SWPL Team of the Week – 10th September

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

Written by Jack Donnelly

Goalkeeper – Khym Ramsay (Glasgow Women)

Glasgow Women picked up their first point since the opening weekend of the season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock, with fans of the Glasgow side having plenty of reason to thank Khym Ramsay for securing the draw. The GW stopper was called into action several times throughout the match, making a solid seven saves to keep her side ahead before that last-gasp equaliser from Jordan McLintock.

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Defender – Leah Eddie (Hibernian)

After failing to win the Edinburgh Derby once in four attempts last season, Hibernian secured victory at the first time of asking this campaign, running out 1-0 winners at Tynecastle with an assured defensive performance, led by Leah Eddie. Captaining the side on the day, Eddie formed a formidable centre back partnership with Poppy Lawson, retained and distributed the ball well, and made 12 recoveries and six interceptions on the way to a well-earned three points.

Defender – Demi Falconer (Partick Thistle)

Partick Thistle were made to work hard for the three points on Sunday afternoon, eventually finding the breakthrough in the 81st minute, but Demi Falconer had her fellow defenders set up to ensure Motherwell rarely threatened. The Thistle captain registered a pass accuracy of 73%, and put on a monstrous defensive display, as she made 21 recoveries and won 17 duels on the way to Thistle’s fourth clean sheet of the season.

Defender – Alex Middleton (Kilmarnock)

Despite chasing the lead for most of the match in their encounter with Glasgow Women on Sunday, Kilmarnock fought hard to earn themselves a point, with Alex Middleton right in the thick of the action from the first whistle. The right-sided defender was a destructive force, winning 24 duels and making 21 recoveries, and generally frustrating the life out of Glasgow Women’s front line.

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Midfielder – Courtney McAvoy (Livingston)

It was a five-star performance for SWPL 2 newcomers Livingston this weekend, as they ran out 5-0 winners over St. Johnstone, with Courtney McAvoy being one of five scorers on the day. The midfielder was in the right place at the right time to tuck away a scrappy breakdown from a corner, and put in an industrious shift throughout the 90 minutes. McAvoy made a league-high 22 recoveries, won 15 duels, and made 12 interceptions on the way to an excellent victory.

Midfielder – Maria Novou Torrente (Boroughmuir Thistle)

The highest scorers in the second tier this weekend, Boroughmuir Thistle displayed some impressive finishing as they defeated Gartcairn 7-0 on Sunday, with Maria Novou Torrente bagging herself a brace. The 28-year-old midfielder showed good instincts to be in the right position for both of her goals, and kept things ticking over in the middle of the park by winning 13 duels and making 11 recoveries.

Midfielder – Caley Gibb (Spartans)

Spartans got back to winning ways on the road this weekend, winning 3-0 away against bottom side Montrose, with winger Caley Gibb involved in all three goals for the Edinburgh side. After finding the back of the net from a tight angle for her first goal, the 20-year-old doubled her tally early in the second half with a first-time finish from close range. She then turned pre-provider, sticking a low cross into the box which eventually broke to Louise Berman on the edge of the box, who put Spartans out of sight.

Midfielder – Eva Thomson (Aberdeen)

The Dons continued their strong start to Clinton Lancaster’s time in charge, running out 4-0 winners at home to Aberdeen, with young midfielder Eva Thomson heavily involved in her side’s success. The 19-year-old was third to score for Aberdeen on the day, finding the back of the net with a composed close-range finish late in the first half. Thomson also misplaced just four passes during the game, for a pass accuracy of 86%.

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Forward – Kirsty Howat (Rangers)

One of two hattrick scorers in Rangers’ front line this weekend, Kirsty Howat certainly built on her match-winning goal against Partick Thistle in her side’s 8-1 win over Dundee United this past Sunday. After a fairly simple close-range finish to draw Rangers level after United’s first-minute opener, Howat’s second goal was absolutely lovely, as she lofted a Kirsty MacLean backheel into the top left corner from just inside the box. She outdid herself with her hattrick goal, as she fired a free kick from the edge of the box right into the top left, giving Aaliyah-Jay Meach no chance.

Forward & Star Player – Abby Callaghan (Queen’s Park)

Our Star Player this week, Queen’s Park striker Abby Callaghan scored her first career hattrick inside 20 second-half minutes against Stirling University on Sunday afternoon. The 22-year-old kept plenty of poise and composure to fire her three strikes past goalkeeper Jodie Baker, and made sure she was on the end of every Spiders move, as she registered 10 touches in the opponent’s box and fired off 10 shots throughout the match.

Forward – Rio Hardy (Rangers)

Rounding out our hattrick of hattrick scorers in the front line, Rio Hardy stepped up with three goals in Rangers’ 8-1 rout of Dundee United that sent the Light Blues to the top of the league. Finishing twice from the penalty spot, sandwiched in between was a lovely looping first-time finish, which curved up and over Aaliyah-Jay Meach before nestling into the side netting to put some real breathing room between Rangers and United.