SWPL Team of the Week – 24th November

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Sunday 24th November.

Written by Jack Donnelly.

Goalkeeper – Chloe Logan (Partick Thistle)

A second consecutive draw for Partick Thistle in the SWPL, but given their recent defeat to opponents Hibernian in the Sky Sports Cup, this stalemate is a clear display of Thistle’s character, and provides evidence of their progress in just a couple of weeks. Brian Graham’s side was made to work for their point, with the returning Chloe Logan called into action on multiple occasions. The former Jag arrived on emergency loan from Celtic, and made an immediate impact, making six saves to thwart Hibs at almost every opportunity.

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Defender – Mia McAulay (Rangers)

After a massive victory against rivals Celtic last weekend, Rangers continued their impressive form with a dominant 6-1 victory at home against Dundee United. Sunday’s performance brought the blue side of Glasgow to a whopping 76 goals scored in just 14 games, with Mia McAulay chipping in with her second league goal of the campaign midway through the second half. The flying full back had a busy afternoon on the flank, and was incredibly impactful in Rangers’ transitional play, completing five dribbles, making six recoveries in the opposition half, and completing 85% of her passes.

Defender – Mia Scott (Kilmarnock)

After two losses in a row to Hamilton and Boroughmuir Thistle respectively, Kilmarnock returned to winning ways in style, firing six goals past St. Johnstone at Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon. Despite Killie’s excellent day in front of goal, however, the brightest performance in blue and white came from the opposite end of the pitch. Young centre back Mia Scott has been a mainstay in Killie’s back line this season, with the Glasgow City loanee impressing once again over the weekend. Winning all eight of her duels, making 10 interceptions, and recovering possession 15 times, Scott was a wall that St. Johnstone had no chance of scaling.

Defender – Erin Husband (Hearts)

After a disappointing afternoon at Tynecastle against rivals Hibernian, Hearts bounced back with victory away against Aberdeen on Sunday. As has been the story with a number of Hearts’ matches this season, the Jambos looked comfortable on the ball, and limited their opponents to very few goal-scoring opportunities, with Erin Husband starring for Eva Olid in defence once again. The 16-year-old continued to play beyond her years, and completed 89 passes for a 95% success rate on Sunday afternoon, showing how crucial she is in Hearts’ attempts to build from the back. Husband also won six duels and made 12 recoveries as her side secured their ninth clean sheet of the season.

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Midfielder – Lisa Forrest (Glasgow City)

Glasgow City maintained their position at the top of the SWPL table over the weekend, as Leanne Ross’ side fired six goals past Spartans at Petershill Park on Sunday afternoon. 18-year-old Lisa Forrest was the biggest standout for City, playing on both flanks across the 90 minutes and being involved in three of her side’s goals. The wingers set up Katie Lockwood for the opening goal in the seventh minute, before nodding the ball into Natalia Wrobel’s path and seeing City’s advantage double just a few minutes later. She added a goal of her own in the second half, sweeping up the scraps from a defensive blunder to put her side well out of sight.

Midfielder – Rachel Walkingshaw (Livingston)

Livingston fought hard for their victory over Ayr United on Sunday afternoon, with the Lions overcoming a fair challenge from their Ayrshire opponents to secure all three points. Without much of a disparity in the match stats, Sunday’s result ultimately came down to who could finish their chances better, with Livingston – and Rachel Walkingshaw – prevailing. The midfielder scored both of her side’s goals directly from set piece situations, scoring from both a free kick and a corner, with her deliveries causing confusion before ultimately nestling into the back of the net.

Midfielder – Morgan Anderson (Gartcairn)

Rossvale hosted Gartcairn for a real back-and-forth battle in Kirkintilloch on Sunday afternoon, with the Lanarkshire side taking all three points back to MTC Park in their second win on the bounce. Although only playing 60 minutes, 20-year-old Morgan Anderson was Gartcairn’s biggest threat going forward. The attacking midfielder picked up an assist to see her side open the scoring in the first minute, and was constantly in the face of her opponents, winning an impressive 20 duels and making nine interceptions.

Midfielder – Tegan Bowie (Hibernian)

As previously mentioned, Hibernian played out a 1-1 draw against Partick Thistle at Meadowbank on Sunday afternoon, in a hotly contested affair between the two sides. Right before the half-time whistle, winger Tegan Bowie ensured that her side would be going into the break with the advantage, as she opened the scoring with just second left on the referee’s watch. The 21-year-old was effective in Hibs’ build-up, completing 73% of her passes, and was regularly putting the pressure on her opposing defenders, making all five of her recoveries in Thistle’s half.

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Forward – Holly Aitchison (Boroughmuir Thistle)

The second tier provided a bit of a shock this weekend, as league leaders Hamilton suffered their first defeat of the season, with Boroughmuir Thistle taking all three points from their trip to New Douglas Park. Holly Aitchison was the hero for the Edinburgh side on the day, as she scored twice to help secure a big win for Boroughmuir. Playing on the left wing, Aitchison scored her first from the penalty spot just before half time, and added her second after 15 second half minutes, firing a rebound past Chloe Nicolson for what was ultimately the winning goal.

Forward – Saoirse Noonan (Celtic)

Champions Celtic returned to winning ways at home to Montrose on Sunday, in a result that saw the Glasgow side move within a single point of Hearts in third, and just four behind rivals Rangers in second. Despite going 1-0 down to Craig Feroz’s side, Celtic responded well in the second half, with plenty of plaudits going to Saoirse Noonan, who took home the match ball after her hat-trick. Two right-footed finishes either side of a strong header helped Celtic to get back on track after last weekend’s derby disappointment.

Forward & Star Player – Louisa Boyes (Motherwell)

Motherwell strengthened their grip on sixth place in the SWPL table on Sunday afternoon, as they were the third team in the top flight to score six goals this weekend, condemning Queen’s Park to a 6-1 defeat at K-Park. Star of the show, and our Star Player this week, was Louisa Boyes, who claimed the match ball after a hat-trick in an excellent overall performance. The 24-year-old also completed all but three of her passes, for a success rate of 93%, as Paul Brownlie’s side opened up a three point gap on Partick Thistle in the top half of the SWPL table.