Team of the Week – 26th July

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League Sky Sports Cup games played on 26th July.

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Goalkeeper – Alicia Yates (Spartans)

Spartans were pushed all the way in their opening game of the 2026/27 season, gaining a bonus point from their penalty shootout win over Queen’s Park following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. Having won promotion to the top division on the final day of last season, and Queen’s Park missing out after a play-off final loss, a close game wasn’t unexpected but the Edinburgh side would have hoped for three points. They have plenty of thanks to give to Yates for her performance in goals as she made five saves and for saving a penalty in the shootout, conceding just one goal which there was very little she could do about. After a stellar 2025/26 campaign, it seems Yates could be on for another fantastic season with Spartans.

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Defender – Sinead Macleod (Renfrew)

Renfrew enter the SWPL for the first time in their history, and there are already positive signs for their season after an opening day draw away to Dundee United before going on to win the penalty shootout. Defender MacLeod earns her place in the team, the first Renfrew player ever to be in the SWPL TOTW, with an impressive display both defensively and going forward. The full-back had one shot, attempted three dribbles, and boasted a solid 69% passing accuracy rate, as well as winning 15 duels, nine interceptions, and 20 recoveries. All Renfrew fans will be hoping this is a side of things to come with a home tie against Hamilton Accies next up.

Defender & Star Player – Demi Taylor (Montrose)

It’s unlikely anyone would have predicted that Taylor would be the Sky Sports Cup top goalscorer after the 1st round of matches, but the full-back finds herself joint-top of the pile after two goals against Motherwell. In perhaps the tie of the round, the Mighty Mo prevailed as they look to build on their most successful SWPL season ever in 2025/26. Alongside her two goals, Taylor provided eight crosses, attempted eight dribbles, while defensively she won 59% of her duels and made five interceptions. With their final three games against SWPL 2 opposition, Craig Feroz and his side will fancy their chances of progressing to the next round.

Defender – Aimee Black (Aberdeen)

After finishing 9th in the SWPL last season and avoiding relegation via the play-off final, The Dons would be hoping to start this campaign in the best possible way. Instead, they suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Hamilton Academical in the Sky Sports Cup, who were relegated to SWPL 2. Black was a bright spark on a disappointing day for Aberdeen with the defender having the highest number of passes of all players in this round (75) alongside an 89% accuracy rate. She also won 50% of her duels, made six interceptions, and had 12 losses compared to 18 recoveries. The Dons will hope to bounce back when they play St Johnstone on Sunday.

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Midfielder – Georgie Robb (Dundee United)

Dundee United were denied a late win against Renfrew after Caitlin Martin’s free-kick found the back of the net. The Tangerines were on course for a 2-1 win after Robb had provided an assist and scored a wonder goal for her side, likely to be seen as a contender for Goal of the Month. In the end they had to settle for a point before losing the penalty shootout. On top of her goal contributions, Robb had a further two shots, provided three crosses, and a 54% passing accuracy rate. United next face a tricky away tie against Kilmarnock.

Midfielder – Jemma McQuillan (Gartcairn)

Gartcairn welcomed Falkirk to life in the SWPL with a 4-2 away win in the Sky Sports Cup. Despite Falkirk taking an early lead, Gartcairn fought back to be 3-1 up after 30 minutes and held on to secure three points. McQuillan earns her place after providing two important assists and was a threat going forward with three shots, six crosses, and eight successful dribbles from 13 attempted. Defensively she also won the majority of her duels and made four interceptions. Gartcairn next face Queen’s Park at home as they look to maintain their winning start.

Midfielder – Louise Cowan (Kilmarnock)

After missing out on the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 title last season on the final day and missing out on the play-off final, Kilmarnock bounced back to start their new season with a 2-0 away win over Boroughmuir Thistle. Cowan got the first goal before the break to give Killie the lead, with Cara Gray giving them a more comfortable lead after 55 minutes. Kilmarnock will look to put last season behind them with a successful 2026/27 campaign and reaching the next round of the Sky Sports Cup would be a huge boost.

Midfielder – Summer Thomson (Queen’s Park)

A familiar name in the SWPL Team of the Week last season, Thomson is back again in 2026/27 as she helped her side to an impressive 1-1 draw against newly promoted Spartans. Wearing a new number for this new campaign, Thomson showcased her goalscoring ability with a fine finish from a tight angle that gave Yates no chance of making a save. The winger had a further four shots in the match as she tested the Spartans goalkeeper, but couldn’t find an elusive second goal. The Spiders will hope for another fantastic season from Thomson as they look to go one better this season and gain promotion after their play-off final defeat.

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Forward – Megan Whiteford (Livingston)

Joining Demi Taylor at the top of the Sky Sports Cup goalscorers chart is Whiteford, both having scored twice on Sunday. Having come on with 46 minutes played, the forward made a huge impact for her side as her goals helped them come away from McDiarmid Park with a 3-2 win, as well as testing the Saints with a further shot on target. Livingston will hope to pull off a shock result on Sunday when they host SWPL side Motherwell.

Forward – Mhairi Smith (Falkirk)

While it wasn’t the result that Falkirk wanted on Sunday, falling to a 4-2 defeat at home to Gartcairn in their first ever SWPL match, there are positive signs. Going forward, The Bairns scored twice against a top-six side from last season, but will aim to reduce their goals conceded at the other end. Scoring one of their goals was Smith, who boasted an impressive 78% passing accuracy rate, had a 67% crossing success rate, and an 80% dribbling success rate. Falkirk face tricky upcoming matches, next away to Montrose before hosting Kilmarnock.

Forward – Josephine Giard (Hamilton Academical)

Hamilton Accies produced a cup shock on Sunday, defeating SWPL side Aberdeen 2-1 at home. Having picked up just two points last season in the league, many would have predicted The Dons to start their season with a win, but Accies got an important victory for both morale and their hopes in the Sky Sports Cup. Academical legend Giard earns her spot having scored a vital goal, but also threatening the Aberdeen defence with a further three shots, six crosses, a 100% dribbling success rate, and winning the majority of her duels. Given their previous success in SWPL 2, it’s easy to see why many may predict Accies and Giard to have a strong 2026/27 season.