Team of the Week – 10th September

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 7th September.————————

Goalkeeper – Lucy Inman (Gartcairn)

Describing herself as, “putting her body on the line”, Lucy Inman helped earn a 2nd Round spot in the Sky Sports Cup for Gartcairn after a 1-0 win over Boroughmuir Thistle following extra time. Keeping a clean sheet after 120 minutes of play, it’s her second of the season after conceding three in the sides’ last meeting a week prior. The ‘keeper made two particularly important saves in extra time with a tie against Queen’s Park in the 2nd Round now awaiting them in October.

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Defender – Lisa Evans (Glasgow City)

Much of the plaudits from Sunday will go to the City attackers who put Montrose to the sword in a 5-0 win in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. However, Lisa Evans was exceptional on Sunday after successfully completing 90% of all her actions throughout the match. This included two assists and a shot on target for the defender, 91% of passes accurate, and 94% of all duels won. An excellent performance all round.

Defender & Star Player– Danique Ypema (Heart of Midlothian)

Tynecastle Park performances don’t come much better than Ypema’s. The star player this week helped her side to a 2-0 win over Hibernian, playing the full match in the heart of defence. She won the majority of her duels, made seven interceptions, 10 recoveries, and was incredibly tidy on the ball with 89% of passes successful. A win against the reigning league champions could set the tone for the rest of Hearts’ season.

Defender – Katie Frew (Dundee United)

It wasn’t to be for Dundee United on Sunday as they bowed out of the Sky Sports Cup against Kilmarnock on penalties. Frew got her first competitive goal as she gave the Tangerines the lead after just 12 minutes, but they couldn’t hold as Killie equalised just after the restart. Her mum texted her to say she’d score on Sunday, so she’ll hope for more texts in the future as their attention turns to an immediate return to the top flight in the league.

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Midfielder – Mia McAulay (Rangers)

After losing some big names within the squad, Rangers showed no signs of weakness in their 2-0 win over Old Firm rivals Celtic. Stepping up on the day was McAulay, having a role in both goals as she scored the opener and provided the assist for the second. While the stats don’t suggest her best performance in blue to date, it will certainly be one of her most memorable.

Midfielder – Erin McLaughlin (Glasgow City)

McLaughlin marked her first full 90 minutes in orange with a goal on Sunday. The midfielder joins Evans in the team after a solid performance in the middle of the park. On top of her goal, she had three shots, was successful with 83% of her passes, and made seven interceptions. Leanne Ross will hope McLaughlin can keep scoring and providing competition in her midfield.

Midfielder – Katie Rice (Motherwell)

The Women of Steel made it four straight Lanarkshire derby victories, eventually seeing off their rivals despite going behind. The home side were a goal down only a minute before equalising, and Katie Rice gave her side the lead just after the break. She was in the right place for the cross, taking a nice touch and finish before an even nicer celebration. Eventually winning 4-1, it’s their first victory of the season and made even sweeter for coming against Accies.

Midfielder – Vivienne Strain (Livingston)

Livingston marched into the 2nd Round of the Sky Sports Cup with a routine 4-0 win over East Fife. Strain earns her spot in the team as she opened the scoring and was a constant threat. She had five shots with four on target, made 10 dribbles with nine successful, and made four crosses throughout the match. With performances like this from his side, Craig Joyce will be hoping to build on their back-to-back victories.

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Forward – Lia Tweedie (Partick Thistle)

The Jags nearly made it two wins from their opening four matches this season, only to be denied by a last gasp Aberdeen equaliser at Balmoral. While a draw away is not the worst result, it’ll feel disappointing after looking on course for maximum points, a point echoed by Tweedie. She’ll be delighted to get her first goal for Thistle and her side will be hoping for more as she looks set to be a regular starter this season.

Forward – Jodie Malcolm (St Johnstone)

It’s another appearance for Malcolm in the Team of the Week this season, though probably in a more familiar position. The winger helped her side see off Stirling University 5-2 in the Sky Sports Cup, earning a trip to Rangers as the reward. Malcolm got two goals on Sunday, the first displaying her ability to run in behind defenders and finish while the second showed her ability to be in the right place in the box. In her current form, Malcolm could be a star player to watch this season in both the Sky Sports Cup and ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2.

Forward – Kaitlyn Canavan (Kilmarnock)

Kilmarnock will face Aberdeen in the 2nd Round of the Sky Sports Cup after winning 8-7 on penalties over Dundee United. Killie were 1-0 down at the break, but Canavan brought the sides level after being played through and showing good composure to score their only goal of the game. The forward also threatened to find what could have been the winner, hitting the crossbar just 15 minutes later. The ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 side will now look to a test against top flight opposition next month.