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  • Archive

    Charleston to officiate Cup clash

  • Archive

    Helen Templeton’s Blog #3

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Celtic Park

  • Archive

    Celtic draw in pictures

  • Archive

    TV: McCall proud despite penalty woes

  • Archive

    Celtic 1 – 1 Motherwell

  • Archive

    Celtic tickets still on sale

  • Archive

    TV: Balancing act for McCall

  • Archive

    TV: Lasley calls for ‘home’ spirit

  • Archive

    Colvin in charge at Celtic Park

  • Archive

    Charleston to officiate Cup clash

    Referee for Wednesday’s SPFL League Cup clash with Hamilton Accies is Craig Charleston.

    It will be Craig’s first ‘Well match of the season and only his third ever appointment in charge of the Steelmen.

    The last was back in August last year, when the Steelmen edged out Kilmarnock 2-1 at Fir Park. A Stephen McManus OG gave the Ayrshire side the lead but first-half strikes from Henri Anier and John Sutton handed McCall’s men all three points.

    The other moment of controversy was a red card for Simon Ramsden late in the game for a second bookable offence.

    His only ‘Well appointment was back in February 2012 – a dull and forgetful 0-0 draw with St Mirren in Paisley.

    It was a fairly comfortable afternoon for the 43-year old with the only moment of controversy being a denied penalty when Nicky Law went tumbling in the box, but it wasn’t given.

    He has been a top-flight referee since 2006/07 and, in that time, has handed a total of 169 matches. He has dished out 665 cautions (average of 3.9 per match) in that six-year period, sending off 45 (average of one red card every 3.7 matches).

    Ross Haswell will assist him on the night, alongside Stuart Hodge with Euan Anderson listed as fourth official.

  • Archive

    Helen Templeton’s Blog #3

     Follow ‘Dibsy’ on Twitter 

    Only having been at the club for such a short space of time, it is already abundantly clear to me the vision Motherwell FC has for the future.

    Player development is always at the forefront of the plans and with the wheels already in motion with the new £1.9 million building; girls and women’s football at the club has never looked more promising.

    The new performance development centre has many aims and objectives. First and foremost the centre looks to increase the number of females participating in game, starting at the early age of seven.

    With this in mind, the club will nurture individuals and develop the elite players of the future. The centre promises not only to enhance skills and playing abilities, but it also takes a more holistic approach, supporting not only football, but promises to support education alongside player welfare.

    How does this happen?

    Tutors are on site to help youngsters with their homework after school and before training sessions. A player welfare officer will also be appointed to ensure all performance centre participants are achieving their full potential both on and off the pitch.

    Motherwell will also offer career structures and employment opportunities within the Centre for talented players across administration, health and coaching roles. The centre will look to employ highly qualified coaches at every age group, to provide a long term player pathway from Under 7s right through to Under 15s.

    It will also have fully qualified physiotherapists, sports psychologists, sports nutritionists and sports scientists on hand. Players will not only have access to some of the best facilities around, but they will also receive the very best expertise available.

    An example from a day in the life of a performance centre participant includes being collected from school, being taken to the development centre where players will receive juice and snack after a hard day at the office! They will then complete any homework tasks they have been assigned from school with development centre tutors, including the use of online facilities and up to date computer technology.

    Players will then receive another snack and get down to the football side of things. For me as a child, this would have been the stuff dreams were made of! I wish I was 23 years younger!

    Although not yet in the new building, the development centre has already been up and running for two weeks and has been a huge success. However these things are easy for me to say, right? I thought I would try and speak to someone whose opinions really matter. I was lucky enough to chat with Leah Macpherson (7) from the Under 9s, who attends the development centre. I asked Leah what it was like, what she feels she has learned through the programme so far and why she loves it so much.

    “It’s great being part of the club and it’s really exciting. I look forward to training and games every week. I like having our own pitch where we can train. It can be challenging, but it’s still really enjoyable, the training more than doing my homework! I particularly like playing football, we do stretching and a warm-up too, which is not as much fun as playing, but we need to do it.”

    “Although doing my homework is not as much fun as playing football, I do like reading my books to coach Gibson. My favourite food from the snacks are apples and ham sandwiches. I have learned many things that will help me improve; when playing football we need to work as a team, concentrate and listen to our coaches”.

    Leah is clearly living the dream! I was keen to find out more so I asked Leah if she could pick one skill she would like to improve on and pick one player she would like to be like when she is older. “In the future I want to improve my keepie-uppies and one day I hope to play for Scotland just like Rachel Corsie, my favourite player.”

    Thanks for the interview Leah! It was a pleasure! A little birdie has also told me that already, at the young age of seven, Leah has received a Sportsmanship award and a signed Scotland top for encouraging not only her own team, but recognising strengths in other opposition players. What a fantastic and model attitude. Good luck for the future Leah and I’m sure one day, in the not too distant future, I might be cheering you on in a Scotland Ladies strip!

    Motherwell FC is so much more than just a football team. It’s a long-term development plan that has the player at the centre.

    A child attending the centre will not only benefit from through an increased range of ability as a player and improving fitness, but will also have their education at the heart as well as developing leadership skills, building self confidence, provide individuals with nutritional and injury prevention information, sports psychology sessions and injury prevention.

    If you would like more information regarding the performance centre Please call 01698 239926 or email community@motherwellfc.co.uk.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Celtic Park

    Highlights from Celtic Park as John Sutton’s opener is cancelled out by a Kris Commons penalty.

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Celtic draw in pictures

    Action pictures from this afternoon’s 1-1 draw with Celtic at Celtic Park.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

    [svgallery name=”celtic210914″]

  • Archive

    TV: McCall proud despite penalty woes

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall’s is adamant he doesn’t want penalty decisions to overshadow his team’s efforts this afternoon.

    The Steelmen were denied a spot kick in the first half when Iain Vigurs’ ball into the box struck Jason Denayer’s arm.

    It wasn’t given and when Celtic did equalise, the penalty kick that brought them level was again hotly disputed by the ‘Well players on the pitch.

    The match eventually ended all square, giving ‘Well their first goal at Celtic Park under McCall and the first point at Parkhead since October 2009.

    “I am delighted with the performance and the effort the lads gave,” he said.

    [pullquote]I don’t want that [penalty decisions] to overshadow what was a really good showing from us. We scored a great goal, carried a threat, particularly in the first-half, and there’s plenty to be pleased with.[/pullquote]

    “When you look back at the decisions, we should certainly have had a penalty in the first half.

    “It was a great “save” by the lad Denayer, their centre half, in the box. Vigurs was absolutely adamant, as were all our lads, that it was a clear handball.

    “The referee said he felt the defender was too near the ball, and couldn’t get out the way, but if you watch it back on television, you can see it is a clear penalty kick.

    “At the other end, I thought their award was a little soft. It was most certainly a foul by Lasley outside the box and there is a slight nudge by Law, but I don’t think if Broony [Scott Brown] hadn’t run into one of our defenders, he would have gone down. It was a little disappointing given the one we felt we deserved.

    ‘That all being said, I don’t want that [penalty decisions] to overshadow what was a really good showing from us. We scored a great goal, carried a threat, particularly in the first-half, and there’s plenty to be pleased with.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Celtic 1 – 1 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    A dogged and determined Motherwell earned a deserved point after holding Celtic to a 1-1 draw this afternoon.

    Sutton opened the scoring in the 19th minute before missing a great chance to double the lead from six yards with the home team booed off at the interval.

    Celtic skipper Scott Brown and Kris Commons, two of the six players left out by Deila as he rang the changes, came on for the start of the second half with Brown earning a disputed 67th-minute penalty, which Commons converted.

    The hosts threw everything forward, but the resolute Steelmen saw the match out to claim their first point from Celtic Park in almost five years.

    Zaine Francis-Angol and Fraser Kerr returned for the starting line-up in place of Paul Lawson and Lee Erwin, both of whom had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes.

    After Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Salzburg and with Hearts due to visit in the League Cup next Wednesday, Ronnie Delia took the opportunity to utilise his squad.

    Lukasz Zaluska was given a rare start in goal while midfielders Beram Kayal, Nir Bitton and Aleksandar Tonev, plus strikers Anthony Stokes and John Guidetti were also brought in with the Swede making his first start since signing on a loan deal from Manchester City.

    Brown, Commons, Craig Gordon and Stefan Scepovic started on the bench while Stefan Johansen and Mubarak Wakaso were out altogether.

    It was a cagey start, with the hosts seeing most of the ball without really troubling Dan Twardzik. ‘Well came close in the 12th minute when midfielder Iain Vigurs drove just wide from the edge of the box after Sutton set him up with a header.

    The next time the visitors went up the park with any real purpose they took the lead.

    When Craig Reid’s cross from the right sped to the front post Sutton forced himself in front of Hoops defender Jason Denayer to volley past Zaluska, stunning the home fans and sending the away fans into raptures.

    Moments later, with the shock of the goal still reverberating around the stadium, Twardzik made a decent save from Denayer’s 30-yard drive.

    However, the Steelmen were growing in belief and should have added a second in the 27th minute when skipper Keith Lasley’s blocked shot from inside the box landed at the feet of the unmarked Sutton but he somehow failed to hit the target from six yards.

    Stuart McCall’s side were doing a fine job frustrating the Hoops. There was a huge claim for a penalty for the visitors when Iain Vigurs cross/shot clearly struck the elbow of Denayer. Despite the howls of protest from the former Inverness midfielder, and his teammates, referee Brian Colvin wasn’t interested.

    In the 33rd minute Kayal’s drive from the edge of the box escaped the far post and five minutes from the break, Virgil van Dijk got on the end of a Stokes cross only to see Twardzik make a brilliant save from his close-range header.

    Perhaps unsurprisingly, Brown and Commons replaced Kayal and Tonev respectively for the start of the second period and the home side looked to take a grip of the game.

    Wide man Callum McGregor drew another fine save from Twardzik in the 56th minute as Motherwell did there all to crowd out Celtic’s attacks.

    However, it would be in controversial circumstances that Celtic would draw level. Scott Brown drove at goal and was clipped by Lasley outside the area. He went tumbling into the box, only to clatter into Law before hitting the deck.

    Colvin, who had earlier infuriated the visitors by denying a spot kick, enraged them further by blowing for a penalty. Sub Commons was in no mood for mercy, calmly tucking the ball into the back of the net.

    The home side pushed hard for the winner but found a stubborn backline and a on-form keeper. A deflected shot by McGregor almost wrong-footed Twardzik before Stokes and Bitton both had efforts which missed the target.

    At the other end, with two minutes remaining, Francis-Angol almost won it. Law collected wide on the left and his delivery picked out the Antiguan, but he crashed his effort narrowly over.

    Twardik made another great save from van Dijk as the game entered three added minutes but the Fir Parkers held on for a deserved point.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Celtic Park

    A dogged performance from ‘Well!. Backs to the wall for most of it but a good point from Celtic Park #CFCvMFC

    FT: Celtic 1 – 1 Motherwell #CFCvMFC

    3 minutes added on.

    …headed clear by Erwin #CFCvMFC

    89mins: Corner to Celtic…

    89mins: Great chance for Stokes but he fires straight at Twardzik with better options available. #CFCvMFC

    87mins: A rare break forward for Motherwell but Law’s delivery for Francis-Angol is awkward and he can only volley wide #CFCvMFC

    86mins: Free-kick to Celtic in a good position….Stokes blasts it well over.. #CFCvMFC

    80mins: Another shot from range. This time it is Bitton who fires low and just wide #CFCvMFC

    And another ‘Well sub, Vigurs off for Carswell #CFCvMFC

    76mins: Celtic sub, Scepovic on for Guidettii #CFCvMFC

    76mins: Motherwell sub, Erwin on for Sutton

    75mins: Celtic piling on the pressure. McGregor bends his shot just past from inside the box. Earlier a deflection almost beats Twardzik

    72mins: Vigurs booked for dissent after O’Brien is fouled but ref gives nothing #CFCvMFC

    70mins: Izaguirre bursts into the box but can only produce a week effort which Twardzik deals with #CFCvMFC

    GOAL! Commons coverts from the spot 1 – 1 #CFCvMFC

    66mins: Penalty to Celtic #CFCvMFC

    Commons bends it well over the bar #CFCvMFC

    62mins: Free-kick to Celtic in a great area, 25 yards out……

    58mins: Quick turn and shot from Guidetti on the edge of the box but sails harmlessly over the bar. #CFCvMFC

    56mins: Great save from Twardzik to beat away McGregor’s shot after he cut in from the right wing! #CFCvMFC

    53mins: McGregor sneaks in at the back post to meet the cross but can only find the side netting #CFCvMFC

    49mins: Commons shoots from just outside through a ruck of bodies but it is straight at Twardzik. #CFCvMFC

    Second half is underway Come on ‘Well!!! #CFCvMFC

    Second half subs for Celtic, Brown and Commons on for Tonev and Kayal #CFCvMFC

    HT: Celtic 0 – 1 Motherwell. Boo’s ringing out as ‘Well go into the break 1 up. #CFCvMFC

    44mins: Corner to Celtic,defended well and evetually cleared #CFCvMFC

    39mins: Great diving save from Twardzik to stop Van Dijk’s low header! #CFCvMFC

    38mins: Izaquirre supplies a deep cross for Guidetti but his header floats harmlessly over #CFCvMFC

    34mins: Kayal creates a bit of space on the edge of the box and has a shot with his left foot. Just wide of Twardzik’s right-hand post.

    27mins: What a chance for Sutton!! Lasley’s shot spun up for him with only Zaluska to beat but the ‘keeper got a foot to it! #CFCvMFC

    25mins: Lasley and Vigurs seem convinced Vigurs’ shot from inside the box had hit Van Dijk’s hand! Nothing given…. #CFCvMFC

    21mins: Van Dijk ventures foward and has a shot from about 30 yards. Was a good effort but Twardzik deals with it with ease #CFCvMFC

    19mins: SUTTON makes it 1-0 to ‘Well!! A good run from Reid who crosses from the right. Sutton does well to get to it and poke it home!!

    GGGOOOAALLLL!!!

    15mins: Ramsden’s throws the ball in to Francis-Angol but as he tries to cross it on the spin, he slices it out of play #CFCvMFC

    11mins: Again Twardzik has to be quick off his line, this time gathering at the feet of Bitton who was through on goal. #CFCvMFC

    7mins: Izaguirre gets down the left but his cross is too close to Twardzik, who deals with it easily.

    2mins: Twardzik has to get off his line quickly to sweep the ball clear from the onrushing Stokes #CFCvMFC

    30 seconds: Celtic have 2 successive corners, Guidetti heads over at the near post #CFCvMFC

    Lasley and Reid get the game underway #COYW ##CFCvMFC

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “We could have done [got three points] but we’re delighted to get a goal, first and foremost, because we’ve not got a goal since I’ve been coming here.

    “It was a great goal and Sutty could have had another straight after it. And but for a great save by (defender) Denayer in the box we could have had a penalty, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.

    “Today it was one penalty that should have been given and one that was given, but I don’t want to whinge about it.

    “Second half we were camped in but first half we were excellent and I’m delighted with them.

    “Dundee United, what a good side they can be, and they came here and lost six, and I saw Aberdeen here who, as well as they played in patches, could’ve lost more than two.

    “So you’ve got to be careful you’re not just open. We played with a sitting midfielder and we had to do that.”

    Celtic manager Ronny Deila:

    “We played a very bad first half. We didn’t get any tempo in the play and we didn’t create any chances, and conceded a stupid goal as well.

    “That was very bad but I think the second half was much better. We could have had one more.

    “In the end the result is disappointing but I’m satisfied with the second half. We should have had more width to our play so we could have had more crosses into the box.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”201″]

  • Archive

    Celtic tickets still on sale

    Tickets for this Sunday’s match against Celtic at Celtic Park are still on sale from the Motherwell Ticket Office.

    The Ticket Office will be open on Saturday from 10am to 1pm. Please note that tickets for the match will not be available on Sunday, either from Fir Park or Celtic Park.

    ADULTS:    £26 / £23 
    CONCESSIONS:                        £17 / £14
    JUVENILE:    £10
    • Concessions are listed as Over 65s and Under 16s.
    • Juveniles are listed as Under 13s.
    • The cheaper priced ticket is for restricted view only.
    • If you plan on making the trip to Glasgow, check our our ‘Guide to Celtic’.
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.
  • Archive

    TV: Balancing act for McCall

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall says striking the right balance is the key to picking up a result at Celtic Park.

    Although the Fir Parkers have a good record on their own patch, the team has yet to record a goal or point at the home of the SPFL Champions since McCall’s arrival in December 2010.

    Now, with ‘Well desperate to build on last Saturday’s win at Ross County, the Fir Park boss wants his side to carry a threat, but also to be resolute and stubborn at the back.

    Speaking to MFC TV ahead of Sunday’s big match, the 50-year old said: “No one need remind me of our record there.

    [pullquote]Our game plan is based on striking a balance between carrying a threat, obviously you want to score goals and win the game, but we’ve got to ensure we don’t leave big gaps for them to play in[/pullquote]

    “Having said that, we’ve been so very close to taking something on a number of occasions. Three narrow 1-0 defeats, but still defeats all the same.

    “Listen, I think people will be fed up of hearing me say before these games that we are going to have to be at our best, but we will have to be.

    “We are certainly going to need a better level of performance – they’ve fired warning shots with a big win against Dundee Utd after a midweek European game.

    “I also watched their game with Aberdeen and, as much as the Dons performed well in parts, Celtic could have scored a lot more than the two they got.

    “Our game plan is based on striking a balance between carrying a threat, obviously you want to score goals and win the game, but we’ve got to ensure we don’t leave big gaps for them to play in.

    “We’ll try and stamp our authority on the game and, hopefully, come away with a result.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: Lasley calls for ‘home’ spirit

    Keith Lasley wants ‘Well to take inspiration from decent home performances when they travel to Celtic Park on Sunday.

    The Steelmen’s record in the East End of Glasgow is poor, without a point or goal in the last eight visits.

    However, it has been a different story in North Lanarkshire, with the Fir Parkers picking up ten points on their own turf against the Scottish Champions in the same time period.

    Whilst acknowledging it is an infinitely more difficult task away from home, the experienced midfielder hopes ‘Well can cause real problems for Ronnie Delia’s side.

    [pullquote]If we’re at 100%, I am confident we can cause Celtic some problems. We’ve managed to do it, certainly at Fir Park, over the last few seasons and the aim now is to go and do the same in Glasgow[/pullquote]

    “It’ll be a tough one, it always is going to Celtic Park.

    “We’ve not had many positives results there in recent years but the onus is on us to try and change that.

    “I hope the win last weekend will give us a little more confidence to got there with. We’ve got to control what we can; that’s our performance.

    “If we’re at 100%, I am confident we can cause Celtic some problems. We’ve managed to do it, certainly at Fir Park, over the last few seasons and the aim now is to go and do the same in Glasgow.”

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Colvin in charge at Celtic Park

    Referee for this Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Celtic at Celtic Park is Brian Colvin.

    Brian will be handling his first Motherwell match of the new 2014/15 season.

    He did handle two during the 2013/14 campaign. The first was the League Cup Third Round clash at Livingston one year ago.

    Bob McHugh put the Fir Parkers ahead before James McFadden made it two with a deft back-heel flick. Livi reduced the deficit late into stoppage time but it wasn’t enough as ‘Well progressed to the Quarter Finals with a 2-1 win.

    The other match came three weeks after that success at Almondvale when ‘Well edged out Hearts 2-1 at Fir Park.

    Ryan Stevenson gave the visitors the lead but Craig Moore scored a cracker on his league debut to level things before Shaun Hutchinson powered home a header to secure all three points.

    Brian took charge of two ‘Well matches the previous season, too.

    The first was his first ever in charge of the Steelmen – a 3-1 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park last October.

    Jamie Murphy had put Motherwell in a commanding lead with two goals before the break. Nicky Law added a third with a cheeky dink over the goalkeeper before Saints pulled one back late on.

    The second was a 2-2 draw with St Mirren at Fir Park. Michael Higdon opened the scoring for the Steelmen only for Connor Newton and Lewis Guy to put the visitors ahead.

    Step forward James McFadden with another piece of brilliance from a dead ball, curling a free-kick high past Craig Samson to rescue a point.

    In those four matches, he has produced just five yellow cards, two of which were flashed at players in Claret and Amber, and one red for Livi’s Jason Talbot for a reckless lunge at Stevie Hammell.

    Brian is no stranger to our opponents having officiated two of their matches last term. The first was a 4-0 home with against Kilmarnock last January, the other a 5-0 demolition of Inverness in Glasgow in early March.

    He will be assisted by Stuart MacMillan and Douglas Ross with Andrew Dallas on 4th Official duty. Bryan Robertson is the referee observer with Frank Coulston as the SPFL delegate.