Park’s Motor Group SWPL Team of the Week – 16th April

Written by Jack Donnelly

Goalkeeper – Lee Gibson (Glasgow City)

While the long-term City stopper would be on the losing side of a clash with Celtic on Sunday afternoon, she was certainly doing everything to keep her side in the fight for the points. Gibson made four saves, including shutting Celtic out twice from the penalty spot, even with two different penalty takers.

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Defender – Jessica Broadrick (Aberdeen)

The 18-year-old put in a performance well above her years as Aberdeen battled to a 2-1 win over Hamilton on Sunday afternoon. Playing at centre back, Broadrick was tidy on the ball as she completed 87% of her passes, while also being a defensive force, winning 15 duels – six of those in the air – and making 22 recoveries throughout the 90 minutes.

Defender – Eleanor Smith (Queen’s Park)

The Spiders’ fullback enjoyed a busy afternoon on the right flank. Defensively solid throughout the 90 minutes, winning 16 duels and making 13 interceptions, Smith also scored her side’s second goal to put Queen’s Park ahead in the second half, as she headed an Ellie Kane corner into the back of the net.

Defender – Ellie Cowie (St Johnstone)

In a five-goal thriller at the Riverside Stadium, St. Johnstone completed a comeback against Stirling University to move within a point of third-place Kilmarnock, with wingback Ellie Cowie levelling the game early in the second half. The 22-year-old kept her composure as she curled her striker into the bottom right corner, and won 13 duels as the Saints ran out 3-2 winners.

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Midfielder & Star Player – Sam Kerr (Rangers)

The Scotland internationalist returned from the international break with a bang, as she netted herself a hat trick in Rangers’ 5-0 victory against fellow Glasgow side Partick Thistle at Petershill Park. The midfielder kept her side in the groove throughout the match, boasting a pass completion rate of 82% and winning eight duels.

Midfielder – Abigail Varghese (Boroughmuir Thistle)

As Boroughmuir Thistle took on the team directly below them in the table, Queen’s Park, a 2-2 draw kept the Edinburgh side three points ahead of their Glasgow opponents, with a brace from Varghese earning a point. Playing just off the striker, Samantha Duncan, Varghese chipped in with a pair of composed finishes, while also completing 83% of her passes.

Midfielder – Jacynta Galabadaarachchi (Celtic)

In what was a fantastic result for Celtic, as they saw off league leaders Glasgow City in a 4-2 victory, it was Jacynta who stood out most among a whole host of impressive performances. The Australian was at her creative best, assisting three of Celtic’s four goals and completing six dribbles as Celtic not only kept their noses in front of rivals Rangers, but closed the gap to top spot.

Midfielder – Charlotte Gammie (Montrose)

As Montrose maintained their 10-point lead at the top of the Park’s Motor Group SWPL 2 table, Charlotte Gammie performed admirably once again, winning the club’s Player of the Match award in her side’s 3-1 win over Kilmarnock. The midfielder scored Montrose’s second – an excellent looping finish into the side netting – and set up London Pollard’s goal less than 10 minutes later.

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Forward – Rachel Todd (Dundee United)

The Terrors claimed a huge three points against bottom side Glasgow Women over the weekend, with Rebecca Todd’s four-minute hat trick undoubtedly the biggest highlight in their 7-0 victory. The left-back-turned-striker set United well on their way in the first half, and will certainly be looking to keep up her goalscoring return in some crucial upcoming fixtures.

Forward – Ami Robertson (Gartcairn)

Despite going behind to bottom side East Fife at the weekend, Gartcairn rallied and ran out as 4-1 winners, thanks in no small part to Robertson. The North Lanarkshire side’s top scorer bagged herself a hat-trick to take her into double digits for the season and, with Kilmarnock dropping points, moving Gartcairn five points clear in second place.

Forward – Rebecca Galbraith (Spartans)

In what was a tightly-contested afternoon at Ainslie Park, Rebecca Galbraith may find herself unlucky to have only come away from the match with only one goal. Her late low finish into the bottom right corner stood to earn Spartans a point against Motherwell, but she was a nuisance throughout the match, testing Emily Mutch on numerous occasions and beating the Motherwell stopper with a header, only for it to be cleared away to safety.