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  • Archive

    Humphrey pens contract extension

  • Archive

    Saunders earns a suspension

  • Archive

    Ticket Office: Extended Hours

  • Archive

    Last chance to book Hampden packages

  • Archive

    Officials appointed for Hampden clash

  • Archive

    Youths return to action

  • Archive

    Voting open for monthly awards

  • Archive

    McCall laments soft spot-kick

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    St Johnstone defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    St Johnstone 1 – 0 Motherwell

  • Archive

    Humphrey pens contract extension

    Motherwell Football Club are today delighted to confirm that winger Chris Humphrey has signed a one-year extension to his current contract.

    The Jamaican-born winger has been in sensational form this term, so much so, a call-up to Craig Levein’s Scotland squad has been muted in some quarters.

    Despite interest from both north and south of the border, the 23-year-old has penned an extended deal that will keep him at Fir Park until the summer of 2013.

    [onlymembers]Speaking exclusively to motherwellfc.co.uk, Humphrey said, “When the club approached me and asked if I would sign an extension to my contract it was an immediate answer.

    “When my family and I were going through a very difficult time the Club and the fans offered us amazing support. We are very much settled here and I could not be happier than to agree to extend my contract with a club that offers the support that we received when we needed it. 

    “I just hope I can perform to the best of my ability and repay the faith shown in me by both the club and the fans.”

    Chief Executive Leeann Dempster added, “This is yet another example of the club trying to keep the best young talent here at Motherwell and I, along with the rest of the board and the manager, am thrilled Chris has agreed to extend his deal.

    “Chris has been excellent and this show of loyalty to the club should not be underplayed.”[/onlymembers]

  • Archive

    Saunders earns a suspension

    Scotland International Steven Saunders has gone through the disciplinary points threshold and picked up a one-match ban.

    The 19-year-old, who has played 59 games in Claret and Amber, has amassed five cautions and one red card in all competitions this campaign.

    [onlymembers]His most recent, against Hibs, has earned him a one match SPL suspension, starting 5th February 2011, which means he is scheduled to sit out the Rangers game at Ibrox on February 12th.[/onlymembers]

  • Archive

    Ticket Office: Extended Hours

    With the Semi Final against Rangers right around the corner, the Ticket Office opening hours have been extended.

    The Fir Park Ticket Office will be open:

    Friday: 9.30am – 3.30pm
    Saturday: 10am – 2pm

    Then the Ticket Office at Hampden Park will be open:

    Sunday: 12pm – Kick Off (3pm)

    • Telephone bookings can still be taken provided they can be collected from Fir Park on either Friday or Saturday. Tickets cannot be posted and there will be no collections from Hampden Park.
    • There is no online booking available for this match.
  • Archive

    Last chance to book Hampden packages

    Our trip to Hampden for the Co-Operative Insurance Cup Semi-Final v Rangers takes place this Sunday.

    Last chance to book your hospitality place is noon on Friday!

    We have a fantastic Semi-Final package available; start off the big day with a succulent two course buffet lunch in the Centenary Suite.

    The package will include travel to and from the National Stadium from Fir Park plus your match ticket and complimentary Semi-Final programme. 

    A triumphant return to Fir Park (hopefully) will see the Centenary as the venue for our victory party.

  • Archive

    Officials appointed for Hampden clash

    Willie Collum will take charge of Sunday’s Co-operative Insurance Cup Semi Final clash with Rangers at Hampden.

    Regarded as one of Scotland’s best up-and-coming officials, this will be Willie’s second Motherwell game of the current campaign.

    [onlymembers]Ironically enough, his only other was the Quarter Final clash with Dundee United at Fir Park; Alan Gow’s late goal booking ‘Well’s spot in Sunday’s showpiece occasion.

    The Bellshill whistler has had a busy, and at times, challenging season. Just before that Cup clash with the Arabs, the 32-year-old had been at the centre of an Old Firm storm after awarding Rangers a controversial penalty.

    However, to his credit, Collum has gone on to have another excellent season with highlights so far including three Champions League games in Greece, Germany and Romania as well as the Euro 2012 qualifier between France and Belarus in Paris.

    Last season, Collum took charge of three Motherwell matches. Jim Gannon’s side crashed to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at St Mirren in the Co-operative Cup and followed that with another defeat; by the same score line, at Tannadice some five months later.

    However, the most memorable, by far was the 6-6 draw with Hibs at the tail end of last season.

    Incredibly, Motherwell have never won a league game whilst Collum has been in charge. The only victory recorded whilst the Bellshill based whistler has been the man in the middle was the then CIS Cup win against Raith Rovers at the start of the 2007/08 season,  a Scottish Cup success at Inverurie the following season and the aforementioned win over Dundee Utd last October.

    His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads three wins, six defeats and two draws from eleven matches.

    In those games, Motherwell have scored 18 and conceded 24. 20 players have gone into the book, ten wearing claret and amber, while two players have been dismissed – Ian Murray of Hibs at Easter Road a few years back and Jerard Aafjes at Falkirk last season.

    Alasdair Ross and Tommy Johnston will run the lines, with Mike Tumilty on fourth official duties.[/onlymembers]

  • Archive

    Youths return to action

    Motherwell Under 19s will return to competitive action for the first time in ten weeks when they visit St Mirren this Friday.

    The unprecedented cold weather during the December period wiped out just about every youth fixture with the Steelmen having not played since losing to Celtic at Lennoxtown in mid November.

    [onlymembers]‘Well currently sit in fifth position, ten points behind leaders Rangers albeit with a game in hand. Hearts, Celtic and Aberdeen are all amongst the chasing pack in what is a competitive Under 19s league this campaign.

    Saints are going reasonably well to; they sit just two points behind the Fir Parkers with a game in hand over Young’s men. However, they will still be hurting from their late, late exit from the Youth Cup at the hands of Aberdeen on Tuesday.

    A win for David Longwell’s side would push them above the Claret and Amber men so all the ingredients are there for a cracking game.

    The game will take place at McKenna Park, home of St Anthony’s Juniors, this coming Friday (28th January), with kick-off scheduled for 1pm.[/onlymembers]

  • Archive

    Voting open for monthly awards

    It’s time for you to decide who you think deserves to win the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Manager, Player and Young Player of the Month for January. 

    Has someone in our team caught your eye with their performances over the month? Or has our manager suitably impressed you?  Vote and you could be in with a chance to win a pair of hospitality tickets to one of our upcoming fixtures!

    Fans can vote by visiting the Clydesdale Bank Premier League website www.cbfootball.co.uk and the top three fans nominations will be put forward to the shortlist for the panel of Scottish football experts to choose the winners.

    And to give you something back for voting, a lucky fan whose votes for the three categories match that of the judging panel will be picked at random to win hospitality tickets for a Clydesdale Bank Premier League team of their choice (subject to availability).

    Voting is open now and closes at 11am on Monday 31st January 2011.

    Log onto www.cbfootball.co.uk to cast your vote and play our Score Selector game. You can also win tickets for our upcoming fixtures, take part in the weekly quiz and keep up to date with all Clydesdale Bank’s football activities.

  • Archive

    McCall laments soft spot-kick

    A visibly disappointed Stuart McCall was left to rue a contentious penalty call which handed St. Johnstone three points at McDiarmid Park.

    ‘Well and the Saints both lacked quality in a dour evening and Perth, and the game looked to be flitting towards a 0-0 draw – until Calum Murray made a telling contribution to the fixture.

    Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan and St. Johnstone’s former Chelsea defender Michael Duberry tussled in the penalty area, prompting the referee to point to the spot, despite the decision looking soft, at best.

    “It was a big decision – and one which has cost us the game,” McCall insisted. “Big Duberry had a bit of a half-hearted complaint, but everyone else looked as shocked as me when the ref gave the penalty.

    “I asked the fourth official why the decision was given, because we were all in shock, but apparently it was given because Craigan was facing the wrong way and got in front of Duberry.

    “If that’s a definite penalty then you will see penalties every game in the SPL. Craigan has barely touched him and it’s very, very soft.”

    Victorious gaffer Derek McInnes even told the assembled press, in the post-match press conference, that he ‘would have been disappointed if the penalty went against us’.

    Mr. Murray’s decision was made all the more frustrating due to the fact that there was very little between the two sides on the night.

    Indeed, McCall was disappointed that the referee was the difference between Motherwell losing the match and coming away from Perth with a creditable draw and yet another clean sheet.

    “The first 60 minutes was a tight affair, and we knew that’s what we’d get when we come here,” the ‘Well gaffer said. “I think we had the best of the first half; a great move which gave Murphy a shot on goal from six yards. I think that actually hit John Sutton on the line.

    “The game turned on the penalty, although we did come on strong in the last 20 minutes and got some great balls into the box. Steve Jones really came on to a game late on.

    “But it always looked like one goal would settle a game this tight. It is just unfortunate the goal came from a dubious decision.”

  • Archive

    St Johnstone defeat in pictures

    Pictures from the 1-0 defeat by St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at McDiarmid Park.

    These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

    [svgallery name=”stjohnstone260111″]

  • Archive

    St Johnstone 1 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    Motherwell were left to rue a controversial penalty decision as Stuart McCall’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat at McDiarmid Park.

    One goal always looked likely to decide an uninspiring affair, and it arrived just after the hour as Liam Craig converted from the spot following the soft award of a penalty against Stephen Craigan.

    Despite shots from Chris Humphrey and Esteban Casagolda ‘Well couldn’t find a way to breach the Saints defence and McInnes’ men held firm for the win.

    Motherwell lined up with the same team which earned Stuart McCall his inaugural win in claret-and-amber against Hibs on Saturday, including a second start for new loan star Steve Jones.

    The St. Johnstone boss gave a start to promising young striker Stevie May, with the 19-year old having impressed in several cameos this season for the Perth side.

    Both sides traded half-chances in the early stages, with Jamie Murphy firing a right-footed shot over the bar from the edge of the box in the opening minutes, followed by a sharp Murray Davidson drive from a whipped Danny Grainger corner.

    Motherwell had the first major opening of the contest when Saunders released Chris Humphrey down the right flank. The Jamaican fizzed in a low cross towards John Sutton, but the Saints defence managed to scramble the ball clear as far as Jamie Murphy, only for the under-21 star to scuff his effort, allowing Anderson to clear of the line.

    Murphy’s shot proved to be the closest effort for some time in what evolved into a lacklustre first period. Indeed, it took until eight minutes before the break for another decent attempt on goal. It came, once more, from the evasive Murphy, who surged towards the box and fired a powerful drive inches wide.

    The second half didn’t improve by much. A fairly insipid beginning to the period was livened up by the busy young Stevie May, who jinked past a couple of challenges and fired a low shot from just inside the box. Darren Randolph stooped low to hold the shot, but it was a promising bit of invention in a match desperately requiring a spark.

    The opening goal came in suitably scrappy – as well as contentious – fashion, as referee Calum Murray pointed to the spot after a tussle between Michael Duberry and Stephen Craigan just after the hour mark.

    The award looked exceedingly soft but Liam Craig made no mistake in dispatching his kick past Randolph, sending the big Irishman the wrong way with a calm spot-kick.

    McCall’s men were struggling to create any notable openings, but Chris Humphrey did try his utmost to grab an equaliser. The former Shrewsbury flyer surged down the right before cutting inside and driving a low shot wide of Enckelman’s post.

    Motherwell threw on Esteban Casagolda and Jamie Pollock in the latter stages as they chased a point from their trip to Perth. The big Spaniard, who is yet to score for the Steelmen, had a decent chance with five minutes left on the clock, but he fired over the bar from the angle of the box after some good build-up play.

    Two consecutive blocked efforts from Pollock and Saunders proved to be as close as the Steelmen would come, and even Darren Randolph’s presence in the opposition box for a last-ditch corner wasn’t enough to force a dramatic late goal and ‘Well succumbed to a disappointing defeat.

    [tab:As it happened]

    Graham Barnstaple at McDiarmid Park

    FT. Saints 1 – 0 Well

    90mins – 3 minutes added! Painful stuff! I’m losing the will to tweet!

    82mins – Motherwell push forward but too many half things in and around the area!

    78mins – Dribbling run from Humphrey and shot drops just wide of the post. That was close…

    72mins – Casagolda on for Murphy who has struggled tonight I am afraid.

    71mins – Jennings booked! Another questionable card for the midfielder. *sigh*

    63mins – Well Video Analyst says he has no idea why it was given after watching it back. Strange!

    61mins – GOAL Liam Craig tucks it away for 1-0 to Saints. Stuart McCall is furious!

    60mins – Well, I think it was a handball. No idea – might have been a shove!

    60mins – Penalty for St Johnstone. Craigan handball!

    58mins – Even my laptop chucked it.. Just turned itself off there. It’s a bad day when the computers are falling asleep!

    54mins – Stevie May goes on a great solo run and shot but Darren Randolph made a decent save to keep it 0-0.

    51mins – Quick counter attack from ‘Well. Humph burst forward but his shot blated wide into the stand.

    46mins – No changes. Stevie May has an early shot that almost goes towards the back of the empty stand behind the goal.

    Half Time – Team are out for the 2nd half!

    Half Time – Stranraer scouts are sitting just infront of the Press Box. Looking resplendid in his SFC jacket.

    Half Time – The PA guys sounds like Terry Butcher. That’s quite a coup for Saints. Some interesting half-time results too!

    Half Time – That was pretty awful stuff! Apparently Saints’ game vs St Mirren on Saturday was worse. Glad I missed that one then!

    45mins – Late shot by Liam Craig blasts over the bar. It’s been a pretty dire first half to be honest. First ten was decent enough too!

    38mins – Offt, ‘Well go close there. Mistake in the Saints backline allows Murphy to pick up. Quick turn and shot goes just wide.

    32mins – Saunders has a shot from the edge of the area but it bounces harmlessly wide. A lot of long balls so far – from both teams.

    26mins – Well manage to get it clear. First 15 in this game was decent… The proceeding ten have been pretty poor to be honest.

    26mins – Free kick for Saints outside the box…

    15mins – Saints hit back quickly but a shot from the booked May, from 30 yards, zips over the bar.

    15mins – Motherwell almost take the lead. Great ball from Saunders plays Humph in. His square ball lands at Murphy but Saitns get it away.

    14mins – Stevie May is booked for diving! Interesting… To be fair to the referee, he was well placed!

    13mins – Humphrey shot blazes way over the bar as both teams trade early chances.

    9mins – Turn and shot from Samuel takes a deflection off Craigan and bobbles comfortably back to Randolph.

    5mins – Down the other end, Grainger’s corner fell kindly for Davidson inside the area but his half volley was easily held by Randolph.

    2mins – Wee half chance for ‘Well. Sutton’s knock down fell for Murphy but his shot fizzed over the bar.

    1mins – Just some of the wee things you notice. Only three players (Craigan, Jennings and Sutton) are not wearing white boots. Oh dear…

    1mins – Motherwell kick-off!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “There was nothing in the game, it was tight. We said at half-time it might take a set piece or a decision. Unfortunately a decision has gone against us.

    Craigan got turned round, he’s facing the wrong way, he’s jumped up and it’s hit him on the back of the head. If you look at their players, there’s no-one claiming for a penalty. It’s the turning point of the game.

    “It was a game that we expected, St Johnstone at home, very hard to break down. In the last 20 minutes the pressure we had and the balls we put into the box, we just needed someone to put himself in there.

    “We just couldn’t find that equaliser and I think we deserved to come away with a point. It’s such a soft decision which has ultimately cost us the game.”

    St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes:

    “I thought we worked so hard for that. Before the game, I thought it was a game we would win and I certainly did not think we would lose it.

    “I looked at the players and they were desperate to make amends for Saturday’s performance and they worked and worked and worked and got the break from the penalty kick and I thought the win was merited.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”31″]