SWPL Team of the Week – 5th November

Team of the Week from the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Sunday 5th November.

Written by Jack Donnelly and photo by Hibernian Women.

Goalkeeper – Charlotte Parker-Smith (Heart of Midlothian)

For the first time in their history, Hearts took points off of Glasgow City this weekend, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Charlotte Parker-Smith in between the sticks. The stopper made four saves on the way to a historic clean sheet, as Hearts dug deep and frustrated the champions at The Oriam.

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Defender – Michelle Colson (Rangers)

The Rangers centre back completed her first full 90 minutes in a Rangers shirt on Sunday, and grabbed herself a goal to mark the occasion. More than playing her part at both ends of the pitch, Colson made eight progressive runs forward, won 13 duels and made 11 recoveries, all while maintaining a pass accuracy of 83%.

Defender – Meikayla Moore (Glasgow City)

While the Glasgow City attack had a frustrating afternoon against Hearts, the defensive line were rarely troubled, with Meikayla Moore impressing once again. The centre back won 71% of her duels, made 18 recoveries of the ball, and registered a pass accuracy of 86%, with 13 of those passes being made into the final third.

Defender – Emma Lawton (Partick Thistle)

Partick Thistle made history on Sunday afternoon, playing at Firhill for the first time while setting a new club record attendance, with Emma Lawton putting the icing on the cake in the final 10 minutes. The defender lashed a fierce effort home from just inside the box, and was a key player in preserving another clean sheet for the Jags with eight duels won and eight recoveries made.

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Midfielder – Beth McKay (Livingston)

Livingston continued to impress in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, running out 3-1 winners over Glasgow Women on Sunday, with Beth McKay putting in another solid shift on the flank. Ranked sixth in the league for her attacking contribution this weekend, McKay created the opening goal of the match with a clipped ball through the defensive line that successfully found striker Ashley Fish. McKay also registered a 72% pass accuracy, won 73% of duels, and completed 100% of her attempted dribbles.

Midfielder – Maria Novou Torrente (Boroughmuir Thistle)

Boroughmuir Thistle condemned Kilmarnock to a late 2-1 defeat on Sunday afternoon in what was a tightly contest affair, with Maria Novou Torrente doing as much as she could to ensure Thistle won the midfield battle. Impressing in the middle with 16 successful duels, 18 recoveries, and 11 interceptions, the 28 year old battled her way to a big three points for Thistle.

Midfielder – Colette Cavanagh (Celtic)

Celtic returned to winning ways on the road on Sunday, as Colette Cavanagh impressed with a tireless performance in the middle of the park. Through both advancing play with 11 passes into the final third, nine completed dribbles, and eight progressive runs, and breaking it up with 20 duels won and 16 recoveries made, Cavanagh more than made her mark at Foundation Park.

Midfielder – Lucy Jackman (Stirling University)

The Students battled to a slender 1-0 win over Gartcairn at the weekend, with an industrious midfield performance from Lucy Jackman serving to frustrate the home side. The 22 year old was a league leader in interceptions this weekend, making 13, and also ranked third in recoveries made with 19. Jackman was also ranked third in key passes, making three from the base of midfield.

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Forward – Ellie Kane (Queen’s Park)

At this point, it doesn’t feel like a Team of the Week without the inclusion of Ellie Kane, and her performance in Queen’s Park’s 3-2 win over St. Johnstone has seen her drafted in for the sixth time this season. The forward picked up her 17th goal of the season so far early in the first half, before delivering the corner for Megan Quigley’s last-second winner deep into stoppage time, which served to push Queen’s Park further ahead in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 title race.

Forward & Star Player – Abbie Ferguson (Hibernian)

Our Star Player this week, Abbie Ferguson ran riot on the flanks as Hibernian put Montrose to the sword at Links Park. The winger looked electric from the first minute, scoring four goals from an xG of just 0.97, while also registering a pass accuracy of 82% and winning 17 duels in a showstopping 90-minute display that saw Hibs draw level on points with rival Hearts.

Forward – Bayley Hutchison (Aberdeen)

The Dons’ perennial source of goals was at her blistering best on Sunday afternoon, playing a part in all five of Aberdeen’s goals against Motherwell. After opening the scoring, Hutchison laid on a first time ball for Darcie Miller to retake the lead just after half time, before firing in three more of her own to take her to 11 goals for the season, and consign Motherwell to a harsh home defeat.