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  • Archive

    McGhee – Pleased with home win

  • Archive

    Motherwell 1 – 0 Hearts

  • Archive

    Family Ticket: Bring two kids for free

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Station Park

  • Archive

    Dundee U20s 1 – 3 Motherwell U20s

  • Archive

    Hearts hospitality still available

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 1 – 1 Ross County U20s

  • Archive

    Robinson signs extended contract

  • Archive

    Disabled Supporters Association Race night and POTY

  • Archive

    McGhee – Pleased with home win

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee felt his team looked sharp after an impressive 1-0 home win over Hearts this afternoon.

    The Fir Parkers were the better team throughout with the only frustration being the Claret and Amber men had just one goal to show for their sterling efforts.

    And Scotland assistant McGhee was confident his side would perform having watched them train hard all week.

    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.

    [pullquote]They have trained so well all week that I would have been disappointed if they didn’t take that into the game and they did. They trained the way they played and I was well pleased with it.[/pullquote]

    Craig Samson made his Motherwell debut this afternoon, taking the place of on-loan Boro keeper Conner Ripley, who had missed most of the week’s training with a throat infection.

    McGhee revealed after the match the experienced former Scotland pick will be given the chance to hold onto the number one shirt.

    “We had intended to (give him a game before the end of the season) anyway then, with Connor being a wee bit ill at the beginning of the week, it ensured the decision was today,” he continued.

    “He will get another game before the end of the season. We have made sure that he knows he is wanted here next year. So we wanted to give him some sort of outing. Connor has been fantastic, but will go back to his home club.”

  • Archive

    Motherwell 1 – 0 Hearts

    [tab:Match report]

     Phil McGhee Fir Park

    Motherwell returned to winning ways with a thoroughly impressive 1-0 win over Hearts, making it six wins in their last seven fixtures.

    Commanding the game from the start, the only criticism would be that the Fir Park side failed to add to Lionel Ainsworth’s first half strike.

    Having earned a top-six finish, the ‘Well players were relaxed and confident from start to finish against a Hearts side still with ambitions of overtaking Aberdeen.

    Connor Ripley missed his first game of the season, the ‘keeper’s throat infection allowing Craig Samson to make his debut. Lionel Ainsworth also earned a starting place in a front three with Louis Moult and Marvin Johnson.

    With hopes of erasing the memories of their six goal drubbing at Tynecastle when the sides last met in January, the Fir Park men made a positive start, pressing Neil Alexander’s goal from the start.

    On the break the Edinburgh side produced the first shot, Sam Nicholson dragging his shot wide of the post. Two minutes Moult did likewise at the other end, sclaffing his shot across the visitor’s goal.

    After 11 minutes Samson was forced into his first save getting down to hold a bouncing effort from Prince Buaben.

    Following that, though, the action was largely confined to the Hearts’ half with the home side steady in possession and looking to make the breakthrough.

    It almost came in the 27th minute when Josh Law did well to pull the ball back from the goal-line allowing Moult to tee up Chris Cadden, but his controlled shot down the centre of the goal was blocked in the six yard box.

    The Tynecastle men failed to clear their lines and when Scott McDonald was given time to collect Stevie Hammell’s throw in, he played a weighted ball in front of Ainsworth. Cutting in from the angle of the box, his finish was low and accurate whizzing across Alexander and into the far corner of the net.

    Having exerted himself in the initial build up, Law limped off six minutes before the break allowing Ben Hall to come on and join Stephen McManus in the heart of the home defence.
    Keith Lasley failed to come out for the second half with Jack Leitch taking his place.

    That failed to change the pattern of play with ‘Well comfortable in possession and patiently probing for an opening.

    That looked to have paid off on the hour when McDonald, at the heart of everything, fed the ball to Johnson whose clever pass sent Moult through the middle. His low shot, though, bounced off the foot of the post and behind with the ‘Well striker claiming that Alexander made a fingertip save.

    Four minutes later McDonald passed up another great chance to double the home lead. The Aussie striker did well to rob Buaben at the edge of the box, but with only Alexander to beat he curled his finish over a begging target.

    Hearts almost punished ‘Well for that miss when Callum Paterson’s powerful volley rebounded high and was heading under the bar until Samson threw himself across goal to claw the ball away.

    Desperate to take something back to Edinburgh, Robbie Neilson made a double substitution with eleven minutes remaining. And although Hearts showed more urgency in the closing stages, Motherwell were comfortable and if anything more likely to score.

    A trademark move from Johnson, dragging the ball in from the touch line before firing in a left foot drive, forced Alexander to smother the ball low to his left.

    Openings for McDonald and Johnson might have made the win more emphatic but the fans’ applause at the full-time whistle acknowledged ‘Well as worthy winners.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Fir Park

    Motherwell 1 – 0 Hearts.
    Ainsworth’s first-half strike enough to hand the Steelmen all three points at Fir Park!

    FULL TIME

    88′ | 1-0
    Wide open passage of play the. Chance for Reilly but McManus does superbly to make the block, which Hammell then clears.

    83′ | 1-0
    Motherwell sub, Chalmers on for Ainsworth.

    82′ | 1-0
    Great turn from Johson to craft some space for a shot. He takes it on but Alexander is equal to it, saving low to his left.

    MATCH ATTAX | Young ‘Well fans can vote now for your Man of the Match. Tweet your name, age & choice with #MatchAttaxMOTM now. #MFCvHMFC

    Buaben also makes way, replaced by Cowie.

    79′ | 1-0
    Hearts sub, Reilly on for Juanma

    77′ | 1-0
    Chance for Juanma but McManus is alert to the danger and knocks it wide for a corner.

    70′ | 1-0
    Smith booked for a trip on Cadden well inside the Motherwell half.

    68′ | 1-0
    Hearts sub, Dauda on for Nicholson

    66′ | 1-0
    Great save by Samson to deny Paterson whose volley bounces awkwardly in front of him

    65′ | 1-0
    Glorious chance for McDonald as he robs Buaben but with only Alexander to beat, he fires over the bar!!

    62′ | 1-0
    Cadden booked which enrages the Motherwell crowd. Inconsistency of decisions is frustrating both sides

    60′ | 1-0
    Moult with a great chance but Alexander makes the save. Surely a corner?!

    52′ | 1-0
    Great ball over the top from Leitch but Ainsworth can’t quite get on the end of it and Alexander gathers.

    50′ | 1-0
    Walker tries to pick his spot but curls it straight at Samson from 20 yards.

    Motherwell get the ball rolling for the second 45.

    Half-time sub for ‘Well, Lasley makes way for Leitch…

    HT: Motherwell 1 – 0 Hearts
    Lionel Ainsworth with the only goal of a low-key first half.

    39′ | 1-0
    Motherwell sub, Josh Law hobbles off for Ben Hall.

    36′ | 1-0
    Walker tries the spectacular with a flying volley but can’t get it right and it sails well wide and over

    29′ | 1-0
    AINSWORTH drives into the box and fires a low unstoppable shot past Alexander. 1-0 to the Steelmen!

    GOOAALLL!!!

    22′ | 0-0
    Hammell booked for a foul on Nicholson inside the Hearts half. Looked harsh.

    15′ | 0-0
    Law’s headed clearance falls to Buaben 20 yards out but he can’t get any power in his volley to test Samson.

    7′ | 0-0
    Chance for Hearts there. Nicholson cuts in from the left but his shot trickles just wide of the post.

    5′ | 0-0
    Nice bit of play down the left leads to Souttar heading Hammell’s cross out for a corner.

    2′ | 0-0
    Hammell whips in a free-kick from the right which Paterson has to nod back to Alexander.

    Juanma and Walker get the game underway. COYW!

    Out come the teams; Motherwell in claret and amber, Hearts in white and maroon.

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

    “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.

    “They have trained so well all week that I would have been disappointed if they didn’t take that into the game and they did. They trained the way they played and I was well pleased with it.”

    Hearts manager Robbie Neilson

    “We didn’t deserve to get anything out the game. Motherwell were the better team, they had a better attacking threat than us, they worked harder than us.

    “It wasn’t acceptable for us. We brought a huge crowd down and we didn’t do enough to excite them.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”271″]

  • Archive

    Family Ticket: Bring two kids for free

    For the last two home games of the season, the club have reduced the price but also increased the value of the Family Ticket.

    For the matches against Hearts this Saturday (23rd April) and St Johnstone (7th May), the ‘Family’ ticket for all areas of the ground will be the same as the regular adult price of £23/19.

    In addition, we have extended the terms to allow up to two Juveniles (15 and under) to enter under that ticket, as opposed to the standard one.

    So a parent two kids can watch either game for as little as £6.33 each in the East Stand and £7.66 each in the other three stands (including away stands).

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee said: “We want as many people as possible along to roar on the players for these last vital two home games.

    “We’ve achieved a lot over the last few months, but I am determined to try and finish the campaign off on a positive note as we build for next season.

    “Sure, European football won’t be available for us, but finishing fourth would be a major achievement and would boost the club financially. We’re in a three-way fight to get it, so if you can make it along, join us for one or both these matches and get right behind the lads.”

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Station Park

    Extended highlights from Station Park as the Under 20s come from behind to beat Dundee 1-3 in the Development League.

  • Archive

    Dundee U20s 1 – 3 Motherwell U20s

    Motherwell Under 20s came from behind to beat Dundee at Station Park this afternoon.

    The Dee’s took the lead just after half-time but two classy finishes from David Turnbull, with a David Ferguson header sandwiched between, gave the Young Steelmen a deserved three points.

    Manager Stephen Craigan made two changes to his side, with Joe Chalmers and Barry Maguire dropping out for Jack McMillan and goal scorer David Ferguson.

    There was little in the first half with Dundee having by far the best chance.  Skelly latched onto a poor clearance and squared the ball nicely to John Black who poked it goalwards from six yards but much to Long’s relief he got an instinctive hand to it and somehow managed to make the save.

    Dundee started the second forty-five with a bang, scoring within the first two minutes. Kyle Clark got down the right hand side and volleyed a cross in towards Long who couldn’t get enough on his parry, leaving John Black with an easy finish.

    Within eight minutes, though, Motherwell were back level.

    Good pressing won the ball back in the Dundee half and after Thomas fed the ball into his feet, David Turnbull steadied himself and angled a fine low finish past Gourlay.

    By this point Dundee had made their available subs and with Skelly off with a knock, had to make do with the ten men.

    Frustratingly for the Dens Park men, they were temporarily down to nine men when Motherwell struck again.

    Ross MacLean swung in a corner straight to the unmarked Ferguson who made no mistake with his header from 6 yards.

    With eleven minutes to go, Motherwell were holding onto their lead well and finished the job in the ninety-first minute.

    It was a really well worked goal with Watt advancing forward and sliding in Falconer. He cooly pulled it back to Turnbull who applied a great curling finish past Gourlay.

    The win sets the youngsters up nicely for next Wednesday’s Little big shot Youth Cup final with Hearts.

    Motherwell U20s: Long, Watt, McMillan, Ferguson, Hall, Campbell, MacLean, Turnbull, Falconer, Thomas, R. Leitch (Hastie – 82mins)

    Unused subs: Morrison, Maguire, Livingstone, Moore

  • Archive

    Hearts hospitality still available

    This Saturday, 23th April the Steelmen host Hearts in Matchday 34 of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    All hospitality packages include a ticket, match programme, team-sheet and half time refreshments.

    You can choose from three packages:

    Centenary Claret: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full, four course table service with access to a pay bar till kick off and then again for an hour post-match.

    Book now from only £60 for an adult and £45 for a child under 16.

    Centenary Amber: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full four course table service with complimentary bar and then again for an hour post-match.

    Book now for £99 for an adult and £55 for a child under 16.

    Millennium Ticket: Enjoy a lighter bite pre-match and at half-time with a complimentary bar for one-hour pre & post-match.

    Book now for £70 for an adult and £35 for a child under 16.

    Remember, Season Ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality for just £25.

    01698 333333 | hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

    Extended highlights from Excelsior Stadium as Motherwell and Ross County play out a 1-1 draw in the Development League.

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 1 – 1 Ross County U20s

    Motherwell Under 20s were held to a 1-1 draw by Ross County at a snowy Excelsior Stadium this afternoon.

    The young Steelmen took the lead through a James Ross Own Goal but were pegged back by a second half header from Greg Morrison and couldn’t find a winner, despite having a penalty.

    Stephen Craigan made two changes to the side that defeated Hamilton Accies on Tuesday; Joe Chalmers and Dylan Falconer coming in for Jack McMillan and Dylan Mackin.

    They almost made the perfect start as Dom Thomas worked his way forward and got a shot off but it curled well wide of the post.

    The Steelmen were getting some joy down the left, but efforts from Chalmers and Thomas failed to punish the visitors, with the latter’s shot being well turned past the post by Foden in the County goal.

    It was the 25th minute before County had a sniff of goal, firstly through Tony Dingwall, who was subsequently subbed off, then MacIver who got into a great position but tamely shot at PJ Morrison.

    The deadlock was finally broken in the 28th minute.

    Dom Thomas got past Miller all too easily and fired a cross/shot past Foden and with Dylan Falconer lurking for a tap-in, James Ross could only poke the ball into his own net.

    County almost got back level just before half-time as Darren Moffat clipped a ball to the back post towards the onrushing Greg Morrison but the ball took an awkward bounce and he could only volley over the bar.

    The second half took a while to get going, with precious little in the way of chances., but it was County who made theirs count.

    McLaughlin picked the ball up from deep and whipped in a great ball over the head of Maguire. There was a perhaps a touch of fortune about Morrison’s header as it bounced into the astroturf and looped over PJ’s head and into the net.

    For all McLaughlin did well for the goal, he turned villain ten minutes later when he fouled Luke Watt inside the box.

    Thomas stepped up and opted to go straight down the middle but unfortunately for him Foden’s trailing legs were enough to make the stop.

    ‘Well had one last chance to take all three points, again through Thomas but from six yards the County defense did enough to force him to pass but it went through Turnbull’s legs and out for a goal-kick.

    The point keeps Motherwell in sixth place with two matches left to play, with their next tie being against Dundee on Tuesday.

    Motherwell: Morrison, Watt, Chalmers, Maguire, Hall, Campbell, MacLean (Hastie – 71mins)  , Turnbull, Falconer, Thomas. R. Leitch

    Subs not used: Long, Scott, Livingstone, Moore, Ferguson, McMillan,

     

  • Archive

    Robinson signs extended contract

    Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm Assistant Manager Stephen Robinson has extended his contract by a further year.

    The Northern Irishman, who will coach at the UEFA European Championships with his home nation in France this summer, had a contract that was due to expire at the end of next month, but has penned an extension until May 2017, bringing him into line with first-team boss Mark McGhee.

    The 41-year old joined on at Fir Park in February of 2015 and helped turn the club around after a miserable start to the 2014/15 campaign.

    Indeed, his record as Motherwell’s Assistant is impressive, with 22 wins from 51 matches (43.13%), which includes helping the club navigate the Premiership / Championship Play-off’s last May before contributing to a top-six finish this season.

    [pullquote]On the park, making the top-six has been an excellent achievement and our aim now is to try and win as many matches between now and May 15th to see where it takes us[/pullquote]

    Speaking after signing his new contract, the former Spurs and Bournemouth midfielder said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Fir Park and obviously delighted to have signed this new deal.

    “There have been some challenges, but it’s a pleasure to work for the club and the people around the place have been brilliant. We changed the manager back in the autumn and that always brings some uncertainty, but I cannot speak highly enough of Mark (McGhee) and we enjoy a very good relationship.

    “On the park, making the top-six has been an excellent achievement and our aim now is to try and win as many matches between now and May 15th to see where it takes us.”

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee added: “Stephen is an excellent Assistant and an excellent coach.

    “It became clear to me very quickly when I joined the club that we had someone of real talent and integrity, who cares passionately about winning and being successful.

    “He’s very well respected in the game and I’m delighted he has agreed to extend his deal.”

  • Archive

    Disabled Supporters Association Race night and POTY

    Motherwell FC Disabled Supporters Association will be hosting a Race Night and Player of the Year evening this Friday.

    The event, in honour of Ben Miller, will be held in the Centenary Suite at Fir Park, with a 7pm start.

    Come along and have a flutter on the horses, meet the two Player of the Year winners and win some prizes.

    Tam Cowan will be in attendance, as Special guest MC providing his usual hilarious brand of comedy .

    Tickets are £4.

    For further information contact John on 07711 992161/john@mfcdsa.com or Darren on 07722912666/darren@mfcdsa.com