SWPL Team of the Week – 31st March

Team of the Week from the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Sunday 31st March.

Written by Jack Donnelly.

Goalkeeper – Jasmine McPhie (Gartcairn)

It wasn’t to be for Gartcairn against ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 frontrunners Queen’s Park on Sunday, as The Spiders ran out 2-0 winners at The City Stadium. Without the efforts of Jasmine McPhie in the Gartcairn goal, it could have been much, much worse. The 19-year-old shot-stopper made an impressive eight saves against a ruthless Queen’s Park front line, in what was a performance that she could certainly be proud of.

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Defender – Kathy Hill (Rangers)

After securing the Sky Sports Cup for the second consecutive season, Rangers returned to winning ways in the league on Sunday afternoon, as they saw off Hibernian at Broadwood. They ran out 2-1 winners after going behind in the first half to a Jorian Baucom strike. After Rio Hardy’s equaliser, centre back Kathy Hill prodded the ball home from close range just a few minutes later to put Rangers ahead for the first time and, ultimately, claim all three points to keep their noses in front at the SWPL’s summit.

Defender – Caitlin Hayes (Celtic)

Celtic put a bit more breathing room between themselves and rivals Glasgow City on Sunday afternoon, as Elena Sadiku’s side beat a title rival for the second consecutive game. Ever a player for the big occasion, Caitlin Hayes popped up in the box to open the scoring and send Celtic on their way in the first half. The defender also won 14 duels, made 17 recoveries, and completed 78% of her passes in a performance that earned her Player of the Match on BBC Alba.

Defender – Megan Burns (St Johnstone)

St. Johnstone jumped up into fourth place in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 table on Sunday afternoon, as they picked up three points on the road with a 1-0 win over Stirling University. Playing a massive part in the Saints’ victory was defender Megan Burns, whose solitary strike secured the win, while winning eight duels and making 14 interceptions contributed to her side’s solid defensive display.

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Midfielder – Laura Berry (Motherwell)

In a clash between seventh and eighth in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League table, Motherwell were able to gain ground on Aberdeen with a 3-0 victory at home, leaving the Steelwomen just three points behind the Dons. Leading the charge for Motherwell was 16-year-old Laura Berry, who bagged herself a brace to double her tally for the season and send her side well on their way to victory. The teenager was also effective in Motherwell’s defensive play, as she won 19 duels all across the pitch.

Midfielder – Ana Dickov (Livingston)

Livingston travelled down to Ayrshire for a clash with second-placed Kilmarnock, and shared the spoils, heading back to West Lothian with a point after a 1-1 draw. Anna Dickov had a busy afternoon in midfield, putting in an industrious performance and acting as the engine for Livingston throughout. The 21-year-old won 18 duels and made 12 recoveries as her side battled to a credible draw at Rugby Park.

Midfielder – Kerri Halpin (Kilmarnock)

With their title rivals racing ahead, Kilmarnock will spend the business end of the season focussed on maintaining their position in second place, and a 1-1 draw against closest challengers Livingston certainly aided in their efforts. Young midfielder Kerri Halpin kept things ticking over in the middle of the park for Killie, breaking up play and moving the ball with intent. The 18-year-old won 13 duels and made 12 recoveries of possession, as she looked to drive her side forward at every opportunity.

Midfielder – Hannah Cunningham (Queen’s Park)

Sunday was somewhat of a homecoming for Queen’s Park, as The Spiders played their first match at The City Stadium since 2020, and marked the occasion with a 2-0 win over Gartcairn. Hannah Cunningham sent Queen’s Park on their way late in the first half, sending an audacious overhead effort into the top left corner past Jasmine McPhie. Cunningham split time between midfield and left back in this clash, as she won 12 duels and made 10 recoveries to help The Spiders move just three points away from securing the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 title.

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Forward & Star Player – Mya Bates (Spartans)

After a troublesome March, Spartans were triumphant for the first time in five matches, as they ran out 4-2 winners away against Dundee United, creating a six-point gap between relegation. Influencing her side massively was young winger Mya Bates, who was a constant threat down the left flank. Aside from playing a huge part in Spartans’ first two goals, Bates picked up two of her own to secure a much-needed win for Jack Beesley’s side.

Forward – Aimee Ridgeway (Montrose)

Montrose fans will be delighted to see their side putting some daylight between themselves and the prospect of relegation, as a 2-1 win over Hamilton moved them nine points clear of the bottom two places. Aimee Ridgeway, who entered the fray at the start of the second half, was the hero for Craig Feroz’s side on Sunday, as she powered home a header in second-half stoppage time to nick all three points at the death.

Forward – Kathleen McGovern (Hearts)

In the first of two games at Petershill Park on Sunday afternoon, Hearts headed back up the M8 with all three points after a 3-0 victory over Partick Thistle to keep them three points ahead of rivals Hibernian. Holding what was a slender lead in the second half, Eva Olid found a solution on the bench in the form of Kathleen McGovern, who scored twice from close range to relieve any doubt that the Hearts faithful may have been feeling.