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Action images from this evening’s 2-5 win over Hearts in the Youth Cup Final.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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Highlights from Hampden Park as the young Steelmen beat Hearts 5-2 to win the Scottish FA Youth Cup for the very first time.

Stephen Craigan has heaped praise on his young side after their impressive 5-2 win over Hearts in the Youth Cup Final.

The historic victory meant the Steelmen lifted the trophy for the first time in their history, 25-years after the club were last at Hampden to win a national final.

Goals from Dylan Mackin, Chris Cadden, David Ferguson, Robbie Leitch and Dylan Falconer contributed to the superb victory.

And Craigan wasn’t playing down the significance of the win saying: “For the players, this was their World Cup Final.

“I know that sounds as if I am exaggerating, but this means absolutely everything to them. There have been better players who have never had a chance to win a Youth Cup, and I was anxious to ensure that didn’t pass for them and it didn’t.

[pullquote]I thought to a man they were terrific including the guys who came off the bench who made a huge impact. Overall, I am absolutely delighted for everyone at the club and for the supporters who came through to back the boys tonight.[/pullquote]

The 54-times capped Northern Irish International felt it was his side’s ability to stay solid at the back that was key to victory.

“We made less mistakes defensively than they did; which certainly isn’t to take away from any of the good attacking play we had,” he continued.

“We had a threat, particularly when we got Cadden and Thomas on the ball. We can hurt teams.

“However, defensively, I thought we were solid. Allan Campbell got through a power of work protecting the back four; he was immense. Stephen McManus said to me afterwards that he does the job of two players, and it was like that tonight.

“His protecting, along with the organisation of the lads at the back provided us the best possible platform for our attacking players to do their stuff, so the game plan really worked.”

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]

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