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Motherwell Under 20s face a long trip north to face Ross County on Tuesday afternoon in the Development League.

Stephen Craigan’s youngsters will be keen to bounce back to winning ways, following a run of two draws, as they prepare to face the northern outfit at the Global Energy Stadium.

County, sitting in sixth, come in to the encounter on the back of a 3-2 victory over Dundee United last Tuesday. 

And with two points separating County from the Fir Parkers in third, Craigan will be keen to see his side pick up three points. 

You can follow all the action on live twitter @MotherwellFC with kick off at 2pm. 

Highlights from Pittodrie where Louis Moult’s double secured all three points in a comfortable 0-2 win over Aberdeen.

Images from Saturday’s game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”aberdeen181117″]

[tab:Match report]

Grant Russell at Pittodrie

Louis Moult scored his 50th goal for Motherwell as the team won all three points in a excellent performance at Aberdeen.

The striker scored a double within minutes either side of the half-time break to send the Steelmen into next week’s Betfred Cup final on a high.

Manager Stephen Robinson tweaked his formation to switch to a back four, with a midfield diamond seeing Chris Cadden moving to slot in behind the strike partnership of Louis Moult and Ryan Bowman.

After a good start from Motherwell, it was the hosts who carved out the first real goalscoring opportunity. Ryan Christie burst clear on the left byline and crossed to the near post, but Adam Rooney’s flick dropped wide.

The visitors then immediately responded with a great chance of their own with only five minutes on the clock. Bowman held the ball up well to feed Liam Grimshaw on the edge of the box, with Joe Lewis having to stretch far to his right to turn the ball away.

Lewis again came to the Dons’ rescue straight after. Andy Rose found space 10 yards out to the left of the goal, but the ‘keeper stood tall to block his shot.

The Steelmen continued to cause problems. Next Rose had another shot from just inside the box which Lewis tipped back across the six-yard box, but Peter Hartley just couldn’t connect at the back post.

The game calmed down for the majority of the first half afterwards, with neither side able to carve out another real opportunity before ‘Well made the breakthrough with three minutes left in the half.

Tait’s free kick from wide on the right was perfectly placed to meet the head of Moult at the back post, and his header looped over Lewis to give the visitors a deserved lead at the break.

Early in the second half, Motherwell doubled their advantage and it was that man Moult again.

Cadden beat McKenna for pace down the right and his brilliant low cross to the front post was met perfectly by the striker’s run, giving Moult his 50th goal in Motherwell colours.

Motherwell immediately looked to tighten up defensively, withdrawing Bowman for Elliot Frear, who dropped in to the left of midfield, with Cadden moving to the right.

From then on in it was consistent pressure from the Dons, with Robinson’s men looking to capitalise on the counter. Trevor Carson had to be smart to parry May’s near post shot from close range with 20 minutes to spare, but the backline defended expertly to keep Derek McInnes’ side at bay.

Motherwell: Carson; Tait, Kipre, Hartley, Dunne; Rose, McHugh, Grimshaw (Campbell 71), Cadden; Moult (Fisher 87), Bowman (Frear).

Subs not used: Griffiths, Tanner, Plummer, Petravicius.

Aberdeen: Lewis, Logan, Arnason, McKenna, Considine; Tansey (May 45), O’Connor, McLean; Christie, Rooney (Stewart 82), Mackay-Steven (Wright 70).

Subs not used: Rogers, Reynolds, Maynard, Ball.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Pittodrie

FT: Aberdeen 0 – 2 Motherwell

A comfortable afternoon’s work for the Steelmen. Moult on the double! COYW!!!!

FULL TIME!!

90′ | 0-2
Three minutes added on.

89′ | 0-2
Motherwell sub, Moult off for Fisher

86′ | 0-2
Christie booked for a rash foul.

82′ | 0-2
Aberdeen sub, Stewart on for Rooney

81′ | 0-2
Moult sizing up a free-kick some 28 yards out……unlucky. Lands on the roof of the net.

73′ | 0-2
Chance for May as he gets in behind down the left but from a tight angle Carson tips his shot by the post.

72′ | 0-2
Motherwell sub, Campbell on for Grimshaw

70′ | 0-2
Aberdeen sub, Wright on for Mackay-Steven

56′ | 0-2
Motherwell sub, Bowman off for Frear

55′ | 0-2
Great play by Cadden as he bursts pas McKenna and fires a great ball across goal to MOULT who fires in his 50th Motherwell goal!!!

GGGOOOAAALLLL!!!!

A change for the Dons at half-time, May on for Tansey

Aberdeen get the second 45 underway. COYW!!

HT: Aberdeen 0 – 1 Motherwell

A deserved first-half lead for the Steelmen

43′ | 0-1
Tait fires in a deep free-kick to MOULT who evades his marker and heads home!! COYW!!!

GGGOOAAALLL!!!!

40′ | 0-0
Bowman booked. Not a lot in that really.

17′ | 0-0
Grimshaw’s cross can only be headed out for a Motherwell corner….Cadden swings it in but Rose heads wide of the post.

10′ | 0-0
Close again! Rose again calls Lewis into action with a great effort but again the ‘keeper is up to the challenge, palming the ball away from the onrushing Bowman.

9′ | 0-0
McHugh’s shot from inside the box is deflected over the bar for a corner….Cadden’s inswinging corner asks questions of Lewis who has to punch it to safety.

5′ | 0-0
Close again! Rose gets the break of the ball inside the box but Lewis manages to palm away his powerful shot.

5′ | 0-0
Chance! Bowman works the ball to Grimshaw who tries his luck from the edge of the box with a good low effort but its beaten away by Lewis

4′ | 0-0
Christie battles well down the left and gets a low cross in at the front post which Rooney flicks wide of the post.

1′ | 0-0
Early sniff of goal as Dunne gets in behind the Aberdeen defence and gets a good cross in but it’s nodded behind for a corner.

The Steelmen get the action underway. COYW!!!

Out come the two sides here at Pittodrie, with ‘Well in their black away kit. It’s a cold one!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: “It was a terrific performance today. We had the performance against Ross County but we had the end product today.

“From start to finish we implemented a new system today, we worked on it all week and the boys really bought in to it, really applied themselves well and we probably could have won by more goals today.

“Tactically, I can do what I want but if the players don’t buy in to it or take it on board then they’re the ones who have to go out there on the pitch and deliver it, and they did.”

Two young boys from Uddingston received a special visit from two of our players this week as part of sponsors McEwan Fraser Legal’s cup final #HomeRun promotion.

Brothers Marcus (10) and Aston (8) Hope were entered into the competition to win four tickets to next Sunday’s final, nominated by their uncle Derek.

Sadly, both boys lost their father Brian in August. It has been a difficult time for all of the family.

To help just a little, Richard Tait and Andy Rose visited the boys at home to deliver the special surprise that they would be going to the final.

Motherwell return to Premiership action following the international break, with Aberdeen awaiting the Steelmen at Pittodrie on Saturday afternoon.

It is a welcome return to domestic football for Stephen Robinson and his squad, who are searching for a return to winning ways in the final game before the club’s trip to Hampden for the Betfred Cup final against Celtic.

And in Derek McInnes’ second-placed Aberdeen, there are not many tougher games awaiting the Fir Parkers in the coming weeks.

Whilst this is the third meeting with the Dons, it is the first trip to the Granite City in the 2017/18 campaign and it falls just a week before a triple header with Celtic.

But for Robinson, all the attention is on Aberdeen.

“Next week will take care of itself, we’re very much focused on Aberdeen,” the Northern Irishman said.

“We’ve had two good games against them and we’re one of only two teams to beat them domestically this season, so it’s going to be a tough game but it’s one that we’re very much looking forward to.

“Training has been very, very good and I think that’s the intensity of training and the environment we’ve created from day one.”

He added: “We’ve lost two league games, so we want to get back to winning ways now and hopefully that starts on Saturday.”

[pullquote]We’ve had two good games against them and we’re one of only two teams to beat them domestically this season, so it’s going to be a tough game but it’s one that we’re very much looking forward to.[/pullquote]

Robinson will have a full strength squad to pick from, which will inevitably bring about a selection headache for the ‘Well boss.

And in his group of players, Robinson has a squad who are full of belief, fight and togetherness.

Richard Tait insists the Fir Parkers are intent on returning to Lanarkshire tomorrow night with three points.

“It’s a big match for us,” the defender admitted. “We did well against them in the cup earlier this season then we played them a couple of days later and got beat.

“I think we can go up there full of confidence knowing that we’re good enough to get a result, so that will be the aim – to go there and pick up some points.”

He added: “In and around the town everyone is excited for next week but inside the football club everyone is concentrated on this game.”

Aberdeen, who come into this clash in second place, will be equally hungry to pick up three points having won just once in their last three games.

Derek McInnes will be without captain Graeme Shinnie, who is out through suspension.

	Aberdeen V Motherwell
	Saturday 18th November 2017
	3.00pm
	Pittodrie, Aberdeen
	Pre-purchase at the Fir Park ticket office, also available on the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

• Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725 917161

Special offer for Motherwell Season Ticket holders using Voucher A. Only redeemable at the Fir Park Ticket Office. Not available on the gate:

If you can’t make it tomorrow, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

Motherwell return to Scottish Premiership action on Saturday away to Aberdeen and we’ve been on the training ground watching the boys go through their paces ahead of the fixture.

The full squad trained this week, with a number of first team players returning from injury and keen to be involved for the trip to Pittodrie.

For more exclusive content, subscribe to MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

Don’t forget, season ticket holders are reminded that a special discounted price is available for our trip to face Aberdeen on Saturday.

Adults can gain entry to Pittodrie for just £15, concessions for £10 and under 12s for £6, but tickets must be purchased in advance from Fir Park before you travel.

Our ticket office is open from 10am on Saturday before you head north. Season ticket holders must bring Voucher A to the stadium at the time of purchase.

Normal pay at the gate prices for Pittodrie are as follows:

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725 917161.

Members of Phil O’Donnell’s family have been invited to attend the Betfred Cup final on November 26 at Hampden as guests of the SPFL, Motherwell and Celtic.

Phil, who represented both clubs during his playing career, sadly passed away due to heart failure at the age of 35 in December 2007.  Phil’s youngest son Luc, 14, will also parade the trophy to both sets of supporters and place it on the tunnel plinth directly before both teams take to the pitch, a key role in the day’s proceedings.

An article in the match day programme will also pay tribute to Phil, as well as raise awareness of the work carried out by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

The O’Donnell family are strong supporters of CRY, who offer bereavement support to families affected by young sudden cardiac death and offer cardiac screening for young people aged 14-35 to try to prevent such tragedies. CRY also supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions.

Phil’s daughter Megan said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the SPFL and both clubs for inviting my family to the Betfred Cup final.

“It is so heartwarming to see my dad honoured in such a special way, especially as my youngest brother, Luc, will be presenting the trophy to the fans on the day.

“Luc has little memory of my dad but I’m sure next Sunday will stay with him forever. It will be so nice for him to witness first-hand the extent to which my dad was liked by everyone.

“Unfortunately I won’t be present as I’m currently living in Australia, but I will be watching the game in Sydney at 2am. I brought one of my dad’s football strips away with me as a good luck charm and I’m delighted I’m getting this opportunity to wear it with pride.”

Motherwell’s Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows added: “We are always eager to remember and honour Phil O’Donnell, a fantastic captain, role model and man, at any opportunity and it’s fitting that ten years after his untimely and tragic passing, two of his former clubs meet in the Betfred Cup final.

“As a club, we are fortunate to have enjoyed Phil’s company and talent on two separate spells and his memory and legacy is all around us at Fir Park, each and every day.

“We are delighted members of Phil’s family will be there to watch the game and are obviously excited and keen to play in what hopefully be a memorable and poignant occasion for everyone.”

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell commented: “It is very fitting that the League Cup final will honour and remember Phil –  such a special man, who gave so much to both Celtic and Motherwell.

“Phil was taken from us far too early – but in his life he made such a great contribution to football and more importantly to his family as both a father and a husband.

“We are sure the Betfred Cup final will be a great occasion. We are delighted to be taking part and we look forward to working with Motherwell and the SPFL to ensure that the match is the fitting tribute to Phil, which he richly deserves.”

SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said: “It seems fitting that, as we approach the tenth anniversary of Phil’s untimely death, two of the clubs he represented with such distinction should meet in the Betfred Cup final.

“We are pleased that Phil’s family will attend Hampden for the match, and that one of his children will play a role in the pre-match proceedings.” 

We have now sold over 80% of our ticket allocation for the Betfred Cup final, as we enter the final week of sales before the big match.

You’ve been turning up in your numbers to get your seats for Hampden. To see so many of our fans at the national stadium will be a fantastic sight. Your support will mean everything to the club and the players.

If you’ve not got your tickets yet to support your team on what could be a historic day at Hampden, now is the time to get yours before they sell out.

West Stand tickets are available at £30 for adults and £15 for concessions. South Stand tickets are available for £35. No concessions are available for this stand at the decision of the SPFL.

To secure your seat, you can visit the ticket office here at Fir Park. Our opening hours between now and the final are 9am-5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-4pm Friday and 10am-1pm Saturday.

You can also call us on 01698 333333 during office hours. Please note we will not be able to take telephone bookings on Saturdays.

“We’re delighted that so many Motherwell fans have already bought their tickets for the cup final,” said chief operating officer Alan Burrows. “Our staff have been working hard to get through the queues and sell as quickly as possible.

“We are now on the final push. It would be incredible to see every seat we’ve been given filled with fans decked in claret and amber.”