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[tab:Match report]

Alan Temple at Broadwood

Michael Higdon and Nicky Law grabbed their first goals for Motherwell as the Steelmen confidently disposed of Clyde 4-0 in the Scottish Communities League Cup second round.

Goals from Tom Hateley and Steven Lawless – also his first goal, on his first start for the club – added some sparkle to the score-line as any hopes of a cup shock disappeared in the Cumbernauld rain.

Despite resting many of his established stars, McCall’s Motherwell were ahead within the first twenty minutes as Michael Higdon nodded home the first goal of his ‘Well career from close range.

The lead was deservedly doubled moments before half-time as Nicky Law produced a super solo strike to make it 2-0.

Tom Hateley’s stunning second half strike put the tie to bed completely as the travelling Steelmen support witnessed a vibrant, professional display by their side.

And, even allowing for some second period profligacy, Motherwell still had time to make it four with a powerful left-footed effort.

While assistant manager Kenny Black had previously insisted Motherwell were desperate for another dramatic cup run, Stuart McCall’s team selection certainly illustrated the Steelmen’s commitment to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, with six changes to the side which lost 3-
0 to Rangers on Sunday.

With a trip to unbeaten Dunfemline to come on Saturday Darren Randolph, Stephen Craigan, Steven Hammell, Steven Jennings, Jamie Murphy and Chris Humphrey all dropped out, meaning chances to impress for Lee Hollis, Jon Page, Jordan Halsman, Bob McHugh, Ross Forbes as well as debutant Steven Lawless.

Conversely Clyde started with just one change from their side which defeated Montrose 1-0 at Broadwood at the weekend, with John Charles Hutchinson replacing Filip Mentel between the sticks for the Bully Wee.

And Clyde’s established first-team players certainly started with all the vigour that you would expect from an Irn-Bru Third Division side in the mood for a giant-killing. Within five minutes Stephen McDonald had tested Lee Hollis, heading into the arms of the former Airdrie United keeper following a whipped cross from John Neill.

Neill himself forced Hollis into action again moments later, driving from midfield and firing a low effort from 25 yards, skidding off the sodden surface into Hollis’ grateful arms.

Those chances proved to be a false dawn for Jim Duffy’s men as Motherwell grabbed the lead on 17 minutes – with Michael Higdon opening his claret and amber account.

Ross Forbes swung in a teasing corner towards the six-yard box, prompting Clyde keeper Hutchinson to flap at the cross as he tried to crash through a cluster of bodies, allowing Higdon to stoop and head home his first goal for his new club.

It was a goal which saw the visitors settle and start dictating the tempo of the encounter, with Law, Lasley and Forbes patrolling the midfield with aplomb.

Lasley could have doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark as he lashed a low shot from the edge of the box which took an awkward nick along the way, but Hutchinson went some way to redeeming himself with a fine low save.

It was a temporary reprieve for the hosts as Hutchinson was beaten just before half-time, in mesmerizing fashion.

Nicky Law picked up the ball on the left flank and proceeded to cut infield, dancing past three challenges and slotting the ball into the corner of the net from around the penalty spot. It was a magical strike, and a fitting way for the former Rotherham man to score his first goal for the ‘Well.

The Law-Higdon double-act almost added to the score-line as the second half began, with ‘Well’s midfield playmaker picking out the former St. Mirren striker in the box, only for Hutchinson to tip Higdon’s powerful shot over the bar.

And bizarrely, minutes later Bob McHugh was responsible for denying a dominant Motherwell their third goal. Big Shaun Hutchinson got his head on a Ross Forbes corner, but his goal-bound header was blocked by the helpless McHugh on the line.

It didn’t prove decisive, as ‘Well did get their deserved third goal a matter of seconds later. Tom Hateley drove in from the right side and, from the edge of the box, rifled home a sumptuous curling effort with his left foot.

Efforts from substitute Chris Humphrey and Bob McHugh both tested Hutchinson as Motherwell threatened to blow away the part-timers from three-tiers below.

Indeed, Gary Smith and Bob McHugh both blasted shots off target in the latter stages in a match which Motherwell could have reaped a much larger score-line for the SPL side.

But some deserved gloss was added to the result late on, as Steven Lawless lashed home a near-post drive from inside the box following a scramble in the Clyde box. The goal was the least ‘Well, and the industrious Lawless, deserved from a top display ahead of this weekend’s trip to Fife.

[tab:As it happened]

Graham Barnstaple at Broadwood

Full time – Comfortable 4-0 win and through to Monday’s draw. Crowd tonight was 1800, with a healthy ‘Well contingent.

85mins – GOAL! Five to go and it’s 4-0, Lawless firing home a debut goal. Three players getting their first goals tonight. Nice workout.

57mins – Triple sub for Well as Lasley, Law and Higdon off. Good workout for the experienced trio; Humphrey, Carswell and Smith come on.

51mins – GOAL! 3-0 Well with Hateley bending a left foot shot in from the edge of the box. Another great strike from the clinical Steelmen.

HT – Half time and it is a comfortable 2-0 lead at the moment; Hollis barely tested apart from an early header. Good work from the young Steelmen side.

41mins – GOAL! Law cuts in from left, beats three and fires in his first goal for ‘Well to make it 2-0. Superb strike from Nicky Law.

17mins – GOAL! Motherwell! 1-0 as Higdon bags his first for Well by nipping in to head a Ross Forbes delivery past the keeper.

10mins – The highlight so far is Lee Hollis beating two men in his own penalty area.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“It was good we got the first goal, it could have added pressure. If your attitude’s not right, you can come a cropper. The attitude was spot-on. We had some decent play, some excellent goals, no injuries and some more experience for the fringe players.

“All the boys that played have been on my bench and are going to be needed over the next few months.

“It wasn’t that we were treating Clyde in any way disrespectfully, it’s just that the lads should be able to play in that game and they did do.”

Clyde manager Jim Duffy:

“It was phenomenal finishing. The first goal was a mistake but after that every finish was top drawer and there’s nothing you can do about that.

“Our goalkeeper had a couple of brilliant saves from strikes. Motherwell played well and deserved to win, there is absolutely no doubt about that. All I can look at is my team’s work ethic and it was outstanding.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”66″]

At Motherwell Football Club, we pride ourselves on playing as a team to produce imaginative, entertaining and skilful football.
 
Now we have developed our first ever Girls Soccer School at Our Lady’s High School along the same lines.

Aimed exclusively at girls between the ages of 7 and 13 the Motherwell Football Club Girls Soccer Centre will use the same  principles employed by our first team squad including players such as Nicky Law, Jamie Murphy and Tom Hateley developing technical skills, game awareness  and passion for football.
 
Our Soccer Centre welcomes girls of all abilities and it doesn’t matter which team you support, you’ll enjoy learning to play football the Motherwell way and at £40.00 for the sessions, its great value.
 
You can book for the Girls Soccer Centre on our website at www.motherwellsoccerschools.com or by telephone us at 01698 239 926.
 
Download our brochure by Clicking Here

Gordon Young has moved to strengthen his Under 19s squad with the capture of talented French youngster Hermann Mboa Mekongo.

Mboa Mekongo, a holding midfield player, has been on trial at the club for several weeks and has impressed in friendly and bounce matches, prompting Young to chase his signature.

The eighteen-year old, who was born in Paris, was schooled at several French clubs but was most recently in the youth ranks of fallen giants Racing Club de France.

During his Youth Development schooling, he has also spent time with Ligue 1 club Valenciennes FC and the famed INF Clairefontaine, with its notable former students such as Nicolas Anelka, Abou Diaby, Sébastien Bassong, Louis Saha and Thierry Henry.

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, Head of Youth Development Gordon Young said, “We were given the opportunity to have a look at Hermann and he has held his own. Because of his background, we have registered him as an amateur player but he will still very much form part of our Under 19s squad.”

Hermann will most likely form part of the Under 19s squad that will take on St Johnstone at Bathgate this coming Friday – kick-off 1pm.

Motherwell fans travelling to Broadwood tonight should take note of the following information.

Tickets for the match are priced at the following:

• Concessions are listed as Under 16s, 65+ and Full Time Students.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email sharon.mccaskie@sky.com.

SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION BUS INFORMATION

CENTRAL BRANCH

The bus for Broadwood will leave the Bentley Hotel at 6.45pm. Phone Jim on (01698) 299650 or e-mail Christopher on christopher_hutton@btinternet.com.

WISHAW BRANCH

The Wishaw bus to Broadwood will leave at 6.30pm. To book seats please call Anne on 01698 470601 or email andrew.sim48@btinternet.com.

BELLSHILL & DISTRICT BRANCH

No bus running

PARKING

Follow the away fans signage down Westfield road, through Saint Maurice roundabout Turn Right at Broadwood roundabout follow the road to the stadium and the car park stewards will assist from there.

STADIUM ENTRY

Fans will enter through turnstiles Q, R, S, and T. There will be 3 adult gates and 1 concession gate.

FLAGS AND BANNERS

Any flags and banners being taken to the game must have a current fire certificate. There is no facility in Broadwood stadium to issue these certificates on the day.

A determined Stevie Saunders has vowed to come back from his crushing injury a stronger player after a successful operation.

The prodigious Scotland international suffered a serious injury to his Achilles while on international duty with Scotland under-21’s recently, and despite the subsequent operation going well the 20-year old will be out for around eight months.

But Saunders insists he can take inspiration from some of his team-mates as he battles through his rehabilitation; a testing time physically and mentally for a gifted young player forced to watch from the sidelines.

“It’s just going to be frustrating; it’s hard watching football when you’re young, your legs twitch and you just want to play,” a candid Saunders admitted.

[pullquote]I’ve been in the house myself for 10 days and the TV isn’t very good, put it that way. So it’s good to be back in seeing the boys and having a bit of a laugh with them.[/pullquote]

“The surgeon just said it’s a freak injury. I have never had any pain in my calf or my Achilles. I stepped forward and it was ruptured. It’s one of those things that happen, you can’t blame anyone.

“There are a couple of boys who have had long-term injuries so I’m looking to take something from them because they have come back stronger. Hutchinson is the main one, he was out for about a year with a groin injury so he knows how hard it is and I’ll be looking to ask him how he did it.”

The former Queen’s Park youth player has lauded the spirit in the Motherwell squad, and how it has helped him deal with the initial despair of the injury.

And with his team-mates ensuring he still feels part of the first-team squad the challenge is now for young Stevie to find a way to spend his time away from Fir Park – and it turns out Motherwell might not only get an international defender when Saunders returns, they might get a mechanic…who’s fluent in Spanish.

“The boys all get on well and there will be banter flying about and I’m probably going to bear the brunt of it for the next couple of months,” he joked.  “But that’s what you expect and that’s what you want.

“I’ve been in the house myself for 10 days and the TV isn’t very good, put it that way. So it’s good to be back in seeing the boys and having a bit of a laugh with them.

“I think I’m going to go back and do a college course and just make my time useful, something that keeps my mind active. There are a few options; I want to learn Spanish and mechanics and maybe an electrician course – something totally different from football.

Kenny Black hopes that Wednesday’s tie against Clyde proves to be the catalyst for another magnificent cup adventure for the Steelmen.

The trip to Broadwood may not possess quite the same glamour as Motherwell’s recent visits to Hampden, but the ‘Well assistant manager has challenged the players to deal with the match professionally as they look to navigate their way to the national stadium again this campaign.

“We enjoyed our run in the cup competitions last year,” said Black, looking back on three visits to Mount Florida for the men in Claret and Amber. “I know the players and everyone connected with the club is desperate to get back into major Semi-Final and Finals again. It’s something which is very important to the club and hopefully this can be the first step to that.

“You have that mentality and to know that anything is possible. If you get the luck of the draw and refereeing decisions go your way then you can be part of these big games come the end of the season.

[pullquote]The players get to know that there are pitfalls out there, particularly in these early rounds. It’s about how you approach these games, and not being slack in any way.[/pullquote]

“The feel-good factor from last year – although the 90 minutes in the final against Celtic wasn’t very good – is something that we want to bring back as soon as possible.”

Despite the great expectations of another positive cup run, Black has warned against complacency as Motherwell travel to Broadwood to face Clyde on Tuesday evening.

The League Cup tie against the Bully Wee is the very definition of a banana-skin encounter, with Jim Duffy’s side having made a splendid start to their Irn-Bru Third Division campaign this season.

‘Well also must recover from a heavy 3-0 defeat to Rangers on Sunday afternoon, the Fir Parkers’ first defeat this season.

And the former Steelmen midfielder is well aware all of these factors will add up to a tough showdown in Cumbernauld: “The players get to know that there are pitfalls out there, particularly in these early rounds.

“It’s about how you approach these games, and not being slack in any way. We’ve had Clyde watched two or three times so we know exactly what they are capable of.

“We’re very disappointed with the result on Sunday, and with this match so early it gives us a great opportunity to bounce back very quickly.

“There’s no way we will be underestimating the opposition. Clyde are doing really well in Division Three this year, I know Jim [Duffy] will have them well organised. We have to make sure we treat them with due respect and hopefully get the right result to take us through.”

Referee for Wednesday’s Scottish Communities League Cup clash with Clyde at Broadwood will be the experienced Charlie Richmond.

Somewhat surprisingly (and unfortunately as Charlie is regarded in football circles as one of the best and most popular around), it will only be the 43-year old whistler’s second Motherwell match in the last eighteen months following his hiatus from SPL action.

That one encounter was a Scottish Cup clash with Stranraer at Stair Park last February; Motherwell running out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Steve Jones and Gavin Gunning.

Previous to that, you have to go all the way back to February of 2010 to find the last time Charlie took charge of a ‘Well game. That was at the home of local rivals Hamilton Accies, when ‘Well were held to a largely uninspiring 0-0 draw by Billy Reid’s men.

He oversaw another 0-0 draw some seventeen days previous to that Accies game when Motherwell and Falkirk drew a blank. The only real point of note from an otherwise uneventful game was the red card shown to Giles Coke for serious foul play.

He has been a busy man in the lower leagues this season though, taking charge of five matches already. He was the man in the middle for Livingston’s 5-0 win over Airdrie Utd, Dunfermline’s 2-1 over Annan in this competition, Raith’s 1-0 home win over Falkirk, Stirling’s 5-1 success at Dumbarton and, most recently, the 1-1 draw between Raith Rovers and Morton last Saturdya.

His overall record whilst taking charge of ‘Well games is a bit of a mixed bag. In the eleven seasons he has been officiating at the top level, Charlie has taken charge of 27 Motherwell games. The Steelmen have won seven, drawn six and lost fourteen.

30 goals have been scored whilst 24 have been conceded. 101 players have been cautioned, 52 shown to a player wearing Claret and Amber whilst two have been ordered off; the aforementioned Giles Coke versus Falkirk and Filipe Morais in a game against Hibs back in October 2007.

Charlie will be ably assisted by George Drummond and Stuart Macaulay with Greg Aitken on fourth official duties.

‘Well fans travelling to Dunfermline this Saturday may be interested in some of the excellent hospitality packages available.

The Pars will open their Gallery Suite Bar, situated at East End Park, to both home and away supporters for pre match drinks (cash bar) on Saturday 27th, opening from 12pm until the match.  We wanted to make you aware of this, and to welcome all away supporters.

We also have got a few Hospitality places left and would like to give Motherwell supporters the opportunity to take up on our Match Hospitality.

Premium Hospitality Package – £85 per person inc VAT

• Private Parking
• Sparkling Wine Reception from 12.30pm
• Delicious 4 Course Fine Dining Meal with Wine
• Full Complementary Bar pre and post match
• Pre-Match Talks with our very own Jim Leishman MBE
• Complimentary Match Day Programme & Team Sheets
• In-House Betting Facility
• Exclusive Centre Stand Seating
• Half Time Savouries and Teas or Coffees
• Listen to Post Match Man of the Match and Match Ball Presentations
• Cash Bar Table Services continues after 5.30pm

Standard Hospitality Package – £40 per person inc VAT 

• Cash Bar from 12pm
• Superb 3 Course Meal
• Official Team Sheets
• In-House Betting Facility
• Exclusive Centre Stand Seating
• Half Time Savouries and Teas or Coffees
• Drinks order taken for post match drinks, ready for your arrival back to the Suite

If you would like to make a booking or would like further information please contact a member of the sales team on 01383 724295/745901 or email sales@dafc.co.uk.

Good evening ‘Well fans,

It is disappointing to email you after our first defeat of the season but I don’t suppose, realistically and in all honesty, anyone expected that run to last forever. However, it’s frustrating though that it has come at the hands of Rangers who have proved a thorn in the side of our club for best (or worst) part of ten years.

I said in my programme notes today that we needed three things to click into place if we were going to win against Rangers.

We needed them to have an off day – they didn’t! We needed to play at the very top of our game – we didn’t! And we needed the rub of the green from the match officials and even that didn’t happen. Not that I am having a go at Craig Thomson, he actually did very well to spot the handball in the lead up to our “goal”. If only there were a few more bodies blocking his line of vision.

Rangers too still have a fair bit of talent going forward with Davis, Lafferty, Jelavic and Naismith, all International players, they caused us problems. From our point of view, we didn’t threaten nearly enough and sometimes our final ball let us down.

The second goal was the killer. That was the one which really changed the complexion of the match. To have success against the Old Firm, as well as the three things I mentioned previously, you really have got to try and score first so you have something to go on. We didn’t make McGregor work as much as we should have and that’ll be the focus of our training in the coming weeks.

What is good is that we have a match almost straight away to get today’s result out of our system. We play Clyde in the League Cup this Wednesday and we’ll do our very best to make sure we progress into the next round against a team who have started well.

We are still second and it has still been an excellent start so it’s not all doom and gloom. Clyde this Wednesday then Dunfermline next Saturday; these are the games we will be judged on!

Thanks again for your support – it was great to see a 10,000+ crowd inside Fir Park today – I am just sorry we couldn’t get the result you wanted.

Enjoy what is left of your weekend.

All the best,

Stuart McCall was disappointed to lose to Rangers but conceded the better team won on the day.

Hopes were high pre-match that Motherwell could end their almost nine-year wait for a victory over the Ibrox side but goals from Naismith, Lafferty and Wilde continued the unwanted run.

McCall admitted his side were second best, “We were up against a good side today; when you play either of the Old Firm it is important to get the first goal and then you have a chance to win the game.

“To lose a goal from a set-piece is disappointing with a corner and Jelavic losing his marker.

“We huffed and puffed and had a goal disallowed, probably rightly so, and the second goal came from a corner to us, this was similar to last season as the majority of the goals we lost to Rangers were on the break.

“Second half we had a lot of possession without really threatening McGregor enough, and they were always dangerous on the counter attack. Before the game, what with the way we had defended, we thought we wouldn’t have a better chance than that, but they still had players on the park like Jelavic, Davis, Lafferty and Naismith; they still have good quality players in the team.”

Rangers had several top-team stars missing through injury and ineligibility with as many as thirteen players unavailable.

McCall admitted that he had hoped to capitalise on their inexperienced but conceded the visitors were always going to be strong in attack.

He said: “We knew they maybe weren’t that experienced at the back but they still carried the same threat up front and are very good on the counter attack, and when you are at home you have to have go.

“We didn’t move the ball quickly enough and I am really disappointed we didn’t threaten them more. It all goes down to the second goal at the end of the first half, and I don’t think we deserved to be two down at half time.

“At half time we were still in it if we got the second goal, but we got a lot of ball round the 18 yard box and never created enough.”

Motherwell have the perfect opportunity to bounce back with a game this Wednesday night against Clyde in the Scottish Communities League Cup.

The former Scotland International midfielder reckons his side can get back to winning ways and choose to focus on winning games against teams who ‘Well will compete against for the top-six.

“Nobody like losing, we though today we could take out form into it,” he said.

“We were under no illusions before the game what we were up against, but we won’t be judged on the games with the Old Firm, we will be judged in the games against Dunfermline next week, and St Mirren last week.

“It’s a sore one! I am really disappointed with the way things went and (as I said) you’ve really got to score first to have a chance.”