WANDERERS Ladies were left in the lurch by Scottish side Motherwell after a mystery bug swept through their opponents’ squad.

The club had been expecting to kick-off their pre-season with a prestige friendly at the Skuna Stadium on Sunday afternoon but were told the night before the match that several players had fallen ill and that Motherwell's coach had been experiencing unforeseen “mechanical problems”.

“Unfortunately we have been informed this evening by Motherwell that they will not be able to field a team for tomorrow’s scheduled game,” read an announcement from Wanderers on Saturday night.

“The players will be in training before watching the women’s World Cup final.”

In an ironic twist, the cancellation came exactly a year to the day after Wanderers’ male players went on strike at St Mirren over unpaid bonuses forcing the game to be shelved with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Wanderers Ladies are due to travel to Glasgow in a fortnight to play against Rangers at their Hummel training facility.

They will also face Sheffield FC at the Skuna Stadium next Sunday, July 14 (2pm kick-off).