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    Season Ticket: Away Day Discount

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    Matchday Experience 3 this Saturday

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    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

  • Archive

    TV: Johansson takes positives from draw

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    Motherwell U20s 1 – 1 Inverness CT U20s

  • Archive

    New Match Attax collection launched today

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    TV: Highlights from Firhill

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    Partick Thistle defeat in pictures

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    TV: McCall bullish despite defeat

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle 3 – 1 Motherwell

  • Archive

    Season Ticket: Away Day Discount

    Motherwell FC, in partnership with Dundee United FC, is delighted to offer Season Ticket holders an away day incentive.

    The joint scheme between the two clubs will allow Motherwell Season Ticket holders to gain entry to Tannadice on Saturday 24th January 2015 for just £10 for adults and £5 concessions/juveniles.

    Steelmen should present ‘Special Voucher A’ from the back of their ‘Well Season book at the turnstile at Tannadice to receive the discount – one voucher per fan.

    In return, United Season Ticket holders will get a similar offer at Fir Park when their side visits for the BT Sport Live Friday night game on 7th November 2014.

    Arabs should use ‘Voucher F’ from their books and present it on the night of the game to receive their discount – again, one voucher per fan.

    [pullquote]The Club is constantly working with, and listening to, supporters with the aim of making Scottish Football as attractive and flexible as possible[/pullquote]

    Commenting, Motherwell General Manager Alan Burrows said: “The Club is constantly working with, and listening to, supporters with the aim of making Scottish Football as attractive and flexible as possible.

    “Only last month we were the first SPFL Premiership club to introduce a ‘Flexi Ticket’, giving fans the opportunity to buy 5 or 10 game packages where they have the option of which matches they wish to attend.

    “However, the true value will always be with the Season Ticket and I hope this pilot scheme between Motherwell and Dundee United can act as a catalyst for something bigger.

    “All too often, visiting fans have been ignored and in my view, the deterioration of the travelling support is one of the key overriding factor in the general decrease in average attendances in top flight Scottish Football.

    “The home crowds at Fir Park have, by and large, remained fairly steady over the last few decades, whereas it is the travelling contingent that has really suffered. As a league, we could perhaps examine this in greater detail, gauge its success with a view to perhaps extending it further, if the interest is there.”

  • Archive

    Matchday Experience 3 this Saturday

    Motherwell FC is looking forward to welcoming players for the third annual Paterson’s Trophies Matchday Experience this weekend.

    ‘Well fans from across the County bid on shirts that will allow them to take their place in Saturday’s big match.

    The event takes place at Fir Park, Motherwell, on Saturday, October 11th 2014, kick-off 12 noon.

    We’ve made the kick-off earlier this year so participants and spectators can still attend/watch Scotland’s game with Georgia later that evening.

    Special guest managers Stevie Kirk and Martyn ‘Kaiser’ Corrigan* will take the teams and Category 1 official Andrew Dallas will be the man in the middle for what is sure to be another great day.

    If you want to come along and cheer on the teams, turnstiles will open at 11.30am with adults at £2 and concessions £1. If you cannot make it along, we’ll have match updates on Twitter, a brief report on the website afterwards and further updates in the Dundee Matchday Magazine.

    *Coaches are subject to late change.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

    Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell and Inverness share the points in a Development League thriller.

    MFC TV

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    TV: Johansson takes positives from draw

    Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson was frustrated his side didn’t win, but declared himself pleased with tonight’s performance.

    The young Steelmen side created a barrel-load of chances, but lacked that bit of composure in the final third to see the game through for a win.

    Instead, it finished all square with ‘Well having to come from behind after Ibra Sekajja had put Duncan Shearer’s men ahead in the second minute.

    It means the Under 20s have gone almost two months without defeat and will take plenty of confident into next week’s game against Rangers.

    [pullquote]It was a positive performance, we took the initiative, and we took the game to them. We looked confident and sharp, all of which we will take into next week’s game against Rangers.[/pullquote]

    “We could have beat them given the chances we created,” the Finn told MFC TV after the match.

    “In saying that, it was a very free-flowing game and they were good on the counter-attack with two dangerous strikers. I’m not pleased with the point, but I will accept it.

    “Today was a great learning curve for our players though. It was a positive performance, we took the initiative, and we took the game to them. We looked confident and sharp, all of which we will take into next week’s game against Rangers.

    “In terms of things we can work on, we can improve on our fitness. We had a few players cramping, so that’s something we can certainly work on, along with some defensive work.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 1 – 1 Inverness CT U20s

    Motherwell and Inverness Under 20s shared the spoils after a terrific 1-1 draw at Fir Park this evening.

    The visitors took an early lead after just two minutes courtesy of new signing Ibra Sekajja, only for Steven Higgins to level things ten minutes later.

    ‘Well were on top for the most part, but Caley defended valiantly and always looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

    However, both sides failed to add to their tally and the game eventually finished all square.

    Jonatan Johansson made two changes to the team that beat Hibs three weeks ago. Ross Stewart and Jack Leitch dropped out, replaced by Max Currie and Ross McLean.

    Caley had new signing; former Crystal Palace front man Ibra Sekajja in their starting eleven and he made an immediate impact for the Highlanders, scoring after just two minutes.

    Liam Polworth’s whipped corner form the left found the former England Youth International unmarked and he was left with the simplest of tasks, heading home from inside the six-yard box.

    The same player almost doubled his, and Caley’s, tally five minutes later but found Currie in top form, tipping away his shot from the edge of the area.

    ‘Well eventually settled down and with their first meaningful attack, leveled the game.

    Steven Higgins was the scorer, but Chris Cadden deserves a lot of credit for the assist. The midfielder collected and drove towards goal, eventually playing a neat ball inside Blair Maclennan; Higgins held off the fullback before firing past Cameron Mackay for his fifth of the campaign.

    After drawing level, ‘Well went immediately in search of a second and Higgins shot over before Dylan Mackin curled an effort a yard or so over the crossbar.

    Higgins then brought out the best in Mackay with a stinging volley that forced the Caley stopper to beat away. Seconds later, the visitors roared up the park and Calum Ferguson replied with a shot from distance, but it was straight at Currie who gathered comfortably.

    There was barely time to catch a breath with Caley’s Maclennan almost turned McLean’s drilled low cross into his own net, only for it to squirm just wide before Mackin snatched a shot after industrious wing work from Higgins on the left.

    Caley weathered the onslaught and came within an inch of taking the lead for a second time. Liam Polworth’s thundering drive cannoned off Currie’s crossbar, bounced down on the line before eventually being scrambled clear. Caley claimed it had crossed, but the officials were having none of it.

    Minutes later, Sekajja had a half chance inside the area after a corner had fell kindly for him, but ‘Well’s defense quickly charged out to make the block.

    The first action of the second period came from the visitors and Polworth was again unfortunate not to find the net. The youngster collected a loose ball on the edge of the area and his shot hit a wicked deflection, only for Currie, who was going the wrong way, to expertly block with an outstretched leg to keep it at 1-1.

    Both teams were again trading chances, Mackin firing over before Sutherland almost completed a quick Caley counter, his looping shot from the edge of the area went narrowly wide.

    ‘Well were gaining the upperhand though and enjoyed a period of dominance without being able to get another goal. Half chances came and went for Mackin and Thomas, but the score remained level.

    Caley were content to soak up the pressure and hit with a long-ball counter, using the pace of Ferguson and Sekajja to great effect. They almost got their rewards when Sekejaa wriggled into space on the edge of the area but could only drag a low shot wide of target.

    Mackin chipped over again, McLean flicked a header wide and Higgins ballooned a shot as the Steelmen continued to knock at the door, though.

    As the game headed towards its conclusion, Thomas again fired over before Cummins should have won it with a close range header. Thomas was the architect, his stinging free kick was perfect for the former Evertonian but his little flick was an inch wide of target.

    With five minutes left, ‘Well continued their relentless pressure at the visitors goal. After a quick counter from a Caley free-kick, Mackin’s shot from distance deflected wide for a corner when he had better options either side of him. Neil blazed over the resulting kick from the quadrant.

    Higgins then had an effort straight at MacKay and with virtually the last kick of the ball, Craig McCall curled an effort at goal only for the Caley keeper to pluck it comfortably out the air.

    The final whistle brought about a standing ovation from the small group of fans and family in the Phil O’Donnell Stand. It was pulsating, exciting and, at times, gung-ho and frustrating, but a great advert for U20s Development League football for sure.

    Motherwell: Currie, McMillan (Watt – 73mins), Ferguson, Cummins, Neill, McCall, Mackin, Cadden (Leitch – 75mins), Higgins, Thomas, McLean (Anderson -79mins)

    Subs Not Used: Stewart, Hall, Campbell, McNulty

  • Archive

    New Match Attax collection launched today

    Topps Match Attax, the world’s most successful football trading card game launches its all-new Scottish Premiership 2014-15 collection today at Hampden Stadium, Glasgow.

    Steelmen of all ages can get involved in this years’ collection, which features all-new card types and the introduction of Championship players.

    Every Scottish Match Attax card in the 2014-15 collection features player star ratings and a range of statistics, so that collectors can rank the Premiership and Championship stars according to power, skill, passing, shooting, speed and tackling. New Attack and Defence categories will make the game even more exciting than ever.

    The very latest players’ photos feature on the cards, alongside player values, enabling fans to build their own £100million super-squad. The values also act as an aid to help collector’s trade cards fairly in the school playground.

    Rod Pearson, Marketing Director for Topps, comments: “Scottish Match Attax is set to be a huge hit and brings fans all the action, all of the top players and all 22 teams from the Scottish Premiership and Championship. It offers a great accompaniment to the new season and enables fans of all teams to take part in the action that this trading card game of super skill, stats and tactics brings.”

    The 2014-15 Match Attax collection is on sale from 2nd October and features over 280 cards to collect, including Star Player Man of the Match cards, plus new Trophy cards, duo cards and 100 Club cards.

    Scottish Premiership Match Attax 2014-15 Starter Packs (£4.99) contain everything needed to get straight into a competitive game upon opening and include a sturdy plastic binder, A2 play pitch, an exclusive Limited Edition card and supersize wall chart. Packets of 9 cards will retail at £1 and multipacks of 50 cards, including a Bronze, Silver or Gold Limited Edition, will retail at £5.

    For further information about Topps Match Attax, please visit www.toppsfootball.co.uk Catch all the latest Topps collectibles news at www.facebook.com/MyTopps and via Twitter @MyTopps.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Firhill

    Highlights from Firhill as Motherwell slump to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Partick Thistle.

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle defeat in pictures

    Action pictures from this afternoon’s 3-1 defeat by Partick Thistle at Firhill.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Ian McFadyen.

    [svgallery name=”partickthistle041014″]

  • Archive

    TV: McCall bullish despite defeat

     Gavin McCafferty at Firhill

    Stuart McCall is refusing to panic despite another frustrating defeat sent his side second bottom of the SPFL Premiership.

    Partick Thistle inflicted Motherwell’s seventh defeat in nine games with a 3-1 triumph at Firhill.

    However, McCall does not believe drastic change is required, just hard work and more confidence, and believes the game could have been different had Scott Fox not pushed Henrik Ojamaa’s early header on to the bar.

    McCall said: “Obviously when you are not winning games it’s a worry. I’ve been through it as a player and a coach and there’s no hiding place. You have to stand up and be counted.

    “I don’t think it was a lack of desire or effort, they scored at the right times and took their opportunities.

    “Of course it’s a concern when you are losing games and near the bottom of the table. I think you could say for the last three and a half years we have punched above our weight, I think certainly at this moment we are punching below our weight.

    [pullquote]I think you could say for the last three and a half years we have punched above our weight, I think certainly at this moment we are punching below our weight.[/pullquote]

    “I don’t think there is much between teams. Confidence plays a big part in football and the only way we get that back is by winning games. It’s just hard work, no magic formula, it’s hard work, dedication, organisation and individuals playing as well as they possibly can.”

    McCall, whose team have finished runners-up in each of the last two seasons, added: “Last year we were probably winning games like that. We’ve won two league games this season and we’ve scored first in both of them.

    “The keeper made a terrific save from Ojamaa and if that had gone in, it may have been a different game. But we’re attacking, should have put a cross in and don’t, and they break on us. It was a good counter-attack goal for them but for a bad one for us. I didn’t think there was much in the game.

    “The third goal has killed us and it was just a lack of communication. The pass goes through Zaine’s legs and the goalie’s legs. Things aren’t going for us, we are not playing superbly obviously and confidence is a little bit low. but we just have to stick in there.

    “I don’t think there is a lot between many teams at this level, as there maybe wasn’t last season. Last year we won a lot of games by the odd goal. This season we are not scoring when we should be scoring.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle 3 – 1 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Gavin McCafferty at Firhill

    Motherwell slipped to eleventh in the table with a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Firhill this afternoon.

    The Jags were largely comfortable after Stuart Bannigan gave them a 16th-minute lead, although the game might have been different had Henrik Ojamaa’s early header been a inches lower rather than hitting the underside of the bar.

    O’Donnell fed Kris Doolan for the second after the break and took advantage of a absent Motherwell defence to score a late clincher on the counter-attack.

    Motherwell had briefly threatened a comeback following a sensational 35-yard strike from substitute Lionel Ainsworth, but they were again lacking in confidence as an attacking side, despite signs that Ojamaa is regaining his sharpness.

    Both sides rang the changes as they looked to bounce back from heavy defeats, Thistle at Kilmarnock and Motherwell against Hamilton.

    Thistle made three switches, with one enforced after Kallum Higginbotham was forced to undergo knee surgery. O’Donnell, James Craigen and Christie Elliott came in.

    Steven Hammell made his first league appearance of the season for Motherwell following a groin tear while Keith Lasley, Mark O’Brien and Iain Vigurs returned from injury too and both John Sutton and Josh Law were recalled.

    Motherwell came close to the lead in the 11th minute when Law made a loose ball his and burst to the bye-line where he crossed to the near post. Henrik Ojamaa got his head to it but saw his effort crash off the bar and bounce down off the line, with goalkeeper Scott Fox getting a decisive touch.

    A goal soon came at the other end though. Steven Lawless had not long shot just wide following good skill when he collected the ball in the centre circle after Motherwell right-back Fraser Kerr’s run down the wing was thwarted.

    Lawless exploited the space by playing the ball inside Vigurs into the path of Bannigan, who streaked away from his marker and guided a shot high into the net past Dan Twardzik.

    Twardzik held a 20-yard volley from Doolan before Motherwell had a couple of half-chances from corners, Fox saving from Sutton’s close-range header before McManus sent a free header well over from a difficult angle.

    Thistle were posing sporadic threats and an ambitious Lawless snap-shot flew wide before Elliott shot straight at Twardzik.

    Motherwell pressed before half-time but the best effort they could muster saw Law curl just over from 20 yards.

    There was little sign of a Motherwell comeback in the early stages of the second half and Stuart McCall brought on Ainsworth for Vigurs on the right wing 11 minutes in.

    But Thistle’s second goal followed from their right wing in the 62nd minute. O’Donnell got on to Conrad Balatoni’s ball and held off Law before getting to the bye-line and cutting it back for Doolan, who got in front of O’Brien to fire a shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

    Law soon made way for Lee Erwin but Thistle came close again when Twardzik beat away Craigen’s near-post strike.

    The Jags looked completely in control but there was nothing any team could have done about Ainsworth’s 72nd-minute strike.

    Motherwell won the ball back in midfield and Erwin fed Ainsworth almost 40 yards out. The winger took one touch and fired a magnificent strike across Fox and right in the top corner.

    Ainsworth threatened again moments later when Fox turned his 20-yard strike past his near post.

    Suddenly Thistle were under pressure but Motherwell were undone on the break in the 82nd minute after the hosts cleared a corner.

    Nathan Eccleston, on moments earlier for Doolan, got to the ball just in front of Stuart Carswell on the touchline 15 yards inside his own half. But Motherwell sub Zaine Francis-Angol charged forward from his position on the halfway line to leave Twardzik unprotected and Eccleston managed to turn the ball forward for O’Donnell to run on to.

    The right-back ran from his own half unchallenged and kept his composure to slot through the legs of Twardzik, and Fox saved well from Erwin in injury-time to complete the 3-1 triumph.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Alastair Reilly at Firhill

    FT: Partick Thistle 3 – 1 Motherwell #PTFCvMFC

    91mins: Great save by Fox to tip Erwin’s close-range effort over the bar #PTFCvMFC

    82mins: GOAL! O’Donnell breaks away and kills the game with a finish under Twardzik. 3-1 #PTFCvMFC

    80mins: Partick Thistle sub, Eccleston on for Doolan #PTFCvMFC

    79mins: Craigen is booked for a clumsy tackle on Lasley #PTFCvMFC

    76mins: Partick Thistle sub, Carroll on for Lawless #PTFCvMFC

    73mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol on for Hammell #PTFCvMFC

    What a goal by Ainsworth!! Must have been all of 30 yards and it absolutely flew into the top corner!!! 2-1 now. #PTFCvMFC

    GOOOAALLLL!!

    66mins: Great save from Twardzik, beating away Craigen’s effort as it looked like it was sailing into the top corner #PTFCvMFC

    65mins: McMillan booked for time wasting #PTFCvMFC

    64mins: Motherwell sub, Law off for Erwin #PTFCvMFC

    62mins: GOAL! Doolan with a right footed shot from inside the box from a cut-back. 2-0 #PTFCvMFC

    56mins: Motherwell sub, Ainsworth on for Vigurs #PTFCvMFC

    53mins: Partick win a corner…which Carswell heads clear at the front post #PTFCvMFC

    Neither side make any changes at the break and the second half gets underway #PTFCvMFC

    HT: Partick Thistle 1 – 0 Motherwell #PTFCvMFC

    43mins: Great spell of passing football there from ‘Well but Law can’t keep his curled shot down as he looked to finish it off #PTFCvMFC

    38mins: Yellow card for Doolan after a late challenge on Vigurs #PTFCvMFC

    32mins: O’Brien is booked for pulling down Doolan 30 yards from goal #PTFCvMFC

    30mins: Half chance there for McManus who lost his marker at a corner but couldn’t get his header on target from an awkward angle #PTFCvMFC

    27mins: Vigurs’ corner causes problems and as Sutton nods it goalwards, Ojamaa can’t quite do enough to nick it past Fox #PTFCvMFC

    26mins: A loose ball falls to Doolan 25 yards out. A attempts a left-footed volley which is straight at Twardzik #PTFCvMFC

    24mins: Ojamaa gathers a throw-in into his feet and spins Balatoni but his low front-post cross is gathered by Fox #PTFCvMFC

    15mins: GOAL! Bannigan puts the Jags 1-0 up with a good finish from just inside the box. #PTFCvMFC

    14mins: Lawless spins McManus 40 yards out, drives forward and has a strike that whistles just past Twardzik’s right hand post #PTFCvMFC

    13mins: Thistle have a breakaway but thankfully O’Donnell’s superb cross has no takers. Still 0-0 #PTFCvMFC

    11mins:Ojamaa hits the bar! Wonderful work from Law to get the cross in to Ojamaa whose header looked like it was tipped onto the bar by Fox

    9mins: Great delivery from a Craigen corner finds the head of Seabourne who heads wide #PTFCvMFC

    8mins: Carswell gets away with a late challenge in the middle of the park. Only a talking to, good refereeing #PTFCvMFC

    3mins: First bit of attacking intent shown by ‘Well. Ojamaa gets to the byline but his volleyed cross is gathered by Fox #PTFCvMFC

    Doolan and Craigen get the game underway #COYW #PTFCvMFC

    [tab:Reaction]

    Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald:

    “We touched on it last week, we lost Dan and Kallum last week at Kilmarnock at half-time and I thought other players have got to take responsibility as a team.

    “I thought they did that as a team. They worked ever so hard at the ugly side of the game and they got their reward with goals, good footballing goals as well.”

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “Obviously when you are not winning games it’s a worry. I’ve been through it as a player and a coach and there’s no hiding place. You have to stand up and be counted.

    “I don’t think it was a lack of desire or effort, they scored at the right times and took their opportunities.

    “Of course it’s a concern when you are losing games and near the bottom of the table. I think you could say for the last three and a half years we have punched above our weight, I think certainly at this moment we are punching below our weight.

    “I don’t think there is much between teams. Confidence plays a big part in football and the only way we get that back is by winning games. It’s just hard work, no magic formula, it’s hard work, dedication, organisation and individuals playing as well as they possibly can.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”204″]