IT was a switch from the sublime to the seriously sub-standard for Glasgow City in their last two midweek matches. On October 16 City played a Champions League tie at the five-star Brondby Stadium, followed last Wednesday night by a debacle in Wishaw.

To be fair, the Danes play their domestic games at a lesser ground, but, like Petershill Park where the second leg of the last 16 tie will be played on Thursday, it is Uefa-compliant. So, it was a shock to discover the venue Motherwell had chosen for one of the most meaningful SWPL1 games of the season.

While the pitch at Wishaw Sports Centre is technically not a public park, in terms of the non-facilities for players, coaches and spectators it could have been. When Hayley Lauder, who is almost invariably of a sunny disposition, criticises the venue – “Not how I envisaged the game in 2019” – something must be badly wrong.

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Her side rose above it to set a new 13-in-a-row title record in emphatic style, but that doesn't erase what happened. On a night when BBC Alba recorded the occasion for posterity, the sport at an elite level looked like it had been transported back to the previous century.

Some spectators also expressed concern about other aspects – including a mother who reported difficulty getting her daughter in and out in a wheelchair.

Neither Motherwell nor Scottish Women's Football are prepared to comment. The roots, however, go back to August 25. The match was scheduled to have been played then, but all the SWPL1 games were postponed to accommodate the fourth round of the SSE Scottish Women's Cup – which had somehow been overlooked.

Compounding this, Wednesday's re-arranged game was allowed to go ahead with not just the SWPL1 criteria for games being waived, but the SWPL2 ones as well.

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In mitigation, finding suitable back-up grounds is difficult. Nevertheless Fir Park was not being used on Wednesday, and nor was it this weekend by the men's team.

There may have been sound reasons for not being able to switch the game there, but Motherwell's unwillingness to comment encompassed that aspect as well. For their part SWF have an ever-increasing workload and limited resources, but both parties must know that what transpired on Wednesday was completely unacceptable.

WITH the SWPL1 title wrapped up before City had to worry about today's league game against Hibernian, the top of the table focus switches to the second tier.

Hamilton Accies were also playing on Wednesday night, and their 4-2 win over Kilmarnock took them to within three points of leaders Hearts. Both have three games left to play; seven points for the Edinburgh club will take them back into the top flight.

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Should the sides finish the season level on points, however, that's when there will be yet more controversy. Hamilton started today with a goal difference advantage of 20 over their rivals – they beat Hutchison Vale, who are completely out of their depth, 19-0 last Sunday.

When Hearts last played Hutchie Vale the scoreline was only 3-0. Why? Because for the second time this season the latter couldn't raise a team.

As well as a fine, a 3-0 scoreline was awarded in Hearts' “favour” against a team they had previously beaten 9-0 and 11-0. It is understood an appeal against this aspect of the judgement is ongoing.

Hearts, whose last game of the season against Partick Thistle will be played at Tynecastle, are at Kilmarnock today. Hamilton are away to Dundee United.

Whichever team goes up will inevitably replace Stirling University. Their 2-0 loss to Forfar Farmington on Friday leaves them six points adrift with only games against Hibs and Celtic remaining. 

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WEST HAM striker Martha Thomas will surely get game time in the Euro 2017 qualifier against Albania a week on Friday. The 23-year-old, who is also qualified to play for England and the USA, was named in the squad for the match at the Elbasan Arena and will be formally tied to Scotland if she makes an appearance.

Thomas's decision will make life more difficult for Scotland's current top scorer Jane Ross. The Manchester United striker has already been denied starting places in the last twelve months, with Erin Cuthbert, who returns after missing the Cyprus win through injury, preferred up front.

Yet, and with typical generosity, Ross welcomed the new addition to the squad at the Scotland training camp in Edinburgh earlier this month.

“Jane has played in this league for years with Manchester City, West Ham and now Man United,” Thomas pointed out. “She was very open with me about her experiences and I really appreciate that.”