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Parents and their young children keen to get more active are being given a helping hand through a Motherwell FC initiative funded by the Scottish Government.

Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell today backed the More Active More Often programme after visiting Fir Park to meet parents and children who are reaping the benefit, along with some of the club’s community coaches.

To coincide with Ms Campbell’s visit, one of the PlayTalkRead buses also made a journey to Fir Park, to offer local parents some fun ideas on spending time with their children.The Motherwell Football Club Community Trust was awarded £9,920 in July 2013 from the Scottish Government’s Communities and Families Fund to get More Active More Often up and running.

The programme is aimed at mothers with young children between the ages of 3 and 5 in deprived areas within Motherwell and Wishaw and comprises a 10 week programme of activity to get the mother and child active together, with a strong emphasis on physical activity and nutrition.

The cash provided by the Scottish Government enabled the Community Trust to pay for coaching costs, hire of a classroom and gym for 120 hours and training kits for mum and child.

With Motherwell FC flying high in the Scottish Premiership this season, Ms Campbell said Motherwell are matching their impressive form on the pitch with some excellent initiatives on the sidelines.

[pullquote]In many ways, football clubs are at the heart of our communities and it’s well known that Motherwell FC is a fantastic community club.[/pullquote]

She said: “In many ways, football clubs are at the heart of our communities and it’s well known that Motherwell FC is a fantastic community club.

“Seeing More Active More Often in action today underlines Motherwell FC’s commitment to local people – not just the fans who come here on a Saturday to watch a match. A healthy local community is in everyone’s interest, which is why programmes like this are so important.

“It’s never too early to encourage our wee ones to develop good nutrition and exercise habits and it can be fun too, as parents can find out on the PlayTalkRead bus.

“The Scottish Government is proud to support initiatives like this that support our communities to become healthier, smarter and more active.”

Graeme McArthur, Programme Development Manager at Motherwell Football Club Community Trust, explained: “More Active More Often is a fantastic programme and we are grateful that the Scottish Government have supported this project.

“Motherwell Football Club is in the heart of the local community and all the staff at Motherwell FC Community Trust strive to make a difference to those living in the local area.

“From working with mothers and toddlers throughout the Motherwell & Wishaw area, we will aim to change perceptions of the mothers towards nutrition and physical activity. It’s going to be a real joy delivering More Active More Often to the mother & toddlers, it will be great to see the parents & children get active together while hopefully developing a real love of physical activity.”

The PlayTalkRead roadshow is part of the Scottish Government’s Early Years campaign which focuses on the early years (0 – 3) of children’s lives, and is travelling across the country to all 32 local authorities. Entry is free. You can see when the PlayTalkRead buses will next be in your area at www.playtalkread.org/tour

More information on More Active More Often can be found at:
http://mfccommunitytrust.org.uk/more-active-more-often/

Extended highlights from Excelsior Stadium as the Under 20s return from their winter break with a 3-2 victory over Hearts.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson was pleased with side after their hard-fought win over Hearts this evening.

Goals from Dale Shirkie and a Craig Moore double gave the Fir Parkers all three points in an end-to-end encounter at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

The young Steelmen haven’t been in action for four weeks, and the former Finnish International hopes it can prove a springboard for the second half of the campaign.

[pullquote]We had to dig in at times and work hard for each other. It’s a really satisfying three points.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “It was an excellent game, now I’ve calmed down a bit.

“It was real end-to-end stuff with some excellent play from both sides both from an attacking point of view added to some last-ditch defending.

“I am really pleased with the win and with the application of the players. It was a good way to get the second half of the season going again and good for team morale too.

“We had to dig in at times and work hard for each other. It’s a really satisfying three points.”

-WATCH JONATAN’S INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Motherwell Under 20s edged out Hearts 3-2 in a barnstorming encounter at the Excelsior Stadium this evening.

In what was their first match back in action of the winter break, goals from Dale Shirkie and a Craig Moore double secured all three points.

But that only tells half the story in what was an end-to-end encounter, with both teams taking credit for what was an excellent game of football.

Jonatan Johansson made two changes to the side that drew with Hamilton Accies back on December 17th at New Douglas Park.

Adam Cummins, who will spend the rest of the season on loan at Dundee, and Jack Leitch missed out, replaced in the starting eleven by David Ferguson and Craig McCall, making his first start at Under 20s.

In contrast to the rest of the evening, it was a fairly slow start to proceedings; a Euan Murray header flashed wide following a Craig Moore corner was the only noteworthy action in the first part of the match.

The match finally exploded to life on fifteen minutes when Moore raced clear on goal only to smash a half volley inches wide of the post.

However, he wouldn’t be denied two minutes later when he put ‘Well ahead. Lovely interplay between Ferguson, Shirkie and Dom Thomas presented the chance for Steelmen’s top scorer, and he finished off neatly with a curling effort high into the top corner.

Hearts wasted little time in the search for an equaliser, and could and perhaps should have had it within sixty seconds, but Buchanan failed to capitalize on some indecision in the home defence when he dragged his shot wide.

It was real end-to-end stuff by this point, Paul McCafferty forced a good one-handed save from Mark Ridgers and Liam Gordon came close with a shot that dropped just wide from a corner.

Hearts’ Robbie Buchanan and Sam Nicholson followed those chances with shots saved by Ross Stewart.

In reply, Moore got in behind the visitors backline again but the stubborn Ridgers turned his left-footed effort out for a corner.

With nine minutes left of the half, Hearts got themselves level. They won a corner after Stewart had again saved well at the feet of Buchanan. When it was eventually taken, Nicholson picked out Gordon at the far post and he rose unopposed to head home from eight yards.

Before the interval, Dom Thomas fired a shot straight at Ridgers and, for Hearts, Nicholson drilled a low shot inches wide of the right hand upright.

The Jambos started the second half on the front foot and Billy King fired a shot over the bar inside three minutes.

Gary Oliver had a low bouncing effort held by Stewart before the ‘Well stopper again had to look smart to save from the striker after an excellent turn in the box.

From the resulting corner, Hearts came within an inch of taking the lead, but could only watch on as Nicholson’s drilled effort cannoned off the crossbar.

It was to prove a vital break as Motherwell raced into a 3-1 lead with two goals in two minutes.

Dale Shirkie got the first, pouncing on slack defending from a corner kick to drill home from close range before Moore, almost immediately from the restart, found himself in again to coolly slot high past Ridgers for his fourteenth goal of the campaign.

Incredibly, Hearts reduced the arrears almost straight away, hitting back within 45 seconds.

Oliver’s shot was deflected into the path of Nicholson. He cut inside two markers before curling a terrific effort into the top right hand corner with Stewart at full stretch.

You barely had time to draw breath before Hearts had another chance to level. Nicholson again was the man causing problems, but his shot hit the side netting much to the relief of everyone in Claret and Amber.

Two minutes later, Billy King brought out another good stop from Stewart with a curling free kick that had to be tipped around the post for a corner.

‘Well managed to weather the maroon storm and gradually settled things down.

Thomas could have made it 4-2, but blazed high over the bar, before a super one-touch passing move almost had Shirkie in but Ridgers was out quickly to make the stop.

It would be Shirkie’s last action of the match though. A sickening clash of heads with Billy King would end his evening; a trip to the hospital would confirm a fractured cheekbone.

His replacement, Dylan Mackin, was in the thick of it almost straight away and he almost teed up Moore for his hat trick with a neat cutback, only for the striker’s turn-and-shot to be brilliantly saved by Ridgers.

Hearts chased a late leveler, but the best they could muster was a low shot from Oliver that was comfortably held by Stewart at his near post.

After six minutes of stoppage time, the game finally ended with ‘Well kicking off the second half of the campaign with a good win.

Motherwell: Cadden, Ferguson, Murray, Neill, McCall (Anderson – 69mins), McCafferty, Shirkie (Mackin – 75mins), Moore, Thomas, Higgins

Subs Not Used: Currie, Hall

Bob McHugh has joined Scottish Championship side Queen of the South on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year old joined on at Fir Park at an early age and worked his way through the youth ranks into the senior squad.

A regular scorer for the U19s and reserves, Bob was given his debut by Mark McGhee aged just 16 as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Hibs at the end of the 2007/08 season.

He has gone on to play 86 times for the first-team (eight goals in thirteen starts) but has found regular first-team football hard to come by, particular this term battling the likes of John Sutton, Henri Anier, James McFadden and Craig Moore.

[pullquote]My aim is to go there, play games, score goals and get sharp and return in the summer to make a push for regular games at Motherwell.[/pullquote]

He joins Jim McIntyre’s side who, despite sitting eighth in the table, are just five points behind a play-off spot.

McHugh said: “I am looking forward to hopefully playing regularly and getting sharp again.

“Queen of the South have performed so well in recent years and I want to play a part of that over the next few months. Being just five points behind Raith Rovers (who are in fourth) gives us something to aim at.

“My aim is to go there, play games, score goals and get sharp and return in the summer to make a push for regular games at Motherwell.”

AXA Life Invest has awarded Motherwell FC Community Trust £5,000, which will be used to enhance the physical health and mental agility of the people of Lanarkshire who are over 65.

AXA Life Invest’s competition, in partnership with national Advisory group, CAERUS, sought nominations from financial advisers to improve the quality of life for retirees in their local area.

Motherwell Football Club Community Trust will provide the elderly with a range of physical activities, information sessions on healthy living and social activities such as excursions to local places of interest – directly aimed at improving their well-being and creating social inclusion. Financial Adviser Martin O’Neill of Henderson Stone & Co. Ltd was responsible for submitting the ‘Silver Sporties’ initiative.

Simon Smallcombe, UK Managing Director for AXA Life Invest said: “We are confident that this worthwhile initiative will tackle the problem of social isolation in the community of Motherwell. We are proud that over-65s will benefit from stimulating and socially inclusive activities in their local community. But this could only have happened with the ideas and initiative of our local heroes – financial advisers working in their local communities – who understand the needs of retirees inside out.”

Charlie Bennett, Motherwell Football Club Community Trust said: “Silver Sporties will bring the elderly of Lanarkshire together in a shared love of football, improving their physical health and mental well-being. Thanks to AXA Life Invest’s support, the people of Motherwell will be both healthier and happier.”

Martin O’Neill of Henderson Stone & Co Ltd said: “I nominated the Motherwell Football Club Community Trust because it has successfully implemented a range of programmes for younger people and now they have the chance to expand this to the elderly as well. I am very pleased to have played a role in bringing the power of football to older people.”

Keith Carby, Chief Executive of CAERUS added: “Advisers play a vital role in the community. They encourage people to save and to prepare for retirement. CAERUS Adviser Martin O’Neill spotted an opportunity to make retirees’ lives better and worked in partnership with Motherwell Football Club Community Trust to make a real difference.”

Starting from January 2014, Motherwell Football Club Community Trust will deliver four ten-week programmes, attracting 12 participants each and taking place at Fir Park Stadium, home of Motherwell Football Club. AXA Life Invest’s contribution will be used to fund the costs of physical educators and trainers, life coaches delivering information sessions, as well as catering and transportation costs associated with social activities.

Extended highlights from Tyencastle as John Sutton’s 40th minute goal separates the sides.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Action pictures from the 1-0 win over Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle in the SPFL Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”hearts110114″]

‘Well boss Stuart McCall declared himself pleased with the three points after a hard-fought win at Tynecastle.

The Steelmen had enough chances to have the game dead and buried by the break, but only had John Sutton’s goal to show for their efforts.

The slender lead gave Hearts hope and the young Jambos went for it in the second half with the Steelmen having to weather a storm for the last twenty minutes.

The score stayed that way though and three points was Motherwell’s sixth competitive victory in a row, the first time they’ve managed that number of top-league wins in 77 years but the Fir Park boss was just delighted to get over the line.

[pullquote]We would obviously have liked another goal to make it more comfortable, but we didn’t get it and had to defend well at times.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, the Fir Park boss said: “I was really pleased with the first-half performance; we played some terrific football and created lots of chances.

“We were slightly disappointed to go in at the break just one ahead, and whilst the score stays that way, and with the crowd here at Tynecastle, it will always give them hope.

“In saying that, we still had opportunities to pick them off on the break but made the wrong decision or took the wrong pass.

“We would obviously have liked another goal to make it more comfortable, but we didn’t get it and had to defend well at times.

“Overall, we’re pleased with the clean sheet and pleased with the three points.”

-WATCH STUART’S INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

[tab:Match report]

 Gavin McCafferty at Tynecastle

John Sutton scored the only goal against Hearts to secure ‘Well’s sixth consecutive Premiership victory – their longest winning run in the top flight for 77 years.

The striker finished from a tight angle five minutes before the end of the first half to claim his 11th goal of the season – exactly the total he hit in two seasons at Tynecastle before leaving Georgie in the summer.

The last time Motherwell sealed a sixth consecutive win in Scotland’s top division they inflicted Celtic’s record defeat, an 8-0 win in the 1936-37 season, and they created enough chances to put this game out of sight before half-time.

But Hearts rallied against the odds in the final half hour to give the Motherwell goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen some uncomfortable moments, and they were applauded off the park by the home crowd despite falling 20 points adrift following Ross County’s draw with Partick Thistle.

Hearts had Jamie Hamill back from suspension and filled their bench for only the second time in six games but there was little let-up for their stretched squad, with Callum Tapping joining Danny Wilson on the sidelines through illness.

Stuart McCall made two changes of his own. Faroese International Gunnar Nielsen returned between the sticks to replace Dan Twardzik who returned to Dundee after an emergency loan. The only other was to leave ‘new’ recruit Henri Anier on the bench at the expense of the on-form James McFadden.

They Hearts lifted their crowd with a couple of attacks in an end-to-end start but Jordan McGhee almost put through his own net in the third minute following McFadden’s low cross, with Jamie MacDonald diving to stop the ball on the line. McFadden soon set up another chance with a mazy run but Iain Vigurs shot weakly from 18 yards and MacDonald held.

Sutton headed over from 10 yards as Motherwell continued to attack at every opportunity, and they soon outnumbered Hearts by three to one on the break. McFadden’s pass found Lionel Ainsworth but Robinson got back to make a diving block and McFadden volleyed wide from Ainsworth’s follow-up cross.

The chances kept coming as Ainsworth robbed Kevin McHattie and rolled the ball across the penalty box but Vigurs miss-hit his effort. The on-loan winger then beat two men and struck a ferocious shot just over from 25 yards and was on target five minutes later with an equally powerful volley that MacDonald dived to push away.

Motherwell’s pressure told in another counterattack. Brad McKay misjudged Vigurs’ slide pass from his own half and Sutton ran on to beat MacDonald in the left channel. The angle was tight but Sutton managed to squeeze the ball between McGhee and McKay and just inside the far post.

McFadden and Ainsworth had time to fit in more first-half efforts and Motherwell had a good chance to double their lead just after the break when Vigurs’ brilliant first-time pass released Ainsworth but his touch allowed MacDonald to block.

McHattie, who had been struggling with a hamstring injury, came off for Jamie Walker, forcing a reshuffle at the back at the start of the second half.

But Hearts dug deep into their limited reserves and somehow found the ammunition to put Motherwell on the rack. They almost got level through Ryan Stevenson’s innocuous-looking cross, which bounced off the bar, before Nielsen palmed away David Smith’s long-range shot.

Hearts began to pepper him with shots from distance the former Man City stopper tipped over efforts from Stevenson and Walker, who saw another strike flash just wide.

Henri Anier, who signed a two-and-a-half-year contract on Friday, came on for the injured McFadden and had a shot saved on the break but Hearts kept up the pressure and Nielsen palmed away Paterson’s close-range header before the Hearts teenager had another cleared off the line.

Anier had a goal disallowed with five minutes left when Sutton was correctly penalised for an aerial challenge after MacDonald had palmed away his header.

But Hearts created the final chance when they worked the ball to Hamill eight yards out. The midfielder forced a shot towards goal but Nielsen blocked with his feet to secure all three points.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Tynecastle

FT: Hearts 0 – 1 Motherwell #HMFCvMFC

91mins: Hammell booked for what you’d call a tactical foul #HMFCvMFC

90mins: 3 minutes added on #HMFCvMFC

89mins: Glorious chance for Hamill but with only Nielsen to beat, takes his time and allowd the ‘Well defence in to clear #HMFCvMFC

86mins: Corner to ‘Well….Hutchinson heads over #HMFCvMFC

85mins: Anier has the ball in the net however the ref had ruled Sutton had fouled McGowan in the run up #HMFCvMFC

83mins: Motherwell sub, Vigurs off for Lawson #HMFCvMFC

80minns: Hearts sub, King on for Smith #HMFCvMFC

79mins: Hearts corner…..headed clear by McManus to Hamill who blazes over. #HMFCvMFC

76mins: Anier breaks away and cuts in on his left foot. Fires straight at MacDonald. #HMFCvMFC

73mins: ‘Well subs, Anier and Francis-Angol on for McFadden and Ainsworth. Hearts sub, Carrick off for Nicholson #HMFCvMFC

71mins: Hearts free-kick about 30 yards out on the angle…..Smith’s ball in sails straight out #HMFCvMFC

69mins: Hearts with some good pressure, Home fans right behind them too…. #HMFCvMFC

65mins: Stevenson stings the palms of Nielsen who takes no beats it wide for a corner #HMFCvMFC

57mins: Good curling effort from Smith, beaten away by Nielsen who takes no chances #HMFCvMFC

55mins: Stevenson’s cross somehow manages to curl and strike the bar! Close call #HMFCvMFC

53mins: Great chance for Ainsworth as he raced though 1 v 1. His final touch is too heavy and MacDonald can slide clear #HMFCvMFC

53mins: Hearts sub, McHattie off for Walker #HMFCvMFC

52mins: Corner to Hearts…..Smith’s delivery is headed clear by Sutton #HMFCvMFC

47mins: Corner to ‘Well……cleared by McKay who takes a sore one in the process #HMFCvMFC

Second half underway #HMFCvMFC

HT:  Hearts 0 – 1 Motherwell #HMFCvMFC

44mins: Great wing work by Ainsworth then he drills a ball low across goal. Just needed a touch but no takers #HMFCvMFC

39mins: A stunning through ball from Vigurs to SUTTON who beats MacDonald to it and slots home from a tight angle! 0-1 #HMFCvMFC

GGGOOOAALLLL!!

33mins: Great save from MacDonald to deny Ainsworth. His half-volley was heading into the bottom corner #HMFCvMFC

28mins: Ainsworth’s powerful effort with his left foot from 20 yards flies just inches over! #HMFCvMFC

26mins: Ainwworth robs McGowan on the wing and picks out Vigurs whose shot on goal is blocked. Good chance #HMFCvMFC

24mins: Chance of the game so far falls to Ainsworth! McFadden put him through with only MacDonald to beat but Hamill gets back to block!

22mins: Bit of a lull in terms of chances. Hearts do look dangerous, though. #HMFCvMFC

14mins: Free-kick to ‘Well about 30 yards out. Looks too far for a shot on goal…..Faddy tries, but well over #HMFCvMFC

10mins: Up the other end Vigurs has time and space on the edge of the box but can only shoot straight at MacDonald #HMFCvMFC

9mins: Decen build up play from Hearts to create some space for McHattie whose cross is straight at Nielsen #HMFCvMFC

…Vigurs drills it into the wall #HMFCvMFC

7mins: McFadden wins a free-kick 25 yards out….good position #HMFCvMFC

3mins: Entertaining start! McGhee very nearly slides the ball past his own goalie from McFadden’s cross #HMFCvMFC

20seconds in and Hamill is down injured already. Looks like he’s struggling #HMFCvMFC

Underway here at Tynecastle #HMFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I thought we played some really good stuff in the first half.

“We could have gone in a wee bit more ahead. We’re really pleased with the way we moved it.

“It’s important to try to get the first goal against a young side.

“But, in fairness to Hearts, the young boys’ second half was a really spirited performance.

“I think we merited it over the 90 minutes but certainly the gave us a few frights in the second half.”

Hearts manager Gary Locke:

“I just hope one week we can get a bit of the luck we deserve at the moment.

“I think, after last week, we were maybe getting questioned about one or two things but today, we showed commitment to the cause, and we need a bit of luck to go along with the effort we’re putting in.”

“You can never give up, you saw that in our performance today. It’s obviously going to be very difficult, but the boys are giving us everything and that’s all we can ask for.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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