fbpx
News

Latest News

  • Archive

    Remembering Phil O’Donnell

  • Archive

    TV: Henrik hopes for repeat showing

  • Archive

    TV: McCall expects tough Killie test

  • Archive

    Allan in charge for Killie

  • Archive

    Christmas Family Festival

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

  • Archive

    TV: Murphy delight at double

  • Archive

    TV: McCall hails magnificent ‘Well

  • Archive

    Aberdeen win in pictures

  • Archive

    Motherwell 4 – 1 Aberdeen

  • Archive

    Remembering Phil O’Donnell

    Motherwell Football Club remembers our captain, Phil O’Donnell, who sadly and so tragically passed away five years ago today.

    A Motherwell legend, Phil died on the 29th December 2007 during a match with Dundee United at Fir Park.

    His untimely death had a massive impact on the club and he is still fondly remembered and much missed by everyone including our supporters who are planning a tribute by applauding during the tenth minute of today’s match with Kilmarnock to celebrate his life.

    Today, the thoughts and prayers of everyone at Motherwell Football Club are with Eileen, Megan, Christopher, Olivia and Luc and the rest of the O’Donnell family as we cherish a true gentleman and family man taken way before his time.

    Phil O’Donnell, brave as a lion, may you forever rest in peace.

  • Archive

    TV: Henrik hopes for repeat showing

    Estonian International Henrik Ojamaa hopes the Steelmen can maintain some of the sensational form they showed against Aberdeen on Wednesday.

    The Fir Parkers face Kilmarnock at home tomorrow just days after beating Craig Brown’s men 4-1 in arguably 2012’s best performance.

    The 21-year old Ojamaa was at the heart of just about everything positive for the hosts and hopes that continues tomorrow as the battle for the top-six heats up.

    [pullquote]Kilmarnock are a good side and we know their strengths so we have to look out for them but they’ll also be looking out for us because of the performance against Aberdeen.[/pullquote]

    Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “The Aberdeen game midweek was one of the most enjoyable ones this season.

    “There was a lot of great attacking play which must have been a pleasure to watch and also to play in and it’s now very important that we back that up with another good performance and result against Kilmarnock.

    “Playing at Fir Park teams come here and give us a lot of respect. It’s a stadium where it is quite easy to defend deep as it is quite narrow, so getting the first goal, as we did against Aberdeen, is crucial as it means it gives our attacking players more space to make the most of.

    “Kilmarnock are a good side and we know their strengths so we have to look out for them but they’ll also be looking out for us because of the performance against Aberdeen.

    “It’s going to be tough and we’ll need to do the ugly part. We’ve got to compete, get the tackles in and that will allow us to attack the way we can and hopefully get a result.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: McCall expects tough Killie test

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall is desperate to build on midweek success against Aberdeen but expects a tough encounter against Kilmarnock at Fir Park.

    The Steelmen haven’t recorded a victory against the Ayrshire side in North Lanarkshire for almost three years; a 1-0 win back in February 2010.

    There have been several draws in that time and fortunes have been somewhat different at Rugby Park but all the ingredients are there for another excellent match.

    Kenny Shiels’ squad come into the match off the back of a couple of excellent victories over Aberdeen and Hearts.

    The Steelmen will be looking for more of the same from midweek when they were in top form to blow Craig Brown’s side out the water.

    [pullquote]We’ve had tight games against them and not a lot of goals. We were pleased with our performance at Rugby Park earlier in the season but Killie are a very talented side.[/pullquote]

    “Since I’ve been in charge, we’ve not beaten Kilmarnock here at Fir Park,” McCall told MFC TV.

    “We’ve had tight games against them and not a lot of goals. We were pleased with our performance at Rugby Park earlier in the season with Jamie getting two goals but Killie are a very talented side.

    “They have got some really good individual players; Dayton is on top form at the moment and I like Harkins. They’ve managed to strengthen since we played them last, bringing in Sheridan, Sissoko and Heffernan is now back fit so they will cause us problems.

    “It’s such a fine line between success and failure. I said after three minutes against Aberdeen that they could have been two up.

    “We managed to get the opening goal and went on to flourish. Our home results have been very similar to last season when we finished third. By Christmas we had won three games last season and that is the same again.

    “Hopefully we can build on the Aberdeen result against Kilmarnock and we can go into the New Year not only putting good performances in but getting three points on the board too.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Allan in charge for Killie

    Referee for Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Kilmarnock will be the experienced Crawford Allan.

    It will be Crawford’s second Motherwell match of the current 2012/13 season, having already handled the goalless draw with Hearts in November, which will be remembered for the collision between Darren Randolph and Callum Paterson.

    Randolph was later handed a two match suspension following an enquiry by SFA Compliance Officer Vincent Lunny, Motherwell did appeal the decision, however were unsuccessful in their attempts to have the ban overturned.

    Tragically, Allan took charge of the ‘Well game on the 29th December 2007, forever etched in history as the date when Phil O’Donnell tragically passed away in the 5-3 victory over Dundee United.

    Phil’s death had a profound effect on the whistler, a Grade 1 official for over a decade, but he won heartfelt praise for the way he handled what was an extremely difficult situation and his sensitive approach will be forever appreciated by everyone at Motherwell Football Club.

    In another twist of fate, Allan is only one of two referees to have ever taken charge of a Motherwell away game at Fir Park as the Steelmen faced hosts Gretna during the 2007/2008 campaign.

    His record in charge of the ‘Well is a fairly decent one, with the Fir Parkers winning six, drawing five and losing four (which all came last season) of the thirteen games in total. In those games, 43 players have seen yellow, 24 in Claret and Amber, whilst three have been sent for an early bath.

    Allan will be ably assisted by Stuart Stevenson and David McGeachie with Craig Charleston on fourth official duties. Referee Observer is George Clyde and SPL Delegate is Gerry Collins.

  • Archive

    Christmas Family Festival

    Motherwell are offering families the best possible present this Christmas with a  £25 ticket for matches against Kilmarnock.

    Any adult or senior citizen can bring up to two Under 12s for the cut-price deal (£25). But that’s not where the value ends.

    We will get into the Christmas spirit and the main man, Santa Claus, will be in and around the ground with goodies for those that find him. We will have giveaways; face painting, photo opportunities with a selection of first-team players and a DJ will keep the Christmas spirit going with a special karaoke.

    There will also be a chance for you to represent Motherwell FC in the half-time penalty kick competition – further details will appear on our Facebook page.

    It’s one not to miss. You can guarantee your spot or perhaps give it away as a present by buying online now. Please click here to pre-purchase tickets.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

    Extended Highlights from Fir Park as a rampant Motherwell put four past Aberdeen to win the match 4-1.

    -WATCH FULL HIGHLIGHTS ONLY ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: Murphy delight at double

    Goal-hero Jamie Murphy was thrilled with his brace which helped Motherwell beat Aberdeen 4-1 at Fir Park this afternoon.

    Murphy netted his ninth and tenth of the campaign, hitting double figures for the fourth consecutive season.

    The former Scotland U21 hitman was denied his hat-trick as Jamie Langfield dived low to his right to save a second half penalty but even that could not wipe the smile off Murphy’s face who reckons the performance was one of the best seen at Fir Park in some time.

    [pullquote]It’s up there with the best performance of the year and if we can keep playing like that we will be right up there at the end of the season that is for sure.[/pullquote]

    “It’s fantastic to get a good win at home,” he told MFC TV after the match.

    “It’s been due so to come away with the three points was great.

    “It’s up there with the best performance of the year and if we can keep playing like that we will be right up there at the end of the season that is for sure.

    “Personally it is great to score. The last four seasons I’ve made it to double figures and I’ve scored more league goals this season so far than I did last season in total so the aim now is to score as many as possible.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: McCall hails magnificent ‘Well

    Stuart McCall lavished praise on his players after they destroyed Aberdeen at Fir Park this afternoon.

    The Steelmen were rampant for most of the ninety minutes and the scoreline could and perhaps should have been more convincing but for Jamie Langfield pulling off a number of excellent blocks, including a penalty save to deny Jamie Murphy a hat-trick.

    McCall shaped the team up in an unfamiliar 3-4-3 formation and it appeared to outfox Craig Brown and the Dons, who struggled to cope with Motherwell’s attacking threat and width.

    Typically magnanimous, the Fir Park boss heaped the adulation on to his side and paid tribute to what was arguably the best home performance in the whole of 2012.

    [pullquote]We haven’t had the best of results at Fir Park but in the main we’ve had good performances and today was the icing on the cake with the goals and the performance.[/pullquote]

    He told MFC TV after the match: “For the calibre of opposition we were up against it was a great result and could have been more if we were being greedy.

    “They started better than us but I’m really pleased. It was a great footballing performance which has taken its time coming.

    “I expected them to come and play the system they used in the Scottish Cup and for all the play we had we didn’t cause enough problems but we can talk about tactics and formations all day.

    “It’s about players and if they go out and play as they can, they can trust us to make the changes. A few of the performances were outstanding.

    “We haven’t had the best of results at Fir Park but in the main we’ve had good performances and today was the icing on the cake with the goals and the performance.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Aberdeen win in pictures

    Pictures from the 4-1 win over Aberdeen in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

    [svgallery name=”aberdeen261212″]

  • Archive

    Motherwell 4 – 1 Aberdeen

    [tab:Match report]

    Phil McGhee at Fir Park

    Motherwell gained some revenge their Cup defeat and provided the fans with a Christmas cracker with an emphatic win over Aberdeen.

    Two goals from Jamie Murhpy added to strikes from Tom Hateley and Michael Higdon combined to give the fans a home performance of real quality.

    The Christmas spirit was evident as both teams played an open game contributing to a five goal thriller, where the Dons had the chances early in the game to punish the home side. But in the end it was ‘Well who came out on top with their best home performance of the season, arguably of the calendar year.

    ‘Well were forced to make two changes, with Stevie Hammell and Chris Humphrey only fit enough for the bench. Fraser Kerr slotted in at right back allowing Hateley a midfield berth, while Zaine Francis-Angol took up the left back position.

    It was Aberdeen, though, who started where they left off in the Cup forcing the home side on to the back foot.

    Niall McGinn should have extended his scoring run after only three minutes but after Darren Randolph parried Joe Shaugnessy’s header the Don’s leading scorer pulled his shot wide. Then with the reshaped ‘Well still trying to settle, Josh Magennis curled an angled effort beyond Randolph and the post.

    It was the Aberdeen goal, though, which had the narrowest of escapes after seven minutes. Hateley’s corner was only cleared as far as Nicky Law and from 20 yards his ferocious left foot drive raced past Jamie Langfield only to see the ball rebound from the face of the bar.

    Langfield was again helpless two minutes later when Motherwell took the lead. Jamie Murphy whipped in a cross from the left and although it was beyond Higdon, Hateley darted in behind him to bullet a header inside the keeper’s left hand post.

    Rory Fallon, who has scored a couple of spectacular goals at Fir Park, tried his luck from just outside the box but his rising shot was comfortably palmed over the bar by Randolph.

    While Aberdeen were direct, Motherwell were more deliberate in their build up play, especially down the left. And on the half hour mark, after a series of passes had taken them to edge of the box, Henrik Ojamaa teed up Murphy who took a couple of steps before planting the ball in the bottom corner of Langfield’s net.

    It took Aberdeen only three minutes to reduce the deficit though, as Johnny Hayes raced from the middle of the park, worked a one two with Fallon before rifling a fine shot inside Randolph’s left hand post.

    Knowing that the Dons have twice fought back already this season, ‘Well never looked comfortable on their lead and Gavin Rae might have equalised in the 39th minutes when he rattled the ball into the hoardings behind the goal.

    Perhaps the game changing moment came on the stroke of half time when Motherwell restored their two goal lead. Again it came from some great work on the left and when Francis-Angol slipped the ball through to Murphy, he checked he was not offside before side footing the ball home from eight yards out.

    That resulted in the Dons chasing the game in the second half, which suited ‘Well’s style of counter attack.

    A tremendous run from Ojamaa ten minutes after the break carried him to the goal line before cutting the ball back to Michael Higdon who scooped it into the net from two yards to effectively finish the game as a contest.

    It then became a question of how many goals as Craig Brown rang the changes in an attempt to limit the damage.

    Murphy should have claimed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Clark Robertson tripped Ojamaa. But Langfield easily saved his weak effort to prevent ‘Well making it five.

    And just before being replaced to a standing ovation, Ojamaa was denied a well deserved goal when Langfield pushed his shot round the post after a breathtaking move from the hosts.

    Motherwell fans were not complaining at the final whistle as they now look ahead to Saturday’s home game with Kilmarnock and the chance of back to back home wins.

    [tab:As it happened]

    Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

    FT: Motherwell 4 – 1 Aberdeen. The Steelmen dish out an absolute Christmas roasting to Aberdeen. What a performance!

    90mins: Two minutes added on.

    89mins: “Well, Well, Super Well” ringing out as we enter the final few minutes.

    81mins: Aberdeen sub: Fallon off for Masson

    81mins: Motherwell subs, Ojamaa off for McHugh and Carswell on for Law. Both players getting a standing ovation from the crowd.

    78mins: Ojamaa a constant thorn in the side of Aberdeen. He’s been unplayable today and absolutely deserves a goal.

    70mins: Ojamaa is on fire today. Yet another beautiful flick though lets Law pick him out with a cross. Great save from Langfield to deny.

    68mins: Vernon is played through but the ball is a hard one to take and he volleys over from 15 yards.

    66mins: Ojamaa clipped in the box and goes down…Murphy steps up but misses!

    66mins: PENALTY FOR ‘WELL!

    63mins: ‘Well turning on the style. A tricky run from Ojamaa is laid out to Murphy who with a bit of time can only curl well over.

    57mins: Aberdeen subs: Smith on for Shaughnessy, and Considine on for Anderson

    55mins: Higgy makes it four after terrific work from Ojamaa down the left wing. Put it on a plate with all the trimmings and the big striker finished it from close range.

    55mins: GOOAALLLL!!!! 4-1!

    48mins: Higdon booked for a high challenge on Reynolds. Looked mistimed if anything….

    46mins: Early chance for Aberdeen! McGinn races through the whole defence but Randolph saves with his feet.

    46mins: Teams are back out minus Ramsden. He is replaced by Cummins.

    HT: Motherwell 3 -1 Aberdeen

    45mins: Murphy strikes again after fine play from Francis-Angol! Tidy finish from 10 yards

    45mins: GOAAALLLL 3-1!

    40mins:Kerr goes for a wander up the pitch and is unlucky when he is given time to get into the box and get a shot off. Straight at Langfield.

    39mins: Rae fires close from 18 yards! Looked almost as if it had went in after he latched onto Fallon’s flick.

    38mins: Hateley tries the spectacular with a volley from 25 yards. Well over!

    33mins: GOAL! Hayes pulls one back for The Dons! Powerful left footed shot from 20 yards giving Randolph little chance.

    30mins: Murphy doubles the lead! Made it look so easy as he picked it up just outside the box and drilled it home past Langfield!!!

    30mins: GOOOAAALLLL!!!

    29mins: Teasing ball across goal from Lasley……no takers though

    21mins: Fallon forces Randolph into a good save from 20 yards. Probably took the wrong option though as he had McGinn bursting through.

    12mins: Exquisite turn from Ojamaa allows him to turn Rae inside out on the half way line. Threads through Murphy but Reynolds slides clear

    9mins: A rare header from Tom Hateley. The Englishman, playing wing-back, nods home Murphy’s beautifully curled cross! 1-0

    9mins: GOOOAALLL!! 1-0 ‘Well

    7mins: ‘Well respond with Nicky Law blasting off the bar from 16 yards. Unlucky!

    5mins: Another good chance for The Dons there! Magennis curling inches wide after a neat through ball from McGinn.

    3mins: McGinn misses a glorious opportunity! 8 yards out the ball falls kindly to him but scuffs it wide.

    2mins: Aberdeen pushing for an early opener. All the action being played East Stand in the ‘Well half so far.

    1min: Teams are out on the pitch….and Aberdeen kick us off. #SIWY

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “I’m really pleased and delighted for the fans, as a lot of people talk about our poor home results.

    “We managed to take our chances today and could have taken more – I thought today when we got ahead we played some really good football.

    “As a manager it’s a delight to win games, but if you can do it like that then all the better.”

    “I decided to match them and play three forwards up against their three centre-backs and I think with Murphy’s two goals, one for Higgy (Higdon) and Henrik (Ojamaa)’s performance too it worked,” added McCall.

    “It can be a dangerous game, but you have to have faith in your defenders and that your frontmen can do more damage to them than they can to you.

    Aberdeen manager Craig Brown:

    “I didn’t feel we were outplayed, Motherwell are probably the best team out with Celtic and we don’t like losing to them – and we haven’t in the last three times we played them.

    “All of the credit should go to Motherwell for the way they played. If we don’t take the chances we have, then we won’t win the match.

    “I’m not clutching at straws, I have told the players that it was an unacceptable result and the humility in the dressing room is there to be seen.

    “The Christmas message is humility in the performance and determination to banish the disappointment in our next fixture with Dundee.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”131″]