Team of the Week – 6th May

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 28th April, 29th April and 3rd May.

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Goalkeeper – Adelaide Gay (Celtic)

Celtic dented Glasgow City’s title hopes with a 1-1 draw in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. Grant Scott’s side jumped up to 4th, above Hibs by a point, but they are now mathematically out of the race themselves. Gay earns her spot with the highest number of saves in the league this round, conceding just one goal from an expected goals conceded of 1.93, including an important penalty save to deny Lisa Forrest. While she might be disappointed with the goal she conceded, it was an excellent performance from the American ‘keeper. Celtic face Hearts at home on Sunday as they look to see if they can add another twist to the dramatic title race.

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Defender – Katie Frew (Dundee United)

Dundee United dropped out of the battle for a promotion play-off place with a 2-0 loss against Boroughmuir Thistle midweek, but their 2-2 draw against Kilmarnock on Sunday shows they still have a part to play in the final league positions. Frew earns her place in defence, winning 87% of her duels against Thistle and then being voted Player of the Match against Kilmarnock. With two games remaining against Queen Park and Spartans, the Tangerines will finish 5th and will aim to finish the season on a high.

Defender – Georgia Hunter (Heart of Midlothian)

Hearts are in pole position to win their first ever ScottishPower Women’s Premier League title as they sit top of the table, four points clear with three games remaining. Their 3-0 midweek win over Partick Thistle, coupled with Glasgow City’s draw to Celtic, makes Eva Olid’s team the likely favourites. Captain Hunter, who was part of the 2019 that won promotion to the top league, continues to play a vital role for her side. The defender scored the final goal last Tuesday as well as having a further two shots, winning 72% of all her duels, making five interceptions, making more interceptions than losses, and boasting a 91% passing success rate.

Defender – Kathryn Hill (Rangers)

Rangers handed Hibs their first defeat since the league split in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League, lifting them up above Glasgow City and into 2nd. Hill, making her first start since February due to an injury, helped her side to a clean sheet and a 1-0 win at home. The defender won 75% her duels, made five recoveries, and managed a 78% passing accuracy  rate. Rangers next face Partick Thistle away on Sunday, aiming to close the gap on Heart of Midlothian.

Defender – Robyn McCafferty (Spartans)

Spartans made it 11 wins in a row, reducing the gap to Kilmarnock at the top to just two points in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2. With just two games left, the Edinburgh side now have a chance to win immediate promotion back to the top division. Captain McCafferty has helped her side to nine consecutive clean sheets, playing both matches for the full 90 minutes, and was voted as Player of the Match midweek against Queen’s Park with 87% of her total actions successful.

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Midfielder & Star Player – Emily Cadell (Spartans)

While McCafferty helped to keep teams at bay, Caddel was playing her part going forward. The midfielder scored both the opening goals in their 2-0 victories against Queen’s Park and Boroughmuir Thistle, getting the Edinburgh side off to the best possible starts. Spartans final two games are against Gartcairn and Dundee United as they look to complete a remarkable turnaround and lift the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 title.

Midfielder – Skye Stout (Kilmarnock)

Kilmarnock got their title race back on track with a 2-0 midweek against Gartcairn in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, but stumbled with a 2-2 away draw to Dundee United. Jim Chapman’s side are still two points clear with two games left, so the the title remains in their hands, but know they have Spartans hot on their heels. Stout scored in both matches, opening the scoring in their win against Gartcairn and then getting an important equaliser against the Tangerines. Kilmarnock next play Boroughmuir Thistle and Queen’s Park as they look to secure the league and automatic promotion.

Midfielder – Aoibhe Toner (Stirling University)

Despite already being relegated, Stirling University got their second win of the season with a 3-0 away victory against St Johnstone on Sunday. The result can’t save Stirling, but it does leave just three points between the Saints and East Fife with two games remaining. With an excellent all round performance, Toner was voted as their Player of the Match, putting in a strong performance across the pitch. Stirling Uni end their season against East Fife and then play Livingston on the final day of the season.

Midfielder – Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City)

Glasgow City failed to take advantage of an early red card for Celtic, drawing 1-1 at Petershill Park to drop them to four points behind Hearts at the top. Motlhalo scored their only goal of the game, a finish from the edge of the box that caught Gay out. The South African international also had an 88% passing accuracy rate, won 67% of her duels, made six interceptions, and also had the same number of recoveries as losses. The result drops City below Rangers into third, three games remaining, as they face Hibs away on Sunday.

Midfielder – Jenna Slattery (Heart of Midlothian)

Slattery is one of two players from Hearts in this weeks’ team after a vital 3-0 win against Partick Thistle. The Irish attacking midfielder got the opener after just seven minutes, settling any nerves at Oriam. She also had a further three shots and a 64% passing accuracy rate. The Jambos are now just two victories away from history, four points clear of Glasgow City and Rangers with three games left.

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Forward – Ellie Kane (Queen’s Park)

Queen’s Park have guaranteed themselves a play-off place in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2, with Boroughmuir Thistle their opponents in the battle for promotion. The Glasgow side lost 2-0 to Spartans midweek but bounced back with a 2-1 win on Sunday. Kane got the winner, a wonderful strike from distance late in the game. The Spiders are away to Dundee United on Sunday before playing Kilmarnock on the final day of the normal season.