SWPL Team of the Week – 17th March

Team of the Week from the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Sunday 17th March.

Written by Jack Donnelly.

Goalkeeper – Jeni Currie (Aberdeen)

Aberdeen kicked off the split in the best possible way, running out 2-0 winners at home to strugglers Spartans, and keeping themselves top of the bottom half. January signing Jeni Currie, who has impressed in between the sticks since arriving from Sion Swifts, was at the centre of The Dons’ efforts, making four saves to record her first Aberdeen shutout and give her outfielders the confidence to go and secure the result.

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Defender – Lauren Doran-Barr (Hibernian)

For the first time this season, Hibernian managed to get the better of Partick Thistle, with Grant Scott’s side picking up a 2-0 win in front of their home fans to kick off the split in a positive manner. Getting her first league goal of the season, fullback Lauren Doran-Barr opened the scoring in the first half, and stood strong defensively, with 11 duels won and nine interceptions made.

Defender – Bryony Ross (Livingston)

Livingston got themselves back to winning ways on Sunday, with a 2-1 victory over bottom side Stirling University earning The Lions their first points since January. Centre back Bryony Ross’ performance allowed Livingston to build from the back, as the 31-year-old misplaced just two passes for a completion rate of 95% while also making 16 interceptions, with her performance being capped off with a fantastic long-range effort to open the scoring.

Defender – Hannah Cunningham (Queen’s Park)

Queen’s Park secured another three points on Sunday afternoon with a narrow 2-1 win away against Boroughmuir Thistle, keeping them 13 points clear of Kilmarnock in second place. Full back Hannah Cunningham was crucial in securing victory for The Spiders, winning a ridiculous 24 duels and making 12 interceptions on the way to Queen’s Park’s 17th league win of the season.

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Midfielder – Fiona Brown (Glasgow City)

Glasgow City capitalised on other results on Sunday afternoon, winning 2-0 away against Hearts to move within a single point of league leaders Rangers as the split began. Fiona Brown, who has had her fair share of involvement since arriving from Rosengard in January, was in fine form at the Oriam, scoring the opening goal with a delightful curling effort. The winger also completed eight dribbles and completed 76% of her attempted passes, acting as a constant threat to the Hearts backline.

Midfielder – Megan Wands (Gartcairn)

Gartcairn put some more breathing room between themselves and the relegation playoff place on Sunday afternoon, as they ran out 2-1 winners against Glasgow Women. Midfielder Megan Wards was the hero for her side on the day, popping up in stoppage time to fire a scrappy winner past Khym Ramsay to snatch the points at the death. The 21-year-old was also combative in the middle of the park, winning 20 duels and making 13 interceptions en route to a massive win.

Midfielder – Louise Brown (Montrose)

Montrose got off to the best possible start in the split, picking up all three points at home against Dundee United to leapfrog Spartans into ninth place in the table. Midfielder Louise Brown came up clutch and broke the deadlock in the 92nd minute with a deft glancing header to claim the win. The 26-year-old also won 17 duels and made 13 interceptions as she helped to keep The Terrors at bay.

Midfielder – Brooke Nunn (Motherwell)

Motherwell claimed victory in the Lanarkshire derby with a 4-0 win over bottom side Hamilton on Sunday afternoon, with new addition Brooke Nunn heavily involved in every aspect of attacking play. The Hibernian loanee set up Louise Boyes’ opening goal, and would be able to claim hockey assists for two of her side’s remaining three goals. Completing 83% of passes and 86% of dribbles rounded out a bright and influential attacking performance for the winger.

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Forward – Olivia Hurrell (St Johnstone)

Despite losing out to Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon, St. Johnstone had plenty of fight about them in a 3-2 defeat, with Olivia Hurell providing some real quality in the final third. The 17-year-old striker showed great composure to take the ball round an onrushing Abbie Ferns to halve the deficit, before clipping a smart ball to the back post for Nicole Carter to draw The Saints level. She also didn’t shirk any defensive responsibility, winning an impressive 18 duels.

Forward – Dionne Brown (Kilmarnock)

Kilmarnock bounced back from their 4-0 loss to Gartcairn by running out victorious in a five-goal thriller against St. Johnstone, scoring three goals and claiming all three points in the process. Dionne Brown was the difference for Killie on Sunday afternoon, as the 31-year-old opened the scoring in the first half, before having the final word, scoring her second – and Kilmarnock’s third – goal to consign St. Johnstone to defeat.

Forward – Natasha Flint (Celtic)

For the first time this season, Celtic reigned supreme in the Old Firm, running out 2-1 winners over Rangers at the Excelsior on Sunday. Ever the woman for the big occasion, Natasha Flint was the difference for Elena Sadiku’s side, scoring twice in the first half to put Celtic into a commanding lead. The Liverpool loanee also completed 100% of her attempted dribbles and won 11 duels in what was a Player of the Match – and Star Player – performance.