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    Matchday Live: Dundee Utd

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    Notice of Complaint: Darren Randolph

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    TV: McCall hoping for United reprisal

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    Madden in charge at Tannadice

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    U20s at Fir Park this Wednesday

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    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

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    TV: McCall concedes fair result

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    TV: Cummins pleased with clean sheet

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    Hearts draw in pictures

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    Motherwell 0 – 0 Hearts

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    Matchday Live: Dundee Utd

    Motherwell travel north to take on Dundee United at Tannadice in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
     
    TEAMS:

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has a couple of injury doubts but was keeping tight-lipped over their identities.

    Defender Steven Saunders remains on the sidelines for the Steelmen as he recovers from a kneeinjury but joined in training for the first time recently.

    Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven will be missing for a month or more after suffering a fractured hand.

    Defenders Sean Dillon and Gavin Gunning should shake off knocks to play but full-back Gregory Vignal has left the club for family reasons. 

    The confirmed teams will appear here just after 6.45pm.

    TICKETS:

    Tickets are still available on the gate at Tannadice. Admission is priced at:

    ADULTS: £21 / £19
    CONCESSIONS: £12 / £10

    • The cheaper ticket price is for the Jim McLean Fair Player Stand Lower Tier.
    • Concessions are listed as Under 18s, Over 65s and Full Time Students (Please note Students can only enter the lower tier).
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    TRAVEL:

    There are no anticipated travel problems between Motherwell and Edinburgh and the area in and around Fir Park is fairly clear.

    WEATHER:

    It will be a clear and cold evening in Dundee. Temperature highs in the Tayside area will be just 3 degrees Celsius (37 Fahrenheit).

    FOLLOW THE MATCH:

    Motherwell Media will bring you all the action from Tannadice. Graham Barnstaple and Alan Burrows will call every kick off the ball live on MFC TV.

    You can also follow match updates on Twitter and join in the debate on our Facebook page.

    If you are heading to tonight’s match, remember to check in and follow the Steelmen on Foursquare and listen out for Stuart McCall’s pre-match thoughts on Audioboo.

  • Archive

    Notice of Complaint: Darren Randolph

    Darren Randolph has today (Tuesday) been served with a Notice of Complaint by the Scottish FA for an alleged breach of Rule 200.

    The incident centers on Saturday’s match with Heart of Midlothian at Fir Park.

    Compliance Officer Vincent Lunny has offered a fixed two-match suspension applicable across all competitions.

    The club has until 3pm on Wednesday, 28th November 2012 to respond to the Notice of Complaint.

    Should the offer of a fixed suspension be rejected, a Fast Track Tribunal will be convened on Thursday, 29th November 2012 to consider the complaint.

    The management staff and player are currently considering their options.

  • Archive

    TV: McCall hoping for United reprisal

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall says he there is a determination amongst his squad to win at Tannadice and right wrongs of three weeks ago.

    The Steelmen last faced Peter Houston’s side and slipped to a 1-0 home defeat despite creating numerous chances, including being denied by both the post and crossbar.

    Talented Arabs hitman Johnny Russell separated the sides with an excellent header eight minutes from time and it’s something McCall is certain will be in the players’ minds ahead of tomorrow’s match.

    [pullquote]We are well aware of their attacking threat but likewise they know we have good attacking players and our away form has been exceptional of late.[/pullquote]

    He said: “I don’t think there’s any doubt we deserved something last time we played United. In fairness to Dundee United, they are getting the little things now that they weren’t getting earlier in the season.

    “They’ve turned three draws against us, St Mirren and Ross County, into wins and that has been terrific for them. 

    “They’re showing good spirit and we are well aware of their attacking threat but likewise they know we have good attacking players and our away form has been exceptional of late.

    “We certainly go to have a go at teams and try to score goals. It has been easier to play away from home this season; not that I’m saying it will be easy on Tuesday night but the shackles are certainly off when teams come at us and leave a little more space for us to play.”

    -WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ONLY ON MFC TV-

  • Archive

    Madden in charge at Tannadice

    Referee for Tuesday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Dundee Utd at Tannadice will be Bobby Madden.

    It will only be Bobby’s fourth 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.

    His second 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 an Ojamaa double all but ended Saints’ hopes of nicking the best of the rest gong last season.

    The most recent was this season’s 3-3 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Motherwell had raced into a 3-1 lead courtesy of goals from Higdon, Hutchinson and Law but a late Aberdeen fightback handed Craig Brown’s men a draw.

    The 33-year old has been fourth official on a number of occasions, including Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last season 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.

    In addition, he handled the Spain U21’s 5-0 demolition of Denmark as well as Under 19s matches in both Austria and Hungary.

    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 last weekend when Aberdeen ran out impressive 1-0 winners at Easter Road.

    Bobby will be ably assisted by Charlie Smith and Stuart Hodge with Gary Hilland on fourth official duties.

  • Archive

    U20s at Fir Park this Wednesday

    Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s side return to action this midweek when they face Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Fir Park.

    The youths have had to wait an extra week for a game after the proposed fixture against St Johnstone last Tuesday was shifted to protect the Fir Park pitch in the midst of a bleak weather.

    Ironically, it’s the second attempt at playing the Highlanders after the original match earlier this month had to be moved due to the first-team’s match with Dundee Utd the day after.

    Kick-off at Fir Park is at 1pm with admission for this match free of charge.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

    Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell and Hearts battle hard but draw 0-0.

    -WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: McCall concedes fair result

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall admitted a draw was fair after Motherwell and Hearts slugged out a 0-0 draw at Fir Park.

    Neither team really got going in what was a pretty low key afternoon at Fir Park.

    Chances were at a premium with only Ryan Stevenson, Michael Higdon and Chris Humphrey making goalkeepers Jamie MacDonald and Darren Randolph work for their money.

    McCall was slightly frustrated at not breaking down a rigid Hearts rearguard but conceded the draw was a fair account.

    [pullquote]When it’s tight you have to take the positives and the positive is we’ve kept a clean sheet for the first time since the opening game of the season.[/pullquote]

    He told MFC TV: “I said prior to the game that they probably have one of the strongest defences in the league.

    “They started the game better, their one man up front gave them an extra man in midfield and they probably used that slightly better without really creating any great danger. We’ve had a good chance with Higgy’s header but in the first half we weren’t good enough.

    “In the second half we started better and were the dominant side. Chris and Higgy have had good chances and there were some half chances.

    “When it’s tight you have to take the positives and the positive is we’ve kept a clean sheet for the first time since the opening game of the season.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: Cummins pleased with clean sheet

    Liverpudlian defender Adam Cummins was pleased with his sides’ clean sheet – the first in fourteen SPL matches.

    The Steelmen were resolute at the back and the former Everton defender, culminating in both centre backs picking up sponsors’ man of the match awards.

    And the nineteen-year old celebrating the blank at the back but admitted the team were frustrated at not being able to break down a stubborn maroon defensive line.

    [pullquote]Starting with the back five, but also from the front, we defended really well and deserved to keep them out.[/pullquote]

    “We are pleased with a clean sheet; it is long overdue,” he told MFC TV after the match.

    “Starting with the back five, but also from the front, we defended really well and deserved to keep them out.

    “In terms of the game, we created a few chances but there was very little clean cut from either side that would merit them winning the game.

    “They are a good defensively – the manager warned us about it before the match. They play two sitting in front of their back four and make it very difficult for teams.

    “We couldn’t play our usual stuff and that is frustrating but we’ve taken four points from the last two games and that’s a good platform to work from going into this week.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Hearts draw in pictures

    Pictures from the 0-0 draw with Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

    [svgallery name=”hearts24112012″]

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 0 Hearts

    [tab:Match report]

    Alan Burrows at the Fir Park

    Motherwell and Hearts were both forced to accept a point after playing out a scrappy 0-0 draw at Fir Park this afternoon.

    Neither side really took a foothold in the game albeit Ryan Stevenson brought out a decent save from Darren Randolph early in the first-half, whilst Michael Higdon’s header forced Jamie MacDonald into a good save low to his left.

    The Steelmen upped the tempo and probably just about shaded the second half, Chris Humphrey having the best chance with a stinging low effort that was well saved by the Hearts number one.

    It wasn’t a game that will live long in the memory and both sides would perhaps accept a share of the spoils.

    McCall named the same starting eleven that tore strips off Inverness last weekend but it was the visitors Hearts who started brighter and Darren Randolph had to be on his toes inside the opening minute to deny one-time Motherwell signing target Ryan Stevenson.

    Shaun Hutchinson was adjudged to have felled Jamie Walker on the edge, allowing the midfielder to hit. His curling effort looked goal bound but for the outstretched hand of the Irish International to turn it round for a corner.

    Higdon replied for the Steelmen shortly after but his header from a teasing Chris Humphrey cross bounced wide of the post.

    Shortly after referee Crawford Allan waved away Hearts protest after a clash between ‘Well keeper Darren Randolph and Hearts striker Callum Paterson. The Steelmen stopper appeared to catch the youngster when coming out to collect a deflected through ball. Referee Crawford Allan was only yards away and waved away the protests.

    The hosts were coming more and more into it as an attacking threat, but it proved a tough task against a well-oiled and disciplined Hearts defence. Chris Humphrey did manage to penetrate the Maroon rearguard with a terrific cross into the area for Higdon, but he was denied by MacDonald who got a great hand to turn it away.

    As the game moved towards the break, it was the Fir Parkers who looked most likely to get themselves in front but, in truth, neither side created much in the way of guilt-edged chances.

    Hearts full-back Danny Grainger, the difference between the sides at Tynecastle last month, appeared to pick up a nasty knee knock before the break. He lasted no more than five minutes of the second half before being replaced by Moroccan Mehdi Taouil as John McGlynn switched his side around.

    The majority of the second half was played in midfield with both teams working hard but not producing much in the way of quality.

    The game’s only real moment of quality came with ten minutes to go when, after collecting a Keith Lasley pass, Jamaican international Humphrey got to the edge of the area, cut inside and smashed a low shot that forced MacDonald into another good block.

    Both sides searched for the winner but it wasn’t forthcoming. Ryan McGowan could have nicked it for the visitors deep into injury time when he got on the end of a Novikovas corner but his header bounced narrowly wide of Randolph’s left-hand post.
    [tab:As it happened]

    Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

    FULL TIME: Motherwell 0 – 0 Hearts

    93mins: Corner to Hearts…. Headed just past by McGowan!  Phew!

    90mins: 4 minutes added on.

    88mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol on for Hammell.

    85mins: Uh-oh, Hammell and Paterson clash heads. Hammy looks hurt. Thankfully he is up and moving.

    81mins: Hearts sub, Holt off for ex-Motherwell star John Sutton

    80mins: From the resulting corner, the ball falls to Higdon whose half volley is blocked. Encouraging!

    80mins: Humphrey cuts in off the right and drills at MacDonald who palms wide.

    74mins: Corner to Hearts… Finds its way to Holt who cracks a shot off from the edge of the box. Blocked by Hutchinson.

    68mins: Off the bar from Humphrey! Frightening pace down the right flank gets him past McGowan and his cross comes back off the top of bar.

    67mins: Hearts sub, Novikovas for Walker

    63mins: Dangerous ball in from Taouil headed by Stevenson from 8 yards. Didn’t quite connect and Randolph is untroubled.

    56min: Frustration as Murphy slides Higdon in who is only just beaten to the ball by MacDonald. Murphy’s shot then deflected wide.

    55mins: Danger as McGowan drives into the box and angles a shot towards goal. Good sliding block from Hateley clears for a throw in.

    53mins: Lasley releases Murphy with a clipped ball over the top. Wrongly ruled offside though!

    50mins: Hearts sub, Grainger’s game is over as he comes off for Taouil. Looked like he was carrying a knock.

    47mins: And that pressure almost paid off when Murphy whipped in a sublime ball to the back post. No takers though.

    47mins: Good early pressure from Motherwell. Camped in the Hearts half.

    46mins: Midfield duo Lasley and Law kick-off the second half.

    HT: Teams are back out!

    HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 Hearts. Goalless at Fir Park after 45mins.

    45mins: Two minutes added on to the first half.

    39mins: Grainger down holding his knee Looked like an awkward landing.

    37mins: Stevenson tries his luck from 30 yards. Shot flies harmlessly past the post.

    30mins: And straight up the other end, Ojamaa sees his shot bobble just past the post.

    30mins: Patient build up from Hearts allows Paterson some space to shoot. His effort from 20 yards is straight to Randolph though.

    28mins: Murphy looking sharp on the counter-attack. He dribbled 50 yards before laying off to Humphrey who overcooks the cross.

    25mins: Hammell booked for hauling down his man to prevent a breakaway.

    24mins: best chance of the game! Another great ball in from Humphrey which Higdon directs goalward, Tipped past by MacDonald.

    19mins: Dangerous ball across goal from Paterson almost found Walker lurking at the back post. Hateley on hand to clear.

    16mins: Bit of a slow start from Motherwell. Jambos on top so far.

    11mins: Bit of a let off there! McGowan burst through between Cummins and Hammell. His touch was a bit heavy and Randolph collected.

    7mins: First good chance for ‘Well. Humphrey with a fantastic whipped cross which Higdon lept and met with his head. Just past.

    3mins: Early chance for Hearts. Stevenson with a drilled free kick. Great save from Randolph to tip past.

    1min: And we’re off. Come on!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “It was typical of what we thought might happen, a stalemate. They were probably slightly better in the first half, but in the second half we upped the tempo a bit and early on we had a couple of opportunities.”

    “Their keeper made a few decent saves. I think a draw is a fair outcome. I believed them to be strong defensively and so it proved.

    “When it’s a tight game you are hoping for that one chance to fall. The pleasing thing is we got a clean sheet.

    “We were better in the second half and a draw is probably a fair result. It was always going to be a tight game.

    “We maybe could have nicked but it wasn’t to be. There will be no doom and gloom.”

    Hearts manager John McGlynn:

    “If you make sure your opponent’s scoreline reads zero then you’ve obviously got a chance of winning the game at the other end.

    “It was a hard-earned point for us. We had to ensure we didn’t open up and give early ammunition to Motherwell.

    “There wasn’t too much goalmouth action but defensively we were very good. I thought we stifled them very well.”

    “We’ve got to take the positives from that and we’ve found it difficult here in the past. A point’s not a disaster.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”124″]