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Motherwell U20s extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 1-1 draw away to St Johnstone tonight.

A first half header from Jacob Blyth was cancelled out by a second half strike from Connor McLaren on an evening where missed opportunities ruined both sides chances of taking all three points.

Kieran Kennedy started alongside goal-scorer Blyth as they both returned to fitness after significant spells out of action.

And it was a bright start for Blyth, who headed inches over the bar within the first two minutes.

It only took the Englishman five minutes and two opportunities to grab a goal though; despite the fact his header didn’t actually hit the back of the net.

The linesman was on hand to make the final call, deciding the summer signings header had indeed crossed the line despite St Johnstone stopper Ben McKenzie’s efforts to gather it.

Jake Hastie and Ross MacLean looked lively early on, providing pace and directness to the Steelmen’s game and looking to utilise the two centre forwards in the starting eleven.

And it was the former who went close and would have scored the second goal of the night had it not been for a great save by McKenzie.

Afforded too much time on the edge of the box, the youngster composed himself and unleashed a rocket of a left-foot towards goal, but it was too central and McKenzie got a strong pair of hands to it to deny him.

25 minutes in to the half and it should have been 2-0 to the Fir Parkers.

Some excellent, hard work by Ross MacLean down the right robbed the hosts in their own penalty area. Instead of shooting from a tight angle the midfielder wisely laid it off to Dylan Mackin who was free in the box, but the striker dragged his shot wide of the post from ten yards out.

The opening 45 quietened down as the game grew a bit scrappy at points, but Craigan’s side held on to their narrow lead going in to the break.

And the hosts were by far the stronger side in the second period, with a number of glaring opportunities to win the game after they drew level in the 65^th minute.

And it was a neat finish from Connor McLaren.

The midfielder raced in to the box with three ‘Well defenders in his way, but he did enough to create space on his right foot and lace a low, hard shot past Morrison.

From then on chances were few and far between for Motherwell as St Johnstone seemed to edge towards a winner.

Over age selection Graham Cummins went close with two efforts in two minutes for the hosts, heading once over the bar and once against the bar, but couldn’t hit the target.

Centre-back Jason Kerr should have nicked the points for St Johnstone in the final seconds of the match, rising high to head at goal but missing the target.

In the end, it was a hard-fought point for the youngsters who remained top of the Development League table and extended their great run of results.

Motherwell football club would like to thank our partners for their support at the game on Friday evening.

Blue Parrot sponsored the game and chose Ben Heneghan as their man of the match. Ben was presented his award by Greg Anderson from Blue Parrot.

Match ball sponsors Rentokil chose Craig Clay as their man of the match and the award was presented to him by Iain Marks.

Match Attax Young Man of the Match was awarded to Scott McDonald by Scott Maxwell. Unfortunately, Scott couldn’t accept the award and Stephen McManus stepped in.

The Club would also like to thank Magnum Sounds for the provision of the PA system in the Centenary Suite.

Voting has opened for Motherwell’s Player of the Month for September – sponsored by Motorpoint.

Every month, ‘Well fans have the opportunity to cast their vote for who they think has put in the best performances.

Thanks to club sponsors Motorpoint, the decision is up to the fans, so cast your vote here!

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Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell lose 1-3 to Hearts.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee felt the 1-3 scoreline in his sides defeat at home to Hearts tonight was an unfair reflection of the game.

Having stopped Hearts from notching a single shot on target in the opening half, a wicked deflection punished the Steelmen and changed the game going in to the break.

Speaking to MFC TV after the match, the manager touched on the positives he can take forward from an ultimately disappointing final result.

McGhee said: “I didn’t think that was anything like a fair result, I think at least a draw would’ve been a fair result with the amount of effort and ability we put in to the game.

[pullquote]I didn’t think that was anything like a fair result, I think at least a draw would’ve been a fair result with the amount of effort and ability we put in to the game.[/pullquote]

“In the first half we based our game plan on trying to get our two strikers dropping in a little deeper and getting behind the ball to frustrate them and force them to hit long balls.”

Conceding so late in the half could have changed McGhee’s whole team talk at the break, but the manager insisted it was something he had to make sure didn’t deflate him or his side.

He said: “We had opportunities to make better chances which would maybe be my criticism and then to concede the goal just before half time was ludicrous really and hugely disappointing.

“It deflated me and you have to take a few minutes to get your head around it because I was going in to half time full of positives.

[pullquote]We had opportunities to make better chances which would maybe be my criticism and then to concede the goal just before half time was ludicrous really and hugely disappointing.[/pullquote]

“Then what you have to do is try and get the goal out of your head and make sure we don’t panic or do things we wouldn’t normally be doing.”

He added: “20 minutes in to the second half I thought the boys were fantastic: they poured it on and really got at them with a great variety of play, energy and desire. The only thing we failed to do was put the ball in the back of the net and that was disappointing. Then conceding that second goal really killed the game.”

He added: “It’s disappointing but I’m hugely encouraged and hugely positive about what we’re going in to for the rest of the season.”

[pullquote]He’s just got that ability and when he went to take it I thought to myself ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if put this in’[/pullquote]

The manager spoke of the moment of magic from his assistant James McFadden, who came on as a sub in the second half.

He said: “He’s just got that ability and when he went to take it I thought to myself ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if put this in’.

“Unfortunately because of the situation I certainly didn’t get excited about it but I certainly did enjoy it.

“He’s a fantastic footballer and for the Motherwell fans it gave them a highlight in terms of the outcome – it was a brilliant free-kick.”

Images from today’s 1-3 defeat to Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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[tab:Match report]

A late wonder strike from James McFadden was not enough for Motherwell as Hearts punished the Steelmen on the stroke of half time before going on to win 3-1.

And it shattered the clubs hopes of extending their unbeaten run and possibly going second in the table.

Those hopes were dashed after carelessly conceding an own goal on the stroke of half-time. Up until then the Fir Park men looked the more likely to score as Hearts failed to produce anything of note in front of Craig Samson’s goal.

That changed dramatically when Sam Nicholson’s shot deflected off Stephen McManus to hand the initiative to the Edinburgh side.

Hearts made the most of that fortunate opener adding two superb strikes from Callum Paterson and Arnaud Djoum in the second half to wrap up the points. James McFadden grabbed a late consolation with a terrific free kick and stake a claim for the best of three fabulous second half goals.

Mark McGhee stood by the side which earned a point at Firhill last week, which meant a front three of Louis Moult, Scott McDonald and Ryan Bowman.

It was the former Gateshead striker who forced the first piece of goal action after 14 mins. A swift break from their own corner flag sent ‘Well towards the visitors goal but Bowman’s attempted cross from 35 yards out was comfortably held under his crossbar by Jack Hamilton.

However, the striker’s contribution was more purposeful in a pressing three minute spell when the Steelmen should have opened the scoring.

In the 20^th minute Bowman nodded down Richard Tait’s cross, allowing McDonald to tee up Craig Clay. His drive from 8 yards was net bound  until Hamilton produced a fabulous reflex save to deflect the ball away.

Bowman was at the centre of the next attack haring down the right before laying the ball back to Lasley at the edge of the box but his shot sailed over the bar. Then Stevie Hammell’s quick throw in allowed McDonald to turn at the corner of the box before firing the ball low past the post.

‘Well’s initiative took a set back when Chris Cadden limped off after 25 minutes with Lee Lucas coming into the centre of midfield. This resulted in Moult dropping deeper on the right leaving Bowman as the solitary target man.

Although the Edinburgh side then enjoyed more possession there was little threat on the home goal.

Indeed it was Hamilton who saved Hearts five minutes from the break when McDonald skipped past Igor Rossi before blasting the ball straight at the ‘keeper who did well to parry it wide of his goal.

Although ‘Well we’re always likely to pay for those missed chances they had only themselves to blame when Hearts made the breakthrough in the final minute of the half.

Having failed to clear the initial corner, Samson flapped at Walker’s free kick before Lasley cheaply conceded possession 25 yards out. Even then Sam Nicholson’s weak drive posed no threat until the ball took a wicked deflection from Stephen McManus to send it in the opposite direction and nestle just inside the post with Samson helpless.

A fortunate goal to the good Hearts looked a different side in the second half although ‘Well fans thought they were celebrating an equaliser after 52 minutes. A Lucas cross found McDonald and although his shot rattled off the crossbar, Moult popped up to nod the ball over the line despite Hamilton’s efforts to palm it back into play. But the celebrations were curtailed as the assistant’s flag signalled offside against McDonald.

A low strike from Walker forced the first save from Samson, the ‘keeper spreading himself to push the ball away.

A couple of glancing headers from Bowman and Moult produced a couple of comfortable saves from Hamilton but the Tynecastle men looked more menacing in attack and it was no surprise when they made it 2-0 after 66 minutes to make sure of the points. In truth it was a goal worthy of winning the game, Callum Paterson collecting Sammon’s cutback to smash a terrific 22-yard strike high into the net.

The double substitution of Lionel Ainsworth and James McFadden breathed some life into ‘Well’s play and McDonald’s diagonal drive was not far away from pulling a goal back.

It was Hearts who scored again, though, with another long range effort, Djoum curling the ball high past Samson.

The ‘Well fans who stayed to the end were treated not only to a consolation goal but a Faddy special, when the substitute curled a superb free kick from 25 yards over the wall and under Hamilton’s bar. 

[tab:As it happened]

 Lewis Irons at Fir Park

FT | 1-3
A disappointing result for Mark McGhee’s side. Conceding right on half-time changed the game. Match report and reaction to follow

’90 | 1-3

A moment of sheer class from McFadden. The club legend curls an unstoppable free-kick from 30 yards into the top corner.

’90 | 0-3
The fourth official indicates 3 minutes of added time here at Fir Park.

‘87 | 0-3
Motherwell string together great passes and Ainsworth goes close from the edge of the box curling a right-footed effort just wide

’85 | 0-3
Prior to the goal, Hearts made their final sub, replacing Walker with Muirhead

’83 | 0-3
Goal for Hearts – It’s not cleared and Arnaud Djoum is clinical from outside the box, curling it into the far corner.

’82 | 0-2
Tony Watt goes very close. Striking low and hard from the edge of the box and hitting the post.

’80 | 0-2
Hearts make their second change: Sam Nicholson is replaced by Prince Buaben

’77 | 0-2
Richard Tait comes across to cover and thwart Tony Watt who was racing towards goal. Good defending from the right back

’75 | 0-2
A good cross from Lionel Ainsworth is headed over by Louis Moult from just inside the box

’72 | 0-2
So close for the ‘Well! McDonald strikes at goal from the edge of the box on his left foot and it’s agonisingly over the bar

’70 | 0-2
Double sub for the ‘Well: Ryan Bowman off for James McFadden and Keith Lasley off for Lionel Ainsworth

’69 | 0-2
Hearts sub: Connor Sammon leaves the field to be replaced by Bjorn Johnsen

’66 | 0-2
Goal for Hearts – Paterson thunders a left-footed shot past Samson from the edge of the area.

’65 | 0-1
Watt does well to work his way to goal, but Heneghan slides in brilliantly to block his effort.

’63 | 0-1
From the free-kick, Hammell’s delivery is perfect for Moult but it’s straight at Hamilton again

’62 | 0-1
Paterson is afforded time in the box and his strike is off target. ‘Well break through Bowman but Rossi hacks him down – yellow

’60 | 0-1
Richard Tait plays a wonderful ball onto the head of Ryan Bowman, who’s header is straight at Hamilton.

’58 | 0-1
Walker arrives on the edge of the box to get on the end of a cut back, but his shot soars over as he hits it on the bounce

’55 | 0-1
McDonald finds himself free on the edge of the box, but he can’t get the ball out of his feet and scuffs his shot.

’52 | 0-1
‘Well have it in the back of the net but it’s offside. Lucas’ cross is smashed off the bar by McDonald then headed in by Moult

’50 | 0-1
Hammell’s corner is gathered by Hamilton but Hearts lose possession as they try to counter

’48 | 0-1
Nicholson’s cross is cleared but only as far as Kitchen, who tries a long range effort that flies over the bar.

’46 | 0-1
The Steelmen kick off at the start of the second half.

HT | 0-1
Hearts strike on the stroke of half time to take a narrow lead into the break.

’45 | 0-1
Goal for Hearts. It’s a cheap one to concede as the ball isn’t cleared and Nicholson’s long range effort deflects past Samson

’44 | 0-0
Nicholson’s cross is turned behind for a corner. The winger whips it in from the set-piece but it’s over-hit.

’42 | 0-0
Walker fires a low cross across the face of goal but Heneghan gets his foot on it and it skewers towards Samson who gathers it

’40 | 0-0
Moult finds the feet of McDonald who works himself a yard and gets his shot away, but from a tight angle Hamilton saves.

’37 | 0-0
Walker races through on goal but dithers on the ball and fails to get his shot away early. Good chance for the visitors

’30 | 0-0
Clay slides in superbly to win a corner and keep the visitors pegged back, but the resulting delivery is cleared

’25 | 0-0
It’s an early ‘Well sub: Chris Cadden limps off and is replaced by Lee Lucas, who is making his league debut

’24 | 0-0

It’s McDonald’s this time. The Aussie striker collects the ball from Hammell’s throw, turns and let’s loose – but it’s wide

’22 | 0-0
Another good break from the ‘Well. Bowman cuts the ball back to Lasley who strikes one at goal but it’s over the bar.

’20 | 0-0
Tait’s cross is nodded down by Bowman to the feet of Clay who forces a great save from Hamilton. Best chance of the match so far!

’19 | 0-0
Rossi tries an ambitious effort from range but it flies well over the crossbar.

’18 | 0-0
Nicholson swings in a corner and eventually it is stabbed clear by McManus.

’15 | 0-0
Bowman attempts an audacious chip as Motherwell surge forward on the break, but Jack Hamilton rises high to catch it

’10 | 0-0
Rossi brings McDonald down from behind. Hammell’s free-kick is headed goalward by Heneghan, but the linesman has his flag raised

‘7 | 0-0
Tait tries to flight a diagonal ball into the box but Hamilton collects it. Down the other end Watt’s shot is blocked by McManus

‘4 | 0-0
Paterson puts in a good challenge to thwart Moult as he races into the box.

‘3 | 0-0
Hammell picks up the ball deep in the Hearts half down the left, but under hits his cross and it’s cleared

‘1 | 0-0
Hearts win an early free-kick but the delivery is headed clear by McManus

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Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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The ‘Signing Zone’ continues this week prior to the evening fixture against Hearts tonight. 

So why not come to Fir Park tonight where Carl McHugh and Ross MacLean will be in The Well Shop’s ‘Signing Zone’ from 5.45pm until 6.15pm to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for selfies.

It provides an opportunity for the fans to meet the Irish summer signing and the young striker who has progressed through the youth set up at Motherwell.

Each week, two different players will take their seats as the season progresses as part of the developing fan engagement programme here at Fir Park.

Share your pics on twitter @motherwellfc using #MFCSigningZone or facebook.com/motherwellfc

The club shop is situated at the Cooper Stand and is open from 9.30am.

The Motherwell Football Club Community trust are offering a unique and rewarding brand new programme for people living with dementia and their families and carers.

Using football as a stimulus to trigger memories and spark conversation, the Memory Well Reminiscence programme is an innovative support initiative, supported by the Football Memories League and funded by the Bank of Scotland Foundation.

It is not just those with early and on-set dementia who can use the programme and benefit greatly, with respite for family members also one of the reasons that the Reminiscence programme is sure to help so many people across Lanarkshire.

Project co-ordinator Carly Slamin believes that football can play a huge part in offering support and providing a stimulus for those with dementia.

She said: “Using an interest like football can help export the person with dementia to a time and place that they recognise, with this it is hoped that with a relaxed atmosphere, they will be able to share stories from their past.”

She added: “It is hoped that the programme will be able to help both the person living with dementia and their carers too.”

So if you know someone with dementia or those needing respite or support, the Memory Well Reminiscence programme could be the ideal support.

For more information, get in touch with Carly at carly.slamin@motherwellfc.co.uk

With Hearts travelling to Fir Park tomorrow night to take on Mark McGhee’s men in the Ladbroke’s Premiership, we take a look back at the last time the two sides met.

As the 2015/16 season was drawing to a close, Hearts arrived at Fir Park hoping to catch Aberdeen in second place.

But any hopes for the Jambo’s were shattered and instead the Steelmen continued their scintillating run and recorded their sixth win in seven matches.

Lionel Ainsworth fired beyond Alexander from the edge of the box and gave the Fir Parkers all three points to push them towards their fifth place finish, on an afternoon when Craig Samson made his Motherwell debut.

Jamie Walker, Prince Buaben and Arnaud Djoum wasted chances for the visitors, and Louis Moult and Scott McDonald could have added to Ainsworth’s opener.

[pullquote]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]

Moult had an effort ricochet off the post and McDonald blasted a great opportunity over the cross bar.

Hearts have not won at Fir Park since 2011 and as the game was coming towards an end back in April, Neilson’s side could not find a way past Samson and a sturdy Motherwell side.

And it was the polar opposite from the match prior to the big win for McGhee’s side, as in the fixture before Hearts put six past the Steelmen with no reply at Tynecastle back in January.

After the match, ‘Well boss Mark McGhee spoke to MFC TV and admitted he felt his team looked sharp and were worth the three points.

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.”