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    East Fife in the SFA Youth Cup

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    Win VIP hospitality for four

  • Archive

    Madden in charge of Dons clash

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    Match Ball sponsor required…

  • Archive

    vs Dundee: Fans Eye View

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Dens Park

  • Archive

    TV: Higdon delighted with double

  • Archive

    TV: Perseverance pays off for McCall

  • Archive

    Dundee win in pictures

  • Archive

    Dundee 1 – 2 Motherwell

  • Archive

    East Fife in the SFA Youth Cup

    Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s will face an away trip to Bayview to take on East Fife in the 2nd Round of the SFA Youth Cup.

    Motherwell’s recent record in the competition has been poor and the Finn will be desperate for his side to progress into the latter stages but face a tricky opener against the Third Division side.

    Although it will be the Under 20s squad, in a change from the SPL, no over-age players will turnout.

    The match will take place on Sunday 30th September 2012 with a 1pm kick-off.

    Johansson told motherwellfc.co.uk: “It will be a tough away tie for the boys but it’s one we are looking forward too.

    “The free week we’ve enjoyed this week has allowed us to work extensively on the training pitch and I can see the boys getting sharper every day.

    Motherwell Under 20s next match at Fir Park is on Tuesday 2nd October when they face local neighbours Hamilton Accies (7pm KO).

  • Archive

    Win VIP hospitality for four

    Motherwell FC have teamed up with NHS Lanarkshire to give you a chance to win VIP hospitality for four people at the last home game of the 2012/13 season.

    Second-hand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the smoke exhaled by smokers.

    For a chance to win the prize please answer the six survey questions (which should take no longer than one minute to fill in).

    The winner will be selected at random and announced on Thursday 27th September.

    -CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY-

  • Archive

    Madden in charge of Dons clash

    Referee for Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie will be Bobby Madden.

    It will only be Bobby’s third ever Motherwell game. His first was back in January of last season as the Steelmen slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Inverness; Grégory Tadé grabbing the game’s only goal.

    The most recent was the thrilling 5-1 win over St Johnstone as Motherwell reaffirmed their grip on third spot in the SPL. Goals that day from Higdon, Law, Murphy and a Ojamaa double all but ended Saints’ hopes of nicking the best of the rest gong.

    The 33-year old has been fourth official on a number of occasions, including Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last month and the Semi Final with St Johnstone at Hampden.

    The whistler busy already this campaign, with domestic duties topped up with games in the Europa League with FK Vojvodina vs FK Suduva and Elfsborg Boras vs AC Horsens.

    He was also the man in the middle for the World Cup Qualifier between Germany and the Faroe Islands; the home side running out 3-0 winners.

    His most recent SPL appointment was back in August as Hearts and Inverness CT shared a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle.

    Bobby will be ably assisted by Alan Mulvanny and Stuart Stevenson with Calum Murray on fourth official duties.

  • Archive

    Match Ball sponsor required…

    There’s still time to be our Match Ball Sponsor for the match against Dundee Utd on Saturday 6th October or Hibs on Friday 26th October.

    Combine fantastic Motherwell hospitality with a substantial one match advertising package all for only £650+vat (party of 4 guests).

    Enjoy a three-course pre-match meal in our Centenary Suite with a fully inclusive drinks package.  You and your guests will receive a complimentary match day magazine and team sheets before taking your seat in the Centre Stand to enjoy the match. 

    You will re-fuel at half-time with tea/coffee served at your table.

    Choose your Young Man of the Match before the final whistle when we’ll announce your choice over the PA before moving back to the Millennium Suite to make the presentation. 

    Your chosen player will present you with the signed match ball in a glass presentation case. 

    In addition to hospitality, you can also take full advantage of a half page advertisement in the match magazine.  PA and Scoreboard announcements will be made during the ‘warm-up’, at half time, and just before the final whistle.

    Photographs of the presentations will appear in the next edition of the match programme extending your coverage for another week.

    For more information please contact 01698 338008 or email (including your contact telephone number) diane.harvey@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    Book Online Now

  • Archive

    vs Dundee: Fans Eye View

    Motherwell supporters on the hard-fought victory over Dundee at Dens Park.

    Get yours published after the next match. Email fanseyeview@motherwellfc.co.uk or post on our Twitter or Facebook pages.

    [pullquote]Flat 1st Half Higgy shot off the post then Henrik Sub on galvainised team and fans,SPL Leaders dug out a win #winindundee.[/pullquote]
    @FirParkPeter
    via Twitter

    [pullquote]Great 3 points for the future SPL champions 2012/13![/pullquote]
    @MFC_Fan_Page
    via Twitter

    [pullquote]Thought first half we were poor and Dundee deserved the lead but thought last 20 mins we upped the tempo and got our goals.[/pullquote]
    @Steffmcd80
    via Twitter

    [pullquote]Hard fought 3 points. Sign of a good team not playing great but still winning. #TopOfTheLeague[/pullquote]
    @cochap
    via Twitter

    [pullquote]Was a very anticipated game and lived up to expectations, very evenly split game and a great turnout.[/pullquote]
    @_SwitchyLove
    via Twitter

    [pullquote]I never thought I’d see the day where @motherwellfc are undefeated and have the best goal difference in the league #finally[/pullquote]
    @AldoooM12
    via Twitter

    [pullquote]Well done @MotherwellFC got what we needed today #topoftheleague #3points[/pullquote]
    @laura_kennedy24
    via Twitter

    [pullquote]Very close game, Motherwell poor show in the first half but in the second half the steel men struck back with a double by Higdon to finish the score 2-1.[/pullquote]
    Robbie Stuart
    via Facebook

    [pullquote]Very good in the first 20 mins defensive mistake for there first goal but in second half we up the tempo brung ojamma on who changed the game then the big man higdon scored brillant two goals to stay top of the pack.[/pullquote]
    James Moan
    via Facebook

    [pullquote]DOING THE HIGGY WHEN WE’RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE :D[/pullquote]
    Louis Mcclymont
    via Facebook

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Dens Park

    Extended highlights from Dens Park as a late Michael Higdon brace gives Motherwell a 2-1 win and keeps the Steelmen top of the SPL.

    -WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

  • Archive

    TV: Higdon delighted with double

    ‘Well goal hero Michael Higdon was thrilled with his brace that handed the Steelmen another superb win on the road.

    The former Falkirk and St Mirren striker grabbed his fifth and sixth of the campaign as the Fir Parkers came from behind to win at Dens Park.

    And the 29-year old was pleased to once again get on the scoresheet to help his side stay at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

    [pullquote]I aim to score in every game and with a hat-trick last week and a brace today, you can’t complain![/pullquote]

    He said: “It’s another good three points for the team and another two good goals for me so it’s a great weekend again.

    “First half I thought they were the better side. We got a kick up the backside at half-time and we’ve rallied and showed our character and deservedly won the game.

    “I aim to score in every game and with a hat-trick last week and a brace today, you can’t complain! Hopefully this form continues into every other game this season.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

  • Archive

    TV: Perseverance pays off for McCall

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall felt his side merited all three points after a spirited comeback at Dens Park this afternoon.

    Scourge of the Steelmen Colin Nish had put Dundee in front midway through the first half with a well-placed header.

    But a late brace from Michael Higdon, his fifth and sixth of the campaign, handed McCall’s men the points and was enough to keep them top of the Scottish Premier League.

    The former Scotland midfielder was delighted his side showed character and persistence to claim the win.

    [pullquote]I thought for our perseverance and sticking at it, we merited the three points.[/pullquote]

    “Over the piece we deserved the victory,” he told MFC TV.

    “We did say to the lads at half-time that we didn’t come here for a point, even though we were a goal down at that point. We felt if we could up the tempo and play to our ability, we could get the three points and thankfully we did that.

    “We saw what they did at Tynecastle a couple of weeks ago; they got the early goal, sat in and defended well, and I thought today they had a lot of blocks and Michael has hit the post.

    “We controlled the first half without creating a lot of chances although you have to credit Dundee for that. They defended really well and Nish has scored a good goal but I thought for our perseverance and sticking at it, we merited the three points.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

  • Archive

    Dundee win in pictures

    Pictures from the 2-1 win over Dundee in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Dens Park.

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

    [svgallery name=”dundee150912″]

  • Archive

    Dundee 1 – 2 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    Kris Jack at Dens Park

    A late double from Michael Higdon saw Motherwell come from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Dundee at Dens Park.

    Colin Nish’s header had given the hosts a half time lead, but ‘Well battled back for the win thanks to Higdon’s fifth and sixth goals of the season. The win keeps The Steelmen at the summit of the SPL, as other results went their way.

    With almost a full squad to pick from after a well earned rest over the International break, Stuart McCall fielded a mainly experienced side, with only youngsters Fraser Kerr and Adam Cummins keeping their places after some impressive defensive performances.

    Simon Ramsden took a seat in the bench after returning to full fitness, as did Zaine Francis-Angol and Henrik Ojamaa, fresh from making international appearances for Antigua and Estonia respectively.

    Barry Smith made one change to his starting XI from their first SPL win of the term over Hearts, with new signing Mark Kerr taking the place of Davide Grassi in the Dark Blues’ midfield. Recent addition Colin Nish started up front while former Burnley full-back Bryan Easton would start from the sidelines.

    With a swirling wind amidst the sunshine, Motherwell started the game with the gusts behind them and, but for some heroic defending from the hosts, could have raced in to a two goal lead. Firstly, Fraser Kerr’s cross was headed back across goal by Michael Higdon, but Keith Lasley’s drive from ten yards was blocked out by the diving Gary Irvine.

    Neil McGregor then did the same to prevent Steven Hammell bursting the net from 20 yards after a corner worked its way to the veteran left back.

    Down the other end, Nish then brought a wonderful save from Darren Randolph with Dundee’s first attack. After working space in the box, his turn and shot looked bound for the bottom corner, until the recently capped Irish keeper dived to push it out.

    Balls in to the box looked to be the route to goal and Shaun Hutchinson was unlucky to see his downward header bounce wide from Nicky Law’s corner.

    Frustratingly, Nish showed him how it was done up the other end as the hosts went ahead on 20 minutes.

    Ryan Conroy found John Baird on the left hand side and the former Airdrie man’s cross was headed into Randolph’s bottom right corner by Nish, who had stole a yard or two on Cummins.

    Motherwell had to react but could not break down Barry Smith’s side’s resolute defending. As the half wore on, Hateley whipped three corners in quick succession, but none of them failed to trouble Douglas in the Dundee goal.

    Just before the break, Higdon came close to levelling the game when he controlled Fraser Kerr’s throw-in on his chest, before crashing an effort of the base of the far post with Douglas beaten all ends up.

    It was a frustrating end to an otherwise poor first forty-five from the Steelmen. A much better performance was required in the second half fro McCall’s side and just like in the first, the Fir Parker’s started the better.

    Hateley dragged a speculative effort wide form 25 yards, before Nicky Law  latched on  to Hammell’s ball up the left channel to flash a cross along the six yard line, which was nicked off the toes of the on rushing Humphrey by McGregor.

    Hateley then should have tested Douglas with a free kick when Higdon was fouled 25 yards out, but his set-piece cleared the goal with relative ease.

    Colin Nish should have doubled his side’s lead on 65 minutes, when Baird’s lay off at the edge of the box allowed him a shot, but it drifted inches wide of Randolph’s left hand post.

    Henrik Ojamaa and Omar Daley then entered the fray, replacing Jamie Murphy and Adam Cummins, and within minutes the Estonian helped ‘Well back in the game. After finding acres of space to run in to on the right hand side, Ojamaa squared for Michael Higdon who bundled the ball past Douglas to level. It was the Liverpudlian’s fifth goal in eight games and one which changed the complexion of the game.

    Dundee had to come out more now they had been pegged back but try as they could they could not beat Randolph. Ryan Conroy hit a 30-yard free kick well wide, before Nish headed wide from an Irvine corner. Where Nish failed, Higdon prospered as he bagged the winner for the Steelmen.

    Law and Lasley combined cleverly at the edge of the box, but could only win a corner. Hateley’s delivery was whipped right on to the head of Higdon who bulleted the ball home off the underside if the bar to steal a lead for the visitors. His second of the game pushed him further ahead in the SPL scoring charts, and proved the winner, to keep Motherwell atop the the league.

    With five minutes of  injury time added on, Stuart McCall’s side were made to wait for the final whistle, but when it came, the noisy travelling fans made known their appreciation, having seen their side come from a goal down to leave Dens Park with a 2-1 win.

    [tab:As it happened]

    Alastair Reilly at Dens Park

    FULL TIME: Dundee 1 – 2 Motherwell. ‘Well take the 3 points back to Lanarkshire thanks to Higdon’s double!

    93mins: Nervy final minutes….

    90mins: 5 minutes added on…..not sure why exactly!

    89mins: Lasley booked for foul 25 yards out. Law possibly booked as well for complaining.

    88mins: Dundee sub, Kerr off for Boyle

    88mins: Late corner for ‘Well…….cleared at the front post.

    84mins: Higdon with an absolute bullet of a header from a corner sends ‘Well in front!

    GOOOAALLLL HIGGGYYYYYY

    78mins: Dundee sub: Stewart on for Baird.

    Daley’s substitution sees Kerr being pushed into centre back, Hateley to right back and Law into centre mid

    74mins: Ojamaa skips past his man and Higdon is there to bundle his cross home!! 1-1

    GOALLLLLLL!

    71mins: Motherwell sub: Daley on for Cummins

    63mins: Motherwell sub. Ojamaa on for Murphy,

    63mins: Nish fires just past the post. Too close for comfort, that.

    Going to be very difficult to break this defence down now. Sat in very deep and content to let Motherwell have possession.

    ….floats well over the bar.

    62mins: Free-kick in Hateley territory….

    55mins: So close there! Law managed to cut the ball back across the face of goal but it just eluded Humphrey and the ball was cleared.

    53mins: Hateley tries his luck from 25 yards. His low shot trickles well past though.

    51mins: Good opening spell of pressure from Motherwell. The wind just not aiding the final cross.

    47mins: Cummins and Nish both down with head knocks. The scouser has walked it off, Nish looks like he’s struggling though.

    45mins: Dundee get the action back underway,

    HALF TIME: Dundee 1 -0 Motherwell. Nish’s header separates the teams after 45 minutes.

    45mins: Higdon’s volley crashes off the post! Looked like it was going in but comes back out to safety.

    43mins: Free-kick to Motherwell from a narrow angle…..Douglas saves Hateley’s shot.

    41mins: Tame effort at goal from Higdon from 18 yards. Douglas gathers with ease.

    37mins: 3 corners in a row for ‘Well as they seek the equaliser. Ref judges Cummins to have fouled his marker on the final one.

    33mins: Baird is buzzing about everywhere and when he found himself on the right flank he tried a speculative shot. Safe hands from Daz.

    29mins: Good chance. Humphrey got past Lockwood and sprinted into the box. There was nothing in the box and his cross was headed to safety.

    25mins: Fantastic covering from Hutchinson prevents Conroy having an easy finish after he was found by Nish’s flick on.

    19mins: GOAL; Nish heads Baird’s inch-perfect cross into the net.

    14mins: Kerr’s threaded ball to Humphrey is cleared for a corner. Hutchinson heads the delivery harmlessly past the post.

    12mins: Ball falls kindly to Toshney who angles a shot towards goal. Randolph does terrifically to scoop it out to safety.

    11mins: Baird gets the better of Kerr but the big man gets back to deflect wide for a corner.

    10mins: Second corner for Motherwell……Douglas punches clear.

    His goal bound shot looked to have been blocked by a hand.

    Corner cleared by Dundee. ‘Well follow it up though and when the ball finally broke to Hammell, there was a half-hearted shout for a pen as

    5mins: Humphrey skips past Lockwood then see’s his cross deflected out for ‘Wells first corner of the game.

    1min: Straight up the other end, indecision between Douglas and his defence almost allows in Murphy. Danger cleared though.

    1min: First attack of the game. New boy Kerr slides in Conroy but he is ruled to be offside.

    Teams switching halves. ‘Well shooting towards the away fans. Murphy and Lasley kick the game off. #COYW

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “The top-of-the-league stuff is irrelevant to me. It is about amassing points at this stage and getting the three points is the big thing.

    “It’s nice for the players and their families to look and see they are top of the league but I think we all know where the title is going to end up come the end of the season so there is no excitement in that part of it.

    “The determination and drive is just to keep getting the points. We got off to a good start last season and we’ve done that up until now this time around.”

    “We said at half-time we still believed that we could go on and win the game if we just upped the tempo.

    “I don’t want to make excuses but the grass was a little long and sticky. We have a few boys in the team that like to dribble with it so it didn’t really suit them.

    “We were mindful of Dundee getting a great result at Tynecastle, going 1-0 up early on and sitting in and defending the lead.

    “They defended well in the first half but I just felt that if our creative players could come to the fore then we could come back and win the game and thankfully we did that.” 

    Dundee manager Barry Smith:

    “In the first half I thought we played very well and we were probably the more dominant team.

    “It is another harsh lesson for us. If you lose concentration for a split second then you get punished at this level.

    “We need to start learning quickly that we can’t afford to have lapses like this. We are six games into the season and still making the same mistakes.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

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