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Motherwell continued their excellent pre-season form with a convincing victory over local side Fauldhouse Utd.

The Steelmen, featuring the likes of Shaun Hutchinson, Marc Fitzpatrick, Chris Humphrey and Robert McHugh, proved too strong for their Junior opponents.

McHugh opened the scoring midway through the first-half when he got on the end of a Humphrey cut-back. Shortly before the interval, returning midfielder Fitzpatrick got his name amongst the goals, doing well to react first to a rebounded Jamie Pollock effort.

McHugh added his second on the hour-mark after dancing round a few challenges and stabbing home from the edge of the area before Gary Smith got in on the act, finding the net at the near post following some fine individual play inside the area.

The best was yet to come though and McHugh completed his hat trick in style, curling a cracking effort high into the top right corner from the edge of the area.

It was to be the last action of a useful afternoon’s work for the Steelmen as the squad continue preparations for the assault on both the Europa League and the SPL.

Manager Craig Brown said: “It has been another worthwhile exercise and keeps the whole squad ticking over for the big games coming up.

“It was great for McHugh to get a hat-trick and he looked really sharp.

“I would like to thank Fauldhouse for the game too, they have a great set-up and it was a good test for our young lads.”

Motherwell: Hollis, Sloan, Quinn, Hutchinson, Page, Innes, Pollock, Humphrey, Fitzpatrick, Smith, McHugh. Subs: Bradley, Meechan, Connor, Trialist.

Motherwell Chief Executive Leeann Dempster will be the guest on BBC Radio Scotland’s Off the Ball show this afternoon.

The first lady of Fir Park will join regular hosts Stuart Cosgrove and the quite brilliant Tam Cowan for two-hours of chat which is certain to be interesting and, most probably, hysterical if not petty and ill-informed.

With St Johnstone midfielder Martin Hardie also joining it, it’s certain to have a Steelmen versus Saints feel about the show.

You can tune in from 1.05pm on 92 – 95FM, 810MW or online at BBC Radio Scotland.

BBC Radio Scotland is also available on:

Freeview (Scotland Only): 719
Freesat: 712
Sky: 0116
Virgin: 930

Craig Brown expressed delighted after the 1-0 win over Breidablik saw his side progress in the Europa League.

Jamie Murphy’s 42nd minute strike sealed a 2-0 aggregate win and set-up a Third Qualifying Round clash with Aalesunds FK of Norway.

“It was an efficient performance,” said the Motherwell boss. “We came with the plan to frustrate them and not get too adventurous.

“In spite of that, we had one or two good chances in the first half. I felt that Jamie, who scored the goal, should have gone round their keeper to give us an earlier lead.

“They missed a couple of chances in both games, we’ve got to acknowledge that. But this is a team flying high in Iceland, unbeaten recently and top of their league.

“So, I would think that our lads deserve a lot of credit for coming here and frustrating them the way they did.

“It’s easy to get carried away when you score an away goal and relax. The one thing that could have beaten us would have been a lack of concentration.

“But our two centre-backs Craigan and Reynolds were absolutely immense and I give a lot of credit to the experienced lads at Motherwell. They carried the team through a sticky spell at the start of the game.”

Brown was also full of praise for match-winner Murphy, who equalled Stevie Kirk’s long-standing club record of five European goals.

“Jamie’s a lovely boy and no player deserves it more,” he said.

“You don’t hear Jamie shout about his ability but he has got huge talent. He also has good pace and he is proving he has got an eye for goal.”

Pictures from the 1-0 victory over Breidablik in the Europa League Second Qualifying Round second-leg. These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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[tab:Match report]

Jamie Murphy was the hero in Iceland as Motherwell overcame Breidablik to advance through to the Third Qualifying Round of the Europa League.

The striker netted the only goal of the game on 42 minutes, equalling Stevie Kirk’s long-standing European goal record in the process, to help the Steelmen win 2-0 on aggregate at the Kopavogsvollur stadium.

Craig Brown’s side now face Aalesunds FK of Norway in the next round of the competition.

The Motherwell boss made just one change for the second-leg, with Steven Saunders in for Chris Humphrey. That allowed Tom Hateley to move into midfield, with Murphy up front on his own.

It was a defensive line-up from the Steelmen and they were on the back-foot in the opening stages as Breidablik started brightly.

Indeed, they should have scored on five minutes when Kari Arsaelsson headed a Arnor Adalsteinsson centre back across goal. Kristinn Steindorsson slid in at the far post and just failed to connect with the ball.

Gudmundur Kristjansson then got the better of Saunders inside the box but his header was comfortable for Darren Randolph.

Motherwell responded to the early pressure and Ross Forbes curled a free-kick narrowly wide from 30 yards.

Moments later Murphy broke in-behind the home defence only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Ingvar Kale on the edge of the area.

Hateley saw a shot saved and Jokull Elisabetarson went close with a powerful drive from 25 yards as play continued to flow from end to end.

Motherwell were more dangerous going forward though and Sutton and Keith Lasley combined to create a shooting chance for Forbes on the edge of the area but he blazed over.

Arsaelsson then had to make a headed clearance in front of goal to prevent Murphy from converting a Forbes cross.

Forbes was in the thick of the action and the midfielder had the ball in the back of the net on the half-hour mark but he was correctly flagged for offside.

Breidablik hit-back as half-time approached and Gudmundur Petursson shot narrowly wide from the right-side.

And he would have almost certainly scored moments later had it not been for a terrific block from Saunders inside the box.

But it was Motherwell who took the lead on 42 minutes when Murphy latched on to a Hateley pass and found the bottom corner of the net from eight yards.

The goal was his fifth in Europe, equalling Stevie Kirk’s long-standing club record, and it came at a perfect time for the Steelmen, who had endured a nervous 45 minutes in Kopavogur.

But there was another tense moment early in the second-half when Kristjansson rounded Randolph before shoot into the side-netting.

It sparked Motherwell into life again and Forbes almost made it 2-0 on 56 minutes when his free-kick from 25 yards came back off the post.

Breidablik made a couple of substitutions midway through the half, introducing Andri Yeoman and Haukur Baldvinsson – in an attempt to get back into the game.

And the changes almost paid off as Elfar Helgason rose highest to meet an Elisabetarson corner. Fortunately for Motherwell Lasley was in the right place to clear his goalbound header off the line.

The home side continued to attack in search of a goal but they struggled in the final third and rarely tested Randolph.

Stevie Hammell almost put the result beyond doubt at the other end but his thunderous shot from 30 yards was tipped over the bar by Kale.

Nevertheless, a 1-0 win was good enough for the Steelmen and they will now face Aalesunds FK of Norway in the next round.

[tab:As it happened]

90+3′ FULL-TIME The referee blows the full-time whistle

90+3′ Kristjansson (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Jennings (Motherwell).

90+3′ McHugh (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Arsaelsson (Breidablik).

90+1′ Arsælsson (Breidablik) misses the target.

90+1′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) takes the free-kick.

90+1′ Jennings (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Elisabetarson (Breidablik).

89′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) takes the free-kick.

89′ Pollock (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Kristjansson (Breidablik).

89′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the corner.

88′ Kale (Breidablik) makes a save.

88′ Hammell (Motherwell) has an effort on goal.

88′ Hateley (Motherwell) delivers the corner.

87′ Hateley (Motherwell) delivers the corner.

87′ SUB McHugh (in) – Murphy (out) (Motherwell)

86′ Baldvinsson (Breidablik) misses the target.

85′ Murphy (Motherwell) is adjudged to be in an offside position.

84′ Hateley (Motherwell) misses the target.

84′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

83′ SUB Pollock (in) – Sutton (out) (Motherwell)

83′ Kristjansson (Breidablik) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Sutton (Motherwell).

81′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

81′ Araelsson (Breidablik) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Sutton (Motherwell).

80′ Randolph (Motherwell) makes a save.

80′ Kristjansson (Breidablik) has an effort on goal.

80′ Sutton (Motherwell) is flagged for offside.

79′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) takes the corner.

79′ Yeoman (Breidablik) misses the target.

79′ Jennings (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Finnbogason (Breidablik).

78′ Murphy (Motherwell) is flagged for offside.

78′ SUB Gunnarsson (in) – K. Jónsson (out) (Breidablik)

77′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) takes the free-kick.

77′ BOOKING Hammell (Motherwell) is cautioned by the referee.

77′ Hammell (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Yeoman (Breidablik).

75′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the corner.

75′ Kale (Breidablik) makes a save.

75′ Humphrey (Motherwell) has an effort on goal.

74′ SUB Humphrey (in) – Forbes (out) (Motherwell)

74′ Finnbogason (Breidablik) misses the target.

73′ Helgason (Breidablik) has a shot blocked.

72′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) takes the corner.

72′ SUB Baldvinsson (in) – Margeirsson (out) (Breidablik)

72′ Finnbogason (Breidablik) misses the target.

70′ Sutton (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Kristjansson (Breidablik).

69′ Araelsson (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Murphy (Motherwell).

67′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Lasley (Motherwell).

63′ Jonsson (Breidablik) takes the corner.

62′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) takes the corner.

61′ SUB Yeoman (in) – Petursson (out) (Breidablik)

61′ Sutton (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Araelsson (Breidablik).

59′ Helgason (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Lasley (Motherwell).

59′ Murphy (Motherwell) is flagged for offside.

58′ Margeirsson (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Sutton (Motherwell).

57′ Finnbogason (Breidablik) fouls.

56′ Forbes (Motherwell) misses the target.

56′ Forbes (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

55′ Helgason (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Murphy (Motherwell).

52′ Forbes (Motherwell) is flagged for offside.

51′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Murphy (Motherwell).

48′ Kristjansson (Breidablik) misses the target.

48′ Murphy (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Helgason (Breidablik).

48′ Finnbogason (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Jennings (Motherwell).

46′ KICK-OFF The second-half begins.

45+1 HALF-TIME The referee blows for half-time.

45+1′ BOOKING Craigan (Motherwell) is shown a yellow card.

45+1′ Craigan (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

45+1′ BOOKING Petursson (Breidablik) is shown a yellow card.

45+1′ Petursson (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Lasley (Motherwell).

43′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) takes the free-kick.

43′ BOOKING Lasley (Motherwell) is shown a yellow card.

43′ Lasley (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Kristjansson (Breidablik).

42′ GOAL Murphy (Motherwell) scores with a low shot from inside the box.

42′ Craigan (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

42′ Kristjansson (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Hateley (Motherwell).

40′ Forbes (Motherwell) takes the corner.

40′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

40′ Araelsson (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Lasley (Motherwell).

38′ Jennings (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Finnbogason (Breidablik).

37′ Randolph (Motherwell) makes a save.

37′ Finnbogason (Breidablik) has an effort on goal.

37′ Petursson (Breidablik) has a shot blocked.

36′ Sutton (Motherwell) is flagged for offside.

35′ Hammell (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Margeirsson (Breidablik).

35′ Hammell (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

34′ Helgason (Breidablik) commits a foul after challenging Sutton (Motherwell).

34′ Elisabetarson (Breidablik) takes the free-kick.

34′ Saunders (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Kristjansson (Breidablik).

33′ Petursson (Breidablik) misses the target.

31′ Forbes (Motherwell) is adjudged to be in an offside position.

31′ Petursson (Breidablik) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Craigan (Motherwell).

30′ Kristjansson (Breidablik) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Craigan (Motherwell).

27′ Sutton (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Margeirsson (Breidablik).

27′ Forbes (Motherwell) delivers the corner.

26′ Jonsson (Breidablik) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Hateley (Motherwell).

25′ Forbes (Motherwell) misses the target.

23′ Murphy (Motherwell) is adjudged to be in an offside position.

21′ Elíiabetarson (Breidablik) misses the target

21′ Jonsson (Breidablik) takes the free-kick.

20′ Reynolds (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Petursson (Breidablik).

19′ Hateley (Motherwell) has an effort on goal.

17′ Margeirsson (Breidablik) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Jennings (Motherwell).

15′ Petursson (Breidablik) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Reynolds (Motherwell).

12′ Forbes (Motherwell) misses the target.

12′ Forbes (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

12′ Araelsson (Breidablik) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Murphy (Motherwell).

11′ Randolph (Motherwell) makes a save.

11′ Kristjansson (Breidablik) has an effort on goal.

10′ Jennings (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Finnbogason (Breidablik).

7′ Petursson (Breidablik) misses the target.

5′ Araelsson (Breidablik) misses the target.

5′ Elíiabetarson (Breidablik) takes the free-kick.

5′ Forbes (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Finnbogason (Breidablik).

1′ KICK-OFF The match is under way.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell boss Craig Brown:

“It was an efficient performance; we came with the plan to frustrate them and not get too adventurous. In spite of that, we had one or two good chances in the first half.

“I felt that Jamie, who scored the goal, should have gone round their keeper to give us an earlier lead.

“They missed a couple of chances in both games, we’ve got to acknowledge that. But this is a team flying high in Iceland, unbeaten recently and top of their league.

“So, I would think that our lads deserve a lot of credit for coming here and frustrating them the way they did.

“It’s easy to get carried away when you score an away goal and relax. The one thing that could have beaten us would have been a lack of concentration.

“But our two centre backs Craigan and Reynolds were absolutely immense and I give a lot of credit to the experienced lads at Motherwell.”

Motherwell goalscorer Jamie Murphy:

“When I started playing for Motherwell, five European goals wasn’t something I thought I would get.

“So it’s a great honour to be alongside someone like Stevie Kirk, who is such a nice guy as well.

“I will speak to him when I get back but, hopefully, I can score again in the next round.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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The club has written to Cardiff City FC requesting an immediate settling of a substantial debt following the transfer of Paul Quinn.

This debt has been due since January 2010.

Commenting , Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “The Board have been very patient with Cardiff given the financial pressures they have faced and the need for clubs to work together to ensure we can all navigate an extremely testing financial environment for the game.

“However the interests of our shareholders, employees and fans are being jeopardised by the failure of Cardiff to pay the debt that they have outstanding.

“We have made clear to the board of Cardiff that we are left with no option but to pursue every possible avenue of recourse to secure our own club’s interests.

“We hope that this matter can be resolved in an orderly manner.”

Youngsters Steven Lawless and Jordan Halsman have joined Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic on loan.

Left-back Halsman will spend six-months with the Galabank club whilst striker Lawless has agreed a 31-day emergency deal.

Both players signed two-year professional contracts in the summer having starred for the U19 team last season.

Commenting, Motherwell boss Craig Brown said, “This will give both fantastic experience and you can see with Ross Forbes what benefit competitive first-team football can do, particularly for a younger player.

“We hope both will return and have a big impact on our first-team at some point in the future.”

The Motherwell squad trained at the Kopavogsvollur stadium in Iceland this evening ahead of the Europa League tie with Breidablik. As always, our friends at SNS were there to capture all the action.

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Tom Hateley has set his sights on an extended Europa League campaign with Motherwell this season.

If the Steelmen can overcome Breidablik in Iceland they will face Norweigan Cup holders Aaelsund FK in the next round.

It would be another tough test but Hateley insists such European encounters are what every player lives for.

“We believe we can go out there and win the game,” he said. “It’s not a case of shutting up shop. We believe we can go to Iceland and get one, two or three goals.

“I signed just after the Steaua Bucharest tie last season and missed the campaign, so I’m enjoying every moment this year.”

“Everyone wants to play European football and we would love the opportunity to play such a big club from Norway but beating the Icelanders is all we’re focused on for now.

“Something you don’t get often is the chance to play in Europe and you want to play the best – the tough draw that allows you to test yourself and do yourself justice.”

Hateley concedes that the Steelmen were not at their best in the first leg against Breidablik, especially in front of goal, as they only garnered a one goal lead despite dominating much of the game.

Far from being discouraged by the missed chances, the midfielder believes ‘Well can take heart from the performance against a side well into their domestic season.

“We aren’t disappointed with how last week turned out. It could have been three or four considering the chances we had but it’s not as if the match finished 1-1 or 2-2.

“We would have liked to take a bigger advantage abroad as we expect it to be a tough game. But we said in the first game the most important thing was to keep a clean sheet – which we did, and we believe that we will go over there and score.

“It’s a different challenge to play a team which is far into its domestic season. Usually everyone is at the same level of fitness but when you a play a team which has started earlier they seem so sharp and can read the game better than us.

“It’s something we just have to get on with, and certainly not anything we would ever complain about – because we are getting to play European football.”

Craig Brown is confident his side can complete the job against Breidablik in the second-leg of the Europa League tie.

Motherwell take a 1-0 lead to Iceland on Thursday night with a place in the Third Qualifying Round at stake.

And having dominated much of the first-leg at Fir Park, Brown is hopeful the Steelmen can progress.

“I am very confident about scoring over there,” he said. “We are not going there to go backs-to-the-wall and hold out for 90 minutes. We are going up there to play them properly and hopefully we can do that.

“We did an efficient – not brilliant – job in the first game, and I’d like to think we are capable of a similarly efficient victory away from home.

“If we manage to score in Iceland – which I expect, and hope, we can do – it will take three goals to beat us, and I’d like to think we are not going to concede three goals. We are in good shape mentally and we’ll all do our best.”

Brown refused to panic after watching his side pass up some greats chances to put the tie to bed at Fir Park and thinks that another week of training allied with a competitive fixture has given his side the sharpness they need.

“It would have been wonderful if we had converted our chances in the first game,” the boss conceded, “but they had a couple of good chances too and we have a lot of respect for our opposition.

“There was a calm assurance about us in the first-leg and we were satisfied, particularly because there were no goals against us. 1-0 is a much better result than 2-1 or 3-2.

“Our match last week was our first competitive match of the season, and the players have benefited from a hard-fought match. The lads will feel that themselves – they were saying that they now feel really ready for taking on a good challenge.

“I anticipate an offensive game from our opponents. They will come out and try to create chances and we hope to minimise those chances to as few as possible.

“They will throw people forward, although we expect them to play with one of front we can expect very quick support to the striker Finnbogason and the full-backs.

“Our players all have experience in big matches and big crowds at home but it is a different challenge up there – a little more eerie if you like, with the running track and the vast expanses behind each goal. It’s not the environment they are used to and my only worry is that they take a minute or two to settle.”

If ‘Well can negotiate this trip to Iceland they will come up against Norweigan side Aalesund FK in the Third Qualifying Round.

It would be another good chance to progress in the competition and Brown is well aware of the benefits of getting through.

“European football can be a carrot to some players. Certainly if we can get through this round it might give us a little added income to pay a new player – not necessarily to buy him but to pay a wage.

“To do well in Europe could mean enough added funds top get some new players in and that’s a massive incentive. The players, staff, and fans would love to see us do well for the prestige but also for some new signings.”