Scottish Women's Football

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Glasgow City's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa Cup remain in the balance as Sporting Club came from behind to earn a draw at Petershill.

The SWPL leaders took a first-half lead in the first leg of their last-16 tie when Natalia Wrobel lashed a precise shot into the bottom corner from inside the box.

However, Telma Encarnacao's superb volley from a corner kick pulled the Portuguese club level with 15 minutes to go.

Glasgow City midfielder Natalia Wrobel: "It was really tough. High intensity for 90 minutes. I think we deserved to win the game. But in the second leg we'll go for it.

"We were organised defensively and tried to transfer the ball forward. It was hard but we did our best today. It's 1-1 and we have something to fight for."

Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross: "I felt we lacked a bit of control, especially in the second half. I wanted us to get the ball down and play a bit more football. Still, we had chances and it's finely poised for the second leg.

"We played really well in the first half and we had the control we wanted. But good teams are always going to come back into it and they did in the second half.

"I still thought we defended well at times. And it's taken a really decent goal for them to get back into the game. So a lot of pleasing aspects for us but a lot to improve ahead of next week as well."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been talking to the media after selecting her squad for the upcoming friendlies against Ukraine and China.

Here are the key points:

• "Let's build on what we've built so far" is Andreatta's message prior to fixtures that mark Scotland's final preparation before World Cup qualifying starts next year.

• She adds: "Two tough games against teams that are in form, that are flying high in confidence, but so are we. Two teams who are taking these two games very seriously."

• Andreatta - who has one win in her opening four games - is pleased with the progress she has seen since taking charge, but says there are aspects "we need to tighten up", adding: "There's things we can always improve on and with this group, that's what they're hungry to do."

• The former Australia assistant coach called for fans to get behind the men's and women's teams as they seek World Cup qualification: "Doesn't matter if it's a Caroline [Weir] or [Scott] McTominay wearing the tartan blue. Get behind both teams because we're representing you and this nation to do you proud."

• On Aston Villa midfielder Miri Taylor's first call-up after switching allegiance from England, Andreatta says the 25-year-old comes into camp with good form having "shown her qualities". While it is a "very competitive position" in the squad, Taylor's "holding midfield qualities is something want to look at".

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Glasgow City forward Sofia Maatta has been named the SWPL player of the month for October.

The Finland international scored and recorded an assist in City's 2-1 win against Celtic as Leanne Ross' table-topping side maintained their unbeaten domestic start with two league victories and a draw.

Maatta also netted a double in the 5-0 SWPL Cup victory over Hamilton.

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Gary Holt has been appointed manager of Partick Thistle women.

The former Scotland and Kilmarnock midfielder, 52, replaces David Elliot, who stepped down after five months in charge of the SWPL side.

Holt has managed Falkirk and Livingston's men's teams and has also held academy and sporting director roles.

He takes over a Thistle side second bottom of the SWPL, five points above Hamilton Academical and two points below Aberdeen. Thistle host Aberdeen on Sunday.

"We're delighted to welcome Gary to the football club," Partick Thistle women CEO Caroline Mackie said.

"His experience and coaching record speak for themselves. His enthusiasm to drive this club forward and develop players was clear to see from the very first conversation we had with him."

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Holders Rangers will host Old Firm rivals Celtic in the semi-finals of the SWPL Cup.

Current league leaders Glasgow City visit reigning champions Hibernian in the other tie.

The matches are to be played on Sunday, 1 February.

Rangers are bidding to win the trophy for a fourth consecutive season.

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David Elliot has stepped down as Partick Thistle head coach after just five months in charge of the SWPL side.

Thistle, who finished seventh last season under Brian Graham, currently sit second bottom of the top flight with with one win in 10 games having lost four in a row.

Elliot initially joined the coaching staff near the end of last term before succeeding Graham, who joined Scottish Premiership club Falkirk on a one-year playing deal.

In a statement, Thistle women's CEO Caroline Mackie thanked Elliot for his contribution to the club.

"David leaves with our immense gratitude for everything he has given to the team over the past few months," said Mackie.

"He is always welcome back at Petershill Park - and, of course, at Firhill - where he remains a huge fans' favourite from his playing days with the men's side."

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Rangers beat Partick Thistle 3-0 to progress to the semi-final of the League Cup.

Laura Berry got Rangers off the mark with 17 minutes on the clock before fellow striker Katie Wilkinson doubled their advantage just six minutes later.

Eilidh Austin grabbed a third before the break to give Leanne Crichton's side a comfortable advantage at half-time.

Partick Thistle held firm in the second half and Rangers failed to extend their advantage any further.

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Hibernian came from a goal down to knock Hearts out of the League Cup with a narrow 3-2 victory in Edinburgh.

Hearts took the lead at the Oriam after just 13 minutes when striker Georgia Timms slotted Sade Adamolekun's pass into the back of the net.

Kathleen McGovern got the equaliser for Hibs before the half hour mark and Tegan Bowie added to the visitors' advantage just before half-time.

Eilidh Adams grabbed a third just six minutes into the second half when she headed home from Ellis Notley's corner.

Bayley Hutchison pulled one back for the hosts in the 89th minute to make it a nervy end at the Oriam but Eva Olid's side couldn't complete the comeback.

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Glasgow City scored two goals in six minutes as they struggled past Aberdeen to book their spot in the League Cup semi-final with a 2-0 win at Petershill Park.

The Dons, who sit eighth in the SWPL, held the league leaders for 70 minutes before Nicole Kozlova broke the deadlock with a strike from range.

Substitute Katie Lockwood grabbed a second for the hosts just minutes after entering the pitch when she turned home Lisa Evans' cross.

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Celtic secured their place in the League Cup semi-final with a thumping 9-1 win over SWPL 2 outfit Queen's Park.

First half goals from Maria McAneny, Momo Nakao, Morgan Cross, Emma Lawton and a penalty from Saoirse Noonan gave the hosts a 7-0 lead at the break.

Lawton added to Celtic's advantage in the second half before McAneny made it nine.

Amelie Chomczuk pulled one back for the Spiders with 20 minutes to play but it was only a consolation.

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Paul Brownlie is to step down from the position of head of girls and women's at Motherwell in December.

The 48-year-old former Clyde and Arbroath striker has been at Fir Park since 2021 and steered the team to their first top-six finish in the SWPL last season.

"This has been a really difficult decision," said Brownlie, who helped establish a girls' academy.

"It's hard to close this chapter of my life as I've loved my time here and met some great people along the way, and we have had some proud moments. When I reflect on what we've achieved here in the last four years, I feel a sense of pride.

"We have managed to put in place a strong structure that will continue to flourish."

Motherwell are seventh in the SWPL after 10 matches, with Brownlie leaving to take on an undisclosed new opportunity.

His last match in charge will be at home to Rangers on 23 November.

"He has dedicated so much time to improving the structure and success of our women's team and girls' academy," said chief executive Brian Caldwell. "I am extremely grateful for his efforts, which have seen the team enjoy so many moments of success over the past four years.

"Everyone at Motherwell wishes Paul the very best in this next chapter of his career and we thank him sincerely for all his hard work."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Rachael Johnstone (Hearts): Made vital stops when Rangers piled on the pressure in the second half. Played a big part in Hearts taking all three points.

Emma Brownlie (Glasgow City): Set up two of table-topping City's goals in the rout of Aberdeen and helped keep a clean sheet.

Georgia Carter (Montrose): Solid at the back as Montrose earned a great point against Motherwell to stay in the top six.

Lisa Robertson (Celtic): Grabbed her first goal of the season with a well-taken header. Influential at the back too as Celtic swept aside Hamilton.

Ellis Notley (Hibs): Popped up with a goal and assist at key moments as Hibs made sure of victory late on against Thistle.

Maria McAneny (Celtic): Scored Celtic's second and her delivery from the corner for their third was brilliantly placed.

Natalia Wrobel (Glasgow City): Always lively and full of energy. The Poland midfielder's defence-splitting pass for City's second was inch perfect.

Sofia Maatta (Glasgow City): On good scoring form. Her goal just before half-time put City in a more comfortable position.

Mia McAulay (Rangers): A bright spark in Rangers' poor first half and her well-taken goal early in the second half provided hope of a comeback.

Georgia Timms (Hearts): Scored two great goals in the upset win over Rangers. Took her penalty with confidence which set the tone for Hearts. Her second was all down to her pace and power.

Carly Johns (Hearts): Won the early penalty for her side as she raced into the area. Her ball to set up Hearts' second goal was inch perfect. Fast becoming a key player for the Edinburgh side.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg. The first three obstacles between Scotland and the 2027 World Cup.

Not the best, but not the worst, would be the initial reaction to the draw in Nyon.

Starting from the top, pot one team Belgium are a nation not unfamiliar to Scotland. Two years ago, the countries met in the first iteration of the Nations League in Group A.

Both games finished 1-1 - the only points Scotland picked up in the top tier - but the lasting memory comes from the first meeting at Hampden, when Caroline Weir ruptured her ACL.

That injury meant she missed out on Scotland's meetings with Israel in June 2024 in Nations League B. The Scots didn't need the Real Madrid midfielder's magic, though, as they won 5-0 and 4-1 respectively.

Martha Thomas scored all four goals in the closed-doors game in Budapest.

In the aftermath of the 7 October attack by Hamas and the Israeli government's military response, European football's governing body, Uefa, decided no matches in its own competitions could be held in Israel for security reasons.

As a result, Hungary has mostly been the home of both Israel's men's and women's football teams in the past seven months.

The Scottish FA has been approached for comment regarding the upcoming games against Israel.

When the Israelis came to Hampden, kick-off was delayed as a protestor chained himself to a goalpost.

The lowest-ranked team in the group, Luxembourg, are the nation Scotland have no recent history with. In fact, the sides have never met.

Melissa Andreatta's squad will be hopeful of ensuring there are no slip-ups in the matches against Luxembourg, with Belgium and Israel posing more challenges than perhaps she would have liked.

Wales would have been the preferred Pot 1 team, with Rhian Wilkinson's side on a wretched run of form - as well as now being in the post-Jess Fishlock era.

The recent friendly performance against Switzerland - also a Pot 1 team - has provided reason for optimism and promise in the early days of the Andreatta reign.

This, though, is the real deal. Part one. Let's not even think of the play-offs just yet...

Scotland fans, what do you make of the draw? Let us know your thoughts here.

We asked for your views on Scotland's 4-3 friendly defeat to Switzerland at East End Park.

Here are some of your comments:

Isla: Sterling performance from Scotland. I thought Kirsty Hanson, Kathleen McGovern and Caroline Weir were superb.

Rosealyn: I see lots of positives out of that game. The team looks stronger and more competitive, the results will come soon. Well done girls!

Laura: Absolutely incredible performance from Scotland, such a great team of players, especially McGovern with her goal.

Ali: There's a lot to be positive about based on that showing tonight. Great energy and appetite for goals. Maybe a little narrow early in the first half with players cutting inside and sometimes wanting too long on the ball but overall positive attacking football on show.

Toby: Shame we couldn't win but delighted for Caroline to get her goal at East End. She's done something her fellow Pars fans can only dream of!

Anne-Marie: 'Wasteful' is a bit of an understatement describing Scotland's performance. It was the best display I've seen for a long time by Scotland. They played some good football at times. Created lots of chances and were confident on the ball. Congratulations to the new manager Melissa Andreatta for bringing out the best in these women. In my opinion things can only get better …. Aussie rules!