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An inexperienced Motherwell Under 20s crashed to league-leaders Celtic at a wet and miserable Cappielow this afternoon.

The young Steelmen, who didn’t field a single overage player and even had fifteen-year old James Scott on the pitch for forty-five minutes, took on the unbeaten Celtic who could call on the likes of former England striker Carlton Cole and £12-million pound Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts.

With the rain lashing down, Regan Hendry fired the hosts in front after ten minutes, but a brave ‘Well more than held their own in a game played at a furious pace.

However, with the youngster tiring after the third game in seven days, Celtic added another three after the break with Hendy grabbing another, a Jack McMillan own goal and a late strike from Roberts on his first appearance.

It was a competitive opening to the game, with Motherwell content to make their mark with a couple of physical challenges. However, the hosts were soon in front and the on-loan City man was involved, cutting in from the left before teeing up Hendry who fired low into the bottom corner from 25-yards.

To their credit, the Steelmen regrouped and started to put their foot on the ball. A well-worked corner allowed Luke Watt to fire a shot at goal, but Conor Hazard in the home goal was more than equal.

Shortly after, a slack pass from Roberts almost had Ryan Watters in on goal, but he could only flight an effort narrowly over the bar.

At the other end, Celtic again went close when a positive run and shot from McMullan had Brett Long scrambling, but thankfully it went inches over the bar.

Motherwell’s best chance of the half came with nine minutes left to the interval. Robbie Leitch’s cross from the left pin-balled about the area before landing at the feet of Jake Hastie, but he could only drag a low shot just off target.

Stephen Craigan’s side made a positive start to the second period and only a terrific save from Hazard denied Watt from distance, with Jamie McCart on hand to hook away the rebound with Ross MacLean waiting to pounce.

It was to prove a vital stop as with their next attack, Celtic got a vital second, which all but secured the game.

Hendry flicked the ball into the path of Roberts, but the recovering Jack McMillan managed to stop him in his tracks. Unluckily for ‘Well, the ball broke loose and as Barry Maguire slipped as he attempted block, allowing Hendry to lash it high into the net.

Celtic soon added a third, Roberts exploiting space on the right flank before his low ball across the face was turned into his own net by the unfortunate McMillan, who was trying to knock it behind or a corner.

The home side had their tails up and sub Mark Hill almost added another but was thwarted by Long, who saved his low shot well with his feet.

Aidan McIlduff had the ball in the net but had it disallowed by an assistant’s flag. The same player went close again shortly after, but fired it over the bar.

As the game looked to be heading for a conclusion, Celtic added a fourth with virtually the last kick of the match. Hendry and Roberts combined again, and after a neat back flick, the nineteen-year old winger curled a strike past Long and into the corner.

Motherwell: Long, McMillan, Livingstone, Maguire, Watt, Campbell, Watters, R. Leitch (J.Moore – 89mins), Falconer (Scott – 46mins), Hastie (Turnbull – 68mins), MacLean

Subs Not Used: Morrison, Leighton

The Referee for today’s William Hill Scottish Cup 5th Round match with Inverness CT at Fir Park will be Steven McLean.

It will be Steven’s fourth Motherwell appointment of the season and his fourth visit to Fir Park. The first was back in late August when Louis Moult’s first half penalty gave the Steelmen narrow 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock.

The second was another narrow victory, this time the 2-1 success against Partick Thistle when an own goal and a Scott McDonald header gave ‘Well all three points.

Most recently was the 2-2 draw with Hearts in late November, when the Steelmen were twice pegged back to draw despite goals from Moult and Marvin Johnson.

Now one of Scotland’s most recognisable whistlers, ‘Well fans will be familiar with the 34-year old, particularly as he handled four matches last term.

The first was the 0-2 home defeat to Inverness in mid August when goals from Greg Tansey and Aaron Doran spoiled Henrik Ojamaa’s return to the club.

The second fixture was a win at Ross County a month or so later, John Sutton and Iain Vigurs both hitting spectacular goals that day.

The third was ‘Well’s 1-0 win over Dundee Utd back in November, where Iain Vigurs’ second half strike gave the Kenny Black led Motherwell all three points.

The final match was the league closer at home to Partick Thistle, an uneventful affair that ended in 0-0 stalemate the week before the Steelmen would do battle with Rangers in the Premiership Play-offs.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads fifteen wins, six defeats and four draws from twenty-five matches.

In those games, ‘Well have scored 49 and conceded 39. 69 cautions have been dished out, 41 flashed at those wearing Claret and Amber.

Four players have been sent off, two for ‘Well (Fraser Kerr and Keith Lasley in the same match against Killie in February 2013).

McLean will be ably assisted by Davis McGeachie and Kyle McMullan, with Andrew Dallas on fourth official duties. Iain Brines will be the referee observer.

Fans should note forthcoming fixture amendments in March and April.

The match with Dundee Utd, originally scheduled for Saturday 12th March has been switched to Friday night, 11th March (7.45pm KO). This match will be live on BT Sport

Motherwell’s game with Celtic,  scheduled for Saturday 9th April has been switched to lunch-time kick off on the same day (12.30pm KO), and will be live on Sky Sports.

>> Updated Fixture List

A reminder that tickets for the William Hill Scottish Cup 5th Round clash with Inverness CT are still on sale.

The match will take place at Fir Park on Saturday 6th February 2016, with a 3pm kick off.

Tickets for the match will go on sale Saturday, 23rd January 2016 at 10am with prices agreed at:

• Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.

In addition, similar to the last round, both clubs have agreed a joint initiative whereby any fan that pre-purchases either an adult or concession ticket on or before 3rd February 2016 will qualify for an additional juvenile tickets free of charge.

For clarity, that is one free juvenile ticket per adult/concession ticket purchased on or before 3rd February 2016.

Any tickets purchased after the 3rd February, or on the turnstile on the day of the match, will be subject to the standard pricing of £15 for adults, £10 concessions and £5 juveniles.

Away fans are also able to claim this same deal, but should check directly with Inverness CT for full sales and distribution arrangements.

General Manager Alan Burrows added: “The take up of a similar offer at the Cove Rangers match was particularly encouraging and we obviously we want as many people to come to what is a vital 5th Round match as possible.

“There’s a strong relationship between both clubs and it’s great we’ve been able to work together to try and incentivise this additional match.

“We will announce additional ticket office opening hours of the next few days to allow as many Motherwell fans to take up the deal as possible.

“For those that don’t want to, we will obviously still have the pay at the gate facility available on the day of the game too.”

The club continue their William Hill Scottish Cup run on Saturday 6^th February with a match against Inverness CT.

Following the recent announcement of ticket prices for this game, below is a note of our match-day hospitality packages.

Remember, this match is not included in your season book.

All hospitality packages include a ticket, match programme, team-sheet and half time refreshments.

Centenary Claret: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full, four course table service with access to a pay bar till kick off and then again for an hour post-match.

Book now from only £39.95 for an adult and £35 for a child under 16.

Centenary Amber: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full four course table service with complimentary bar and then again for an hour post-match.

Book now for £79.99 for an adult, £69.95 for concession and £45 for a child under 16.

Centenary Ticket Only: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for access to pre-match pay bar, prime match seats then half-time refreshments followed by access to the bar after the game.   

Book now from only £29.95 for an adult, concession £19.95 and £14.95 for a child under 16.

Millennium Ticket: Enjoy a lighter bite pre-match and at half-time with a complimentary bar for one-hour pre & post-match.

Book now for £55.95 for an adult, concession £35 and £30 for a child under 16.

01698 333333 | hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk

Extended highlights from Firhill as Steven Lawless’ late strike consigns Motherwell to a 1-0 defeat against Partick Thistle.

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

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”thistle020216″]

‘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.”

[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]

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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.