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Behind closed doors a cold, wintry and challenging preseason has seen lots of change a foot at Motherwell Ladies, but it seems everyone involved is ready and eager to make their mark as competitive games are less than 6 days away.

The Ladies were due to kick star their season on Sunday 1st March in the 2nd Division League Cup. However the draw saw the team with a free week and bye into the 2nd round. The Ladies will now face Second Division East/Central side, Dundee City away on Sunday 22nd March, 12 noon KO.

League action was due to resume on Sunday 8th March away to Edinburgh South. Unfortunately as cup games take precedence, the game had to be postponed, much to the disappointment of all at MLFC. Therefore, the season will finally get going against Third Lanark this Sunday 15th March, 2pm KO and we welcome our fans along to offer support in the first game of the league campaign.

The new season will see a completely new league for the squad and one I can assure you, they are keen to make their mark on. The Ladies will see themselves in the new Scottish Women’s Football League 2nd Division South East/West.

Tough opposition from the East and West will see the ladies travel to play Blackburn Utd, Claremont, Edinburgh Caledonian, Edinburgh South, Hearts Development, Hutchison Vale Reserves, Partick Thistle, Seton Ladies, Spartans Reserves and the aforementioned Third Lanark. I think it would be fair to say both the squad and management are very eager to take to the field as soon as possible and put their pre-season graft into practice.

Ladies boss Graeme McArthur and Motherwell FC Community Trust General Manager Charlie Bennet have been working hard behind the scenes during the break to secure a wealth of experience and talent to add to both the playing squad and to team management.

Manager McArthur said: “Pre-season preparation has gone extremely well, it’s been hard work but that’s always a given. It’s been a busy few months and I’m really pleased in the way our whole unit here at Motherwell ladies is starting to gel and take shape. We’ve performed well in preseason friendlies and I’m really excited for the campaign ahead.”

Fans of Motherwell ladies will undoubtedly see a lot of change in the squad this season, but I’m sure will be excited to see a whole host of experience and talent coming in to strengthen an already talented squad. Watch this space for a more in depth chat with our first team players throughout the season, but for now here is a wee sneak peak of the current squad, 2015/16;

Goalkeepers:

Linda Gibson
Caylea Fraser

Defenders:

Ainsley Douglas
Laura Smith
Eilidh Barbour
Karen Wright
Terri Donnelly – NEW SIGNING
Lauren MacMillan – NEW SIGNING

Midfielders:

Toni Mason
Amy Bulloch
Helen Templeton
Nicole Goodwin
Erin Dickson
Demi McCulloch
Kirsty McBride – NEW SIGNING
Mandy Burns – NEW SIGNING
Tracy Burns – NEW SIGNING
Stacey Cook – NEW SIGNING

Attackers:

Pamela Liddell
Sophie Gallacher
Karen McInally – NEW SIGNING

Alongside a whole host of new and exciting player signings, Motherwell Ladies brings more fantastic news in the form of two new excellent additions to the first team coaching staff.

Firstly, we welcome Malcolm Taylor on board as new coach of the ladies team. Malcolm (also known to staff and players as Malky) has had a vast range of experience in both the men’s and women’s circuit. Malky started coaching with North Lanarkshire Council before moving on and working with Partick Thistle BC. From there he continued his coaching role at Aston Villa BC, Milton Rovers Ladies, two separate stints at Newmains Utd Juniors and a spell at Blantyre Vics Juniors before becoming Motherwell FC Community Trust’s Football Development Manager.

We also welcome Sunnan Shah to the team as the new Sports Scientist. Sunnan gained an Honours Degree in Physiology and Sports Science at the University of Glasgow before gaining valuable experience working with both the men’s Kilmarnock first team and the Under 21s squad.

On behalf of everyone at MLFC, I would like to say a huge welcome to Malky and Sunnan. Both new additions bring a wealth of experience and we are all very excited and privileged to have them on board to work with the Ladies for what is set to be an exciting season.

I am also pleased to announce MLFC have also been privileged enough to secure the expertise of Wes McQuarrie, Goalkeeping coach and Caitlin Whitson club Physio, for the second consecutive season.

Continuing on the theme of all that is new at Motherwell LFC, we continue with more…yes more exciting news.

The SNS Group have been announced as Motherwell Ladies Football Club official photographers. SNS Group is one of the UK’s leading photographic agencies servicing a growing worldwide portfolio of clients across media, business and specialist markets. SNS covers a wide range of high profile sports and their pictures feature regularly in our national newspapers, websites and magazines. A fantastic partnership and we thank SNS Group for their support this season. For a closer look, go to www.snspix.com

And the news doesn’t stop there (… I did say there was change a foot at the ‘Well!)

I am very happy to announce that our new home pitch for the season will be the John Cumming Stadium, Carluke. The John Cumming Stadium is situated ‘up the hill’; next to Carluke Leisure Centre and offers the Ladies first class football facilities with a sheltered stand to house both home and travelling supporters. The Ladies would love to see as many supporters at home games as possible and on behalf of the squad I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to the John Cumming for our home games this season. The next home game is on Sunday 29th March, 2pm kick off against Blackburn Utd. We look forward to seeing you all there to cheer on the Steel Women and show them your support in league and cup ventures.

Keep your eyes open for up and coming blogs and follow me on twitter: @dibsy_ for all the up to date news and happenings at Motherwell Ladies Football Club.

Motherwell FC is delighted to confirm Gary Owers has been appointed Head of Recruitment.

The 46-year old has extensive experience in the game, having been a player at Sunderland, Notts County and others before managing at Bath, coaching at Bristol City and with assistant roles at both Aldershot and Plymouth Argyle.

He has also held scouting positions at Leyton Orient, Gillingham and Partick Thistle in the recent past.

Gary will lead a vastly expanded team who will work to enhance the Scout7 database now at the club.

A newly recruited group of scouts based in Scotland, England, Ireland and even continental Europe has been created, none of which have been in place before, who will monitor matches on a daily basis and form a cohesive talent identification system for Ian Baraclough.

Gary will also head the Academy Scouting department, to ensure the club is in with the best chance of recruiting the elite young players in the local region.

Long-term Chief Scout Bobby Jenks has left his role at Fir Park and everyone at the club would like to thank him for both his distinguished service and significant contribution made over several decades.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough added: “Gary is someone that has a fantastic knowledge of players given his scouting background.

[pullquote]He brings a real understanding of not only the English Football League, but also the Conference and even lower. He has also had a number of roles within a football club, so has a good grounding on what it takes off the park as well as on it.[/pullquote]

“In terms of the role, it’s hugely important for me to have someone in place who knows exactly what I am trying to bring to this football club, the philosophy I want to adopt and the strategy the club has for long-term sustainability and development.

“We now have a significant structure in place that will give us the best possible chance to identify and recruit talent from a young age, collated within our own database, that will hopefully assist the football club in the short, medium and long term.”

General Manager Alan Burrows said: “The trading of players is absolutely key to our strategy.

“To do that, we must have more eyes and ears on the ground, but also a formal structure of how every player we watch is reported on, monitored and then recommended. Our new partnership with Scout7 will certainly be crucial for us in that regard.

“We are delighted to have someone of Gary’s experience and contacts on board, I think he will really add something to the club and is already coordinating a team of very experienced scouts.

“We now have significant coverage across the United Kingdom and Ireland. We had nothing like it even a few months ago.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the outgoing Bobby Jenks, who served the club so fantastically well over the years. He leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future.”

 Extended highlights from Fir Park as ‘Well and Kilmarnock share the spoils in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

Action pictures from this afternoon’s 1-1 SPFL Premiership draw with Kilmarnock at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”kilmarnock070315″]

Graeme McGarry Fir Park

Ian Baraclough was frustrated after he felt his side were denied a clear penalty in their 1-1 draw against 10-man Kilmarnock.

Marvin Johnson went down in the area early in the match after appearing to have been tripped by Kilmarnock keeper Craig Samson, but referee John Beaton opted to book the Motherwell winger for simulation instead of awarding a spot-kick to the home side.

“I’ve just spoken to the assessor there and he said that he saw that there was contact made,” Baraclough said, “So I don’t quite understand why we’ve not received a penalty and why Marvin’s been booked for simulation.

“Contact was made, the goalkeeper’s smiling at the end of the game because he knows he’s got away with one, and you just hope that turns for you on another day.”

Baraclough was upbeat about his side’s performance, particularly in the first half, but he was a little disappointed in their second half showing against a Kilmarnock side with one less man after Daryl Westlake’s sending off just before half-time for two bookings.

[pullquote]We just needed that final belief to get on to the end of one of those balls, I don’t know how many chances we created but it was a lot and you expect to come away from it with a little bit more than what we did.[/pullquote]

“Overall it was very, very good,” Baraclough said.

“Second half I thought we stopped doing the things that got us into good positions first half. It can be perceived that it can be easier against 10 men, but it’s only easy if you make it easy by moving the ball quicker and we didn’t second half. We made it difficult for ourselves.

“But first half was an excellent performance, we put it into areas that caused them problems, we put it into areas that were our strengths, wide areas.

“Marvin [Johnson] was putting in cross after cross, he tormented the full-back who eventually lost his head and got himself booked twice.

“We just needed that final belief to get on to the end of one of those balls, I don’t know how many chances we created but it was a lot and you expect to come away from it with a little bit more than what we did.”

“It’s a step in the right direction and it’s a point closer to where we want to be, but there’s a bit of frustration that we dominated the game and didn’t capitalise on it.”

[tab:Match report]

Graeme McGarry Fir Park

Motherwell moved off the foot of the Scottish Premiership with a 1-1 home draw against Kilmarnock today.

However, Ian Baraclough will be disappointed not to have claimed all three points after playing the entire second half against 10 men.

A fine strike by Tope Obadeyi gave Kilmarnock an early lead before his team-mate Daryl Westlake saw red after picking up two bookings in quick succession just before half-time.

Scott McDonald levelled for Motherwell directly from the second of those free-kicks awards, his first goal since returning to Fir Park.

The home side had plenty of possession after the break but could not create the opportunity that would have given them a crucial and perhaps deserved win.

After an overnight downpour in Lanarkshire, the match went ahead after the pitch passed a morning inspection but, with the surface cutting up badly in areas, both sides deserve credit for trying to play football.

The Motherwell fans were screaming for a penalty after just five minutes when Marvin Johnson got his toe to the ball ahead of the onrushing Kilmarnock goalkeeper Craig Samson, the winger tumbling to the ground only for referee John Beaton to show him a yellow card for simulation. Television pictures clearly show the official was incorrect.

Josh Magennis then shot wide as Killie threatened for the first time and at the opposite end a snap-shot by McDonald from the edge of the area drew the first save of the match, Samson saving well low to his right.

The visitors moved ahead after 19 minutes, Nathan Eccleston breaking down the left before feeding the ball across the 18-yard line where it eventually found its way to Obadeyi arriving from the opposite flank. Josh Law looked to have forced the winger wide but he produced a thunderous finish high past George Long into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Motherwell tried to respond quickly and a Johnson cross from the left presented a good opportunity to Conor Grant but Samson managed to tip his goal-bound header over the bar.

Grant then swung in a corner that Stephen McManus met with a crashing volley but Kilmarnock captain Manual Pascali bravely threw himself in the way of the strike to block.

Kilmarnock were looking dangerous on the break and Craig Slater came close to doubling their lead as he cut inside from the left flank past a couple of challenges and sent a right-foot effort inches past Long’s right-hand post.

Johnson was providing a threat for the home side and again he got a cross into the area, this time for McDonald, whose header was smothered on the line by Samson.

McDonald then had a half-volley blocked behind by Lee Ashcroft, and from the resulting corner Grant’s low delivery was blazed over by Louis Laing from a good position as the home side tried to level before the break.

They were given a boost on 44 minutes as Kilmarnock were reduced to 10 men, Westlake receiving his second yellow card for a foul on Johnson on the edge of the area having been booked for a poor tackle on the same player just minutes before.

The free-kick was to prove doubly costly as McDonald curled a lovely right-foot effort up and over the wall to nestle in Samson’s bottom right-hand corner and haul Motherwell level on the stroke of half-time.

Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke sacrificed the attacking threat of Chris Johnston at half-time, sending on defender Ross Barbour to shore things up at the back with his side a man light.

The visitors were succeeding in limiting Motherwell to half-chances and shots from distance and they were willing to put their bodies on the line to block any efforts that the Steelmen did get away.

Indeed, they almost regained the lead on a foray forward when Eccleston received the ball from a throw-in with his back to goal before rolling Laing and flashing a high effort just past the upright.

Lionel Ainsworth was sent on as Motherwell tried to break the stubborn Killie rear-guard down and he almost put the ball on a plate for McDonald after being played in on the right channel by Law, Ashcroft doing well to stretch and cut the ball out just in the nick of time.

Motherwell found it difficult to create any clear-cut openings as frustration set in amongst the home support and, despite some late pressure, the visitors held on for a point.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

FULL TIME’ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
It ends 1-1 here at Fir Park.

90 3 minutes added on

85′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Killie sub, Eccleston off for Miller.

83′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Motherwell sub, Johnson off for Dom Thomas.

82′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Ainsworth’s shot is sent looping into the air to Sutton who from an awkward position, fires straight at Samson.

80′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Killie sub, Obadeyi off for Cairney

76′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Cross field ball comes to Johnson who, on his weaker foot, scuffs it well wide.

70′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Motherwell sub, Erwin off for Sutton.

68′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Almost a rare one as the ball falls to Lasley 25 yards out. He hits it first time but it floats over the bar.

68′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Pascali has to be at full stretch to knock Ainsworth’s cross wide of the post for a corner.

62′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Eccleston does well to turn Law on the wing and fizzes a shot just wide of the post.

57′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
After a bit of pingball the ball comes to Erwin 10 yards out who tries the spectacular overhead….well wide.

55′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Motherwell sub, Grant off for Ainsworth.

54′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Johnson drills in a shot from a narrow angle which Samson opts to beat away to safety.

51′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Long deals with Slater’s 20 yard shot which bounced just in front of him.

46′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
There’s been a Killie sub, Barbour on for Johnston.

46′ | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC
Second half is underway.

HALF-TIME | 1-1 | #MFCvKFC

Scott McDonald curls home the free-kick to make it 1-1

GGGOOOAAALLL!!!

44′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
RED CARD: Westlake is sent off for a second booking. Two wild challenges on Johnson.

42′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
Another ‘Well corner after McDonald’s shot is deflected wide. Laing fires the corner wide of the post.

39′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
From the corner the ball breaks at the edge of the box, two Killie players run into each other and ref gives a foul.

39′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
Grant forces another good save from Samson, this time it was a low shot which was heading for the bottom left corner.

35′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
McDonald gets his head on the end of Johnson’s cross but again Samson is on hand to make s good save.

34′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
Slater does well, cutting in from the left and drags his right footed shot just past the post from just inside the box.

27′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
McManus gets a volley on the end of Grant’s corner but Pascali gets his body in the way of it.

26′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
What a save from Samson to tip McDonald’d close range header over the bar!

22′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
‘Well win a corner…McManus heads Grant’s delivery well over the bar.

20′ | 0-1 | #MFCvKFC
Goal, Obadeyi cuts in from the left and unleashes a shot into the top corner. 1-0 to Killie.

17′ | 0-0 | #MFCvKFC
Another shot on goal for Killie. This time it is straight at Long from Johnston.

12′ | 0-0 | #MFCvKFC
McDonald forces Samson into a good diving save with a shot from the edge of the box. Positive start.

9′ | 0-0 | #MFCvKFC
Magennis picks the ball up about 20 yards out and gets a left-footed shot away. Well wide in the end.

6′ | 0-0 | #MFCvKFC
Johnson booked for simulation as he went down in the box under a Samson challenge. Looked harsh?

3′ | 0-0 | #MFCvKFC
Killie win a corner, after a bit of panic it’s swept clear by Lasley.

2′ | 0-0 | #MFCvKFC
Erwin gets his head on Johnson’s drilled cross but it flies harmlessly wide of the post.

1′ | KICK-OFF | #MFCvKFC
Lasley and Johnson get the game underway.

Pre-match | #MFCvKFC
Both teams are out the tunnel. ‘Well in claret and amber, Killie in their usual blue and white stripes.

Pre-match | #MFCvKFC
Players just out doing their pre-match warm-ups. Just under 20 minutes to kick-off #COYW

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

“Second half I thought we stopped doing the things that got us into good positions first half.

“It can be perceived that it can be easier against 10 men, but it’s only easy if you make it easy by moving the ball quicker and we didn’t second half. We made it difficult for ourselves.

“But first half was an excellent performance, we put it into areas that caused them problems, we put it into areas that were our strengths, wide areas.

“Marvin [Johnson] was putting in cross after cross, he tormented the full-back who eventually lost his head and got himself booked twice.

“We just needed that final belief to get on to the end of one of those balls, I don’t know how many chances we created but it was a lot and you expect to come away from it with a little bit more than what we did.”

“It’s a step in the right direction and it’s a point closer to where we want to be, but there’s a bit of frustration that we dominated the game and didn’t capitalise on it.”

Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke:

“I think you saw with the reaction of the Kilmarnock fans at the end, every one of them stayed and applauded the team off the pitch,” said Locke.

“They have certainly seen the effort and commitment from the players in blue and white, and if they’re happy then we’ll be happy as well.

“Again, enormous credit to the players, the effort, the commitment, the desire not to get beat. I’m sitting here a really proud manager.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”223″]

HELP CONTINUE THE PROGRESS

A couple of weeks ago we asked fans to do everything they can to boost the attendance for the Dundee game. There was a great response to that and similar pleas from elsewhere, unfortunately it was a very disappointing day with a defeat sending Motherwell to the bottom of the league.

But the disappointment did not derail the progress that the club is looking to make. Since then Scott McDonald has been brought back to Fir Park and now two young players, Luke Watt and Dom Thomas, have signed long-term contracts. The appointment of a physical performance coach was also confirmed.

The fans responded brilliantly too with some tremendous vocal backing against Inverness. The supporters recognised the fight and effort shown from the start and their encouragement helped us to a memorable 2-1 victory.

Everyone is determined to keep the momentum going and once again we need the fans’ help. There were just over 3,500 fans at Fir Park against Inverness, and their loyal support was vital in securing a great three points. With more fans, the noise could be even more inspiring as the team look to get off the bottom of the league against Kilmarnock.

So, again, we are appealing to everyone to come along to Fir Park and encourage others to do the same.

Also, the club is working hard to improve the pre-match experience for the fans and is making the Cooper Suite more attractive for families ahead of the Kilmarnock game. A simple decision to switch your pre-match pint to the Cooper Suite can really help the club grow its income and have an impact on the club’s quest for success on the park. Small individual actions can make a big collective impact.

Thanks again for your support and enjoy Saturday’s game.

Brian McCafferty
Chairman

Chris Cadden has joined Lanarkshire neighbours Albion Rovers on loan until the end of the season.

The 18-year old has been a virtual ever-present in Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s team this season, netting five times from 21 appearances.

The promising attacking midfielder, who can also operate as a marauding full-back, made his debut for Motherwell’s first-team last season in the 4-1 home win over Hearts.

He also appeared off the bench in the dramatic 3-3 draw with Hibs and the fine 2-1 win over Inverness. He has the same number of appearances this term too, turning out against Ross County, Hamilton and Dundee.

[pullquote]He will be playing in a team full of confidence and if he can get that vital first-team experience, whilst helping Rovers achieve their objectives, then everyone can win[/pullquote]

He joins top-of-the-table Rovers, who are pushing for the League 2 Championship and automatic promotion, and will go into their squad for the weekend’s match against fifth-placed Annan.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “This is a great opportunity for Chris to get into competitive first-team action on a week-to-week basis.

“Rovers have an impressive set-up, with good people running the club and a solid, experienced management team in Darren Young and Sandy Clark.

“He will be playing in a team full of confidence and if he can get that vital first-team experience, whilst helping Rovers achieve their objectives, then everyone wins.

“We wish them both the very best of luck over the next few months.”

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough says his side must build on last week’s win when they take on Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The Fir Parkers finally brought their miserable run of form to an end with an impressive, battling 2-1 victory over high-flying Inverness seven days ago.

They face a side on a similar run of form to the Highlanders. Gary Locke’s Kilmarnock are unbeaten in their last five matches, and will have an eye on one of the two top six places still up for grabs.

However, Baraclough insists his side have put down a marker and his challenged his squad to go and repeat the feat once again.

[pullquote]We need to use last week’s performance as a marker and go out there on Saturday against Kilmarnock looking to build.[/pullquote]

He told motherwellfc.co.uk: “We need to use last week’s performance as a marker and go out there on Saturday against Kilmarnock looking to build.

“A lot of hard work went into that win last weekend both before and during the match. We certainly don’t want to undo that by not showing the same level of commitment, desire and skill tomorrow.

“Yes, we will need to be mindful of Kilmarnock, particularly given they’re on a five-game unbeaten run, but the onus is on us as the home side to go out there, set the agenda and really get the fans behind us again.

“They were magnificent last week – right from the first minute you could sense they were as up for it as the players were. That gave everyone even more encouragement and we will hope for something similar tomorrow.”

Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm exciting winger Dom Thomas has put pen to paper on a new three-and-a-half year contract.

Thomas is one of the country’s brightest young talents and one of the most exciting to emerge from the club’s Elite Academy in several years.

After eighteen months of attention-grabbing performances for the Under 20s, Ian Baraclough gave the skillful attacker his first-team debut at the tail end of 2014 at St Mirren Park.

And he has made some telling contributions already, including an impressive home debut against Aberdeen and a delightful assist against St Johnstone in late January to rescue a point.

The 19-year old has an old-fashioned, direct style with an uncanny ability to go past players, leading to chances and goals, which has got supporters excited by his emergence in recent months.

He has now committed his long-term future to the club with a contract that will run until the summer of 2018.

[pullquote]I am really pleased Dom has extended his contract with the club as he has the potential to be an excellent footballer.[/pullquote]

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, Ian Baraclough said: “I am really pleased Dom has extended his contract with the club as he has the potential to be an excellent footballer.

“He’s still young and learning but his raw talent and enthusiasm for the game is infectious. We are being careful about how we use him at the moment, but there is no doubt he has it within himself to go and play at the very top level.

“From the club’s point of view, this is the second young talent we have managed to secure on a long-term deal this week.

“It’s front and centre of our strategy to not only recruit tangible assets from elsewhere, but to produce them through the Academy and ensure we get proper value from them both when they wear our colours, but when we trade them on.

“I look forward to working with Dom and others over the coming weeks, months and years.”