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Shaun Hutchinson will miss this Saturday’s trip to Pittodrie after collecting his sixth booking of the campaign.

Hutchinson’s caution at Ross County tipped him over the disciplinary threshold and he will be forced to sit out this weekend’s match with Aberdeen.

Fraser Kerr, Steven Saunders, Simon Ramsden and Euan Murray will all be in contention to fill his spot at centre back.

Tickets for the Pittodrie clash are available on the turnstiles priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell FC Community Trust has the chance to secure an additional £80,000 in grant funding for its successful Football for Families’ project thanks to an innovative funding partnership between Comic Relief and Netmums.

Lanarkshire is one of Scotland’s most deprived areas, with disadvantaged families facing a range of daily struggles including poverty, high unemployment, substance misuse and poor health.

The Community Trust uses the positive influence of sport to help vulnerable families overcome some of the tough challenges they face and through our successful ‘Football for Families’ programme, we use football as a tool to bring parents and children together and help them to strengthen relationships through the application of sporting values such as teamwork, discipline and gamesmanship.

Furthermore, ‘Football for Families’ promotes healthy living through physical activity, improving the long-term health and well-being of those who take part.

Using additional Red Nose Day cash through Netmums, Motherwell Football Club Community Trust would be able to extend its support to a greater number of deprived and isolated parents and children who would greatly benefit from involvement.

The project would also be able to enhance the current work being done through the development of vibrant interactive learning resources which promote the importance of family values such as respect, sharing and responsibility.

To help us secure this additional funding and extend our support for disadvantaged families across Lanarkshire please vote for us on the Netmums site at http://www.netmums.com/home/netmums-campaigns/comic-relief-vote-for-your-charity

Your vote will help us improve relationships within disadvantaged families, get families healthier, and improve local communities.

For more information on Football for Families please see our web site at http://mfccommunitytrust.org.uk/football-for-families/

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Lee Erwin’s penalty and Dale Shikie’s strike are not enough to prevent Inverness CT taking all three points in this U20 clash.

-WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

Jonatan Johansson was once again left to rue poor defensive mistakes as his side crashed to a 2-3 defeat at the hands of Inverness.

Motherwell had to twice come from behind but were ultimately done by a stringing Shane Sutherland strike on the hour as the Highlanders won 3-2.

Having reviewed the goals immediately after the match, Johansson was convinced all three were preventable in what is becoming the story of the season for the Under 20s.

[pullquote]We lose so many bad goals as a team, not just the defenders, and they’re usually from a lack of concentration or silly, silly errors.[/pullquote]

“It’s so frustrating and tiresome to come into the dressing room and say the same things time and time again,” the Finn told MFC TV after the match

“We lose so many bad goals as a team, not just the defenders, and they’re usually from a lack of concentration or silly, silly errors.

“Unless the players rectify this, they will not take the step forward. They are still young players and we have to be hard on them because football is hard.

“The next step for these boys is the first-team and, at that level, no one cares about what age you are.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell U20s battled hard but once again came up short against Inverness Caley Thistle at Fir Park this afternoon.

The visitors were far more experienced by Jonatan Johansson will be again frustrated at the nature of the goal his side conceded.

The first, a penalty, was converted by Liam Polworth only for ‘Well to level with a penalty of their own, Lee Erwin winning and taking the kick nine minutes before the break.

The lead only lasted six minutes though as Shane Sutherland smashed home at the second attempt.

The Steelmen equalised again, this time through a deflected Dale Shirkie effort, but Surtherland would have the final say, netting the winning goal on the hour.

‘Well was forced to make one change from the side which lost to Kilmarnock on Thursday with Steven Saunders suspended following his red card, he was replaced by Fraser Kerr who is returning to fitness after a bout of illness.

The opening stages were cagey and it took until the eleventh minute before there was any goalmouth action of note. ‘Well keeper Ross Stewart was called into action to turn a Polworth shot round his left hand post. At the other end a Euan Murray header was too weak to cause any danger to Antonio Ruguero in the visitor’s goal.

However, It was the Highlanders who took the lead on the 28^th minute, Shane Sutherand burst into the box and was hauled down by Nicky Devlin for what looked a clear penalty. Polworth took the kick and fired it to the right of Stewart, leaving the keeper helpless.

The goal settled the Highlanders and they started to pass the ball about with some confidence. It was slightly against the run of play then when they conceded a penalty with ten minutes to the break. Lee Erwin tried to work some space in the box but a careless tackle from Danny Devine halted his progress.

The striker dusted himself down and took the kick himself, and despite Ruguero getting a hand to it, the ball ended up in the net.

Inverness hit back with only three minutes to half time, a misplaced defensive header landed at the feet of Sutherland on the edge of the ‘D’. His first effort was blocked by Devlin but the rebound fell right back to the big striker and he made no mistake at the second attempt.

The second half started brightly for the young Steelmen when they equalised within six minutes of the restart. A half clearance from the Inverness defence fell kindly for Dale Shirkie 18 yards out and his deflected effort left Reguero with no chance.

Things were only on level terms for 12 minutes before Sutherland struck his second of the afternoon. A ball from the left found the big striker on the edge of the box and he unleashed a stinging shot high into the top corner which left Stewart.

Sutherland was looking to bag a hat trick and was unlucky to see an angled shot slide just wide of the far post, his next effort wasn’t so pretty as his shot from the edge of the box landed in the South Stand.

Motherwell pushed for a third equaliser in the closing stages; sub Dom Thomas dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box. Then, in dying minutes, a fine strike from Paul McCaffery flew past Reguero only for the ball to cannon off the cross bar and bounce to safety.

It was another frustrating afternoon for the young Steelmen side. Losing poor goals has cost the side all season long. The youths are next in action when they face Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park on the 12^th March.

Motherwell: Stewart, Devlin, Kellock, Kerr, Murray, Asghar (Johnstone – 73mins), McCafferty, Erwin, Leitch, Watt (Thomas – 46mins), Shirkie

Subs: Neill, Higgins

Goals: Erwin (36), Shirkie (51)

Make your Mother’s Day really special this year with a mouth-watering lunch and a superb afternoon’s entertainment for all the family.

As well as a glass of pink bubbly on arrival and a superb two-course lunch, enjoy Andy Miller’s tribute to both Michael Bublè and Robbie Williams – all the classic hits are in the show!

Tickets are available from the Ticket Office at Fir Park for just £15 per person – Book early to avoid disappointment.

For more information or to book contact:

Motherwell FC Commercial Department
Tel: 01698 338068
Email: commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk

or CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

Extended highlights from Tynecastle as Michael Higdon and a Dylan McGowan OG secure all three points for the Steelmen.

-WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

Michael Higdon was thrilled with his opening goal and, at the same time, creating a little bit of Motherwell history in the process.

The big Liverpudlian’s early goal put the Steelmen on their way to three points at Tynecastle, his twentieth of the 2012/13 season.

It also made him the first Fir Park striker to break the 20-goal mark since Willie Pettigrew in the mid 1970s.

The 29-year old was typically magnanimous, paying tribute to the players around him, but has also set his sight on more goals before the end of the current campaign.

[pullquote]I’m delighted with my goal haul, but I’m playing with good players in this team and I’m grateful for the chances I get.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “I’m delighted with my goal haul, but I’m playing with good players in this team and I’m grateful for the chances I get.

“Today it was just a snapshot and when you’re playing well and in scoring form, those go for you.

“I’ve been on the other end where I can’t buy a goal, so I’ll enjoy it while it’s lasting and I’m looking forward to next week.

“It’s a great result for us, although the second half was a bit of a poor performance considering we did so well in the first half, and were on the front foot. Sometimes when you come to a place like this you’ve got to withstand the pressure and we did that.

“As for the rest of the season, I am looking for 25+ goals; that’s my target for now but the bigger aim for the club is just to keep winning games and see what happens.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Stuart McCall was delighted to complete the week with six points after back-to-back wins over Celtic and Hearts.

After arguably the worst performance of the campaign in the Highlands seven days ago, ‘Well have turned in two excellent showings to take maximum points from the SPL’s two biggest clubs.

Michael Higdon netted his 20^th of the season after just three minutes before a Dylan McGowan own-goal shortly after had ‘Well on the way to victory.

And although former Fir Park favourite John Sutton brought one back for Hearts on the hour, the Steelmen deservedly took all three points back along the M8, further consolidating the clubs’ place in the battle for top-six.

[pullquote]We knew they’d play it long to Sutton and Ngoo so it was all about how we coped with them. We defended well and that was key to the victory.[/pullquote]

After the match, McCall told MFC TV: “Last Saturday was probably as low as I’ve been all season after the dismal performance up at Dingwall, but to come back and put back to back victories together at a tough place like Tynecastle is fantastic.

“All managers want a fast start and that is exactly what we’ve done. Especially with the new manager coming in, the crowd were up for it yet we’ve silenced a little with two great goals.

“For the first, Faddy (McFadden) did well to get it through; it’s fallen nicely to big Higgy (Higdon) and he’s hit it well right in the corner, and then Lawsy (Law) has put one in after big Michael gets a flick-on.

“After that the park started cutting up and although we were playing some good football, it became increasingly difficult to run and pass the ball.

“We knew they’d play it long to Sutton and Ngoo so it was all about how we coped with them. We defended well and that was key to the victory.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

[tab:Match report]

Alan Burrows at Tynecastle

Motherwell made it back-to-back wins with a terrific 2-1 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon.

Michael Higdon smashed in the opener after three minutes, and the Steelmen were in dreamland after eight as a Dylan McGowan own-goal made it two.

‘Well could and should have extended that lead before the interval but Hearts held out.

John Sutton brought the home side back into things on the hour with a poacher’s goal from a corner.

Gary Locke’s side saw plenty of the ball in the closing stages but never really threatened Darren Randolph’s goal.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was forced into one change from the side that beat Celtic in midweek. Simon Ramsden picked up a knock and wasn’t risked, Tom Hateley slotted into his familiar right-back role.

The Motherwell manager will have sent his side out to try and stifle the early Hearts enthusiasm and, where possible, kill the crowd.

Even he couldn’t have wished for the start the Steelmen made!

Just three minutes were on the clock when Michael Higdon opened the scoring.

The mercurial James McFadden was the creator, turning inside McGowan and prodding it through for Higdon despite a scything Wilson tackle.  It was a great advantaged played by referee Craig Thomson and Higdon slammed it under MacDonald with his left foot, his twentieth goal of the campaign.

It went from good to great for the visitors just five minutes later when a Dylan McGowan own-goal doubled the lead. Henrik Ojamaa turned on Higdon’s cushioned header for Nicky Law who had broke through the Hearts defence. MacDonald blocked the midfielder’s initial shot but the rebound was inadvertently turned into his own net by the young Aussie defender.

Shell-shocked, Hearts did their best to work themselves back into the match but were forced into long-range efforts from the edge of the area, none of which posed Darren Randolph any problems in the home.

In truth, Motherwell could and probably should have extended the advantage. The lethal Higdon even rounded MacDonald but the angle was too tight and his attempted cutback was hooked clear by the well-placed Webster.

Estonian Ojamaa also went past MacDonald in a foot race but was unable to take advantage in spite of good numbers in the opposition box.

Hearts’ only real chance of the first forty-five fell to on-loan Liverpool striker Michael Ngoo shortly after the half-hour mark.

The big striker did well to get on the end of a John Sutton knockdown but Randolph brilliantly turned his spin and shot round the post.

Two minutes later, one-time Motherwell target Ryan Stevenson might have performed better after getting a fortunate break off Hateley inside the area, but lacked composure and lashed the ball high and wide.

The Steelmen looked comfortable in the first fifteen minutes of the second half but were pegged back on the hour by former ‘Well hitman John Sutton.

Stuart McCall may have had cause to feel a little aggrieved though. The Motherwell boss was unhappy his team were not awarded a throw-in before substitute Arvydas Novikovas won and delivered the corner from which the former Fir Park favourite nodded home from close range.

That goal gave Hearts fans encouragement and the decibel level inside Tynecastle certainly increased. In truth though, the last half hour, for all Hearts possession, was fairly fruitless for the home side.

Randolph was rarely troubled at all. In actual fact, it was ‘Well who came closest with a neat turn and shot from Higdon was saved well by MacDonald.

‘Well managed to hold out for the three points and further consolidate their top-six spot. Another difficult away trip awaits next weekend with the long journey north to Pittodrie to take on Aberdeen.

[tab:As it happened]

Ally Reilly at Tynecastle

FULL TIME!!!!! Hearts 1 – 2 Motherwell

3 minutes added on

83mins: Higdon gets on the end of McHughs square ball. shoots straight at MacDonald!

80mins: Into the last 10 minutes, still 1-2 #nervy

77mins: Motherwell sub, McFadden off for Carswell

75mins: Hearts sub, King on for Walker.

71mins: Motherwell sub, McHugh on for Ojamaa

70mins: McFadden booked or dissent. Cummins with a fine block at front post to deny Sutton

66mins: Hearts manage to clear Law’s crossed free-kick just as Cummins was about to connect!

62mins: Hearts really pressing for the equaliser! ‘Well holding firm though.

57mins: GOAL , Sutton makes it 1-2 with his head

49mins: Ojamaa booked for simulation. Not sure about that!

Teams back out. Novikovas on for Tapping.

HT: Hearts 0 – 2 Motherwell

39mins: Hearts should have scored there. Stevenson blazed well over and wide from close range after Sutton’s knockdown.

34mins: Fantastic save from Randolph as Ngoo hit his shot on the spin just inside the box. Corner cleared too.

28mins: Higdon goes around MacDonald but the angle is too tight for a shot and his cut back is cleared by Webster.

Second was when Nicky law found some space in the box and at the second attempt stuck it in the net via McGowan

23mins: Looks like we’re back in action. Higdon’s finish was superb for the first! On his left foot into the corner after McFadden supplied

Very patchy signal on 3G and wireless. Still 0-2, Motherwell well on top.

Horrible Internet issues here! 2-0 Motherwell, Higdon and Law the scorers!

Game is underway!

Webster and Lasley lead the teams out on to the currently sun drenched Tynecastle pitch.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“It was a big result because it was probably the lowest I felt last Saturday, it just shows you the highs and low of football.

“We’ve bounced back, two gritty performance as much as anything and the table looks a little bit rosier now.

“All managers ask for a good start, it was important to start well. With Lockie in charge, I knew the crowd would be up for it.

“I was delighted with the start and then the pitch began to cut up. We played some good football and we knew it was always going to be a battle in the second half.

“Coming in 2-0 at half-time was great. They scored and they put a lot of balls in the box but we stood firm.”

Hearts interim manager Gary Locke:

“I think we can be pretty positive about the second half.

“I’ve told the players we can’t do that for 45 minutes, we need to do it for 90, especially with the run we’re going through.

“Certainly, the second half was more like the Hearts team we need to see at Tynecastle.

“We had stressed how important it was to come out of the traps and, if you do get off to a good start, the fans get right behind you.

“I was really disappointed at going two down so early. The great thing from my point of view is that it would have been easy for the players to put their head down and not react, but they reacted in the right manner.

“We changed a couple of things at half-time and I’ve said to them that the second half was the type of performance we’re expecting.

“We certainly have to work on one or two things in training but hopefully on Tuesday we can start the game better.

“If we play for 90 minutes like we did in the second half here, hopefully we can turn the corner.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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