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    Dundee Utd defeat in pictures

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    Dundee Utd 4 – 0 Motherwell

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    Kilmarnock Hospitality

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    Cup Final Ticket Update

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    Hutchinson hoping for fresh ‘Well

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    McCall wary of Terrors backlash

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    Season finale live on Sky

  • Archive

    Randolph called up again

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    Murphy tops Player of the Round poll

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    Officials named for United clash

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    Dundee Utd defeat in pictures

    Pictures from the 4-0 defeat by Dundee Utd in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Tannadice.

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

    [svgallery name=”dundeeutd070511″]

  • Archive

    Dundee Utd 4 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    A much-changed Motherwell crashed to a disappointing 4-0 defeat at Tannadice this afternoon.

    The Steelmen posted five changes from last weekend but found a United side in little mood for mercy; racing into a two goal lead at the interval courtesy of a Jon Daly brace.

    The Irishman completed his hat-trick after half-time before Keith Watson added a fourth just before full-time.

    It was a poor day at the office for McCall’s men; the Motherwell manager far from happy afterwards and even threatened Cup Final places if performances failed to improve.

    McCall stuck with the policy of resting players ahead of that date with Celtic on May 21st as his Steelmen side showed five changes from the team that lost heavily to Rangers seven days ago. Ross Forbes, Shaun Hutchinson, Tom Hateley, Chris Humphrey and 17-year-old Stuart Carswell came in, replacing Stephen Craigan, Keith Lasley, John Sutton, Steve Jones and Stevie Hammell.

    It was a quiet, typically end-of-season opening to the match, only interrupted by Johnny Russell on the 16th minute mark, the Scotland U21 star curling a beautiful left-foot volley just over the top after a free-flowing United move down the left side. Houston’s men followed that with a low shot by Morgaro Gomis that was expertly turned away by Darren Randolph with the rebound blazed over, seconds later, by Craig Conway.

    The home side did eventually take the lead nine minutes before the half-time interval. Ross Forbes’ foul, which also brought about the first caution of the afternoon, allowed Paul Dixon to flight a cross towards the back post. Jon Daly won the header and it somehow sneaked between Randolph and the right hand upright for 1-0.

    Seven minutes later and it went from bad to terrible for ‘Well as United, and Daly, grabbed the second of the match. Garry Kenneth was afforded too much time to break forward with the ball. After crossing the half-way line, he slid a neat pass to the Irishman who created space for himself between Gavin Gunning and Hutchinson and smashed past a helpless Randolph.

    It looked at half-time as if that may well be that but if there was any shred of doubt, that was extinguished just four minutes into the second period when that man Daly grabbed his hat-trick. A ball into the box flew over the head of Gunning allowing the former Stockport man in. After controlling it nearly on his chest, he smashed it low past Randolph from twelve yards. Game, set and match!

    Motherwell rarely threatened in truth; Chris Humphrey providing the only real spark with a run and shot that was saved by Pernis at the second attempt. Youngster Carswell, who had an industrious second half, also came close with a header from a Hateley corner that looked to come off the frame of the goal but it was a fairly comfortable afternoon for the Tangerine rearguard.

    United could have extended their lead even further when Daly again came close, firing over from distance then hitting the outside of the post with a clever header.

    The hosts added insult to injury with a fourth on the stroke of full-time, Keith Watson’s low pass-cum-shot somehow trickling into the net after substitute Andis Shala’s fresh air swing deceived Randolph.

    [tab:As it happened]

    Graham Barnstaple @ Tannadice

    Full-time: Game over thankfully, not our finest afternoon…

    90mins – Only 2 minutes being added on thankfully!!

    88mins – GOAL – 0-4 Randolph saves from Goodwillie and from corner we fail to clear and Shala rolls in from 6 yards out.

    85mins – With five to go Management team still working hard to get their side playing despite the score line.

    81mins – Jeffers shown yellow for a show of frustration as the ball runs out for a goal kick.

    80mins – No more than a hat trick for Daly as he is replaced by Andis Shala.

    78mins – Steve Jones on for Humphrey.

    70mins – Turn and shot from edge of the box from Jeffers but ball ends up wrong side of the post.

    65mins – Attendance is 5951 this afternoon – not a good one for the small band of Well fans (250 or so) who have made the journey up.

    63mins – Double sub for United – D Robertson and Buaben on and S Robertson and Russell off.

    62mins – Stephen Craigan on for Maurice Ross.

    53mins – Gary Smith on as sub for Ross Forbes.

    49mins – GOAL – Hat-trick for Daly, he fires in from 12 yards out after Gunning had misjudged a ball into the box – not looking good!

    45mins – Game back underway – no changes in either side.

    Half time – 2-0 United, and sadly it is no more than they deserve, Pernis has only had a couple of crosses to palm out so far.

    43mins – GOAL – 2-0 United, Daly turn and shot from about 15 yards out,it was all a bit too easy I’m afraid.

    36mins – GOAL – 1-0 United – From the free kick Jon Daly scores with a header at the back post.

    35mins – Yellow for Forbes for a foul on Gomis.

    24mins – Gomis run from midfield ends with a shot that is palmed away by Randolph in dramatic fashion, then Conway blasts over from 18 yards.

    16mins – Russell a bit closer this time with a volley bending just over for a Daly cross from the left.

    14mins – First shot of game from Jonny Russell which sails miles over without troubling Randolph.

    10mins – In and the game has a real end of season feel about it, which is another way of saying not much has happened yet!

    1mins – United win the toss and we will kick off hitting towards the shed end.

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “We should do better with our defending, and we should be concerned about the way we conceded the goals today. I’m not taking anything away from Dundee United today, but not one of their goals was a good goal – it was all through poor defending.

    “It’s concerning, the defensive side of our game in the last few weeks.

    “We have to do a lot better. We’ve got a game against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night and we need a victory. We need to get a good performance and a good result and focus on that.

    “The bottom line is that when we go into that final we’ve got to be at our best, and I know momentum will carry a lot into it.”

    Dundee Utd manager Peter Houston:

    “I’m delighted with the whole team. All eleven of them did a good job.

    “I think Motherwell have one eye on the Scottish Cup final, if I’m being honest.

    “It happened to us last season when you mix up your team a bit.” 

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”53″]

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    Kilmarnock Hospitality

    The last home game of the season is against Kilmarnock next Wednesday and we have a fantastic hospitality package open to all fans for only £55.

    A delicious 2 course meal will be served in the Centenary Suite between 5.45pm and 6.45pm. 

    Your match ticket, programme and team sheet is included in the price and half time tea will be served at your table.  As always, our resident ‘91 heroes will be in attendance with Stevie Kirk as your match host and Dougie Arnott at the bar.

    To book

    360o virtual tour

    Hosp Pic 01

    Hosp 2

    Hosp 3

    Hosp 4

  • Archive

    Cup Final Ticket Update

    As of Thursday evening, approximately 10,000 tickets have been sold for the Scottish Cup Final.

    Season Ticket holders have until close of play on Saturday to claim up to four tickets each. From Monday (9th May), tickets will go on sale to fans who have applied through the Supporters Ballot.

    With the numbers who have already applied, it is unlikely that there will be a full general sale of tickets.

    If you have still to apply via the supporter’s ballot, do so now by CLICKING HERE.

    You can bypass the ballot by becoming a 2011/2012 Season Ticket holder – for full information – CLICK HERE.

  • Archive

    Hutchinson hoping for fresh ‘Well

    As Motherwell prepare to rack up the big “five-oh” Shaun Hutchinson has dismissed any talk of tiredness.

    The gaffer has admitted that he may consider freshening up the squad ahead of the trip to Tannadice for the – remarkably – 50th game of the season for the Steelmen.

    And while Geordie Hutchinson acknowledges that any changes will benefit competition within the squad ahead of the Cup final, he doesn’t reckon the ‘Well lads are suffering from the rigours of a long campaign – which started all the way back in Iceland in the middle of July.

    “A few of the boys have played a lot of football this season and any changes to the team will be a great opportunity for other players to prove themselves for the Final.” Hutchinson said.

    “That’s the biggest game of the season and some of the boys will have a great chance to earn themselves a place in the team.

    “Over the course of the season, playing so many games can have an effect but the manager has planned his training very well and we work hard on the right days and rest at the right times. Everyone is feeling OK at the moment.”

    The big defenders positivity may be, largely, down to the recent results against this weekend’s opponents, Dundee United.

    With four wins, a draw and just one defeat against the talented Arabs, Motherwell can justifiably head up to Tayside in good spirits.

    And Hutchinson has no doubt what the gameplan will be; stop United’s stars and then get the ball to Murphy, Humphrey, Jeffers and Sutton, and let them cause havoc…again.

    “I feel pretty lucky – every time we’ve played United in recent times our front four have been on fire,” the talented youngster laughed. “We’ve generally played really well against them this season and hopefully that will continue tomorrow.

    “You know the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses going into every game and we’ll do our best to make sure the likes of Goodwillie and Conway can’t cause damage, and we’ll get the ball to the forwards who can do what they have been doing all season.”

    The 20-year old also confessed to the assembled press this morning that he was left ‘gutted’ by the defeat to Rangers last week.

    He admits it’s tough for any defender to suffer that type of mauling – but it’s time to make amends: “We don’t want to dwell on it, but last week was a poor result.

    “So it’s important to go up there and get a good result because we are still chasing fifth place and that has to be our aim. Settling for sixth place this season is not something we are interested in; we want to push on.

    “The defenders feel most of the pain when five goals fly past you, but it’s a team performance and everyone was gutted at the final result.”

  • Archive

    McCall wary of Terrors backlash

    Stuart McCall has admitted that he is wary of a Dundee United side which may be out for vengeance this weekend.

    The Steelmen have inflicted several of the Arabs’ most painful moments this season; knocking them out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final and ensuring that they wouldn’t be making it two Scottish Cups on the trot by defeating Houston’s men at the same stage in that competition.

    Indeed, the men in claret and amber have also beaten the Terrors twice in the league at Fir Park, so there’s every chance United will be relishing the prospect of revenge back in Tayside – and that’s something McCall is conscious of.

    “Dundee United away is up there as one of the most difficult ones,” the ‘Well gaffer conceded. “We knocked them out of the cup, they were the holders, and they will be looking at revenge.

    “It’s a tough place to go. I found that out in my second league game when we were beaten 2-0. We managed to put in a terrific performance in the cup and get 2-2 and get them back here.

    “They’ve got some terrific players. Unfortunately for them they will be losing a few of them and they will want to go out on a high. It’s a really difficult game, but when we got into the split in sixth place we knew we were going to be playing five sides above us and we knew we were going to have some difficult games.”

    There’s little doubt the Steelmen will have to improve immeasurably on last weekend’s performance against Rangers, which saw the Ibrox side fire five goals past a shell-shocked Motherwell.

    The boss was typically honest in his post-match assessment that day, referring to the performance as ‘embarrassing.’ Seven days later, the defeat is still smarting – but he believes his side are ready to bounce back with a suitably positive performance at Tannadice.

    He continued:  “I’ve looked at the game again twice and my thoughts on the game then were the same as now; first half we more than matched Rangers in an even, competitive game. Once they got the second goal they lifted and got stronger, we looked a bit leg weary.

    “The three goals they scored thereafter were terrific goals. There was nothing we could do about them. Naismith probably won’t score two goals in a game like that in his career.

    “Sometimes you’ve got to hold your hands up. I’ve said that – the second 45 we didn’t perform with any energy or zest and I think that might just have been off the back of a long season.

    “But the group have done the club proud. From the European game, the CIS – they had a terrific run in that – and now the Scottish Cup final and finished in the top six. Yes, we’ve had blips on the way, but so does every team.”

    McCall hopes that the odd ‘blip’ this season won’t cost his side a shot at fifth spot in the table. The former Bradford gaffer has pinpointed usurping Killie – who visit Fir Park for a crunch encounter on Wednesday evening – as the club’s remaining SPL target.

    He knows it will be tough, but a positive result against United could be half the battle, with Kilmarnock having to face Celtic and Rangers as well as Motherwell in their final three matches.

    “We’re under no illusions how difficult the games we’ve got are,” McCall said candidly. “We came into the split and we wanted to catch Kilmarnock.

    “To do that now, with Kilmarnock getting a point against Hearts and assuming they are beaten by the Old Firm, we’ve got to beat Kilmarnock in the game on Wednesday. But because of the goal difference we also need to take another point. We’ll be looking to do that at Dundee United.”

    The gaffer also confirmed that, for the moment, there was ‘nothing to report’ on the contract front, although he confirmed Steve Jennings agent would be visiting next week to discuss terms on a new deal.

  • Archive

    Season finale live on Sky

    As expected, Motherwell’s final league game of the season against Celtic at Celtic Park will be shown live on Sky Sports.

    There has been no change to the kick-off time, 12.30pm on Sunday 15th May, and tickets will go on sale, from the Fir Park Ticket Office, this coming Monday (9th May).

    Tickets are priced at:

     ADULTS:    £25  
     CONCESSION:                                                  £16
    • Concessions are applicable to Under 16s, Over 65s.
    • Fans requiring disabled access should contact Elaine MacDonald at Fir Park on 01698 338068 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.
    • Fans planning on making the trip to Glasgow can check our handy “Away Day Guide” to Celtic Park.
  • Archive

    Randolph called up again

    Darren Randolph has once again been included in the Republic of Ireland International squad.

    The 23-year-old, who was picked in the pool for the UEFA EURO 2012 Qualifier with Macedonia and the friendly with Uruguay back in March, has been named in a preliminary list of 34 players for the forthcoming Carling Nations Cup fixtures versus Northern Ireland and Scotland on 24th & 29th May 2011 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin. 

    Randolph has also been included on a preliminary list for the UEFA EURO 2012 Qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday 4th June and the International Friendly versus Italy on Tuesday 7th June.

    It’s further recognition for the talented goalkeeper, who has smashed the clubs’ clean sheet record this campaign with 19 shutouts.

    Speaking exclusively to motherwellfc.co.uk, the former Charlton stopper said, “I am absolutely delighted to be included in the squad again.

    “It’s an honour to picked for your national team and although I never managed any game time at the start of April, it was brilliant to be involved.

    “These are important games for Ireland; we’ll be looking to win so everyone will be focused even although it comes at the end of a long season for most of the players.”

  • Archive

    Murphy tops Player of the Round poll

    Jamie Murphy has once again claimed the Scottish Cup Player of the Round award, the second time he has won the trophy this term.

    The former Scotland U21 hitman, whose progress is being monitored by a host of top Premiership clubs, was the star of the Quarter Finals in March when he ran riot against Dundee United at Fir Park.

    He repeated that feat in the Semi Finals with a sterling display against St Johnstone, including a fine solo goal midway through the first half.

    Twenty-one year-old Murphy, who has netted 26 goals in 83 starts for the Steelmen, said: “I am delighted to win the award, particularly as it’s voted on by the fans via the SFA Facebook page.

    “We’ve had a great run in both Cups this year hopefully, with a bit of luck; we’ll pick up the ultimate award which would be a Scottish Cup winners medal.”

    Jamie will be presented with his award at a Press Conference next week.

  • Archive

    Officials named for United clash

    Referee for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Dundee United at Tannadice is Brian Winter.

    Brian will be handling his first ‘Well game of the current season; indeed, his last time in charge of the Steelmen was almost exactly a year ago, when he was the man in the middle for Motherwell dramatic final-day 3-3 draw with Rangers at Ibrox.

    It’ll be his eleventh SPL game of the campaign, his most recent being Dundee Utd’s 4-2 win over Kilmarnock two weeks ago.

    Strangely, despite being a category 1 official for nearly ten years and officiating in the SPL for six, the 43-year old has only ever taken charge of four Motherwell games in that time.

    The Steelmen have won two, drawn one and lost one of those games; nine goals have been scored whilst seven have been conceded. Eight players have been cautioned, five of them wearing Claret and Amber, and three have been ordered off (two from ‘Well – David Clarkson and Jim Paterson – in the same game versus Kilmarnock at Rugby Park four seasons ago).

    Brian will be ably assisted by Gordon Middleton and Alastair Mather with Willie Collum on fourth official duty.