SWPL Team of the Week – 10th December

Team of the Week from the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Sunday 10th December.

Written by Jack Donnelly

Goalkeeper – Chloe Nicolson (Hamilton Academical)

Hamilton picked up a valuable point at home against Aberdeen on Sunday afternoon, with keeper Chloe Nicolson coming up big on several occasions to keep Accies in the game. The Hamilton stopper made four saves and looked set on advancing play quickly whenever she had the ball, preferring to go long and looking to get her side on the attack as soon as possible.

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Defender – Darcy Molley (Queen’s Park)

A top of the table clash in ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 went the way of the league leaders, with the Queen’s Park back line having to stand firm after Megan Quigley’s red card. Darcy Molley was the standout defender on this occasion, with the 24-year-old winning 10 duels and making 14 recoveries, all while keeping the likes of Kelsy Crainie quiet down the flank.

Defender – Caitlin Hayes (Celtic)

Celtic put on another impressive attacking performance in their 7-0 win over Spartans, with Caitlin Hayes bagging herself a brace at the Excelsior. Making it four goals in her last three matches, Hayes was also excellent defensively, winning 17 duels, making 11 interceptions, and a further 14 recoveries, while also completing 90% of her passes.

Defender – Leah Donnelly (Glasgow Women)

Glasgow Women picked up a huge three points on Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 win over St. Johnstone, which put them four points clear of their opponents, thanks to a solid defensive display. Centre back Leah Donnelly was Glasgow Women’s top performer on this occasion, with the 18-year-old completing 75% of passes, winning 12 duels, and making a further 11 recoveries of possession.

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Midfielder – Beth McKay (Livingston)

A late winner saw Livingston draw level on points with second-placed Kilmarnock, with wingback Beth McKay scoring both of the Lions’ goals in a 2-1 win over Gartcairn. McKay’s brace, with her winning goal coming directly from a corner, also came with a tireless performance up and down the left flank, as she completed five dribbles and won 14 duels.

Midfielder – Eilidh Shore (Aberdeen)

Aberdeen travelled down to South Lanarkshire on Sunday and came away from their encounter with Hamilton with a point, with Eilidh Shore putting in a composed performance in the middle of the park. The 22-year-old was combative, winning 17 duels, making eight interceptions, and a further 15 recoveries, and also completed 70% of her passes and was successful with every dribble she attempted.

Midfielder – Jade McLaren (Montrose)

Picking up just their second win of the season after defeating the same opponents back in September, midfielder Jade McLaren had the final say in Montrose’s 3-2 win against Dundee United on Sunday. Nodding home from close range to secure a massive three points, the 25-year-old also put in a shift defensively, winning 10 duels, making 10 interceptions, and a further 15 recoveries of possession.

Midfielder – Abigail Varghese (Boroughmuir Thistle)

Boroughmuir Thistle returned to winning ways on Sunday, running out 5-1 winners away against Stirling University, with attacking midfielder Abigail Varghese twice finding the net. The 20-year-old powered her first goal in at the near post, with Stirling keeper Jessica Lawson unable to keep the effort out, and showed some quick feet and composure to slot the ball into the bottom left for her second goal.

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Forward – Katie Lockwood (Heart of Midlothian)

Hearts moved above rivals Hibernian into fifth on Sunday with their 4-1 win over Partick Thistle, with Katie Lockwood bagging herself a brace. Taking her tally to seven goals in her last three games, the English forward also misplaced just a single pass for a completion rate of 97%, and also won seven duels and made 11 recoveries.

Forward & Star Player – Abbie Larkin (Glasgow City)

Glasgow City made it two wins on the bounce on Sunday, as they ran out 3-1 winners against an in-form Hibernian at Meadowbank, with two goals coming from Abbie Larkin. The Irish striker fired a pair of smart finishes past Katie Fraine to help earn City all three points, and also completed 80% of her passes in a performance that has earned her this week’s Star Player award.

Forward – Sarah Ewens (Rangers)

Rangers saw out another weekend at the top of the league as they ran out 5-0 winners away against Motherwell, with Sarah Ewens scoring twice. In what was just her second start of the season, the Scotland internationalist made it three goals in two matches, having not scored since her brace for London City Lionesses against Coventry United back in April this year.