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    St Johnstone U20s 0 – 1 Motherwell U20s

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    TV: Highlights from Pittodrie

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    Aberdeen defeat in pictures

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    TV: McCall bullish despite defeat

  • Archive

    Helen Templeton’s Blog #8

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    Aberdeen 1 – 0 Motherwell

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    TV: McCall backs players to reverse slide

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    TV: Reid keen to rekindle Pittodrie spirit

  • Archive

    The Big Interview: Stuart McCall

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    Celtic & Dons games on Sky Sports

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    St Johnstone U20s 0 – 1 Motherwell U20s

    Motherwell Under 20s returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

    After back-to-back defeats by Rangers and Kilmarnock, the young Steelmen were desperate for the three points and they got them thanks to Liam Anderson, who scored after eighteen minutes of his first start of the season.

    Both teams created chances, although ‘Well boss Jonatan Johansson will be scratching his head at how his team didn’t extend their lead after passing up numerous glorious chances as the game headed towards its conclusion.

    The win was soured though with the sight of young Jack Leitch being stretchered off, leg in a brace, with what appeared to be a bad injury. He is due a scan in the next few days to assess the damage so hopefully it is not as serious as it looked.

    ‘Well made an astonishing eight changes to the team that lost to Kilmarnock last Tuesday with Nielsen, Watt, Ferguson, Cadden, McCall, Higgins, Thomas and MacLean dropping out, replaced by Stewart, McNulty, J.Leitch, Carswell, Erwin, Anderson, McHugh and Moore.

    Both teams started the game with chances – Dylan Easton seeing his fifth minute shot deflect into the side netting courtesy of Morgyn Neill’s block. Down the other end, Lee Erwin went close with a stinging thirty-yard shot that whistled inches past the left hand upright.

    There were howls from the visitor’s bench when Alex Kitchen appears to pull Craig Moore in the area, before going through the back of the striker to win the ball. Referee Mike Roncone had a good look at it, but decided no penalty.

    Adam Morgan then let fly from distance for Saints before ‘Well got their noses in front.

    Good hold up play by Moore allowed Erwin to slide in the supporting Liam Anderson. The winger took a good first touch, hared in on goal and kept his cool to slot it beyond Mark Hurst for his first of the campaign.

    To their credit, Saints went immediately in search of a leveler and Easton saw another shot deflect wide for a corner.

    Shortly after, from a corner, Jason Kerr was twice denied within the space of a second as both Jack McMillan and Jack Leitch headed his efforts off the line.

    Helped by a stoppage to the game as referee Roncone pulled up and had to go off for some treatment, ‘Well weathered the storm and regrouped. Erwin headed a McNulty cross straight at Hurst before, three minutes later, linking with Moore only to spin and shoot over the bar.

    It was back and fourth though and Saints again came within an inch of an equaliser. Morgan found himself clear of the ‘Well defence and was only denied by the outrushing Ross Stewart. The ball spun out to Easton whose goalbound effort was again headed off the line by the recovering McMillan.

    For their part, Motherwell managed a couple of efforts before the break with Moore heading a McNulty cross wide before McHugh sent a skidding low effort crashing inches wide of target.

    The second half was no older than one minute when Jack Leitch went down in agony. His screams alerted to something serious and Aileen Anderson and Adam Stokes, the Motherwell physiotherapists, were quickly onto the pitch. He wasn’t able to continue though and, with his leg in a brace, was stretchered off, replaced by Dom Thomas.

    Motherwell went on to dominate for a 15-minute spell and should have extended their lead. Moore sent another McNulty cross wide of the post before Thomas’ shot looked to be heading for the corner, only to be blocked by the sliding Scott Wilson.

    There was another moment of controversy to follow when Saints’ Easton was booked for simulation after a coming together in the area with Bob McHugh. On first look, it looked like a penalty for the hosts but the referee was having none of it, much to the annoyance of the small, but vocal, local support.

    Both teams continued to trade chances though, Morgan sending a header straight at Stewart before Moore came close after getting on the end of Erwin’s head on, only to send his lobbed effort wide of target.

    Saints keeper Hurst was certainly the busier of the two ‘keepers and he had to look smart to save a turn-and-shot from Moore and a low bouncing effort from McHugh.

    He could only look on though as ‘Well came within an inch of securing the game on the 75th minute. McHugh, who enjoyed an excellent second half, took his side forward before crashing a curling effort off the base of the post. It spun out at speed towards substitute Chris Cadden who could only screw the rebound over the bar.

    Motherwell continued to make all the chances though, McHugh again shot wide before being denied a certain goal after a last-ditch saving tackle inside the six-yard box by Matthew Buchanan.

    Then, a minute later, ‘Well passed up another glorious chance when Anderson’s low cross was miscued by Cadden only to fall kindly for Thomas whose effort was somehow deflected wide for a corner.

    From the resulting kick, Neill’s flicked header landed at the feet of Cadden who leathered a shot high and wide of target.

    Somehow, the score remained at 1-0 despite a later run and shot from Easton that sailed high over the crossbar. It was a worth win for ‘Well, albeit Saints did have chances throughout the ninety minutes.

    Johansson’s men now face a big SFA Youth Cup game this weekend away to Celtic on Sunday.

    Motherwell: Stewart, McNulty, McMillan, Hall, Neill, Carswell, Leitch (Thomas – 50mins), Erwin (Cadden – 71mins), McHugh, Moore (McCall – 71mins), Anderson

    Subs Not Used: Currie, Ferguson, MacLean, Higgins

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Pittodrie

    Highlights from Pittodrie as an early Jonny Hayes consigned ‘Well to their fourth consecutive league defeat.

    MFC TV

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    Aberdeen defeat in pictures

    Action pictures from this evening’s narrow 1-0 defeat by Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the SPFL Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

    [svgallery name=”aberdeen241014″]

  • Archive

    TV: McCall bullish despite defeat

    Stuart McCall is confident he can turn around Motherwell’s fortunes despite crashed to a fourth straight Scottish Premiership defeat.

    The Steelmen lost 1-0 to Aberdeen, with an early strike from Jonny Hayes separating the sides in a dour contest at Pittodrie.

    However, as much as the team leaked goal in the last three matches, they look far more organised and assured, it was bad luck as opposed to poor defending which separated the side.

    That being said, the Fir Park boss will still be concerned with the lack of openings his side are creating.

    Despite this, the former Scotland boss was in bullish mood saying: “I was a bit lost and helpless after last Saturday and when you are on the run that we are, to lose a goal as early as that, it would have been easy to fold and lose by four or five.

    “But we spoke after the game and there is a real belief there. The first 11 games have been a disaster, there is no doubt about that, but our season starts against St Johnstone next Friday and it can’t come quickly enough.

    [pullquote]I know words are cheap but I sense a real desire, determination and hunger in the dressing room. We have got lots of players back now and competition for places.[/pullquote]

    “Yes, obviously, confidence with the run we are going through is still fragile but with the desire and determination that is in those lads, I know once we turn it around, we can go on a run.”

    The decisive goal was as untidy as the match itself, Hayes benefiting from a ricochet at the edge of the penalty area before slotting the ball past Dan Twardzik in the third minute.

    McCall added: “We talked all week about getting off to a good start and getting a foothold in the game. Initially I thought it was poor defending which led to the Aberdeen goal but I have seen it again and we were just unfortunate.

    “Stephen McManus makes a tackle which ricochets off Stevie Hammell and falls in Hayes’ path and he scores. You fear the worst after that with the run that we are on but the players showed courage to get on the ball without creating clear-cut chances.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Helen Templeton’s Blog #8

     Follow ‘Dibsy’ on Twitter 

    Ladies

    The Ladies unbeaten run looked certain to be broken at the weekend as they went 3-0 down by half time to Renfrew Stallions.

    The weather for the game was typical of a Scottish autumnal day. Howling winds, teaming rain and bitter temperatures was the setting, but with a Scottish twist of warm sunshine sporadically thrown in for good measure!

    With this fixture set to be a tough contest, the first goal was going to be crucial.

    The ‘Well ladies started strongly and pressed Renfrew high in their own half, almost breaking the deadlock within the first 10 minutes of the game.

    Unfortunately, not being clinical enough in front of goal allowed the Stallions to settle into the match and to create chances of their own. Sadly, it didn’t take them long to convert.

    Stallions winger Kirsty McBride was tumbled in the box and the referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot. A nervous moment for goalkeeper Danielle McNamara, but despite her best efforts, the ball was struck sweetly and nestled in the bottom corner. Renfrew 1 Motherwell 0

    Despite great spells of play from Motherwell, it wasn’t enough and it was to be Renfrew who netted next to double their advantage. A great ball through from the Stallions experienced midfield gave their striker plenty of space to compose herself and strike the ball into the side netting, a cool and confident finish. Renfrew 2 Motherwell 0

    A few minutes later, all was not well for our ladies as Renfrew broke once again and found space in behind the ‘Well defensive line. One thing stallions didn’t do, was waste their chances. As the whistle blew, the half finished Renfrew Stallions 3 Motherwell Ladies 0.

    It’s hard to believe a team who are 3-0 down at half time are having much impact on the game, but ‘ at no point did the Well ladies look out of the running. As we know, football is a game of two halves and Motherwell ladies aren’t a team who gives in easily.

    Pamela Liddel unfortunately had to make an early departure, so the 55th minute saw the introduction of on-form striker, Sophie Gallagher and it didn’t take her long to make her mark on the game. First glance at a chance and the young striker was to make no mistakes. Fantastic pressure and a composed head in front of goal, Sophie placed the ball passed the onrushing stallions goal keeper to spark the start of the Well comeback. Stallions 3 Motherwell 1.

    Toni Mason, I’ve heard who was once referred to as a player with the heart of a lion, wasnt prepared to let things lie there either! A misplaced pass from Motherwell allowed Renfrew to regain possession deep in their own half. A lost ball perhaps? …not my Mason’s standards! A darting run from the talismanic midfielder saw immediate pressure on the Stallions back line and a strong tackle saw the ball fall sweetly into the path of mason who, fired an absolute cannon past the keeper from just inside the 18-yard box. Stallions 3 – Motherwell 2

    With ten minutes remaining, Motherwell seemed untouchable. Retaining possession and regularly breaching into the Stallions box, it looked certain they would score. It was inspiring to watch, the work rate was high and there was no doubt the belief was there that they could take something from this game.

    A penetrating diagonal through ball from the Motherwell left wasn’t dealt with by the home defence, allowing Natasha Roberts to latch onto the loose ball, took it around the keeper and slotted home, Stallions 3 Motherwell 3! Incredible.

    Motherwell pushed so hard for the equaliser, but Renfrew, with a little bit of good fortune, held out in the remaining minutes to see the game out. The referee blew for full time and the match ended a stalemate.

    A great performance from both teams and one that certainly made it worth both sets of fans venturing out in some wild weather.

    Full Time: Renfrew Stallions 3 Motherwell Ladies 3

    Manager Graeme McArthur said after the match: “I was really disappointed in our first half performance and to go 3-0 down wasn’t good enough; our standards are higher than that.

    “However, I can’t give enough credit to my squad of players in the second half. To come back from three goals down at any level is something not to be sniffed at and in the end, we were really unfortunate not to sneak a win.

    “We had several opportunities in the latter stages, but one in particular gave us a fantastic chance to walk away with the points, but it wasn’t to be. The game was double edged in that I was delighted to comeback and draw, but I was also disappointed for the girls who I genuinely felt, despite going three goals down, deserved more with the effort the put in in the second half.”

    Fixture Info:

    Last game of season 2013/14: Sun 26th Oct, Motherwell LFC v Daisy Park, 12noon KO

    Under 9s:

    The Under 9s were at K Park again last Sunday for their weekly tournament. A hugely successful day saw the youngsters leave unbeaten and having performed really well as a squad. The girls did well to defend so tightly at the back, but still create plenty of chances up top. They showed great strength in all areas of the park and like a team with years of experience, moved the ball really well in all areas of the park. Coach Laura Daly said: “The team are showing huge improvements on a weekly basis and that’s a credit to their hard work and commitment in training.”

    Under 11s:

    The Under 11s were in action against Rossvale at the weekend. A carbon copy of the ladies result saw the youngsters draw 3-3 and then steal a win 3-1 in the resulting penalty shoot out. The team fought hard and created some fantastic link up play, particularly between the midfield and striker. Well done girls!

    U9 and U11 Fixture Info:

    Sunday 26th October, Kilwinning Festival, KO 9.30am.

  • Archive

    Aberdeen 1 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    Gavin McCafferty at Pittodrie

    An early Jonny Hayes goal gave Aberdeen all three points in an insipid evening at Pittodrie.

    The Irishman capitalized after Stephen McManus’ intervention ricocheted off Steven Hammell, sending the Inverness man in on goal and he finished by slotting his shot through Dan Twardzik’s legs.

    ‘Well looked far more organized, with the Dons rarely troubling the visitors goal. However, the Steelmen could only muster one shot on target the whole night from Craig Reid.

    The win was Aberdeen’s first over Motherwell in almost six years and consigns ‘Well to another week in 11th spot.

    Stuart McCall made four changes to the side that lost to Dundee six days ago but once again found his team behind almost instantly.

    It turned out to be the only goal of a game unlikely to live long in the memory arrived in the third minute. David Goodwillie fed Hayes at the edge of the penalty area and the Irishman profited from a fortunate ricochet off Steven Hammell before sending a low eight-yard shot underneath Dan Twardzik.

    Hayes was in the mood in the early stages and he skipped past two challenges before clipping the ball narrowly over the crossbar. Moments later, Goodwillie saw a low angled shot smothered by Twardzik after latching on to Ryan Jack’s pass.

    Motherwell, who had conceded 10 goals in three outings prior to their Pittodrie visit, began to settle after a shaky start and Stephen McManus lashed a right-footed shot over from 12 yards after the Dons failed to clear a corner.

    Hayes created another Aberdeen opening in the 18th minute, bursting forward from his left wing-back role and sending in a teasing delivery for Niall McGinn, whose scuffed effort trickled wide.

    While the hosts carried purpose in attack, they were far less convincing at the back and their failure to deal with a Josh Law corner almost proved costly as Simon Ramsden peeled off his marker to loop a back-post header inches too high in the 21st minute.

    A lull in the play followed in the period leading up to half-time with both teams struggling to find any rhythm and Aberdeen’s chief creators kept equally as quiet as Motherwell’s main attacking threats.

    The Dons conjured up a chance four minutes after the restart following a well-worked move. Peter Pawlett picked out McGinn on the right flank and his cutback found the advancing Shay Logan, whose near-post shot was comfortably stopped by Twardzik.

    The visitors saw as much of the ball as their opponents but their inability to test goalkeeper Scott Brown on his first league start must have frustrated manager McCall as Henrik Ojamaa fired a 20-yard shot well wide of the target in the 55th minute.

    Having struggled to make an impact, Pawlett was replaced just after the hour mark with Adam Rooney as Dons boss Derek McInnes switched back to a two-pronged attack, which he had favoured.in previous matches.

    Goodwillie ought to have done better with a 64th-minute effort, which he blazed over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area after being spotted by McGinn.

    With time starting to run out, the Steelmen made a double change, Lee Erwin and Bob McHugh coming on for Ojamaa and Law in the 75th minute, just before Craig Reid hit a long-range shot which had to be closely watched by Brown.

    McGinn went close to making the points safe for McInnes’ men with six minutes remaining but he saw his crisp 20-yard shot flash wide after Rooney linked with Willo Flood, but Aberdeen were able to see the match out.

    [tab:As it happened]

    Ally Reilly at Pittodrie

    FT: Aberdeen 1 – 0 Motherwell #AFCvMFC

    3 minutes added on

    86mins: Motherwell sub, Ainsworth is on for Francis-Angol #AFCvMFC

    82mins: Aberdeen make their final change, Hayes off for Smith #AFCvMFC

    75mins: Reid has a shot on target, not sure he entirely meant it though. Brown dives low to make the save #AFCvMFC

    74mins: Motherwell double sub, Ojamaa and Law off for McHugh and Erwin #AFCvMFC

    72mins: Aberdeen sub, Goodwillie off for Robson #AFCvMFC

    69mins: Lasley is booked for dissent aimed at the fourth official #AFCvMFC

    64mins: Goodwillie works his way into the ‘Well box and sees his shot fly well over the bar #AFCvMFC

    60mins: Aberdeen sub, Rooney on for Pawlett #AFCvMFC

    55mins: Ojamaa’s shot from 25 yards trickles into the hands of Brown #AFCvMFC

    49mins: Logan gets on the end of McGinn’s cutback but can only shoot tamely at Twardzik #AFCvMFC

    47mins: Aberdeen have a free-kick in a central position, about 30 yards out….Law gets in front of Hayes’ shot #AFCvMFC

    46mins: McManus is booked for a foul while jumping for a header #AFCvMFC

    Second half is underway #AFCvMFC

    HT: Aberdeen 1 – 0 Mothewell #AFCvMFC

    41mins: Law tries to pounce on a through ball but Brown is alert and gets to it first #AFCvMFC

    38mins: Very little action worth talking about here. All very flat #AFCvMFC

    20mins: Ramsden heads Law’s corner just over the bar. #AFCvMFC

    17mins: Hayes’ cross finds McGinn in the centre of the box but he can only flick the ball wide of the post #AFCvMFC

    11mins: Decent chance there for ‘Well as the ball fell to McManus on the edge of the box but he volleys just over #AFCvMFC

    9mins: Goodwillie creates some space on the right but the angle is too tight to test Twardzik and the ‘keeper deals with it #AFCvMFC

    5mins: Hayes goes close again, this time with a little dink over Twardzik which lands on the roof of the net #AFCvMFC

    2mins: GOAL! Hayes breaches the ‘Well defence with only 2 minutes on the clock. 1-0 to Aberdeen #AFCvMFC

    Lasley and Law get the game underway #COYW #AFCvMFC

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “I was a bit lost and helpless after last Saturday and when you are on the run that we are, to lose a goal as early as that, it would have been easy to fold and lose by four or five.

    “But we spoke after the game and there is a real belief there.

    “The first 11 games have been a disaster, there is no doubt about that, but our season starts against St Johnstone next Friday and it can’t come quickly enough.

    “I know words are cheap but I sense a real desire, determination and hunger in the dressing room. We have got lots of players back now and competition for places.

    “Yes, obviously, confidence with the run we are going through is still fragile but with the desire and determination that is in those lads, I know once we turn it around, we can go on a run.”

    Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes:

    “We were rightly accused of sloppiness and a lack of concentration against Hamilton and I thought we were stretched far too often. I thought we were the exact opposite tonight.

    “Motherwell played a lot of the game in front of us which can cause an anxiety but we never really gave them an opportunity.

    “It was the same back four that played last week and while they could possibly have been criticised in that match, here they were solid and full of concentration, discipline and aggression.

    “All in all we kept Motherwell at arm’s length and after last week I think we were needing that.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”206″]

  • Archive

    TV: McCall backs players to reverse slide

    Stuart McCall has reaffirmed his belief in the players and backed them to turn Motherwell’s season around.

    The Steelmen enjoyed one of their most memorable wins of recent years when they triumphed at Pittodrie on the final day of last season to snatch second place in the Scottish Premiership from their hosts.

    But they return to the north-east second from bottom in the standings after an indifferent start to the campaign got even worse in the past few weeks with three consecutive league defeats.

    McCall knows his team have to retain belief in their ability if they are to avoid getting dragged further down, and he has told them to be mentally strong on Friday night.

    “The message is ‘stick together and dig deep’,” he said. “I’ve been in runs like this before and it might take an own goal or a debatable penalty decision or whatever it is just to get out of it.

    “I’ve got great belief in those players. We’ve got leaders in that dressing room. We have character and great quality. They have shown that season after season and I think it’s time we all stand up and be counted.”

    McCall is one of Motherwell’s most successful manager in league competition since the Second World War, so he is on new territory at Fir Park as he looks to ride out the storm.

    “I hate losing, no matter what I do, so the run we are on is difficult,” he said.

    [pullquote]”I’ve got great belief in those players. We’ve got leaders in that dressing room. We have character and great quality. They have shown that season after season and I think it’s time we all stand up and be counted.[/pullquote]

    “But bigger and better managers than me have been through it, so you have just got to believe in yourself. I’ve had a lot of support from my family, people within the club and other people in football.

    “Everyone goes through periods like this and it’s how quickly you can come out of them. It’s a test of character.

    “As you can see from the bags, you sleep less and your mind is always on it. But I always put myself under pressure to succeed and that’s how I always will be.

    “But I’ve got belief in the lads and we have to be strong. We can’t be fearful of losing – we’ve got to relish the challenge of being winners again. That’s the challenge – to get the bit between our teeth – and we have to rise to that.”

    Motherwell won at Pittodrie in May, when Craig Reid netted the only goal in stoppage time after a turgid 90 minutes, and, although McCall would not complain about a repeat, he recognises they might have to play better.

    “I’ve watched the last two minutes of that game 1000 times but I never watched the game back until this week,” he said.

    “We defended really well, which we will need to do again, but we didn’t play particularly well. The bottom line was the result and this might be the case (on Friday) night.

    “We’ve lost 10 goals in three games, which is unlike us. We need to defend better, but all round we need to improve. Going to Pittodrie, as difficult as it might be, might be the kick-start we need.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: Reid keen to rekindle Pittodrie spirit

    Craig Reid has some special memories of Pittodrie and the defender is hoping to create more this Friday.

    The former Celtic and Morton man scored the winning goal back in May that dramatically handed the Steelmen second place in the SPFL Premiership.

    Unfortunately, since then, it’s been a period of real frustration with ‘Well’s stuttering start to 2014/15.

    However, the 28-year hopes he and his fellow teammates can rekindle the spirit of that day and finally get the campaign into second gear.

    [pullquote] Obviously going back to Pittodrie is nice given what happened there back in May. It was a fantastic moment for me personally and also the club; I’ll remember that day for a long time.[/pullquote]

    Speaking to the broadcast press at the pre-match news conference, Reid said: “It has been difficult, we go into the match down the other end of the table and it’s a position most of the lads aren’t used to.

    “We deserve to be there though, we haven’t been playing as well as we can do and haven’t won enough games.

    “We’ve not scored as many goals as we would have liked and lost silly goals at bad times in the match and that’s an all team problem, not just one area.

    “Friday is a chance to hopefully put that right. Obviously going back to Pittodrie is nice given what happened there back in May. It was a fantastic moment for me personally and also the club; I’ll remember that day for a long time.

    “We know Aberdeen is going to be extremely tough but we’ll go there looking for all three points.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    The Big Interview: Stuart McCall

    In the first of a new series of feature interviews, ‘Well boss Stuart McCall chats in depth about his team’s disappointing start to the season.

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Celtic & Dons games on Sky Sports

    Two games over the Christmas and New Year period will be shown live on Sky Sports.

    The game against Celtic at Fir Park on Saturday 6th December will now go ahead (on the same day) at 12.45pm.

    Similarly, the home game against Aberdeen on Sunday 4th January will now take place half-an-hour later, at 3.30pm as opposed to 3pm.

    >> Updated Fixture List