Team of the Week – 19th October

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 19th October.

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Goalkeeper – Roberta-Leigh Cochran (St Johnstone)

St Johnstone inflicted a somewhat surprising defeat on Gartcairn in ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, winning 3-1 at McDiarmid Park. While it wasn’t a clean sheet for Cochran, there is no doubt about the role she played in their victory. She made five saves, conceding just one goal despite an xCG of 1.71. This included a fine one-on-one save to deny Gartcairn the lead with the score tied at 1-1. Goals win games, but a performance like this played a massive part in St Johnstone winning three points.

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Defender – Leah Sidey (Boroughmuir Thistle)

Boroughmuir Thistle lifted themselves to second in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League, moving above Spartans on goal difference after a 3-0 win over East Fife. Leah Sidey was heavily involved for Thistle down the left-hand side with 113 total actions from 90 minutes. Going forward, she contributed an assist, two shots (one on target), and nine crosses. Defensively, she won 67% of her duels, made eight interceptions, and had 21 recoveries. She also made the highest number of passes this round (75) in the league.

Defender – Laura McLaughlin (Kilmarnock)

Killie moved five points clear at the top of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 after an important win over title challengers Spartans. One goal was the difference, Cara Gray finding it after 53 minutes, but Kilmarnock’s solid defence played a vital part yet again. Laura McLaughlin is included this week, winning 80% of her 15 duels and 100% of her aerial duels, making seven interceptions, and 13 recoveries. Coupled with 74% passing accuracy, it was a rock-solid performance from the centre back.

Defender – Lizzie Waldie (Heart of Midlothian)

One of two Hearts players in the team this week, Waldie completes the defence. She got an assist on Sunday in the Jambos’ 5-1 win away to Aberdeen, a well-worked corner to a player who is included later. She also boasted a 76% passing accuracy rate, won 64% of her duels, and made 11 recoveries. Balmoral is a tricky place to visit, but Hearts navigated it well as they are level on points with both Rangers and Celtic after nine games.

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Midfielder – Ellis Notley (Hibernian)

Notley will feel hard done by, missing out on the star player this week by a fine margin. However, she’ll be more than happy to provide her side with a goal and a hat-trick of assists in their 5-0 away win over Motherwell. She headed home the opener after four minutes, before three perfectly placed crosses, which were also headed home to give her side a comfortable victory. On top of her goal contributions, she also had an 82% passing success rate in the heart of midfield as Hibs remain second and five points behind Glasgow City.

Midfielder – Abby Callaghan (Queen’s Park)

Another midfielder with a hat-trick, this time it’s goals. Callaghan put in a fine performance from just 71 minutes on the park, grabbing three goals from an xG of 1.63. She had six shots throughout the match (four on target), all while boasting an 86% passing success rate. It’s a victory that moves Queen’s Park into the play-off spots while keeping Stirling University rooted to the bottom of ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 without a point.

Midfielder – Louise Mason (Dundee United)

A last-minute goal spoiled Dundee United’s weekend in ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, as Livingston earned a 2-2 draw after being 2-0 down at the break. Mason will be one of the most gutted players, scoring and getting an assist before coming off after 77 minutes. She could only watch as Livi got the equaliser, but it’s a performance she can be proud of. As well as her two goal contributions, she also had seven successful dribbles and won the majority of her duels in the middle of the park.

Midfielder – Sofia Määttä (Glasgow City)

Glasgow City maintained their unbeaten start to the 2025/26 season, overcoming a Glasgow derby away to Celtic. Leanne Ross’ side were pushed all the way in their 2-1 win, but have Määttä to thank for her goal and assist. The Finnish winger threatened throughout her 79 minutes on the pitch, having four shots (two on target), providing four crosses, and having a solid 73% passing success rate. She will now join up with Finland U23s during the international break, with fixtures against Denmark and Mexico to come.

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Forward – Carly Johns (Heart of Midlothian)

It’s hard to suggest a more in-form player in the SWPL right now than Carly Johns, scoring her third brace in her last four games. The English forward put in yet another excellent performance, scoring twice away to Aberdeen as well as providing an assist. This was arguably her most clinical performance, scoring two goals from an xG of just 0.47. On top of her goal contributions, she had an 88% passing success rate, won 67% of her duels, and had only four losses in 90 minutes.

Forward – Kaela McDonald-Nguah (Montrose)

Montrose climbed into the top six in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League after a potentially huge 2-0 away win over Partick Thistle. Without a win in nearly a month, the Mighty Mo took all three points from Petershill Park thanks to goals from McDonald-Nguah. The forward hasn’t scored since her last inclusion in this team back in August, but she returns with another brace. While she was arguably less impressive in some areas of her game on Sunday, Craig Feroz won’t mind, as her goals also move Montrose nine points clear of automatic relegation.

Forward & Star Player – Katie Wilkinson (Rangers)

Rangers climbed up to third in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League on goal difference after a thumping 11-0 win at home to Hamilton Accies. Given how clinical she has been in blue, it’s not unsurprising to see Wilkinson amongst the goals, and she’s the star player this week. The English forward scored five goals from just a 1.78 xG and took an incredible 11 shots throughout the match, nine of which were on target. It looks like it could be back-to-back top goalscorer awards for the striker.