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[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee at  McDiarmid Park

For the second successive week, ‘Well were pegged back after taking a first-half lead to lose 1-2.

Seven days ago it was against the Dons at Fir Park, this time it was St Johnstone in Perth, but the game followed a familiar pattern.

‘Well took a deserved first-half lead when Louis Moult converted a Lionel Ainsworth cross and indeed, the only frustration at the interval was the margin was just one.

However, it was the clichéd game of two halves as Saints dominated the second forty-five and scored two similar goals courtesy of Steven McLean.

To rub salt into the wounds, Jake Taylor was not only denied a penalty in the closing stages, he was ordered off for simulation when television replays appear to show the on-loan Reading man was tripped by Tam Scobbie.

Ian Baraclough stuck with the same starting eleven that took to the field against both Hearts and Aberdeen, with Louis Moult leading the attack and that worked a treat as the former Wrexham man opened his Motherwell account after just eleven minutes.

Lionel Ainsworth managed to pick up the ball deep in Saints territory. After a neat one-two with McDonald that took him around Brian Easton, the winger fired a low, hard cross across the face of goal that was gobbled up at the far post by the Fir Park front man.

Incredibly, within sixty seconds, Moult could have made it 0-2. Tam Scobbie lost his footing, allowing the 23-year old in one-on-one with Mannus. However, it was the Northern Irish keeper who won the dual, standing tall for as long as possible before blocking the low shot with his foot.

There was frustration amongst the visitor’s ranks when referee Craig Thomson booked Jake Taylor for blocking a quick free kick. It looked a fairly harsh call given the ball was blasted against him as he was getting back into position and it would prove costly later in the match.

‘Well continued to control the game and Scott McDonald came close to getting on the score sheet with a driving strike from distance, but it wasn’t far off nestling.

All the threat was at the Saints goal at this point and Ainsworth followed McDonald’s lead with an effort from distance, but his drilled shot flew narrowly over the Mannus’ bar.

Saints took until the 38th minute to really create anything of note but when they did, they forced Connor Ripley into two decent stops. denying McLean on both occasions. Both came from Joe Shaughnessy, and both were snap shots, but the on-loan Boro man twice saved in style.

Just before the interval, ‘Well got in behind the Saints defence again via McDonald, but his low near-post cross was beat out by Mannus before being hooked clear.

The second half started with more frustration amongst the ‘Well squad when referee Thomson failed to take action against Murray Davidson for blocking a free kick, despite carding Taylor earlier in the match, much to the chagrin of the ‘Well bench and support behind the goal.

Undeterred, ‘Well still looked in good nick and almost made it 0-2 when, after a neat passing move down the left, Lasley found space inside the area. With Ainsworth begging to be teed up, the skipper took on the shot himself but shot over from about twelve yards.

Ainsworth did have a shot himself a minute later but Shaughnessy did ‘Well to block at the expense of a corner.

Sadly, that was really it for ‘Well, who stopped doing what they had been for the opening fifty minutes and fell completely out the game.

It started with a Cummins header off the bar, which only came about after the home defence had switched off from a simple throw-in situation over on the far touchline.

The warning was heeded though and Tommy Wright’s men drew level on the 66th minute. Cummins was again involved, collected a pass from Wotherspoon inside the area, dribbling away from Law before McLean, who had got himself in between the Motherwell centre backs, tapped his the low cross into the net from two yards out.

Saints tails were up and Shaughnessy headed a free-kick over before Ripley had to look smart to get off his line to deny the advancing Chris Kane, who had replaced Cummins four minutes previous.

Then, with eleven minutes left to play, disaster struck as Saints took the lead with a goal almost a carbon copy of their first. Michael O’Halloran wriggled his way between subs Dom Thomas and Joe Chalmers before sending a low ball across the face of goal that was again turned in by McLean.

There was still time for talking points though as the game finished in controversy.

Thomas fired the ball to Taylor inside the area and as he flicked it around Scobbie, the former Falkirk man caught him with an outstretched leg. It looked a penalty, but not only did referee Thomson not award a spot kick; he produced a second yellow and a red for Taylor who was sent for an early bath.

Replays would show it was very tough on the Motherwell midfielder.

There was still time for Motherwell to get level and deep into stoppage time, Moult went close to grabbing a share of the spoils. The striker got on the end of a curling Chalmers free kick but despite beating Davidson to the ball, his header dropped a foot wide of goal.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at McDiarmid Park

FULL-TIME
St Johnstone 2 – 1 Motherwell

92′ | 2-1
Chalmers whips in a free-kick which is nodded just wide by Moult!

90′ | 2-1
Three minutes added on

87′ | 2-1
St Johnstone sub, Craig on for O’Halloran

86′ | 2-1
Red Card! Referee says Taylor dived in the box and shows him his second yellow.

79′ | 2-1
Goal: St Johnstone take the lead, Maclean with a similar goal to his first.

77′ | 1-1
Motherwell sub, Thomas on for McDonald.

75′ | 1- 1
Ripley races off his line to gather at the feet of the onrushing Kane. Not been a great second half for ‘Well.

71′ | 1- 1
St Johnstone sub, Cummins makes way for Kane.

70′ | 1- 1
With 20 minutes left, here are some of the match stats:

68′ | 1- 1
Chalmers booked for tripping O’Halloran. From the free-kick, Shaughnessy heads over.

66′ | 1- 1
Motherwell sub, Leitch is on for Ainsworth

66′ | 1-1
Goal – MacLean brings St Johnstone with a close range effort.

58′ | 0-1
St Johnstone sub, Wotherspoon on for Lappin.

56′ | 0-1
Close! Cummins’ header strikes the top of the bar. A let-off.

53′ | 0-1
Ainsworth gets into a great area but Shaughnessy does enough to contain him and block his shot for a corner.

52′ | 0-1
Great play from Moult then McDonald sets up Lasley on the edge of the box but the captain fires over the bar.

47′ | 0-1
Frustrating refereeing there as Davidson blocks a quick free-kick and isn’t shown the same card as Taylor was earlier on.

45′ | 0-1
Half-time sub for ‘Well, Hammell off for Chalmers.

HALF-TIME
St Johnstone 0 – 1 Motherwell

41′ | 0-1
Another stinging effort from MacLean and again Ripley is equal to it! Superb stuff from the big Englishman.

39′ | 0-1
Great stop from Ripley to palm away MacLean’s powerful volley from 15 yards!! Should have been 1-1.

38′ | 0-1
Cummins spins Laing on the edge of the box and takes the shot on early. Fortunately it is straight at Ripley who makes the stop.

37′ | 0-1
Lasley works some space and lays it off to Ainsworth who blasts over the bar from 25 yards.

34′ | 0-1
Another Lappin corner is straight to Ripley. Comfortable for the big man.

30′ | 0-1
McDonald takes a shot from range and it whistles inches past the top corner! Great effort from the Aussie.

27′ | 0-1
Ball into the box seems an awkward height for Cummins but he gets a header away which Ripley gathers with ease.

27′ | 0-1
Taylor takes a booking for impeding a quickly taken free-kick.

22′ | 0-1
Half-way through the first half, here’s a check on the match stats so far.

18′ | 0-1
Danger as O’Halloran gets in behind the ‘Well defence but McManus does well to read the danger and cut out the cut-back.

16′ | 0-1
St Johnstone have their second corner of the game but Lappin’s delivery is easy for Ripley.

12′ | 0-1
Very nearly 2 as Moult is played clean through but Mannus made himself big and blocked with his foot.

11′ | 0-1
Ainsworth turns his man and puts it on a plate for Moult who taps in at the back post. 1-0 to the Steelmen!

11′ | 0-1
GGOOOAAALLLL!!!!

9′ | 0-0
St Johnstone win the first corner of the game. Lappin’s ball in is headed clear by Lasley at the front post.

4′ | 0-0
McDonald hits the deck about 20 yards out. Free-kick in a decent area to the left of the box….McDonald’s delivery is cleared.

2′ | 0-0
Decent early sniff of goal for ‘Well as Ainsworth gets down the right win and swings in a good ball. MacKay knees it back to Mannus

Kick-off | 0-0
St Johnstone get the game underway. COYW!!!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

“We created many chances and that dropped off in the second half for one reason or another. That can’t happen or you are not going to win games of football.

“This game was there to be won. Maybe second half we weren’t at it as we were first half but come out with something from the game. Manage the game and make sure you get something – whether it is a point or nicking three.”

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright:

“I thought we started a little bit nervously. I don’t know why that was with all the experience we have got. With the goal I think we could do better. Alan Mannus makes an important save at 1-0 but their goalkeeper has had to make two or three good saves too.

“The second half was what we wanted. We were very much on the front foot. They are going to counter you at times with the pace they have got but overall over the 90 minutes we deserved the win.

“I keep mentioning character because the players have got it in abundance. They stayed in the game and kept going right until the end.

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”240”]

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough hopes Saturday’s match at McDiarmid Park will signal a change in fortunes for his side.

The Steelmen have played reasonably well in three of their four matches this campaign, including going toe-to-toe with both Dundee United and Aberdeen, but have only amassed three points from a victory at the Caledonian Stadium on the opening day.

Three defeats have followed since that win in the Highlands, and all of them have been plagued with disappointing goals, many self-inflicted by mistakes or errors.

However, the positive for the former Scunthorpe and Sligo Ross boss is that whilst the side have conceded cheaply, they have looked a threat going forward and have created numerous chances in almost every game.

[pullquote]We know if we carry on doing the things we are doing, cutting out the silly mistakes, we’re good enough to win games of football.[/pullquote]

With St Johnstone providing the opposition at the weekend, Baraclough is optimistic things will turn for his team.

He said: “We feel as if we’re not far away and the players recognise that as well. There was a good mood this week in training, a real bubbliness about things.

“We know if we carry on doing the things we are doing, cutting out the silly mistakes, we’re good enough to win games of football. If you look at the goals we’ve lost, it’s often been from our error and inevitably, we’ve been punished.

“If we start taking the chances we are creating we’re hopeful we can turn the run of results around. It’s fine margins, we know that, but we need to start making sure it turns in our favour.”

Referee for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with St Johnstone is Craig Thomson.

The 43-year old will be handling his first Motherwell match of the 2015/16 season but took charge of three last term too.

The first two were against Dundee Utd, one a 2-1 loss in the Scottish Cup when Kenny Black took temporary charge, and the other a 3-1 defeat at Tannadice. The most recent was much more memorable, when ‘Well beat Rangers 3-0 in the Play-off Final at Fir Park, to secure their Premiership status.

Thomson, arguably the highest rated amongst the Scottish officials, regularly hosting Champions League, Europa League and International matches, will be a more than familiar face to ‘Well fans, having being a top-flight whistler for over 13 years.

He handled three Motherwell matches the previous term too.

The first was the 1-0 at St Mirren Park in September 2013 when John Sutton’s first-half header secured the points.

The second was the fine 2-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium last April, Henri Anier and Iain Vigurs doing the damage and, most recent, was the enthralling 3-3 draw with Celtic in the same month, when a last-minute Sutton goal earned the Steelmen a point in a topsy-turvy match.

It would have been his fourth but a New Year appointment between ‘Well and Caley was the postponed due to heavy rain.

His record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mix bag with fifteen wins from 42 matches. There have been eighteen defeats and nine draws too.

Not included in that list was the 2007/08 Scottish Cup fourth round replay win against Hearts at Fir Park, when he replaced the injured Stuart Dougal midway through the second-half.
In those games, Motherwell have scored 61 and conceded 60.

149 players have gone into the book, 72 were wearing claret and amber, while five players, including former and current captains Stephen Craigan and Keith Lasley, have been dismissed.

Craig will be ably assisted by Stuart Stevenson and David McGeachie with Crawford Allan on fourth official duties.

Motherwell Ladies FC are delighted to announce the signing of Scotland International midfielder Megan Sneddon.

The 29-year old has agreed to join to the end of the current season and will bolster an already impressive looking squad as the Ladies look to add the League title to the League Cup they won earlier in the campaign.

Megan began her career at Kilmarnock and spent four years there before moving to Queens Park. She followed that with five years at high-flying Glasgow City. From there a short stint at Liverpool saw her return to Scotland with Celtic before making the move across the city to rivals Rangers.

In a distinguished international career she amassed 130 international caps although never having the opportunity to play in a major finals with Scotland sadly failing three times at the play off stage.

On her move to Motherwell, Megan said: “I am delighted that Motherwell have given me the chance to kick start my career. I’m looking forward to getting back on the pitch as I’ve hardly kicked a ball since November. It will also be great to play alongside some familiar faces as well.”

[pullquote]I’m looking forward to getting back on the pitch as I’ve hardly kicked a ball since November. It will also be great to play alongside some familiar faces as well.[/pullquote]

Ladies boss Greame McArthur added: “We are thrilled to have Megan on board as she will add quality to an already competitive squad. It’s not possible to have enough good players and there is real competition now and that will only help as we move towards the end of the 2015 season.”

Commenting on the signing, Motherwell FC Community Trust General Manager Charlie Bennett commented: ‘Megan has had a tough time over the last few months with a calf injury and we are pleased we have been able to entice her to Motherwell as we enter a crucial part of the season.

“She is another experienced player with a high profile and as well as being a valuable asset on the pitch she will be a really positive role model for the very talented players we have coming through our Girls Performance Centre.”

For further information on Girls and Women’s football with Motherwell FC please contact Linda a Gibson, Performance Centre Manager on 01698 239926 or Linda.Gibson@motherwellfc.co.uk

Extended Highlights from Excelsior Stadium where two penalties were enough cancel out David Clarkson’s first half goal and give Aberdeen a 1-2 win.

Under 20s boss Stephen Craigan spoke to MFC TV following Motherwell’s 2-1 defeat by Aberdeen in the Development League.

Despite taking the lead and dominating for large spells, Motherwell Under 20s lost 1-2 to Aberdeen at Excelsior Stadium this afternoon.

The Fir Parkers took the lead when David Clarkson made up for an earlier penalty miss by drilling a stinging shot high into the roof of the net.

Despite being out the game for large spells, the Dons got level on the stroke of half-time when Lawrence Shankland tucked home from the penalty spot after Allan Campbell had brought down Frank Ross.

‘Well continued to take the game to last year’s Champions, but fell behind in controversial circumstances when Kieran Kennedy was adjudged to have fouled Craig Storie. A penalty and an ordering off for the defender; Shankland duly obliged from the spot to make it 1-2.

‘Well huffed and puffed in the closing 25 minutes, creating numerous chances but couldn’t get level.

Stephen Craigan named several first-team players in his squad but it was Aberdeen who had the game’s first real chance when winger Ross outmuscled Campbell but Dan Twardzik was off his line well to make the block.

‘Well’s reply was a Jack Leitch effort that hit a deflection on it’s way inches wide of Robert Mutch’s right hand post.

It was end-to-end stuff as the Twardzik was again called into action on the thirteenth minute, this time blocking a Cammy Smith shot after the forward had got on the end of a neat Ross cutback.

It would prove a vital block as within two minutes, Craigan’s men had got themselves in front. It could have been much easier though as referee Duncan Williams awarded a penalty when Leitch’s shot struck Jamie Henry. It looked like a harsh call given the closeness of the defender to the shot; a caution was even more strict on the young Don.

However, Mutch was there to make sure it stayed level, diving to his left to save fantastically well from Clarkson’s blasted effort.

Clarkson wouldn’t be denied for long though as from the resulting corner, the former Bristol City man picked up on the right hand side before smashing it high past the Dons keeper to make it 1-0.

The home side went on to dominate most of the half with a Chalmers free-kick cannoning the wall, a Chris Cadden effort bouncing into the arms of Mutch and a Dom Thomas shot that flew high over the crossbar.

Dons left-back Liam Lambert almost scored a cracking own goal when his tackle on Clarkson inadvertently turned into a shot, but Mutch bailed him when he got good hands to beat it away.

However, despite being dominated for the majority of the half, the Reds drew level with virtually the last kick of the half. Campbell stretched for the ball but wiped out Ross inside the area, leading to a penalty kick. Lawrence Shankland, the Under 20s league’s top scorer last term, kept his cool to score his second consecutive penalty of the season.

The second half began with an early Aberdeen half chance, Shankland getting on the end of a Wright cross but his header was straight at Twardzik.

However, it was ‘Well who continued to create the best chances and Leitch thought he had scored when he flicked home a Cadden drive, but he was flagged offside by the assistant. Television replays would show the player was onside.

‘Well continued to set the agenda and the Dons’ Dylan Thomas had to hook off the line to deny namesake Dom, whose curling corner almost went straight into the net. Clarkson also took on an ambitious shot from distance, but his dipping volley went high over the bar.

As the hosts were edging closer and closer to a league, against the run of play, Aberdeen got themselves in front. Craig Storie picked up the ball in advanced position, but was quickly marshalled by Kieran Kennedy. The former Man City defender prodded the ball behind as Storie was in flow, with the attacker kicking the back of the defenders leg.

Incredibly, referee Williams not only pointed to the spot, but flashed a red card at the Englishman. ‘Well players surrounded the official, but he was adamant. Shankland was in no mood to show mercy, and he again drilled the ball past Twardzik.

Despite going down to ten men, it was the Fir Parkers who were setting the agenda, opening up the Dons at will. Thomas twice got in behind, but twice Aberdeen somehow scrambled it clear from under their own bar.

The Dons did offer some resistance by way of a Ross counter, but his low effort was palmed away well by Twardzik.

However, the closing stages, much like most of the game, were pretty much one-way traffic towards the vistor’s goal.

After turning his marker inside the box, Thomas could only drag a low shot well wide. A minute later, the winger was in again but his teasing low pass across the six-yard box somehow had no takers.

The chances were still coming though. Jack McMillan could only watch as Mutch turned his low shot away and Thomas had virtually the last kick of the ball, trundling a low effort straight at Mutch from fifteen yards.

It was a hugely frustrating afternoon for ‘Well, who not only played well throughout, but were on the end of a few tough calls.

Motherwell: Twardzik, McMillan, Ferguson, Hall, Kennedy, Campbell (Watt – 69mins), Cadden, Chalmers (Livingstone – 80mins), Clarkson, Thomas, J.Leitch (R.Leitch – 82mins)

Subs Not Used: Long, Hastie, Maguire, Mackin

Goals: Clarkson (18)

Red Card: Kennedy (67)

Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough has put pen to paper and joined the Well Society.

The manager has been thoroughly impressed by MFC’s vision to become the best community club in Scotland and beyond.

In particular, he is a strong advocate of the three-pronged approach involving the club, Community Trust and the society.

So much so that, in addition to the obvious football involvement, he has agreed to support and personally participate in the various programmes provided by the Community Trust.

For example, he has agreed to take part in the Trust’s latest programme entitled, ‘Learn and Play the Motherwell Way’, aimed at supporting young people in the community who are disengaged with formal education.

In addition, as part of the new membership structure, the manager has agreed to support the society by participating in the provision of a range of membership benefits.

For example, he will take part in the Annual Team Quiz Competition, Q&A events along with squad members, present competition prizes to members, and so on.

He said: “When asked to do so, I had no hesitation in joining the society. During my interview for the job, I was convinced of the merits of its role in supporting the club through thick and thin, helping to secure and protect its financial future.

“I am also a strong believer in the club’s Community Trust, which provides so much support for thousands of local people through its range of programmes.

“I have been involved is similar schemes at Sligo, Notts County and Scunthorpe, but the programmes at Motherwell are much more varied and comprehensive.

“For me, joining the society is a personal choice. But I hope fans will also see the benefits of joining, especially in protecting the club long term.”

Well Society and Motherwell FC chairman Brian McCafferty added: “We are grateful to Ian for joining and throwing himself into the community ethos of the club by volunteering to help several programmes.

“We need 2,000 adult members to fulfil our contractual agreement with Les Hutchison and make sure the club remains in safe hands for the long term.

“That figure is half our normal home attendance so we believe it is more than achievable. We are more than halfway there with about 1,100 adult members and 500 junior members.

“If existing members can all persuade one more person to join, the society will quickly exceed its target.

“They have all played a massive part in protecting the club’s finances and top-flight status by raising more than £500,000 and their loyalty and support is very much appreciated by everyone at the club.

“Les has made it clear he is giving us a ‘hand-up, not a handout’ and we need more people to join the avoid a repeat of the precarious situation the club found itself in towards the end of last year.”

To follow Ian Baraclough and all the Motherwell fans who have joined the Well Society, go to thewellsociety.co.uk/pledge

The Under 20s return to action tomorrow (Tuesday) when they take on Aberdeen at the Excelsior Stadium.

Stephen Craigan’s men will look to build on last midweek’s fine 2-4 victory over Ross County in the Highlands in what will be their first scheduled ‘home’ match of the 2015/16 campaign.

The Dons, who won the league last season, kicked off the defence of their crown with a comfortable 2-0 win over St Mirren seven days ago.

The match will take place at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium with a 3pm kick-off.

Entry is free of charge.

Extended Highlights from Fir Park as despite taking an early lead, Aberdeen peg ‘Well back to win 1-2 in the Ladbrokes Premiership.