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[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee New Douglas Park

Motherwell found no compassion from their neighbours as a goal in each half gave Hamilton the points at New Douglas Park.

Conversely, with only 12 points to play for the result leaves the Fir Park side needing a couple of ‘snookers’ if they are to escape from the play-off spot.

Facing an Accies side which had gone some time without a win, the ‘Well players knew a win was imperative in their battle to get out of eleventh spot. And the fans who outnumbered the home support were fully aware of the importance of the game – with an impressive display of handheld cards in the club’s colours stretching across the away stand before the kick-off.

However, after a solid first half when they created numerous chances and twice struck the woodwork, ‘Well never looked like recovering from Accies’ second goal early in the second half.

The visitors had an early scare when Josh Law bundled into Dougie Imrie 12 yards in front of goal but referee John Beaton waved away appeals for a penalty.

It took until the tenth minute before a ‘keeper was tested, Michael McGovern diving high to his left to palm away a rising 18 yard drive from Lionel Ainsworth.

Accies opened the scoring after 21 minutes when Jason Scotland dragged the ball between Loius Laing and Anthony Straker at the ‘D’ of the penalty box before drilling his shot low into George Long’s right hand corner.

‘Well came within a whisker of an equaliser three minutes later when Erwin latched onto a McDonald pass at the edge of the box before firing in a shot which skimmed the outside of the post.

Ian Baraclough was then forced into a change, Laing limping off to be replaced by Fraser Kerr.

Before he could settle into his defensive role Accies almost doubled their lead on the half hour mark when Michael Devlin’s looping header came crashing down from the underside of the crossbar.

Two minutes later it was Motherwell’s turn to curse their luck. McDonald superbly picked out Johnson at the corner of the box, who cut inside before lashing his shot beyond the ‘keeper and against the face of the bar.

McDonald was again the provider just before the break when his pass released Erwin but McGovern raced from his line to block the striker’s shot on goal.

That left ‘Well needing a bit more luck and at least a couple of goals in the second half. And the 2,000 fans behind McGovern’s goal were almost cheering the equaliser three minutes after the break when Ainsworth’s in-swinging free kick curled just beyond the ‘keeper’s post.

At the other end Long was tested by Darian MacKinnon’s rising shot. However, Long was beaten again in the 52nd minute when Ali Crawford rifled the ball low into the corner to make it 2-0 and leave Motherwell with a mountain to climb.

On the hour ‘Well made their second change, Dom Thomas coming on for Johnson. He gave a moment of hope when his low shot looked to sneak inside the post but instead rolled into the side netting.

With 17 minutes remaining McDonald made way for John Sutton who grabbed a late double against Accies at Fir Park.

Sutton came close heading an Ainsworth free kick beyond the post, but Well’s night was summed up two minutes from the end when Erwin raced away from the home defence only to play the ball off the advancing ‘keeper.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at New Douglas Park

 FT | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC

Hamilton Accies 2 – 0 Motherwell

90′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Four minutes added on.

88′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Another good stop from McGovern, again denying Erwin from a 1v1 situation.

85′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Yellow card for Hasselbaink for time wasting.

83′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
From the free-kick, Sutton’s glancing header goes just past the post.

82′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Lyon booked for hacking down Thomas as he skipped past him.

77′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Sutton inches away from connecting with Thomas’ cross. Would have made the closing stages of the game interesting.

73′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
One last throw of the dice, Sutton on for McDonald.

72′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Devlin booked for time wasting.

68′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Ainsworth’s shot is delfected wide for a corner….Thomas’ strike comes off the side of the post!

66′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Accies sub, Scotland off for Hasselbaink

59′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Motherwell sub, Dom Thomas on for Johnson.

58′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Hamilton Accies sub, Tena off for Lucas

52′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Goal – It’s 2-0. Crawford with a powerful low strike from 20 yards into the bottom corner. A lot to do now.

47′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Johnson wins a free-kick, wide on the left…Erwin’s header flashes inches past the post!

45′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Second half is underway. Big performance needed.

HT | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Half time here and it’s Hamilton Accies 1 – 0 Motherwell

44′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Great chance again for Erwin but McGovern does well to save hos low shot with his feet!

32′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Off the bar from Johnson!! Cut in off the right and curled a great effort which was unfortunate not to go in!

31′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Similar chance up the other end but Kerr gets his free header all wrong and nods it well over the bar.

30′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Devlin’s looping header from Crawford’s corner, crashes back off the bar!

28′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Forced change for Motherwell, Kerr coming on for the injured Laing.

24′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Glorious chance for an equaliser but Erwin’s half-volley from McDonald’s lay off skims the post!

21′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Goal – Scotland puts Accies ahead, firing past Long from the edge of the box.

14′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Hamilton win their first corner of the game. Crawford takes, Lasley heads clear at front post.

12′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Decent chance there for ‘Well as Ainsworth picked out McDonald who then found Johnson but his cross was gathered.

11′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Chance! Ainsworth’s shot from just inside the box is deflected by Hendrie but McGovern reacts well to make the save.

7′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Johnson’s cross is block and it goes out for a corner. Headed clear by Scotland.

5′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
First chance for Accies. Falls awkwardly for Gillespie on the edge of the box and he scuffs his shot just wide.

Kick-Off | #HAFCvMFC
Lasley and Johnson get the game underway. COYW!!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

Coming soon

Hamilton manager Martin Canning:

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[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Scott McDonald admits ‘Well aren’t looking too far ahead in their battle to avoid a play-off spot.

The Steelmen currently sit six points adrift of tenth-placed Ross County with five games remaining of the 2014/15 campaign.

Now the league has split into two, everyone will play each other, adding further spice to the run-in, although the 31-year old Aussie International is adamant the Fir Park dressing room is looking no further than Friday’s Lanarkshire derby with Accies.

“The next five games are massive, obviously, but I’m going to play it down a little bit,” the former Middlesbrough and Millwall front man said.

[pullquote]Mathematically it is hard to work out how many points you are going to need to avoid the play-off spot but teams will take points off each other and in this situation, we can only concentrate on ourselves.[/pullquote]

“We’ve got to take each game as it comes, starting with Hamilton tomorrow night. It’s a big game and one we’ll look to take maximum points from.

“We beat them four nil a couple of weeks ago and on that night we took our chances. Dougie Imrie had a great shot that went just wide and if that goes in, it’s possibly a different outcome. Come Friday night it will be all about who takes that chance, especially the first one as the first goal is always vital.

“Mathematically it is hard to work out how many points you are going to need to avoid the play-off spot but teams will take points off each other and in this situation, we can only concentrate on ourselves.

“We’ll aim to win all five; whether or not we can will be the big question will be the big question. It starts tomorrow night and we want the three points to put us in the position where come Saturday there will be teams that drop points and we’ll see where that takes us.”

Ian Baraclough says he’s excited by the prospect of playing in post-split matches and thinks the format can help his side in the remaining five games.

It’s the first time the Englishman has experienced this sort of format, with the league dividing into two with each time in the bottom six facing each other between now and May 23rd.

And with the Fir Parkers sitting six points behind nearest side Ross County, it’s a scrap to avoid a play-off spot against a Championship side at the end of next month.

[pullquote]Everybody has to play each other and everyone is fighting for those important points. Every team will be taking points off each other and the situation will be changing all the time.[/pullquote]

The former Scunthorpe and Sligo boss said: “You tick the games off as they come and I quite like the format. Everybody has to play each other and everyone is fighting for those important points. Every team will be taking points off each other and the situation will be changing all the time.

“In any scenario, be it battling up the top or battling down the bottom; they come with their own pressures and that’s why you’re in the job. You’ve got to accept there is not too many that can win all the time and at times you’ve got to deal with some downward spirals.

“I know what it’s like to be a player in these circumstances and questions will be put at you all the time. You need to be strong mentally and be positive in what you do.

“You’ve got to believe in your own ability, your team-mates ability and we’ve got that strength in character. We’ve got a real good work ethic as a group of players and there has been no signs of any stress for me.”

‘Well fans should note the Ticket Office at Fir Park is open late tonight (7pm) for anyone wishing to buy tickets for Friday’s derby at New Douglas Park.

The Steelmen have already sold just short of 1,000 of the 2,189 allocation for the game, with ‘Well fans housed in both the Spice of Life North Stand and the temporary stand along the side of the pitch.

Tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Under 18s and Over 65s
• We can no longer facilitate phone orders – anyone wishing a ticket must now purchase in person.

Extended highlights from the Global Energy Stadium as Steven Higgins second half opener is cancelled out by Kyle MacLeod.

Jonatan Johnasson was satisfied with his the workout his team good against Ross County this afternoon.

Both starting elevens were ramped full of experienced players with the likes of Mark O’Brien, Stevie Hammell, Zaine Francis-Angol, Jack Leitch and Craig Moore lining up in Claret and Amber, with Stevie Saunders, Richard Brittain, Graham Carey, Tony Dingwall and Jake Jervis amongst the talent in the Staggies side.

In the end it was two youngsters who got amongst the goals, with Kyle MacLeod cancelling out Steven Higgins’ opener for ‘Well.

And the former Charlton striker was pleased with how his team performed in a warm Highland afternoon.

[pullquote]It was a combative game, I enjoyed watching it and we’ve certainly taken a great deal from it.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “It was a good tester for both teams who were strong with several first-team players.

“It certainly played more like a first-team game and that was pleasing as some of the senior players who have taken a good deal out of it.

“Both teams were looking to press, and that forced teams to go long at times with plenty of aerial battles. They had a good striker in Jervis playing up top but I felt our two at the back coped well with him.

“It was a combative game, I enjoyed watching it and we’ve certainly taken a great deal from it.”

Motherwell and Ross County Under 20s played out a fairly uneventful 1-1 draw at Dingwall this afternoon.

Both sides had notable first-termers in their starting eleven, including Stevie Hammell who played another full ninety minutes on the road to recovery.

Steven Higgins slammed the Steelmen in front on the hour mark but the lead only lasted nine minutes when Kyle MacLeod to level things nine minutes later.

Despite both teams trading chances, neither could add to the scoring and the game finished all square.

Jonatan Johansson’s side started well and after just two minutes, got their first sight of goal. Steven Higgins played a hopeful ball over the top to Moore who did well to spin Miller and get a shot away. Goalkeeper Tait was equal to it, and former ‘Well man Stevie Saunders mopped up the danger.

Once both sides settled into the action, County had the bulk of the play. The experience Graham Carey, on his road back from injury, went close twice within five minutes. Both were long range strikes, and both failed to test Long in the Motherwell goal.

Chances are few and far between until a clever set-piece from County almost opened the scoring. Brittain played it low to MacLeod who met it first time 15 yards out, and with Long scrambling to get down to it, the ball trickled just past the post.

The only other talking point from the first half was a strong penalty shout from ‘Well. Higgins showed a good turn of pace to get past left-back Ross and appeared to have been hacked to the ground.

The Motherwell players were further riled by the referee’s decision to give a goal kick. Highlights show that it was a fairly close call, but Ross had indeed played the ball.

Into the second half and with their first meaningful attack of the half, the Steelmen took the lead.

Higgins picked the ball up just inside the Ross County half and, after a one-two with Leitch, drove forward and fired off a shot from 30 yards which bounced awkwardly in front of Tait and sailed into the net.

It might have been two-nil seconds later when Higgins and Mackin combined, but the latter’s shot flew just wide of target.

However, less than ten minutes later, County were back level.

Carey jinked down the right wing and cleverly scooped a ball into the box and onto the head of Dingwall whose header fell fortunately off the back of Hall. MacLeod reacted quickest and slammed the ball into the net from close range.

County should had have taken the lead shortly after when Carey’s shot from fifteen yards forced Long into a decent save.

The hosts cranked up the pressure in the last time minute – Jervis forcing Long into another save before MacLeod headed a close-range effort wide.

At the other end, Jack Leitch fired an effort from distance that forced Tait into a difficult save, but that was it as the game ended all square.

Motherwell: Long, Watt, Hammell, Hall, O’Brien, Francis-Angol (McCall – 46mins), J. Leitch, MacLean, Higgins, Mackin, Moore

Subs Not Used: Currie, Anderson, McCall, R. Leitch, McNulty, Watters

Following the publication of the split fixture list we now know who we are up against in the battle to stay up.

While nothing is guaranteed, I remain optimistic that the team can put in a good run of results from now until the end of the season, starting with our local rivals Hamilton a week on Friday, 24 April.

The support for the team from fans over the past few weeks, in particular, has been excellent, for which the manager, players and staff at the club is most grateful.

It goes without saying that the team now needs your continued support throughout our next five games, which will determine the final outcome of our season’s campaign and hopefully end on a high.

For the sake of the team and the club, I urge all fans not only to continue attending games in large numbers but also to invite your friends, uncles, aunties, grannies or next door neighbours to join you for the next three crucial home games, which start on Saturday 2 May against Ross County – a classic six pointer if ever there was one!

I am convinced that the greater number of Motherwell fans and friends of Motherwell attend these games the more likely the players will respond to your vocal support and take us out of the danger zone.

Your support really makes a difference. Please, make every effort to be there for the team!

Thank you for your loyal and continuous support.

Brian McCafferty
Chairman

Tickets for the last Lanarkshire derby of the season have gone on sale at the Fir Park Ticket Office.

The game, scheduled to go ahead on Friday 24th April at New Douglas Park, will be the Steelmen’s first of five vital post-split fixtures.

‘Well have an allocation of 2,189 for both the Spice of Life North Stand and the temporary stand along the east side of the pitch.

Tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Under 18s and Over 65s.
• The Ticket Office will be open standard hours for this week and next. Telephone bookings can be taken any weekdays up until close of business this coming Tuesday (21st April).
• In addition to the standard opening times, fans can purchase tickets at the ‘Well Shop this Saturday (18th April) between 10am and 1pm and late night on Wednesday (22nd April) to 7pm.

Motherwell will kick-off their post split fixtures with a Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park.

That game will go ahead on Friday 24th April live on BT Sport (7.45pm KO).

Ian Baraclough’s side will then face Ross County at home on Saturday 2nd May (3pm KO) and then Kilmarnock at home on Friday 8th May (7.45pm KO), again live on BT Sport.

The Steelmen will then travel to St Mirren on Saturday 16th May (3pm KO) before finishing the season with Partick Thistle at home on Saturday 23rd May (although this game may be changed to Friday 22nd depending on the outcome of results over the next few weeks).