Team of the Week – 2nd April

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on Sunday 31st March.

Written by Jack Donnelly

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Goalkeeper – Lucy Inman (Gartcairn)

In the only draw across the SWPL this weekend, Kilmarnock were held to a 0-0 stalemate against Gartcairn at MTC Park. The home side were up against it as Killie continuously pushed forward in search of a goal, but the Lanarkshire side held firm, especially with Lucy Inman in between the sticks. The Scotland youth international recorded her fourth clean sheet in six appearances, and was rewarded for her good form with a contract extension, keeping her at Gartcairn until the end of next season.

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Defender – Linzi Taylor (Hibernian)

Hibernian continued their impressive unbeaten streak and maintained their place at the top of the SWPL table with a 3-0 win away against Motherwell at K-Park. Linzi Taylor impressed once again in Grant Scott’s back line, with the natural midfielder shining as a centre back alongside Siobhan Hunter. Against the Lanarkshire side, Taylor completed an excellent 89% of passes, and was equal in both her duels and recoveries, recording 14 successes in both.

Defender – Kimberley Smit (Glasgow City)

In this weekend’s Friday night fixture, Glasgow City travelled to Hamilton to take on champions Celtic, with a 2-1 win temporarily sending City back to the SWPL summit. Kimberley Smit was the standout player for Leanne Ross’ side on this occasion, with her biggest contribution coming in the dying embers of the match, as the ball fell to her feet during a scramble in the Celtic box, and the Dutch defender found the back of the net with a deflected effort to seal victory for City against their Glasgow rivals. Away from the goal, Smit also completed 89% of passes, won seven duels, and made nine recoveries of possession.

Defender – Laura McLaughlin (Kilmarnock)

As previously mentioned, Kilmarnock were held to a 0-0 draw on Sunday against Gartcairn, but there is as much credit to give to Killie’s defensive efforts as there is to Gartcairn. Laura McLaughlin, Killie’s captain, organised her defence excellently, snuffing out any promising Gartcairn attack as early as possible, and ensuring that her clean sheet would survive the 90 minutes.

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Midfielder – Sophie Rutherford (Queen’s Park)

There are numerous ways in which a player can impact a game – winning countless tackles, setting the tempo by completing the most passes, or contributing to their team’s attacking play with goals or assists. With the latter in mind, it should come as no surprise to see Queen’s Park’s Sophie Rutherford included in this Team of the Week, given her goal for The Spiders on Sunday afternoon gave her side their third win of the season, and their first since August. Rutherford’s 94th minute strike completed Queen’s Park’s comeback against Dundee United, and perhaps inspired some hope heading into the last few games of the season.

Midfielder – Francesca Ogilvie (Aberdeen)

In a contest between the two sides at the top of the bottom half, Aberdeen leapfrogged Partick Thistle into seventh place with a 2-1 win against Brian Graham’s side on Sunday. Something of a utility player for The Dons this season, Francesca Ogilvie has spent most of her time on the pitch in the middle of the park, and did so against Thistle on Sunday to great effect. The 23-year-old opened the scoring in the first 20 minutes of the first half, cutting past a defender before lashing an effort in at the near post. Ogilvie also won 12 duels and made nine interceptions throughout another busy performance for the midfielder.

Midfielder – Caitlin Lynch (Boroughmuir Thistle)

Sunday saw Boroughmuir Thistle close the gap to Kilmarnock in second to just three points, as they recorded a 2-0 victory against Gartcairn. Standing out for the Edinburgh side on this occasion was Caitlin Lynch, with the midfielder making a big impact during her time on the pitch. The 26-year-old doubled her side’s advantage just before half-time with a ferocious first-time finish from 10 yards, and also kept herself involved away from the opposition box by winning seven duels and making 11 recoveries of possession.

Midfielder & Star Player – Brogan Hay (Rangers)

This week’s Star Player took to the Ibrox pitch this weekend, and had a huge hand in helping Rangers to a 4-0 win over Hearts in the Glasgow sun. Brogan Hay, who spent time on both flanks during the match, opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes, pouncing on a slack back pass before rounding the onrushing goalkeeper and slotting the ball into an empty net. Hay would double her tally with a first-time volley from close range in the second half, having also assisted one of Rio Hardy’s two goals with a curled cross to the back post. Hay rounded out an all-action attacking display with three completed dribbles and 13 duels won.

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Forward – Olivia Hurrell (St. Johnstone)

St. Johnstone made it four games without defeat, and their third victory in four, on Sunday afternoon, as they ran out 3-1 winners against Ayr United at the Riverside Stadium. On form in this match was Olivia Hurrell, with the Saints forward sealing the win for her side with a second half brace. The 18-year-old made it 17 for the season with these two goals, and continued in her rich vein of form, with her pair of strikes making it seven goals in her last six games.

Forward – Sophie Townsley (Hamilton Academical)

Hamilton Academical have been scoring for fun in recent weeks, firing five past Rossvale and netting six against Ayr United, so going into their match against Livingston over the weekend, goals were almost guaranteed. Accies delivered on that expectation, with a 3-2 win over The Lions, as young striker Sophie Townsley bagged herself a brace. The 18-year-old is on fire at the moment, with these goals taking her to seven in her last three, having fired four past Ayr in her last match, having scored one against Rossvale the previous week.

Forward – Hannah Jordan (Spartans)

There were goals flying in across both leagues over the weekend, with another five added to the tally at Ainslie Park on Sunday afternoon, as Spartans came from behind to win 3-2 against Montrose to put a bit of breathing room between the two sides in the table. Hannah Jordan was heavily involved in pulling her side into the lead, as she set up Sarah Clelland’s audacious effort in the first half, before finding the back of the net herself with what was the winning goal late in the second half.