SWPL Team of the Week – 20th October

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

Written by Jack Donnelly

Goalkeeper – Jodie Baker (St. Johnstone)

On a blustery Sunday afternoon, St. Johnstone travelled to Kirkintilloch to face off against SWPL 2 newbies Rossvale, with the sides playing out a 1-1 draw. The result saw the Saints lift themselves from the foot of the table, with goalkeeper Jodie Baker deserving plenty of plaudits for her efforts in between the sticks. With Rossvale having the wind in the second half, Baker needed to be sharp until the final whistle, and although Rossvale found a goal late on, it could well have been more if not for Baker.

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Defender – Emma Lawton (Celtic)

After a trip to Madrid during the week, Celtic returned to domestic action on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Spartans to New Douglas Park. It was a narrow victory for Elena Sadiku’s side, with Morgan Cross scoring the only goal of the game, but there were some impressive performances across the park for Celtic, most notably from Emma Lawton. The young defender has thrived since breaking into Celtic’s starting XI, and looked strong on Sunday, winning 17 duels and making eight recoveries of possession, all while maintaining a pass accuracy of 82%.

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Defender – Freya MacDonald (Hamilton Academical)

Hamilton’s charge through the second tier continued on Sunday afternoon, as they visited The Home of the Set Fare Arena and ran out 3-0 winners against Livingston. Much of Accies’ success this season has come from their defence – boasting a goal difference of 30 after nine matches, Robert Watson has made his side hard to break down, with Freya MacDonald the top performer in the back line on Sunday. Aside from helping Hamilton to yet another clean sheet, the defender found success at the opposite end of the pitch, firing a penalty into the bottom left to double Accies’ advantage in the second half.

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Defender – Kathryn Hill (Rangers)

Rangers were able to maintain their unbeaten start to the season heading into the international break, coming from behind against Hibernian at Meadowbank to leave the capital with a point. Clear cut chances were few and far between for both sides, with Kathryn Hill the main point of frustration for the Hibs frontline, alongside Storm Ashley. The centre back was strong and imposing against her opponents – winning nine duels and making 16 recoveries – and was a nuisance at the opposite end, crashing an effort off the woodwork in the first half and threatening in the box late on as Rangers went in search of a winner.

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Midfielder – Kirsty Morrison (Hibernian)

As for the home side at Meadowbank on Sunday, Hibernian were ever so close to securing all three points against Rangers, before that late Rio Hardy goal left them just short. Hibs were organised and composed against the Glasgow side, and found a positive route forward through winger Kirsty Morrison. The 23-year-old was unlucky not to open the scoring early in the first half, and won her side a penalty late in the second half. Direct and dangerous, Morrison won 13 duels in a tireless performance up and down the right flank.

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Midfielder – Jemma McQuillan (Rossvale)

After losing their last two matches against Hamilton and Kilmarnock respectively, it looked like Rossvale would be heading home with a third consecutive defeat on Sunday, with St. Johnstone holding on to their one-goal lead. However, the SWPL 2 champions fought hard and, with the help of the wind – and the efforts of Jemma McQuillan – they were able to net a late equaliser to snatch themselves a point. The attacking midfielder raced down the left-hand side before cutting inside and firing a cross towards the back post, where Emily Shanks was able to chest down the pass and score.

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Midfielder – Olufolasade Ademolekun (Hearts)

Hearts extended their winning streak to three matches on Sunday afternoon, as they came away from Links Park with a 3-0 win over Montrose. The Jambos put in a real shift on the east coast, with Olufolasade Ademolekun looking especially sharp playing off the shoulder of Bayley Hutchison. The Jamaican internationalist laid on two assists – one for Hutchison, and one for Monica Forsyth – in the second half to wrap up the points for Eva Olid’s side. Winning 11 duels and completing 72% of her passes, “Sade” the key to Hearts’ victory.

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Midfielder & Star Player – Emily Whelan (Glasgow City)

In what was the most dominant performance of the weekend, Glasgow City ran rampant against Dundee United, making the most of a player advantage to secure a 13-0 victory. A recent inclusion in our TOTW, Emily Whelan took Foundation Park by storm on Sunday afternoon, bagging herself a hat trick and laying on two more assists for her teammates in a dominant attacking display. Completing seven dribbles, winning 19 duels, and completing 71% of passes, coupled with her goal contributions, has Whelan fitting of being this week’s Star Player.

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Forward – Brenna Lovera (Glasgow City)

While Emily Whelan may be this week’s Star Player, she was not the only City player to be in contention for the match ball at full time. Brenna Lovera has made a triumphant return to action at City, and scored her first goals of the season on Sunday afternoon, netting thrice, and picking up another goal contribution with an assist for Whelan’s first of the afternoon. The American also completed five dribbles in an impressive striker performance.

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Forward – Tiree Burchill (Partick Thistle)

After failing to win in either of their last two league fixtures, Partick Thistle returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at home against local rivals Queen’s Park. Having arrived in the summer from Celtic, Tiree Burchill was the most influential player for Thistle in this encounter, as the young forward assisted Caley Gibb’s opening goal before scoring one herself towards the end of the match, wrapping up the three points for Brian Graham’s side. Burchill was also successful with all of her attempted dribbles, and won 17 duels in an impressive performance up front.

Forward – Cara Gray (Kilmarnock)

After her Star Player performance against rivals Ayr United a couple of weeks ago, Cara Gray makes her return to the TOTW after impressing in Kilmarnock’s 3-1 win over Gartcairn at MTC Park on Sunday afternoon. The 16-year-old scored twice against the Lanarkshire side, continuing her red-hot form, with Gray scoring six goals across her last three matches, and moving her just one goal behind Josi Giard in the race for the SWPL 2 Golden Boot.