want to achieve. We have set high targets for the post-split fixtures and when everyone is together and working toward a shared target, we can all equally contribute to achieve the same goals.”

As the team approach the latter stages of the league campaign and have the top of the split firmly within their sights, Cunningham re-emphasised the importance of the Motherwell fans support in achieving this objective.

“The support means a lot to us all,” Cunningham emphasised.

“We have made K park our home and we appreciate everyone coming out every week to show their support to us as a team. We will do our best for the last few fixtures, and it would be a pleasure to have you all with us. Thanks for turning up this season to support us.”

Motherwell consolidated their narrow deficit to nearest league rivals Aberdeen, as the women of steel were forced to settle for a point in a frustrating afternoon at Links Park on Sunday.

The hosts broke the deadlock against the run of play following a succession of opportunities directed towards the Montrose goal, but almost instantly, Chelsie Watson netted the equaliser through a small dose of fortune, as the defenders looping headed effort ricocheted through a series of jerseys before eventually nestling into the bottom-right corner.

Motherwell continued to terrorise the hosts 18-yard box throughout the latter stages of the first-half and across the second 45-minutes, but a decisive second failed to materialise, as the Montrose backline stood resolute and held out for a solitary point.

Looking to replicate the exceptional midweek display over Spartans at K-Park, the visitors started firmly on the front foot, with the first goalscoring opportunity of the game falling to the feet of Laura Berry.

The Rangers-loanee skilfully worked her way to the edge of the Montrose penalty area, cutting across from the left-flank before curling a hopeful effort towards goal, but the young forward couldn’t trouble the Montrose stopper on this occasion.

Moments later, the hosts broke the deadlock with a swift counter-attack carving open the Motherwell backline. A hopeful long-ball left Brown racing through the centre of the Motherwell half before drilling a wayward effort that accurately changed direction at the last possible moment to land beyond the reach of the out-stretched Rebecca Cameron in the Motherwell goal.

Motherwell rallied in search of an immediate equaliser, and their efforts were soon rewarded from a well-worked set-piece. Katie Rice’s whipped corner-kick fell invitingly towards Cheslie Watson at the back-post, and the towering defenders headed effort across the face of goal bundled through numerous players before eventually picking out bottom-right corner.

The visitors resumed the second half on a similar note, with Morgan Cross forcing an exceptional save from a close-range header. Laura Berry, Jo Addie, Kayla Jardine and Brooke Nunn all had opportunities parried clear of the Montrose goal, but ultimately the women of steel couldn’t force through the decisive second goal and were left to settle for a point.

Fresh from a comprehensive midweek victory over Spartans in East Kilbride, the women of steel travel to the North-East, with their sights firmly set on achieving their eighth consecutive unbeaten game when they face Montrose at Links Park on Sunday.

An assured performance under the K-Park floodlights ensured Motherwell cruised to their fourth consecutive home victory, narrowing the gap to nearest league rivals Aberdeen to three points.

Paul Brownlie’s side head to Montrose after defeating the Gable Endies over a fortnight ago, with Kayla Jardine and Morgan Cross both finding the target in a comfortable performance on the K-Park turf.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Motherwell continued their remarkable run of form over Spartans on Wednesday evening, extending their run to seven consecutive unbeaten games, with Laura Berry netting a brace from the penalty spot. Contributions from Louisa Boyes and Kayla Jardine completed a composed evening from the women of steel, as they overcame the Edinburgh side with a two-goal cushion.

Since mathematically securing their SWPL status for the forthcoming season, Motherwell have continued to close the points difference to nearest rivals Aberdeen, with victory over Montrose teeing up a highly-anticipated meeting with the Dons at the Balmoral Stadium next weekend.

Motherwell have continued their remarkable goalscoring form, scoring 21-times across the unbeaten run, with striker Laura Berry netting seven within that congested run of fixtures.

Montrose

The hosts head into this weekend’s meeting following three successive winless games against both Aberdeen and Motherwell, but Montrose have picked up six points from their last nine at Links Park, with the hosts establishing a positive run of form at home.

Montrose have almost mathematically secured their SWPL status for the forthcoming season, with the hosts establishing a 10-point advantage over both Hamilton and Dundee United at the foot of the Premier League table.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £7
• Concession – £5
• Under 12s – 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.

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. The match will also be televised live on the BBC Sport Scotland website. Kick-off is from 2PM.

Motherwell continued their emphatic run of form under the K-Park floodlights, extending their unbeaten record to seven-consecutive games, with an assured performance over Spartans on Wednesday evening.

Laura Berry coolly dispatched the opener from the penalty spot after the Spartans backline impeded Morgan Cross’ driving run into the box. The hosts continued to maintain their foothold in the game, but less than three minutes after breaking the deadlock, Motherwell were caught on the ball deep into their own third of the pitch, and the visitors capitalised with an equaliser against the run of play.

The women of steel stood resolute and restored their advantage less than 10-minutes later, as Louisa Boyes continued to update her goalscoring pedigree with an astute finish. A second converted Laura Berry penalty kick followed shortly before the half-time break, with Motherwell remaining firmly within the ascendency with a two-goal cushion.

Spartans again found another goal against the run of play, but Motherwell ensured that the three points remained in Lanarkshire, with Kayla Jardine bulleting a header into the bottom-right corner.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made three changes from the side that maintained their unbeaten run over Montrose at K-Park last weekend. Amy Anderson, Chelsie Watson and Bailley Collins all returned to the starting XI, with Watson captaining the squad.

Victory for the hosts would maintain the momentum in closing down nearest league rivals Aberdeen, narrowing the gap to three points ahead of an important trip to Links Park to face Montrose this weekend.

The women of steel looked poised to continue their exceptional run of form within the opening phases of play, maintaining a high attacking line, forcing the visitors into trading possession deep into their own half. Striker Morgan Cross capitalised on this passage of play, shifting the ball through the centre of the Spartans penalty area before being hauled down under a late forceful challenge.

Strike-partner Laura Berry stepped up and calmly placed a low effort into the bottom-right corner.

Despite their early signs of momentum, the women of steel gifted the visitors an unexpected equaliser, as defender Jo Addie lost her footing on the damp K-Park surface, and Hannah Jordan raced through on goal before capitalising with a composed finish.

Paul Brownlie’s side rallied despite the setback, and soon restored their advantage moments later. An excellent interchange of play across the Spartans penalty area eventually reached the feet of Louisa Boyes, who steadied herself before curling an audacious effort into the top-left corner.

As the half-time whistle approached, Berry netted her second of the game. Fellow Rangers loanee Kayla Jardine skilfully worked her way through the Spartans defence before being tripped directly on the 18-yard-line. Berry stepped up and drilled a precise effort into the top-left corner.

The visitors pulled a second goal back against the run of play, but the women of steel stood resolute and continued their attacking display. A well-worked team move fell kindly to the feet of Collins, who skipped by her opponent with ease before teeing up Jardine, who bulleted an exceptional headed effort into the top-right corner.

The women of steel extend their unbeaten run to seven games, with four back-to-back home victories at K-Park, ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Montrose at Links Park.

The women of steel are back in action with a swift double-header, as Motherwell face a night with Spartans under the K-park lights ahead of a trip to Montrose this weekend.

Three straight victories in East Kilbride have reinforced the hosts momentum in closing down nearest league rivals Aberdeen, with Motherwell finding the target seven times in South Lanarkshire whilst only conceding twice.

Paul Brownlie’s side return to East Kilbride for the first time in 11-days after overcoming a late second-half equaliser to secure a narrow 2-1 victory over relegation-survival hopefuls Montrose.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The hosts have firmly taken the post-split fixtures in their stride, maintaining an exceptional unbeaten run of six-successive games. Four straight victories over Spartans, Hamilton, Aberdeen and Dundee United preceded a closely-fought stalemate in the Scottish Capital ahead of the previous matchday win over Montrose.

The women of steel can now solely focus on their objective of closing the gap to Aberdeen after mathematically securing their SWPL status for the forthcoming campaign. Motherwell have sustained a 19-point advantage over Dundee United in the playoff-place, with the deficit to Aberdeen at the top of the split remaining at a narrow five-point margin.

The hosts attacking partnership of Morgan Cross and Laura Berry have continued to inspire the Motherwell squad, with Cross and Berry matching each other’s goalscoring pedigree, netting five goals each across the unbeaten spell.

Spartans

Wednesday evening’s opposition head to K-Park almost immediately after enduring a disappointing Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hearts at the national stadium, Hampden Park.

Both sides were almost held to a goalless stalemate at the break, but for a late first-half opener, with the combination of a second-half resurgence ensuring Hearts cruised to a comfortable three-goal advantage.

The Edinburgh side haven’t been able to establish a consistent run of form since heading into the post-split, with defeats to Aberdeen and Montrose opposing victories over Dundee united and Hamilton.

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 from K-Park is at 8PM.

Final opportunity for supporters to cast their vote for this season’s Women’s player of the year.

The five nominees are:

• Louisa Boyes
• Amy Anderson
• Jo Addie
• Chelsie Watson
• Bailey Collins

To have your say, vote online now.

Our end-of-season awards dinner will take place on Saturday 4 May at Dalziel Park Hotel.

A number of awards will be up for grabs on the night recognising top performers across the first team, women’s team and the academy.

Hosted by Tam Cowan, the night will consist of live entertainment, 3-course meal and will kick-off at 7pm with first-team players and coaching staff in attendance.

Individual places are available at £72 per person with tables available in multiples of 10 or 12.

To book, please call the events team on 01698 338 011 or online.

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.