Team of the Week – 23rd April

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 16th and 20th April.

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Goalkeeper – Kelsey Daugherty (Celtic)

Back-to-back clean sheets earn Daugherty the goalkeeper spot, particularly for her performance midweek against Hibs. She made seven saves to deny the Edinburgh side a goal, despite an expected goals conceded (xCG) of 1.41. While quieter on Sunday, it’s her 11th clean sheet of the season and the first time back-to-back since January.

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Defender – Stacey Papadopoulos (Hibernian)

Hibs continue to defy expectations this season as they moved two points clear at the top of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League with a 2-0 win over Rangers on Sunday. A huge part of their success has been their solid defence, conceding the second-fewest number of goals in the league this season. Summer signing Papadopoulos continues to play her part, both at the back and going forward. She scored the second goal on Sunday, a speculative long-range effort, as well as securing back-to-back clean sheets against Celtic and Rangers.

Defender – Holly Aitchison (Boroughmuir Thistle)

St Johnstone has not been an easy place to visit in recent times as they were undefeated in their last three matches at Riverside before Sunday. However, Thistle made light work of the Saints with a 5-0 win to boost their promotion chances. The Edinburgh side are five points adrift with three games left, but will push all the way. If they are to succeed, they’ll want strong performances from Aitchison, who continues to deliver at the back and going forward. She scored again on Sunday, back-to-back goals for the first time this season.

Defender – Lizzie Waldie (Heart of Midlothian)

Hearts have started the split as one of the form teams and Lizzie Waldie has played a significant role in this. The English centre back was dominant in both matches last week against Motherwell and Glasgow City helping her side to two clean sheets in West Lothian. She was particularly impressive in her aerial duels, winning 70% of these across the two matches and is also continues to play a key role in Hearts building out from the back, completing over 80% of her passes.

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Midfielder – Megan Whiteford (Rossvale)

In perhaps one of the most important games in Rossvale’s history, Whiteford provided the all-important goal that keeps her side above Ayr United and now five points clear of automatic relegation. With three games left, it leaves Ayr United in a difficult position with games against sides in the top half of the table remaining. It’s almost certain Rossvale will compete in the relegation play-off match if they aren’t caught, and they’ll have a chance to earn survival for the 2025/26 season thanks to their captain.

Midfielder – Naomi Powell (Heart of Midlothian)

Hearts have gone about their business successfully in May, picking up seven points from a possible nine, including a midweek win over Motherwell and a 0-0 draw with Glasgow City. Eva Olid’s side might not be seen in the title race, but they have a chance and will certainly play a part in deciding the direction. At their heart of their midfield recently has been Powell, who scored a beauty in their recent win over the Women of Steel as well as providing two solid performances. She’s getting back to full fitness and could be a huge asset in their final five games.

Midfielder – Rebecca McGowan (Gartcairn)

Gartcairn effectively secured their position in the top half of the table this season with their 4-0 win over 5th-placed Livingston on Sunday. Five points separated the sides, but a hat-trick from McGowan helped move Gartcairn eight points clear with only three games remaining. The Airdrie-based side can’t catch the teams above them but are unbeaten since the middle of February and will hope to finish the season on a high.

Midfielder & Star Player – Eva Thomson (Aberdeen)

The Dons returned to winning ways on Sunday after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Montrose midweek. Thomson was amongst the action in both games, scoring three goals, including a stunning strike in their 5-2 win over Queen’s Park. It takes her total to five goals for the season, four in her last three games. Scott Booth’s side are six points from safety with five games left and just three points behind 7th-placed Partick Thistle.

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Forward – Sophia Martin (Montrose)

Montrose have made the battle to avoid relegation very interesting after two back-to-back victories. A late win over Aberdeen midweek and a 1-0 victory over Dundee United mean they are five points behind Spartans and six behind the Dons with five games remaining. On loan Martin is playing her part as she grabbed a brace in their 3-2 midweek win and was involved in an incredible 57 duels against Dundee United. They’ll hope her goalscoring form and involvement in games can continue until the end of the season.

Forward – Lucie Burns (Kilmarnock)

Burns has arguably been Killie’s standout player this season, and she may have delivered at the vital moment. Her goal and assist in their 2-1 win over Hamilton Accies moves Kilmarnock to within two points of their promotion rivals with three games left in ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2. Despite her age, the forward continues to show composure beyond her years, and Jim Chapman will be hoping that continues in the final games of the campaign.

Forward – Tiree Burchill (Partick Thistle)

How important could Tiree Burchill’s contribution these rounds be for Partick Thistle at the end of the season? It’s likely huge. Two goals in two games for Burchill as the Jags were 1-0 winners against Queen’s Park and Spartans. Without these six points, arguably, Thistle would have found themselves in a battle to avoid relegation. Instead, Burchill has ensured her side remains 7th and nine points clear of Montrose with five games remaining.