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  • Archive

    Call-ups for Campbell and Cadden

  • Archive

    Saints await ‘Well U20s

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

  • Archive

    Craigan: Hope to take confidence

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 9 – 0 B. Shipyard U20s

  • Archive

    U20s face Burntisland Shipyard

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

  • Archive

    Robinson: We weren’t at the races

  • Archive

    Hibernian in pictures

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    Motherwell 0 – 1 Hibernian

  • Archive

    Call-ups for Campbell and Cadden

    ‘Well duo Allan Campbell and Chris Cadden have been called up to the Scotland squad for the upcoming under-21 UEFA Championship Qualifiers. 

    The pair have impressed in claret and amber this season, meriting a place in Scot Gemmill’s squad for the recent clashes with Latvia. 

    Sadly, despite a goal for Cadden, the Scot’s lost 3-1 at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

    Allan Campbell, wearing his familiar number 22 shirt, lined up in the middle of the park for the very first time.

    And Cadden, who has been a regular feature for the U21s over the last year, grabbed his first Scotland goal in the 79th minute, picking up the ball after good work from Swansea’s Oli McBurnie and slotting home from ten yards out.

    England were two to the good by that point, thanks to goals from Spurs’ Josh Onomah, and Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham, but when Cadden’s strike reduced the arrears, there was hope of a leveller.

    Those were dashed within seconds when Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke tapped in a third from close range to ensure the points stayed in England.

    It was a fantastic experience for the two young ‘Well lads, with a third academy graduate, Kilmarnock’s Dom Thomas, making it a hat-trick of starters for the Braidhurst Campus.

    That was followed by victory over Latvia, when the Steelmen started again and impressed on the international stage. Cadden fired against the bar, going close to securing his second goal in a Scotland jersey, as Scot Gemmill’s youngsters won 2-0. 

    The Latvian’s are up next on Friday, November 10, before a clash four days later with Ukraine on the 14th – both home fixtures for the Scot’s.

     

  • Archive

    Saints await ‘Well U20s

    Motherwell under-20s return to Development League action on Wednesday night with a clash against St Johnstone. 

    The youngsters head in to the match in fine form on the back of two consecutive 1-0 wins on the road in the league, over Falkirk and Kilmarnock.

    But now the Fir Parkers are back at Forthbank Stadium and, following Sunday’s comprehensive 9-0 victory over Burntisland Shipyard in the Scottish Youth Cup, are on the hunt for a fourth straight victory in all competitions.

    One point and one place separates Stephen Craigan’s side from league leaders Dundee, whilst St Johnstone come in to the match eleventh in the table on 7 points. 

    The Fir Parkers have lost just once in the league this season, and are searching for a sixth victory in their eighth game of the campaign.

    If you’re going to the match entry is free.

    If you’re not making it, you can follow all of the action with live updates on twitter, as well as catch the report, match highlights and reaction online.

    Kick off is at 6pm.

     

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

    Highlights from Excelsior Stadium as Stephen Craigan’s youngsters win 9-0 against Burntisland Shipyard under-20s.

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    Craigan: Hope to take confidence

    Under-20s boss Stephen Craigan hopes his players can take confidence from their third round SFA Youth Cup win over Burntisland Shipyard.

    And despite the visiting side knocking out Livingston on their way to the third round, the youngsters cruised through the encounter to win 9-0.

    Craigan admitted his side were rarely tested defensively but hopes his forwards can take confidence from the convincing victory.

    [pullquote]Is it a little bit greedy at times? Yes. Is it a bit ruthless at times? Yes it is as well, but that’s the mind set we want them in, go and get goals, so if it gives them confidence then great.[/pullquote]

    Speaking to MFC TV at full time, he said: “When you’re playing against a team and you’re dominating possession and there’s crosses coming in to the box, go and fill the box and go and get your opportunities to score goals.

    “So if today can build their confidence, fine, because it’s something we’ve always spoke about in training, continually try to give them shooting drills and finishing drills and encourage them to shoot more often.”

    He added: “You see young Cole Starrs come on and the only thing in his mind is to get goals. Is it a little bit greedy at times? Yes. Is it a bit ruthless at times? Yes it is as well, but that’s the mind set we want them in, go and get goals, so if it gives them confidence then great.”

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 9 – 0 B. Shipyard U20s

    Motherwell cruised into the fourth round of the SFA Youth Cup with a 9-0 victory over Burntisland Shipyard.

    The Steelmen were comfortably 4-0 ahead at the break against a Burntisland team who were full of endeavour and effort throughout. As they tired, ‘Well added a further five during the second half to complete the scoring.

    Stephen Craigan’s side listed two changes to the team that beat Kilmarnock last midweek. Ross MacLean and Luke Watt dropped out, too old to play in the competition, and were replaced by Dylan Falconer and the returning Liam Brown.

    ‘Well played Cumbernauld Colts at the same stage of the competition last season and struggled to break down the Lowland League side for large spells. Key to that was the failure to grab an early goal, something that Craigan and McManus would’ve drilled in prior to kick off.

    There was delight then when after just eight minutes when the Claret and Amber men went ahead, James Scott doing well down the left before sending in a low, whipped cross that the unfortunate Kyle Walls could only turn into his own net.

    That gave the Steelmen confidence and they doubled their advantage fourteen minutes later when David Turnbull’s low shot from distance was parried by Craig Richardson, only for Alfredo Agyeman to slot home the rebound.

    It was soon three and Turnbull was again the creator, this time sliding in a neat through ball for James Scott on the left channel and he confidently swept the ball past Richardson into the far corner.

    Then, just before the interval, Dylan Falconer got in on the act, turning his marker on the edge of the box before sending a stinging low shot through Richardson and into the net.

    There was no rest bite for the Shipyard in the second half as within two minutes, ‘Well had made it five.

    Ageyman was fouled on the edge of the area, allowing Liam Brown the opportunity to take the kick. He nonchalantly slotted a side-footer past the wall and into the far corner to mark his return with a goal.

    It wasn’t long before ‘Well had the ball in the net again, James Scott rising well at the back post to nod in a header despite the best efforts of Richardson in the visitor’s goal to keep it out.

    Agyeman bagged his brace after 69 minutes, good work on the left flank by Falconer was rewarded when his pin-point cross found the Italian-Ghanaian striker in acres of space to bullet home a header to make it 7-0.

    The roof threaten to cave in for Burntisland when Turnbull got himself a goal just three minutes later to make it eight. Again a free-kick caused all the damage, and the Scotland U19 International was able to take a touch inside the box before flicking a neat header over Richardson.

    To their credit, Burntisland regrouped and had a couple of half chances of their own before substitute Cole Starrs rounded off the scoring five minutes from time, the sixteen-year old heading home from close range to grab his first goal for the Under 20s.

    Motherwell: Morrison, Bowers, Livingstone, Maguire, Armstrong, MacDonald (Brown – 69mins), Brown (Kettings – 55mins), Turnbull, Falconer, Agyeman, Scott (Starrs – 60mins)

    Subs Not Used: Hemfrey, Hastie, King

  • Archive

    U20s face Burntisland Shipyard

    Motherwell under 20s will take on Burntisland Shipyard in the third round of the Scottish FA Youth Cup tomorrow afternoon.

    The Fir Park youngsters have been drawn as the home side for the fixture, which will kick off at 12 noon at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.

    Stephen Craigan’s side enjoyed a stellar run last season as they vied to defend the trophy they lifted two season ago, making it all the way to the last four where they were knocked out by eventual winners Celtic.

    Shipyard won a dramatic encounter against Livingston to secure progression to the third round, holding out to win 3-2 earlier this month.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

    Highlights from Fir Park where a frustrating game ends with a 0-1 win for Hibs.

  • Archive

    Robinson: We weren’t at the races

    Stephen Robinson reflected on an afternoon when his side “got what they deserved” in the shape of a 1-0 loss against Hibs.

    But the Fir Park boss admitted it wasn’t like his team, and that he expects higher standards going forward.

    Following the Betfred Cup semi-final win against Rangers and an important win over Dundee, it’s been a hard and busy week for the club.

    [pullquote]I think we got what we deserved. We weren’t at the races today and there were seven or eight who were below par from what we’ve come to expect.[/pullquote]

    And following his side’s third game in a week, Robinson said: “I think we got what we deserved. We weren’t at the races today and there were seven or eight who were below par from what we’ve come to expect, but let’s not take anything away from Hibs.

    “I thought for 20 minutes they were the better team, then we got to grips with their system, but they were coming out with every second ball, every header and every challenge they won, which isn’t like us at all.”

    He added: “Whether that’s a hard week has maybe caught up with us but we’ll go again on Tuesday and we’ll sit down and make people aware of why we’ve been winning football matches.”

  • Archive

    Hibernian in pictures

    Images from this afternoon’s game agisnt Hibernian at Fir Park.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”hibernian281017″]

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 1 Hibernian

    [tab:Match report]

    Phil McGhee at Fir Park

    A heroic and exhausting week for Motherwell finally took its toll, as a first half goal from Martin Boyle was enough to earn Hibs three points from what was a rather uninspiring game.

    With too many players in claret and amber having an off day at Fir Park, ‘Well failed to respond after a poor first half.

    And even the introduction of three substitutes early in the second half, a change of shape and a more positive second 45 minutes, failed to give ‘Well a route back in to the encounter as both ‘keepers enjoyed a quiet afternoon.

    Elliot Frear kept his spot in the team to take up his wide left berth but he and his teammates failed to a make an impression in a first half where ‘Well toiled to match a determined Hibs.

    Similar to their opening 30 minutes in the cup semi final, Motherwell looked sluggish and intent on playing a long ball and too easily conceding possession to the opposition.

    There was an early warning after 19 minutes when Boyle was allowed to break down the right but his powerful angled drive found Trevor Carson standing strong to chest the ball behind.

    However, unlike the previous week, Motherwell’s opponents made the most of their advantage, taking the lead after 27 minutes.

    Marvin Bartley’s hopeful ball towards the ‘Well goal caught out Cédric Kipré, allowing Boyle to nip in behind him, round the advancing Carson before rolling the ball into the net for the lead.

    With John McGinn dominating the middle of the park, Neil Lennon’s men looked the more likely to add to their score and a burst from the Hibs’ midfield man ended with a 20-yard shot straight at Carson.

    Towards the end of a scrappy half, the Fir Park side almost nicked an equaliser. Ryan Bowman and Carl McHugh combined at the edge of the box to set up Allan Campbell but his effort from 20-yards curled just outside the post.

    It was anticipated that the ‘Well players would once again raise their game for the second half and Stephen Robinson made his intentions clear with a double substitution, bringing on Gaël Bigirimana and Craig Tanner, in an attempt to control the middle of the park.

    And within five minutes, Bigirimana forced the first save from Ofir Marciano, but his 25-yard drive was comfortably held by the Hibs’ ‘keeper.

    That aside, though, the Edinburgh side were sitting comfortably on their lead. In a further attempt to change the pattern of play, Deimantas Petravičius came on to make hIs first team debut, with the Lithuanian striker given over 30 minutes to make an impression.

    Almost immediately, an in swinging free kick from Tanner just evaded the heads of Petravičius and Peter Hartley inside the six yard box. For a short spell, ‘Well then put some pressure on the visitor’s goal.

    The Lithuanian internationalist came within a foot of the equaliser. Bigirimana’s terrific pass released Chris Cadden wide on the right and when his low ball across the face of goal found Petravičius he seemed certain to claim his first goal until his shot was blocked on the line by Steven Whittaker.

    Charles Dunne did have the ball in the net but Hartley’s touch played the defender offside.

    As the game entered the last 15 minutes there was a lot more urgency to ‘Well’s play. And with three strikers on the pitch they looked more threatening but ultimately lacked that decisive edge and the Steelmen slumped to only their fourth defeat of the season.

     

    [tab:Reaction]

     Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

    FT: Motherwell 0 – 1 Hibernian

    There will be three minutes added on.

    88′ | 0-1
    Cadden forces a Motherwell corner. Delivered to the back post but headed clear

    85′ | 0-1
    Hibs sub, Matulevicius on for Boyle.

    76′ | 0-1
    Chace for Shaw but Hartley makes a great block to put it wide for a corner.

    72′ | 0-1
    Close! Hartley pulls the ball down in the box and lays it off to Dunne who has the ball in the net but it’s ruled out for offside

    70′ | 0-1
    What a chance as Cadden slides a low ball across goal and somehow Whittaker block Petravicius’ shot at the back post!

    68′ | 0-1
    Hibs sub, Shaw on for Murray

    66′ | 0-1
    Good chance for Barker as he races through on goal but makes a hash of the finish, firing well over the bar.

    …..Tanner fizzes the free-kick across the face of goal but no takers!

    60′ | 0-1
    Free-kick to Motherwell just outside the box on the right hand side.

    58′ | 0-1
    Murray has the ball in the net but the linesman’s flag was up before he finished.

    53′ | 0-1
    Motherwell make their final change, Petravicius makes his debut, on for Rose

    49′ | 0-1
    Bigirimana tries his luck from distance but his powerful shot is straight at Marciano

    And we’re back underway here at Fir Park. COYW!!

    Double sub for ‘Well at the break, Bigirimana and Tanner on for Frear and McHugh.

    HT: Motherwell 0 – 1 Hibernian

    43′ | 0-1
    Great effort from Campbell, collecting the ball from Moult and curling a shot just wide from 25 yards!

    33′ | 0-1
    McGinn drives forward and stings the palms of Carson with a good effort from 25 yards.

    27′ | 0-1
    Goal – Hibs take the lead through Boyle who burst through on goal and touched it past Carson to slide into the empty net

    22′ | 0-0
    Decent breakaway there but Cadden’s final ball is too deep and goes out for a goal kick

    19′ | 0-0
    Decent chance for Boyle as he latches on to a through ball but Carson stands tall and makes a fine save to deny him.

    16′ | 0-0
    Free-kick to Hibs midway inside the Motherwell half as Hartley fouls Stevenson. Hooked in deep and headed wide at the back post.

    14′ | 0-0
    A decent midfield tussle so far but little in the way of chances to mention

    1′ | 0-0
    Early sniff of goal there as Cadden gets down the right but his cross is too close to Marciano who gathers.

    Andy Rose gets the action underway. COYW!!!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:

     

    Hibernian manager Neil Lennon

     

     

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”332″]