Team of the Week – 16th April

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Sunday 13th April.

Written by Jack Donnelly

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Goalkeeper – Jasmine McPhie (Queen’s Park)

Queen’s Park went two games unbeaten for just the second time this season on Sunday afternoon, as they held visitors Montrose to a goalless draw at Ochilview Park. The away side from Angus threw attack after attack at the Spiders, but Jasmine McPhie trapped anything that came near the goal in her web. The 20-year-old shot stopper was equal to all seven of Montrose’s efforts on target, ensuring that Queen’s Park’s backline would be able to claim a rare clean sheet.

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Defender – Amy Forbes (Boroughmuir Thistle)

Sunday saw significant SWPL 2 action at the top end of the table, as leaders Hamilton Academical were bested at New Douglas Park by Boroughmuir Thistle, allowing both themselves, and Kilmarnock, to edge closer to the top of the table and, with that, promotion. Unsurprisingly, Accies were firing forward at any opportunity, but a defence marshalled by Amy Forbes helped to frustrate the home side more often than not, with the defender crucial in securing all three points.

Defender – Emma Brownlie (Hearts)

Given Hibernian’s impressive unbeaten run, it would be sensible to assume that Hearts, in the latest edition of the Edinburgh Derby, would have had plenty of motivation to halt Hibs in their tracks – and they did exactly that with a 2-1 win at Meadowbank. After Lisa Robertson levelled the game after an hour, captain Emma Brownlie put her side into a lead they would not relinquish with a nice near post finish past Erin Clachers. The defender also won nine duels and made 11 recoveries but, more importantly, helped to win bragging rights in the capital for the second time this season.

Defender – Celya Barclais (Celtic)

A feisty affair at Broadwood closed out the weekend’s action, as old foes Rangers and Celtic scored a goal apiece in the latest iteration of Scotland’s most famous derby. Plenty of challenges went flying in from both sides, with Celtic full back Celya Barclais involved in a fair few herself, to the point that every touch elicited boos from the home support. The French defender won 18 duels, made 10 interceptions, and was successful with 17 recoveries, with the majority coming in her own half, showcasing a stodgy defensive effort that helped stop Celtic’s recent losing streak.

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Midfielder – Kirsty MacLean (Rangers)

As mentioned in the previous entry, Rangers played hosts to rivals Celtic at Broadwood and, after opening the scoring, the home side would have to settle for a 1-1 draw. While Celtic tended to play most of their football down the wings, Rangers played plenty through the middle of the park, with Kirsty MacLean often the creative catalyst. The 20-year-old misplaced just three passes for a success rate of 93%, and won the majority of her duels with 11.

Midfielder – Jade McLaren (Montrose)

As previously mentioned, Montrose’s trip southwest resulted in a 0-0 draw with Queen’s Park in Stenhousemuir. The home side had a slight edge in possession, meaning Montrose had to fight hard to win the ball back – and fight they did, with Jade McLaren battling harder than anyone in the middle of the park. The versatile midfielder dropped further back into the engine room as time went on to great effect, winning 14 duels, making 12 interceptions, and recovering possession a further 16 times.

Midfielder – Erin Rennie (Spartans)

Spartans made it three wins on the bounce on Sunday afternoon with a trip to the Balmoral Stadium, running out 4-2 winners against Aberdeen in the end. Erin Rennie capped off the scoring for the day late in the second half, confirming that the three points would return to Edinburgh with a lovely long-range chip over Zoe MacLean. It was a complete midfield performance from Rennie, who completed 83% of passes, won 12 duels and made a further 12 recoveries of the ball as Spartans widened the gap between themselves and the relegation places.

Midfielder – Tiree Burchill (Partick Thistle)

In what was the most thrilling encounter of the latest round of fixtures, Partick Thistle prevailed against Dundee United in a 4-3 epic at Foundation Park. Thistle were relentless in the first half, scoring all of their goals in the first 35 minutes, a margin that proved insurmountable for United. Tiree Burchill was the first of Thistle’s four goalscorers, equalising in the ninth minute after Freya Brien’s immediate opener. The winger was heavily involved throughout, with a pass accuracy of 93%, 12 duels won, and nine recoveries made.

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Forward & Star Player – Brenna Lovera (Glasgow City)

It was a significant weekend for Glasgow City, as results elsewhere allowed them to reclaim top spot in the top flight, with goal difference keeping them ahead of Hibernian in second. Of course, City did their part by running out 4-0 winners against Motherwell at Petershill Park, with Brenna Lovera giving Paul Brownlie’s backline plenty of problems. The American banged in a brace in the first half, and picked up the assist for the first of Katie Lockwood’s two goals. Making way for Linda Motlhalo just before the hour mark, Lovera made a sizable impression on Motherwell, and spearheaded City’s charge to the SWPL’s summit.

Forward – Cara Gray (Kilmarnock)

In what was the highest-scoring fixture across Scotland’s top two leagues this weekend, Kilmarnock put on a goalscoring clinic, running rampant in a 6-2 victory at Rugby Park. This win, and results elsewhere, pushed Killie just five points behind Hamilton in first, and a brace pushed Cara Gray into joint-second in the race for the SWPL 2 Golden Boot. Gray’s first goal in particular is plenty to write home about, with the 17-year-old lifting the ball over Roberta-Leigh Cochran, before cutting back inside to avoid Niamh Irvine’s challenge, and find the back of an empty net.

Forward – Mhairi Crooks (Rossvale)

Rossvale’s efforts over the weekend saw them earn a valuable point to keep them two points ahead of relegation rivals Ayr United, with a 2-2 draw at home to Gartcairn. Mhairi Crooks was at the double in Kirkintilloch, firing two past Lucy Inman to secure Rossvale’s first point since February’s 2-2 draw with Ayr. This brace takes Crooks to four goals in her last four games, and Rossvale supporters will be hoping the forward can carry her good form into the final few games of the season to give their side the best possible chance of SWPL 2 survival.