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Darren Randolph admits that Motherwell are wary of Dundee United backlash when Peter Houston’s side visit Fir Park on Wednesday.

The big stopper was surprisingly untroubled the last time the Arabs came to Lanarkshire seven days ago and Randolph has acknowledged that United will be desperate to make amends for the poor show which saw them relinquish their grip on the Scottish Cup.

“You could see from their win over Rangers on Saturday how good they can be,” the Irishman admitted. “We know they weren’t at their best last week but we fully expect them to come here tomorrow and put in a very different performance.

“Peter Houston will be looking for a reaction. They’ll start fast and try to not give us any time on the ball. We know that is how they will play and it is up to us to counter that and make sure we are the side which comes out determined and plays the game we want to play.”

The top-six berth which everyone at Fir Park has targeted is now mouth-wateringly close after the splendid 2-1 win over Aberdeen at the weekend, and a win over United could put ‘Well in a great position in a tight race to earn that top-half spot.

However, much depends on the form of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who have one game in hand, and it looks as though a thrilling chase will go down to the final couple of games.

“It’s very tight, and we know Inverness have a game in hand,” in-form Randolph conceded. “But it is in our own hands. If we win both of them (against United and Hearts) then it really doesn’t matter what they do.

“We’ve been in and around the top-six all season so it would be a massive disappointment to drop out in the final couple of weeks of the season. The football we are capable of playing is definitely worthy of the top-half I think, so I think it is a must.”

Randolph, as a vital member of the first-team squad, is very conscious of the potential repercussions of the Steelmen not finishing in the top-six this campaign – particularly in terms of the retention of the squad.

With a number of players’ contracts expiring in the summer – including star players Steve Jennings and John Sutton – a high finish in the SPL, allied with a fairytale run to the cup final, could prove to be a massive boost in the club’s efforts to keep a talented squad together.

The former Charlton keeper confessed: “There will be interest in a few of our players because many of them have done so well through this season. But we are determined to keep our squad together for next season.

“Top-half means more TV money, bigger crowds and the higher you finish in the table the more money you receive. So we’ll be pushing to finish as high as possible and hopefully keep our team together for the next campaign.”

Stuart McCall has targeted a second win over Dundee United in the space of seven days, after acknowledging that ‘Well are in the midst of one of the tightest top-six battle in the history of the SPL.

With just a couple of game left until the split, the Steelmen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, along with St Johnstone, Hibernian and Aberdeen, are locked in a fascinating battle for the final spot in the top-half, and the ‘Well gaffers knows the race will go down to the wire.

“We’ve got two really tough games to come,” the Motherwell gaffer admitted. “Dundee United and Hearts are two extremely difficult games and we are in a difficult situation because, who knows, the points total we have now could get us into the top six – or we may need to win both games.

“After Saturday, Inverness will still have two games to play, so nothing is sure unless we go out and win our last two games. But tomorrow’s match is massive for us and it’s good to be in there fighting for that last spot.

“We have had three consecutive home wins – big wins too; Dundee United, Celtic and Aberdeen – so we want to make it a fourth, but we know exactly how difficult that will be.”

The ‘Well gaffer is under no illusions over what a tough task is in store for his side as the Arabs – on the back of a sensational 3-2 win at Ibrox – come to North Lanarkshire for the second time in a week.

Motherwell knocked United out of the Scottish Cup on that occasion with a simply blistering display in front of a raucous Fir Park faithful – but McCall expects the men in Tangerine to be hunting for revenge on Wednesday.

“I watched Dundee United at Ibrox at the weekend and they were superb,” the 46-year old praised. “To go there after the Cup disappointment and score three goals and get a win shows the spirit in their side and the quality which we know that they have.

“It was interesting after last week; the players and manager all acknowledged that they didn’t really turn up – so they will definitely turn up this time. I think they are a terrific side, who have some terrific individual players. The other night I thought we were really at it and didn’t let their good players perform, but we know they will have gained plenty of confidence from their weekend win.”

The former Everton midfielder was brutally honest about his side’s injury situation ahead of the crucial clash with Peter Houston’s Arabs.

‘Well have coped admirably with a series of injury blows during McCall’s tenure – especially given the squad’s modest numbers – and it seems the club’s numbers will be stretched to their limits again.

McCall, in typically honest form, said: “We’re struggling for personnel. Jeffers will definitely be out; as will Gavin Gunning. There are a couple of others who are touch and go too. I haven’t named the side yet because I don’t know who will be available for the game. We are down to the bare bones but I have faith in the players who would potentially come in.

“Three games in a week is tough for the lads and we really don’t want to risk having players out for three or four weeks – so we’ll be careful.”

Referee for Wednesday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Dundee Utd is the familiar face of Stevie O’Reilly.

Incredibly, O’Reilly will be handling his fifth Motherwell game of the current campaign after previously overseeing the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Fir Park back in September, the 1-2 home defeat by Hearts in December, the New Years Day draw with Hamilton at New Douglas Park and the 1-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock in early February.

It’s been a busy old season for the 44-year-old, who was promoted to the Category 1 list some five years ago. Tonight will be his fourteenth Scottish Premier League game of the current campaign. He was also the man in the middle for Aberdeen’s 2-1 Co-operative Insurance Cup Quarter Final win over Falkirk at Pittodrie and, more recently, Celtic’s 2-0 home win against Lanarkshire neighbours Hamilton Accies.

As a relative newcomer to top-flight officiating, O’Reilly has never handled a Motherwell versus Dundee Utd encounter. Despite taking charge of the Steelmen so often this term, surprisingly, this will be his first in charge of a Dundee Utd game so far in 2010/11.

O’Reilly’s overall record in charge of ‘Well games is a bit of a mixed bag. Of the six games has taken charge, Motherwell have won only won, drawn one and lost four. Eight goals have been scored whilst, nine have been conceded. Fourteen players have been cautioned in those six games; four were wearing Claret and Amber with just one sending off, Steve Jennings in the game against Hearts back in December.

Stevie will be ably assisted by Tommy Johnston and Alan Mulvanny with Bobby Madden on fourth official duties.

Motherwell FC is delighted to offer a fantastic package for fans wishing to travel to Hampden with the club for the Scottish Cup Semi Final.

Excitement is already building and with ticket information already released, the club is thrilled to detail the following two packages for supporters wishing to travel in style to the big game.

The Centenary Package

• Start the day with a buffet breakfast served in the Centenary Suite as well as a pay bar facility (licensed from 9am).
• Coach transport from the Davie Cooper Stand to Hampden Park.
• Your match ticket in Section O of the South Stand.
• Coach return back to Fir Park after the match.

Price: £60

Fans should also note that the Davie Cooper bar will be open (licenced from 9am) with an official bus service leaving approx 11.15am. Fans wishing to purchase a seat on the bus can do so for just £5.

If you want further information on either package or would like to book your seat (space is limited), then contact Commercial Manager Diane Harvey on 01698 338062 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Vote for your Scottish Cup quarter-final Player of the Round and be in with the chance of winning a pair of tickets to the semi-final match.

The poll will closes on Wednesday, 6 April at midday.

To vote, visit: http://www.facebook.com/scottishcup and click Player of the Round on the left menu.

Good luck!

Motherwell boss Stuart McCall was absolutely delighted with all three points against Aberdeen this afternoon.

Goals from Chris Humphrey and Shaun Hutchinson gave ‘Well a vital three points in the race for the remaining top-six spot.

“This was a massive win for us,” the former Bradford boss declared. “It would have been gut-wrenching if we had drawn the game in the end.

“Before the game we emphasised we needed to make a bright start as I thought we might tire in the closing 15-20 minutes after the exertions in midweek. Aberdeen were fresh after not playing for a while.

“It can be double-edged if you hadn’t played for some time; you can be rusty but we knew they would get into their stride eventually.

“It wasn’t surprising we lost a goal from a set piece given the height they have in their side but there are many ways to win and this was down to grit and determination.

“Before the game we were talking about what Motherwell would turn up, we know they won’t always be brilliant but if the players give us everything they have, and that is all we ask, if they give us everything then we can’t complain, even if we do lose the game

“That was epitomised by Maurice Ross who was exceptional given it was his first game for since November but this was an all round team performance, with the lads showing a great determination not to lose.

“We weren’t as brilliant as we were the other night but we won the game.”

The win puts Motherwell four points ahead of nearest challenges Inverness CT for the remaining top-six spot.

However, Terry Butcher’s men still have a game in hand and other teams still have catch-up games to play which could make it tight in the last few games before the split.

“It is by no means over; that will hopefully knock out Aberdeen but teams like Inverness, St. Johnstone and Hibs will still believe if they win their games they have a chance.

“All we can do is win our games, and that win today was massive for us. I am absolutely delighted and I would have been spewing if we had lost an equaliser.

“The margins are so tight. Darren made a really crucial save for us at one nil, but I don’t think he was troubled in the first half. Second half it bobbled up before Jones and we missed an open goal but to get the second goal was crucial and then the official held up five minutes!

“That did put us through the wringer, but the bottom line is when they came off the park they had given all they had and I would have liked to have done it without so many injuries.”

Focus now turns to Wednesday night as Dundee United return to Fir Park seven days after the Scottish Cup Quarter Final replay.

Peter Houston’s men will be desperate for revenge and will go into the game full of confidence after their fantastic 3-2 win at Ibrox today.

McCall has mounting injury worries and admits he may have to mix things up midweek.

“I may have to try to freshen it up, there are a lot of tired bodies in there,” McCall admitted.

“But as I said to them today, you would have been a lot more tired if you had lost on Wednesday, when you are winning it helps your legs carry you on. Mentally, we could have been a lot more tired people if we had lost an equaliser at the end.

“Hopefully JP (John Porteous), the magic man, will get to work. We may have Jeffers back on Wednesday. Saunders was back at his first day of training yesterday after I expected him to be out for longer.

“It was a toss up between him and Maurice but Steven had only trained once. It is good to have Saunders back and Craigan back we are okay defensively, but in midfield we are short with Lasley having his rib injury, Hateley having ice on his calf and Steve Jennings suspended.”

Pictures from the 2-1 win over Aberdeen in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park

Motherwell made it back-to-back wins with a solid victory over Craig Brown’s Aberdeen at Fir Park this afternoon.

The Steelmen were dominant in the first half and took the lead after fifteen minutes when Chris Humphrey raced clear of Steven Smith before lashing the ball high past Jamie Langfield.

The score stayed that way until the 88th minute when Shaun Hutchinson converted Tom Hateley’s corner for his first goal in fifteen months.

The Dons, who rarely threatened despite seeing a lot of the ball in the second half, pulled one back deep into injury time when Nikola Vujadinović headed home a corner of his own.

Both sides were forced to make changes for this game with Stuart McCall having to make two, handing Maurice Ross his debut after the former Scotland full-back signed yesterday and recalling Steve Jones with Francis Jeffers (hamstring) and Steven Jennings (suspended) missing.

The Dons were forced into making three changes with Zander Diamond, Paul Hartley and Ryan Jack out with Vujadinović, Derek Young and former ‘Well striker Nick Blackman coming in.

Motherwell continued their form from Wednesday’s Scottish Cup win over Dundee United in the opening stages. They opened Aberdeen up twice in quick succession with Keith Lasley and Steve Jones both watching efforts go narrowly wide.

Jamie Murphy came even closer minutes later when his shot on the turn from the edge of the box left Jamie Langfield scrambling but the keeper was relieved to see the ball roll just wide of his post.

The opener ‘Well deserved came in the 15th minute when Keith Lasley cleverly chipped the ball over the head of Steven Smith for the pace of Chris Humphrey to race on to. The winger didn’t let him down as he burst clear to smash the ball past a stranded Langfield.

‘Well seemed to take their foot off the gas after taking the lead which allowed Aberdeen into the game but they rarely threatened the home goal. All they could muster were a couple of half-hearted efforts from Blackman and Sone Aluko.

The Dons did start the second half brightly and were unlucky when a snap shot from Chris Maguire from the edge of the box slipped narrowly wide of the right hand post.

At the other end, Motherwell really should’ve scored a second when Jones missed a sitter. Humphrey once again sent in another excellent cross from the right, picking out the on-loan Walsall winger at the far post but the 34-year old somehow managed to balloon his shot over the bar from only three yards out. In defence of the former Northern Ireland International, the ball did bobble up just as he was about to pull the trigger.

McCall’s men were almost made to pay for that miss immediately, Vujadinović sent Maguire through and when it looked as though he would equalise, Republic of Ireland Intern Darren Randolph pulled off a stunning save low to his right.

Craig Brown used all his subs and made numerous positional change in an effort to get one over on his former charges but it was the side he left in December who came sealed the three points with three minutes left.

Humphrey left Andrew Considine for dead and whipped in a cross for sub Robert McHugh, the youngster’s shot was beaten away by Langfield for a corner. From Tom Hateley’s kick Shaun Hutchinson swept the ball home at the near post from only a few yards out.

As the game headed into five minutes of stoppage time, the visitors did manage to pull one back, Well failed to clear a corner and Maguire’s return cross into the box was headed in by Vujadinović.

Motherwell were then forced to hang on for the remainder of stoppage time and got a real fright when a header from Rory McArdle crashed off the junction of post and bar, but ref Steve McLean had already blown for a free kick. Second later he was blowing for full time allowing the ‘Well fans to finally breath easily.

[tab:As it happened]

Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park

Full time – Motherwell 2 Aberdeen 1 – well deserved win but made heavy work of it in the end.
 
90+2mins – 2-1! Dons pull one back – header by Vujadinović from a Maguire cross. Surely we won’t through this away.

87mins – GOOOOOAAAALLLLLL – Hutchinson smashes in second at front post from from Hateley corner.
 
72mins – McHugh on for Jones.
 
70mins – The crowd this afternoon is 4458.
 
65mins – Maguire finally booked for his third bookable offence of the half!!!

60mins – Brilliant save from Randolph to his right to deny Maguire who was clean thru.

48mins – Maguire volleys wide for Dons from the edge of the box
 
45mins – Second half just about to get underway, no changes for either side.
 
Half time: 1-0 Well, we seemed to take our foot off the gas after the goal without being troubled by the Dons.
 
39mins – Hutchinson yellow for a nothing tackle on Blackman – seemed harsh, some debate in press box if it was a foul or not!!
 
35mins – not much happening, both side sides have forced a corner without really looking like scoring.
 
15mins GOAALLLLL! Lasley chips over Smith and Humphrey out paces the full back and smashes past Langfield – Broonie whats the score!

10mins – Not surprisingly Blackman is getting a bit of stick!! But all his touches have been on the halfway line so far.

8mins – We go close again this time Murphy bending a shot just wide of the far post.
 
7mins – Great passing move involving Ross and Lasley ends with Jones beating two men but shooting over.
 
1mins – Early chance in first minute with Humphrey skinning Smith but Lasley shoots wide from 15 yards.

1mins – Well kick off, on a brisk sunny afternoon at Fir Park.

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Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“This was a massive win for us; It would have been gut-wrenching if we had drawn the game in the end.

“Before the game we emphasised we needed to make a bright start as I thought we might tire in the closing 15-20 minutes after the exertions in midweek. Aberdeen were fresh after not playing for a while.

“It can be double-edged if you hadn’t played for some time; you can be rusty but we knew they would get into their stride eventually.

“It wasn’t surprising we lost a goal from a set piece given the height they have in their side but there are many ways to win and this was down to grit and determination.”

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown:

“The better team won the game. I wish them all the best in the top six, which I am sure they will consolidate.

“We would have had a chance if we had a full-strength team but we had seven players missing.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Kick-off a fun filled day at Fir Park by booking one of our fantastic hospitality packages for our match vs Dundee Utd.

Available from just £35 to Season Ticket Holders, a Season Ticket Family of four can book from just £110 (2 adults & 2 kids).

Match Day Host, Stevie Kirk will meet and greet you at the door before showing you to your table.

Expect a visit from First Team players and of course Match Day Photographer, Craig Kennedy, will be on-hand to take your photographs as a lasting memory of your day.

Catch some of Stevie’s pre-match banter and hear any team news first! Don’t forget to visit our other resident legend Dougie Arnott at the Bar.

For more information or to book your place, contact us now on 01698 338062.

Assistant boss Kenny Black hopes Motherwell can repeat the form of Wednesday night when Aberdeen visit Fir Park tomorrow.

The Steelmen were sensation during the week, roaring into the Semi Final of the Scottish Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory over high-flying Dundee Utd.

However, recent months have been littered with inconsistencies, and for every Dundee Utd, Celtic and Aberdeen performance, there has been a St Mirren, Inverness and Kilmarnock.

Black admits he and boss Stuart McCall are acutely aware of what is required and hopes the team can end the good, bad, good, bad cycle when Craig Brown’s Aberdeen roll into Lanarkshire.

“On Wednesday night we showed how good a team we can be if we’re at it and everyone is pulling in the same direction,” said Black. “It was a great 90 minutes but we move on now.”

“We have seen the downside of the team up at Inverness and Kilmarnock, the negative performance that we are keen to eradicate from our play. Wednesday night is gone now, it was great at the time, but we have to focus on tomorrow, which is vitally important to us. If we can finish in the top six it will be a decent end to the season for us.

“The performance against Celtic and on Wednesday didn’t surprise me because we do have good quality at the club. But they do let themselves down when they throw in the performances I’ve mentioned earlier but they know that, they don’t need me telling them. If they can believe in themselves they way Stuart and I do, and get all the players playing at the one time, we’re a match for more than most in this division.

“We’ve had a poor performance at Ibrox when we lost 6-0 but when the chips are down usually we come up with the goods, such as against Celtic and in the semi-final.

“But the bread and butter games I call them, St Mirren here when we lost 1-0, Kilmarnock here when we lost 1-0, St Johnstone up at McDiarmid, if we could even turn these games into draws rather than defeats we would be sitting here able to cement our place in the top six.

”Tomorrow is a vital game for both clubs. We have been excellent in some games and we are hopeful the positive, bright Motherwell show up tomorrow.”

Kenny also confirmed that there are still a number of concerns ahead of tomorrow’s match.

“Franny came off with a tight hamstring so we will monitor him today and see how he is. Steven Saunders will hopefully join in training today and we’ll see how that goes.

“Steven Hammell had a little problem with his hamstring prior to the game on Wednesday and we took him off as a precaution more than anything else – Chris Humphrey was also subbed as a precaution.

Add to that Steve Jennings suspension and we are still thin on the ground. But Maurice Ross comes into contention giving us some more options.”