Team of the Week – 8 November

Team of the Week from ScottishPower Women’s Premier League games played on 8 November.

Goalkeeper – Niamh Miller, Renfrew

Although it was a tricky afternoon on Sunday for Renfrew, ‘keeper Niamh Miller can take pride from her performance against a strong Hamilton side.

The 22-year-old shot stopper made nine saves on Sunday, the most out of any keeper across both the SPWPL and SPWPL2.

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Defender – Cassie Cowper, Montrose

Montrose continued their strong run of form with a comprehensive victory over Partick Thistle at Links Park, and Cassie Cowper was at the heart of things for Craig Feroz’s team.

Cowper, an ever present for the Angus side, was a rock at the back throughout the 90, making 12 interceptions, winning 80% of her duels, and making seven clearances.

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Defender – Caitlyn Lynch, Boroughmuir Thistle

Boroughmuir Thistle strengthened their grip of the top spot in the SPWPL 2 on Sunday with a massive win at Kilmarnock to extend the gap between them and the Ayrshire side to nine points.

Captain Caitlyn Lynch was as instrumental as ever in their Winton Park victory. Playing at left centre back, Lynch scored her sides second goal of the afternoon, rising bravely at the back post to divert a towering header beyond Tebbett in the Killie goal.

Aside from her goalscoring contributions, Lynch won 85% of her duels, also making ten interceptions and six clearances.

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Defender – Lily Park, Dundee United

Dundee United full-back Lily Park is the final defender to make the XI after an impressive showing in their win at Queen’s Park.

Playing the full game, Park provided the corner for Lucy Stevenson’s decisive match-winning header. A constant thorn in the side of the spiders down the left flank, Park completed 66% of her passes and completed 67% of her dribbles.

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Midfielder – May Cruft, Rangers

The BBC Alba cameras were at Broadwood on Sunday afternoon to watch May Cruft deliver a vintage performance for Rangers who extended their lead at the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Hearts.

Playing the full game in the heart of Leanne Crichton’s side, Cruft was instrumental throughout, rightly earning the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League Player of the Match accolade.

Cruft completed 65% of her dribbles and boasted an impressive 87% pass completion rate.

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Midfielder – Eva Thomson, Motherwell (Star player)

Motherwell’s victory over Celtic on Sunday is one that will live long in the memory of all associated with the club, and no one was more important to that win than Eva Thomson.

This week’s star player, Thomson stepped up when it mattered for her side at The BumbleBee Stadium, opening the scoring with a fantastic effort, before grabbing two assists to seal a historic three points.

A fantastic way to mark her first league goal for Motherwell following her summer arrival.

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Midfielder – Gemma Mason, Falkirk

Gemma Mason continued to adapt to SPWPL2 life nicely by grabbing a brace from midfield in Falkirk’s win over St Johnstone in Perth.

Opening the scoring with a curling effort from range on 15’, 30-year-old Mason doubled up on 28’ with another impressive attempt from even further out.

Mason also completed 68% of her passes and 75% of her dribbles to cap off a great day’s work on her travels, with the victory sending Falkirk into fourth spot.

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Midfielder – Soraya Walsh, Aberdeen

Although Aberdeen didn’t get the result they were looking for at Meadowbank, Dons boss Nathan Flight will take real confidence from the performance of summer signing Soraya Walsh.

The former West Ham youngster was another who netted twice in the 73 minutes she was on the pitch, finishing smartly to capitalise on two quick Aberdeen breaks, taking her league tally for the season so far to three.

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Forward – Libby Smith, Hibernian

Another inclusion from Sunday’s game at Meadowbank, Hibernian forward Libby Smith makes the cut.

The English striker was made to wait to find the back of the net, eventually striking in the 67^th and 79^thminute for a quick-fire brace.

Smith took the most shots out of anyone, making ten attempts at goal. Now sitting on seven league goals for the campaign, only five players in the SPWPL have more goals than her.

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Forward – Lisa Forrest, Glasgow City

City winger Forrest was electric in their 10-1 win at The Vanloq Community Stadium on Sunday and is rightfully included in this week’s XI after grabbing four assists and one goal, despite just playing 63 minutes.

Forrest claimed her first assist on 15’ supplying Emily Whelan with a fantastic cross. The contributions soon started flowing, setting up Kelly Brady on 22’ and Whelan again on 38’, before finishing up her playmaking duties by supplying Abi Harrison early in the second half.

A classy finish saw the forward finally get on the scoresheet herself, nonchalantly slotting home on the volley at the back post after being left unmarked at a corner.

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Forwards – Fran Ogilvie, Montrose

The second Montrose inclusion of the week, Fran Ogilvie was another instrumental figure in Sunday’s win over Partick Thistle.

Opening the scoring after just one minute with a calm finish, Ogilvie went on to claim two assists, setting up both Louise Brown and Kaele McDonald-Nguah to ensure the points stayed in Angus.