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  • Archive

    Robinson: Annoyed by defeat

  • Archive

    Inverness CT defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    Inverness CT 3 – 2 Motherwell

  • Archive

    Inverness CT: A closer look

  • Archive

    Update: ICT tickets

  • Archive

    Robinson: We owe fans a performance

  • Archive

    The Foreign Legion: Eliphas Shivute

  • Archive

    Lucky for some – 14 days to go

  • Archive

    Statement from the Chairman

  • Archive

    Thomson in charge of final fixture

  • Archive

    Robinson: Annoyed by defeat

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson was disappointed to see his side lose their final game of the season 3-2 away to Inverness.

    And the Northern Irishman admitted that his side failed to take advantage of their chances after a positive first half.

    Speaking to MFC TV at full time, Robinson insisted he is not celebrating despite achieving safety – and he is now firmly looking ahead.

    [pullquote]I thought we played well in the first half and we controlled the game, but obviously we didn’t take advantage of our chances.[/pullquote]

    He said: “I thought we played well in the first half and we controlled the game, but obviously we didn’t take advantage of our chances.

    “We made some changes in the second half and had young boys on the pitch and maybe it cost us, but they’re there to learn from their mistakes and I think they’ll do well from us in the future.”

    He added: “The positive I can take from today is that my back four in the first half were excellent but I’m not here to celebrate getting beat.”

    You can watch the manager’s full post match interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

  • Archive

    Inverness CT defeat in pictures

    Images from today’s 3-2 defeat to Inverness CT in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”invernessct200517″]

  • Archive

    Inverness CT 3 – 2 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    Motherwell ended the 2016/17 season with a 3-2 loss away to Inverness this afternoon.

    And with Hamilton securing victory over Dundee, the ‘Well finished the campaign in 9th whilst the Caley Jags were condemned to bottom spot and automatic relegation to the Championship.

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson named youngster Shea Gordon in the starting line-up as he searched for a third consecutive victory and the chance to finish as high as eighth.

    And a hard-working first half performance saw the Steelmen quell what could have been a fired up Inverness side, with neither side creating much in the opening ten minutes.

    Ex-Well man Louis Laing was the first to hit the target when his low effort from 20 yards was pushed wide by Griffiths.

    Down the other end, Lionel Ainsworth went close with a similar effort, which beat Ryan Esson in the Caley goal but flashed wide of the post too.

    Liam Polworth’s tricky run was nearly matched by a fantastic finish, but the midfielder sent his curling effort just beyond the corner of the post and bar and it remained goalless.

    Carl McHugh came close to firing home his third goal in a Motherwell jersey and his second in two games when he sauntered forward unchallenged and struck a decent effort narrowly past the target from 30-yards.

    And just as it looked like the two sides would go in to the interval level, Chris Cadden had other plans as he picked the ball up on the right flank and drove forward past two challenges and blasted a terrific effort at goal from inside the box, but it flew narrowly over the bar.

    The hosts started the second half on the front foot and went close from a set piece, when Gary Warren’s back post header flew narrowly past the post.

    They took the lead after the hour mark though when Greg Tansey raced free in the middle of the park and struck a low effort past Russell Griffiths.

    And the opener saw Motherwell crumble defensively as the hosts bagged three goals in three minutes.

    Alex Fisher finished off a scuffed shot from Ross Draper by striking high in to the top corner from inside the box and two minutes later the same duo combined to put the hosts three in front.

    Stephen Robinson elected to change things by bringing on James McFadden for Louis Moult, and within seconds his decision was rewarded.

    Elliott Frear cut inside on to his left foot before striking a tremendous effort off the cross bar, but the awaiting McFadden was there to nod the ball past Esson to restore some pride for the travelling supporters.

    With just a couple of minutes remaining, Craig Clay was tripped in the box and the Fir Parkers were awarded a penalty and perhaps a chance of salvaging a point.

    Ryan Bowman made no mistake from the spot but it was too little too late for the travelling Steelmen.

    [tab:As it happened]

    FT: Inverness CT 3 – 2 Motherwell #ICTFCvMFCTranslate from German

     

    ..converted by Bowman!

     

    90+2’ | 3-1

    ‘Well have a penalty….

     

    Two minutes added on.

     

    88′ | 3-1

    McFadden lays it off to Hammell about 25 yards out but he fires just over the bar

     

    76′ | 3-1

    ICT sub, Mulraney on for Polworth

     

    73′ | 3-1

    GOAL! Frear hits the bar from distance and McFadden nods in the rebound!

     

    72′ | 3-0

    Motherwell sub, McFadden on for Moult

     

    68′ | 3-0

    Goal – Another goal for ICT. Fisher heading in at the backpost.

     

    66′ | 2-0

    Motherwell sub, Gordon off for Bowman

     

    66′ | 2-0

    Goal – Draper scuffs his shot straight into the path of Fisher who fires past Griffiths

     

    63′ | 1-0

    Goal – ICT take the lead through Tansey

     

    59′ | 0-0

    Free-kick to ICT on the edge of the box. Vigurs to take…straight at Griffiths

     

    56′ | 0-0

    Motherwell sub, Livingstone on for Ainsworth

     

    55′ | 0-0

    Corner to Caley…..Warren head just past at the back post!

     

    Second half underway.

     

    HT: Inverness CT 0 – 0 Motherwell #ICTFCvMFC

     

    41′ | 0-0

    So close! Cadden run the length of the pitch with the ball, skinning two in the process but blasts just over from 12 yards!

     

    25′ | 0-0

    McHugh drifts forward unchallenged and his shot from about 30 yards and it goes inches wide.

     

    20′ | 0-0

    Good chance for Draper as he gets the ball in the box but he curls it well over the bar. Should have hit the target.

     

    17′ | 0-0

    Polworth twists and turns and from a decent position blasts well over the bar.

     

    15′ | 0-0

    Close! Great play between Ainsworth and Moult sets the winger up on his left foot but it trickles past the post with Esson beaten

     

    12′ | 0-0

    Laing fizzes one from distance but Griffiths is equal to it, palming it wide for a corner.

     

    9’ | 0-0

    Both sides getting some crosses into the box but no opportunities as yet

     

    Gordon gets the game underway. COYW!!!

     

    Both teams come out the tunnel. Cold and wet here in the highlands.

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:

     

    Inverness CT manager Richie Foran:

     

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”324″]

    1. FT: Inverness CT 3 – 2 Motherwell

    2. ..converted by Bowman!

    3. 90+2′ | 3-1 ‘Well have a penalty….

    4. Two minutes added on.

    5. 88′ | 3-1 McFadden lays it off to Hammell about 25 yards out but he fires just over the bar

    6. 76′ | 3-1 ICT sub, Mulraney on for Polworth

    7. 73′ | 3-1 GOAL! Frear hits the bar from distance and McFadden nods in the rebound!

    8. 72′ | 3-0 Motherwell sub, McFadden on for Moult

    9. 68′ | 3-0 Goal – Another goal for ICT. Fisher heading in at the backpost.

    10. 66′ | 2-0 Motherwell sub, Gordon off for Bowman

    11. 66′ | 2-0 Goal – Draper scuffs his shot straight into the path of Fisher who fires past Griffiths

    12. 63′ | 1-0 Goal – ICT take the lead through Tansey

    13. 59′ | 0-0 Free-kick to ICT on the edge of the box. Vigurs to take…straight at Griffiths

    14. 56′ | 0-0 Motherwell sub, Livingstone on for Ainsworth

    15. 55′ | 0-0 Corner to Caley…..Warren head just past at the back post!

    16. Second half underway.

    17. HT: Inverness CT 0 – 0 Motherwell

    18. 41′ | 0-0 So close! Cadden run the length of the pitch with the ball, skinning two in the process but blasts just over from 12 yards!

    19. 25′ | 0-0 McHugh drifts forward unchallenged and his shot from about 30 yards and it goes inches wide.

    20. 20′ | 0-0 Good chance for Draper as he gets the ball in the box but he curls it well over the bar. Should have hit the target.

    21. 17′ | 0-0 Polworth twists and turns and from a decent position blasts well over the bar.

    22. 15′ | 0-0 Close! Great play between Ainsworth and Moult sets the winger up on his left foot but it trickles past the post with Esson beaten

    23. 12′ | 0-0 Laing fizzes one from distance but Griffiths is equal to it, palming it wide for a corner.

    24. 9′ | 0-0 Both sides getting some crosses into the box but no opportunities as yet

    25. Gordon gets the game underway. COYW!!!

    26. Both teams come out the tunnel. Cold and wet here in the highlands.

  • Archive

    Inverness CT: A closer look

    Motherwell travel north to take on Inverness CT in the final game of the season tomorrow afternoon.

    And having won back-to-back matches for the first time this campaign, the Steelmen will be keen to extend their winning run to three matches.

    But it will be a tough fixture for the Fir Parkers, who face an Inverness side fighting for a chance to avoid immediate relegation from the top flight.

    The Caley Jags sit just one point behind Hamilton heading in to the final fixture of the 2016/17 season, having picked up six points in their last three games to give Richie Foran’s outfit what seemed an unlikely chance to secure safety.

    And ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is well aware that Inverness will be tough opponents to face tomorrow.

    Speaking to MFC TV, the Fir Park gaffer said: “We’re looking forward to it and it’ll be nice to play the game without too much pressure on it.

    “But on the other hand we really want to go there and put in a performance because the fans have backed us through thick and thin so we owe them and the people who travel up there a performance.”

    [pullquote]We really want to go there and put in a performance because the fans have backed us through thick and thin so we owe them and the people who travel up there a performance.[/pullquote]

    He added: “Also to the other teams involved in a relegation battle, I feel it’s important to put out the strongest team we have available to us to go there and try and win the game.”

    Motherwell will be without Stephen McManus, Richard Tait, Scott McDonald, Jack McMillan, Lee Lucas and Jacob Blyth – all out through injury.

    Inverness, on the other hand, will be without Owain Fon-Williams, Carl Tremarco and Josh Meekings.

     

    Three weeks ago, you would have been excused had you completely written off Inverness’ chances of avoiding the drop.

    But with one game remaining, Richie Foran’s side are within touching distance of achieving something that looked like they had next to no chance of achieving.

    Two wins in their last three games mean that the Caley Jags could potentially finish eleventh and avoid automatic relegation – depending on Hamilton’s result against Dundee tomorrow.

    It would be an impressive achievement given the turbulent campaign Inverness have had, and tomorrow’s opponents will be keen to try and secure their second win over Motherwell this season.

    A heavy 3-0 defeat for the Steelmen at Fir Park was followed up by an important 2-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium back in December, and the most recent clash, a 4-2 win for Motherwell, was one of the clubs most important victories of the campaign.

    Goals from Chris Cadden, Louis Moult, Scott McDonald and Allan Campbell wrapped up the win despite Alex Fisher’s double.

    The last trip to the Highlands saw Craig Clay score his first goal in Claret and Amber when he fired in a stunning effort from distance to put the ‘Well one up.

    Scott McDonald made it two with just three minutes remaining before a late goal from Greg Tansey made it a fairly tense few minutes as the Steelmen managed to hold on.

    The hosts will be full of confidence and, more importantly, fight, as they go out to try and stay in the top flight tomorrow afternoon.

    They come in on the back of a 2-0 win against Dundee, where they got off to an ideal start and found themselves two up inside ten minutes.

    Alex Fisher’s superb goal put the northern outfit 2-0 ahead after Billy McKay had fired them in front, and Richie Foran’s side were barely threatened from that point onwards.

    It was a must win match and with one big battle left on their hands, they will make for an extremely tough opponent tomorrow night.

    McKay came close to an opener inside a minute when he charged down Scott Bain’s clearance, with the ball sailing inches wide.

    It was a warning Dundee failed to take note of. McKay gathered the ball almost immediately after his earlier chance and fired home with a clinical finish after some poor Dundee defending.

    Iain Vigurs sent a ball in towards Fisher on ten minutes, who controlled it and produced a fabulous volleyed finish to double the lead.

    Foran’s side also earned a rare clean sheet which will add to their encouragement as they prepare for tomorrow’s game.

    Over the course of the last few seasons, matches have been tough to call between tomorrow’s visitors and the Steelmen, making for an intriguing fixture this weekend.

     

  • Archive

    Update: ICT tickets

    All under-16s can attend tomorrow’s clash with Inverness in the Highlands completely free of charge.

    As the Steelmen head north for their final league fixture of the season, the complimentary tickets make for a great deal for travelling ‘Well supporters.

    The match takes place at the Caledonian Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm and ticket prices as below:

    Admission prices are as follows: 

    ADULTS    £22  
    CONCESSIONS       £17
    UNDER-16    FREE 
    • Concessions are listed as 65 and over and 16-25 year olds
    • Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Darren  on 07722912666 or email darren@mfcdsa.com.
  • Archive

    Robinson: We owe fans a performance

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson admits that it will be nice to feel less pressure in the dugout during his side’s final match of the season.

    The Steelmen travel to face Inverness CT on Saturday afternoon, and while the Fir Parkers are safe from relegation, Robinson admits that they will go in to the match eager for three points.

    Speaking to MFC TV this afternoon, the manager looked ahead to the final match of the 2016/17 campaign.

    [pullquote]We really want to go there and put in a performance because the fans have backed us through thick and thin so we owe them and the people who travel up there a performance.[/pullquote]

    He said: “We’re looking forward to it and it’ll be nice to play the game without too much pressure on it.

    “But on the other hand we really want to go there and put in a performance because the fans have backed us through thick and thin so we owe them and the people who travel up there a performance.”

    He added: “Also to the other teams involved in a relegation battle, I feel it’s important to put out the strongest team we have available to us to go there and try and win the game.”

    You can watch the manager’s full interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    The Foreign Legion: Eliphas Shivute

    In keeping with leagues across the continent, the Bosman ruling saw an influx of foreign players into the Scottish game as freedom of movement made it far easier for footballers to move clubs.

    It also had the effect of opening clubs’ eyes to markets they would previously have overlooked, even those beyond the confines of the EU. Where once there may have been an isolated one or two players from Africa in the league, suddenly a steady stream of players from the continent began arriving in Scotland.

    In time, the likes of Ange Oueifio, James Okoli and Said Chiba would follow but the first African player of note to join the Steelmen was Eliphas Shivute, who signed for Motherwell in 1997.

    Having also attracted the attention of Dundee Utd and Hearts, the Namibian would go on trial with all three clubs before Alex McLeish used all his powers of persuasion to encourage Eliphas to join the ‘Well.

    Arriving from Eleven Arrows, Shivute had at one time played lower league football in Germany.

    There was great excitement amongst the Motherwell support who witnessed his debut with his raw talent clear for all to see.

    When, in just his second start, he scored with a superb diving header in a 2-2 draw against Rangers at Ibrox and followed it up with another goal against Kilmarnock soon after, it genuinely felt like the club had unearthed a real hidden gem.

    Unfortunately though, such highlights would come to be few and far between.

    The Namibian internationalist would never be found wanting in terms of effort but the environment of Scottish football was not the most conducive for the style of football he played.

    Shivute often seemed to be on a different wavelength from that of his fellow Motherwell players with his unpredictability sometimes proving as much a hindrance to his team-mates as it was a weapon against the opposition.

    Eliphas soon found himself on the fringes of the side when Harri Kampman, who replaced McLeish, brought in a number of new players in the summer of 1998 and was released from his contract altogether by Billy Davies when the Finn’s successor was given licence to refresh the squad further only weeks after Kampman’s wholesale changes.

    Although at just over a year, his Motherwell career was relatively brief and amounted to three goals in just twenty-six league and cup appearances, Shivute remains a fondly recalled figure for those who witnessed him in claret and amber.

  • Archive

    Lucky for some – 14 days to go

    With just under two weeks left to benefit from our early bird pricing we are now offering those that have bought on, or that buy before the 31st May 2017 the chance to win some magical money can’t buy prizes!

    Any Junior (15 or Under) that secures their 2017/18 season ticket will be benefiting from one of the following prizes.

    • Playing against a Motherwell XI at our summer open day at Fir Park
    • 20 juniors will be chosen to be mascots next season*
    • 10 juniors will be chosen at random and will have their season ticket personally delivered by a player or the manager**

    Anyone else that secures their 2017/18 season ticket could be benefiting from one of these great prizes.

    • 5 season ticket holders per home game will be chosen at random and invited with 3 friends to watch a game in the South Stand “Fan Box” during the 2017/18 season.
    • 10 season ticket holders chosen at random will get their ticket delivered by a player / manager**
    • A meal out with Tam Cowan and a player as part of Tam’s food review in association with the Scottish Sun.

    To buy your 2017/18 season ticket and to be in with a chance of securing one the above prizes visit www.MyMFC.co.uk or call us on 01698 333 333.

    *game to be chosen by the club
    **subject to location and availability

  • Archive

    Statement from the Chairman

    Chairman Jim McMahon said: “On behalf of everyone at Motherwell FC, I would like to sincerely thank our loyal season ticket holders, ‘Well Society members, club sponsors and all supporters who have backed the club so much this term.

    “In particular, I would like to thank everyone who was either at New Douglas Park last Saturday, or Fir Park last night, for their superb and positive support, which undoubtedly helped the team get the desired results and proved conclusively that if we can all pull together, we can achieve.

    “In addition, I would like to thank everyone for their co-operation in staying off the pitch. It may again have looked a little full on, but the potential threat from the SPFL Commission was very real and I am delighted that we can report back on some excellent behaviour from our fans over the last two years.

    “On the pitch, there can be no doubt the Scottish Premiership is the toughest it has been for quite some time, and will only get tougher over the next year or two. However, in this the first year of full fan ownership, our aim was always to ensure we retained our Premiership status and with those two vital wins, we have done that.

    “The challenge for us is to work that bit longer and that bit harder; to try and box as smart as we can to ensure we can achieve the success we are all desperate for.

    “I, along with the rest of the Executive Board, will meet the first-team manager on Friday morning as we look to get quickly on track for next term. We are a little behind some other clubs who have been more secure in terms of their league status, so it’s very much all hands to the pump for us.

    “Despite the uncertainty that existed, Stephen Robinson and (Head of Recruitment) Martin Foyle have been prudent and worked tremendously hard on the squad for 2017/18 and we hope to be busy in the market this summer. I know both Stephen and Martin have been at countless games, watching a lot of potential targets and making various contacts.

    “For your part, you can really help us.

    “If you renew or buy your Season Ticket, pledge to the ‘Well Society or continue your commercial sponsorship of the club, it helps us plan and the more that get involved, the more we can invest in not only improving the squad, but our commitment to improving the facilities at the club too.

    “Thanks for your loyal support and I hope to see as many of you as possible on Saturday at Inverness. We will go there fully determined to win the game, hopefully sign the season off with a hat-trick of wins and finish as high as we possibly can in the table, which could be eighth, results depending.”

  • Archive

    Thomson in charge of final fixture

    Referee for Saturday’s final league match of the 2016/17 season is Craig Thomson – as the Steelmen travel to Inverness.

    The 44-year old takes charge of his fourth Motherwell fixture of the season, after the league opener against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, the Steelmen’s 1-1 draw away to Partick Thistle in September and the crushing Scottish Cup defeat against Rangers at Ibrox.

    One of the top Scottish referee’s in the game, Thomson has been in charge of a number of Ladbrokes Premiership clashes this season as well as officiating in the UEFA Champions League and World Cup Qualifiers.

    Of the three matches he refereed in Europe’s premier club competition, one match saw him oversee last year’s finalists Atlético Madrid who took on Rostov.

    His record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mixed bag with 16 wins from 48 matches. There have been 22 defeats and ten draws too.

    Not included in that list was the 2007/08 Scottish Cup fourth round replay win against Hearts at Fir Park, when he replaced the injured Stuart Dougal midway through the second-half.

    In those games, Motherwell have scored 67 and conceded 70.

    168 players have gone into the book, 86 were wearing claret and amber, while seven players, including former and current captains Stephen Craigan and Keith Lasley, have been dismissed. The most recent was Stephen McManus in the away defeat to this weekend’s opponents Inverness.

    Craig will be ably assisted by Dougie Potter and Jordan Stokoe; with Kevin Graham on fourth official duties.