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

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Craig Brown believes the Europa League campaign is providing his players with the best possible preparation for the SPL.

The Steelmen play their third competitive game of the season against Aalesunds FK of Norway on Thursday night.

And Brown says that while most other clubs are still trying to get their players back up to speed after the summer break, his team are garnering a big advantage.

“I love games of football,” said the Motherwell boss. “Plus all players would much rather play than train. So we are preparing for the season in the best way possible.

“This can give us a competitive advantage – we have had two games already and we have another two coming up.

“We are getting great preparation, without the need to go to Spain, Italy or Switzerland for a strenuous training camp.”

Brown has dismissed reports that Europa League opponents Aalesunds will be an unknown quantity, insisting that he has a detailed dossier on the team and their 6 foot 9 inch striker.

The gigantic Tor Hogne Aaroy will lead the line against the Steelmen and, as the tallest outfield player in the World, he is certain to be handful.

“We’ve had Bobby Jenks over watching them,” said Brown. “He has come back with a comprehensive report and got us a DVD of their game on Saturday.

“They have a very good team. They are fit, athletic and organized – and of course they have a well-known striker. “He’s 6 foot 9 inch tall and actually created their winning goal on Saturday by out-jumping the goalkeeper.

“We’ll try to stop crosses coming in. If they don’t get service to him then he can’t score and I have absolute faith in Mark Reynolds and Stephen Craigan.

“They know when to jump and challenge and when to let him have a header and pick up on the second ball. I’m not worried.”

Brown revealed he is still working hard to add new faces following the losses of Jim O’Brien, Giles Coke, John Ruddy and Lukas Jutkiewicz in the summer.

More players are expected in on trial and the manager hopes to strengthen the squad before the start of the SPL campaign.

“The only thing the club is deficient of at the moment is players.” Brown confessed. “We only have the budget for one striker at the moment. A European run could release some funds, but that’s not something we can guarantee.

“We’re not leaving any stones unturned in the quest to improve the squad. We have players coming in on trial and we have bounce games on Monday and Tuesday. The search is concurrent to the Europa League campaign and we are working very hard.

“We could get through the season with our current squad but we want to get through it successfully. We want to build on last season and continue to improve.

“I think that will be difficult, if not impossible, unless we get some re-enforcements in. We have lost some outstanding players.”

Steve Jennings admits Motherwell will have to be on their toes to stop giant striker Tor Hogne Aaroy on Thursday night.

The Steelmen are in Norway to take on Aalesunds FK in the first-leg of the Europa League Third Qualifying Round.

And Jennings revealed he and his team-mates are ready to face the tallest outfield player in the world – all 6 foot 9 inches of him.

“We’ll put four players round him on corners!” joked the midfielder.

“We will be very aware of him and we need to stop the crosses coming into him as that’s his main threat. We expect him to win headers but we’ll have one in front and one behind to pick up the loose balls.

“That’s the plan and we can only hope it pans out like that.”

Jennings know’s Aaroy won’t be Aaselund’s only threat though, and admits the team have been swotting up on the Norwegian Cup holders ahead of Thursday’s match.

“We’ve watched a thorough DVD of our opponents which was great preparation,” he said.

“It had information about the team and the pitch, so we’ll go over there prepared to get a result.”

The midfielder insists there will be no fear factor in Norway. Indeed, the squad have become somewhat accustomed to European football over the past three years. As such, they are keen to make sure this campaign lasts a bit longer than previous ones.

Jennings is confident the team can progress and hopes that will enable manager Craig Brown to bring in a couple of new faces.

“This is the third season on the trot the club have made Europe and the players have got some good experience now,” he said.

“It also says a lot for the club considering the lack of finances here. It’s a real achievement.

“We’ve still got a good squad here and I believe we have the fire power to win this tie and get through to the next round. If, and when, we get through to the next round we can hopefully get a few new faces in for that tie.

“We worked hard to get here. We had a great run towards the end of last season and deserved to get European football in the end.”

Following an injury-hit start to life at Fir Park, Jennings didn’t feature much in last season’s Europa League adventure.

But the 25-year-old enjoyed a terrific SPL campaign and became a key player under Brown and Archie Knox.

He was rewarded with a new contract in the summer and now can’t wait to make an impact on the European stage.

“I spoke to some of the boys down at Tranmere at the end of last season, while they were fighting relegation and we were chasing Europe,” he said.

“And to be playing in Europe again this season just confirms to me how well the club are doing and what a good move it was for me.

“To play European football is a great step and is a great bonus of my move up here.”

The club can today confirm ticket information for the Second Leg of the Europa League tie against Aalesunds, scheduled for August 5th at Fir Park.

After easing past Breidablik, Craig Brown’s men face a more difficult tie against the Norwegian Cup holders.

So it is essential Fir Park is full, noisy and colourful, and as such, the club have confirmed the following ticket prices:

• Adults £15 (all stands)
• Juveniles £5 (all stands) *
• Families £20 (Cooper stand) **

Tickets are now on sale and and fans are reminded that they, in line with UEFA guidelines, will be required to supply name and address details for each ticket holder.

Please also note that there will be no purchasing restrictions on home tickets at any time. Fans should also be aware that season tickets are not valid for the game.

*Juveniles are listed as Under 16’s.
**Family Tickets are listed as 1x Adult and up to x3 Juveniles and can only be purchased at the Ticket Office or over the phone.

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.”