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[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee Fir Park

Motherwell slipped to a hugely frustrating 1-3 defeat at the hands of Inverness Caley Thistle at Fir Park this afternoon.

Despite the eventual scoreline, there was little between the teams. However, a twice taken penalty from Greg Tansey and a deflected shot from Miles Storey just before the interval, gave John Hughes’ men a fortunate two goal lead which ‘Well never recovered from.

When Iain Vigurs volleyed home a superb third soon after the break, the home side might have given it up as a bad day. But after Louis Moult pulled one back ‘Well pushed on for the final 30 minutes without adding to their score.

After coming off the bench to snatch the late winner last week, Moult was given a start, partnering Scott McDonald up front, in an otherwise unchanged Motherwell side.
After Ryan Christie had curled an effort beyond Connor Ripley’s goal the Motherwell front two combined. But after Moult’s head-flick had sent McDonald racing through he failed to find his partner at the edge of the box and the early chance was gone.

The open start to the game turned Caley Thistle’s way after eleven minutes with a couple of interventions from Craig Thomson. Firstly the referee harshly adjudged Stephen McManus to handle a high ball in the penalty box, despite the defender facing the other way and appearing to be pushed in the back.

However, after the ‘Well captain protested that it wasn’t deliberate, Ripley brilliantly saved Greg Tansey’s low struck penalty. As Josh Law raced in to clear the rebound the referee awarded a retake for encroachment. Despite the boos from the home crowd, Tansey kept his composure to slam home his second attempt and give the visitors a fortunate lead.

Fuelled by a sense of injustice, ‘Well pressed towards the Inverness goal for the remainder of the half.

Moult was first to force a save from Owain Fon Williams but his header from Lionel Ainsworth’s free kick was straight at the ‘keeper.

Marvin Johnson then latched onto McDonald’s through ball only to sweep the ball over the bar before Joe Chalmers’ deflected effort was held by the ‘keeper.

Midway through the half, and with most of the action in and around the Caley box, Ainworth’s attempt rebounded to Josh Law but his sweetly struck shot was just too high. Moult, from just beyond the back post. also failed to hit the target from Johnson’s in-swinging cross.

Having pushed hard for the equaliser, the home side was hit by a sucker punch just before the break.

There appeared little danger at the corner of the box when Miles Storey curled a shot towards goal but a big deflection carried the ball the other way, wrong-footed Ripley and give Inverness a 2-0 lead.

The Highlander’s luck continued moments later when Liam Grimshaw’s 20-yard drive smacked off the face of the cross bar.

If Thistle’s first half goals carried an element of fortune, the third eight minutes into the second was sensational.

There was a touch of irony, though, as Vigurs who was brought to Fir Park on the strength of his cultured left foot, unleashed a stunning volley which raced high into the net from the edge of the box, to extend the lead over his former club.

To their credit the ‘Well players refused to buckle and five minutes later pulled a goal back. Ainsworth delivered another tempting cross beyond the back post and this time Moult slid in to squeeze the ball into the net off the ‘keeper to claim his fifth league goal of the season.

Motherwell patiently tried to build on that goal for the last 30 minutes and created a chances but without really testing Fon Williams.

An exchange of passes which started with Stephen Pearson and ended with the midfielder’s powerful drive over the bar raised hopes of a dramatic fightback but ‘Well couldn’t find a way past a solid and well drilled ICT defence.

In the final minute of injury time the referee compounded ‘Well’s miserable afternoon when he showed McManus a second yellow for an innocuous looking challenge on Caley sub Dani Lopez.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

 FT’ | 1-3

Motherwell 1 – 3 Inverness CT

94′ | 1-3
Red card: Lopez goes down clutching his face and gets McManus a second yellow

90′ | 1-3
Four minutes added on.

79′ | 1-3
ICT sub, Wedderburn on for Vigurs.

78′ | 1-3
Motherwell sub, Robinson on for Johnson

77′ | 1-3
Bit of ping pong in the ICT box which falls to Fletcher 12 yards out but he can’t make a clean connection and the chance is gone.

71′ | 1-3
ICT sub, Warren on for Storey

69′ | 1-3
Motherwell sub, Fletcher on for McDonald

67′ | 1-3
Great play by Pearson as he drives forward and gets into the box but can’t keep his shot under the bar!

64′ | 1-3
McManus booked for a heavy but fair challenge.

60′ | 1-3
Very nearly 2 there as Ainsworth gets a shot away at the back post but it is knocked wide for a corner!

58′ | 1-3
GOAL! Moult pulls one back, sneaking in at the back post to poke home Ainsworth’s cross

55′ | 0-3
Kennedy booked for a clumsy looking foul on Lopez

53′ | 0-3
Goal – Iain Vigurs volleys home a corner kick in spectacular fashion.

51′ | 0-2
Booking for Devine as he clatters into Moult on the half way line.

47′ | 0-2
Meekings hauls down Moult in the box. Strong penalty claims but ref not interested!!

Second half is underway. COYW!!!

HT: Motherwell 0 – 2 Inverness CT

45+ 2′ | 0-2
4 minutes added on

45′ | 0-2
Goal – Storey’s shot from the edge of the box is deflected past Ripley to give ICT a two goal lead

42′ | 0-1
ICT go close as Lopez heads Storey’s cross wide of the post.

39′ | 0-1
ICT sub, Christie limps off for Lopez

36′ | 0-1
Pause in play as Christie lands awkwardly. Looks a sore one.

25′ | 0-0
McDonald absolutely clattered by Devine as he rose to head but ref gives nothing. Not even a check on the Aussie….

23′ | 0-1
Ainsworth gets into the box but his shot is blocked and falls to Law who drills inches over the bar from 18 yards!

22′ | 0-1
Great ball in by Johnson finds Moult at the back stick but he can’t get his header on target. Great chance!

18′ | 0-1
Vigurs booked for a foul on Moult as he broke away.

16′ | 0-1
Free-kick is floated into the box by Johnson to the head of Moult but his header is straight at Fon Williams

12′ | 0-1
Goal – This time Tansey sticks it away. 1-0 to Caley.

11′ | 0-0
Penalty is saved but referee orders a retake!!

11′ | 0-0
ICT penalty as the ball is cannoned off McManus’ hand with him looking in the opposite direction. Deliberate?

8′ | 0-0
Loose ball is collected by Pearson about 25 yards out. He shoots but it flies well wide and over.

6′ | 0-0
ICT looking dangerous as Christie twists and turns past the defence and gets a shot away. Not a bad effort but goes wide.

Storey and Christie get the action underway. COYW!!

Out come the teams at an overcast Fir Park. Flood lights are already on….

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

Coming Soon…

Inverness CT manager John Hughes:

Coming Soon…

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Defender Stephen McManus says there’s an air of familiarity about working with new boss Mark McGhee.

The 33-year-old enjoyed some of the best years of his career under current Scotland boss Gordon Strachan when he was at Parkhead and Middlesbrough.

He now finds himself working with Strachan’s national team assistant after McGhee took the Fir Park hot seat several weeks ago.

And McManus sees major parallels between the two close friends in the way they manage.

He said: “There are similarities in a lot of drills. The manager puts his own slant on them but for some of us it’s like putting the clock back seven years.

[pullquote]I can totally see the similarities between Gordon and Mark. They are very humble. They work extremely hard. They put a lot of trust and belief in the players and it’s up to the players to maintain that trust by working as hard as they possibly can and doing whatever they are asking you to do.[/pullquote]

“It has been great. The reason Gordon brought Stuart McCall and Mark McGhee in as his backroom staff is because they are very good at what they do but they also are good people. Good people surround themselves with good people.

“I can totally see the similarities between Gordon and Mark. They are very humble.

“They work extremely hard. They put a lot of trust and belief in the players and it’s up to the players to maintain that trust by working as hard as they possibly can and doing whatever they are asking you to do.”

‘Well boss Mark McGhee wants his side to play more smartly on their own patch as Inverness visit Fir Park tomorrow.

The Steelmen have picked up four points in their last two visits at what are notoriously difficult venues in Pittodrie and Rugby Park.

And a big part of Motherwell’s success in those games has been a resolute, compact and disciplined style whilst carrying a threat on the counter attack.

Now McGhee wants to try and transfer the best bits of that into tomorrow’s game as ‘Well look to try and build on their recent momentum.

[pullquote]I’m going to send out the players in a way that I think will win us the match at home and that may be somewhat different from a team going gung ho.[/pullquote]

He told the gathered press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference: “The modern game has a lot better results away from home than there used to be, and part of the reason for that is teams are much more organized and determined in their shape and defensive play, they make it so difficult for the home team.

“What quite often happens is the home team doesn’t have enough to unpick their opposition and end up getting suckered because they pile on chasing a goal and getting a result.

“We’ve looked at things really closely and we’re going to try and make sure we don’t fall into that trap.

“I’m going to send out the players in a way that I think will win us the match at home and that may be somewhat different from a team going gung ho.”

Highlights from Excelsior Stadium as Motherwell’s Under 20s lose 1-0 against St Johnstone in the Development League.

Under 20s boss Stephen Craigan has called for his side to find some consistency after their lost at home to St Johnstone.

The young Steelmen have won two and lost two of their last four games, and can’t string a run of positive results together.

Craigan’s men were edged out by a single goal in a low-key game with little quality.

And the former Steelmen skipper has challenged his players to find a level of performance over an extended period to put themselves in Mark McGhee’s thoughts.

“It was very disappointing; after starting the game well in the first half, we go behind then look a bit flat,” he said.

[pullquote]We’re still searching for consistency, which isn’t always easy when dealing with younger players, but I’ve said for many weeks now, it’s up to them to find it.[/pullquote]

“We’ve changed the shape, the team, the personnel, brought senior players in, brought the youngsters back in but we’re unable to put a run of wins together.

“We’re either doing 75% good and 25% bad and getting something, or doing 25% good and 75% bad and losing the match and we can’t have that.

“I’ve told the lads, the first-team manager won’t even look at them unless they get some sort of consistency of their game, and that doesn’t matter who it is. Unless they can do it over five or six games and maintain that level of performance, they won’t progress.”

St Johnstone edged out Motherwell by a single goal in a low-key Development League game at the Excelsior Stadium tonight.

The only goal of the game came just after the half hour when Greg Hurst slammed home a volley from close range.

Neither team created much in the way of chances, with the only fireworks to speak off exploding around the stadium throughout the match.

Stephen Craigan was able to call on the experienced duo of Craig Samson and David Clarkson for the match, but the influential Chris Cadden missed out after picking up an injury in the warm-up.

It was a fairly quiet opening, with only a couple of Dom Thomas cross balls to speak about in the opening fifteen minute, sadly, none found any takers in the box.

Indeed, it took until the eighteenth minute for any team to actually record a shot on target, and that was Saints’ Kyle Lander, who forced Samson into a fairly comfortable low save.

Motherwell replied with a Dylan Mackin header from a Luke Watt cross, but although it was on target, Ben McKenzie had no problems saving it.

It stayed level until just after the half hour when Saints got their noses in front. Thomas slipped before giving the ball away in the middle of the park, allowing Liam Caddis to break forward. He crossed it towards the back post for Hurst who drilled home from eight yards out.

That goal gave the visitors the confidence they needed and they went on to dominate the remainder of the first-half. And they would’ve been further ahead had it not been for Samson, who saved well from Hurst, Caddis and Connor McLaren to keep the score at 0-1 at the interval.

Motherwell started the second period on the front foot and Thomas was able to get on the end of a Ross MacLean cross, only to screw his shot into the ground and over the bar.

However, it would be twenty more minutes before the next shot, Caddis dragging a low shot well wide of target.

Thomas had a couple more balls into the area, one flicked on by Mackin before being deflected out for a corner, the other picking out Clarkson, only for the striker’s hit to be closed down by the stubborn Saints defence.

Saints’ reply came via Lander, but again, his low shot was straight at Samson who comfortably held.

Motherwell pushed, looking for a leveller, but failed to properly trouble McKenzie in the visitor’s goal at Alex Cleland’s side held on to take all three points.

Motherwell: Samson, McMillan, Watt, Ferguson, Hall, Campbell, Clarkson, MacLean (Hastie – 84mins), Mackin (Falconer – 76mins), Thomas, R.Leitch (Turnbull – 67mins)

Subs Not Used: Long, Livingstone, Maguire

Booked: Mackin, MacLean, Clarkson

Motherwell Football Club will commemorate Remembrance Day by wearing special poppy shirts against Inverness CT on Saturday.

The Steelmen have a close relationship with the Armed Forces and in particular The Royal Regiment of Scotland (both 1 & 2 SCOTS) who receive 30 season tickets for soldiers in Scotland and four season tickets for each of the soldier’s families.

This weekend, Motherwell FC will ask fans to join in a minutes of silence prior to kick-off to pay respect to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Under 20s return to SPFL Development League action when they take on high-flying St Johnstone at the Excelsior Stadium this evening.

Stephen Craigan’s men will buoyed by their comprehensive Youth Cup victory last Sunday, but face a stern test against Saints, who currently sit second in the table just two points off top.

The Steelmen have ten points and sit in tenth position, but with a game in hand over three of the teams above them, it’s an opportunity to get back amongst the mix.

The match will take place at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium on Wednesday 4th November, kick-off is 6pm. Entry to the match is free of charge.

As part of the new bonus benefits scheme, developed jointly by The Well Society and Football Club, any member meeting the qualification criteria* will automatically receive an exclusive virtual plot of the Fir Park pitch.

Each eligible member will receive a certificate including pitch diagram identifying location of their plot. As an additional bonus throughout the year we will be holding award ceremonies where members will be picked at random and invited to Fir Park to be presented with their certificate by the First team captain, player or a leading figure at the club.

*Qualification criteria:

• Founding member
  • A member who joined before January 2015
  • New member
    • A member who joined after January 2015, and
    • Contributed £100 or more in donations/one off payment, or
    • Has pledged a balance of £50 or more and is pledging monthly through Direct Debit or Standing Order
    • All Junior Steel members

There are a limited number of 1886 plots of the pitch, each one marking a year in which the football club has been in existence so membership of this scheme will be high in demand.

Brian McCafferty, The Well Society and Football Club Chairman said ‘To continue to support the club financially and build a capital reserve, it is vital that the society has 2000 members pledging a minimum of £10 per month.  However, this exclusive benefit is a token of both the ‘Well Society’s and Football Club’s gratitude to every founder members’ contribution and new members who meet the criteria.’

Echoing Brian’s words, Head of Marketing and Commercial Keith Campbell said ‘The Football Club are delighted to support this initiative. We recognise the level of commitment from supporters in meeting the criteria so by offering a piece of the pitch, albeit a virtual one, it’s a small gesture towards the very high regard in which we hold for our fans while acknowledging their fantastically positive contribution to the future success of their Club.’

For full details on the qualification criteria please review the Initiative terms and conditions by clicking here

If you haven’t already joined you can pledge today with pledges starting at only £10 per month by clicking here to secure your very own part in the history of Motherwell Football Club and Fir Park.

Firstly may I thank the many fans that have contributed to the future of your club by attending games, booking function rooms and joining the ‘Well Society.

I would also like to thank the many sponsors, large and small, who believe in the club and believe we can add value to what they are trying to achieve.

Last and by no means least, I would like to thank the wonderful staff at Fir Park who have joined the Board of Directors in making the changes necessary to improve your historic club.

Since I became involved with your club in January this year, the Board and myself have continued to work to achieve our three main objectives:

1. Stay in the SPFL Premiership.

2. Make Motherwell Football Club self-sufficient.

3. Transition the club to full fan ownership via the ‘Well Society.

As you know, things were not good when I took over, or immediately before, as I had to put £30,000 into the club to pay the bills before the deal was completed.

After the balance of my interest free loan of £650,000 was provided to the club, we set about the task of securing additional players, due to some eleven first team players being injured, which we did in January and February.

It became clear my initial loan would not be sufficient to add to the squad and make the necessary changes in the non-football side of the club and I provided a further £380,000 interest free loan. I am pleased to say the club recently repaid £180,000 of this loan.

When investigating the high frequency of injuries, we found an opportunity to introduce a full time sports science coach which, we estimate could save the club over £100,000 in recurring medical bills, but would also avoid the need for such a large squad of players this season.

We introduced a UK-wide network of scouts, who use Scout7 software to identify and track potential young talent.

We brought the Under 20 management under the Football Manager’s direct control to ensure there was a path for young players into the first team. Also, we were very pleased when Stephen Craigan agreed to re-join the club in the very important role as Under 20 Coach. Your Board also took the opportunity to protect the club’s tradable assets by securing a number of our talented young players to long-term contracts.

We managed to do enough to retain our position in the SPFL Premiership via the exciting play off games, for this, the club’s anniversary season.

The new 2015/16 season started brightly with the win at Inverness, which I was lucky enough to attend, but over a number of weeks it became clear things had to change if we were to enjoy this special season.

After a rigorous selection process of reviewing some 80 applicants, the Football Committee made a recommendation to the Chairman and myself.

When I subsequently spoke to Mark McGhee, I was delighted to offer him the role as manager of your club.

I look forward to long and detailed discussions with Mark next week when he visits me at home. We will be reviewing all aspects of the football side to ensure we have clear strategies and plans to achieve our football objectives. I am very encouraged by recent performances but Mark and I know further work is required to build consistency.

Now turning to the non-football activities. Alan Burrows and his staff have been very busy and I would like to thank Alan personally for his long hours and continued efforts to make the improvements to your club.

Firstly, we wanted to make sure of your safety at Fir Park and spent a significant sum fireproofing the Phil O’Donnell Stand, which took many months and is now complete.

When testing the floodlights it was obvious they had to be improved to allow you a clear view of play but also provide for better TV coverage.

Next, we turned to the pitch and surrounding area which has consistently been one of the poorest in the league. So, prior to the summer we worked with the Sports Turf Research Institute to develop a plan to establish and then maintain a much better playing surface.

During the summer, recently-recruited Head Groundsman Paul Matthew and his staff worked with an outside contractor to make the necessary changes, which have made a huge difference to the pitch, and we introduced new AstroTurf along the perimeter of the playing area.

To improve revenue, we hired a new sales and marketing manager, Keith Campbell, and he has been working with existing staff and has increased function room revenue by over 22%. In addition, Diane Harvey has recently secured long-term contracts for commercial use of most of the South Stand boxes and the Cooper Suite.

We are currently working on a new website, which will more accurately reflect the three pillars of the club: The MFC Community Trust, The ‘Well Society and obviously the club itself. You will see this rolling out in the coming weeks.

Our next project is to improve our communication with everyone who makes contact with any of the three pillars by creating a single database which will be much easier to manage than the current six and make the customer experience much simpler.

Also, I am pleased to say we are finalising our plans for the clubs 130th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of winning the Scottish Cup in 1991. There will be a range of events leading up to the big days later this season, which we will announce shortly.

I hope this information is helpful and you join me in thanking your Board for giving up so much time and energy to undertake this work for free.

The club is making good progress toward our objectives. You, the fans, can do your bit by joining the ‘Well Society for as little as £2.50 per week to make your dream a reality

I would ask you to support the Society as much as you can… It’s YOUR club! CLICK HERE for more information or to join the ‘Well Society.

Regards,

Les Hutchison
Vice Chairman and Majority Shareholder
Motherwell FC