SWPL Team of the Week – 20th August

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Sunday 20th August.

Written by Jack Donnelly

Goalkeeper – Beth Rennie (Boroughmuir Thistle)

Despite eventually losing out by a single goal to Kilmarnock in Boroughmuir Thistle’s ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 clash, goalkeeper Beth Rennie did everything in her power to make sure that her opponents were well within her reach. The 17-year-old made a string of fine saves to keep Killie at bay, and also stopped the Ayrshire side from the spot, saving at full stretch to keep Thistle in the game.

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Defender & Star Player – Mia McAuley (Rangers)

After Aberdeen equalised just before half time, and came out rejuvenated in the second half, Rangers seemed like they would need something special to get themselves back in front. Step up, Mia McAulay. The 17-year-old fired a thunderbolt into the back of the net just after the hour mark to restore Rangers’ advantage, and added her second of the afternoon just moments after the BBC ALBA commentators named her as Player of the Game.

Defender – Joanne Addie (Motherwell)

Looking to recover from an opening day defeat to Aberdeen, Motherwell welcomed Spartans to K-Park, and battled to a well-earned three points. Paul Brownlie set out a strong back five against Spartans, with Joanne Addie standing out among her fellow defenders. Misplacing just three passes all game, and making seven interceptions, the 29-year-old registered an assist for Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s goal, which proved to be the game winner.

Defender – Mya Christie (Hibernian)

Despite an unfortunate start to the new campaign against Glasgow City, Grant Scott’s Hibernian side bounced back at home to SWPL 2 champions Montrose, with young full back Mya Christie announcing her arrival in the capital. As well as maintaining a pass accuracy of 85%, the 18-year-old won 11 duels and made 13 recoveries and capped off an impressive performance with a tremendous strike from the edge of the penalty box.

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Midfielder – Beth McKay (Livingston)

ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 newcomers Livingston left it very late to pick up their first three points of the season at the weekend, but a Beth McKay wonder strike in the 90th minute saw Mike Ross’ side come away with the win against Glasgow Women. The 26-year-old had a busy time of it down the right flank, as she won 16 duels and made five interceptions before firing an audacious long-range drive into the back of the net to seal Livi’s first-ever SWPL victory.

Midfielder – Ellie Kane (Queen’s Park)

Two weeks on the trot for Queen’s Park captain Ellie Kane, who took her tally for the season to five with a brace in a 4-1 win against St. Johnstone. Before netting twice herself, sneaking in a penalty and finishing confidently from close range, Kane created the first goal of the match, as she slotted the ball through to Nicole Cairney who struck past Ellie Mitchell for the opener.

Midfielder – Mariluz Sanchez(Stirling University)

After winning a back-and-forth battle with St. Johnstone on the opening day of the season, Stirling University put in a solid performance as they ran out 2-0 winners over Gartcairn on Sunday, with Mariluz Sanchez putting The Students in a strong position with her second half goal. Dropping a bit deeper, the Spanish-born midfielder fought well through the middle, making 10 recoveries and winning 13 duels.

Midfielder – Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City)

The Glasgow City legend has shown no signs of slowing down this season, as she netted her second of the season in the champions’ 3-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Petershill Park Derby. The midfielder was a constant threat to Megan Cunningham’s goal, registering four shots on target from midfield, and stringing together plenty of attacking moves, registering a pass accuracy of 83%.

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Forward – Amy Gallacher (Celtic)

Celtic’s attacking play has been something to behold so far this season, with Amy Gallacher acting as a true linchpin in Fran Alonso’s front line. The 24-year-old bagged her second consecutive brace in Celtic’s 7-1 win over Hamilton on Sunday and continually put pressure on the Accies defence, completing every attempted dribble and misplacing just three passes.

Forward – Dionne Brown (Kilmarnock)

At times, all it can take is one moment to secure victory and on Sunday afternoon, Kilmarnock forward Dionne Brown had that moment. Her goal was enough to split the sides in Killie’s encounter with Boroughmuir Thistle and fellow TOTW member Beth Rennie, who denied everything but Brown’s strike, with the 31-year-old capitalising as Thistle failed to clear a free kick into the box.

Forward – Kathleen McGovern (Heart of Midlothian)

Hearts made it two wins from two with a 3-0 victory over Dundee United on Sunday, with young forward Kathleen McGovern bagging herself a brace to seal all three points for the Jambos. After nodding in a Ciara Grant cross just before half time, McGovern grabbed her second just after the break by firing a free kick into the bottom right corner from 20 yards out. The 21-year-old further proved her aerial ability, winning three aerial duels in her time on the pitch.