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    Hamilton 0 – 3 Motherwell

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    TV: ‘Well complete Ramsden signing

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    Ticket Office: Extended Hours

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    TV: McCall looks ahead to Hamilton

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    Win £50 vouchers with Weatherseal

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    Panathinaikos tickets still on sale

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    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

  • Archive

    TV: Law delighted with leveller

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    TV: Boss pleased with Everton showing

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    Everton draw in pictures

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    Hamilton 0 – 3 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Andy Ross at New Douglas Park

    Bob McHugh struck twice as Motherwell defeated their Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton 3-0 at New Douglas Park.

    Tom Hateley cooly converted a penalty with eight minutes remaining to complete an assured Motherwell display that will provide a big confidence boost with their Champions League qualifying clash with Panathanikos just a week away.

    Stuart McCall made five changes to the side that held Everton to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, with Shaun Hutchinson, McHugh, Omar Daley, Zaine Francis-Angol and Steven Hetherington all handed starts.

    Making his first appearance of pre-season after returning from injury, McHugh began the game sharply, dragging a shot wide after three minutes before coming close after capitalising on an error by Accies keeper Kevin Cuthbert, following a neat through-ball from Daley.

    It was to be third time lucky for the 21-year-old striker when he latched onto Michael Higdon’s knockdown on eight minutes and slammed home from the edge of the box.

    It was an positive opening from the Steelmen and Higdon came close to doubling their advantage – stinging the palms of Cuthbert with a drive from a narrow angle.

    McHugh passed up a glorious opportunity to add to his tally after 23 minutes when he slid-in to meet Higdon’s low cross, but his effort was well wide of the target with the goal gaping.

    Ali Crawford fired over the bar as Accies registered their first shot on Darren Randolph’s goal and the Republic of Ireland stopper was forced into action when he turned Gary Fraser’s excellent strike over the bar.

    Accies seemed to be growing in confidence and Randolph had to be alert to keep out Jon McShane’s back-post volley on 38 minutes.

    Despite enjoying their best spell of the match Accies found themselves 2-0 down with two minutes of the half remaining.

    Higdon combined with Nicky Law who cut the ball back for McHugh to slot home his second goal of the match.

    Randolph made a wonderful stop from McShane’s 30-yard effort on the stroke of half-time to ensure Motherwell took their two goal advantage into the break.

    After coming through their first 45 minutes of pre-season action, McCall replaced Hutchinson and McHugh with Ewan Murray and Lee Erwin at half-time.

    The second half began slowly and it took 12 minutes for the first clear-cut chance, Grant Gillespie burst forward and unleashed a fizzing effort which Randolph did superbly well to turn past the post.

    Craig Moore replaced Nicky Law on the hour mark as McCall took the opportunity to rest some legs.

    It was the hosts who continued to look the more dangerous though and Andrew Ryan should have done better after rising to meet a pin-point delivery.

    Adam Ashgar became the fourth Well sub to be introduced with 20 minutes remaining and Adam Cummins made way for Fraser Kerr shortly afterwards.

    Cuthbert was called into action for the first time in the second half when he blocked Daley’s strike with his feet, but it was Randolph at the other who continued to shine.

    Ryan found Darian MacKinnon inside the area and the striker unleashed a strike that looked certain to be heading goal-bound before Randolph somehow diverted the shot over the bar.

    With eight minutes remaining, referee John Beaton awarded Motherwell a penalty when Jack McCue was adjudged to have pulled back Jack Leitch.

    Tom Hateley stepped up and cooly converted to put the game well out of the reach of the hosts.

    Cuthbert blocked at the feet of Hetherington in the final minute as Motherwell continued to look dangerous.

    It was to be the final action of the match and McCall will now look to give playing opportunities to the first-teamers absent from his starting line-up tonight when they face Partick Thistle in a bounce match tomorrow afternoon.

    [tab:As it happened]

    Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

    90mins: Full time: Hamilton 0 – 3 Motherwell

    87mins: 3 minutes to go. A thoroughly convincing performance from the Steelmen against a young Accies side. Hoping for four?

    84mins: Bit of Rocky Balboa there from Randolph. Came out swinging and punching twice to clear the ball.

    82mins: Hamilton 0 – 3 Motherwell. A dubious penalty decision but well slotted home by Tom.

    82mins: Tom Hateley steps up……..GOAL!!! Slotted home to the bottom left!

    PENALTY MOTHERWELL!

    79mins: Woah, that is yet ANOTHER fantastic save from Randolph! Had goal written all over it until Daz flies through the air and palms over.

    78mins: Another sub. Lasley comes off fo Leitch. First look at him for many of you ‘Well fans.

    77mins: Best chance of the second half! Cuthbert denies Daley with his feet from close range.

    76mins: Motherwell sub: Kerr comes on for Cummins.

    73mins: Into the last 17 minutes then. It’s all gone a bit flat, fans in great voice though.

    71mins: Anyone who travelled to watch the 19’s last season at Bathgate will feel an air of familiarty about this side now.

    70mins: Motherwell sub – Asghar on for Higdon.

    61mins: Motherwell sub – Moore on for Law. Slots into right midfield.

    57mins: Randolph in top form tonight. Yet another great save to beat a long range left footed drive away from goal.

    51mins: 2 Hamilton Subs: Johnstone and Trialist on for Longridge and Martin

    49mins: Slow start to the second half. Only thing worth noting was a corner that came to nothing from ‘Well.

    HT: Teams are back out. Murray on for Hutchinson and Erwin on for McHugh.

    45mins: Great save from Randolph. McShane’s 30 yard effort is sailing in until he tips magnificently round the post.

    43mins: That was lovely! Higdon shields the ball from the defender and slots in Law. He jinks in and out, eventually squaring to McHugh who scores.

    43mins: GOAL 2-0 Motherwell!

    36mins: Fraser with a great strike there. Goal bound? Possibly. Randolph takes no chances and acrobatically tips over.

    32mins: Motherwell still on top at a now overcast and gloomy looking New Douglas park

    30mins: Omar Daley cuts inside after a mazy run and shapes up to shoot. Fires just over.

    26mins: Half chance for Hamilton. Crawford with a 25 yard effort that was never going to trouble Randolph.

    23mins: McHugh blazes well over after sliding to meet Higdon’s low cross.

    20mins: Early sub for Accies. Gillespie on for Finnie.

    19mins: Hetherington floats it in at the back post to Higdon but he is penalised for climbing all over the defender.

    19mins: Free-kick won in a dangerous position by McHugh.

    15mins: Motherwell looking very dangerous going forward. Some lovely 1 touch football gives Higdon a chance. Straight at the keeper though.

    12mins: Higdon goes close there! The big man had acres of space only the angle was very narrow. Does well to draw a save from Cuthbert.

    A tidy finish from Bob there after he latched on to Higdon’s flick-on.

    8mins: GOAL!- It’s 1-0 to Motherwell! Bob McHugh the scorer.

    He does well to recover and make the save though.

    5mins: First good chance of the game. Cuthbert takes ball at his feet allowing McHugh to disposes him.

    2mins: Positive start from Motherwell. Had all the possession so far and McHugh has just went close with a long range drive.

    1mins: McHugh and Omar kick us off. Lovely night here for the football. Mon the ‘Well!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “Our best player was Darren Randolph who has had 5 or 6 great saves.

    “The way Hamilton play with one up top and they flood the midfield and pass the ball well, we went with a little diamond and we had a lot of chances in the first half.

    “We had some good opportunities but second half we were not at the races and we’re disappointed with a lot of things. The positives for me are Hutchy to get 45 minutes and Bob to get his two goals.”

    Hamilton manager Billy Reid:

    Coming Soon…

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”105″]

  • Archive

    TV: ‘Well complete Ramsden signing

    Motherwell Football Club are today delighted to confirm that Simon Ramsden has joined the club on a one-year contact.

    Ramsden, 30, had been on trial at the club since returning to pre-season training in late June and has impressed in his three weeks at Fir Park.

    That prompted ‘Well boss Stuart McCall to snap him up, the free agent having opted to leave former club Bradford City during the summer.

    Bishop Auckland born, Ramsden began his professional career with Sunderland before leaving the Black Cats in 2004. In the subsequent eight years, he has had spells at Grimsby, Rochdale and a year as captain at Valley Parade.

    [pullquote]Everyone is making me feel very welcome and it’s nice to get everything sorted. I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead.[/pullquote]

    He is perhaps better known south of the border as a right full-back but is equally comfortable at centre back or even in the holding midfield role.

    His arrival is a much-needed shot in the arm for the Steelmen ahead of the Champions League clash with Greek giants Panathinaikos with defensive injury worries over Shaun Hutchinson, Steven Saunders and Jonathan Page.

    Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, Ramsden says he already feels right at home: “It seems as if I have been here for a while already.

    “I went to Portugal with all the lads at the start of the month and that was really good in terms of getting to know everyone as you’re spending 24-hours a day with them all.

    “Everyone is making me feel very welcome and it’s nice to get everything sorted. I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

  • Archive

    Ticket Office: Extended Hours

    The Ticket Office will extend its opening hours this week for fans wishing to buy Champions League and Season Tickets.

    The Chapman Building will be open until 7pm both Tuesday and Thursday as well as Saturday morning – 10am – 2pm.

  • Archive

    TV: McCall looks ahead to Hamilton

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall expects a tough encounter against Lanarkshire neighbours Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park tomorrow.

    The Steelmen have steadily improved over pre-season and were in impressive form when Everton visited Fir Park at the weekend.

    Accies were also in action themselves on Saturday, churning out a brilliant result against Owen Coyle’s Bolton Wanderers and McCall is certain his side will have to be at their very best to win the match.

    “We’ll mix the squad up again,” he admitted.

    “The majority of the first-team will play at Hamilton but three of four will play against Partick Thistle on Wednesday just to mix it up a little.

    “Hopefully Shaun Hutchinson and Bob McHugh will get a part of the game tomorrow night too. They both came through training today unscathed so we’ll be looking for them to kick on.

    “Accies had a great result against Bolton and we wanted to take the game for the way the play.

    “Billy Reid likes his players to get the ball down and pass so we will have to work hard to stop them. It’s a Lanarkshire derby, they will be right up for it for sure, so the onus is on us to step it up and approach the game with the right mentality.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

  • Archive

    Win £50 vouchers with Weatherseal

    Weatherseal, the SPL’s official home improvement partner, today launched a brand new competition on their official Facebook page to win £50 vouchers to spend in your club store.

    To find out much more – and support your team visit the official Weatherseal Facebook page.

    Simply fill in the dead easy form – and make sure you share the page with your friends, too, because everyone who does so will earn a bonus entry into the competition, doubling their chances of winning!

    Click to visit Weatherseal’s Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/weatherseal/app_143103275748075

  • Archive

    Panathinaikos tickets still on sale

    Tickets for the home leg against Greek giants Panathinaikos on Tuesday 31st July are still on full general sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office.

    The club had sold over 4,000 tickets before the match was even announced but with the dates now confirmed, demand is set to be high.

    Prices for the match have been set at:

    Adults:    £30  
    Concessions:                                            £20
    Juveniles:    £15

    *Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation.
    *Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

    Highlights from this afternoon’s testimonial match for Stevie Hammell as the Steelmen drew 1-1 with Everton.

    -CLICK HERE TO WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS-

  • Archive

    TV: Law delighted with leveller

    Midfield maestro Nicky Law was thrilled with his 53rd minute equaliser that gave the Steelmen a deserved draw against Premiership mainstays Everton at Fir Park.

    Former Sheffield United and Rotherham man Law, 24, was on hand to drill a ferocious strike past the despairing hand of USA International Tim Howard.

    It was the least the Steelmen, and Law himself, deserved for a dynamic performance and now the Englishman hopes to take that scoring form into the new season.

    “I don’t know what I was thinking hitting it on my left foot from there,” he joked.

    “It was just a reaction. It popped up quite nicely and I just hit it and probably couldn’t have caught it any sweeter. I am delighted it went in and obviously for Hammy not to lose his testimonial which is something he was speaking about in the dressing room before the match.

    “I joked to the lads afterwards that I hope that’s not me used it all up for the season. It’s something the manager is always going on about – me shooting more. He must think I’ve got a decent shot! But seriously, I got seven goals last season and I am targeting double-figures this time around as it’s something I feel I can add to my game.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

  • Archive

    TV: Boss pleased with Everton showing

    ‘Well gaffer Stuart McCall was satisfied with the way his players went about their task against a talented Everton side this afternoon.

    The Fir Parkers battled hard against their Premiership opponents, creating numerous chances and eventually grabbing a deserved equaliser with a Nicky Law stunner from the edge of the box.

    And McCall, a former Evertonian, was delighted his side stepped it up from their previous two pre-season matches.

    “I’m really pleased,” he told MFC TV immediately after the match. “Obviously we started off with Everton getting a lot of the possession, which we thought they would do, but we grew in to the game.”

    “I was pleased with the amount of chances we created and we looked a threat going forward, especially in the second half.

    “The lads got a lot of encouragement from the way they passed the ball and created chances against international defenders so I’m really pleased.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

  • Archive

    Everton draw in pictures

    Pictures from the 1-1 draw with Everton in Stevie Hammell’s Testimonial match at Fir Park.

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

    [svgallery name=”everton210712″]