Team of the Week – 18th March

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 15th March.

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Goalkeeper – Lisa Rodgers (Celtic)

Celtic missed an opportunity to climb up to second in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League, drawing 1-1 with Hibernian in their first match post-split. It could have been worse if not for Rodgers, the ‘keeper conceding only one goal and making six saves, the most of any goalkeeper this round. The 20-year-old was old solid with her distribution as well, managing a 100% short passing success rate. Celtic face Glasgow City this evening, seven points behind their title rivals.

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Defender – Lauren Doran-Barr (Hibernian)

While retaining the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League is likely a step too far for Hibernian, they showed they are not going to finish their campaign lying down as they drew 1-1 away to Celtic. In defence, Doran-Barr is included as she made nine interceptions (fifth highest this round) and blocked two shots, the highest of any player this round. She also had an 86% passing accuracy rate, six crosses, won 69% of her duels, and made more recoveries for Hibs than losses. Hibernian host Rangers tonight, knowing a win will reduce the gap to their opponents down to just three points.

Defender – Jess Murphy (Livingston)

Livingston put any disappointment of missing out on a top-six spot in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 behind them, whilst also ensuring they can’t be automatically relegated. Livi were comfortable 6-1 winners on Sunday over Stirling University, now aiming to finish highest of the bottom four teams. Murphy is included for her brace from defence, showing her aerial prowess both offensively and defensively. Livingston next East Fife on Sunday and a win will 100% guarantee their safety.

Defender – Ronaigh Douglas (Spartans)

Spartans took a big leap towards guaranteeing themselves a play-off spot in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 after a late 1-0 win over Boroughmuir Thistle. They are now four points clear of their Edinburgh rivals and 10 points clear of Dundee United with nine games remaining. Douglas is included for helping her side to a clean sheet in an important game whilst also threatening Thistle with numerous balls forward and into the box. Spartans face Queen’s Park away tonight (20:00 KO), and the winner will end up finishing the day in second.

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Midfielder – Erin McLaughlin (Glasgow City)

The weekend couldn’t have gone much better for Glasgow City as they defeated Partick Thistle 4-0 while Celtic and Rangers both dropped points. It was a fairly comfortable performance for Leanne Ross’ side who were 3-0 up after 25 minutes, the pick of the bunch being McLaughlin’s fantastic strike. The Irish midfielder also hit the bar in the second half, had an 86% passing accuracy rate, and was voted as the clubs player of the match. City are six points clear of Hearts in the title race and face Celtic, who are seven points behind, tonight (19:45 KO).

Midfielder – Jade McLaren (Montrose)

Montrose put the disappointment of missing out on a top-six spot behind them as they put on a thumping performance against Hamilton Accies. The Mighty Mo were 6-0 up at half-time, a first-half hat-trick from McLaren who was taken off after 46 minutes. From the time she was on the park though she scored her three goals from three shots, won 81% of her duels, 80% of her ariel duels, and made more recoveries than losses. It’s a result that means Montrose can’t be automatically relegated and moves them seven points clear of the relegation play-off spot.

Midfielder – Teri Skivington (East Fife)

Perhaps the biggest result on Sunday was East Fife’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2. Not only does it lift East Fife seven points clear of automatic relegation, it also brings them to within four points of safety. Skivington will take the credit, scoring both goals and taking her tally against the Perthshire side to three this season. East Fife are away to Livingston on Sunday as they will look to make it back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

Midfielder – Megan Cunningham (Queen’s Park)

Queen’s Park kept pace at the top of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 with a 2-1 win over Gartcairn. As expected, it was a battling performance which Cunningham epitomised in midfield. Alongside her effort, she also provided an assist, as well as the highest number of through passes this round and the second highest number of balls into the final third. Queen’s Park remain level on points with Spartans with the two sides meeting this evening (20:00 KO) in a huge match to likely guarantee, at a minimum, a promotion play-off place.

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Forward – Bayley Hutchison (Heart of Midlothian United)

After the disappointment of falling behind Rangers and Celtic in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League, Hearts immediately bounced back post-split with a 3-2 win to return to second. Hutchison was the difference maker in this one, scoring twice and showing her clinical nature to finish from close range and then producing a lovely header from a corner. While it wasn’t her best performance, Eva Olid won’t mind if she can produce big goals in big games. The Jambos remain six points behind leaders Glasgow City, but are a point above Celtic and two points clear of Rangers as they face Partick Thistle this evening (19:45 KO).

Forward & Star Player – Carla Boyce (Motherwell)

Motherwell gave themselves a big advantage in the battle to avoid the relegation play-off spot, a 4-3 win away to Aberdeen in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. Proving her worth yet again to the Women of Steel, Boyce got a hat-trick, her first of the season. She also had a further four shots and won the majority of her duels all game. Motherwell are now three points clear of the Dons and could move to within a point of Montrose when the two sides meet on Sunday.

Forward – Cara Gray (Kilmarnock)

Kilmarnock continued their sprint to the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 title with a 2-1 win over Dundee United. While the post-split fixtures may pose the biggest test for Jim Chapman’s side, they remain unbeaten and 13 points clear of both Spartans and Queen’s Park. Gray earns her place this week as she got the opener before then providing the assist for the eventual winner. Kilmarnock host Gartcairn this evening (20:15) knowing that another victory moves them closer to the title.