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    Hearts win in pictures

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    Hearts 0 – 1 Motherwell

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    TV: Clancy hoping for Hearts success

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    TV: McCall looking to build on win

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    Winter’s in charge for Tynecastle test

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    Hearts tickets on sale now

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    2012/13 Season Tickets on sale

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    TV: All the goals from Fir Park

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    TV: Humphrey thrilled with the win

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    TV: McCall delighted with ‘quality’ ‘Well

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    Hearts win in pictures

    Pictures from the 1-0 win over Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Tynecastle.

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

    [svgallery name=”hearts010512″]

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    Hearts 0 – 1 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    twitter Kris Jack at Tynecastle

    Motherwell took a step closer to securing third in the SPL after a professional 1-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle.

    A typical poacher’s goal from top-scorer MICHAEL HIGDON was enough to push the Steelmen eight points clear of Dundee United in third, with 9 points to play for.

    The Tannadice club travel to Ibrox tomorrow and a Rangers win or a draw would secure third place for the Steelmen and a crack at the coveted pinnacle of European club football – The UEFA Champions League.

    After Saturday’s five star thrashing of St Johnstone, STUART McCALL opted to stick with the same starters for the journey to Edinburgh, with new dad CHRIS HUMPHREY charged with replicating his man of the match performance on the right and JAMIE MURPHY chosen to continue the good form that saw him bag a great clinching goal against the Saints. With no injury worries going in to the game, McCall had the strongest possible squad to select from.

    Andrew Driver, Rudi Skácel and Craig Beattie all missed out on a starting berth from Hearts’ 2-2 draw with Dundee United at the weekend, with the latter picking up an injury that Paulo Sergio did not want to aggravate ahead of their Scottish Cup Final date with rivals Hibs.  Mehdi Taouil, David Templeton and Stephen Elliott came in in their place.

    The game began with neither team really imposing themselves, although Stephen Elliott was first to have a crack at goal after just two minutes when he robbed NICKY LAW at the edge of the box but he blazed over.

    In response, Murphy was first to threaten for the visitors when he cut in past McGowan on the right but his bobbling shot was easily picked up by Jamie MacDonald.

    Much like Saturday’s win, the ‘Well defence were happy to allow their opponents pot shots from distance. Darren Barr and Ian Black both had speculative cracks from outside the box but none troubled DARREN RANDOLPH in the visitor’s goal.

    And although Hearts were probably seeing more of the ball, Motherwell looked threatening on the counter. Higdon managed his first glimpse of goal, after some tidy play on the left by Law allowed Murphy to tee up the big Scouse hitman, but his effort was too direct at the diving McDonald.

    Murphy then had a chance to put his side in front when a through ball caught Žaliūkas and Webster out, but the young forward had his shot cleared off the line by Black, after rounding MacDonald.

    Hearts’ best chance of the half came on 16 minutes when David Templeton managed to work some space in the box, only to have his shot blocked by SHAUN HUTCHINSON. The rebound fell to Mehdi Taouil, but he sclaffed his effort wide from 10 yards with TOM HATELEY narrowing the angle.

    The game was beginning to be battled in the midfield and a great challenge in the centre circle by STEVE JENNINGS was the catalyst for Motherwell’s opener on 29 minutes. From the passage of play that Jennings’ tackle on Ian Black created, Law played Murphy in on the left. Leaving McGowan in his tracks, he curled an effort in on goal from the edge of the box, which MacDonald failed to deal with properly allowing Higdon to slam home for his 16th goal of the season.

    Motherwell tails were up and veteran midfielder KEITH LASLEY almost made it 2-0 when he got in behind Webster to latch on to a Higdon flick but his effort was too tame to threaten the Hearts goal.

    It was an ideal first half for ‘Well who soaked up all that Hearts had thrown at them, while managing to nick a crucial 1-0 lead going in to half time interval.

    Paulo Sergio rang the changes at the start of the second half, introducing Rudi Skácel for the ineffectual Taouil.  However, it took a while for former Czech International to make any sort of impact as Hearts looked to get back in to the game. Suso Santana came close to levelling on 55 minutes, when his bouncing volley from the edge of the box sailed just over Randolph’s bar.

    Templeton was also beginning to prove a thorn in the ‘Well’s side and should have equalised when he was put clean through on Randolph, but he fluffed his lines thanks to a slight Hutchinson touch allowing Randolph to save with his feet.

    A Skácel effort from distance and a Darren Barr header from a corner were the next threats to the Well goal, but neither caused more than a flutter of panic and relief in the Well defence.

    The Steelemen were doing a great job of containing Hearts without attacking much but they could have snatched a second. STEVIE HAMMELL’S burst up the park was followed by intelligent play from Murphy on the left who played in Lasley whose first time shot was deflected just wide with McDonald scrambling across his line.

    Hearts did think they were level Santana slammed the ball past Randolph and into the net. However, he had been rightly flagged offside and the goal was disallowed much to the joy of the travelling support.

    Estonian HENRIK OJAMAA then replaced Murphy with 15 minutes left and his first touch sent Humphrey scampering down the right. With Nicky Law racing in, the Jamaican’s low cross came agonisingly close to reaching the former Rotherham man but for the outstretched glove of McDonald who made the save.

    As time ran out, Hearts threw everything they could at a resolute and well-marshalled Motherwell defence, with TIM CLANCY and Man-of-the-Match Hutchinson making sure nothing got through. Skácel headed straight at Randolph from a deep Danny Grainger cross, before Templeton hit the side net from a tight angle with the last effort of the match.

    Motherwell held on until the final whistle, and as the fans celebrated in the stand with the players lapping up the praise.

    [tab:As it happened]

    twitter Alan Burrows at Tynecastle

    93mins – FULL TIME – Hearts 0 – 1 Motherwell: GET IN!

    92mins – Offftt! Templeton runs the channel and fires the ball into the side-netting. Surely that must be us now. Don’t think I can take any more.

    90mins – 3mins left to play. This is horrible!

    83mins – 7 minutes to go. Tense stuff here at Tynecastle, Hearts have a free-kick which Grainger is going to hit (right off Omar)

    81mins – Omar Daley replaces Chris Humphrey. Humps put in a great shift going forward and back. Omar will have to match!

    80mins – I have to say, the Motherwell fans inside Tynecastle tonight have been different class! So vocal all night long! Respect!

    79mins – Long diagonal ball finds Skacel at the back post but his header from about eight yards out is grabbed by Randolph.

    77mins – Henrik Ojamaa comes on for the Steelmen! He replaces Jamie Murphy up top!

    75mins – Hearts are going to make those changes. Glen comes on for Elliott and Driver replaces Black as Hearts go for it!

    72mins – OFFSIDE! Santana slams the ball into the net but the assistant has his flag up and it won’t count. Another let off…

    71mins – Offftt!!! That was almost 2-0 Motherwell. Great break – Hammell to Murphy to Lasley. Shot deflected inches wide of the post.

    69mins – Driver and Glen look as if they are going to be introduced for the home side…

    64mins – Hearts putting on the pressure at the minute. Higdon is forced to concede a corner as the Jambos throw everything forward.

    60mins – OH MY GOD! That was so close. Free-kick is flicked on by Barr but it drops just wide with Randolph at full stretch…

    58mins – Skacel has a sight at goal but doesn’t quite connect and it drops wide. Wee bit of a let-off there. Still 1-0 to ‘Well at the mo.

    56mins – Hearts have a great chance. Templeton gets the break and is clean in on goal. Randolph stands up well to make the block though.

    55mins – Shot from Santana blasts way over the bar as Hearts look to bite back at Motherwell.

    53mins – As I say that, Chris Humphrey has a cross-cum-shot well saved by MacDonald…

    53mins – Nothing too much happening at the minute folks. Both teams trading possession but nothing overly exciting to report.

    46mins – Hearts bring on a sub – Mehdi Taouil is off and is replaced by Rudi Skacel. No changes for ‘Well! Hearts to get us underway…

    HALF TIME – Hearts 0 – 1 Motherwell (Higdon)

    44mins – Another long-range effort from Hearts – this time from Barr – but it goes well wide of the post.

    40mins – Shot from distance from Hateley (free-kick) flashes way wide!

    37mins – Higdon tees up Lasley up for a shot that is comfortable for MacDonald to clutch. Still 1-0 Motherwell at the moment.

    28mins – Shot from distance from Murphy is spilled by MacDonald. Higdon is there to slam home his 16th of the season!

    GOALLLLLL – Michael Higdon!

    26mins – Another shot from Ian Black – it once again flashes wide. Hearts having more of it at the moment but ‘Well look ok on the counter,

    22mins – Murphy follows that with a quick break but fires a shot way off target!

    21mins – Another good chance for Hearts. Templeton again causing problems – but Taouil flashes a loose ball wide.

    19mins – Hearts claim for a penalty is turned down. Ian Black plays on and fires a low shot which Randolph catches low to his near post.

    13mins – Really good chance for Higgy there. Nice ball across the face lands at the big man but his shot lacked power to beat MacDonald.

    8mins – Barr has a shot from distance that zips just wide of the post. Good effort from the former Falkirk man…

    3mins – Dig from distance from by Murphy but it is well held by MacDonald!

    2mins – Elliott has an early shot for the home side but it curls wide and over! Still 0-0!

    1min – Motherwell will kick-off – Murphy and Lasley to get us underway! C’mon the Steelmen!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “We came at Christmas Eve and we didn’t turn up. We gave them too much possession, so tonight we had a go.

    “Everyone put a shift in for the side and that’s what was needed. They have got individual players in the team that can hurt you. I thought we controlled them really well.

    “We’re not there yet though. But for us to finish third, if we do, would be an outstanding achievement. To get Europe alone has been terrific, but hopefully if we can clinch that place and it does end up being Champions League, then it would be beyond any wildest dreams.”

    Hearts manager Paulo Sergio:

    “Jamie made a save, the only save of the game, and they had a second ball to score their goal.

    “We defended poorly at that moment. We shouldn’t give the inside to Murphy, but we made that mistake and they scored a goal to get three points.

    “We had two, three good chances in the first half and four in the second. Motherwell defended well but we had clear chances to score and we didn’t.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”101″]

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    TV: Clancy hoping for Hearts success

    Tim Clancy insists the Motherwell players are completely focused on trying to get all three points ahead of tomorrow’s crucial clash at Tynecastle.

    The Steelmen got back to winning ways with an excellent victory over St Johnstone which will no doubt breed confidence throughout the squad.

    However, Tuesday’s opponents Hearts also turned in a very respectable performance at Tannadice and many onlookers felt they could quite easily have taken all three points as opposed to the one they got.

    It means the game is finely poised although former Killie man Clancy is hopeful the Fir Parkers can build on the weekend’s success and heap further pressure on the chasing pack.

    “It’s important we keep that form going,” he said.

    “We went a few games without a win heading into Saturday’s game which meant the win there was massive.

    “We’ll now go into tomorrow night’s game with a bit of confidence and we will be looking for another good performance and hopefully bring back some points.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

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    TV: McCall looking to build on win

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall hopes his side can take some of Saturday’s form into tomorrow night’s game with Hearts at Tynecastle.

    The Fir Parkers returned to their brilliant best at the weekend, sweeping St Johnstone aside with a fine 5-1 victory.

    That result, coupled with tomorrow’s opponents holding Dundee United to a point at Tannadice, has meant the Steelmen have a five point cushion over their nearest rivals although McCall is taking nothing for granted.

    “Absolutely no-one from this football club is thinking we have anything secured or tied up,” he said.

    “We have two very difficult away games starting at Tynecastle tomorrow night. They played every so well against Dundee United on Saturday so we are well aware of what to expect.

    “It’s always a tough place to go but on the back of our victory on Saturday, not only result but the manner of the victory and some of the individual performances with some people back to form, then we will go there full of confidence and looking to take something.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

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    Winter’s in charge for Tynecastle test

    Referee for Tuesday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hearts at Tynecastle is the experienced Brian Winter.

    Brian will be handling his second ‘Well game of the current season – his previous was the 2-0 away success at East End Park at the start of March with Michael Higdon and Henrik Ojamaa amongst the goals.

    Previous to that success in Fife, his last time in charge of the Steelmen was twelve months ago when Motherwell crashed to a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Dundee United in the lead up to the Scottish Cup Final.

    You have to go back a further year from then, 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 2-1 win over Rangers five weeks ago.

    Strangely, despite being a category 1 official for nearly ten years and officiating in the SPL for six, the 44-year old has only ever taken charge of six Motherwell games in that time.

    The Steelmen have won three, drawn one and lost two of those games; eleven goals have been scored whilst eleven have been conceded.

    Thirteen players have been cautioned, seven 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 Brian Templeton and Ross Haswell with Brian Colvin on fourth official duty.

  • Archive

    Hearts tickets on sale now

    Tickets for this tonight’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hearts will be on sale at Tynecastle.

    Tickets are priced at:

    ADULTS:    £23  
    OVER 65 / FULL TIME STUDENTS:    £15
    UNDER 18’s:    £15
    UNDER 12’s:    £15
    • Hearts will sell any unsold match tickets on the night of the game. If they do, all concession tickets (including Under 18’s and Under 12’s) will pay £15.
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.
    • If you are planning on making the journey to Edinburgh, check out our handy ‘Guide to Tynecastle’ for everything you need to know.
  • Archive

    2012/13 Season Tickets on sale

    Motherwell Football Club are today pleased to announce Season Ticket details for the 2012/13 season.

    A season ticket, whether bought individually or as part of a family package, represents tremendous value. We have completely frozen prices from last season so if you picked up your ticket after the early-bird offer last term; you have an opportunity to actually save money on your ticket.

    We have also continued our ‘WELLevate’ scheme which allows any adult or senior citizen buying a season ticket at Fir Park to claim a juvenile ticket absolutely free of charge or TWO U16s tickets if you sit in the Cooper Stand.

    Attendances have grow 25% over the last two years because of this brilliant initiative – perhaps the single most effective way of recruiting new, younger fans over the last 100 years

    The excellent Season Ticket offers which can be used to earn a host of discounts in a number of well-known businesses throughout Lanarkshire has also been extended.

    We’ve added the likes of M&D’s, Tony Macaroni, Hamilton Palace, Knockhill Racing and Esporta to the 38 strong list which already contained the likes of McDonalds, KFC, Subway, Pizzahut, LivingWell Health Club, Evans Halshaw and many, many more.

    We are Scotland’s Family and Community Club and we want and need you to be a part of that.

    -CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE INFORMATION AND PRICES-

    NOTE:

    • Renewal packs will be making their way to 2011-12 season ticket holders over the weekend and into next week.
    • Online sales will commence from Monday 30th April.

    Season Tickets

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    TV: All the goals from Fir Park

    Goals from Michael Higdon, Nicky Law, Jamie Murphy and a Henrik Ojamaa double give Motherwell a fine 5-1 win over St Johnstone this afternoon.

    -WATCH ALL SIX GOALS ON MFC TV-

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    TV: Humphrey thrilled with the win

    Jamaican International Chris Humphrey was pleased with his starring role as Motherwell roared to an excellent home victory over St Johnstone.

    The winger tormented the Saints all afternoon and played a part in four of the five goals.

    And the former Shrewsbury Town flying machine was thrilled to play such an important role in the same week he received his first International call and he is due to become a dad for the second time.

    He told MFC TV: “We’ve needed the three points, especially after Celtic last week. I was important that we won the game today and I thought the lads were brilliant. We went out there, played our football and just went out to win and I’m so happy that we did.

    “I’m absolutely buzzing (with the assists) but at the end of the day I’m still lacking some goals and that’s the only thing that is disappointing me about my game although I’m always happy to set-up goals and as long as we win, that’s all that matters.

    “For us to get an early goal was just what we needed and calmed all our nerves down. I knew after the penalty that we’d get goals. It’s a shame we couldn’t keep a clean sheet but after scoring five goals you can’t really complain and the way that we performed was magnificent.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

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    TV: McCall delighted with ‘quality’ ‘Well

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall was delighted his side showed their quality to notch a super 5-1 victory over St Johnstone.

    The Steelmen roared into a 2-0 half-time lead thanks to a Michael Higdon penalty and Nicky Law’s seventh of the campaign.

    Jamie Murphy made it three at the start of the second half only for Liam Craig to pull one back from the penalty spot.

    However, substitute Henrik Ojamaa secured the points with a late brace leaving the manager delighted.

    “We got off to a good start,” said McCall. “We thought Chris could cause them problems and he certainly did that with the penalty and then again for the second goal he robs Jody Morris on the touch-line and finds Lawsy at the back post which again we talk about.

    “If one wide man is putting the ball in, the other has to be in at the back post. Jamie Murphy was sharp and took his goal well then we were sloppy. I’d say a minute of sloppiness and we let them get back in to it.

    “We’d like to have settled down at three up and rest some lads for Tuesday but we couldn’t do that as we conceded a sloppy goal. If you look at Higdon, Murphy, Ojamaa and Law, the four strikers, with Chris being outstanding, it was a good all round day.

    “We showed our quality today and that is what we wanted.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-