Team of the Week – 13th May

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 10th May.

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Goalkeeper – Holly Kerrigan (Kilmarnock)

Kilmarnock’s title hopes and promotion to the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League remain in their own hands, despite a 1-0 loss to Boroughmuir Thistle on Sunday. With Spartans drawing 2-2 away to Gartcairn, Killie could have secured the title at home in front of the BBC ALBA camera with a win, but they’ll now need to wait until the final day of the season. While Kerrigan’s penalty save late in the game didn’t change the result, it could have been a pivotal moment had Kilmarnock managed to get a draw or a win. Kerrigan and her teammates now face a tricky away tie to Queen’s Park knowing a win will mean they lift the league trophy.

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Defender – Tegan Browning (Motherwell)

Motherwell jumped above Montrose in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League and have put themselves in pole position to finish highest in the bottom half of the table. Their 2-1 win at Links Park means that a draw or a win against Aberdeen will see them finish 7th. Browning got the opening goal from a free-kick, heading the ball into the net before the Women of Steel doubled their lead just a minute later. The defender also won the majority of her duels, including 87% of her aerial duels, made 11 interceptions, made 16 recoveries compared to 13 losses, and had a solid 70% passing accuracy rate. Motherwell face Aberdeen on Sunday in their final game of the season.

Defender – Sophie Timlin (Gartcairn)

Gartcairn may have seemed down and out on Sunday, but the MTC Park side battled back from 2-0 behind against Spartans to earn a hard fought draw. With the Edinburgh side having won 11 in a row, it was a remarkable result for Gartcairn who are playing for pride at this stage in the season. Timlin played her part at both ends of the pitch as the defender scored, provided an assist, and won 67% of her duels. She also made six interceptions and 12 recoveries, alongside a solid 77% passing accuracy rate. Gartcairn play Boroughmuir Thistle in their final game of the season having played a huge role in the title drama in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2.

Defender – Abbie Cusack (Queen’s Park)

While Boroughmuir Thistle and Queen’s Park know they will play each other in the promotion play-off race, there is still the battle to decide who will finish 3rd in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 and get home advantage. With the same head-to-head record, it could come down to goal difference in the post-split season if both sides finish level on points. Cusack played her part in defence, helping The Spiders to a 2-0 away win over Dundee United, and was involved in 100 total actions. This included the highest number of passes in this round (80), winning 63% of her duels, making five interceptions, and making 16 recoveries. Queen’s Park face Kilmarnock on Sunday which could have a huge impact on the final league standings.

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Midfielder & Star Player – Jodi McLeary (Rangers)

The ScottishPower Women’s Premier League title race has come down to just two teams with Rangers four points behind Hearts with two games to go. The race is out of Rangers hands, but they are doing everything they can to catch the Jambos including a win away to Partick Thistle on Sunday. McLeary continues to play a vital part in the heart of this Rangers side, scoring a goal from distance to make it 2-0 and then providing the assist for their third and final goal. The midfielder won 63% of her duels, made more recoveries than losses, and boasted an 81% passing accuracy. Leanne Crichton’s side must now win their final two games and hope Hearts lose theirs.

Midfielder – Justine Strain (Livingston)

Livingston remain unbeaten since the post-split in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, inflicting another high scoring defeat on their opponents. This time it was St Johnstone who suffered a 5-0 loss, with Livi having four different goalscorers. Strain makes the team having scored a brace and having had a further two shots on target. The attacking forward also provided eight crosses, had a 67% dribbling success rate, won 63% of her duels, and a 72% passing accuracy rate. Livingston end their season away to Stirling University on Sunday as they look to finish on a high.

Midfielder – Rosie Livingstone (Hibernian)

Hibs gave themselves a chance to finish third in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League after a dramatic 3-2 win over Glasgow City. The result means City are out of the title race and the Edinburgh side are five points behind with two games remaining. Livingstone continues to star for Hibs, earning another place in this team this season. The attacking midfielder had two shots, boasted an 83% dribbling success rate, and provided eight crosses. Hibs travel away to Partick Thistle on Sunday before ending their season at home to Hearts.

Midfielder – Francesca Ogilvie (Aberdeen)

Aberdeen made light work of Hamilton Academical on Sunday, gaining momentum ahead of their relegation play-off match. Captain Ogilvie was a constant threat on Sunday, scoring once and having a further five shots (three on target). She also provided eight crosses and had a 73% passing accuracy rate. The Dons travel away to Motherwell for their final game of the season before awaiting to find out their opponents in their battle to stay in the top division.

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Forward – Teri Skivington (East Fife)

The battle to avoid the relegation play-off in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 will come down to the final day following East Fife’s victory and St Johnstone’s loss on Sunday. The two sides are level on points as they face each other on the final day of the season. Skivington again was able to provide vital goals when it mattered, a hat-trick in their 5-1 win against Stirling University. The forward also provided an assist and had a further four shots during the match. She’ll now look to add more vital goals, knowing victory against St Johnstone will secure her sides’ status in the division.

Forward – Abi Harrison (Glasgow City)

Despite going unbeaten for so long this season, Glasgow City are now out of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League title race. Half-time substitute Harrsion looked like she could make the difference against her former side, scoring and providing an assist to bring the sides levels at 2-2. The forward also had a further two shots, but it wasn’t enough as Hibs eventually went on to score a late winner. City will now aim to finish third with Hibs five points behind with two games to play.

Forward – Georgia Timms (Heart of Midlothian)

Hearts have one hand on the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League title following their 2-1 win away to Celtic. The Jambos are now four points clear of Rangers with two games left and a superior head-to-head record, meaning they would need to lose their next two games and for Rangers to win theirs. If they do win the title, Timms will be seen as vital part of their success, and she showed that again on Sunday. The English forward opened the scoring with a smart finish as well as constantly testing the Celtic defence with runs and forward passes. Eva Olid’s side could win the title on Sunday as they host Glasgow City at Oriam.