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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.”

Following a two-week break to the domestic calendar, Motherwell are back in action, with the women of steel preparing to face nearest league rivals Aberdeen in a pivotal encounter at K-Park.

Paul Brownlie’s side headed into the break with back-to-back victories over Spartans and local rivals Hamilton, firing four past Accies in a comfortable Lanarkshire derby victory at New Douglas Park.

An impressive and prolific spell on the road aided the sides aspirations of preserving their SWPL status this season, with Motherwell narrowing the gap to Aberdeen ahead of a highly-anticipated meeting in East Kilbride.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The women of steel cruised into the domestic break with successive victories on the road, overcoming a tough run of form to defeat Spartans and Hamilton. Finding the target on eight occasions whilst only conceding once, Motherwell headed into the post-split firmly in control of their own destiny, increasing their advantage to 12-points over Dundee United in the relegation playoff-place.

Louisa Boyes continued her recent form in front of goal, netting a second half brace over Spartans before adding a third over Hamilton the following week. Morgan Cross also found the target twice during that spell, with Amy Anderson, Bailley Collins and Jo Addie also adding their names to the scoresheet.

Striker Laura Berry will return to the matchday squad after completing an international triple-header of U17 Euro Qualification matches against Denmark, Poland and North Macedonia, with the forward netting four-times across the campaign.

Aberdeen

The Dons remain six-points clear of the women of steel at the top of the bottom-six after firing twice against Spartans in an assured performance at the Balmoral Stadium.

Aberdeen have secured and retained an 100% win record over Motherwell this season, with a narrow 3-2 victory in the North-East followed by a 5-2 win in East Kilbride. A record Brownlie’s side will look to bring to a conclusion this weekend.

Ticket Information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £5
• Under 16s – 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.

Motherwell will face Dundee United at Fir Park on Sunday 14 April. 

Kick-off will be at 4PM.

The women of steel will be set to take to the Fir Park turf for the third time after previously facing Hamilton and Glasgow Women in the previous two SWPL campaigns. The encounter in ML1 will follow a two-week break to the domestic calendar, with Paul Brownlie’s side set to face Dundee United after meeting closest league rivals Aberdeen prior to the international break. The hosts will be poised to continue their positive run of form after securing back-to-back victories over Hamilton and Spartans.

There will be free entry to the stadium for the match. However, if you are able to, there will be buckets available for fans to place donations.

All profits will go towards the girls academy.

Fans will be located in the John Hunter stand for the match.

A rampant first-half display over local-rivals Hamilton ensured that the women of steel secured their second Lanarkshire Derby triumph of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign at a rainswept New Douglas Park.

Louisa Boyes continued her exceptional recent goalscoring pedigree, rifling a low-shot beyond the reach of the Accies goalkeeper to fire the visitors into the ascendency within the opening phases of play. Lifelong Well supporter Amy Anderson punished the hosts defensive complacency shortly before the half-hour mark, prodding home Katie Rice’s whipped corner-kick.

Morgan Cross made it three less than 10-minutes later, with Bailley Collins rounding off a complete first-half performance soon after, netting a decisive fourth before the break.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made three changes from the comprehensive four-goal victory over Spartans in the Scottish capital over a fortnight ago. Amy Anderson and Katie Rice both returned to the starting XI, with recent acquisition Brooke Nunn making her first competitive start since joining the club on loan from Hibernian.

Determined to overcome their recent derby day frustrations, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, with the breakthrough coming within the opening phases of play. Nunn skilfully worked her way past her marker with ease before teeing up teammate Boyes at the edge of the penalty area, and the midfielder accurately netted her third SWPL goal in the past two games, drilling a low-strike beyond the reach of the Hamilton keeper.

The on-loan Hibernian winger continued to cause the hosts problems, shifting the ball through the Hamilton backline before curling a precise effort across the face of goal, but the Accies stopper reacted well to parry Nunn’s attempt beyond the reach of Cross.

Motherwell’s persistence was soon rewarded, with Anderson escaping her marker to latch onto Rice’s whipped corner-kick, and the experienced midfielder calmly doubled the women of steel’s advantage with an accurate close-range finish.

Motherwell continued to threaten the Hamilton defence, with Nunn finding space on the left before clipping an audacious 20-yard through ball to Kayla Jardine who coasted to the byline before teeing up Cross, who converted from close-range.

The fourth and final goal of the afternoon came shortly before the break, with Nunn again the provider, cutting in from the left and picking out Jardine at the edge of the penalty area, before eventually falling to the feet of Collins, who fired an accurate strike into the top-right corner.

The women of steel remain six-points behind nearest league rivals Aberdeen in seventh, with the two sides set to meet in East Kilbride at the end of the month.

The Lanarkshire derby back is back at the forefront of the domestic calendar, with the women of steel facing a highly-anticipated trip across the River Clyde in the first post-split fixture against local rivals Hamilton at New Douglas Park.

The return to SWPL action after a two-week hiatus follows an exceptional  victory over Spartans in the Scottish capital, with Motherwell firing four past the Edinburgh side to narrow the gap to Aberdeen in seventh.

With preparations underway, the expectations have been set for the squad, with the meeting in ML3 the first step in preserving the visitors SWPL status.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Paul Brownlie’s side coasted into the post-split with ease after securing a hard-fought but deserving three points in a momentum-building league victory over Spartans at Ainslie Park.

Jo Addie got the women of steel off the mark inside the opening 10-minutes, with midfielder Louisa Boyes marking her return to the starting XI with a clinically-taken brace. Striker Morgan Cross also prodded home a close-range effort  in a comfortable four-goal cushion and assured performance over the nearest league rivals.

Striker Laura Berry will be unavailable, with the forward currently on international duty with Scotland in a triple-header of U17 Euro qualification matches against Denmark, Poland and North Macedonia.

Hamilton

After defeating the women of Steel at New Douglas Park in February, the Accies have picked up one point in the SWPL since, with a 92^nd-minute Spartans equaliser denying Accies their first back-to-back victories this season.

Hamilton then travelled to Links Park to face league rivals Montrose, but despite being held to a stalemate at the break, the Gable Endies resurged late on to secure a comfortable seven-goal victory.

Ticket Information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £5
• Under 16s – 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.

Motherwell coasted into the post-split with the momentum after securing a hard-fought but deserving three points in a successive league victory over Spartans at Ainslie Park on Sunday.

Jo Addie got the women of steel off the mark inside the opening 10-minutes, drilling a low effort through the Spartans goalkeeper. Motherwell continued to control proceedings until Mya Bates stunned the visitors with an early second-half equaliser against the run of play.

Midfielder Louisa Boyes marked her return to the starting XI in style, restoring the advantage for Paul Brownlie’s side shortly before the hour mark. Morgan Cross prodded home a third from close-range in the latter stages of the game before Boyes secured her brace and Motherwell’s fourth in an exceptional display in the Scottish Capital.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made four changes from the hard-fought defeat to defending champions Glasgow City over a fortnight ago. Goalkeeper Emily Mutch returned in goal, with Jo Addie, Sarah Gibb and Louisa Boyes all returning to the starting XI.

Looking to head into the post-split campaign on a high, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, with Rangers loanee Laura Berry causing the hosts problems only moments into the game. The forward accurately read the opponents predictable through ball, making a comfortable interception beyond the halfway-line before driving towards of the edge of the Spartans penalty area, but the strikers powerful attempt arrowed agonisingly over the crossbar.

The visitors early momentum persisted, with the breakthrough materialising shortly after. Kayla Jardine’s floated corner kick sailed invitingly across the six-yard-box, ricocheting through several players before falling kindly to Addie 10-yards from goal, and the defender drilled a low effort through the legs of the Spartans stopper.

Motherwell were gifted the opportunity to double their advantage midway through the first-half, with Morgan Cross utilising her pace to escape her marker before being hauled down within the box. Bailley Collins stepped up, but reminiscent of her attempt in Meadowbank, the defenders low strike rattled the post. Despite converting the rebound, the referee quickly ruled the goal out for offside.

Motherwell’s control in the contest was soon undermined moments into the second half, with the hosts netting an equaliser against the run of play. Rebecca Galbraith’s pinpoint attempt struck the right-hand post, with Caley Gibb’s rebounded effort brilliantly parried clear by Mutch, but Bates reacted imminently to prod home a header from close-range.

Un-wavered by the motivation of the Spartans squad, Motherwell stuck to their gameplan and their efforts were rewarded 10-minuites later. Jardine proved to be the provider again, coasting into the Spartans penalty area with ease before clipping a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, and Boyes calmly placed a low strike into the bottom-right corner.

The third soon followed, with Motherwell capitalising on the counter-attack. Gibb’s close-range effort was again denied by the reactive Mutch, with Motherwell instinctively launching the ball deep into the final third of the pitch. Berry skilfully worked her way to the byline before teeing up Jardine, who’s low strike fell fortunately into the path of Cross, who dispatched a third goal into the bottom-left-corner.

In the final moments of the game, Motherwell decisively wrapped dup the game with a clinical fourth. Cross turned provider, driving to the byline before chipping a dangerous delivery across the six-yard-box, with Boyes finding space at the front post to convert her second of the game.

The final pre-split fixture of the 2023/24 SWPL season awaits the women of steel, with a highly-anticipated trip to the capital to face Spartans at Ainslie Park.

Three points separate Paul Brownlie’s side from the Edinburgh outfit, with both sitting precariously above the bottom-three ahead of an important run of post-split fixtures, with each side facing each other both home and away.

The expectations have been set for the squad, ahead of a crucial encounter that could be fundamental in retaining their SWPL status.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

A turbulent run of form for the women of steel persisted in East Kilbride over a fortnight ago, with defending champions Glasgow City cruising to a comfortable three-goal advantage, but the recent run of form fails to accurately reflect the performances of the squad, who have been unable to capitalise in the final third of the pitch.

Defeat in the Lanarkshire derby accurately reflected the women of steel’s frustrations this season, with Hamilton’s two shots on target prevailing over Motherwell’s 20-shots across the game, as the Accies secured their first Lanarkshire Derby victory this season.

Scotland International’s Laura Berry and Kayla Jardine will both return from international duty, as the pair featured in back-to-back victories over Wales, with Berry netting four and Jardine finding the target once.

Spartans

Spartans have briefly regained a positive run of form following a 12-game winless run, with a strong display over Aberdeen securing the Edinburgh sides place in the next round of the Scottish Cup, with an exceptional six-goal advantage over Dundee United in the league to follow.

Midfielder Hannah Jordan will be one-to-watch for the women of steel, with the 20-year-old netting three times in the last two encounters with Dundee United and Hamilton.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £4
• Under 16s – 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.

A central component in the heart of Dundee United backline, defender Eve Donald cruised to the finale of the 2022/23 SWPL campaign, restoring top-flight football in the City of Discovery for another season.

Featuring 27-times for the Tangerines, the set-piece specialist and composed centre-half caught the eye of Paul Brownlie, who sought to enhance his defensive options, by attracting the 23-year-old to Lanarkshire.

“The Manager at Dundee United had informed me that an approach from Motherwell had come through,” Donald explained.

“After speaking with Paul and Leanne, I was really impressed with the professionalism at the club and their positivity about myself as a player. The conversation gave me a real feel of what the club is all about and it was an opportunity I simply couldn’t turn down.”

A central defender by trade, Donald’s versatility and consistency proved to be an enticing acquisition to an already weakened Motherwell backline, with Murron Cunningham facing an arduous spell on the sidelines. However, a sudden long-term injury ruled the experienced defender out of action for several months.

“It was one of the toughest times I have went through in football so far,” Donald emphasised.

“During a traditional warm-up in training, I had turned my body at speed to sprint and I instantly felt sharp pains across my back and suddenly couldn’t make any minor movement at all.

“After an assessment with the physio, I had twisted and irritated joints in my lower back which was hard to take as I understood that it wouldn’t be a fast recovery. I struggled to come to terms with everything the first couple days, but I knew I had to stay positive.”

After an extensive spell on the sidelines, with Donald featuring only twice in claret and amber since making the switch in the summer, the defender returned to competitive action, making her first Motherwell start against Glasgow City last weekend.

“Coming to a new club and getting an injury so early in the season was difficult to process and accept. Setbacks are always hard to accept but I just had to be positive and look forward to my return,” Donald said.

“Making my first start was a proud moment for me personally. There were nerves, but excitement as well. It’s something I’ve been working towards since my return from injury and I am delighted to be back on the pitch.

“Stepping back onto the pitch with the team following a long time out is one of the best feelings as a footballer. It’s a relief to finally be back playing football and playing my part, as we head into the final part of the season. Donald’s return comes at the perfect moment for the women of steel, with a trip to the capital to face Spartans preceding the post-split finale to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

“[The Spartans game] is a massive game for us, and it’s one we are all up for,” Donald outlined.

“Our performances against top of the table teams recently have been exceptional. We’ve went toe to toe with full time teams and played some really good football which we take positives from.

“We have shown what we are capable of, but we have to get the results that fairly reflect our performances which hopefully comes against Spartans, but it’ll be one we need to work hard for.”

Motherwell will end the 2023/24 season with a trip to the City of Discovery to face Dundee United.

The post-split fixtures will see the women of steel travel across the river Clyde to face local rivals Hamilton in the third Lanarkshire derby of the campaign before a double-header in East Kilbride, with Aberdeen and Dundee United the visitors.

A trip to the capital to face Spartans will precede another home double-header with Montrose and the return tie with the Edinburgh side. Paul Brownlie’s side will then face a lengthy run on the road, with encounters against Montrose and Aberdeen.

The run-in to the final two fixtures will open with a home encounter against Hamilton in the final Lanarkshire derby of the 2023/24 campaign before a visit to the City of Discovery to face Dundee United in the finale to the SWPL season.

Dates and kick-off times remain subject to change, dependent on TV selection.

Motherwell 2023/24 post-split fixtures

• Hamilton Accies (A) – Sunday March 17th
• Aberdeen (H) – Sunday March 31st
• Dundee United (H) – Sunday April 14th
• Spartans (A) – Wednesday April 17th
• Montrose (H) – Sunday April 21st
• Spartans (H) – Wednesday May 1st
• Montrose (A) – Sunday May 5th
• Aberdeen (A) – Sunday May 12th
• Hamilton Accies (H) – Wednesday May 15th
• Dundee United (A) – Sunday May 19th