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  • Archive

    McCall reflects on Real Betis tester

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 3 Real Betis

  • Archive

    MFC TV goes free via You Tube

  • Archive

    Ramsden wants ‘Well reaction

  • Archive

    Bounce game on Saturday

  • Archive

    Under 20s to start at New Douglas Park

  • Archive

    Make football your GOAL!

  • Archive

    Extended Highlights from Iceland

  • Archive

    McCall anger a ‘soft’ ‘Well

  • Archive

    Stjarnan 3 – 2 Motherwell (AET)

  • Archive

    McCall reflects on Real Betis tester

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall took plenty positives from this afternoon’s friendly despite defeat to Real Betis.

    Rubén Castro Martín, Cedrick Mabwati and Vincenzo Rennella were all on target for Julio Velázquez’s side but despite the scoreline, there were certainly a lot of positives for the Fir Parkers.

    The Steelmen had six recognised defenders missing either through injury of personal circumstances, which meant a young and inexperienced back-line, pierced only by trialist Darren Barr.

    They all coped well with the likes of Dom Thomas, Jack Leitch, Lee Erwin, Morgyn Neill, David Ferguson and Chris Cadden all featuring.

    [pullquote]For long periods of the game we were on top but the second goal for them, which was really well worked, killed us off. We can take a lot out of it and it was a game we certainly needed.[/pullquote]

    And McCall was upbeat, despite the disappointment of losing the match in what were dreadful conditions at Fir Park.

    Speaking to MFC TV on Motherwell’s official You Tube channel, the Fir Park boss said: “It was a defeat but there were certainly positives to take from it.

    “Naturally we were disappointed to lose but I think 3-0 flattered them and we certainly did enough to score a goal.

    “We had a very young defence and came through with no injuries, which is a positive considering the injury list we have right now.

    “For long periods of the game we were on top but the second goal for them, which was really well worked, killed us off. We can take a lot out of it and it was a game we certainly needed.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 3 Real Betis

    Despite a decent showing, Motherwell lost 3-0 to a ruthless Real Betis at a rain-soaked Fir Park this afternoon.

    In an empty stadium, the hosts saw plenty of the ball and created numerous chances, but the clinical tourists ran out comfortable winners thanks to goals from Rubén Castro Martín, Cedrick Mabwati and Vincenzo Rennella.

    Stuart McCall was forced into several changes with key defensive players missing through injury. Stevie Hammell, Simon Ramsden, Craig Reid, Fraser Kerr and Zaine Francis-Angol were all sidelined with knocks and Stephen McManus sat it out for personal reasons.

    That meant an unfamiliar back four of David Ferguson, Morgyn Neill, Adam Cummins and trialist Darren Barr, with Gunnar Nielsen playing behind them.

    Josh Law, Stuart Carswell, Keith Lasley and Lionel Ainsworth made up the midfield with Bob McHugh and John Sutton spearheading the Steelmen attack.

    Betis were at full strength with only Álvaro Vadillo the only recognisable name missing through injury and they started well; only a smart stop by Nielsen after four minutes denied Rubén Castro after he weaved his way through the ‘Well rearguard.

    McHugh fired wide before Xavi Torres did likewise at the other end, with Neilsen relieved to watch his stinging effort cannon back off the advertising boards.

    However, with their next attack, Julio Velázquez’s side took the lead. Rubén Castro was the creator and scorer, dancing past several challenges, after running from deep, before slotting it coolly past Nielsen from just inside the box.

    As the half wore on, ‘Well certainly made a good fist of it. McHugh had the Steelmen’s first shot on target, well held by the experienced Dani Giménez.

    The same player had another chance six minutes later but again dragged it wide before Ainsworth’s cross-cum-shot almost caught out the visiting goalkeeper but the swirling wind would take it just wide.

    Betis showed good touches and were always comfortable in possession and they almost doubled their lead ten minutes from the break when Chuli curled a shot inches wide.

    At the other end, McHugh again had a chance when a good ball had him in space just inside the area but, on the stretch, he could only force his effort inches over the crossbar.

    ‘Well introduced Jack Leitch at the interval and he almost made an immediate impact, fizzing a shot from twenty yards that went a yard over.

    Former Liverpool wide man Daniel Pacheco had a shot comfortably held by Nielsen and Law thought he was in one-on-one with Dani only to be halted by the assistant’s flag.

    Minutes later, Law turned provider to send McHugh in on goal but despite beating the out-rushing keeper to the loose ball, he wasn’t able to control and it spilled behind for a goal kick.

    Play raged on with Motherwell looking likely, although Betis passed up a glorious chance when substitute Javier Matilla collected a neat cut back but somehow blazed over from six yards.

    Motherwell could sense something from the match and McCall introduced more attacking firepower via Vigurs and Thomas, but unfortunately it would be Betis who would kill the game with a wonderful finish.

    Half-time substitute Cedrick got on the ball on the right flank and, cutting in on his left foot, beat two players before rocketing a thunderbolt into the top corner leaving Nielsen completely helpless.

    McCall introduced more youngsters but it was away side that would grab a third when Rennella broke clear of the defence and coolly lifted his effort over the diving Nielsen and into the net.

    In the dying seconds, ‘Well again spurned a chance when sub Cadden’s cross from the right found McHugh but he could only lift his shot over the bar again.

    It was a really good work out for McCall’s team. They played well for long spells, created chances but were punished by an experienced side that showed no mercy in the final third.

    Motherwell: Nielsen, Cummins, Ferguson, Carswell, Barr, Neill (Leitch – 46mins), Ainsworth (Cadden – 80mins), McHugh, Sutton (Erwin – 46mins), Law (Vigurs – 70mins), Lasley (Thomas – 70mins)

    Subs Not Used: Twardzik

  • Archive

    MFC TV goes free via You Tube

    Motherwell FC is pleased to announce our subscription service – MFC TV – is moving to free-to-air.

    For the past three years, the club has worked alongside Perform to provide a subscription service averaging at about £50 per year.

    However, the club is launching a new free-to-air service via our official You Tube channel, where the features you would normally enjoy will be at your fingertips at no cost.

    What is more, you will now be able to enjoy via your smartphone, tablet and other devices.

    Perform will be issuing refunds to subscribers who have paid for the service upfront over the coming days and any direct debit mandates will be cancelled accordingly.

    General Manager Alan Burrows said: “We have enjoyed a really fruitful relationship with Perform over the last three years and I wish to thank them for all their hard work and assistance during that period.

    “When the contract expired, we wanted to try something a little different and we believe we’re the first club in the top league to offer fans a completely free online TV service.

    “We go into a transition stage in the short term and we’re work on the best way to facilitate things like live audio commentary from matches, but more will be announced in due course.

    “But there exciting developments will come from increased content due to the more flexible nature of the platform, the switch to full HD, live streaming of certain events like press conferences and other areas we want to work into.

    “We hope by making things free-to-air via You Tube, our exclusive content will reach a far greater audience and increase engagement with our supporter base.

    “We are also in the process of completely redeveloping our website, with the focus on usability and responsiveness, and that should be launched in the early Autumn.”

  • Archive

    Ramsden wants ‘Well reaction

    Simon Ramsden is confident the characters within the changing room will help ‘Well get over the disappointment of last week’s Euro exit.

    The Steelmen were disappointingly eliminated by Stjarnan in the Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round and it’s a defeat that has played heavily on the minds of both players and fans.

    However Ramsden, who played his first two matches since injury ended his season last January, is sure ‘Well can draw on the inspiration of last season when, following a disappointing Scottish Cup exit, the Fir Parkers went on to break numerous records to finish runners-up in the SPFL Premiership table.

    Speaking exclusively to MFC TV on Motherwell’s Official You Tube channel, the experienced defender said: “It was a massive blow and you can sense the real deflation and frustration in the changing room; we’re really kicking ourselves at being eliminated.

    [pullquote]Like any blow in football, you’ve got to move on and react positively. There is a real character in the squad. It’s up to us now to put things right as we let ourselves down, the club down and the supporters down.[/pullquote]

    “Over both matches, there were points where we found ourselves in a good position and everything was going to plan, only for it to not work out.

    “However, like any blow in football, you’ve got to move on and react positively. There is a real character in the squad. It’s up to us now to put things right as we let ourselves down, the club down and the supporters down.

    “You think back to the Aberdeen game at the end of last season and compare that to how we’ve felt in the last seven days, that’s football.

    “All our focus has to be geared towards the St Mirren game on Saturday week and getting a good start to the new SPFL Premiership season.”

  • Archive

    Bounce game on Saturday

    Motherwell will take on a Real Betis Balompié XI this Saturday as they prepare for the forthcoming SPFL Premiership campaign.

    The club were keen to have the match made open for ‘Well fans, but with the commitments of the local Police force, stewarding companies and other contractors currently elsewhere, the match will have to be played behind closed doors.

    It will be Motherwell’s eighth fixture of the summer after bounce games against Livingston, Morton, Peterhead and Arbroath, an open door fixture against Fulham and two Europa League qualifiers against Stjarnan.

  • Archive

    Under 20s to start at New Douglas Park

    The Under 20s first match of the season will be a Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park this Tuesday.

    Jonatan Johnasson’s young Steelmen side finished fifth in the SPFL U20s table last season, but the competition has undergone another revamp during the summer.

    The league will be known as ‘The SPFL Development League’ and it will include all Premiership clubs alongside Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Falkirk and Dunfermline.

    There is a second division optional for all other clubs, which will be regionalised south & west and north & east to minimise the expense involved for clubs participating at that level.

    Other changes include an increase of up to five over-age players being able to be included in the match day squad of eighteen, as well as two trialists (who would also be deemed to be over-age players and counted within the five mentioned above, irrespective of their actual age).

    The new season will kick-off with a Lanarkshire derby. Accies had the better of it last season with an impressive 4-2 win at Fir Park before a 0-0 stalemate across the River Clyde the week before Christmas.

    The match will kick-off at 6pm with admission free of charge.

  • Archive

    Make football your GOAL!

    Motherwell Football Club Community Trust is looking for more participants to get involved in GOAL! – A programme which uses the power of football to engage with people over the age of 60 living in North Lanarkshire.

    The programme, which is funded by North Lanarkshire Carers Together & The Big Lottery, runs weekly at Fir Park and includes physical activities such as walking football, information sessions & social activities!

    Among those who go along to the sessions at 1.30pm on Fridays is Motherwell legend Billy Reid.

    He said: “I hadn’t kicked a ball for the best part of 40 years after I retired from the game and now at the age of 76 it’s good to get out there.

    “You never lose your love for the game, it’s just that there comes a point your body doesn’t let you do it, but that’s why Walking Football is ideal as you still have the touch and technique, but it’s less physical.

    “There is also the social aspect of it, it’s great going along and seeing the guys every week, we have developed quite a bond, it’s almost like being back in a team again.

    “We might be getting on, but that is no excuse to just sit in the house, it doesn’t really matter what you do, but it is important to stay active as long as possible.”

    All sessions are free or charge for participants. For more info please call The Community Trust on 01698 239926 or email community@motherwellfc.co.uk.

  • Archive

    Extended Highlights from Iceland

    Highlights from Samsung völlurinn as ‘Well lose 3-2 after Extra Time to Icelanders Stjarnan.

    [PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO SOUND AVAILABLE WITH THESE CLIPS]

  • Archive

    McCall anger a ‘soft’ ‘Well

    Motherwell boss Stuart McCall claimed his side were too soft against a resolute Stjarnan.

    Motherwell led the tie on three separate occasions over the two legs, but still lost to the Icelanders with a winning goal deep into Extra Time in the Samsung völlurinn.

    It was a sickening blow for the Steelmen; particularly given three of the five goals conceded over both legs were from the penalty spot.

    The Fir Parkers had made a great start when Stevie Hammell headed home a well-worked corner during the first half.

    But Ólafur Karl Finsen leveled things from the spot, again, before Lionel Ainsworth’s volley looked to have won it.

    However, sub Rold Toft took the tie to extra time with a later leveler before Atli Johannssen’s long-range effort sealed it for the hosts with just minutes.

    A downbeat McCall said: “This isn’t the time for lambasting people. To have been 2-0 up at Fir Park, then 1-0 and 2-1 up here in Iceland should have been enough.

    “But we haven’t been strong enough to keep the lead. We had chances to kill them off but didn’t take them.

    “Instead, we were soft right through and let them back into it.

    “The second equaliser was the sore one – we should’ve been stronger defensively at that one.”

  • Archive

    Stjarnan 3 – 2 Motherwell (AET)

    [tab:Match report]

    Motherwell crashed out the Europa League with a late Extra time sickener in Stjarnan.

    The Steelmen, who led 2-0 at Fir Park before being pegged back in injury-time, again got an early goal when Steven Hammell scored a rare header but Keith Lasley gave away his third penalty of the tie and Olafur Finsen levelled in the 37th minute.

    Lionel Ainsworth volleyed Motherwell ahead midway through the second half, but Rolf Toft took the game into extra-time with an impressive strike five minutes from time and Atli Johansson scored a spectacular winner in the second period of extra-time to secure a 5-4 aggregate win.

    Motherwell forced a succession of early corners on the artificial surface and the pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Hammell powered a header into the top corner from Ainsworth’s delivery.

    Lasley came close from another corner when he fired just wide and Motherwell were looking comfortable but Hammell had to throw himself in front of Toft’s shot to maintain the away lead.

    And Lasley was soon on the end of a controversial decision by Greek referee Antonis Giachos, who ruled he had brought down Johansson in the box, although the award might easily have gone in Motherwell’s favour after the Stjarnan player brushed into the midfielder’s body and fell over.

    Finsen, just as he did twice at Fir Park, converted the penalty.

    Lasley was determined to atone and almost did so on the stroke of half-time with a volley that was well-stopped by Ingvar Jonsson.

    Motherwell almost fell behind early in the second half but Dan Twardzik came off his line quickly to foil Toft.

    But Stuart McCall’s side came roaring back and Lasley came close again following another corner when his shot was deflected over.

    Craig Reid’s cross was then deflected on to the post and Ainsworth’s delivery was just turned wide as the hosts continued to live dangerously.

    Stjarnan broke and Pablo Punyed shot wide just before Ainsworth put Motherwell ahead for the third time in the tie.

    Josh Law, who scored twice in the first 19 minutes at Fir Park, sent in a delightful ball and Ainsworth volleyed home from close range.

    Motherwell almost squandered their lead again when Hordur Arnason got in behind Reid but he made a hash of his finish.

    McCall, knowing his men would at least get to extra-time unless Stjarnan scored twice, brought on Fraser Kerr and Zaine Francis-Angol for Ainsworth and Law in the 74th minute for fresh legs and more defensive strength.

    But there was another twist when Toft levelled with five minutes left as he shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

    Motherwell lost Stuart Carswell to injury early in extra-time as Jack Leitch came on and Jonsson made a great double stop from Lasley and Sutton, but the hosts then missed two good chances.

    And Stjarnan, who are unbeaten in the league after 12 matches, won it with seven minutes left when Johansson fired a long-range volley in off the bar to set up a tie with Lech Poznan.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Alastair Reilly at Samsung Vollurinn

    FT: Stjarnan 3 – 2 Motherwell

    31mins: Reid booked as Stjarnan run down the clock

    30mins: 3 minutes added on…

    26mins: Corner to ‘Well, Sutton heads just past but ref has ruled he had fouled Praest.

    22mins: GOAL! Stjarnan make it 3 – 2

    18mins: Sutton wins a corner… Jonsson punches clear and gets injured in the process.

    Half time in extra time: Stjarnan 2 – 2 Motherwell

    14mins: Stjarnan sub, Bjorgvinsson off for Otteson Palsson

    13mins: Lasley booked for a foul on Arnasson in the Stjarnan box….

    12mins: Ball just doesn’t quite drop for Sutton inside the box and Jonsson gathers at his feet

    8mins: Lasley then Sutton denied superbly by Jonsson!

    4mins: Motherwel sub: Carswell limps off. Took a knock from the corner. He desperately wants to come back on but McCall opts for Jack Leitch

    2mins: ‘Well get a corner but Jonsson is there to pluck the ball out the air

    First half of extra time underway….

    FT: Stjarnan 2 – 2 Motherwell. An extra 30 minutes looms…

    2 minutes added on…

    Picked the ball up on the edge of the box, and lashed it into the top corner.

    Heading for extra time here,,,,

    85mins: GOAL! Toft pulls Stjarnan level!

    80mins: Into the final 10….still 2 – 1 to ‘Well

    74mins: Motherwell subs….Kerr and FranCis-Angol on for Law and Ainsworth

    70mins: Toft leaves a boot in on Twardzik and his booked.

    69mins: Bit of a let off there as Arnason got in behind Reid. From a narrow angle, he sliced his shot well wide.

    66mins: AINSWORTH volleys home from close range from Law’s lovely ball in!!!

    GGOOOOAAALLLL!!!

    64mins: Punyed races on goal, Twardzik does enough to put him off and he drags his shot just wide.

    62mins: Ainsworth’s low cross to Sutton is only just cleared for a corner by Praest! Great spell for ‘Well,

    60mins: Yet another Motherwell corner. Can’t make it count as Vemmelund heads clear

    58mins: Reid’s low cross is deflected and hits the post!

    55mins: Sutton forces a corner for ‘Well…Lasley’s shot is almost defelcted over Jonsson!

    52mins: Great save from Twardzik, sliding out to the feet of Toft to deny a certain goal!

    Second half underway….

    HT: Stjarnan 1 – 1 Motherwell

    45mins: What as save from Jonsson to deny Lasley’s right footed volley!

    On initial viewing looked like Toft was behind Lasley and kicked his leg and fell over. WIll need to see again.

    43mins: Carswell booked for dissent.

    37mins: GOAL – Finsen converts.

    36mins: Stjarnan have a penalty!!

    33mins: Great defending from Hammell as he throws himself in front of Toft’s

    goalbound shot.

    29mins: Stjarnan get a corner when it was clearly a foul on Hammell. Comes to no harm anyway.

    26mins: Early Stjarnan sub, Toft on for Gunnarsson

    25mins: Ainsworth cuts in on his left foot but his shot from distance lack power. Easy save.

    24mins: McManus booked for a rash tackle on Punyed.

    22mins: Lasley drills a shot just wide of the post from a corner routine. Unlucky!

    20mins: Great diagonal ball from Ainsworth searching for Sutton. The big man would have been in but for Rauschenberg’s header

    17mins: Corner to Stjarnan…….headed clear by Carswell

    13mins: Yet another corner, falls to Hammell again but he opts to clip it back into the box, ‘keeper gathers.

    11mins: What a goal that was! A superb header from 12yards into the top corner! 0-1

    A STEVIE HAMMELL HEADER!!!!

    10mins: Reid forces another corner…..GGOOOAAALLLLL!!!

    8mins: Decent ball into the box by Ainsworth but Jonsson is there to gather.

    6mins: Johansson has a shot

    4mins: Another ‘Well corner but this time the ref says McManus was climbing on Praest

    2mins: Early corner for ‘Well but it’s headed clear by Vemmelund

    1min: Game is underway here in Iceland!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Stjarnan  manager Runar Pall Sigmunsson

    Coming Soon

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    Coming soon

     

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”195″]