Motherwell 4-2 Spartans

02/05/2024 10:15

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.

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