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The club are delighted to announce a new shirt-sponsorship deal with Scotland’s largest independent Voice and Data communications company, Commsworld.

Founded in 1994, Commsworld are a Scottish owned company with offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The company provides three main functions, including Telephone System solutions (Call recording, Call centre applications, VOIP, Hosted services); Network Services (Internet connectivity, Wide Area Data Networks, ISDN & Analogue lines, SIP lines and Mobile phone solutions) and Engineering Services (365/24/7 maintenance, project management).

With a diverse customer-base ranging from SMEs and charities through to FTSE 250 organisations in sectors such as retail, law, oil and gas and leisure, Commsworld client lists boasts established names such as Kwik Fit, Capital Solutions, Parks of Hamilton and Glenmorangie.

The six-figure, one-year deal, is a massive boost to the club and Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “We are absolutely delighted to announce this deal today and look forward to what will hopefully be a long and fruitful relationship with a strong Scottish company.”

Richard Nicol, CEO of Commsword, added, “Commsworld have ambitious growth plans and are certain that the extensive media coverage that the SPL enjoys will substantially increase awareness of the brand.”

Motherwell manager Craig Brown commented, “We’re delighted that the club have secured such a lucrative deal with a well-known, established organisation.

“Even through the priority for Archie Knox and I is very much football matters, we understand and acknowledge the importance of a strong brand on the front of our kits.”

The club can today confirm ticket information for the Second Leg of the Europa League tie against Odense, scheduled for August 26th at Fir Park.

After getting past Icelanders Breidablik and Norwegians Aalesund, Craig Brown’s men face yet another difficult tie against the Danes.

The First Leg is in Odense so it is essential Fir Park is full, noisy and colourful for the return leg. As such, the club have announced the following ticket prices:

• Adults £20 (all stands)
• Juveniles £10 (all stands) *
• Families £30 (Cooper stand) **

Tickets will go on general sale on Wednesday 11th August at 1pm and fans are reminded that they, in line with UEFA guidelines, will be required to supply a 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. Ticket information for the second leg has still to be confirmed.

*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.

The bounce game arranged for Craig Brown to further assess a number of trialist players finished in an emphatic 4-0 win for the black stripped team.

Chris Humphrey opened the scoring with a lovely drive past Darren Randolph to make it 1-0 after 27 minutes.

The winger then turned provider eight minutes later when he beat his marker and whipped in an inviting low cross for John Sutton who tapped home into an unguarded net.

Five minutes from the interval that man Humphrey was again the creator, bursting down the right and prodding the ball in for Esteban Casagolda whose initial shot was blocked by Randolph, only to cannon off Meechan and drop into the net.

Three minutes after the restart substitute trialist Jamie McCluskey got on the end of a cross and cut inside two challenges before prodding past Bradley.

The same player went on to win a penalty late in the game but he was denied a double when the young Welsh keeper gussed the right way to make the save.

It finished 4-0 and the crowd of 504 were certainly entertained throughout the 90 minutes.

White Kit: Randolph, Meechan, Fitzpatrick, Page, Hutchinson, Forbes, Trialist, Trialist, McHugh, Trialist, Smith

Subs: Bradley, Carswell, Sloan, Trialist

Black Kit: Hollis, Trialist, Hammell, Trialist, Quinn, Lasley, Humphrey, Jennings, Trialist, Trialist, Sutton

Subs: Pollock, Watt, Brown, McKinnon, MacDonald, Innes

Motherwell’s visit to Kilmarnock has been switched to Sunday 22nd August due to the Steelmen’s involvement in the Europa League.

The game will kick off at 3pm.

Motherwell have been drawn against Danish side Odense BK in the Europa League play-off round.

The Steelmen will travel to Denmark for the first-leg on Thursday 19th August, with the return leg at Fir Park a week later on Thursday 26th August.

Odense overcame Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar 5-3 on aggregate in the Third Qualifying Round.

They play at the TRE-FOR Park stadium (capacity 15,790) and have a number of recognisible faces in their team, including former Wigan and Man Utd goalkeeper Roy Carroll and veteran defender Thomas Helveg.

Managed by Lars Olsen, Odense finished second in the Danish Superliga last season, nine points behind FC Copenhagen.

They are just three games into their new campaign and currently sit sixth, having won one, drawn one and lost one.

John Sutton wants to emulate his brother by masterminding a European shock after his goal helped the Steelmen into the Europa League play-offs.

The striker scored the second goal in the 3-0 victory over Aalesund as Motherwell secured an impressive 4-1 aggregate win.

And having watched his big brother Chris star for Norwich and Celtic in Europe, he wants a taste of the big time himself.

“It is just fantastic to get through this round and we know now that there is a really good chance we could get a glamour tie in the next round.” he said.

“That was an incentive for us to go out and get the right result tonight and we managed it.

“I remember watching Chris play against Bayern Munich. Everyone thought Bayern would hammer Norwich but Jeremy Goss scored the winner – so anything can happen!

“Alan McInally predicted Bayern would score ten. I couldn’t quite believe it when Goss volleyed it in.

“That would be an aspiration to try to emulate that but I don’t think we will be expecting that.

“I don’t think anyone expects Motherwell to go particularly far or beat many big teams but I certainly aspire to match some of his achievements.”

Sutton admits though that he is caught in two minds about a glamour tie or a winnable one to help the Steelmen through to the group stages.

“The bigger the team we get, the tougher it is to progress,” he said.

“So there are pros and cons to drawing a Liverpool or a Juventus in the next round.”

Craig Brown admitted the 3-0 victory over Aalesund flattered his team as they booked their place in the Europa League play-offs.

But the Motherwell boss is now looking forward to the draw for the next round which could pair the Steelmen with one of European football’s great names.

‘Well came flying out the blocks in the second-leg at Fir Park and were 2-0 up inside 13 minutes thanks to goals from Jamie Murphy and John Sutton.

And after coping admirably with some sustained pressure in the second-half, substitute Jonathan Page added a third late on.

Despite the emphatic look to the scoreline Brown was full of praise for the Norwegian visitors: “Aalesund played very well, as we knew they would.

“They put us under a lot of pressure and if they could finish their chances a little better they could have scored a goal here.

“I would say the result flattered us. We were very disciplined and organised, and we defended very well, but there is definitely and argument to say that we actually played better over in Norway.”

The Steelmen could not have wished for a better start when Chris Humphrey marauded down the right flank before cutting the ball back for Murphy to lash home majestically from the edge the area on four minutes.

It was his seventh European goal as he cements his new club record and his manager was full of plaudits for the 21-year-old who appears to be coming of age ahead of the new season.

“Murphy had a fantastic game.” said Brown. “His assist late on also shows what kind of lad he is, and the spirit we have in the camp here.

“He could have gone on and tried to score for himself but he was aware enough to square the ball to young Page.”

Motherwell can now look to tomorrow afternoon’s draw in earnest, where they could face a lucrative tie against the likes of Liverpool, Juventus PSV Eindhoven or even moneybags Manchester City.

And Brown is well aware of the benefits a glamour tie would bring to the club.

“I would obviously be delighted to draw a Juventus or Liverpool.” The boss smiled. “But we are simply delighted to be in the next round. It is important to realise what a good side we were up against, and what a good result this is for the club.

“The Chairman will certainly be smiling and everyone at the club can look forward to whoever we draw in the next round tomorrow.”

A bumper crowd of over 7,700 at Fir Park for the match is another reason for the Chairman to be cheerful, and the manager was delighted with the vociferous support offered from the stands as the Steelmen garnered a fantastic victory.

“The fans were terrific; they were patient and supportive” Brown praised. “I warned before the game that Aalesund were a very good side and that the crowd would have to be patient. Our fans understood that and backed us all night.

“At no point did I feel the game was safe. I knew Rekdal would be in the dressing room telling his players to get one more goal, and then they would be right back in the game; and, in fairness, they had a real go in the second-half and played very well.”

Pictures from the 3-0 victory over Aalesund in the Europa League Third Qualifying Round second-leg. These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

[svgallery name=”aalesund050810″]

[tab:Match report]

Motherwell booked their place in the Europa League play-off round with a 3-0 victory over Aalesund at Fir Park.

Jamie Murphy, John Sutton and Jonathan Page were on target as the Steelmen progressed 4-1 on aggregate.

Manager Craig Brown made one change from the first-leg in Norway, replacing Ross Forbes with Chris Humphrey.

And the winger made a telling contribution on his return to the side, crossing for Murphy to open the scoring after just four minutes.

It was a terrific finish from Murphy – his third goal in the competition this season – beating Anders Lindegaard with a powerful strike from 12 yards.

The Aalesund keeper was picking the ball out of his net again on 13 minutes as Motherwell doubled their advantage.

Humphrey was involved again, producing another inviting cross from the right which caused further problems for the visiting defence.

The ball eventually fell to Steven Saunders on the edge of the area and his low drive was diverted into the net by Sutton to make it 2-0.

Aaelsund pressed for a way back into the match but they struggled in the final third and rarely tested Darren Randolph.

Petter Orry Larsen had one of the better chances when the ball broke to him 20 yards from goal but his shot flew over the bar.

Motherwell were much more dangerous going forward and Humphrey went close to adding a third when his left-footed effort from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

Murphy then beat his man and tried to pick out a team-mate inside the box but his cross was cleared in front of goal.

The striker also had two strong penalty claims before half-time. Firstly, he was pushed in the back when challenging for a high ball and then he saw an attempted shot blocked by the hand of Trond Fredriksen.

However, on both occasions referee Richard Trutz ignored his appeals, much to the dismay of the home crowd.

Aalesund improved after the break and Magnus Olsen shot inches wide from the edge of the area.

Ville Jalasto then went close with a header from a Pablo Herrera corner as the visitors enjoyed a good spell of pressure.

Indeed, Motherwell were on the back-foot at the start of the second-half and there were some nervy moments for the defence.

Aalesund went close again on 75 minutes when substitute Didrik Flotre headed a Jalasto cross just wide of the target.

And Olsen wasted a good chance late on when he shot over from the edge of the area.

But substitute Page put the result beyond doubt with less than a minute to play following great play by Murphy.

The striker got in behind the visiting defence and unselfishly squared to his team-mate for the simplest of tap-ins and his first senior goal.

It put the seal on a terrific result and performance as Craig Brown’s side booked their place in the play-off round amongst the big-guns.

[tab:As it happened]

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

90+2′ Aarøy (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Craigan (Motherwell).

90′ SUB Forbes (in) – Jennings (out) (Motherwell)

89′ GOAL Page (Motherwell) scores with a low shot from 8 yards.

88′ Fitzpatrick (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Jalasto (Aalesund).

86′ SUB Page (in) – Sutton (out) (Motherwell)

83′ Sylling Olsen (Aalesund) misses the target.

81′ Aarøy (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Reynolds (Motherwell).

80′ BOOKING Fitzpatrick (Motherwell) is shown a yellow card.

80′ Fitzpatrick (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Jalasto (Aalesund).

77′ Sylling Olsen (Aalesund) misses the target.

74′ SUB Fitzpatrick (in) – Lasley (out) (Motherwell)

74′ Fløtre (Aalesund) misses the target.

73′ Herrera (Aalesund) delivers the corner.

70′ SUB Carlsen (in) – Orry Larsen (out) (Aalesund)

68′ Herrera (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Hammell (Motherwell).

65′ Fløtre (in) – Mathisen (out) (Aalesund)

65′ BOOKING Herrera (Aalesund) is shown a yellow card.

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

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

62′ Murphy (Motherwell) misses the target.

62′ Mathisen (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Saunders (Motherwell).

59′ Herrera (Aalesund) delivers the corner.

53′ Jalasto (Aalesund) misses the target.

53′ Herrera (Aalesund) delivers the corner.

50′ Randolph (Motherwell) makes a save.

50′ Sylling Olsen (Aalesund) has an effort on goal.

50′ Hammell (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Herrera (Aalesund).

48′ Lasley (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Parr (Aalesund).

48′ Sylling Olsen (Aalesund) misses the target.

47′ Reynolds (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Herrera (Aalesund).

46′ Humphrey (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Parr (Aalesund).

46′ KICK-OFF The second half begins.

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

45+1′ Hateley (Motherwell) delivers the corner.

45+1′ Hateley (Motherwell) delivers the corner.

45′ Humphrey (Motherwell) delivers the corner.

40′ Orry Larsen (Aalesund) misses the target.

37′ Orry Larsen (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Lasley (Motherwell).

34′ Parr (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Humphrey (Motherwell).

33′ Humphrey (Motherwell) misses the target.

32′ Humphrey (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Parr (Aalesund).

29′ Sutton (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Orry Larsen (Aalesund).

29′ Randolph (Motherwell) makes a save.

29′ Mathisen (Aalesund) has an effort on goal.

27′ Orry Larsen (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Lasley (Motherwell).

26′ Hammell (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Herrera (Aalesund).

25′ Hateley (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Arneng (Aalesund).

22′ Jennings (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Aarøy (Aalesund).

22′ Sylling Olsen (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Randolph (Motherwell).

21′ Randolph (Motherwell) makes a save.

21′ Parr (Aalesund) has an effort on goal.

20′ Jennings (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Sylling Olsen (Aalesund).

18′ Mathisen (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Hammell (Motherwell).

17′ Jennings (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Orry Larsen (Aalesund).

13′ GOAL Sutton (Motherwell) scores with a low shot from inside the box.

12′ Aarøy (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Randolph (Motherwell).

11′ Arneng (Aalesund) delivers the corner.

9′ Humphrey (Motherwell) delivers the corner.

8′ Herrera (Aalesund) delivers the corner.

5′ Hateley (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Arneng (Aalesund).

4′ GOAL Murphy (Motherwell) scores with a rising shot from 12 yards.

1′ Arneng (Aalesund) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Jennings (Motherwell).

1′ KICK-OFF The match is under way.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell boss Craig Brown:

“Aalesund played very well, as we knew they would. They put us under a lot of pressure and if they could finish their chances a little better they could have scored a goal here.

“I would say the result flattered us. We were very disciplined and organised, and we defended very well, but there is definitely and argument to say that we actually played better over in Norway.

“At no point did I feel the game was safe. I knew Rekdal would be in the dressing room telling his players to get one more goal, and then they would be right back in the game; and, in fairness, they had a real go in the second-half and played very well.

“I warned before the game that Aalesund were a very good side and that the crowd would have to be patient. Our fans understood that and backed us all night.”

Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan:

“We knew if we got the first goal it was going to be tough for them and they’d come at us a little gung-ho, and fair play to them they did.

“Our statistician said they score the majority of their goals between 40 and 50 minutes, so it was important to come out strong in the first 10-15 minutes of the second-half.

“We knew they were going to come out sharp and we knew we had to come out careful at the start of the half, and we did. After that it became a little bit like the Alamo.

“Credit to the boys up front though, young Jamie Murphy just runs and runs and runs, and it was a great bit of skill at the end to nick past the defender and square the ball and show great composure.”

Motherwell striker John Sutton:

“It is just fantastic to get through this round and we know now that there is a really good chance we could get a glamour tie in the next round.

“That was an incentive for us to go out and get the right result tonight and we managed it. It has to be said that we just played a very good team – and we beat them convincingly.

“There is an element of luck to every match but we deserved this result. We defended very well and proved extremely hard for the opposition to break down.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Motherwell skipper Stephen Craigan admits he can’t wait to lead the team out against Aalesund on Thursday night.

The Northern Ireland international has experienced a lot for both club and country in his 15-year playing career.

But he reckons European night’s are still the most special occasions.

“When I don’t get excited about playing games or get nervous I know it’s time to give up.” said the 33-year-old.

“It still gives me a buzz and it’s great to also see so many young players in the squad getting to experience these matches.

“It’s great to go to other stadiums and see how other clubs are run and see how fans react to their team abroad.

“That’s all exciting and I’m always looking to pick up little tips about how other teams do things and it’s exciting to be involved in.”

Motherwell go into the second-leg at Fir Park with the advantage after a 1-1 draw in Norway last week.

And Craigan is confident the Steelmen can build on that result and seal a place in the next round.

“The main aim was to go over to Norway and bring the game back to Fir Park with it all to play for,” he said.

“We didn’t necessarily play the way we’d hoped in the first-half but that can sometimes happen against good opposition, if you don’t know a lot about the team.

“This time we can be a little more forward thinking and try and be a lot more positive.”

It will be a young Motherwell team which takes to the field against Aalesund but they already have plenty of European experience.

This is the third season in a row in which the Steelmen have competed in Europe and Craigan believes it is great for the youngsters at the club.

“In the SPL you know every team, you know how they are going to play and you know their qualities,” he said.

“It can be much easier to set up a game plan – but it’s a challenge to play in European football against different players and different styles and different formations.”

“This level of competition is great for the younger players. Sometimes you have to adapt during a game and change the style and shape of your play.

“Because we have been involved in European football for the past three seasons the players become accustomed to it, but it doesn’t mean it will happen every single season and the players know they need to keep working hard.”

One of those young players who have undoubtedly progressed over the past few years is 21-year-old Jamie Murphy, whose goal in Norway took him ahead of cup winning hero Stevie Kirk.

Craigan has praised the prodigious young striker as he attempts to fill the void left by the departure of Lukas Jutkiewicz over the summer.

“Strikers are judged on their goals and their performance in the final third. If you judge Jamie on that in the first three matches then he has done very well. He knows himself that he is looking for consistency.

“He has been forced to grow and learn, even though he is only 21. This is because of the strikers that have left and the small pool of strikers that we have at the club. His work rate has improved, he is fitter than ever and his effort is brilliant.”