fbpx
News

Latest News

  • Archive

    Bounce game on Saturday

  • Archive

    Under 20s to start at New Douglas Park

  • Archive

    Make football your GOAL!

  • Archive

    Extended Highlights from Iceland

  • Archive

    McCall anger a ‘soft’ ‘Well

  • Archive

    Stjarnan 3 – 2 Motherwell (AET)

  • Archive

    McCall previews Stjarnan clash

  • Archive

    Stjarnan ticket information: 2nd Leg

  • Archive

    Europa League 3rd Round draw

  • Archive

    Highlights from Fir Park

  • Archive

    Bounce game on Saturday

    Motherwell will take on a Real Betis Balompié XI this Saturday as they prepare for the forthcoming SPFL Premiership campaign.

    The club were keen to have the match made open for ‘Well fans, but with the commitments of the local Police force, stewarding companies and other contractors currently elsewhere, the match will have to be played behind closed doors.

    It will be Motherwell’s eighth fixture of the summer after bounce games against Livingston, Morton, Peterhead and Arbroath, an open door fixture against Fulham and two Europa League qualifiers against Stjarnan.

  • Archive

    Under 20s to start at New Douglas Park

    The Under 20s first match of the season will be a Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park this Tuesday.

    Jonatan Johnasson’s young Steelmen side finished fifth in the SPFL U20s table last season, but the competition has undergone another revamp during the summer.

    The league will be known as ‘The SPFL Development League’ and it will include all Premiership clubs alongside Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Falkirk and Dunfermline.

    There is a second division optional for all other clubs, which will be regionalised south & west and north & east to minimise the expense involved for clubs participating at that level.

    Other changes include an increase of up to five over-age players being able to be included in the match day squad of eighteen, as well as two trialists (who would also be deemed to be over-age players and counted within the five mentioned above, irrespective of their actual age).

    The new season will kick-off with a Lanarkshire derby. Accies had the better of it last season with an impressive 4-2 win at Fir Park before a 0-0 stalemate across the River Clyde the week before Christmas.

    The match will kick-off at 6pm with admission free of charge.

  • Archive

    Make football your GOAL!

    Motherwell Football Club Community Trust is looking for more participants to get involved in GOAL! – A programme which uses the power of football to engage with people over the age of 60 living in North Lanarkshire.

    The programme, which is funded by North Lanarkshire Carers Together & The Big Lottery, runs weekly at Fir Park and includes physical activities such as walking football, information sessions & social activities!

    Among those who go along to the sessions at 1.30pm on Fridays is Motherwell legend Billy Reid.

    He said: “I hadn’t kicked a ball for the best part of 40 years after I retired from the game and now at the age of 76 it’s good to get out there.

    “You never lose your love for the game, it’s just that there comes a point your body doesn’t let you do it, but that’s why Walking Football is ideal as you still have the touch and technique, but it’s less physical.

    “There is also the social aspect of it, it’s great going along and seeing the guys every week, we have developed quite a bond, it’s almost like being back in a team again.

    “We might be getting on, but that is no excuse to just sit in the house, it doesn’t really matter what you do, but it is important to stay active as long as possible.”

    All sessions are free or charge for participants. For more info please call The Community Trust on 01698 239926 or email community@motherwellfc.co.uk.

  • Archive

    Extended Highlights from Iceland

    Highlights from Samsung völlurinn as ‘Well lose 3-2 after Extra Time to Icelanders Stjarnan.

    [PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO SOUND AVAILABLE WITH THESE CLIPS]

  • Archive

    McCall anger a ‘soft’ ‘Well

    Motherwell boss Stuart McCall claimed his side were too soft against a resolute Stjarnan.

    Motherwell led the tie on three separate occasions over the two legs, but still lost to the Icelanders with a winning goal deep into Extra Time in the Samsung völlurinn.

    It was a sickening blow for the Steelmen; particularly given three of the five goals conceded over both legs were from the penalty spot.

    The Fir Parkers had made a great start when Stevie Hammell headed home a well-worked corner during the first half.

    But Ólafur Karl Finsen leveled things from the spot, again, before Lionel Ainsworth’s volley looked to have won it.

    However, sub Rold Toft took the tie to extra time with a later leveler before Atli Johannssen’s long-range effort sealed it for the hosts with just minutes.

    A downbeat McCall said: “This isn’t the time for lambasting people. To have been 2-0 up at Fir Park, then 1-0 and 2-1 up here in Iceland should have been enough.

    “But we haven’t been strong enough to keep the lead. We had chances to kill them off but didn’t take them.

    “Instead, we were soft right through and let them back into it.

    “The second equaliser was the sore one – we should’ve been stronger defensively at that one.”

  • Archive

    Stjarnan 3 – 2 Motherwell (AET)

    [tab:Match report]

    Motherwell crashed out the Europa League with a late Extra time sickener in Stjarnan.

    The Steelmen, who led 2-0 at Fir Park before being pegged back in injury-time, again got an early goal when Steven Hammell scored a rare header but Keith Lasley gave away his third penalty of the tie and Olafur Finsen levelled in the 37th minute.

    Lionel Ainsworth volleyed Motherwell ahead midway through the second half, but Rolf Toft took the game into extra-time with an impressive strike five minutes from time and Atli Johansson scored a spectacular winner in the second period of extra-time to secure a 5-4 aggregate win.

    Motherwell forced a succession of early corners on the artificial surface and the pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Hammell powered a header into the top corner from Ainsworth’s delivery.

    Lasley came close from another corner when he fired just wide and Motherwell were looking comfortable but Hammell had to throw himself in front of Toft’s shot to maintain the away lead.

    And Lasley was soon on the end of a controversial decision by Greek referee Antonis Giachos, who ruled he had brought down Johansson in the box, although the award might easily have gone in Motherwell’s favour after the Stjarnan player brushed into the midfielder’s body and fell over.

    Finsen, just as he did twice at Fir Park, converted the penalty.

    Lasley was determined to atone and almost did so on the stroke of half-time with a volley that was well-stopped by Ingvar Jonsson.

    Motherwell almost fell behind early in the second half but Dan Twardzik came off his line quickly to foil Toft.

    But Stuart McCall’s side came roaring back and Lasley came close again following another corner when his shot was deflected over.

    Craig Reid’s cross was then deflected on to the post and Ainsworth’s delivery was just turned wide as the hosts continued to live dangerously.

    Stjarnan broke and Pablo Punyed shot wide just before Ainsworth put Motherwell ahead for the third time in the tie.

    Josh Law, who scored twice in the first 19 minutes at Fir Park, sent in a delightful ball and Ainsworth volleyed home from close range.

    Motherwell almost squandered their lead again when Hordur Arnason got in behind Reid but he made a hash of his finish.

    McCall, knowing his men would at least get to extra-time unless Stjarnan scored twice, brought on Fraser Kerr and Zaine Francis-Angol for Ainsworth and Law in the 74th minute for fresh legs and more defensive strength.

    But there was another twist when Toft levelled with five minutes left as he shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

    Motherwell lost Stuart Carswell to injury early in extra-time as Jack Leitch came on and Jonsson made a great double stop from Lasley and Sutton, but the hosts then missed two good chances.

    And Stjarnan, who are unbeaten in the league after 12 matches, won it with seven minutes left when Johansson fired a long-range volley in off the bar to set up a tie with Lech Poznan.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Alastair Reilly at Samsung Vollurinn

    FT: Stjarnan 3 – 2 Motherwell

    31mins: Reid booked as Stjarnan run down the clock

    30mins: 3 minutes added on…

    26mins: Corner to ‘Well, Sutton heads just past but ref has ruled he had fouled Praest.

    22mins: GOAL! Stjarnan make it 3 – 2

    18mins: Sutton wins a corner… Jonsson punches clear and gets injured in the process.

    Half time in extra time: Stjarnan 2 – 2 Motherwell

    14mins: Stjarnan sub, Bjorgvinsson off for Otteson Palsson

    13mins: Lasley booked for a foul on Arnasson in the Stjarnan box….

    12mins: Ball just doesn’t quite drop for Sutton inside the box and Jonsson gathers at his feet

    8mins: Lasley then Sutton denied superbly by Jonsson!

    4mins: Motherwel sub: Carswell limps off. Took a knock from the corner. He desperately wants to come back on but McCall opts for Jack Leitch

    2mins: ‘Well get a corner but Jonsson is there to pluck the ball out the air

    First half of extra time underway….

    FT: Stjarnan 2 – 2 Motherwell. An extra 30 minutes looms…

    2 minutes added on…

    Picked the ball up on the edge of the box, and lashed it into the top corner.

    Heading for extra time here,,,,

    85mins: GOAL! Toft pulls Stjarnan level!

    80mins: Into the final 10….still 2 – 1 to ‘Well

    74mins: Motherwell subs….Kerr and FranCis-Angol on for Law and Ainsworth

    70mins: Toft leaves a boot in on Twardzik and his booked.

    69mins: Bit of a let off there as Arnason got in behind Reid. From a narrow angle, he sliced his shot well wide.

    66mins: AINSWORTH volleys home from close range from Law’s lovely ball in!!!

    GGOOOOAAALLLL!!!

    64mins: Punyed races on goal, Twardzik does enough to put him off and he drags his shot just wide.

    62mins: Ainsworth’s low cross to Sutton is only just cleared for a corner by Praest! Great spell for ‘Well,

    60mins: Yet another Motherwell corner. Can’t make it count as Vemmelund heads clear

    58mins: Reid’s low cross is deflected and hits the post!

    55mins: Sutton forces a corner for ‘Well…Lasley’s shot is almost defelcted over Jonsson!

    52mins: Great save from Twardzik, sliding out to the feet of Toft to deny a certain goal!

    Second half underway….

    HT: Stjarnan 1 – 1 Motherwell

    45mins: What as save from Jonsson to deny Lasley’s right footed volley!

    On initial viewing looked like Toft was behind Lasley and kicked his leg and fell over. WIll need to see again.

    43mins: Carswell booked for dissent.

    37mins: GOAL – Finsen converts.

    36mins: Stjarnan have a penalty!!

    33mins: Great defending from Hammell as he throws himself in front of Toft’s

    goalbound shot.

    29mins: Stjarnan get a corner when it was clearly a foul on Hammell. Comes to no harm anyway.

    26mins: Early Stjarnan sub, Toft on for Gunnarsson

    25mins: Ainsworth cuts in on his left foot but his shot from distance lack power. Easy save.

    24mins: McManus booked for a rash tackle on Punyed.

    22mins: Lasley drills a shot just wide of the post from a corner routine. Unlucky!

    20mins: Great diagonal ball from Ainsworth searching for Sutton. The big man would have been in but for Rauschenberg’s header

    17mins: Corner to Stjarnan…….headed clear by Carswell

    13mins: Yet another corner, falls to Hammell again but he opts to clip it back into the box, ‘keeper gathers.

    11mins: What a goal that was! A superb header from 12yards into the top corner! 0-1

    A STEVIE HAMMELL HEADER!!!!

    10mins: Reid forces another corner…..GGOOOAAALLLLL!!!

    8mins: Decent ball into the box by Ainsworth but Jonsson is there to gather.

    6mins: Johansson has a shot

    4mins: Another ‘Well corner but this time the ref says McManus was climbing on Praest

    2mins: Early corner for ‘Well but it’s headed clear by Vemmelund

    1min: Game is underway here in Iceland!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Stjarnan  manager Runar Pall Sigmunsson

    Coming Soon

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    Coming soon

     

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”195″]

  • Archive

    McCall previews Stjarnan clash

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall was optimistic as his side prepare to face Stjarnan in the Europa League tomorrow.

    The Steelmen are in Garðabær, just outside Reykjavik, and trained in the Samsung völlurinn 24 hours ahead of Thursday’s second leg tie.

    The score is poised evenly at 2-2 and McCall hopes with another game under their belts, his team can really take the game to Rúnar Páll Sigmundsson’s side.

    “It was our first competitive game and hopefully that’s got rid of a bit of rustiness, and we can go there and get the result we need,” he said.

    “We have a squad of players who are capable of getting a result and hopefully we are still in Europe come Friday morning.

    “The game plan is to come here, try to attack and take the game to Stjarnan.”

    CLICK HERE FOR TRAINING PICTURES (via Facebook)

  • Archive

    Stjarnan ticket information: 2nd Leg

    Stjarnan have today confirmed ticket information for next Thursday’s Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round, 2nd Leg match.

    Tickets for the match have been priced at:

    Adults: £20
    Under 16s: £10

    Tickets will be available direct from the Stjarnan at the Samsung völlurinn on both Wednesday (from 2pm) and Thursday, but are restricted to 85 for general sale served on a first-come-first-served basis.

    General Manager Alan Burrows said: “We advised Stjarnan eight days ago that we expected approximately 300 / 400 Motherwell fans to make the trip to Iceland and asked for as many tickets as possible.

    “Frustratingly, the Samsung völlurinn holds just 1000 people meaning our allocation is small with UEFA rules stipulating a minimum of 5% (fifty tickets).

    “Stjarnan advised us that they hoped to accommodate as many Motherwell fans as possible but we are being limited to one block within the stadium.

    “Unfortunately, they did not have the facility to bring tickets with them to the game in Scotland, so will sell them directly to Motherwell fans at the ground from 2pm on Wednesday.”

    The Icelanders have confirmed ‘Well fans will be made most welcome at the All-in SportsBar near the ground before and after the match.

    All-in sportbar address:

    Stakkahraun 1
    220 Hafnafjörður
    Iceland

    The game will also be shown live on Icelandic television – Stöð 2 sport.

  • Archive

    Europa League 3rd Round draw

    The reward for the winners of next Thursday’s match in Iceland is a Third Round tie against JK Nõmme Kalju or Lech Poznań.

    Motherwell and Stjarnan played out an exciting, if ultimately frustrating, 2-2 draw at Fir Park last night.

    It’s all to play for in six days time, including a potential match against the Polish giants although the Estonian side are 1-0 up from the first leg.

    More details to follow…

  • Archive

    Highlights from Fir Park

    Highlights from Fir Park as the Steelmen were pegged back back to a 2-2 draw despite a commanding first-half lead.