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Another belting edition of the 68-page Steelmen Matchday Magazine returns against Dundee Utd tomorrow.

It’s an excellent read from Editor Andy Ross and the team from Curtis Sport and BlueChilli Design.

But what can fans expect from the eighth magazine of the campaign?

‘Well boss Stuart McCall and Captain Keith Lasley both return with the regular columns. The manager talks candidly about the last week or so at Fir Park and looks at the bigger picture in the league. Skipper Lasley gives a fascinating insight into the players’ mindset following defeat against both halves of the Old Firm.

Andy Ross caught up with Antigua and Barbuda International Zaine Francis-Angol for the feature interview. The former Spurs defender chats openly about his hopes and dreams for the future and what Motherwell can archive this campaign.

And that’s not where the features stop!

There is a 13-page section dedicated to our visitors, Peter Houston’s Dundee United.

Kris Jack goes through four players to watch from opponents, as we as a player-by-player breakdown of their squad.

Arabs midfielder John Rankin is the man in the spotlight in our opposition Q&A and fan Heather McKenzie gives her view on how the Terrors are progressing. We also have a scout report from United’s last SPL match when Inverness CT ran out 4-0 winners in the Highlands last weekend.

The features and big names keep coming…

In our Interview Alumni section, John Berry caught up with former Steelman Kevin Twaddle who launched his new book ‘Life on the Line’ at Fir Park this week.

The winger tells a horrifying tale of a gambling addiction that cost him over a million and almost the ultimate price. He also looks back favorably on his time at Fir Park, recalling ‘his’ team.

The Press Association’s Gavin McCafferty returns with his ‘From the Press Box’ feature and looks at how Motherwell are setting the trend with the move to fan ownership. Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows adds his thoughts in ‘The Last Word’ near the back of the publication and looks at how Scottish Football could learn from the Ryder Cup.

Keith Lasley is the latest to give his top five’s in the iPlayer feature and Jamie Murphy tells us his ‘First and Last’.

Graham Barnstaple’s Cult Heroes this week focuses Ray Farningham who, to a certain generation of Motherwell fans, will be forever remembered for a certain goal at Ibrox. Oh for one of them recently, eh?

But wait, there’s more! We take a look back at last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Celtic, 10 tough questions in our Quiz, the latest news section as well as an in-depth statistical look at referee Euan Norris. We have the latest from The Ticket Office and the Commercial Department and the latest stats, facts and figures for the already busy 2012/2013 campaign.

The programme is available for £3 and is currently on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

You can also order back editions or take a season-long subscription to the magazine by visiting the website of our publishers – Curtis-Sports – http://www.curtis-sport.com/

Steelmen gaffer Stuart McCall has challenged his players to prove how good they are when they face Dundee United tomorrow.

The Fir Parkers made a great start to the campaign but had a poor week losing to both Rangers and Celtic within the space of three days.

McCall reckons there is very little to separate teams in the league and called for his players to up their game with the hope of regaining top spot in the table.

[pullquote]It’s all about who performs on the day and hopefully it’s our lads that step up to the plate tomorrow.[/pullquote]

“I want the team to go out and show what good players they are.

“Out with Celtic if the majority of managers can play their first eleven and they are all on top of their game, they will all be a match for each other and Dundee United will be no different.

“With Daly and Russell up front, on their day they are as good as anyone in the SPL. They have got a terrific management team and squad of players and I’m sure it won’t be long before they get back up near the top.

“It’s all about who performs on the day and hopefully it’s our lads that step up to the plate tomorrow.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Motherwell goal-getter Michael Higdon was delighted to pick up the Clydesdale Bank Player of the Month award today.

The big striker has netted six times during the month, enough to scoop the award for the first time in his career.

And after picking the trophy today, he has already set his sights on winning it again next month starting with a big game against Dundee Utd tomorrow.

[pullquote]It’s probably the best run I’ve had in my career.  I am sitting at the top of the scoring charts which I am pleased about.[/pullquote]

“It’s a good achievement and some personal satisfaction after a good month,” he told the gathered press at Motherwell pre-match press conference.

“Hopefully I am sitting here next month saying the same things again! I am really happy with how I have played and contributed and I will be working hard to try and continue that again in October.

“It’s probably the best run I’ve had in my career. I am sitting at the top of the scoring charts which I am pleased about and the team has been playing well minus the last two games.

“All in all, it has been a good start.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Motherwell hitman Michael Higdon has been named Clydesdale Bank Premier League Player of the Month for September.

Motherwell got off to the perfect start in September as they defeated Inverness C.T. 4-1 with Higdon scoring a hat-trick.

Higdon continued his impressive form as he netted twice as Motherwell saw off Dundee 2-1 at Dens Park and scored another in Motherwell’s entertaining 3-3 draw with Aberdeen.

Despite Higdon’s impressive goalscoring form Motherwell tasted defeat in a 2-0 loss to Celtic, however, Higdon’s six goals and impressive hold up play led the panel to vote him as their Clydesdale Bank Premier League Player of the Month.

The former Crewe, Falkirk and St Mirren striker has scored an incredible 23 goals in 51 Motherwell starts, making him one of the most prolific Steelmen strikers in years.

A panel of Scottish football experts chose the award winners from a shortlist which included the top three fans’ nominations from Clydesdale Bank’s football website, www.cbfootball.co.uk.

Goalkeeping coach Gordon Marshall is next up to have a crack at the MFCTV 10-yard bucket challenge this season.

A keen golfer, Marsh is hot on the heels of leader Shaun Hutchinson and will be eager to at least beat the most recent challenger Michael Higdon who shot 72.

Stevie Hammell is third with 42 whilst Jamie Murphy is struggling to make the cut with a whopping 101.

Now it’s time to see if big Marsh can snatch top of the leaderboard and scoop a fourball at one of Scotland’s top courses as a prize.

-WATCH MARSH CHIP IN ONLY ON MFC TV-

Fraser Kerr has been named in the Scotland Under-21 squad to play in two International Challenge Matches in Marbella later this month.

The squad features players born on or after 1st January 1992 as Stark starts preparations for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers which begin next year.

Kerr has been excellent since arriving from Birmingham City on loan and has played nine times, including a start against Levante U.D. in the Europa League.

Scotland will play in two matches at the Marbella Football Center – against USA on 12th October and Canada on 15th October.

Goalkeepers

Jordan Archer (Tottenham Hotspur), Christopher Kettings (Blackpool)

Defenders

Joe Bryan (Bristol City), Kieran Duffie (Falkirk), Ryan Jack (Aberdeen), Fraser Kerr (Birmingham City – on loan at Motherwell FC, Clark Robertson (Aberdeen), Murray Wallace (Huddersfield Town)

Midfielders

Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United), Fraser Fyvie (Wigan Athletic), Jason Holt (Heart of Midlothian), Rhys McCabe (Sheffield Wednesday), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenneth McLean (St Mirren)

Forwards

Dale Carrick (Heart of Midlothian), Dylan McGeouch (Celtic), Cameron Park (Middlesbrough), Anthony Watt (Celtic)

Goals from Omar Daley, Bob McHugh and Euan Murray give Motherwell U20s a 3-1 win over Lanarkshire neighbours Hamilton Accies at Fir Park.

-WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-
(Summariser: Gordon Duncan)

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson was delighted with his side following their 3-1 victory over Hamilton Accies at Fir Park this evening.

The former Rangers and Charlton striker asked for a reaction from his side after the desperately disappointing exit from the SFA Youth Cup two days ago at the hands of Second Division part-timers East Fife.

And, to their credit, his side stepped up with an impressive showing against a talented Accies side.

“I definitely got a response from my players after Sunday’s game,” Johansson told MFC TV.

“The attitude and workrate was there and the quality of the finishing was very good. I’m very pleased for the whole team.

Everybody showed desire and although there were tired legs towards the end, they didn’t complain and fought to the end against a good Hamilton side.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park

Motherwell U20s bounced back from Sunday’s Youth Cup disappointment with a battling 3-1 win over local rivals Hamilton Accies at Fir Park.

The Steelmen were two one up at the break thanks to goals from OMAR DALEY and BOB McHUGH, with Accies replying through Jordan Kirkpatrick. The game was sealed when EUAN MURRAY scored early in the second half.

Jonatan Johansson made six changes from the side that lost at the weekend and was bolstered by over age players Daley, McHugh and Axel Bossekota. There was also game time for defenders FRASER KERR and ADAM CUMMINS following their recent runs in the first team.

The opening stages of the game saw both sides jockeying for position with neither creating a chance of note in the opening twenty minutes. It was therefore a bit of out the blue when Motherwell eventually took the lead in the 21st minute.

Bob McHugh picked up a loose ball just inside the Hamilton half and drove at the visitor’s defence. With Daley peeling away to the right and Bossekota to the left, the former Scotland U19s strike slid an inch perfect pass to the Jamaican. The former Bradford winger unleashed a right-footed shot which left Scott Christie in the Accies goal with no chance as it flashed past him high into the net.

The lead only last seven minutes as Accies drew level with their first real chance of the game. The ‘Well defence failed to deal with a cross from the left, and the ball fell to Kirkpatrick at the edge of the box. The winger took one touch to set up a shot that was bent high into ROSS STEWART’s top left hand corner.

Six minutes later the Fir Parkers restored their advantage, this time Daley was the provider and McHugh the finisher. Daley twisted past three defenders to provide the shooting chance to McHugh who somehow saw his shot squeeze past the stranded Christie with the aid of a deflection.

‘Well were forced into a couple of changes with Stuart Carswell and Bossekota picking up injuries and were replaced by ADAM ASGHAR and CRAIG MOORE.

The visitors started the second half brightly and came close through shots from Conner McGlinchey and James Martin.

The visitors were having a bit more of the ball so it was slightly against the run of play when Motherwell made it 3-1 just twelve minutes after the re-start.

Sub Asghar won a free-kick near the edge of the box after a crude trip by Kilday. Bob McHugh took the resulting kick but his blistering strike was well saved by Christie low to his left. The rebound sat up nicely for Euan Murray to slide in and volley home from close range.

Both sides had chances throughout the second half with the Accies coming closest when Gary Fraser’s long range effort hit the bar with Stewart beaten. At the other end Christie had to be at his best to keep out a powerfully hit Daley strike.

Johansson will be no doubt be pleased to get the East Fife defeat out the system as the Steelmen record back-to-back wins in the Under 20s league for the first time this campaign.

Motherwell: Stewart, Kerr, Leitch, Cummins, Murray, Johnstone, Daley, Carswell (Asghar – 46), McHugh, Hetherington (Watt – 71), Bossekota (Moore – 37)

Subs Not Used: Currie, Neill, Thomas, Shirkie

Goals: Daley (21), McHugh (34), Murray (57)

Motherwell Under 20s will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing SFA Youth Cup exit against East Fife when Hamilton Accies visit Fir Park tomorrow.

Jonatan Johansson will be looking for a response against the New Douglas Park men after what was a difficult afternoon in Fife on Sunday.

Accies have had a mixed start to the campaign with two wins, two draws and two defeats from their opening six matches.

The match will be played at Fir Park Stadium with a 7pm kick-off.

SEASON PRICES:

Adults and Concessions:

Season book holders or Well Society membership: £2
Standard: £3

Under 16:

Season book holders or Well Society membership: £1
Standard: £2