Team of the Week – 4th October

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 4th October.

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Goalkeeper – Zara Carey, Gartcairn

Gartcairn earned a hard-fought point on the road in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, drawing 1-1 away to title-chasing Kilmarnock. Carey produced a fine display between the posts, and despite conceding from a penalty in the opening minute, the shot-stopper bounced back minutes later with a point-blank save from a shot that looked destined for the net. Outperforming her expected conceded goals (xCG) tally of 1.69, Carey registered a total of four saves to help her side keep Kilmarnock quiet. She was equally reliable in her distribution, completing 11 of her 14 short passes (79% accuracy) and seven successful long balls. Gartcairn travel to face St Johnstone on Sunday 18th October, after the international break, looking to get back into the top half of the table.

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Defender – Sophie Timlin, Partick Thistle

Partick Thistle pushed league leaders Rangers all the way in a tight 1-0 defeat at Petershill Park in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. Timlin was relentless in her defensive duties, recording nine interceptions and winning 70% of her duels. She also made a vital block on a goalbound effort and registered eight recoveries to keep high-flying Rangers at bay, while completing 12 passes, including three accurate long balls, under heavy pressure. Partick Thistle travel to face Hearts on 18th October as they look to reduce the six-point gap on the top five sides.

Defender – Adian Ibrahim, Boroughmuir Thistle

Boroughmuir Thistle returned to winning ways at the top of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 table with a 2-0 away victory over Dundee United, with Ibrahim putting in an influential display at left wing-back. She was effective at both ends of the pitch, capping off her afternoon by getting on the scoresheet while also testing the goalkeeper with two of her three shot attempts. Ibrahim offered a constant direct threat down the flank, completing five of her seven dribbles (71%) and providing 19 passes at a 70% success rate. Defensively, she helped secure a clean sheet at Foundation Park by winning 20 duels, making three interceptions, and recording 10 total recoveries. Boroughmuir Thistle host Falkirk on Sunday 18th October with five points separating the two sides.

Defender – Maddison Finnie, Aberdeen

Despite Aberdeen succumbing to a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Motherwell in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League, Finnie delivered an excellent performance at centre-back. The defender was a magnet for the ball, registering a staggering 20 interceptions and making 23 total recoveries to thwart Motherwell attacks. She was equally assured in possession, completing 51 of her 64 passes at an 80% accuracy rate while winning eight of her 14 duels. Aberdeen host Celtic on Sunday 18th October as they look to earn their first points of the season.

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Midfielder – Jodi Malcolm, St Johnstone

St Johnstone were involved in an extraordinary ten-goal thriller against Queen’s Park, falling to a 6-4 defeat at home. Malcolm delivered a standout performance from an attacking midfield position, netting a brace from an xG of 0.74 and four shot attempts. She was a constant threat in possession, completing 100% of her dribbles and delivering five crosses. Malcolm also put in an energetic shift off the ball, winning 14 duels and recording nine recoveries, seven of which came inside the opposition half, to keep The Saints in the match until the final whistle. St Johnstone are away to Gartcairn on 18th October, aiming to get their first victory in the league since the opening day of the season.

Midfielder – Abby Callaghan, Queen’s Park

Also involved in this staggering ten-goal thriller was The Spiders’ Callaghan, who put in a clinical shift in midfield. Across 62 highly productive minutes, Callaghan netted a crucial double from an xG of 0.56, hitting the target with two of her three shot attempts. She was exceptionally efficient in possession, completing 22 of her 26 passes at an 85% accuracy rate, and also chipped in defensively with two interceptions and five total recoveries before her substitution.

Midfielder – Aoibhe Toner, Hamilton Academical

Hamilton Accies secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory away to Livingston in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, driven by a match-winning display from Toner in midfield. She provided crucial attacking output by scoring twice from an xG of 0.31, with two of her four shot attempts hitting the target. Beyond her clinical edge in front of goal, she put in significant work off the ball, registering four interceptions and seven total recoveries, five of which came inside the opposition half, to help Hamilton seal all three points. Accies next host Dundee United on 18th October as they look to cut the gap to the play-off spots.

Midfielder – Casey Howe, Celtic

Celtic responded in style following their derby defeat, securing a comfortable 4-0 home victory against Spartans at Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex. Howe set the tone early, breaking the deadlock in the 6th minute with a curling finish into the bottom corner and sparking a strong team performance. Howe remained a constant threat, providing a cross which was eventually smashed home by Lisa Robertson and then winning the penalty which Chloe Craig converted to make it 4-0. Celtic travel to face Aberdeen on Sunday 18th October, seeking a straightforward victory in their title efforts.

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Forward – Kasha Butz, Falkirk

Falkirk returned to winning ways in emphatic style with a 5-1 home victory over Renfrew in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2. In just 31 minutes, Butz put in a sensational performance by netting a hat-trick and testing the goalkeeper with four of her seven shots. She provided an instant spark upon her introduction, winning eight duels, completing two of her three dribbles, and completing passes with a 73% accuracy rate to cap off an excellent day for The Bairns. Falkirk travel away to top-of-the-table Boroughmuir Thistle on 18th October.

Forward – Emily Whelan, Glasgow City

Glasgow City climbed above Hibernian in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League with a professional 3-1 away victory against Montrose. After coming on as a substitute, Whelan was a thorn in Montrose’s side, restoring their two-goal advantage with a looping effort and constantly stretching the defence with her runs in behind. She was unlucky not to get an assist when Emily Gray’s shot hit the post, while another of Whelan’s efforts struck the crossbar to deny her a brace. Glasgow City host Motherwell after the international break as they look to gain points on the three sides above them in the title race.

Forward & Star Player – Mariana Speckmaier, Heart of Midlothian

Heart of Midlothian claimed bragging rights in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League with a thrilling 3-2 derby victory over rivals Hibernian at Easter Road. Speckmaier, who was selected for the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League Player of the Match award, also earns Star Player honours following a match-winning display up front. The Venezuelan scored a hat-trick from an xG of 1.73, while linking play effectively by completing 10 of her 13 passes (77% accuracy rate). She also worked hard off the ball, recording two interceptions, winning two aerial duels, and making six recoveries. Heart of Midlothian host Partick Thistle on Sunday 18th October, still five points behind leaders Rangers.