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    Kilmarnock 0 – 1 Motherwell

  • Archive

    Craig Reid joins St Mirren on loan

  • Archive

    Girls Player Programme launched

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    McGhee still finding the right formula

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    Fletcher feeling fit after early injury

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Inverness

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    Inverness CT U20s 3 – 1 Motherwell U20s

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    Under 20s face Caley Thistle in Inverness

  • Archive

    COMPETITON: Young ‘Well Fans

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    TV: Highlights from Pittodrie

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    Kilmarnock 0 – 1 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Phil McGhee at Rugby Park

    A well-organised Motherwell snatched a late winner to give Mark McGhee his first win in his second spell as ‘Well boss.

    The game looked to be heading for a 0-0 stalemate with neither team able to put the goalkeepers under any sort of sustained pressure.

    However, although Killie edged it in terms of possession, it was the Steelmen who picked up all three points when substitute Louis Moult poked past Jamie McDonald just three minutes from time.

    The result builds on the encouraging performance at Pittodrie last week as the new Motherwell manager looks to make his mark on the squad.

    And McGhee made three changes to that side who battled for a point in the Granite City. Keith Lasley missed out through injury and was replaced by Lionel Ainsworth. Strikers Louis Moult and Wes Fletcher also dropped to the bench, replaced by Scott McDonald and Theo Robinson.

    Within a couple of minutes the front pair had combined, McDonald sending Robinson through who was flagged offside before firing his shot towards Jamie MacDonald.

    However it was Killie, who had been on an impressive run of form with four wins and a draw from the previous seven games, that started the game the brighter of the two teams. Ex ‘Well man Kallum Higginbotham fired over and Josh Magennis headed wide as Gary Locke’s side looked to take a foothold in the game.

    Motherwell looked dangerous on the counter, particularly via Marvin Johnson, but their most meaningful of the opening exchanges came after fifteen minutes when Conrad Balatoni had to take the ball of Pearson’s head after the midfielder had ghosted in at the back post to meet an Ainsworth cross.

    Higginbotham had another effort sail over and Johnson came close with a cross-cum-shot that almost snuck under the bar with McDonald beaten.

    A couple of long penetrating runs from Marvin Johnson raised the expectations of the 600+ ‘Well fans behind the goal but the Killie ‘keeper wasn’t tested until nine minutes from the break.

    Robinson latched onto a defensive mix-up to set up McDonald at the edge of the box but his low tame shot was easily taken by his namesake.

    Down the other end, Rory McKenzie fired a free-kick straight at Ripley who gathered comfortably to ensure it was level at the interval.

    The Fir Parkers made a bright start to the second, with a Johnson cross cut out for a corner and McDonald having to save at the feet of Kennedy when the ball eventually came over. Then, two minutes later, another corner from Ainsworth found Robinson, but his downward header was well held by McDonald in the home goal.

    Killie went on to carve out a couple of half chances, with a Magennis header that dropped wide after he out jumped Ripley, before the ‘Well stopper had to look smart to beat away a low Higginbotham strike. Kiltie also had a wayward shot after he picked up on Josh Law’s headed clearance.

    The Ayrshire side looked to have run out of ideas and when McGhee introduced both Moult and Fletcher, in place of McDonald and Robinson, it gave ‘Well some spark.

    They fired a warning shot across the bow when Johnson’s inviting cross from the left narrowly missed the former Wrexham striker, but that wasn’t repeated eight minutes later when Moult grabbed the winning goal.

    A cross from the right by Law found Fletcher inside the area. He teed up Stephen Pearson for a shot but his effort cannoned off a defender, landed at Moult who toe poked it inside MacDonald’s left hand post from eight yards for his fourth league goal of the season.

    Although ‘Well set out to defend their slender lead, it took two great saves from MacDonald, firstly to block Johnson’s angled drive before denying Moult a second goal in injury time and press his claim for a starting spot against Inverness next Saturday.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Rugby Park

    Louis Moult’s late strike gives ‘Well maximum points. Was a scrappy game but great a very welcome 3 points to take back to Lanarkshire.

    FULL TIME!!

    92′ | 0-1
    Obadeyi gets past Law but much to the Killie fan’s frustration, fires well wide of the post..

    91′ | 0-1
    Motherwell sub, Taylor on for Ainsworth

    90′ | 0-1
    Three minutes added on.

    87′ | 0-1
    Moult pokes home from close range to give ‘Well the lead!!

    GGGGOOOAAALLLLLL!!!!

    And a Killie change, Boyd on for Higginbotham

    84′ | 0-0
    Motherwell sub, McDonald off for Fletcher

    79′ | 0-0
    Inviting ball in from Johnson is just inches too high for Moult who was waiting with intent.

    77′ | 0-0
    Obadeyi’s shot is deflected into the path of Higginbotham but his volley goes wide of the post from 18 yards.

    76′ | 0-0
    Magennis booked for simulation. Didn’t look like he could have too many complaints to be honest.

    73′ | 0-0
    Cross in from Obadeyi is flicked on by Higginbotham and it finds the head of Magennis. Didn’t know much about it and it goes wide

    71′ | 0-0
    Kilmarnock sub, Obadeyi on for Kiltie

    67′ | 0-0
    Law’s defensive header falls at the feet of Kiltie who volleys first time. Flashes wide of the post.

    67′ | 0-0
    McKenzie enters the ref’s book for a trip on Ripley as he went to punt it.

    65′ | 0-0
    Higginbotham rifles a shot in from 25 yards but Ripley is equal to it and palms it away to safety.

    63′ | 0-0
    Deep ball into the box has RIpley racing off his line but he is just beaten to it by Magennis. Thankfully he heads wide.

    62′ | 0-0
    Motherwell sub, Robinson limps off for Moult

    60′ | 0-0
    Chalmers is booked for pulling back McKenzie as he was about to break away.

    55′ | 0-0
    Findlay booked for obstructing Robinson as he broke away. Bit of a stramash afterwards but it cools down.

    52′ | 0-0
    Deep corner into the box by Ainsworth is powerfully headed goalward by Robinson but MacDonald makes the save.

    49′ | 0-0
    Low ball in by Johnson is turned behind for a corner, after a bit of head tennis, MacDonald slides clear at the feet of Kennedy..

    Grimshaw gets the ball rolling for the second half…

    Teams are back out for round 2…

    HT: Kilmarnock 0 – 0 Motherwell

    45′ | 0-0
    There will be two minutes added on.

    44′ | 0-0
    Killie work a set-piece free-kick to McKenzie who shoots from range. Thankfully it is straight at Ripley.

    37′ | 0-0
    McDonald gets the ball in a good area but is forced back and opts for the shot from range but it is an easy gather for MacDonald

    35′ | 0-0
    Ainsworth and McHattie both booked for a bit of handbags. Not that clear what actually happened

    34′ | 0-0
    Nice bit of play down the left by Johnson as he nutmegs O’Hara but his cross is too high and drifts out of play.

    21′ | 0-0
    From that corner, the ball lands nicely to Higginbotham but he can’t keep his effort down and it sails well over.

    20′ | 0-0
    McKenzie picks the ball up on the right hand side and drives at Chalmers. As he shoots, the full back gets a foot in. Corner.

    15′ | 0-0
    Ainsworth hooks in a ball to the back post which Balatoni does well to head wide for a corner under pressure from Pearson.

    13′ | 0-0
    Lung bursting run from Johnson wins ‘Well their first corner…..Balatoni heads it well clear though.

    5′ | 0-0
    O’Hara whips in a decent ball to Magennis but would never score from that position with a header. Wide of the post.

    1′ | 0-0
    Magennis nods the ball down to Higginbotham about 25 yards out. He tries an ambitious shot but fires well over the bar.

    Slater and Higginbotham get the action underway. COYW!!!

    Out come the teams, both sides accompanied by their Halloween mascots. Some good efforts out there! #KFCvMFC

    Nice day through in Kilmarnock as the teams just go through their pre-match warmups. #KFCvMFC

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell  manager Mark McGhee:

    “I’m still in that learning curve and to be winning while you’re doing that is a bonus.

    “Given the process we’re going through, learning about the players, you know we changed the strikers today and played a different shape from the other two games.

    “You can undermine yourself a bit when you’re playing about with it, but I thought it was terrific.

    “We kept a great disciplined shape, made it very difficult for Kilmarnock and gave ourselves a platform to win the game.”

    Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke:

    “I thought we played really well in the game and, if we take our chances, we win the game comfortably.

    “I thought we dominated the game, but Motherwell did look dangerous on the counter-attacks.

    “But I’m really frustrated and disappointed because I certainly don’t think we got what we deserved from the game.

    “But, when you get the chances, you’ve got to take them.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”250″]

  • Archive

    Craig Reid joins St Mirren on loan

    Right-back Craig Reid has joined Championship side St Mirren on loan until January.

    The 29-year old missed the back end of last season and the start of this with a knee injury, but returned to full training several weeks ago and has played as an over age player in Stephen Craigan’s Under 20s side.

    Reid, a former Scotland Youth International, came through the ranks at Celtic and also played for Stirling Albion, Queen of the south and Saints’ neighbours Morton before signing for ‘Well in 2014.

    [blockquote]“I’ve had a frustrating time of it over the last few months, so I just can’t wait to get playing again. It’s all happened very quickly, but my focus now is playing as well as I can and we’ll take it from there.”[/blockquote]

    With Ian Murray’s side having picked up a number injuries at the back, it gives Reid the opportunity to play games as the Buddies look to battle for promotion back to the Scottish top flight.

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee said: “This is an ideal opportunity for Craig to play some game time at a very good club and it gives me the chance to get a look at him in a competitive environment.”

    Craig added said: “I’ve had a frustrating time of it over the last few months, so I just can’t wait to get playing again. It’s all happened very quickly, but my focus now is playing as well as I can and we’ll take it from there.”

  • Archive

    Girls Player Programme launched

    Motherwell FC, in partnership with the Scottish FA, NLC and Braidhurst High School, have launched a Girls Premier Player Programme.

    The Girls Premier Player Programme is among the first of its kind in Scotland and is based on the highly acclaimed model from Rosengard in Sweden.

    “It will initially run from October to June and involve eight girls in S2 who attend Braidhurst,” explained Carolyn Rooney, Head Teacher of Braidhurst High School.

    “Our aim is to promote the programme to girls currently in P7 across the whole of North Lanarkshire. From January 2016 the very best young female players in North Lanarkshire will have the opportunity to apply for a place on the programme with all successful applicants receiving the offer of free transport to the school from the start of term in August 2016.”

    Braidhurst is one of seven Scottish FA Schools of Football, as well as the Scottish FA Performance Programmes.

    Anna Signeul, national coach of the Scotland women’s team attended the launch, she said: “This is a great initiative involving the school, the council and the SFA. I would like to see this model developed across Scotland; it is innovative, and will benefit girls football at all levels.

    “For the girls themselves, it gives an opportunity to develop social skills, footballing skills, self-confidence and gives them a feeling of belonging in a team environment.”

    Mrs Rooney continued: “These have proven to be very successful allowing nearly 300 players the opportunity to receive an excellent education in addition to developing their skills in the sport.

    “These have always been open to both boys and girls but experience has taught us that the percentage of girls applying for places has been very low. But we believe this new initiative will tackle the low uptake among young female footballers.”

    The school already boasts successful girls teams with some players going on to represent Scotland.

    Cllr Jim Logue, Convener of Learning and Leisure Services, said: “This is a really exciting development not just for the girls who are taking part in the pilot but eventually for young talented female footballers across North Lanarkshire.

    “Braidhurst School of Football has been a terrific success so it’s a natural development to include a girls section.

    “We’ll work in close partnership with the Trust to identify, encourage and mentor those taking part.”

    Motherwell FC Community Trust was founded in 2011 with the aim of increasing participation in football to inspire and motivate people and communities.

    Since then they have created a successful female player pathway for girls from Under 9’s to Under 17’s with eventual progression to the full ladies team.

    Twice a week the U9’s and U11 teams go to Fir Park from school where they have access to homework support through a tutor and are provided with a healthy snack before training for an hour.

    Charlie Bennett, Motherwell FC Community Trust General Manager, said: “We’re really excited to be part of this innovative project. Girls’ football is the fastest growing sport in Scotland and this initiative will help contribute to the development of talented players which can only strengthen the national game. Braidhurst High School already has a fantastic reputation for developing footballers and we look forward to working with them.”

    The Motherwell ladies team has accumulated over 400 full international caps and won this season’s SWFL2 League Cup. They are currently top of their division.

    Motherwell FC Community Trust are supporting the pilot project through providing:

    • Talented female football players as pupils for the School of Football from their Player Pathway.
    • A dedicated couching resource to the School of Football on the basis of one hour session per day.
    • Access to a full player pathway for players from the School of Football who choose to sign for Motherwell FC girls/women’s teams.
    • Motherwell FC branded training kit for each female player within the scheme.
    • Positive role models from their successful ladies team to interact with pupils within the School of Football and encourage their development.
  • Archive

    McGhee still finding the right formula

    Mark McGhee aims to strike a balance between learning more about his squad and picking up a result, as ‘Well prepare to travel to Rugby Park on Saturday.

    The Steelmen turned in what was one of their best performances of the season at second-placed Aberdeen last week, drawing 1-1, but feeling aggrieved not to have taken all three points.

    Now the focus is on in-form Kilmarnock, who have won four and drawn one of their last seven matches since losing 1-0 at Fir Park in late August.

    And McGhee hopes to build on that showing at Pittodrie whilst giving various members of his squad the opportunity to stake a claim for a spot at the club in the long term.

    Speaking to the broadcast media at Thursday morning’s pre-match news conference, the Fir Park boss said: “I’m getting more familiar [with the squad] each and every day, but I’ve still got more to learn.

    “There are several players who have not played yet and I need to know what they can do. That’s obviously part of the process, regardless of our real desire to get results, which is obviously the most important thing for any football club.

    [pullquote]“I said when I came back here that I wasn’t coming with some grandiose idea about how I plan to change the club or the face of Motherwell. It was about good performances, and ideally results, against Celtic, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Inverness, whilst getting to know everyone inside out.[/pullquote]

    “So there could be changes again; I want to be fair and learn as much as possible as quickly as I can. Obviously it is a balance as not to detriment the team. But at this stage, there’s little point in going to Kilmarnock, lining up with the same team in the same way as we did against Aberdeen, as that teaches me little.

    “We obviously had a telling contribution from our subs bench last week so that gives me encouragement that the squad has depth to it.”

    Although McGhee’s mission is to learn everything there is about his squad, he also admits his ideal solution is a team with few changes week to week.

    “I am not someone who really likes to change the team a lot; if I have my strongest team available, invariably I will play it,” he continued.

    “That of course may change from time to time, but it’s my duty to get the best players out there as often as possible.

    “What that strongest team is, what the best way to deploy them, is still there to be nailed, but we have options and I am pleased with how the lads are taking to it and the response I’ve had both in training and games.”

  • Archive

    Fletcher feeling fit after early injury

    Wes Fletcher says he feels sharper since Mark McGhee introduced a robust regime since his arrival two weeks ago.

    The new Fir Park boss has had the players in every day since his return to the Club; the players put through their paces with a grueling fitness programme that has tested them both mentally and physically.

    And Fletcher, who has missed a sizeable chunk of the first third of the season with an ankle injury, is delighted as it has helped him get back up to speed quicker.

    Now the Ormskirk-born former Burnley and York striker hopes that hard work will translate into goals on the pitch.

    “It’s clear to see the manager demands hard work; we’ve had two heavy weeks and that showed on Saturday with the way we finished the game,” he said.

    [pullquote]“The tempo of training and the intensity of the fitness work has helped, me in particular, as I feel I needed that to get back to where I was going into the campaign.”[/pullquote]

    “I probably wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to be when I started against Celtic, but the increase in fitness work has been beneficial and I’m nearly there.

    “I felt a lot better against Aberdeen and I’m ready to go again on Saturday if called upon.”

    Fletcher is acutely aware of the pressure he’s under to perform.

    Not only does he have a new manager to impress, but there are a number of strikers at the club all itching to get the nod up top.

    Scott McDonald, Louis Moult, Theo Robinson, David Clarkson and even the on-loan Craig Moore all want the shirt, something Fletcher relishes.

    He continued: “There’s really good competition for places at the club and I obviously want to keep my place in the starting elven.

    “You see last week the impact your teammates can make, but I was just happy to get the result. What that tells you is that you have got to work has hard as you can in training or you’ll not get picked on a Saturday.

    “The squad all showed character last Saturday and regardless if that’s individually or collectively, we’ve got to go and do the same at Rugby Park this weekend.”

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Inverness

    Highlights from Grant Street Park as Motherwell lose for only the third time this campaign as they go down 3-1 to Inverness in the Highlands.

  • Archive

    Inverness CT U20s 3 – 1 Motherwell U20s

    Motherwell’s Under 20’s couldn’t emulate last week’s comeback and sunk to a 3-1 defeat in Inverness this afternoon.

    The young Steelmen were dealt and early blow when midfield terrier Alan Campbell was on the receiving end of a Nat Wedderburn flailing elbow, forcing him off to be replaced by Ross MacLean.

    Inverness arguably edged the opening exchanges and had the first chance of the game when Sutherland clipped the ball over the ‘Well defence to Wilson but with Jack McMillan in attendance, could only tamely shoot at Long.

    Stephen Craigan’s side were bolstered by the addition of Dom Thomas and he looked lively, creating Motherwell’s two best chances of the half but just couldn’t find the final touch to give his side the vital lead.

    It was a game of few chances until Howarth fired in a warning shot from MacRea’s lay-off, but could only find the side-netting from 18 yards.

    The drab opening forty minutes at a rain-sodden Grant Street Park then took a turn for the worst when Inverness took the lead.

    Howarth curled in an inviting cross to the back post, which was nodded back across goal by Sutherland. It was probably heading in but Wilson took no chances and headed into the empty net with Long beaten.

    As the half-time whistle approached Caley struck again. The ‘Well defence was carved open all too easily by MacRea and MacArthur and this allowed Sutherland to pick his spot and place it beyond the despairing dive of Long.

    At 2-0 down Motherwell would need to come out in the second half and show the kind of spirit that has helped them comeback in five games this season and within a minute of the restart, they had stated their intentions.

    Thomas received the ball from kick-off, drove forward and slid in MacLean whose shot beat MacKay but was superbly read by Horner and put out for a corner.

    From that corner MacKay was again called into action, this time from a Dylan Mackin header which he took no chances with and palmed over the bar.

    After being in complete control of the opening ten minutes of the second half, you could sense a goal coming and sure enough it arrived, through unfortunate circumstances from Inverness’ point of view.

    Cadden and Thomas had pressed Howarth and Gilchrist high up the park with the latter slicing his attempted clearance straight into the path of Mackin who in a similar fashion to his first goal last week, slid in through the goalie’s legs.

    This seemed to trigger a belief in the players and an equaliser seemed inevitable with wave after wave of attack. The best chance fell to Hastie whose shot on the turn looked like it was going in but MacKay reacted well and got down to his right to make the stop.

    Just as hopes of an equaliser were being raised, Caley killed the game with a decisive third.

    A long ball forward was chased down by MacRea who darted past Maguire and produced a fine finish past Long to make restore the Highlander’s two goal advantage and knock the stuffing out Motherwell.

    ‘Well had a chance for a late consolation turned away when Hastie’s cross was seemingly knocked out by the hand of MacArthur, but referee and assistant couldn’t be sure, with the Caley man unconvincingly going down holding his face, and awarded a corner.

    Motherwell: Long, Watt, Hall, Maguire, McMillan, Livingstone (Hastie), Thomas, Campbell (MacLean), Cadden, Mackin, Leitch (Falconer)

    Subs not used: Morrison, Turnbull

    Goals: Mackin

  • Archive

    Under 20s face Caley Thistle in Inverness

    The Under 20s are in action tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday) when they take on Inverness CT at Grant Street Park.

    The young Steelmen are fresh off the back of their stunning comeback against Dundee Utd last week and will look to build on that result as they take on the Highland team, who sit one place above the Steelmen in Development League.

    The match will take place at Grant Street Park, home of Clachnacuddin, with kick-off at 2pm.

  • Archive

    COMPETITON: Young ‘Well Fans

    Kilmarnock FC are giving eleven young Motherwell supporters the chance to run out with the team on Halloween!

    Young fans are invited to enter our fancy dress competition by sending photos of themselves dressed up in their Halloween costumes and the best eleven will get to run out with the Captain and his teammates at next Saturday’s match at Rugby Park (Saturday 31 October, kick-off 3pm).

    To enter simply send your photos to MFCenquiries@motherwellfc.co.uk

    Tweet us using the hashtag #MFCkidzcomp or add your photos as a comment under our Facebook post.

    The deadline to enter is 5pm Wednesday 28 October and winners will be notified on Thursday 29 October.

    The lucky winners will be given a ticket to the match for themselves and a family member/chaperone.

    Good luck!

    Please note – winners should arrive dressed in their Halloween costume. The prize does not include travel to Rugby Park or hospitality.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Pittodrie

    Extended highlights from Pittodrie as Scott McDonald’s header earns ‘Well a point against Aberdeen.