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    Thistle defeat in pictures

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    McGhee – Late slackness has cost us

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle 1 – 0 Motherwell

  • Archive

    Defender Craig Reid departs

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    Gomis makes Motherwell move

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Dens Park

  • Archive

    Dundee draw in pictures

  • Archive

    McGhee – Penalty decision has cost us

  • Archive

    Dundee 2 – 2 Motherwell

  • Archive

    McDonald – Dundee are positive example

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    Thistle defeat in pictures

    Action images from today’s 1-0 defeat to Partick Thistle in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Firhill.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

    [svgallery name=”thistle020216″]

  • Archive

    McGhee – Late slackness has cost us

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee was left frustrated by a moment of misfortune and a piece of slack play as Motherwell lost a late goal to Partick Thistle.

    A Steven Lawless shot took a wicked deflected past Connor Ripley in the 90th minute of a 1-0 home win at Firhill.

    “We shot ourselves in the foot because the goal was avoidable, we’ve switched off,” McGhee said.

    “The boy got in behind, it gets a big deflection and we’ve lost a game we didn’t need to lose.”

    The otherwise drab match looked destined to end in a goalless draw, with few chances created throughout a hard-fought encounter.

    [pullquote]We shot ourselves in the foot because the goal was avoidable, we’ve switched off.[/pullquote]

    It was the second consecutive game in which a late goal has denied McGhee’s side valuable points, with Dundee equalising in a 2-2 draw at the weekend in the closing stages.

    “We’ve not thought anything else other than we’re in a dogfight,” McGhee said.

    “Even if we’d won tonight I would be saying the same thing. We’ve shown that we matched Thistle all the way, they’ve got the break and taken advantage.

    “There will be games when we’re the ones who do that. We’ve just got to make sure that there’s more of them than what happened tonight.

    “There’s not a trend that’s costing us to lose a [late] goal. On Saturday it was a penalty kick that was never a penalty kick in a million years. Tonight it was a goal we could have avoided by somebody being more alert.”

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle 1 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Phil McGhee at Firhill

    Another late, late goal cost ‘Well a point when ex Fir Park man Steven Lawless’ deflected shot gave Thistle the win.

    On a miserable night for football, neither side deserved three points as both sets of fans must have wished the pitch had failed its late inspection.

    A stark statistic of only two saves, one in each half from Connor Ripley, summed up a match best forgotten – and especially from a Motherwell side which didn’t deserve to win, but certainly didn’t deserve to lose either.

    On a patchwork pitch, Mark McGhee fielded the same side that started at Dens Park. That meant new signing Morgaro Gomis had to settle for a place on the bench for the first hour.

    It was almost another explosive start from ‘Well. Within two minutes Marvin Johnson had burst into the box and after his force cross was blocked his second effort towards goal from a few yards was booted clear by Gary Miller.

    After a drive from former Fir Parker Steven Lawless zipped past his post, Connor Ripley produced his first save after six minutes beating and smothering a powerful Fredy Frans header.

    Some great footwork from Scott McDonald found himself with space to squeeze a shot towards goal but his tame left foot effort was easily blocked by Sean Welsh in front the home goal.

    Despite the uncertainty regarding the playing surface, both sides moved the ball quickly from end to end in pursuit of the opening goal.

    However after the bright opening play became bogged down in the middle of the park.

    A couple of Motherwell breaks from midfield were cynically halted by Thistle as the home side picked up four first half bookings.

    Six minutes from the break Johnson wandered in from the left and as he dragged the ball across a busy box, fell to the ground under pressure from a Danny Seaborne challenging. Referee Barry cook momentarily thought about it before waving play on.

    Johnson was involved again minutes later when his low cross found Stephen Pearson but his shot from eight yards only struck McDonald who couldn’t turn the ball towards goal.

    ‘Well maintained that pressure after there start and a swift move within the opening minutes found Johnson and Louis Moult with shooting chances at the edge of the box before Pearson’s curled effort for the bottom corner was deflected wide by Welsh.

    Stevie Hammell’s tempting cross was met by Chris Cadden but aiming to add to his impressive strike on Saturday he could only volley the ball over from15 yards.

    Just after the hour mark ‘Well made a double substitution. Kieran Kennedy replaced the injured Ben Hall, and Moult made way for Gomis allowing Johnson to move up front beside McDonald.

    In a rare threat on either goal Johnson created space on the left to find Cadden in front of goal but from 20 yards the teenager hooked his shot wide of target.

    Five minutes from time Ripley produced a fine diving stop to hold Callum booth’s angled drive.

    Lionel Ainsworth, on for Cadden had one final chance to force Tomas Cerny into his first save but fired his free kick into the defensive wall.

    However, just when it looked like stalemate Lawless hit the winner with a left foot strike which was heading straight for Ripley, until a touch from Josh Law steered the ball just be inside the post for the winner.

    Stephen McManus almost redeemed the situation in added on time when, from Hammell’s in-swinging corner, his head flick was heading into the net until Booth nodded it off the line.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Tynecastle

    FT: Partick Thistle 1 – 0 Motherwell

    92′ | 1-0

    McManus’ header cleared off the line! So close to an equaliser!

    90′ | 1-0

    Goal – Lawless picks up a loose ball and blasts Thistle in front.

    89′ | 0-0

    Final Thistle change, Fraser on for Doolan.

    86′ | 0-0

    Booth has a strike on goal but Ripley gets down low to make the save.

    85′ | 0-0

    Motherwell sub, Cadden makes way for Ainsworth.

    83′ | 0-0

    Osman goes in with his studs up, Lasley goes down injured and so does the offender,possibly got himself out a second booking there

    75′ | 0-0

    Been a game of few chances. Pogba heads goalwards but it doesn’t trouble Ripley. Still 0-0.

    72′ | 0-0

    Thistle sub, Amoo on for Elliot.

    69′ | 0-0

    Booth advances and gets on the end of Pogba’s knockdown but McManus gets a good foot on it and puts it out.

    64′ | 0-0

    Thistle sub, Welsh off for Pogba.

    61′ | 0-0

    Double Motherwell sub, Hall and Moult off for Kennedy and Gomis.

    49′ | 0-0

    Johnson swings it in to Cadden but its an awkward height for him to take and he volleys over the bar.

    46′ | 0-0

    Ball falls to Pearson about 10 yards out but Frans gets his body in the way and it goes out for a corner. Nice build up play.

    Lasley and Moult get the second 45 underway…

    HT: Partick Thistle 0 – 0 Motherwell

    40′ | 0-0

    Good penalty claim there as Johnson goes down under a challenge but ref waves away. Pearson then booked for thwarting attack.

    39′ | 0-0

    Thistle fans waving their yellow cards as they believe Johnson should have been carded. No chance though.

    37′ | 0-0

    Osman booked for a late trip on McDonald as he broke away.

    34′ | 0-0

    Another Thistle booking, this time it’s for Bannigan after a tackle on Lasley.

    29′ | 0-0

    Seabourne booked for a poor challenge on Moult…

    23′ | 0-0

    Miller takes a booking after ref calls play back for a foul.

    9′ | 0-0

    McDonald shows great skill and beats 4 men but his goalbound shot is blocked and the danger snuffed out.

    6′ | 0-0

    Good chance for Seabourne as he gets on the end of a corner but he heads towards Ripley who gratefully gathers.

    2′ | 0-0

    Great wing play from Johnson, nutmegging Miller then getting in a low cross but Frans mops up at the front post.

    Game is underway. Come on Motherwell!!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell  manager Mark McGhee:

    “We shot ourselves in the foot because the goal was avoidable, we’ve switched off.

    “The boy got in behind, it gets a big deflection and we’ve lost a game we didn’t need to lose.

    We’ve not thought anything else other than we’re in a dogfight. Even if we’d won tonight I would be saying the same thing. We’ve shown that we matched Thistle all the way, they’ve got the break and taken advantage.

    “There will be games when we’re the ones who do that. We’ve just got to make sure that there’s more of them than what happened tonight.

    “There’s not a trend that’s costing us to lose a [late] goal. On Saturday it was a penalty kick that was never a penalty kick in a million years. Tonight it was a goal we could have avoided by somebody being more alert.”

    Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald:

    “A bit of luck, we get a deflection, that probably summed up the game.

    “It wasn’t much of a match. We knew that was going to be the case because of the conditions, and we probably played to the conditions too much.

    “When it opened up we could have passed it better. We’re just delighted to get the three points, which is all that matters on a night like this.

    “Both teams cancelled each other out for long periods, there wasn’t much goalmouth action. Motherwell slightly shaded it in the first half, but the second half we were a little bit better.

    “The ref played a bit too much time, as they do. We’ll take a bit of luck, and the clean sheet because Motherwell are hard to play against with a good front two up top.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”261″]

  • Archive

    Defender Craig Reid departs

    Motherwell FC can today confirm defender Craig Reid has left the club by mutual consent.

    The 29-year old former Celtic, Queen of the South and Morton full-back joined the club in January 2014 and wrote his name into Motherwell folklore with a last minute goal against Aberdeen that secured second spot at the end of the 2013/14 campaign.

    However, injury has plagued him since and but for a cameo in Keith Lasley’s Testimonial last Autumn, he hasn’t featured for the first-time in almost a year.

    Everyone at the club would like to thank Craig for his contribution and wish him every success in his future career.

  • Archive

    Gomis makes Motherwell move

    Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Morgaro Gomis from Hearts until the end of the season.

    The 30-year old former Senegal International spent several years in the English lower leagues before moving to Cowdenbeath in 2006.

    It was whilst with the Blue Brazil that he impressed the then Dundee Utd boss Craig Levein, who took him to Tannadice in 2007. He spent four productive years on Tayside, playing just short of 200 games for the Terrors and winning the Scottish Cup in 2010.

    His standout performances tempted English Championship side Birmingham City to offer him terms and in 2011, he moved to St. Andrews.

    It didn’t quite work out at Blues and Morgaro was soon returning north of the border again, again signing for Dundee United in October 2013. He played 23 times that season, before being reunited with Levein at Hearts for their assault on the Scottish Championship in 2014/15.

    Gomis was a virtual ever-present as the Jambos romped to the title and he has featured a further 21 times this term for the Gorgie club in the Scottish top flight.

    More to follow…

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Dens Park

    Extended highlights from Dens Park as Chris Cadden and Stephen Pearson strike in a 2-2 draw with Dundee at Dens Park.

  • Archive

    Dundee draw in pictures

    Action images from today’s 2-2 draw with Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Dens Park.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

    [svgallery name=”dundee300116″]

  • Archive

    McGhee – Penalty decision has cost us

    Mark McGhee couldn’t help but feel aggrieved after a late penalty cost his side all three points against Dundee this afternoon.

    The Fir Parkers looked to be heading for an impressive 1-2 win, when John Beaton inexpicably pointed to the spot when Chris Cadden and Kevin Holt clashed just inside the area.

    Hemmings duly converted; denying the Fir Parkers what would’ve been their first league win of the new year.

    Asked if he felt hard done to by the decision, McGhee said: “I feel absolutely aggrieved at the decision.

    “These decisions are so important as we are in a dogfight to avoid the play-offs or worse, to avoid relegation.

    “Every point counts and to be almost over the line after a heroic defensive performance in the second half, after getting our strategy right, I felt we deserved to win the game.

    [pullquote]”The referee has made a terrible call really and that has cost us two points.[/pullquote]

    “Young Cadden scored a great goal early in the game and he shouldn’t be embarrassed by what happened later on as there is no doubt it wasn’t a penalty.

    “He hasn’t got to worry about that because the referee made a bad call and the I think the referee will realise that when he looks at it.”

    The draw did move ‘Well a point clear of Partick Thistle ahead of their meeting at Firhill on Tuesday night.

    McGhee was pleased with his team’s performance on Tayside but believes they still have a lot of hard work to do before they can pull clear of relegation trouble.

    “We have taken one point from the last three games and that is not good enough,” McGhee said.

    “That’s why we have to keep ourselves firmly anchored by looking at teams below us and make sure we get enough points.

    “Every point counts, even the one today will count at the end toward safety, hopefully, and that is the only way we can think at the moment.”

  • Archive

    Dundee 2 – 2 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Phil McGhee at Dens Park

    A highly controversial 88th minute penalty denied Motherwell all three points at Dens Park this afternoon.

    The Steelmen had raced into a 1-2 half-time advantage when goals from Chris Cadden and Stephen Pearson came either side of Paul McGowan’s close-range strike.

    The Dark Blues had all the second half without really testing Connor Ripley’s goal and it looked as if the Steelmen were going to hold on for what would’ve been a big three points.

    However, with just two minutes left, match official John Beaten harshly awarded a penalty when Cadden and Kevin Holt both tangled for the ball. Kane Hemmings was in no mood for mercy, coolly slotting home the resulting kick to earn his side a share of the spoils.

    Motherwell made just one change to the side that lost last weekend against Ross County with Josh Law returning to the starting eleven in place of Kieran Kennedy.

    And for all the frustrations of last Saturday against County, when well created by missed a host of chances, those memories were cleared quickly as the Steelmen got themselves in front just four minutes in.

    Marvin Johnson’s cross from the left misses everyone and lands at the feet of Cadden who took a good touch before volleying home his first ever goal for the Fir Parkers high past Bain.

    Unfortunately, ‘Well couldn’t hold their lead for long as Paul Hartley’s side hit back inside two minutes. Great play by Greg Stewart released McGowan in the inside right channel and after it held up perfectly in the wind, he controlled the pass before hooking the ball home from a tight angle.

    Motherwell regained their composure and only a terrific Bain saved denied Lasley after the skipper’s free-kick bounced through and almost into the net, but for the outstretched arm of the former Alloa stopper.

    Soon after that, and down the other end, Stewart went on a mazy run and crossed from the right for Rory Loy, but his somehow shot came back off of the underside of the bar from just a few yards.

    Then, in 13 minutes, Stewart was again involved with a darting run into the box, skipping by several Motherwell challenges, only to see his eventual shot saved by Ripley.

    It was end-to-end stuff and Motherwell twice almost got in front when McDonald found himself with the freedom of the six-yard box but his shot on the spin was straight at Bain.

    However, it was Pearson who eventually put the Steelmen back in front with another excellent goal in 23 minutes. The veteran midfielder burst through the Dundee defence, played a one-two with Moult, before drifting past Darren O’Dea and angling in his seventh goal of the campaign.

    Both teams created chances as the snow-ridden first half raged on. Bain had a stinging long-range shot that forced Ripley to turn over. At the other end, Moult’s curler looked to be sneaking into the corner, but again Bain scrambled across his goal to turn it around.

    The second half was dominated by Dundee but the visitors defended doggedly to limit their clear-cut chances while trying to hit on the counterattack.

    Harkins did go close to snatching an equaliser with a couple of typical flashes of skill, chipping over from right of the goal then volleying wide from the other side.

    For all Dundee had the ball, it was ‘Well who had the best chance. McDonald’s bursting run from midfield started the chance and when his slid ball found Pearson on the left, ‘Well were in at goal. When Pearson pulled it across goal, Moult slammed home for what he thought was his 14th of the campaign, but the assistant’s flag thwarted him.

    The game was heading for a finish when Dundee were afforded the chance to level in controversial circumstances. Moult had headed clear a Dundee corner with Cadden and Holt competing for the loose ball just inside the area. Incredibly, John Beaten pointed to the spot, much to the dismay of the Motherwell players. Cadden was even booked for the challenge!

    Kane Hemmings stood up to take it and slammed it hard down the middle with Ripley going to his right to earn his side a point.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Dens Park

    FT: Dundee 2 – 2 Motherwell

    90′ | 2-2
    2 minutes added on

    Have to say, that decision looked ridiculous. Cadden went to clear the ball over this head and the Dundee man ran into it.

    88′ | 2-2
    Goal – Hemmings pulls Dundee level from the spot.

    87′ | 1-2
    Penalty to Dundee!

    86′ | 1-2
    Harkins gets the ball in the box but thankfully a ‘Well leg deflects his shot wide for a corner.

    79′ | 1-2
    Dundee sub, Ross off for Wighton.

    78′ | 1-2
    Law booked for hauling down Harkins…

    72′ | 1-2
    Motherwell sub, McDonald off for Fletcher

    71′ | 1-2
    Moult has the ball in the net but the linesman’s flag was straight up after Pearson made the pass

    69′ | 1-2
    Dundee sub, Arturo on for Loy.

    67′ | 1-2
    Harkins has an effort similar to Van Basten’s classic but thankfully it ends up in the stand.

    65′ | 1-2
    Johnson shoots from range but doesn’t really trouble Bain who gathers safely.

    55′ | 1-2
    Harkins tries a chip from a difficult position and watches it fly past the post.

    Dundee get the second 45 underway. COYW!

    HT: Dundee 1 – 2 Motherwell #DFCvMFC

    33′ | 1-2
    Great effort from Moult, a first-time curler towards the bottom corner which Bain does superbly to palm wide.

    27′ | 1-2
    Holt tries his luck from 30 yards and forces Ripley into a spectacular save! Corner to Dundee…

    23′ | 1-2
    PEARSON plays a one-two with Moult and gets into the box before cooly firing ‘Well 2-1 up!

    GGGGOOOOAALLLL!!!!

    ….what a chance for McDonald! Hints of offside as he finds himself alone in the box but he can’t direct it past Bain who saves.

    18′ | 1-1
    Johnson chops inside Stewart who brings him down on the edge of the box….

    13′ | 1-1
    Stewart passes up a great chance to put Dundee ahead as he latches onto a slack pass. Ripley makes the stop.

    12′ | 1-1
    McGowan hits the bar! Stewart gets to the byline and cuts it back but from 8 yards can only hit the woodwork. A let off.

    9′ | 1-1
    Chance! Lasley clips in a free-kick which is missed by everyone and forces Bain to knock it out for a corner!

    6′ | 1-1
    Goal – Incredibly on the next attack, McGowan collects a loose ball and slams it into the net to bring Dundee level!

    4′ | 0-1
    Johnson crosses for CADDEN who takes it on the chest and volleys into the top corner!!!! 1-0 to the Steelmen!!

    GGOOOAAALLLLLL!!!!

    Pearson and Lasley get the game underway. COYW!!!

    Out come the teams and out comes the snow. Horrible afternoon for football #DFCvMFC
     

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell  manager Mark McGhee:

    “I feel absolutely aggrieved at the decision. These decisions are so important as we are in a dogfight to avoid the play-offs or worse, to avoid relegation.

    “Every point counts and to be almost over the line after a heroic defensive performance in the second half, after getting our strategy right, I felt we deserved to win the game.

    “The referee has made a terrible call really and that has cost us two points.”

    Dundee manager Paul Hartley:

    “It’s not a penalty. I’ve seen the footage and it’s not a penalty. But we deserved it, we deserved at least a draw.

    “We kept the pressure on them in the second half and created numerous chances. I was really pleased with the effort from my players. We started brightly and some of our play was really good.

    “I thought it was a good game, lots of good football, end-to-end stuff on a difficult surface.

    “Credit to my players because they never give up. Their fitness levels are excellent and they deserved that point at the end of what has been a tough week for them. Our attacking play is good and we look a real threat going forward.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”260″]

  • Archive

    McDonald – Dundee are positive example

    Scott McDonald insists ‘Well could do themselves a favour and learn from Saturday’s opponents Dundee.

    The Aussie International spoke of his admiration for Paul Hartley’s side and their ability to bounce back after adversity.

    It looked as if the Dees were heading for trouble when they went on a eight-game run without a win, that stretched from early October to late December.

    However, after a 3-1 defeat at Fir Park six weeks ago, Hartley’s men have won four of their last six games, including victories over Hamilton, Dundee Utd, Partick Thistle and Falkirk.

    And McDonald said: “Dundee are the type of team that we can look to, they have had a couple of bad results this year but they always seem to pick themselves up and go again,” the former Celtic striker said.

    “People say they are on a bad run and then they get a good result and go again. We will be looking to emulate that. We need to get back on the winning trail.”

    The experienced front man has watched on this week as a number of his teammates have left the club.

    Four players have departed Fir Park this week – goalkeeper Dan Twardzik, midfielder Jake Taylor plus strikers Theo Robinson and David Clarkson – while Liam Grimshaw left earlier in the window and young players David Ferguson and Dylan Mackin joined Craig Moore in going out on loan.

    [pullquote]Dundee are the type of team that we can look to, they have had a couple of bad results this year but they always seem to pick themselves up and go again.[/pullquote]

    Only Grimshaw was a regular, but McDonald feels a new signing would be a psychological boost.

    McDonald said: “We are hoping a few will come in and replace them. That’s key and hopefully that will happen before the window shuts and give everyone a lift that teams get when new players come in.

    “That’s massive. You always see a lift in players when new players come in because obviously players that are brought in are brought in to play.

    “So the players will feel the threat of that and want to impress the manager even more so.”

    McDonald has formed a solid partnership with Louis Moult after an initial period of rotation when Mark McGhee took charge in October, but the Australian would welcome a fresh challenge.

    “We’ve had a few (strikers) this season, it’s been top-heavy at times,” the 32-year-old said.

    “We had five or six at one stage or another. But competition is always nice. None of us will shy away from it, certainly not myself.

    “If you go, like we have, a couple of games without a goal, there’s always going to be that threat of someone coming in to take your place. The more players that are performing, the better for the club.”