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Sky Sports League Cup action is on the horizon for the women of steel this weekend, as they travel to the Scottish capital to face defending SWPL champions Hibernian at Meadowbank. 

The women of steel will have their eyes set on a return to the National Stadium Hampden Park, but many challenges lay ahead, with the prospect of last season’s defeated finalists awaits.

Motherwell will be keen to replicate their successes from the Scottish Cup, as a promising league cup run has eluded them in recent seasons.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell have relished a positive run to the National Stadium in recent years. The women of steel have twice been denied a place in the Scottish Cup final, as defeated Semi-Finalists to Rangers in 2023, and Glasgow City in 2025, but have maintained a positive record in the domestic cup competitions.

Motherwell faced Sunday’s opponents in the Scottish Cup final in 2018, but were defeated by the full-time side.

Paul Brownlie’s side head to the Scottish capital, with almost a fully fit squad. Katie Rice is doubtful to face her former side after sustaining an injury in last weekend’s victory over Aberdeen.

Hibernian

The hosts have responded well from their Edinburgh derby defeat to Hearts last month, placing five past both Montrose and Hamilton, whilst holding both Celtic and Glasgow City to one-all draws. Grant Scott’s side will be determined to redeem themselves after experiencing a five-nil defeat to Rangers in the final at Fir Park last season.

Ticket Information 

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time HERE or through the matchday turnstiles at Meadowbank. Both cash and card payments are accepted.

• Adult – £8.
• Concession (Over-65s and Under-13s) – £4.

Motherwell comfortably coasted to their second victory of the season, matching the men’s first-team result by overcoming Aberdeen for the second time this weekend. 

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that were held to a point by Partick Thistle last weekend. Defender Shannon Leishman returned to the starting XI alongside Orla Burn, with Gill Inglis and Kodie Hay settling for a place on the bench. 

Motherwell’s high-press caused the visitors problems from the outset, with Carla Boyce repeatedly closing down Aberdeen’s attempt to build from the back.

After several close encounters in the backline, the opening goal soon followed. Carla Boyce sharply closed down the Aberdeen defence, earning possession midway through the Dons penalty box before accurately converting from close-range.

The second followed soon after, as Katie Rice’s floated delivery sailed invitingly into the Aberdeen six-yard-box, and Tegan Browning expertly escaped her marker before bulleting home a header from a few yards out.

Defender Katie Rice had to be forced off, as the players regrouped in the second-half, with the defender receiving a strong head knock shortly before the break.

Motherwell continued their dominance in the second-half, repelling much of Aberdeen’s counter-attacking play. Substitute Mason Clark came close to teeing up the third, after creating space on the right-flank before drilling a low delivery across the face of goal, but the women of steel couldn’t convert.

Motherwell will head to the Scottish capital next weekend full of confidence, as they face defending SWPL champions Hibernian in the next round of the Sky Sports Cup.

Matchday seven of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign awaits the women of steel this weekend, as they are back in South Lanarkshire for the second consecutive game to face Aberdeen at K-Park. 

Motherwell will be focused on redemption after conceding a late equaliser to Partick Thistle last weekend, and visitors Aberdeen lay ahead, with both sides seeking their second victory of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign.

Motherwell sit level on points with the Dons, but remain one-place ahead, with a slightly stronger goal difference.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell return to East Kilbride for the second matchday in a row after being held to a point against Partick Thistle last weekend. Striker Carla Boyce coolly slotted home the opener from the penalty spot after Bailley Collins was hauled down following an aerial dual inside the Thistle box, but Mya Bates’ late equaliser rescued a point for the Jags.

The women of steel will be keen to separate themselves from the Dons in the SWPL table before a week-long hiatus in Premier League action when attention turns to the Sky Sports Cup the following weekend.

Paul Brownlie’s side head into the weekend, with almost a full squad, as defender Jenna Penman remains the only unavailable player following her shoulder injury sustained in the opening matchday of the season.

Aberdeen

The Dons remain second bottom of the SWPL table, ahead of only Hamilton Accies, who have yet to pick up their first points of the season. Their sole victory came in a narrow 2-1 victory over Montrose.

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 28th September 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.

A transpired to be an evening of mixed emotions for the women of steel, as Patrick Thistle struck in the final stages of the game to rescue a point at K-Park on Sunday. 

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that were defeated in the Scottish capital last weekend. Amy Bulloch and Sophie Black both earned a place in midfield, with Shannon Leishman and Mason Clark settling for a place on the bench. 

Carla Boyce opened the scoring from the penalty spot, drilling home into the bottom-right corner from 12-yards before Mya Bates’ mis-directed cross drifted into the top-corner of the Motherwell goal.

Keen to earn their first victory over the Jags for over five years, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, and were rewarded a penalty midway through the first-half after Bailley Collins received a stray arm across her face a yard into the Thistle penalty area. Despite the Thistle defence pleading their case, the referee stuck to her original decision. Boyce stepped up and coolly slotted her strike into the bottom-right corner.

Motherwell continued their dominance on the Thistle goal as the second-half progressed, with Collins finding space frequently across the right-flank, but the pinpoint delivery into the six-yard-box continued to evade the women of steel.

Thistle struggled to produce many clear-cut opportunities on goal, and their eventual equaliser reflected that. Thistle progressed across the left touchline, and Mya Bates lofted a hopeful cross into the Motherwell penalty area, but the midfielders looping delivery sailed over the head of Cameron before finding the side netting.

Motherwell tried to rally response in the final stages, but were forced to settle for a point in a frustrating, but encouraging afternoon in East Kilbride.

Matchday six of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign awaits the women of steel this weekend, as they return to South Lanarkshire to face Partick Thistle at K-Park. 

Motherwell face one of their closest league rivals in East Kilbride this weekend, after sharing a closely-fought battle for the final top-six place last season.

Motherwell sit one-point shy of the Jags in eighth after earning their first three points in the Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton almost a fortnight ago.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell will be determined to return to winning ways after conceding three-goals against Hearts in the Scottish capital last weekend.

Scotland under-17 internationals Lily Boyce and Orla Burn will both return to action after representing the national team in a double-header of friendlies against Finland last week. 

Paul Brownlie’s side head into the weekend, with almost a full squad, as Jenna Penman remains unavailable, and Amy Bulloch will potentially miss out.

Partick Thistle 

The Jags have endured a frustrating return to SWPL action this campaign, despite picking up their first victory on the opening weekend, with a narrow 2-1 victory against Hamilton. The Glasgow-side have since lost three, and drawn one, conceding 17-goals in their last four matchday’s. Thistle led league leaders Rangers for over 50-minutes after Rachel Donaldson’s early opener, but the hosts couldn’t sustain the Rangers attacking intent, conceding four in the second-half.

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 21st September 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.

One to forget for the women of steel, as their visit to the Scottish capital ended in defeat, with Hearts comfortably earning three-points at a rainswept Oriam Performance Centre on Sunday. 

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made three changes from the side that defeated local rivals Hamilton in the Lanarkshire derby last weekend, with defender Shannon Leishman returning to the starting XI alongside Mason Clark in midfield, as Orla Burn watched from the stands – remaining ineligible to face her parent club. Skipper Gill Inglis also returned, with Sophie Black receiving a place amongst the substitutes. Midfielder Amy Bulloch missed out after sustaining an injury midweek. 

Academy graduates Hannah Cairns, Teoni Steele, Mia Gillespie, and first-team debutant Lia Young earned a place on the bench.

As the skies opened over the Scottish capital, Hearts’ fast-flowing start to proceedings put the hosts firmly in the ascendency on the soaking slick artificial surface. With 17-minutes on the clock, Carly John’s broke the deadlock for the Jambos, capitalising on a miscommunication in the Motherwell backline, before drilling home the rebound after striking the post on her initial effort.

Lauren Wade made it two in the following minutes, cutting inside from the left flank before curling home a precise finish into the top-right corner. Goalkeeper Rebecca Cameron managed to get a fingertip to the strike, but could only deflect the ball off the crossbar before nestling into the back of the net.

Eilidh Shore rounded off the evening in the early stages of the second-half, with Motherwell having to pick up the pieces before facing Partick Thistle at k-Park next weekend.

Matchday five of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign awaits the women of steel this weekend, as they head to the Scottish capital to face Hearts at the Oriam. 

An assured 4-1 victory over local rivals Hamilton gifted the women of steel their first victory of the season in the Lanarkshire derby.

Motherwell are on the road for the third time this season after facing both Glasgow City and Rangers.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell overcame an early disadvantage before cruising to a dominant 4-1 lead in the second-half, with Sophie Black pulling the hosts level after Chloe Muir made the early breakthrough. Katie Rice, Bailley Collins and academy graduate Hannah Cairns sealed proceedings, with composed strikes in the second-half.

Motherwell will be without defender Jenna Penman, who remains unavailable after sustaining a shoulder injury in the opening matchday against Glasgow City. Striker Dionne Brown could be set to make her second Motherwell debut after rejoining the club on matchday last weekend. 

Motherwell will head into this weekend with one goalkeeper after the side departure of Emma Thomson, who returned to print club Hearts after being recalled to Edinburgh.

Hearts

The Jambos have maintained a strong start to the SWPL campaign, unbeaten in their last three Premier League encounters. A 2-0 victory in the Edinburgh derby over bitter rivals and defending champions Hibernian lifted the Maroon-side of the capital into fourth.

Ticket Information 

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time HERE or through the cash turnstiles at the Oriam. Both cash and card payments are accepted.

• Adult – £8.
• Concession (Over-65s and Under-16s) – £3.
• Follow our live matchday coverage on the Motherwell Women X (formerly Twitter) account.

Goalkeeper Emma Thomson has returned to Heart of Midlothian after being recalled by her parent club. 

A highly-rated youth talent, Thomson signed on a season-long loan deal last month to bolster the competition for the no.1 jersey at K-Park.

However, injuries within the Hearts squad have forced the Edinburgh side to recall Thomson early from her loan agreement.

“We’re really disappointed to lose Emma, especially at this late stage in the transfer window,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Emma had settled in really well at the club, and the healthy competition between herself and Becky was exactly what we’d envisioned, but we understand the situation with her parent club.

“Emma leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Motherwell.” 

We thank Emma for her efforts at Motherwell and wish her well for the future.

The women of steel enjoyed the long-awaited taste of victory, as Motherwell overcame an early disadvantage to secure their fourth consecutive Lanarkshire derby victory over local rivals Hamilton. 

Chloe Muir broke the deadlock for the visitors after quarter of an hour, powering home a close-range header following Eryn Brown’s whipped delivery across the Well six-yard-box. Motherwell regrouped, and instantly found a route back into the game, as Sophie Black prodded home Carla Boyce’s delivery for her second goal of the 2025/26 SWPL campaign.

Rejuvenated at the half-time break, Motherwell resoundingly opened the second-half with pressure on the Hamilton goal, and Katie Rice fired Motherwell into the ascendency, with a powerful half-volley into the roof of the visitors net. Bailley Collins made it three shortly after, with academy graduate Hannah Cairns scoring her first senior goal to complete a commanding four-goal victory on derby day in Lanarkshire.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made two changes to the side that were narrowly defeated by Rangers at Broadwood last weekend. Rangers loanee Sophie Black returned to the starting XI alongside Kodie Hay who also earned a place in the starting XI. Latest addition Dionne Brown merited a place on the Motherwell bench. 

Despite showcasing a robust defensive display in their previous matchday against title-chasers Rangers, Motherwell opened the game with an uncharacteristic performance, as the visitors threatened in the final-third.

Accies pressure was soon rewarded, as Muir expertly escaped her marker before bulleting a precise header into the top-right corner.

With the gauntlet thrown down by their local rivals, Motherwell immediately responded from the restart. Carla Boyce skilfully worked her way into the Hamilton penalty area on the right, and Black coasted into the box to dispatch the forward’s delivery across the face of goal.

Motherwell’s attacking threat started to come to fruition in the second-half, with the ball ricocheting kindly to Rice at the edge of the Hamilton penalty area, and the experienced defender calmly drilled home an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net.

Collins made it three shortly after, opening her account for the latest SWPL campaign after coolly slotting home from close-range.

Academy graduate Hannah Cairns sealed proceedings in the latter stages after securing her first senior goal in claret and amber, pouncing on an opportunity from 12-yards before forcing home the ball to complete a positive afternoon in East Kilbride.

Striker Dionne Brown has returned to the club after departing Livingston. 

Brown returns to Motherwell after representing Queens Park last season, and completing a brief stint at Livingston after joining the Lions in the summer. Despite her recent move, Brown was attracted back to the Premier League, and will join with Paul Brownlie’s side this week.

The experienced 34-year-old striker will be available for this afternoon’s Premier League encounter with Hamilton at K-Park.

“I’m really excited to be back at the club,”Brown said.

“When the opportunity to return to the Premier League came around, I simply could not turn it down.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

“This is a positive signing for the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Dionne is an experienced professional, and someone who we felt we needed to support the younger players at the club.

“We’re looking forward to watching her in claret and amber this season.”