SWPL Team of the Week – 19th & 22nd September

Team of the Week from the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Thursday 19th and Sunday 22nd September.

Goalkeeper – Erin Halliday (Hamilton Academical)

Hamilton Accies moved five points clear at the top of ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 following a 2-0 win over Gartcairn. Robert Watson’s side look favourites now for the title and to bounce straight back into the top division thanks to goals from Eryn Brown and Melissa Reid. At the other end though, Halliday helped her side with a clean sheet and some fine saves. This included a double stop with just over 10 minutes remaining and denying Gartcairn in the final few moments to avoid any potential fightback.

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Defender – Kimberley Smit (Glasgow City)

Glasgow City remain level on points at the top of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League following a 3-0 win over Hibernian. Grant Scott’s side had shown promising signs early in the season, but City made light work of their opponents by limiting them to just two shots. It was a strong afternoon for their backline but Smit stood out with 83% successful actions throughout including an 89% successful passing rate and 13 recoveries. She also threated Hibs’s goal with a fierce free-kick which was well saved by Noa Schumacher.

Defender – Lucy Turner (Ayr United)

Ayr United made it two games undefeated with a 1-1 draw away to Rossvale. The two newly promoted sides shared the points in ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 as Craig Potter’s side moved a point ahead of bottom placed St Johnstone. Turner earns her place after a strong performance in the heart of defence, limiting Rossvale to just one long-range goal especially when they had more chances in the first half. 

Defender – Caley Gibb (Partick Thistle)

It was a comfortable win for Partick Thistle on their travels away to Dundee United. The Jags were 4-0 winners but had a remarkable 18 shots on target and a further 16 off target. Gibb provided the perfect blend of defensive and attacking work for her side down the right. She provided the second assist for their opening goal and also played through Carla Boyce with a perfectly weight pass who won a penalty. Alongside driving runs forward and a clean sheet, it was a positive afternoon for the summer signing. 

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Midfielder – Hannah Jordan (Spartans)

Spartans moved out of the relegation zone in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League after producing their first home win of the season. They were 3-1 victors over Aberdeen which pushed the Dons down to 11th. Jordan was at the centre of two of their goals, providing the cross which was nearly turned into her own net by Chloe Gover before Olivia Chomczuk finished and then providing the assist for Erin Rennie. Jordan also produced three shots in the match as she constantly drove down the wings for her side.

Midfielder – Cailin Michie (Boroughmuir Thistle)

Boroughmuir Thistle extended their unbeaten run in September to three games with a comfortable 5-1 win at home to St Johnstone. Michie continues to shine for Thistle as she provided one assist and one goal, while also rattling the crossbar in the first half. Having played at the highest level of the game, Andy Enwood will hope her experience and skill will help Boroughmuir Thistle catch Hamilton Accies and gain promotion.

Midfielder – Louise Brown (Montrose)

Montrose fell to defeat at home to Celtic on Thursday evening, but it was a much closer result than many would have predicted. Celtic looked to be cruising to victory with a 3-0 lead but Alma Codegoni and Brown put the pressure on with 10 minutes remaining. It was a fine finish from Brown to bring the Mighty Mo within a goal of Celtic, but Saoirse Noonan secured her hat-trick a minute later and three points. It was a performance and result for Craig Feroz to be happy with against the champions.

Midfielder – Brogan Hay (Rangers)

Rangers remain top of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League after a 2-0 win away to Heart of Midlothian. It was a match which dented their title challenge last season but Jo Potter’s side were able to see off their opponents this time around. Scoring a vital opening goal and selected as BBC ALBA’s player of the match, Hay continues to show her value to Rangers as they hope to lift the 2024/25 title.

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Forward & Star Player – Lucie Burns (Kilmarnock)

Selecting Star Player this round was particularly difficult with two players scoring four goals. In the end, we’ve gone with Burns who was on fire for Kilmarnock as they prevailed 6-3 over Livingston. Burns scored four goals from open play as well as providing a constant threat going forward. It’s a result that moves Kilmarnock up to 2nd in ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 as they now look to catch Hamilton Accies.

Forward – Laura Berry (Motherwell)

Berry may be the unluckiest player to miss out on Star Player, just pipped by Lucie Burns. She won’t mind too much though as her four goals helped fire Motherwell to a 6-0 win over Queen’s Park. After returning to the Women of Steel on loan from Rangers, Berry has hit the ground running as they look to break into the top-six. Paul Brownlie’s side are a point behind Partick Thistle and will hope Berry can continue her fine form in their next 14 games before the split.

Forward – Saoirse Noonan (Celtic)

Already mentioned earlier, Noonan earns her spot leading the attack after a hat-trick away to Montrose. It was three vital goals for Celtic, who avoided a Montrose fightback with Noonan’s final goal of the game and to ensure they remain just behind Rangers and Glasgow City in the race for the title. With an incredible 11 shots during the match, seven on target, Elena Sadiku will hope to keep her firing as they potentially fight on European and domestic fronts.