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Motherwell clinched the Youth Cup for the first time in the club’s history with a convincing 5-2 victory over Hearts at Hampden.

It was only the second time the Fir Park outfit had made it to the final, the previous occasion coming in a 2-1 defeat to Celtic back in 1987.

They may have made it difficult for themselves at time at the National Stadium, but they always looked more likely to lift the silverware that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the last time Motherwell won a trophy in the Scottish Cup back in 1991.

The Steelmen, managed by former captain Stephen Craigan, had several first-team players in their ranks such as Chris Cadden, Ben Hall and Dom Thomas and it was this experience that ultimately made the difference.

The game started slow but the deadlock was broken midway through the first half.

A Dom Thomas free kick caused problems for Hearts keeper Kelby Mason who dropped the cross at the feet of Dylan Mackin for the striker to hook the ball home.

Seven minutes later it was two with Chris Cadden getting the crucial strike. The hugely impressive Allan Campbell picked the ball up in midfield, jinked into the box before a stray leg sent the ball to the Well captain, and his low shot deflected off Daniel Baur and by his own keeper.

Motherwell were cruising at this point but Jon Daly’s Hearts would get a lifeline on the stroke of half-time. A soft free-kick on the edge of the area allowed Jordan McGhee the chance to bend a low shot that flew into the bottom corner, reducing the arrears as the teams headed for the dressing room.

It was a one-goal deficit that only lasted to the hour mark when the Fir Parkers stretched their lead again. A Thomas corner was flicked on at the near post with the Hearts defence flapping only for David Ferguson to slam the loose ball home at the back post.

While Motherwell looked commanding, they would again leave the door open for the Tynecastle club to get another lifeline. It was centre-half Ben Hall who slipped on the edge of his own box. It allowed Dario Zanatta to ghost in, round Brett Long and squeeze the ball in past the recovering Ferguson, who was almost hooked it off the line.

However, The team from Lanarkshire would not be denied their first piece of silverware since the days of Phil O’Donnell, Davie Cooper and Stevie Kirk.

It was the two late substitutes that clinched the famous win. Robbie Leitch, only on the park several minutes, collected a pass from Ferguson before dancing around two Hearts markers and curling a delicious effort in off the far post the put the Claret and Amber men in the driving seat.

Then, it the last minute, Leitch was the creator this time, nipping around a challenge before dinking a ball over the defence for fellow sub Dylan Falconer. The 16-year old took a fabulous touch, before coolly lifting it over the outrushing Mason to secure the emphatic win.

Motherwell: Long, Watt, McMillan, Hall, Ferguson, Turnbull (R.Leitch – 71mins), Campbell, Cadden, MacLean (Hastie – 90mins), Thomas, Mackin (Falconer – 77mins)

Subs Not Used: Morrison, Livingstone

Motherwell Football Club was founded in 1886 and throughout its history has enjoyed a close relationship with local people and communities. The club has a strong community and family focus and a genuine commitment to help support those most in need.

In 2011 the Club established the Motherwell Football Club Community Trust now  a multi award-winning charity which harnesses the power of sport and the brand name of Motherwell Football Club to deliver community benefit across the key themes of lifelong learning, health and wellbeing, regeneration, and inclusion.

The Trust engages with people of all ages across the whole of Lanarkshire working with a wide range of partners to meet the needs of local communities.

We are now looking to appoint a General Manager who will work with our Trustees and Motherwell Football Club to expand the exciting work of the charity including the development of new community based facilities.

You will have the skills, knowledge, and energy, required to deliver our vision, and ideally you will have experience of working in the voluntary or statutory sector with a sound business approach and a key understanding of both project management and financial planning. You will also have a sound knowledge of sports development at grassroots and community level.

In addition to offering you the challenge of improving our already excellent track record we will also reward you with a salary of between £30,000 and £37,000 depending upon experience.

You can read a full job description by clicking here.

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to alan.burrows@motherwellfc.co.uk

Closing Date: Friday May 6^th, 2016

On Sunday 8th May, Motherwell FC will host an evening with Fir Park stars to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the club winning the Scottish Cup.

In attendance will be players who featured in the cup final including heroic keeper Ally Maxwell, who is flying in especially from Arizona, super-sub Stevie Kirk, Iain Ferguson, Jim Griffin and semi-final goal hero Colin O’Neill.

Mark McGhee’s team too will be there on the evening so you can meet your heroes from this season, whether that be Captain Keith Lasley, Connor Ripley or Louis Moult as they take your applause for what has been an incredible 12 months for the team.

Details for the dinner are:

• Sunday 8th May
• Bothwell Bridge Hotel
• Four course meal
• 7-730pm
• Black tie, though lounge suit is acceptable
• £60 per place

Tam Cowan will MC the evening which will include a Q&A with some of the special guests, an auction and also guest speaker Paul Reid.

To book your place call 01698 333333 or go online www.motherwellbuyonline.co.uk

Motherwell U20s face Hearts in the Little Big Shot Youth Cup Final against Motherwell  at Hampden Park.

Stephen Craigan’s youngsters have seen off Partick Thistle, Stenhousemuir, Kilmarnock, St Johnstone and Ross County in this season’s competition and have been rewarded with a trip to the National Stadium.

The tie will take place on Wednesday April 27th and kick-off is 7.3opm.

Entry will be via cash gates on the night, with prices set at £5 for adults and £2 for children so come along and give the boys your backing in what is their first Youth Cup final in almost 30 years.

Action images from this afternoon’s 1-0 win over Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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‘Well boss Mark McGhee felt his team looked sharp after an impressive 1-0 home win over Hearts this afternoon.

The Fir Parkers were the better team throughout with the only frustration being the Claret and Amber men had just one goal to show for their sterling efforts.

And Scotland assistant McGhee was confident his side would perform having watched them train hard all week.

He said: “We would have liked another goal just to give us breathing space, because 1-0 is always a dangerous score and they came on to us in the last 10 minutes, but I thought it was a very good performance.

[pullquote]They have trained so well all week that I would have been disappointed if they didn’t take that into the game and they did. They trained the way they played and I was well pleased with it.[/pullquote]

Craig Samson made his Motherwell debut this afternoon, taking the place of on-loan Boro keeper Conner Ripley, who had missed most of the week’s training with a throat infection.

McGhee revealed after the match the experienced former Scotland pick will be given the chance to hold onto the number one shirt.

“We had intended to (give him a game before the end of the season) anyway then, with Connor being a wee bit ill at the beginning of the week, it ensured the decision was today,” he continued.

“He will get another game before the end of the season. We have made sure that he knows he is wanted here next year. So we wanted to give him some sort of outing. Connor has been fantastic, but will go back to his home club.”

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee Fir Park

Motherwell returned to winning ways with a thoroughly impressive 1-0 win over Hearts, making it six wins in their last seven fixtures.

Commanding the game from the start, the only criticism would be that the Fir Park side failed to add to Lionel Ainsworth’s first half strike.

Having earned a top-six finish, the ‘Well players were relaxed and confident from start to finish against a Hearts side still with ambitions of overtaking Aberdeen.

Connor Ripley missed his first game of the season, the ‘keeper’s throat infection allowing Craig Samson to make his debut. Lionel Ainsworth also earned a starting place in a front three with Louis Moult and Marvin Johnson.

With hopes of erasing the memories of their six goal drubbing at Tynecastle when the sides last met in January, the Fir Park men made a positive start, pressing Neil Alexander’s goal from the start.

On the break the Edinburgh side produced the first shot, Sam Nicholson dragging his shot wide of the post. Two minutes Moult did likewise at the other end, sclaffing his shot across the visitor’s goal.

After 11 minutes Samson was forced into his first save getting down to hold a bouncing effort from Prince Buaben.

Following that, though, the action was largely confined to the Hearts’ half with the home side steady in possession and looking to make the breakthrough.

It almost came in the 27th minute when Josh Law did well to pull the ball back from the goal-line allowing Moult to tee up Chris Cadden, but his controlled shot down the centre of the goal was blocked in the six yard box.

The Tynecastle men failed to clear their lines and when Scott McDonald was given time to collect Stevie Hammell’s throw in, he played a weighted ball in front of Ainsworth. Cutting in from the angle of the box, his finish was low and accurate whizzing across Alexander and into the far corner of the net.

Having exerted himself in the initial build up, Law limped off six minutes before the break allowing Ben Hall to come on and join Stephen McManus in the heart of the home defence.
Keith Lasley failed to come out for the second half with Jack Leitch taking his place.

That failed to change the pattern of play with ‘Well comfortable in possession and patiently probing for an opening.

That looked to have paid off on the hour when McDonald, at the heart of everything, fed the ball to Johnson whose clever pass sent Moult through the middle. His low shot, though, bounced off the foot of the post and behind with the ‘Well striker claiming that Alexander made a fingertip save.

Four minutes later McDonald passed up another great chance to double the home lead. The Aussie striker did well to rob Buaben at the edge of the box, but with only Alexander to beat he curled his finish over a begging target.

Hearts almost punished ‘Well for that miss when Callum Paterson’s powerful volley rebounded high and was heading under the bar until Samson threw himself across goal to claw the ball away.

Desperate to take something back to Edinburgh, Robbie Neilson made a double substitution with eleven minutes remaining. And although Hearts showed more urgency in the closing stages, Motherwell were comfortable and if anything more likely to score.

A trademark move from Johnson, dragging the ball in from the touch line before firing in a left foot drive, forced Alexander to smother the ball low to his left.

Openings for McDonald and Johnson might have made the win more emphatic but the fans’ applause at the full-time whistle acknowledged ‘Well as worthy winners.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

Motherwell 1 – 0 Hearts.
Ainsworth’s first-half strike enough to hand the Steelmen all three points at Fir Park!

FULL TIME

88′ | 1-0
Wide open passage of play the. Chance for Reilly but McManus does superbly to make the block, which Hammell then clears.

83′ | 1-0
Motherwell sub, Chalmers on for Ainsworth.

82′ | 1-0
Great turn from Johson to craft some space for a shot. He takes it on but Alexander is equal to it, saving low to his left.

MATCH ATTAX | Young ‘Well fans can vote now for your Man of the Match. Tweet your name, age & choice with #MatchAttaxMOTM now. #MFCvHMFC

Buaben also makes way, replaced by Cowie.

79′ | 1-0
Hearts sub, Reilly on for Juanma

77′ | 1-0
Chance for Juanma but McManus is alert to the danger and knocks it wide for a corner.

70′ | 1-0
Smith booked for a trip on Cadden well inside the Motherwell half.

68′ | 1-0
Hearts sub, Dauda on for Nicholson

66′ | 1-0
Great save by Samson to deny Paterson whose volley bounces awkwardly in front of him

65′ | 1-0
Glorious chance for McDonald as he robs Buaben but with only Alexander to beat, he fires over the bar!!

62′ | 1-0
Cadden booked which enrages the Motherwell crowd. Inconsistency of decisions is frustrating both sides

60′ | 1-0
Moult with a great chance but Alexander makes the save. Surely a corner?!

52′ | 1-0
Great ball over the top from Leitch but Ainsworth can’t quite get on the end of it and Alexander gathers.

50′ | 1-0
Walker tries to pick his spot but curls it straight at Samson from 20 yards.

Motherwell get the ball rolling for the second 45.

Half-time sub for ‘Well, Lasley makes way for Leitch…

HT: Motherwell 1 – 0 Hearts
Lionel Ainsworth with the only goal of a low-key first half.

39′ | 1-0
Motherwell sub, Josh Law hobbles off for Ben Hall.

36′ | 1-0
Walker tries the spectacular with a flying volley but can’t get it right and it sails well wide and over

29′ | 1-0
AINSWORTH drives into the box and fires a low unstoppable shot past Alexander. 1-0 to the Steelmen!

GOOAALLL!!!

22′ | 0-0
Hammell booked for a foul on Nicholson inside the Hearts half. Looked harsh.

15′ | 0-0
Law’s headed clearance falls to Buaben 20 yards out but he can’t get any power in his volley to test Samson.

7′ | 0-0
Chance for Hearts there. Nicholson cuts in from the left but his shot trickles just wide of the post.

5′ | 0-0
Nice bit of play down the left leads to Souttar heading Hammell’s cross out for a corner.

2′ | 0-0
Hammell whips in a free-kick from the right which Paterson has to nod back to Alexander.

Juanma and Walker get the game underway. COYW!

Out come the teams; Motherwell in claret and amber, Hearts in white and maroon.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

“We would have liked another goal just to give us breathing space, because 1-0 is always a dangerous score and they came on to us in the last 10 minutes, but I thought it was a very good performance.

“They have trained so well all week that I would have been disappointed if they didn’t take that into the game and they did. They trained the way they played and I was well pleased with it.”

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson

“We didn’t deserve to get anything out the game. Motherwell were the better team, they had a better attacking threat than us, they worked harder than us.

“It wasn’t acceptable for us. We brought a huge crowd down and we didn’t do enough to excite them.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”271″]

For the last two home games of the season, the club have reduced the price but also increased the value of the Family Ticket.

For the matches against Hearts this Saturday (23rd April) and St Johnstone (7th May), the ‘Family’ ticket for all areas of the ground will be the same as the regular adult price of £23/19.

In addition, we have extended the terms to allow up to two Juveniles (15 and under) to enter under that ticket, as opposed to the standard one.

So a parent two kids can watch either game for as little as £6.33 each in the East Stand and £7.66 each in the other three stands (including away stands).

‘Well boss Mark McGhee said: “We want as many people as possible along to roar on the players for these last vital two home games.

“We’ve achieved a lot over the last few months, but I am determined to try and finish the campaign off on a positive note as we build for next season.

“Sure, European football won’t be available for us, but finishing fourth would be a major achievement and would boost the club financially. We’re in a three-way fight to get it, so if you can make it along, join us for one or both these matches and get right behind the lads.”

Extended highlights from Station Park as the Under 20s come from behind to beat Dundee 1-3 in the Development League.

Motherwell Under 20s came from behind to beat Dundee at Station Park this afternoon.

The Dee’s took the lead just after half-time but two classy finishes from David Turnbull, with a David Ferguson header sandwiched between, gave the Young Steelmen a deserved three points.

Manager Stephen Craigan made two changes to his side, with Joe Chalmers and Barry Maguire dropping out for Jack McMillan and goal scorer David Ferguson.

There was little in the first half with Dundee having by far the best chance.  Skelly latched onto a poor clearance and squared the ball nicely to John Black who poked it goalwards from six yards but much to Long’s relief he got an instinctive hand to it and somehow managed to make the save.

Dundee started the second forty-five with a bang, scoring within the first two minutes. Kyle Clark got down the right hand side and volleyed a cross in towards Long who couldn’t get enough on his parry, leaving John Black with an easy finish.

Within eight minutes, though, Motherwell were back level.

Good pressing won the ball back in the Dundee half and after Thomas fed the ball into his feet, David Turnbull steadied himself and angled a fine low finish past Gourlay.

By this point Dundee had made their available subs and with Skelly off with a knock, had to make do with the ten men.

Frustratingly for the Dens Park men, they were temporarily down to nine men when Motherwell struck again.

Ross MacLean swung in a corner straight to the unmarked Ferguson who made no mistake with his header from 6 yards.

With eleven minutes to go, Motherwell were holding onto their lead well and finished the job in the ninety-first minute.

It was a really well worked goal with Watt advancing forward and sliding in Falconer. He cooly pulled it back to Turnbull who applied a great curling finish past Gourlay.

The win sets the youngsters up nicely for next Wednesday’s Little big shot Youth Cup final with Hearts.

Motherwell U20s: Long, Watt, McMillan, Ferguson, Hall, Campbell, MacLean, Turnbull, Falconer, Thomas, R. Leitch (Hastie – 82mins)

Unused subs: Morrison, Maguire, Livingstone, Moore