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    Aberdeen win in pictures

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    Motherwell 2 – 1 Aberdeen

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    McGhee – Up for Dons battle

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    Robertson to ref Dons clash

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    Club Statement: Ownership

  • Archive

    Memory Well Dementia project launched

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    Pearson ruled out with injury

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    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

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    Dundee Utd win in pictures

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    McGhee – Pleased with important win

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    Aberdeen win in pictures

    Action images from this afternoon’s 2-1 win over Aberdeen at Fir Park.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”aberdeen190316″]

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    Motherwell 2 – 1 Aberdeen

    [tab:Match report]

     Phil McGhee Fir Park

    Motherwell shrugged off the effects of a midweek virus to overcome Aberdeen and secure their fifth win in six games.

    After falling behind to a Kenny McLean penalty just before half time, two quick-fire goals from Scott McDonald and Louis Moult’s eighteenth of the season, earned them another three points.

    More dramatically, having languished in eleventh place just over a month ago the win hoisted the Fir Park side to fifth, with Mark McGhee readjusting his sights for a top six finish.

    The virus, which had the game under threat, only cost Motherwell the services of Ben Hall. However, with Stephen Pearson, James McFadden, Louis Laing and skipper Keith Lasley also injured it forced Mark McGhee to make a number changes from the side which beat Dundee United; Kieran Kennedy, Morgaro Gomis and Jack Leitch all coming into the starting line-up.

    And along with some key saves from Connor Ripley the inexperienced midfield worked hard to back up ‘Well’s front three for an exciting fight back.

    With the Dons equally determined to keep within touching distance of Celtic at the top of the table, Derek McInnes’ men made the better start and had the better of the first half.

    After only eight minutes Shay Logan’s cross was knocked out to the edge of the area where Ryan Jack fired a low drive through the packed box and force a good diving save from Connor Ripley.

    Minutes later and with the home goal under pressure, Simon Church found time to swivel in front of goal only to fire his shot wide of the post.

    After a couple of tame threats the Dons’ ‘keeper Scott Brown was relieved in Motherwell’s first attack as Louis Moult’s cross picked out Marvin Johnson whose controlled volley curled over the bar.

    Aberdeen were lucky after 29 minutes when the width of post denied ‘Well a great opening goal. Josh Law’s lengthy free kick found Moult at the corner of the penalty area but after a slick one two with Scott McDonald, ‘Well’s leading scorer fired a stinging shot off Brown’s right hand post.

    With the game heading towards the interval, Aberdeen opened the scoring from the penalty spot in controversial circumstances. Johnson was flattened by Andy Considine in front of the dugouts and as play raced towards the home box Jonny Hayes was tripped from behind by Kennedy. There was no questioning the award or McLean’s confidence as he slammed the spot kick past Ripley to put the Dons ahead.

    With Mark McGhee still remonstrated with the fourth official, Ripley made a fabulous save to block Niall McGinn’s thumping close range volley and keep his side in the game.

    With Aberdeen content to hold their lead and ‘Well unable to open them up there was little goalmouth action early in the second half.

    After 67 minutes, though the Dons came close to extending their lead.

    Another outstanding save by Ripley denied McLean’s sweet left foot drive, pushing a 25-yard drive behind. Then from Hayes’ corner, Simon Church’s overhead effort sent the ball onto the crossbar.

    Aberdeen looked comfortable until a dramatic six minutes turned the game Motherwell’s way.

    After 73 minutes, Lionel Ainsworth, brought on for the tiring Cadden, floated a ball into the box. Johnson sent the ball into the six-yard box and after it bounced between Moult and Mark Reynolds, McDonald cleverly nodded it over Brown and under the bar to level the scores.

    Before the Dons could recover, ‘Well stunned them with a second. Johnson’s sent the ball into the box and Moult nipped between Reynolds and his advancing Brown to delicately lob the ball over the goalkeeper and into the empty net put the home side in front.

    Worse was to follow for the Dons when Barry Robson, on the field for only two minutes when he was shown a straight red for an elbow on Moult.

    It was nail biting until the finish and Motherwell had chances through Johnson and substitute Wes Fletcher to score a third and kill off Aberdeen, but it also took another fine save from Ripley from Hayes’ low free kick to secure all three points and strengthen ‘Well’s place in the top six.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Fir Park

    COME ON MOTHERWELL!!!!

    FULL TIME!!!

    3 minutes added on.

    89′ | 2-1
    What a chance! Johnson squares it Fletcher 5 yards out but somehow Brown makes the save!

    87′ | 2-1
    Motherwell sub, Moult off for Fletcher.

    85′ | 2-1
    Chance! Ball falls to Ainsworth inside the box but he can only find the side-netting!

    83′ | 2-1
    Chance for Aberdeen…Free-kick about 20 yards out……..Ripley with the save!

    MATCH ATTAX | Young ‘Well fans can vote now for their Man of the Match. Tweet us with their name, age and choice alongside #MatchAttaxMOTM.

    79′ | 2-1
    RED CARD!! A shocker from Robson has he swings an elbow at McDonald. Crazy stuff from the sub.

    77′ | 2-1
    Aberdeen sub, Considine off for Robson

    76′ | 2-1
    Johnson clips a ball over the top and MOULT chase it down, and pokes it past Brown. 2-1 to the Steelmen!!!

    GGGOOOOAAALLL!!!!

    Ball was hooked in by Johnson and somehow the smallest guy on the pitch gets his head on it and it loops over Brown.

    73′ | 1-1
    McDONALD nods home the equaliser!
    GGGGOOOOAAALLLL!!!!

    69′ | 0-1
    Half chance there for Ainsworth. 20 yards out, he shoots with his left but Brown watches it go comfortably wide.

    67′ | 0-1
    Great save from Ripley as he beats away McLean’s powerful shot from 18 yards!

    64′ | 0-1
    Hayes clips in a deep ball which Ripley gathers at the second attempt.

    60′ | 0-1
    Corner to Motherwell…..but McLean heads clear from Kennedy

    51′ | 0-1
    Leitch booked for a foul a few yards outside the Motherwell box.

    47′ | 0-1
    Motherwell sub, Cadden makes way for Ainsworth.

    Motherwell get the second 45 underway. COYW!

    HT: Motherwell 0 – 1 Aberdeen

    45′ | 0-1
    Great save by Ripley to deny Hayes from close range!

    44′ | 0-1
    McLean fires home from the spot. 1-0 to Aberdeen.

    44′ | 0-0
    Penalty to Aberdeen!!

    37′ | 0-0
    Johnson forces Brown into a good low save, with a low shot after latching onto McDonald’s through ball.

    34′ | 0-0
    Gomis is booked for hauling down McLean as he broke. Free-kick about 25 yards out, which McGinn strikes well over the bar.

    30′ | 0-0
    Off the post! Moult nods it down to McDonald who then knocks it back and Moult sees his powerful shot crash back off the woodwork!

    21′ | 0-0
    Chance! Moult plays in a cross to Johnson who volleys it first time but it flies over the bar. Good effort.

    ….Law’s delivery is comfortable for Brown to gather.

    20′ | 0-0
    Logan barges McDonald over and ‘Well have a free-kick wide on the left…..

    13′ | 0-0
    Cadden runs the length of the pitch and wins ‘Well a corner….nobody on the end of Law’s delivery.

    11′ | 0-0
    Decent chance there for Church as a header lands at his feet. On the swivel, he hooks it past the post.

    8′ | 0-0
    First chance of the game falls to Aberdeen, Jack with a shot from about 20 yards which is saved by Ripley.

    Aberdeen get the action underway. COYW!!!

    It’s a lovely sunny day here in Lanarkshire as both sides emerge from the tunnel…..#MFCvAFC

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

    “We were a bit aggrieved about the nature of the penalty because we felt we should have had a free-kick.

    “But Aberdeen were at least one goal better than us in the first half and I thought we lacked a bit of belief.

    “Second half, we pressed them more and it was a terrific performance. We showed great spirit and scored two good goals.

    “Our shape was better and we managed to get Scott McDonald and Louis Moult up against their centre-halves.”

    Aberdeen Manager Derek McInnes

    “We always knew their pace up front was going to give us a real test and it did. They have pacey players and very direct players and they used it well.

    “But to lose the goal at the end of the first half the manner we did… Was it a free-kick? It’s questionable. That is a big blow. But we defended softly, we should have been earlier up there to head the ball away.

    “First half we looked very bright and created loads of openings and looked pretty comfortable. Obviously goals change games and how players feel, and losing the goal so late was a big blow.

    “But the way we performed first half, we should have done that second half as well and worried them. But we didn’t.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”267″]

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    McGhee – Up for Dons battle

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee hopes his squad can shake off a virus to face high-flying Aberdeen on Saturday.

    The Fir Parkers have been on a decent run of form, winning four from their last five, which has propelled them into the top six, albeit both Dundee and Partick Thistle below have a game in hand.

    And McGhee hopes his side can continue that going into the match with the title-challengers, with the aim of increase the gap to the teams below.

    “It’s got all the hallmarks of a great game,” McGhee said.

    “Both teams are in form and playing well. We’ve won four from five; they’re unbeaten in their last four having won the last three games, so it’s poised nicely from that point of view.

    “We want to try and maintain that run of form and continue to put as many points as is possible between the ourselves and the teams below us.

    “If we can do better than that, it would be fantastic, so obviously the stronger the side we have out, the better.”

    [pullquote]Both teams are in form and playing well. We’ve won four from five; they’re unbeaten in their last four having won the last three games, so it’s poised nicely from that point of view.[/pullquote]

    The Fir Park boss has had to cope with a dreadful virus that has engulfed the club over the last six days.

    Tuesday’s proposed Development League match with Celtic was cancelled after Stephen Craigan’s side was left with no fit players in which to fulfill the fixture.

    That spread to several members of the first-team squad, to the point where McGhee reckons the club would have to request the league review the game should more players report ill on Friday morning.

    “We had to shut down the club yesterday,” McGhee said. “We had the entire under-20s wiped out by a virus, we had six of the first-team squad showing symptoms.”

    “At the moment our count seems to be about 15 which includes two or three of the young boys who have never been involved at first-team level. So it’s looking pretty grim at the moment with Lasley, Pearson and Louis Laing all injured.

    “Of the team who have been starting of late, we have probably got about six training this morning. If we turn up tomorrow with another three or four missing then we would be considering seriously whether the game can go ahead.

    “But if I have nine or 10 of the ones that have been playing every week, then I will be quite content to go into the game. I don’t want to go in with six though.”

    “If we had another three or four showing these symptoms and unable to train, then it would leave me with no choice.

    “I mean, I might only have nine players including the entire under-20s. I can’t go into a football match with eight or nine players.”

  • Archive

    Robertson to ref Dons clash

    Referee for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership match against Aberdeen at Fir Park is Don Robertson.

    It will only be Don’s third match at Fir Park and only his fourth ever Motherwell fixture during his five seasons as a senior official.

    Two of the three came this season – the first being a 1-1 draw with Ross County at Fir Park back in early September when a last-minute Louis Moult leveler earned the Steelmen a point.

    Then, just three weeks late, he was the man in the middle for the 2-1 defeat at Dens Park when Stephen Pearson’s goal was not enough to earn his side anything during Stephen Craigan’s temporary tenure.

    The only game other came in February of last season when Dundee were again the opponents, and they won 0-1 in North Lanarkshire courtesy of a Paul McGinn goal after twelve minutes.

    He is even less familiar with Saturday’s opponents, Aberdeen, who he has handled just once, albeit that came this season too and it was a real cracker with the Dons edging out St Johnstone 4-3 at McDiarmid Park last month.

    It has been season for Robertson, who has handled games in the League Cup, the Petrofac Cup, the Premiership, the Championship and League One.

    His most recent appointment came during the week with Morton’s vital 3-2 win over Queen of the South in the race for the last Championship play-off spot.

    Don will be ably assisted by David McGeachie and Gordon Crawford with Craig Charleston on fourth official duties.

  • Archive

    Club Statement: Ownership

    Motherwell FC can today confirm a historic deal, which may lead to the Steelmen being the first fully fan-owned club in the Scottish Premiership.

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by majority shareholder Mr Les Hutchison and the ‘Well Society in which Mr Hutchison has agreed to sell his 76% shareholding to fan group the ‘Well Society for £1. This MoU allows the advanced negotiations to continue to a mutually agreed conclusion over the coming weeks.

    In addition, Mr Hutchison has agreed to provide the club and Society with working capital over the next few months and deferred loan repayments to ensure the Society has every chance to succeed.

    The deal concludes a five-year effort from the Society to own Motherwell FC, a role they will take on as soon as all legal agreements are signed.

    Mr Hutchison will immediately step down from his role as Director and Vice Chairman. Mr Jim McMahon is now Chairman, Douglas Dickie is Vice Chairman, Tom Feely is appointed as a Director with other Board members continuing. All Directors are members of the ‘Well Society.

    The deal finalises Mr Hutchison’s fourteen months at Fir Park, where he not only stopped the club falling into foreign ownership in the winter of 2014, but provided the investment required to allow the club to remain in the SPFL Premiership during the 2014/15 season and to allow fans to enjoy the upcoming 130th and 25th anniversaries while still in the top division.

    Commenting, Mr Hutchison added: “I am extremely pleased at the great progress we have made both on and off the park. The new systems and processes now in place together with an excellent management team has ensured a successful turn around at the club.

    “I would like to personally thank Mark McGhee and Alan Burrows for their huge contribution to the improvements at Fir Park.

    “I would also like to thank everyone at the club who adopted the many changes I introduced to create a solid foundation to build on and who worked tirelessly to advance the Business Plan during what was and is a transitional period.

    “With the fans, via the ‘Well Society, nearly in full control, the onus will very much be on them and the wider community to stand by their club in the weeks, months and years ahead

    “As well as thanking everyone who has joined and is contributing to the ‘ Well Society, I would also like to wish the extremely dedicated individuals who will now drive the club forward all the very best in their endeavours. I’ll be supporting from afar.”

    ‘Well Society interim Chairman Douglas Dickie added: “This marks the start of an exciting and important period for the club and the ‘Well Society is indeed indebted to our members whose significant financial contribution has directly assisted Motherwell FC in achieving the improvements as highlighted.

    “There is still a substantial amount of work yet to be done and I would ask that existing members and fans continue and join in the support in order that we can achieve our initial goal in sustaining a community and fan-owned Motherwell FC.”

  • Archive

    Memory Well Dementia project launched

    Over 90,000 people in Scotland have been diagnosed with dementia a disease which has a devastating effect on the both the sufferer and their families. 67% of people with dementia are women and the number of people with dementia is projected to double within the next 25 years.

    People with dementia have difficulty remembering what has happened in their life which leaves them feeling vulnerable, isolated, and less confident. However, their memories from years ago often remain detailed and intact.

    The Bank of Scotland Foundation is providing Motherwell Football Club Community Trust with £14,400 to deliver Memory Well an innovative reminiscence therapy project that will be delivered weekly to a total of 400 individual participants over the course of one year.

    The objectives of the Memory Well project are to provide weekly reminiscence therapy sessions over the period of the year in a range of locations, provide respite periods for carers, develop memory books of pictures and memories for participants in the project, and deliver dementia awareness sessions in local primary schools. The project will also establish a buddy system where students in local secondary schools will help participants create a memory book of their most cherished photographs, and memories.

    Over one year the Memory Well Project will provide reminiscence sessions in a wide range of community locations including care homes, sheltered housing complexes, libraries and community centre, and at Fir Park Stadium home of Motherwell Football Club. The sessions will cover the core themes of sport, art, music, film and TV, and time and place to ensure that whatever their interest the project can deliver activities to interest the participants.

    In addition people with dementia are often misunderstood because of the myths and misconceptions others have about the disease. It is, therefore, important that this stigma is addressed particularly in young people who may have grand parents or older relatives suffering from the disease. As a result an important part of the project will see Motherwell FC Community Trust community coaches receive appropriate training to deliver dementia awareness sessions in local primary schools which will focus on developing young people’s knowledge and understanding of dementia and contribute to creating dementia friendly communities.

    Commenting on the funding award Community Trust General Manager commented “We really have to thank the Bank of Scotland Foundation for making this award. So many in Lanarkshire are touched by dementia we look forward to working with our partners in North Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire and the national project based at Hampden to make a difference”.

  • Archive

    Pearson ruled out with injury

    Motherwell have suffered an injury blow with the news Stephen Pearson has been ruled out for six weeks.

    The former Scotland International, who has been excellent for the Steelmen this campaign, had to be substituted after 34 minutes in Friday’s bruising encounter with Dundee United, a game that also saw skipper Keith Lasley and Josh Law withdrawn due to injury.

    The midfielder, who is still in a Glasgow hospital, was later given the news he had several broken ribs and a punctured lung, which will rule him out until the end of next month.

    The 33-year old said: “I’m gutted to miss our upcoming games, but there’s very little I can do for this other than rest up.

    “I’ll hopefully be back as soon as possible to help the lads as we look to finish the season strong.”

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    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

    Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell come back from a goal down to beat Dundee Utd 2-1.

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    Dundee Utd win in pictures

    Action images from tonight’s 2-1 win over Dundee Utd at Fir Park.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”dundeeutd110316″]

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    McGhee – Pleased with important win

    Mark McGhee was pleased with his side’s second half improvement, which gave them a 2-1 win over Dundee Utd.

    The Steelmen were below par during the first forty-five, but went in level after Marvin Johnson cancelled out Henri Anier’s opener.

    The brusing win, which lifts the Fir Parkers into the top six, at least for one night, came at a cost though with Stephen Pearson, Keith Lasley and Josh Law limping off injured.

    “Stephen, we are a bit concerned that he has damaged his ribs and he’s certainly struggling a bit,” McGhee said.

    “Las has a real dull one is in there with quite a lot of discomfort. Josh Law is the same.

    “We have won tonight, but it’s been at a cost.”

    [pullquote]They put in a tremendous amount of work in the second half and, in the end, thoroughly deserved to win the game.[/pullquote]

    McGhee’s priority was still avoiding relegation trouble rather than a top-six finish.

    “We might be back out the top six tomorrow, but more importantly it puts three more points between us the team sitting second bottom,” he added.

    “In the first half, we were very fortunate to go in level. I thought we were really poor.

    “We didn’t work anywhere as hard as we have been and certainly we didn’t work as hard as we did in the second half.

    “But the fact is we did get the equaliser fortunately and it gave us the platform to sort out a few things at half time and work harder in the second half.

    “We certainly did that. They put in a tremendous amount of work in the second half and, in the end, thoroughly deserved to win the game.”