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    Motherwell U20s 3 – 4 Dundee U20s

  • Archive

    Sportsman’s Dinner: Seats left

  • Archive

    Vacancy: Communications Manager

  • Archive

    Under 20s to take on Dundee

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Firhill

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    TV: Baraclough’s Firhill frustration

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle 2 – 0 Motherwell

  • Archive

    TV: Baraclough keen to close gap

  • Archive

    TV: Lasley aiming for strong finish

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 3 – 4 Dundee U20s

    Motherwell U20s lost 3-4 to Dundee in a quite incredible Development League match at Fir Park today.

    Dundee were two ahead inside the opening five minutes when Craig Wighton notched a double with the home defence all at sea.

    Ross MacLean and Dom Thomas has the Steelmen at level pegging before the ninth minute before Dundee got back ahead two minutes later, Lee Cameron scoring the game’s fifth goal.

    Despite passing up a host of chances, ‘Well couldn’t get level for a second time and a Luke Watt own goal restored the Dee’s two goal advantage.

    Thomas grabbed his second, and Motherwell’s third with a blistering strike from distance and despite numerous chances and three goals chalked off for offside, the Fir Parkers couldn’t get that second equaliser.

    Jonatan Johansson made seven changes to the team that comfortably saw off Hearts last midweek. Danny McNulty, Jack McMillan, Ben Hall, Craig McCall, Nathan Thomas, Paul Lawson and Steven Higgins dropped out, replaced by Stevie Hammell, Simon Ramsden, Fraser Kerr, Mark O’Brien, Jack Leitch, Dom Thomas and Craig Moore.

    Motherwell made a positive start and forced three corners, all of which the visitors managed to clear. Then, with their first venture over the halfway line, Dundee scored.

    Andrew Black and Cameron combined down the right, before slotting in Wighton who fired it under O’Brien and past Currie into the first corner.

    Astonishingly, two minutes later, Dundee doubled their lead. A corner from the right was headed down by Kostadin Gadzhalov for Wighton who found himself in yards of space. His first effort was blocked by Currie, but the striker was able to prod home the rebound.

    Shell-shocked, ‘Well sought about getting back into the match and they pulled one back inside two minutes later. Stevie Hammell’s ball was perfect for Moore who cushioned a header for the supporting Dylan Mackin. He played in MacLean who slid a nice shot past Brodie.

    A further two minutes past before the Steelmen equalised. The home side pressed high to win the ball back and when Moore slid in Thomas, he wriggled away from the full-back to fire under Brodie into the far corner.

    The scoring wasn’t finished there though and, astoundingly; Dundee got their noses back in front on the 12th minute. A long ball from the back allowed Luka Tankulic to out jump Fraser Kerr. The ball dropped to Cameron, who had got the wrong side of the ‘Well defence, and he kept his cool to hold off O’Brien and slot home.

    ‘Well went in search of a second equaliser and Brodie saved well from Mackin before Jack Leitch dragged a low shot wide of target. Mackin then had another shot, this time from a Thomas cut back, but he blazed over.

    Down the other end, Tankulic brought about a smart save from Currie after driving a shot from distance.

    It was the Steelmen who were the team in the ascendancy though and Moore prodded wide before Brodie was in action again, saving well from Moore again with Leitch narrowly missing the rebound.

    Moore was in the thick of everything and he again went close, flicking a Ramsden ball back into the box just wide before being denied again just before the interval when Brodie flapped at a Hammell cross but the striker’s effort was deflected wide.

    Johansson’s men made a good start and Moore had the ball in the net after just three minutes but the assistant John McCrossan had rightly ruled the striker was offside when O’Brien had fired the ball into the box.

    It was to prove a crucial call as with their next attack, Dundee got their fourth. Cameron picked up on a long diagonal into the right flank, and his cross looked bread and butter for Max Currie, but with little communication in the ‘Well back line, he crashed into Luke Watt and the ball tricked into the net. Josh Kelly smashed it in but replays show the ball was already over the line.

    The Fir Parkers wouldn’t give up though and seven minutes later, they were back to within one. Dom Thomas collected the ball thirty yards from goal and with the Dundee defence backing off; he unleashed a stringing effort into the far corner, with Brodie helpless.

    ‘Well pressed for a fourth and both Moore and Ramsden brought about saves from Brodie before substitute Steven Higgins had the ball in the net, but once again assistant McCrossan had his flag up. This time replays would show the assistant was incorrect with the forward a yard on.

    To complete what was a bizarre afternoon, three minutes later ‘Well had the ball in the net for a sixth time. This time it was Higgins who was the provider, whipping an excellent cross in for Moore who bulleted the ball home. Again, McCrossan’s flag would frustrate the home side.

    The home side pushed and pushed to get level, but Dundee held firm.

  • Archive

    Sportsman’s Dinner: Seats left

    There are still seats / tables left for our Sportsman’s Dinner, re-arranged from last autumn, which will go ahead this Sunday.

    Held at the Dalziel Park, Motherwell and starting at 7.30pm with pre-dinner drinks, it promises to be a night to remember with Tam Cowan once again returning as compere.

    The Scottish Sun’s Andy Devlin will host a Q&A with current skipper Keith Lasley and the rest of the first-team squad will also attend.

    The first speaker is sure to be a real treat – former Grade 1 official Jon Rowbotham. Now retired, John was also a FIFA referee and has officiated at 4 World Cup qualifiers and was always popular down at Fir Park.

    The second speaker is Jimmy Stirling – who has been a regular feature on the the Uk entertainment and after-dinner circuit for over twenty years.

    Jimmy is recognised as one of the most versatile and sought after acts described as ‘THE’ after dinner speakers after dinner speaker.

    We will also have an auction not to be missed, bringing you more incredible ‘money can’t buy’ experiences that any ‘Well fan would love.

    If you want to attend, tables of ten cost just £350+VAT. You can book by phoning 01698 333333 or emailing commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    Attenders should note that some of the language used on the night will be coarse and not suitable for children or the easily offended.

    DRESS CODE: Lounge suits / open shirt – no requirement to wear a tie.

  • Archive

    Vacancy: Communications Manager

    The ‘Well Society has created a new post for a Marketing, Communications Manager.

    The Society is poised to increase its membership and provide further support to the Motherwell FC business plan.

    We are seeking to appoint a full-time experienced and creative Marketing and Communications manager who will develop the society brand and help drive its campaign to recruit twice as many new members as currently.

    Reporting to the Society Chairman, the new manager will liaise closely with the club’s soon to be appointed marketing and commercial manager.

    Initially, the role will focus sharply on the marketing for and recruitment of new members through a range of actions linked to the society’s marketing and communications strategy, to which the new manager will contribute.

    As the role develops, the manager will concentrate on a range and variety of relevant projects.

    The role will also involve the administration of relevant processes, systems and procedures necessary to ensure the society is run on a professional, business-like manner

    The role will involve flexible working hours to take account of the nature of the work, which includes evening work from time-to-time.

    The ideal candidate will possess most of the following:

    Qualifications

    • a degree or national diploma in marketing/business management

    Experience

    • a successful track record in a marketing/sales department within a relevant business environment for at least two/three years
    • project/change management experience
    • brand/concept development and management experience
    • experience of internet, social media marketing, and tele-sales
    • customer/client relations and people management
    • experience of dealing with a range of media effectively

    Skills and Qualities

    • empathy for a community-based enterprise and the club’s vision for success
    • well developed social skills and emotional intelligence
    • outcome focused
    • competent writer
    • leadership qualities
    • enterprising
    • ability to translate creative thinking into concrete actions
    • setting and achieving objectives using relevant metrics to measure success
    • data analyses skills
    • building professional networks and links

    Main Duties

    • developing a range of marketing materials and programmes
    • data maintenance and management
    • formulating, planning and executing strategy and actions
    • developing and maintaining society web-site and links with club web-site
    • supporting the club’s business plan and marketing and sales strategy
    • providing admin support for the society, including at meetings and events
    • interact with society members
    • liaising closely with club’s marketing and sales manager and team, club staff and departments, MFC Community Trust, and external agencies and organisations
    • other duties that may be required in order to fulfil the role effectively.

    Salary:

    Negotiable, depending on experience

    Closing Date for applications

    30th April 2015

    To apply, please send an email to well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk with a,

    • covering letter outlining why you would like to apply for the job
    • statement indicating how you match the experience and skills required for the post
    • brief CV relevant to the role

    Please indicate FAO Brian McCafferty at the top of the email.

    Alternatively, please send a the above by post to,

    Brian McCafferty, Chairman

    Well Society, Motherwell Football Club

    Fir Park Stadium, Fir Park Street

    MOTHERWELL, Ml1 2QN

    CRITERIA FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

     

  • Archive

    Under 20s to take on Dundee

    Motherwell Under 20s return to action on Tuesday afternoon when they take on Dundee at Fir Park.

    Jonatan Johansson’s youngsters had been on an excellent run of form, but lost to both Partick Thistle and Celtic in recent weeks. However, a fine 4-1 victory over Hearts has them back on track and they’ll be looking to repeat that once again.

    The Steelmen, currently sitting in mid-table tenth position – a single point behind the Dee, previously lost to the Tayside club 1-0 at Alloa’s Indodrill Stadium back in late November.

    The match will take place at Fir Park Stadium, with kick-off set for 2pm.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Firhill

     Extended highlights from Firhill as Motherwell sink to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Partick Thistle.

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle defeat in pictures

    Action pictures from this afternoon’s frustrating 2-0 by Partick Thistle at Firhill.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

    [svgallery name=”partickthistle110415″]

  • Archive

    TV: Baraclough’s Firhill frustration

    ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough was left disappointed after his side turned in an insipid second-half showing at Firhill this afternoon.

    There was precious little between the teams in a relatively uneventful first forty-five, with John Sutton’s close-range shot the only chance of note.

    However, ‘Well failed to turn in in the second half, and Lyle Taylor’s double was enough to give Thistle the win and extended their advantage over the Steelmen to seven points.

    [pullquote]I’m disappointed that we couldn’t kick on in the second half  from the first half, which I thought was a half decent first forty-five.[/pullquote]

    Speaking to MFC TV after the match, he said: “I’m disappointed that we couldn’t kick on in the second half  from the first half, which I thought was a half decent first forty-five.

    “We played in the majority of the game in their half but maybe could have put the ball in the box more as whenever we did we got chances on goal. In the second half that went against us and we didn’t do the basics right.

    “We didn’t scrap for second balls or get a foothold in the game by securing decent possession.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle 2 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    Phil McGhee at Firhill Stadium

    10-man Motherwell turned in a flat performance to lose 2-0 to Partick Thistle at Firhill this afternoon.

    Defeat for the Jags would have seen them sit just a single point behind the Steelmen.

    But two second-half goals from Lyle Taylor were enough to allow Partick to extend their lead over ‘Well to seven points.

    It was Motherwell who could have been ahead with just three minutes on the clock.

    A poor pass back from Abdul Osman to goalkeeper Scott Fox was intercepted by Scott McDonald.

    He squared to John Sutton but the striker’s shot hit a deflection and spun inches wide of the post.

    Thistle recovered from the early scare but chances from either side were few and far between in a drab first half.

    With 10 minutes to go until the break, Taylor tried his luck with an effort that was high and wide and failed to trouble George Long in the Well goal.

    Kallum Higginbotham then fired a low cross into the box but there were no takers in front of goal.

    Higginbotham had a go himself shortly after the restart but his fizzing low drive fell wide of the target.

    The breakthrough came on 53 minutes when Thistle surged into the lead.

    Higginbotham’s free-kick picked out Conrad Balatoni at the back post and he nodded across goal for Taylor to head home from a yard out. There was a hint of offside, but it was incredibly tight and ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough will have been more frustrated with his side’s defending, rather than any flag from the official.

    Taylor then passed up a great chance to double the lead when he collected the ball on the six-yard line and somehow managed to hook over with only the goalkeeper to beat.

    But he made amends with Thistle’s second of the day after 61 minutes.

    Callum Booth whipped a low ball into the box from the left and Taylor’s initial shot was incredibly stopped by Long from point-blank range, only for the rebound to fall kindly to the on-loan Scunthorpe striker who smashed home.

    The home side were hungry for more goals and only a decent save from Long prevented a fierce shot from Steven Lawless hitting the back of the net.

    With 20 minutes to go, tempers began to flare and Taylor and Keith Lasley were both booked following an altercation in the middle of the park.

    Thistle were desperate to put the game beyond Motherwell and they were threatening again when Balatoni threw himself at Higginbotham’s free-kick but failed to keep his header on target.

    The visitors were dealt a further blow when Stuart Carswell saw red with two minutes to go after picking up two cautions in the space of four minutes.

    And there proved to be no way back for Motherwell, who passed up the chance to drag Partick into the relegation battle.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Firhill Stadium

    FT| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC

    Full time here at Firhill. Partick Thistle 2 – 0 Motherwell

    90’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Two minutes added on.

    88’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Red card! Carswell is given his second yellow, for clattering into Stevenson

    84’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Carswell is booked for pulling Bannigan’s shirt as Thistle broke.

    79’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Thistle sub, Doolan on for Taylor.

    78’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Good save again from Long, this time denying Bannigan from just inside the box.

    75’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Motherwell subs, Sutton and Lasley off for Carswelll and Moore

    71’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Law wins ‘Well a corner….no takers for Thomas’ delivery though.

    71’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Taylor and Lasley both booked for a bit of handbags in midfield.

    66’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Very, very flat performance today. Lawless has a shot from the edge of the box but Long is equal to it and saves.

    65’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for Dom Thomas.

    61’| 2-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Goal – It’s 2-0. Lyle Taylor again poking home from close range.

    59’| 1-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Taylor has a great chance as he goes through 1 on 1 with Long, who makes a great save!

    54’| 1-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Goal – Taylor heads home from close range to give Thistle the lead.

    49’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Higginbotham tries his luck from 25 yards but gets it all wrong at it trickles harmlessly wide.

    HT| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Pearson and Ainsworth get the second 45 underway

    HT| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    The teams are back out the tunnel for the second half.

    HT| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Half time: A goalless first 45 here. Not been much in terms of goal mouth action.

    37’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Higginbotham fires in a low cross but again no takers. Thistle looking more dangerous.

    35’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Taylor sprints past McManus and gets a good cross into the box, which thankfully just evades Stevenson at the back post

    31’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Lasley is hacked down on the right hand side.. Ainsworth delvers the free-kick to Sutton but he is offside.

    29’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Long throw in from Thistle which falls to Osman. He shoots from 15 yards but the sting is taken out it and Long saves.

    26’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    McManus concedes a corner, which McDonald easily heads away.

    25’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Ainsworth is played in down the right wing and gets a cross in for Erwin but his header is tame and straight at Fox.

    22’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Free-kick to ‘Well wide on the right….ref says Frans was fouled as McManus tried to get on the end of it.

    19’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Ainsworth beats Booth down the right wing but sclaffs his cross and it sails out for a goal kick.

    10’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Decent opening 10 minutes.The swirling wind here is causing both defences problems.

    2’| 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    What a chance as Osman’s backpass is intercepted by McDonald who squares it to Sutton but his shot is deflected wide!

    Kick-Off | 0-0 | #PTFCvMFC
    Stevenson and Lawless get the game underway. COYW!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

    “Both goals were offside, having seen them. It wasn’t picked up by anybody – even our lads.

    “The second one was possibly a yard offside, the first one was tighter to call. You hope to get a bit of help from the officials but if he hasn’t seen it, that’s fine.

    “We weren’t good enough in the second half to go and win the game.”

    Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald:

    “I’m absolutely delighted with the win. I don’t think it was much of a spectacle in the first half but in the second half we were the better team and probably deserved the victory.

    “We go into the split with confidence and with a seven-point cushion.

    “The way it works, we could play them again in our next game and that could make the gap between us 10 points or four points.

    “But we’re in a good place. We have momentum and another clean sheet as well but we’ll need more than this.

    “You see the threat Motherwell pose with their strikers so they’ll win again and so will Ross County, so we’ll need to go again.

    “The clean sheet was pleasing and it came from our two centre-backs standing up to their threat because they’re difficult guys to play against.

    “I think we’ll need more than 40 points to stay up, although our goal difference will help as well.

    “But going above Kilmarnock makes this a good day, even though they have games in hand.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”228″]

  • Archive

    TV: Baraclough keen to close gap

    ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough hopes the Steelmen can maintain their current form and drag other teams into the fight at the bottom.

    With the Fir Parkers and Ross County picking up points in the last month, it’s brought both much closer to the pack, when everyone having thought it was a straight three-way fight between the Staggies, St Mirren and ‘Well.

    Now Motherwell face Partick Thistle, themselves in a fairly decent vein of form having won three and drawing one of their last six, hoping three points will bring them to within one of the Glasgow side before the league splits.

    [pullquote]Every game has been a big one and we have met that head on, and gone and dealt with it very well.[/pullquote]

    “We’ve got a chance tomorrow to be within touching distance of Patrick Thistle, and that’s an important factor going into the game,” he said.

    “They’ll be desperate to pull away because they’ll have looked at it from two or three weeks ago and thought they were perhaps in a bit of safety.

    “Now they’re not so comfortable, and we can make it even more uncomfortable for them. You try to drag those teams down, and we can do that tomorrow.

    “Every game has been a big one and we have met that head on, and gone and dealt with it very well. We’ve been good away from home, so this game holds no fears for us.

    “We know it’ll be tough, Thistle are a good side but we’re going there full of confidence.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: Lasley aiming for strong finish

    Keith Lasley hopes to finish the season on a high, and get ‘Well out of the fight at the bottom.

    The Steelmen skipper has played in huge part in recent seasons, leading the team to almost unparalleled on-field success, including three ‘Best of the Rest’ finishes and numerous European matches.

    This season has been far more difficult, but recent improvements in performance have given the Fir Parkers hope of hauling themselves out of trouble, and possibly dragging others into the fight.

    Asked where the retention of top-flight status would rank among his other achievements, Lasley, in his second spell at the club, said: “Obviously you have had so much success at this club in terms of European qualification, cup finals and semi-finals and things like that.

    “But I think if we got to the end of the season and got ourselves out of this position, there would be a real sense of pride, I suppose. It is hard to say.

    “You could finish 10th and you think ‘that is a terrible season’ but given the position we were in and how hopefully we are going to get out of it, I still think there is a lot of positives to take out of that.

    “Even when we were achieving great things on the park in terms of consistency levels in our league position, we said all along that it is not a given.

    [pullquote]We just want to take ourselves out of it and if we do then we can sit down at the end of the season and say, no, it wasn’t a great season but we got ourselves out of a tricky situation.[/pullquote]

    “We only got that because we worked so hard as a group and were lucky with injuries at times and all the other sides are trying to do the same as you.

    “This year we have not been quite at the same level and other teams have and in this league you are going to lose more games than you win if you are not quite at it.

    “So we don’t take anything for granted. We just want to take ourselves out of it and if we do then we can sit down at the end of the season and say, no, it wasn’t a great season but we got ourselves out of a tricky situation.”

    Lasley believes the 2-1 home win over Inverness at the end of February was a turning point.

    The former Plymouth player said: “Getting that performance three or weeks ago at Inverness, you looked about and thought ‘yes, we still have some good players here’.

    “It is that bit of belief and that is massive in football. And you take that on and we have managed to get a bit of momentum.”

    MFC TV