SWPL Team of the Week – 18th August

Team of the Week from the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Saturday 18th August.

Written by Jack Donnelly.

Goalkeeper – Kelsey Daugherty (Celtic)

In the first clash between two of last season’s title contenders, it was the champions who prevailed, as a Chloe Craig penalty sealed all three points for Celtic against Glasgow City. While Celtic’s defence as a whole is typically strong as a unit, it was their woman in between the sticks that took the majority of the plaudits for her performance on Sunday afternoon. Kelsey Daugherty battled to keep her clean sheet against an energised City front line, making an impressive eight saves, including one at the death, to record a second shutout of the season.

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Defender – Stacey Papadopoulos (Hibernian)

Hibernian built on their opening weekend win with victory over Aberdeen at Meadowbank on Sunday, with the green side of Edinburgh sticking seven goals past Colin Bell’s side. One of those goals came from summer signing Stacey Papadopoulos, with a fierce strike from just inside the penalty box getting the better of Megan Sidey in the Dons’ goal. The right back was solid at the back, winning seven duels and making six recoveries, while also retaining possession well with a pass accuracy of 77% as she continues to settle into life in the SWPL.

Defender – Lizzie Waldie (Heart of Midlothian)

On the other side of the capital, Hearts also made it two wins from two to start the new season, as they fired five past city rivals Spartans in comfortable fashion. Now in her sophomore ScottishPower Women’s Premier League season, Lizzie Waldie shone in Eva Olid’s back line, with a close-range finish in the final few minutes of the match acting almost as a reward for a resolute defensive performance. The 25-year-old completed 112 passes (for a 90% success rate) and made 16 recoveries of possession, allowing her teammates to press forward without fear for the full 90 minutes.

Defender – Chloe Craig (Celtic)

As previously mentioned, Celtic’s much-lauded defence was crucial in securing all three points against title rivals Glasgow City on Sunday afternoon, with Chloe Craig more than playing her part. Aside from anything else, the Celtic stalwart was cool and composed as she slotted her second-half penalty past Lee Gibson, scoring what was the only goal of the game, which can mean everything in a closely contested title race. Defensively, Craig was strong, making 10 recoveries and six interceptions, while recording a pass accuracy of 84%.

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Midfielder – Tegan Bowie (Hibernian)

Our second of well-deserved team double-ups this week, we couldn’t overlook the contribution of Tegan Bowie in Hibernian’s 7-0 win over Aberdeen. The winger was mightily impressive on the left-hand side, finding the back of the net early in each half to take her season’s tally to three, while remaining dangerous as an out ball for her teammates to aim for on the counter. The 20-year-old misplaced just four passes for a completion rate of 87%, and made sure her teammates were regularly in promising positions with five key passes.

Midfielder – Lauren Coleman (Rossvale)

SWF Championship winners Rossvale made it two wins from two to begin their debut ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 season in impressive fashion. The new arrivals stuck five past St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Sunday afternoon, with their midfield continuing to provide plenty of attacking threat. Following Megan Whiteford’s inclusion in last week’s TOTW, Lauren Coleman fancied getting in on the action this week, scoring twice to match her midfield partner’s efforts and ensure that Rossvale kept pace with league leaders Hamilton.

Midfielder – Rachel Walkingshaw (Livingston)

After a thumping defeat to Hamilton on the opening day of the season, Livingston rallied and bounced back this past Sunday, recording a solid 2-0 victory against Boroughmuir Thistle, in what was a real exchange of fortunes after Thistle’s impressive opening day display. Despite only entering the match in the second half, midfielder Rachel Walkingshaw more than made an impression. The 30-year-old was combative and energetic in the middle of the park, and her corner led to Livingston’s second, match-winning, goal. The only debate that remains is whether or not Erin Burns got a touch to turn the corner in, or if Walkingshaw can claim the goal as her own…

Midfielder – Bailley Collins (Motherwell)

Another side to make it two wins from two to kick off the new campaign, Motherwell survived a late scare from a persistent Montrose side to see out a 3-2 victory at K-Park. Bailley Collins stood out massively for Paul Brownlie’s side, and not just for her goal that saw her run coast to coast to finish past Lauren Perry. The wide midfielder, playing in a more advanced role in this match, was aggressive and was constantly putting pressure on her opponents, forcing turnovers of possession (nine duels won, 12 recoveries, and eight interceptions) and frustrating defenders for the entirety of the match.

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Forward – Cara Gray (Kilmarnock)

After being stunned on the opening day by Rossvale, last season’s ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 runners-up Kilmarnock bounced back with victory over Gartcairn at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park. Starting just her second match, 16-year-old striker Cara Gray certainly made a mark for the Ayrshire side, as she was involved in all three of her side’s goals, assisting Georgia Crooks and Dionne Brown before scoring herself in what was a ruthless first-half performance.

Forward – Katie Wilkinson (Rangers)

It’s only the second week of the season, and it seems as though Katie Wilkinson might already be making a habit of this. Rangers’ new arrival took home her second match ball in as many matches on Sunday, having scored a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Partick Thistle. The striker once again showed her tenacity and awareness in and around the six-yard box, and netted another header to display her aerial threat. Wilkinson also misplaced just one pass and won nine duels during her time on the pitch.

Forward & Star Player – Josi Giard (Hamilton Academical)

Rounding out this TOTW with our Star Player, Hamilton fan favourite Josi Giard was at her blistering best on Sunday afternoon. The German striker netted a hat trick against newly-promoted Ayr United at Townhead Park, displaying the clinical edge that’s kept her finding the back of the net season after season for Robert Watson’s side. Giard also laid one on for her teammates, as she turned provider for Lauren Kerr in the first half, to put Accies back in front after Ayr had levelled from the penalty spot.