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    Motherwell 1 – 1 St Mirren

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    St Mirren Programme preview

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    TV: Ask Michael Higdon

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    TV: Black hoping for home comforts

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    TV: Randolph expecting tough test

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    Win match tickets from Clydesdale Bank

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    Vote for your Goal of the Month

  • Archive

    TV: Calendar Signing Night

  • Archive

    Pick November’s Player of the Month

  • Archive

    Young looking forward to Turkey trip

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    Motherwell 1 – 1 St Mirren

    [tab:Match report]

    twitter Kris Jack at Fir Park

    A Michael Higdon header against his former club wasn’t enough to earn Motherwell a win, as Jim Goodwin’s thunderbolt ensured a share of the spoils for St Mirren.

    The big striker was on hand to nod home just minutes into the second half after superb build-up play from midfield maestro Nicky Law.

    However, the Steelmen’s lead lasted only eleven minutes when former Hamilton Accies midfielder Jim Goodwin unleashed an unstoppable thirty-yard rocket leaving Darren Randolph helpless.

    The game got stretched towards the end with the visitors probably having the better of the chances but it finished all square with both teams sharing the spoils in an entertaining match.

    After last week’s convincing victory in Perth, Stuart McCall stuck with the exact same squad that dispatched St Johnstone 3-0 on their home turf. Omar Daley’s goal and performance kept him in the starting eleven, and would be hoping to be as much of a threat and provider as last week.

    Jamie Murphy and former Buddie Michael Higdon were hoping to be the benefactors of his wing play, with the former looking to add to his brace last week, and the latter aiming to get on over on his former employers.

    Danny Lennon made just one change to his starting line up that came back from two goals down against Aberdeen to salvage a draw last time out. Nigel Hasselbaink came in for former Scotland international Gary Teale, to give the Paisley side a speedy option up front.

    While losing one game away from home all season, ‘Well were hoping the Christmas period would gift them a home performance to fill the fans with festive cheer.

    Both sides set out to attack and create from the off. Inside the opening two minutes, Daley managed to sneak in behind Tesselaar, only to have his pass cleared out for a corner, which Hateley over hit.

    St Mirren then caused panic in the home box, when Graham Carey cut in from the right and fired a shot at Randolph, which the big keeper spilled before the ball was hacked to safety. Motherwell were using their wide men to good effect in the early stages, with Hammell, Daley and Hateley directing balls in to the Buddies box, but with no takers.

    The game was given a bit of an edge when Jennings was booked for a foul on Carey in the middle of the park. A bit of a melee ensued, with Jim Goodwin also carded for their involvement. ‘Well were then awarded a free-kick; it was Tom Hateley range, but the right back couldn’t emulate his last minute winner from St Mirren Park.

    Instead, the visitors broke up the park and won a corner, but McGowan’s volley from the cross was blasted well over. The former Celtic youngster earned the same result when he thundered a free kick form 35 yards in to the Cooper stand a few moments later.

    The game became littered with niggly fouls and Motherwell were fortunate not to concede a penalty midway through the half. Hutchinson looked to bring down Tesselaar as he romped in to the box for what looked a stone wall spot kick, Referee Calum Murray pointed the spot but was reversed the call in favour of an offside call with the help of his linesman. 

    Michael Higdon then flashed a header wide from the penalty spot, diving to connect with Jamie Murphy’s cross. Murphy then went on a mazy runs, picking the ball up midway in the Saints half and galloping past man after man in to the box. Instead of shooting, he squared to Higdon, whose shot was blocked my McAusland, before Daley blazed an effort in to the stand from an angle.

    St Mirren were also searching for the opener, and only some composed defending from Craigan prevented Hasselbaink from pulling the trigger after winning a tussle with Hammell in the box. Michael Higdon was desperate to get a goal against his old club and only a Goodwin clearance stopped his bullet header crossing the line from Hateley’s corner. Omar Daley was then booked for delaying a St Mirren free kick by kicking the ball away. Kenny McLean then let fly with a thunderbolt from 35 yards which shook Darren Randolph’s upright before being cleared.

    St Mirren seemed happy to allow Motherwell to run at them, and Nicky Law almost made them pay just before half time. In almost a repeat of Murphy’s run from earlier, he strode from halfway in to the opposing box, but his final ball to Michael Higdon fell too short. It was an entertaining first half, with chances for both sides and some spicy challenges, but severely lacked a goal.

    It took all of three minutes in the second period for that goal to materialize, and did so for the home side. Murphy latched on to a long ball up the left flank and fed Nicky Law, whose composed and weighted cross found the head of Michael Higdon, who nodded the ball down in Samson’s bottom left corner. It was Higdon’s seventh SPL goal of the season and gave ‘Well the lead versus his previous club.

    Lasley was next to have a crack at the St Mirren goal, firing just over from 30 yards following a cleared corner.  It was a spectacular attempt which Jim Goodwin not only tried to copy, but bested, a few moments later. The St Mirren captain was fed the ball 25 yards from goal, looked up and magnificently thundered a drive in to the top right hand corner.

    1-1 with an hour played and the visitors could have snatched the lead with their next attack. A great ball over the top found McGowan in acres of space before he rounded Darren Randolph, only to fire well over from a tight angle. It was a let off for Motherwell, who until that point looked good for their lead.

    The equalizer found St Mirren in the ascendancy, with their passing and possession more prevalent than their hosts. In hope of regaining a grip of the game, Stuart McCall made a double substitution with Daley and Lasley replaced by Chris Humphrey and Stephen Hughes.

    Jamie Murphy picked up his sides fourth booking of the match for a tug on Carey. The introduction of Humphrey sparked a flurry of action in front of the St Mirren goal. Firstly, the Jamaican acres of space to run in to, before cutting in to the box and firing just wide via a deflection. He then won two corners for the home side, which were both cleared to safety. Mooy then had a clear run at goal down the left, but his shot was comfortable for Randolph to smother.

    With ten minutes remaining, Steven Thompson almost poked home at the back post for St Mirren, but his opportunistic effort fell well wide. The Republic of Ireland goalie then had to make two sharp stops from Thompson and Mooy, to keep the game level. Kenny McLean then had another fantastical effort, this time acrobatically volleying goalward from the edge of the box. Randolph again denied St Mireen the lead.

    Down the other end, a Murphy header from Hateley’s cross would have burst the net had it not been for the reactions of Craig Samson. Kenny McLean completed a hat trick of spectacular chances without a goal when he broke free of the Well midfield and fired over form 18 yards. He was booked for a cynical foul on Humphrey before referee Calum Murray blew for full time.

    [tab:As it happened]

    twitter Kris Jack at Fir Park

    90 +1mins – McLean booked for cynical challenge on Humphrey.

    90mins – 2 minutes of Added On Time.

    89mins – Carey fires over form edge of the box after breaking past Jennings.

    89mins – Saints sub: Teale on, Carey off.

    86mins – Murphy header almost gives Well lead, but Samson saves superbly.

    84mins – McLean strikes a wonderful acrobatic volley from the edge of the box that Randolph matches, tipping the effort over the bar.

    82mins – Randolph makes 3 saves from, 2 from Thompson and 1 from Mooy, to keep the game level.

    78mins – Corner leads to a goalmouth scramble eventually cleared.

    75mins – Humphrey cuts in, as is his want and fires wide via a deflection.

    71mins – Well double sub: Lasley and Daley off, Hughes and Humphrey on, Murphy booked.

    Today’s Attendance – 4557, cheers for coming folks!

    63mins: Buddies sub: Hasselbaink off, Mooy on.

    Great goal by Goodwin, almost 2-1 Saints but McGowan rounds Randolph and blasts wide. Let off big time.

    Goal: St Mirren: Jim Goodwin blasts a rocket pasts Darren Randolph from 25 yards. 1-1.

    57mins – Daley causing no end of problems on right wins corner. Cleared to Lasley, who shoots over from 30 yards.

    52mins – Lasley booked for persistent fouling.

    48mins – Murphy out left plays in Law, whose weighted cross lands right on Higdon’s head and nestles in the bottom corner, 1-0 Well.

    48mins – GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!! MICHAEL HIGDON.

    47mins – McGowan gets in behind Well defence, but is called offside.

    46mins – Daley bursts down the left and in to the box, squares form by-line, cleared for corner.

    Half Time – Motherwell 0- 0 St Mirren. Entertaining game so far, no goals but some meaty challenges ad decent efforts on goal.

    42mins – Nicky Law tries to emulate Jamie Murphy’s run from earlier, but final ball lets him down.

    38mins – Kenny McLean rattles Randolph’s bar with a thundering effort from 35 yards. Good effort.

    36mins – Higdon header cleared off line by Goodwin from Hateley corner. Daley booked for kicking ball away at Buddies free kick.

    31mins – Murphy mazy run ends with Higdon effort blocked and Daley blazing wide from an angle. Mercurial run from the youngster.

    26mins – Higdon flashes a header wide from Murphy cross, after Law does well to dispossess Saints defender on edge of box.

    25mins – Law, Lasley and Daley combine to set up Higdon, but the big man’s first touch lets him down on penalty spot.

    23mins – whole stadium thinks St Mirren have a penalty when Hutchinson brings down Tesselaar, but ref gives offside instead. Phew!

    19mins – …which is swung to back post and headed wide by Hutchinson. Well slightly on top at the moment.

    19mins – Higdon knocks down to Law, who sends Daley wide, cross cleared for corner…

    14mins – Hateley free kick hits wall and cleared, Hasselbaink breaks and wins corner for Buddies.

    11mins – Jennings booked for a foul on Carey, Goodwin for having a bit of afters, bit of a melee to spice things up!

    8mins – Hammell cross for Higdon cleared for corner, after nice passing down left with Jennings, Law and Hammell.

    4mins – Carey cuts in and shoots, Randolph spills it, but ball is humped clear.

    2mins – Daley sneaks in behind and wins a corner off Goodwin, Hateley’s delivery too long and Jennings fouls Hasselbaink.

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “It was a terrific game of football. There were no lulls, there were quick free-kicks, quick throw-ins.

    “Both sets of players deserve an awful amount of credit, not only for making it a competitive game, it was a hard one to referee, but end to end.

    “Both teams in the last 10 minutes were looking to win the game. I thought it would be cruel on any side to have lost.

    “We scored a really good goal, great move and their goal was a terrific goal. It would have been nice once we got one to kick on and at times we played some really good stuff, but likewise so did they.

    “It was a really good advert for Scottish football. I enjoyed it, if you can as a manager.”

    St Mirren manager Danny Lennon:

    “The players deserve great credit – not only did both teams try to win it but the manner they played

    “The only thing that was missing was more goals. I thought the commitment, endeavour and intensity, it was like watching a game of tennis at times. Both goalkeepers had influential saves throughout the game.

    “We’re always quick to put our own game down but that was a thoroughly entertaining game and something we can be proud of in Scotland. The pitch was a wee bit icy but it shows you if you have the bravery and philosophy to set your team out like that, and that’s credit to Stuart as well, you can play football that way.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”80″]

  • Archive

    St Mirren Programme preview

    ‘Well host St Mirren tomorrow and if you are coming to the match, don’t forget to pick up a matchday programme.

    With a new editorial team and a new producer in Curtis Sport, the 64-page magazine has been a hit with fans in our ten home games and this is another edition not to miss.

    What’s inside? Well, manager Stuart McCall talks about the success of the season so far and the efforts made to try and replicate some of the excellent form at Fir Park.

    Skipper Stephen Craigan talks about the fascinating battle between two clubs in the SPL who are keen to play good football and there is a superb interview with wing wizard Chris Humphrey. Andy Ross caught up with the Jamaican, discussing his most enjoyable season yet, competition for places and pleasing memories against today’s opponents.

    There is a special 12-page section dedicated to our visitors, St Mirern. Not only is there a rundown of the current squad and a review of the season so far, we get the views of Buddie Chris Marzella and Peter Elder remembers a 3-1 win against the Saints from last season.

    And that’s not all. As well as match reports from both the (abandoned) Hibs and St Johnstone matches, regular features such as The Travelling Fan with Yir Elder, On This Day with Graham Barnstaple and Gavin McCafferty in From the Press Box.

    Wait, there’s more! Gordon Young talks about the U19s trip to Turkey with the Leonardo Da Vinci programme. We have the latest from The Ticket Office and the Commercial Department and the latest stats, facts and figures for the 2011/2012 campaign.

    The programme is available for £3 and is currently on sale from the Club Shop and Jack Daniels as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

  • Archive

    TV: Ask Michael Higdon

    In the second of our ‘Player Q&A’s’, Michael Higdon talks Paul Bearer, Mel B from Bo Selecta and opting for Fir Park over the Bernabeu. #askhiggy

    -WATCH THE BEST AND WORST QUESTIONS ONLY ON MFC TV-

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  • Archive

    TV: Black hoping for home comforts

    Assistant Manager Kenny Black hopes to replicate some of Motherwell’s sensational away form when the Steelmen return to Fir Park tomorrow.

    Stuart McCall’s men have won an incredible eight matches from ten away fixtures, propelling the Claret and Amber men to third place in the SPL.

    However, the story at home has been slightly different with the last win coming in late September – a 1-0 success over Aberdeen.

    St Mirren are the visitors tomorrow and Black hopes that it will be the hosts who come out on top.

    “It’s something we have spoken about as we have fantastic away form, right up there with Rangers and Celtic and it’s obviously something we would like to replicate back at Fir Park,” he admitted.

    “But it’s not quite as big an issue as people are making out. We’ve lost three – Rangers, Celtic and St Johnstone, who themselves are on a tremendous run of away form.

    “We are conscious of the next two home matches though – either side of the Hearts match at Tynecastle – and we would dearly love to sign off 2011 with as many points from those matches as possible.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

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  • Archive

    TV: Randolph expecting tough test

    Republic of Ireland International goalkeeper Darren Randolph reckons ‘Well are in for a tough test against a much-improved St Mirren side tomorrow.

    Saints, under Danny Lennon, have won many plaudits for a more purist approach to their game this campaign and have been easy on the eye for anyone who has watched them this season.

    And Randolph, who has kept nine clean sheets so far this campaign, thinks the Fir Parkers will have to be at the very best to collect all three points.

    “Tomorrow is going to be a tough game but these are games you really need to win if you want to finish where we are now – in third place,” he said.

    “It’s always a tough game against Saints – the teams are pretty evenly matches and have had a habit of cancelling each other out in recent times.

    “I suspect it’ll be the same tomorrow but we know what we have to do.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

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  • Archive

    Win match tickets from Clydesdale Bank

    Christmas is a time for giving, and this week SPL sponsor Clydesdale Bank is getting into the spirit of things with match tickets to give away for no less than 18 Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches scheduled over the festive period.

    To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets, all you need to do is log on to their football website www.cbfootball.co.uk, click the competition tab and enter for the game(s) you’d like to go to.

    Closing date is Monday 19th December at 12noon. Good luck!

    Terms and conditions apply

  • Archive

    Vote for your Goal of the Month

    It’s time for you to cast your vote for your favourite Clydesdale Bank Premier League Goal of the Month.

    Sky Sports have selected their top ten goals from November, which are shown on their website for you to view and select your favourite.

    If your choice matches the goal selected by Sky Sports pundit Neil McCann you could win a PS3 bundle.

    Entry is simple, visit the Sky Sports website today and click on the Goal of the Month tab or alternatively follow the link below to see the goals and have your say.  Closing date is Tuesday 20th December.

    http://www.skysports.com/football/spl-goal-of-the-month/0,28881,19891,00.html

    Terms and conditions apply.

  • Archive

    TV: Calendar Signing Night

    Motherwell FC hosted the annual calendar signing evening in the Centenary Suite this evening.

    Over 250 ‘Well fans turned up, the busiest ever, getting their heroes to sign calendars, strips, balls, pictures and even a cast.

    MFC TV caught up with Stephen Craigan and Tim Clancy in the middle of their duties.

    -WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

  • Archive

    Pick November’s Player of the Month

    It is time for you to decide who you think deserves to win the Cash Converters Player of the Month for November.

    Every month this season, sponsors Cash Converters will give you the opportunity to present the Motherwell Player of the Month with a trophy.

    All you need to do is vote for which ‘Well player you think has been the stand-out performer for November and you could be chosen at random from all entries received, to congratulate our star man in person at Fir Park!

    After Nicky Law received the Player of the Month award for August, with Keith Lasley picking up the gong for both September and October.

    Who do you think deserves it this month?

    To cast your vote, simply visit our Cash Converters SPL Facebook page or by CLICKING HERE.

    The link will also give you the opportunity to enter the draw to take part in the next Convert for Cash challenge, and the chance to win a whole host of other prizes.

    For the November Player of the Month – VOTE HERE.

  • Archive

    Young looking forward to Turkey trip

    With the freezing weather showing no signs of letting up, Motherwell U19s will soon to be leaving it all behind when they travel to Turkey for a two-week training camp.

    It’s a part of the SFA led Leonardo Da Vinci programme, an EU funded Lifelong Learning Programme for young people aged 18 or above who want to improve both their working and language skills while experiencing life in another European country.

    The programme is also an opportunity for the participant and receiving organisation to exchange knowledge and ideas and to gain understanding of others by comparing their different cultures.

    And Young is hopeful it will prove terrific benefit to his players’ development both personally and professionally.

    He told the Scottish Sun, “The Leonardo Da Vinci programme shows these kids there is a life outside of Scotland.

    “If they were successful it would give them a chance to look at life abroad. They might wish to play abroad. This trip will allow our boys to see and understand how other people live their lives.

    “These days it’s about diet and lifestyle and that’s what I stress to my players. They have to get an overall understanding of how to live their life in the right way.

    “Motherwell has a fantastic reputation of developing and enhancing its youngsters. My job is to ensure that continues. I need to give the manager here a pool of players he can turn to. Trips like this are invaluable. We need to mould these youngsters and give them the best possible grounding and start in life.

    “You learn more about these youngsters when you’re away on trips like this. It develops a bond between the players that I hope lasts a lifetime. Guys like Steven Saunders, Steven Lawless, Robert McHugh and Shaun Hutchinson have benefited in the past.”

    2011/12 will be Well’s fourth involvement in the Leonardo Da Vinci programme. Thanks to the hard work of the SFA, clubs up and down the country are benefiting from a programme which attracts 250,000 youngsters from across the continent each year.

    [pullquote]You learn more about these youngsters when you’re away on trips like this. It develops a bond between the players that I hope lasts a lifetime.[/pullquote]

    Young said: “The programme entails the SFA tapping into the central European fund which has created the Leonardo Da Vinci programme.

    “This is all about the development, culturally, of young people. It’s about young people in further education all across Europe.

    “Something like 250,000 kids from a wide range of disciplines take part each year. It’s not just football. Tom Docherty and Patrick Hart at the SFA have done some tremendous work in ensuring the essential funding. That enables Scottish teams to make a presentation on how they should be involved and experience this wonderful opportunity.

    “This year we are travelling to Turkey along with Rangers and Queen’s Park. In the past every Premier League club in Scotland has been involved. We are going at the time of the winter shutdown, so it’s another excellent opportunity for the players.”

    But Young insists it’s also an excellent opportunity for Motherwell to develop their own contacts in Europe.

    He said: “From our perspective we think it is extremely worthwhile. It’s a two-week programme and as well as getting five to six weeks work of conditioning work done, the players get to experience a different lifestyle and a different culture.

    “There will be reciprocal meetings with the local club, Antalyspor. We have a two-week training camp which will be supplemented by three matches.

    “In the past we have played Anorthosis Famagusta and Nicosia in Cyprus and watched Lokomotiv Moscow, Schalke and Porto training.

    “We have also been able to attend first-team matches as well as sharing coaching methods and establishing some excellent contacts. We now have strong links with Famagusta which led to Angelis Charalambous coming over in a short-term contract. He has since been named in the full Cyprus squad for the recent match against Scotland.

    “We can share coaching experiences and that is always invaluable. You take something from each session and the information and networking is essential in the bigger picture at Motherwell. We are now in a position to help Ricky Sbragia and his Scotland Youth squad who will face Denmark. Because of our contacts, we are able to provide Ricky with DVD’s of the Danes who recently played Cyprus so it has been extremely worthwhile.”

    LDV