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  • Archive

    Betfred Cup final in pictures

  • Archive

    Robinson: I’m really proud of my team

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 2 Celtic

  • Well Society

    Double your money offer extended

  • Archive

    Humbling the Hoops: Part two

  • Archive

    Moult: Up to us now to do the job

  • Archive

    Important cup final information

  • Archive

    Players get a piece of club history

  • Archive

    Time for new heroes

  • Archive

    Manager: We won’t change our style

  • Archive

    Betfred Cup final in pictures

    Images from Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Celtic in the Betfred Cup final.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”celtic261117″]

  • Archive

    Robinson: I’m really proud of my team

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson expressed his pride for his players as they fell just short of lifting the Betfred Cup.

    The Steelmen dispatched the likes of Aberdeen and Rangers en route to the final, but lost 2-0 at the final hurdle.

    And after the match in Glasgow, Robinson reflected on the 90 minutes in a post-match interview with MFC TV.

    [pullquote]I’m really, really proud of the players and of everybody at the football club. We’ve worked tremendously hard to get here, but what I will say is it isn’t the end of our season.[/pullquote]

    “We were very much in the game, we went toe to toe with them in the first half and they made a lot of mistakes and that was because we were pressing them and we were right up against them.

    “We went 1-0 down and we could’ve controlled that. We gave possession away, we needed to get tighter for the goal, so that’s something that I can control and we can get better at, but the game was changed by a decision.”

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 2 Celtic

    [tab:Match report]

    Phil McGhee at Hampden Park

    Stephen Robinson and his Motherwell side were denied a fairytale ending to their terrific cup run when favourites Celtic produced two goals early in the second half to claim the Betfred Cup.

    The scoreline only tells part of the story as the Fir Park men more than matched the much fancied Parkhead side, only to get caught cold at the start of the second half when James Forrest squeezed his side in front.

    However, Moussa Dembele’s second before the hour mark, from a highly controversial penalty award which also saw Cedric Kipre red carded, killed the tie.

    Confident that they could upset the odds, the ‘Well boss stood by the same starting team that won at Aberdeen, and in the same formation, with Chris Cadden playing in front of a midfield three and supporting Louis Moult and Ryan Bowman.

    That shaped the first half with the Steelmen tactically astute and determined to nullify Celtic’s threat. That left the Parkhead men with plenty of possession in the middle of the park but Trevor Carson was seldom troubled in the first 45 minutes.

    Indeed it was 30 minutes before the ‘Well ‘keeper was forced into his first save – routinely gathering a weak Moussa Dembele header.

    Until then there was nothing of real note, except both sets of fans poignantly sharing a minute’s applause for Phil O’Donnell in the 10th minute.

    At the other end, Craig Gordon was equally quiet, despite Richard Tait swinging a series of tempting crosses into the visitors’ box. The ‘Well full back also found himself with half a chance when Charles Dunne’s cross found its way to him but his angled drive flashed over the bar.

    Ten minutes from half time, the Celtic ‘keeper made his first save, stretching to take Moult’s dipping free kick from under his crossbar.

    While Motherwell took the half time plaudits for their disciplined first 45, it took Celtic only three minutes to break the deadlock in the second. Forrest was allowed to cut in from the corner of the box and from 15 yards he delicately curled the ball beyond the diving Carson inside the ‘keeper’s right hand post.

    If that was a blow to the Steelmen their response was immediate. Craig Tanner came off the bench to immediately send Andy Rose to the byline. And when his cross found the onrushing Moult, his powerful header seemed destined for an equaliser until Gordon, with a stunning reaction, beat the ball away with his forearm.

    In the next attack, ‘Well had appeals for a penalty turned down after Kieran Tierney barged into Moult as the striker raced to get on the end of a Tanner pass across goal.

    However, minutes later referee Craig Thomson did award a penalty. But it was in Celtic’s favour, much to Motherwell’s amazement and anger. AlthoughKipre was in close to Scott Sinclair as he burst into the box, it was insufficient to bring the Celtic striker tumbling to the ground.

    After pointing to the penalty spot, the referee further infuriated the ‘Well players by showing Kipre a red card. As the Fir Park defender headed up the Hampden tunnel, Dembele confidently fired the spot kick beyond Carson to put Celtic in the driving seat.

    With the extra man, Celtic created a number of chances in the latter stages but Carson was determined to restrict them to a two goal advantage. In particular the ‘keeper produced some stunning saves to block Stuart Armstrong, a Leigh Griffiths free kick and especially to deny Sinclair from four yards.

    Motherwell, though, never gave up the chase and 12 minutes from time Tait’s free kick found Moult, but his downward header was smothered by Gordon.

    In injury time the competition’s top scorers were denied the consolation goal their efforts deserved, when Moult curled a free kick beyond the defensive wall and the ‘keeper, only to see it rebound from the post.

    The ‘Well fans remained buoyant and in good voice until the final whistle to acknowledge the team’s memorable cup run which started and concluded at Hampden.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Alastair Reilly at Hampden Park

    FT : Motherwell 0 – 2 Celtic
    Ten man Motherwell lose to a second half Forrest goal and Dembele penalty.

     

    There will be two minutes added on.

    88′ | 0-2
    Celtic sub, Rogic on for McGregor

    88′ | 0-2
    Roberts comes in off the left and his cross/shot is knocked over the bar by Griffiths.

    80′ | 0-2
    Griffiths is through 1v1 but makes a mess of the finish, striking the post with only Carson to beat.

    78′ | 0-2
    Chance! Tanner’s free-kick is headed towards goal by Moult but Gordon makes the stop.

    78′ | 0-2
    Celtic sub, Roberts on for Forrest

    70′ | 0-2
    Motherwell sub, Frear on for Rose.

    64′ | 0-2
    Motherwell sub, Campbell on for Bowman

    59′ | 0-2
    Goal – Dembele fires the penalty straight down the middle.

    58′ | 0-1
    Penalty to Celtic and a red card for Kipré who was judged to have pulled Sinclair’s shirt.

    55′ | 0-1
    Celtic have a corner and Dembele heads wide of the post.

    53′ | 0-1
    Chance!! Rose fires a great ball across goal and somehow Gordon manages to get a hand to Bowman’s powerful header.

    50′ | 0-1
    Motherwell sub, Tanner on for Grimshaw

    49′ | 0-1
    Goal – Celtic take the lead after Forrest came in off the left and slotted past Carson

    Goalless first 45 with a couple of half chances for each side. Let’s see what the second half brings.

    HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 Celtic

    43′ | 0-0
    Armstrong with a poor effort, curling well over the bar from 25 yards.

    41′ | 0-0
    Brilliant ball in by Tait which again is headed away just before Moult. It falls as far as Cadden but he can only poke a shot wide of the post.

    35′ | 0-0
    Bowman goes down after a forearm from Simunovic. Free-kick about 30 yards out in a central area….. great effort by Moult! Gets it over the wall but Gordon gets across to make the save.

    31′ | 0-0
    Ball into the back post area which Dembele heads tamely at Carson.

    29′ | 0-0
    Cadden with a great ball into the box but Simunovic gets his head to it just before Moult.

    25′ | 0-0
    Chance!! Dunne hooks in a cross to the edge of the box which Tait drills just over the bar.

    18′ | 0-0
    Great last-ditch challenge there by McHugh to clear from Forrest. Leads to a corner but it’s defended by the Steelmen

    16′ | 0-0
    From that free-kick, Hartley sends a header looping wide of the post.

    15′ | 0-0
    Dembele booked for a wild tackle on McHugh.

    11′ | 0-0
    Half a chance as Tait puts in a good deep ball but it just didn’t quite fall for Cadden on the edge of the box and Celtic clear.

    7′ | 0-0
    Tait blocks Sinclair’s cross which leads to the first corner of the game…..headed away to safety by Hartley

    5′ | 0-0
    A sniff of goal there for Dembele but thankfully the linesman’s flag goes up straight away.

    McHugh gets the game underway. COYW!!!

     

  • Well Society

    Double your money offer extended

    Double your money offer extended

    Les Hutchison has extended his ‘double your money’ offer with the Well Society for another year.

    The club’s former owner, who oversaw the transition to fan ownership last year, has been matching the total amount of funds raised by the Well Society in this calendar year with a reduction of his loan to the club by the same amount, to a maximum of £500,000.

    After a fairly modest start to the year with several changes taking place on and off the field, the Well Society have seen a significant increase in pledges, donations and funds raised in the last few months of the year.

    In order to continue this momentum, Mr Hutchison has now agreed to extend this offer through the 2018 calendar year.

    On behalf of everyone at the club and the Well Society we would like to thank him for his support.

    You can contribute to the Well Society in a number of ways.

    We would also like to reiterate to all Motherwell fans that now is the time to support the Well Society and help improve the Club’s finances through the following ways:

  • Archive

    Humbling the Hoops: Part two

    The sixties were something of a write off in terms of Motherwell successes over Celtic but then given that period coincided with Celtic becoming European Champions and commencing on a run of nine successive league wins, that perhaps was no great surprise.

    The seventies, however, provided a good deal more in the way of memorable outcomes.

    A John Goldthorp goal on 10th October 1973 broke the long win-less run in a 1-0 win at Parkhead in the League Cup, Motherwell’s first win at Celtic in twenty-three years and a first win over Celtic in all competitions in some fourteen years.

    Buoyed by that success, later in the campaign Motherwell recorded a 3-2 victory over the Hoops at Fir Park with Martin, Graham and that man Goldthorp once more on the score-sheet.

    Curiously, the 3-2 scoreline would become something of a familiar outcome.

    On 11 January 1975, ‘Well headed to Glasgow’s East End with the home side still holding aspirations of winning a tenth successive league title. Willie Pettigrew put Motherwell ahead in the 12th minute and the lead was doubled when strike partner Bobby Graham netted in the 20th minute.

    The hosts fought back and levelled through goals from Harry Hood either side of the break, however, Motherwell were not to be denied and Pettigrew grabbed what proved to be the winning goal in the 76th minute.

    Memorable though those particular 3-2 victories were, neither were quite the 3-2 win that ‘Well fans of a certain vintage think of when it comes to Motherwell v Celtic encounters in the seventies.

    It was on 24th January 1975 that Celtic travelled to Fir Park on Scottish Cup 3rd round duty. Having beaten Motherwell 3-1 at the same venue only a fortnight earlier, the Parkhead side were heavy favourites to progress to the fourth round.

    The visitors raced into a two goal first-half lead thanks to goals from Dalglish and Lynch and in truth Celtic could easily have the tie put to bed given the number of chances they had created in the opening forty-five minutes.

    The two goal deficit left Motherwell with a mountain to climb in the second half if they wished to continue their interest in the competition further and ‘Well manager Willie McLean threw caution to the wind somewhat in an effort to bring the Steelmen back into the tie.

    Bobby Graham’s diving header in the 51st minute gave ‘Well hope, before substitute Ian Taylor levelled the contest in the 61st minute from a free-kick. The sensational comeback was completed in the 70th minute when Willie Pettigrew raced away from the Celtic backline to fire home off a post to send the home support in the 25,000 crowd delirious.

    13th April 1977 saw close to 14,000 pitch up at Fir Park – the majority of them expecting to see Celtic secure the point they needed to lift the 1976/77 Premier League title. As might be expected, the Parkhead side peppered Ally Hunter’s goal but were unable to make their pressure tell.

    As they became increasingly nervous, the Steelmen capitalised and went ahead shortly before half-time through Ian Kennedy.

    The scoreline remained the same until the dying minutes by which time the title chasing visitors had abandoned their shape completely and were throwing everyone forward in desperately seeking the goal that would win them the league.

    But the Steelmen would make them wait!

    In a sensational last five minutes, Ian Kennedy saw his shot, which was heading wide, deflect off Andy Lynch and into the net to put ‘Well 2-0 up in the 85th minute. Amazingly, little more than 120 seconds later Lynch would net a second own goal as Joe Wark’s shot deflected off him and past Baines to make it three- nil to the Fir Parkers and dash Celtic’s hopes of winning the league in Lanarkshire.

    The Steelmen continued to be problematic opposition for Celtic until they lost their top flight status in 1979.

    On a visit to Celtic Park on 27th August, ‘Well shut out the home side to register a 1-0 win in front of 29,000 thanks to former Celtic midfielder Vic Davidson’s 80th minute goal.

    Having also held Celtic to a nil-nil draw in the League Cup, just four days after that league success ‘Well once again kept a clean sheet when they returned to Celtic Park for the second time that season on league business on January 2, 1978, and once more they would take both points following a narrow 1-0 victory. On this occasion Jim O’Rourke would be ‘Well’s match winner scoring in the 20th minute.

    Before the season was concluded ‘Well would register a third league win against Celtic, this time on March 22, 1978 at Fir Park where a second half double from Peter Marinello was enough to secure a 2-1 win in front of just under 10,000.

    Season 1978/79 proved to be a desperate campaign for Motherwell that ended in relegation, but highlights were still to be found in matches against Celtic as ‘Well continued their excellent run of form at Parkhead.

    On October 4, 1978 ‘Well won 1-0 in a hard-fought League Cup tie thanks to a second half Willie Pettigrew strike and repeated the feat a month later when they won 2-1.

    By this stage of the season, Motherwell were already rooted to the foot of the table and were manager-less following Roger Hynd’s resignation earlier in the week. Despite going behind early on to future Motherwell man Tom McAdam, Gregor Stevens equalised in the 39th minute before Stewart MacLaren grabbed an unlikely winner for the struggling Steelmen in 82nd minute.

  • Archive

    Moult: Up to us now to do the job

    Louis Moult says confidence is high in the Motherwell squad as they prepare to go into Sunday’s Betfred Cup final.

    The striker is in red-hot form ahead of the match, having netted 14 goals from just 19 appearances this season.

    Aberdeen and Rangers have both been defeated on the way to Hampden, with Moult netting in both, and the 25-year-old is hopeful more surprises can be sprung at the national stadium.

    “There’s a massive buzz around the place,” said the Englishman. “There has been all season.

    “There’s been a real sense that there’s something bubbling away in the background.

    “We’ve come a long way from last season. It’s up to us now to do the job.

    [pullquote]I think is a blessing in disguise that everyone wrote us off before the season even started. I think we’ve proved a lot of people wrong.[/pullquote]

    Moult netted his 50th goal in just 95 games when he scored a double at Aberdeen in the Steelmen’s last outing.

    Asked if he believed such a feat would have been possible when he first joined the club, he answered: “I backed myself. I really did. But to do it is another thing.

    “I think as a person, and as a striker, I’ve got to be confident. I always believe I’m going to score. When I signed for the club I believed I was going to score goals.

    “If someone was going to tell me it would happen like it has, that I would score 50 goals in 95 games, I would have laughed at you.

    “I’m excited but it’s just another game to me. I’ve got to treat it like any other, try to score and win the game. We can’t play the occasion.”

  • Archive

    Important cup final information

    Motherwell head to Hampden Park on Sunday for their first major final since 2011, hoping to end a wait of 26 years for a trophy in the Betfred Cup final against Celtic.

    Before the match, there are a number of important points those travelling to the national stadium should note before travelling, as well as information on our pre-match plans here at Fir Park

    Please note: there will be an additional, last minute sale of tickets at Fir Park on Sunday from 10am to 12pm.

    Pre-match entertainment

    We have our licence granted to trade from the kiosks on the lower level of the Cooper Stand on the day of the final.

    Kiosk seven will be open for the sale of alcohol, as will the Cooper Bar, at 11am. Food will available to purchase from kiosk eight.

    Face painters will also be in the Cooper concourse. Access can be gained by showing your Cooper bus ticket.

    Heading to Hampden

    Supporters are asked to keep the following areas the clear of parked cars: 

    • Dalziel Drive
    • Knowetop Avenue
    • Fir Park Street
    • Edward Street and Manse Road from the junction of Edward Street to Manse Road
    • Finlay Street (please note there is a hospital off Finlay Street that NHS personnel and visitors need to access)

    There will be no available parking in or around the stadium match day car parks. This is to facilitate the bus parking from Motherwell FC and Club 100. We would ask all supporters to plan where they can park outwith these streets.

    Official supporters buses

    Buses will leave from the Cooper end of the stadium at approximately 1pm.

    Supporters with a bus ticket will have a number on their ticket. This is the bus number you are travelling on.

    Alcohol is prohibited from the buses. It is a criminal offence to be in possession of alcohol on these buses and the vehicles will be searched by police.

    Making your own way

    PRE MATCH ROUTES FOR COACHES APPROACHING THE WEST OF THE STADIUM

    M8 Westbound: Exit the M8 at Junction 22 and join the M77. Leave the M77 at Junction 1, Dumbreck Road, turn left onto Dumbreck Road and continue until the junction with Titwood Road (high vehicles such as double deck buses – turn right, Haggs Road, turn left Shawmoss Road, turn right Titwood Road) continue Titwood Road. Turn right onto Minard Road continue onto Langside Avenue to the roundabout (Monument). Take the second exit at the roundabout onto Battlefield Road, continue on Battlefield Road to the first traffic light junction and bear right remaining on Battlefield Road to the ‘T’ junction with Cathcart Road. Turn left onto Cathcart Road and take the immediate right onto Letherby Drive, where your coach will be directed to park in the ‘blue car park’.

    A bus pass for the blue car park will be required for entry. Buses entering the car park must enter no later than 90 minutes prior to kick off hospitality vehicles entering the ‘blue car park’ must enter no later than 60 minutes prior to kick off.

    Those without a pass should utilise on street parking at Battlefield Road and Langside Road as directed by police motorcycles.

    If you are not travelling by coach, Police Scotland advise that supporters use public transport to get to the stadium, as parking is extremely limited. The Queens Park Recreation Ground on Queens Drive will not be available for use at this fixture.

    Fans travelling by private vehicle are advised to park on the west side of the stadium. 

    A car park pass will be required for entry to the Red, Yellow & Blue car parks. Those without a pass should utilise on street parking where available.

    Scotrail are putting on additional carriages and services both before and after the match. Mount Florida and Kings Park train stations are a short walk from the stadium.

    Arriving at Hampden

    Buses organised by the club will park in the blue car park and will drop off and collect from this point.

    All fans attending the Betfred Cup Final should note that enhanced search arrangements will be in place at this fixture.

    This additional safety measure has the potential to delay entry into the ground, so fans are strongly encouraged to get to the stadium as early as possible. Turnstiles will be open at 1.30pm.

    Motherwell supporters will be housed in South and West stands at the stadium. Tickets are not available at the ground and must be purchased in advance before 1pm on Saturday at Fir Park.

  • Archive

    Players get a piece of club history

    As the ‘Well look to add to their honours in the Betfred Cup final on Sunday, the playing squad had the chance to get their hands on a piece of club history this week.

    A winner’s medal from the team’s only top flight title success in 1931/32 has been loaned to Motherwell by a collector.

    The medal once belonged to John McMenemy, who joined the club from Celtic in 1928.

    The Steelmen won the Scottish League Division One in 1931/32, finishing five points ahead of Rangers.

    The championship win was the first outside of Celtic and Rangers since Third Lanark had won the title back in 1904. It was to be the only time that the title was to be wrested from the big two in the years between the wars.

    The medal will soon be placed on display at Fir Park so Motherwell fans of all ages can get a glimpse of a real piece of Steelmen history.

  • Archive

    Time for new heroes

    Motherwell take to the pitch at Hampden on Sunday looking to end a 26-year wait for a major trophy.

    The Scottish Cup winning team of 1991 are club legends. Maxwell, Nijholt, McCart, Paterson, Boyd, Angus, Griffin, O’Donnell, Cooper, Ferguson, Arnott, O’Neill and Kirk will forever be heroes in the minds of every ‘Well fan.

    Now it is time for new heroes to join them. The squad of 2017 have a shot against Celtic to write themselves into history and win the Scottish League Cup for the first time since 1950.

    To inspire you all ahead of the Betfred Cup final, we’ve put together this video about our town, our club and our team.

  • Archive

    Manager: We won’t change our style

    Motherwell have had success this season sticking to their own style of play, and manager Stephen Robinson says they won’t change it as the team bid to end their 26-year trophy wait against Celtic.

    The Steelmen have won 14 of their 20 competitive matches this season, topping Aberdeen and Rangers on the way to Sunday’s Betfred Cup final.

    Opponents Celtic are on a 64-game unbeaten run in domestic fixtures but the Fir Park boss says there’s no point trying to change the team’s philosophy to match their opponents.

    “If we try to play Celtic at their own game and try to outpass them and outplay them then we’ll get beaten,” he said. “Simple as that.

    [pullquote]We have to find a way that suits our personnel and our players and our budget. That’s what we’ve done and we’ve been pretty successful so far at it.[/pullquote]

    “We’re not going to change that on Sunday. We believe every team have weaknesses so how we play, our strengths and how we set up can cause them problems.

    “We’ve been relatively successful with what we’ve done. We’ve tinkered and twigged at systems and shapes, and different personnel.

    “We’re going to play our way and try to impose our way of playing on them.

    “Celtic have proved over numerous games now that when they impose their game they win football matches so we have try to disrupt that and interrupt their pattern of play.”