Hamilton Accies Women sink Motherwell in derby to boost SWPL1 survival hopes and delight boss

Hamilton Accies Women are celebrating a huge boost for their survival hopes this season, after earning their first home win of the campaign and a maiden home victory over derby rivals Motherwell in SWPL1.

Robert Watson’s side earned a massive 2-1 win over their Lanarkshire neighbours on Sunday, moving bottom of the table Accies to within one point of 11th place and within three points of ninth-place Spartans who they face this weekend.

Josi Giard and Chloe Muir both produced spectacular lobs over Well keeper Emily Mutch in the second half, before the Women of Steel managed to find a consolation through Laura Berry in 63 minutes.

And the vital victory comes after their first win of the season a fortnight ago against 11th-place Dundee United.

It is a real shot in the arm for the side ahead of a meeting with Spartans and then 10th-place Montrose before the league splits later this month.

And Watson beamed: “It was great. I think that is the first time we have beaten Motherwell at home and to do it in the manner we did is fantastic.

“Any win you get over your rival is great and the players were delighted.

“A few of them enjoyed their night, I’m sure.

“It was a tough week having Celtic and Glasgow City back-to-back within a few days and then a derby game on top of that.

“Motherwell only had the two games so we felt it was going to be a tough ask as, historically, we’ve not been brilliant in a three-game week.

“It probably wasn’t our greatest performance but the players dug in and gave everything to make sure we got the three points.

“It was important to get a home win under our belt as well.

“There’s been a couple of times this season when we’ve played well and not got the points, so we’ll take it.

“I think it took us 15-20