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    Under 20s to face the Dons

  • Archive

    Easter Road clash switched

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Tannadice

  • Archive

    Dundee Utd defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    TV: McCall rues poor defending

  • Archive

    Dundee Utd 3 – 1 Motherwell

  • Archive

    TV: Motherwell sign Craig Reid

  • Archive

    TV: More injury headaches for McCall

  • Archive

    TV: Hammell hopes lessons were learned

  • Archive

    Madden’s in charge this Friday

  • Archive

    Under 20s to face the Dons

    Motherwell Under 20s return to action this Wednesday when they take on Aberdeen at Arbroath’s Gayfield Park.

    Jonatan Johansson’s men will have gone two weeks without a game after the midweek match with Rangers fell foul to the wet weather.

    Despite having no match, the young Steelmen remained in fourth spot in the table, six points behind leaders Celtic.

    The Dons did play, drawing 1-1 with Partick Thistle at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

    The teams last met at Fir Park back in October with the Claret and Amber men running out 3-0 winners.

    The match will be played at Arbroath FC’s Gayfield Park, kick-off is 1pm.

    >> UNDER 20s FIXTURES & RESULTS

  • Archive

    Easter Road clash switched

    Motherwell’s match with Hibs at Easter Road, scheduled for Wednesday 26th March, will now go ahead on Saturday 8th March.

    The game has been switched from midweek to a Saturday after both clubs were left with a free weekend on the 8th – kick-off is 3pm.

    That will be the only away match in March with Hearts (1st), Inverness CT (19th), Ross County (22nd) and Kilmarnock (29th) all taking place at Fir Park in what is a busy month leading up to the split.

    >> UPDATED FIXTURE LIST

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Tannadice

    Extended highlights from Tannadice as a below-par ‘Well go down 3-1 to Dundee United.

    -WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Dundee Utd defeat in pictures

    Action pictures from the 3-1 defeat by Dundee Utd at Tannadice in the SPFL Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

    [svgallery name=”dundeeutd210214″]

  • Archive

    TV: McCall rues poor defending

    Stuart McCall set aside complaints about the official and instead bemoaned his side’s defending after the 3-1 defeat at Tannadice.

    ‘Well fans will have left Tayside feeling a little hard done to about a number of decisions that didn’t go the visitors way, but that didn’t interest the Fir Park boss, who was much more agitated by his team’s showing.

    Dundee United merited their win in what was a below par performance from the Steelmen, particularly in the first-half.

    And McCall wasn’t in the mood to mince his words when he spoke to MFC TV after the match.

    “We absolutely cannot afford to give a side as good as Dundee United a two-goal start and that’s exactly what we did,” he said.

    [pullquote]We absolutely cannot afford to give a side as good as Dundee United a two-goal start and that’s exactly what we did.[/pullquote]

    “It was a basic error from Hutchy (Shaun Hutchinson), but he doesn’t need me or anyone else to tell him that, it can happen in football.

    “The second goal’s an even bigger disappointment, we work hard on set pieces and it was a really sloppy goal to lose.

    “There were a few harsh words said at half time and to be fair, the lads showed a bit of character in the second half, particularly after losing a goal to a big deflection.

    “We got a goal back and at that stage, if there were any more goals to be had, I thought it would be us.

    “It wasn’t to be though. We’ll quickly pick ourselves up and get ready for another hard match at St Johnstone this Tuesday.”

    -WATCH STUART’S INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Dundee Utd 3 – 1 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Gavin McCafferty at Tannadice

    Former ‘Well defender Gavin Gunning returned to haunt his old club with two goals for United in their 3-1 win at Tannadice.

    Ryan Dow opened the scoring at Tannadice, before Gunning – sidelined in recent weeks by a knee injury – netted either side of the interval.

    Although John Sutton pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, United held on for the three points.

    Jackie McNamara’s side were the better team on the night and deserved to record a third successive win against Stuart McCall’s men – but the visitors can certainly feel aggrieved at a number of calls that didn’t go their way.

    The hosts were first to threaten when they carved out a genuine scoring opportunity inside five minutes.

    Keith Watson’s cross from deep was met by midfielder John Rankin, who let fly but saw his effort go narrowly past Well goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen’s far post.

    United made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute after Shaun Hutchinson’s attempted back pass from midway inside his own half fell short. Dow wasted no time in picking up possession and homing in on goal, before steadying himself sufficiently to sweep a shot past Nielsen and into the far corner from 12 yards.

    The ‘Well players surrounded Bobby Madden, convinced of a push on Carswell in the build-up, but there was nothing doing from the official.

    It was not until the end of the first half that the visitors were evident in an attacking sense, with Radoslaw Cierzniak being forced into his first save in 35 minutes.

    Sutton caused some problems with his physical presence inside the United penalty area as he helped the ball onto Iain Vigurs. The former Ross County midfielder’s point-blank shot with his left-foot looked net bound until Cierzniak instinctively palmed it away.

    The home side increased their lead in in the 42nd minute and again ‘Well were unhappy with the referee. Dow’s corner was head-flicked on by Nadir Çiftçi, who looked to have manhandled Stevie Hammell, for Gunning was lurking at the far post to stab the ball over the line. Again, nothing doing from Madden.

    United were in the ascendency and deserved their lead but ‘Well would again have cause for grievance when Gunning barged Iain Vigurs inside the box. It looked a pretty clear spot kick, but the claims were waved away.

    Things were to get worse for the visitors at the start of the second half when they found themselves trailing further.

    Vigurs brought down Çiftçi 25 yards from goal and Gunning had only one thing on his mind as he tried his luck from 25 yards, and was fortunate to see his effort take a big deflection off James McFadden before finding the far corner of Nielsen’s net.

    There appeared no way back for the Lanarkshire club but things changed somewhat when they were awarded a 56th minute penalty.

    Çiftçi was penalised for handball from James McFadden’s free-kick and Sutton sent Cierzniak the wrong way from the spot to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

    That goal served to give the visitors some fresh hope, although United had the chance to reinforce their lead on the hour mark but Armstrong could not keep his shot down from 12 yards.

    The home defence came under some pressure towards the end, although Gary Mackay-Steven could have sealed things with 10 minutes remaining, only for Nielsen to foil his low shot from ten yards.

    There was another claim for a penalty late in the game when Gunning appeared to handle the ball away from substitute Henri Anier, but it wasn’t spotted and the game soon ended, with the home side running out deserved winners despite Motherwell’s improved showing in the second forty-five.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Tannadice

    FT: Dundee Utd 3 – 1 Motherwell #DUFCvMFC

    3 minutes added on #DUFCvMFC

    88mins: Dundee Utd sub, Armstrong off for Connolly #DUFCvMFC

    86mins: Great little interchange of passes there by McFadden and Lasley then Anier to get a ball in for Francis-Angol. Utd clear, though

    85mins: McFadden’s long throw into the box causes some uncertainties but it just won’t fall to a ‘Well player. Chance gone #DUFCvMFC

    82mins: Good stop from Nielsen to deny Armstong at his near post. #DUFCvMFC

    78mins: Reid wins ‘Well a corner…. McFadden’s delivery is gathered again by Cierzniak #DUFCvMFC

    77mins: Dundee Utd sub, Dow off for El Alagui #DUFCvMFC

    76mins: Motherwell sub, Anier on for Vigurs #DUFCvMFC

    72mins: Ciftci can only find the sidenetting after bursting into the box #DUFCvMFC

    70mins: Corner to ‘Well……Vigurs’ delivery is gathered by Cierzniak #DUFCvMFC

    65mins: Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for Reid #DUFCvMFC

    Looked like handball? Either way, Sutton has the chance to pull one back…. GOAL! #DUFCvMFC

    54mins: Another free-kick in a good area… McFadden…PENALTY! #DUFCvMFC

    50mins: Free-kick to ‘Well in a great position 23 yards out. Sutton plays it square to Ainsworth who shoots straight at Cierzniak #DUFCvMFC

    49mins: Corner to Utd…..falls to Rankin who blazes over just inside the box #DUFCvMFC

    46mins: GOAL- Gunning makes it 3-0 with a low free-kick #DUFCvMFC

    HT: Dundee Utd 2 – 0 Motherwell

    1 minute added on #DUFCvMFC

    41mins: GOAL – Gunning makes it 2-0 with a close range tap-in from a corner #DUFCvMFC

    35mins: Should have been the equaliser but for Cierzniak with a great stop to deny Vigurs from close range after Sutton’s knockdown #DUFCvMFC

    33mins: Bit of a half-chance for Vigurs. Spun in the box but on his weaker foot, can only drag it well wide #DUFCvMFC

    31mins: Corner to ‘Well……..Madden judges McManus pushed his man at the back post and blows the whistle #DUFCvMFC

    30mins: United are well on top here. Not able to get the ball and keep some possession #DUFCvMFC

    20mins: GOAL! – Dow makes it 1-0 after Hutchinson’s backpass is short leaving him plenty of time to slot past Nielsen #DUFCvMFC

    20mins: Corner to Motherwell……..Cierzniak gathers the delivery with ease #DUFCvMFC

    18mins: Fantastic last-ditch tackle from Francis-Angol to deny what looked like was going to be a certain goal! #DUFCvMFC

    10mins: Cifcti gets past Hammell who brings him down to concede a FK. Delivery is headed clear to Rankin who volleys well over #DUFCvMFC

    8mins: Close again for Utd. This time it’s Robertson who shoots from 20 yards out, just past the post. #DUFCvMFC

    5mins: CLOSE! Rankin pulls his shot from just inside the box inches past Nielsen’s left post #DUFCvMFC

    3mins: Sutton was always stretching to reach Ainsworth’s delivery and can only poke it wide #DUFCvMFC

    ..Vigurs’ effort is headed over for the first corner of the game #DUFCvMFC

    2mins: Free-kick won by McFadden, about 25 yards out……

    Lasley and Carswell get the game underway #DUFCvMFC #CYW

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “We were very disappointed with the way we lost the first two goals. They were poor and sloppy ones to lose.

    “But we showed lots of guts ands character to come back into things. I know the character is there to come back from this setback.”

    Dundee Utd manager Jackie McNamara:

    “The first half was about as good as it gets. We were excellent throughout.

    “We moved the ball well and had good energy which brought enough chances to put the game to bed.

    “It’s another hard match against Hibernian next week but let’s hope it’s another good Friday night result for us.

    “If we can play like that then we’ll win more games than we lose or draw.

    “I thought in the second half it was horrible, a bit stop-start with lots of free-kicks. The penalty gave them a bit of a lift in the second half but we were worthy winners.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”180″]

  • Archive

    TV: Motherwell sign Craig Reid

    Motherwell FC is pleased to announce the signing of former Celtic and Morton right-back Craig Reid.

    Reid, 27, spent time at the club during the summer and was part of the pre-season trip to Spain. He also played 90 minutes against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium, turning in a solid performance.

    A deal looked likely, but Stephen McManus’ decision to choose Motherwell over Hibs meant there was no budget to bring the Irvine-born defender to Fir Park on a permanent basis at that time.

    The former Scotland Youth International, who has experience playing European football with Queen of the South against FC Nordsjælland back in 2008, spent time on trial down south, but signed a short-term deal with his pervious club Morton that finished in late January.

    [pullquote]I am delighted to be here, it’s great to have finally signed. I came in during the summer and I am familiar with the place, the boys and the management here.[/pullquote]

    And with Motherwell in the midst of an injury crisis, Reid’s addition to the end of the current season provides a welcome and timely boost to Stuart McCall’s squad.

    Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, Reid, who goes straight into the squad for tonight’s game at Tannadice, said: “I am delighted to be here, it’s great to have finally signed.

    “I came in during the summer and I am familiar with the place, the boys and the management here.

    “I was disappointed things didn’t work out in the summer as I really wanted to come here, but Stuart McCall was always honest with me and I understood and appreciated that.

    “I am here now though, I feel fit and I am looking forward to getting to started.”

    -WATCH CRAIG’S FIRST INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: More injury headaches for McCall

    Stuart McCall admits his injury crisis has deepened since last weekend’s win over Partick Thistle.

    ‘Well were missing five players for the match against Alan Archibald’s side, but Paul Lawson has joined them and there are serious doubts over captain Keith Lasley, Henri Anier and Stuart Carswell.

    With Adam Cummins and Bob McHugh out on loan, that could leave Stuart McCall with just nine outfield players from his first-team squad to call upon.

    That means the ‘Well boss will have to utilise players from Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s squad.

    Speaking to the gathered press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference, the 40-times capped former Scotland midfielder said: “We’re going to go and have a go, but we have some major injury concerns in the squad.

    [pullquote]Sometimes it’s this sort of opportunity one of them needs to make the step up and there’s always a bit of excitement around that. We’ll certainly have a real good go at it, regardless of who is out there.[/pullquote]

    “There are six out and Lasley, Carswell and Anier haven’t done any training all week and are major doubts if I am honest.

    “The hardest part for the coaching staff and I, this week, has been to curtail training. We’ve been down to seven or eight bodies and those that are involved want to do so at a good tempo, but we’ve had to restrict it to avoid more injuries.

    “I now need to look to the Under 20s and the likes of Jack Leitch, Dom Thomas, Dale Shirkie and Chrissy Cadden, who have all trained with us. Other than a few minutes for Leitch, none of them have had any game time, but they are all fresh-faced and desperate for a chance.

    “Sometimes it’s this sort of opportunity one of them needs to make the step up and there’s always a bit of excitement around that. We’ll certainly have a real good go at it, regardless of who is out there.”

    -WATCH STUART’S PRESS CONFERENCE IN FULL ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: Hammell hopes lessons were learned

    Experienced fullback Stevie Hammell hopes ‘Well have learned lessons from the last time the Steelmen faced Dundee United.

    The Fir Parkers, missing three of their regular back four, were routed 4-0 by a rampant Arabs side back in November.

    Once again ‘Well have a crippling injury list to contend with but Hammell, who is just nine matches away from an amazing 500 in Claret and Amber, insists the team travel to Tayside looking for all three points.

    [pullquote]Their attacking players can really hurt you, but we’ve been working hard in training to combat that, allowing us to play our own game[/pullquote]

    Speaking to the broadcast press at ‘Well’s pre-match news conference, the 32-year old said: “Although that game [vs Dundee United in Novemeber] was quite a while ago, we learned from it and quickly moved on.

    “Despite the fact we’re short of bodies, no matter who is out there, we are going there looking for all three points.

    “Some might call it revenge; it’s not like that for us. We respect them a lot, they are a good side as you seen on that day we played them.

    “Their attacking players can really hurt you, but we’ve been working hard in training to combat that, allowing us to play our own game.”

    -WATCH STEVIE’S PRESS CONFERENCE IN FULL ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Madden’s in charge this Friday

    Referee for this Friday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Dundee Utd at Tannadice is the highly-rated Bobby Madden.

    The match will be Bobby’s fourth in charge of the Steelmen this campaign. The first was the SPFL opener against Hibs at Easter Road, Henri Anier coming off the bench to net the winner on his league debut.

    The second was the 3-1 win over Ross County back in September when the Fir Parkers came back from a goal down to win courtesy of goals from Bob McHugh and a John Sutton double.

    The most recent was the 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park last month, when a Kris Commons double and a McManus own-goal handed Celtic all three points.

    That was only his seventh ever Motherwell match. His first was back in January of the 2011/12 season as the ‘Well 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 old SPL. Goals that day from Higdon, Law, Murphy and Henrik Ojamaa’s double all but ended Saints’ hopes of nicking the best of the rest gong that season.

    Last season he also handled two matches. The first was an entertaining 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.

    His second, two months later, was a fine 2-1 win at Tannadice. Michael Higdon opened the scoring before Chris Humphrey rocketed in a second goal of the season contender. Jon Daly pulled one back with his customary goal, but it wasn’t enough as Motherwell held on for the three points.

    The 35-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 has busy already this campaign, with busy domestic duties topped up with games in the Europa League with Esbjerg fB vs AS Saint-Étienne, KRC Genk vs FC Thun and Lazio vs Apollon Limassol.

    In addition, he handled two UEFA Champions League qualifiers: CS Fola Esch vs GNK Dinamo Zagreb and Austria Vienna vs FH Hafnarfjördur.

    His most recent SPFL appointment was last weekend when Hibernian edged out Ross County 2-1 at Easter Road. He was also the man in the middle for Morton’s shock 1-0 win over Celtic in the League Cup back in September.

    Bobby will be ably assisted by Andrew McWilliam and Douglas Ross with Andrew Dallas on fourth official duties. Referee observer is Alan Freeland with Bert Donald as SPFL Delegate.