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    TV: Highlights from Airdrie

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    Motherwell U20s 2 – 2 Dunfermline U20s

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    VACANCIES | Match day 50/50 sellers

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    TV: Highlights from Tynecastle

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    Hearts defeat in pictures

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    McGhee bemoans missing midfielders

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    Hearts 6 – 0 Motherwell

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    Ross County hospitality at Fir Park!

  • Archive

    TV: McGhee planning for Hearts battle

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    Minister for Sport visits Fir Park

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    TV: Highlights from Airdrie

    Extended highlights from Excelsior Stadium as goals David Clarkson and Dylan Mackin earn Motherwell U20s a point.

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 2 – 2 Dunfermline U20s

    Motherwell Under 20s came back from two behind to draw against Dunfermline, but left wondering how they didn’t take all three points.

    The Steelmen were two down when former Hamilton and Hearts wide man David Hopkirk grabbed a double to put his side in a commanding lead.

    However, ‘Well were creating chance after chance throughout, and when David Clarkson pulled one back with twenty-five minutes left to play, the comeback was on.

    Countless chances came and went before sub Dylan Mackin flicked home a Cadden cross with three minutes left on the clock.

    Incredibly, ‘Well created and missed five more chances after that goal, and left Airdrie scratching their heads at how they only managed a single point.

    Stephen Craigan was able to call on the likes of Dom Thomas, Kieran Kennedy and David Clarkson, but also had David Ferguson, Chris Cadden and Luke Watt, both of whom having limited first-team experience.

    The Pars had several recognisable names including the aforementioned Hopkirk, former Accies and Dundee front man Mickaël Antoine-Curier and ex Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Rhys McCabe.

    The Pars made a positive start and Hopkirk flashed a shot over the bar inside the opening sixty seconds. However, he wouldn’t be denied ten minutes later when he put his side ahead.

    Ryan Wallace picked up on a loose Thomas pass and he quickly threaded a neat ball in behind Watt for the wide man who drilled through PJ Morrison to give his side the lead.

    It took the Steelmen 27 minutes to really test the Pars’ goal and it took an incredible save from Cammy Gill to deny Kennedy from close range. The former Man City and Leicester defender got on the end of Thomas cut back, but his close range effort was somehow tipped onto the frame of the goal from the Pars stopper.

    From the resulting corner, the keeper was again in action, tipping a Clarkson header over for a corner.

    Pars were content to sit in and hit on the counter, and they almost did just that when Hopkirk collected a long pass before firing just wide.

    However, it was only a temporary reprieve as ‘Well were soon on the attack again, creating chances. Ryan Watters curled over, Clarkson had a shot at goal blocked on route for a corner, Ferguson could only aim a shot straight at Gill after Kennedy’s header across goal and Watt had a long-range hit bounce wide of target.

    The second half began much in the same vein as the first ended, with the Steelmen having wave after wave of attack. Clarkson’s downward header, following a Watters cross from the right, again forced Gill to save well before Kennedy again went close with a near post header from a Thomas corner.

    Then, incredibly, Dunfermline doubled their advantage, again on the counter. Hopkirk, who had just returned to the pitch following a head clash with Kennedy, found himself one-on-one with the ‘Well defender. He cut inside before curling a lovely effort high past Morrison, giving the hosts a mountain to climb.

    Stephen Craigan made a double sub, introducing both Dylan Mackin and Allan Campbell in place of David Turnbull and Ryan Watters.

    Dom Thomas almost pulled his side level, sending a low teasing cross across goal with no takers. Soon after, a Kennedy header was blocked on route before a Clarkson effort was again turned around by the resilient Pars backline.

    However, the hard work was eventually paid off in the shape of a goal in the 65th minute. Campbell released Cadden down the right with a nice pass, only for the midfielder to pull it back for Clarkson on the edge of the area. He took a touch away from his marker before drilling hard and low into the net.

    ‘Well then proceeded to pepper the home goal, creating chance after chance after chance. Mackin almost levelled within a minute of that Clarkson goal, but his low shot was well held by Gill.

    Robbie Leitch then had a shot held by Gill before a the same player’s cross hit a hand on route, but despite loud protests from the Claret and Amber men, the best they got was a corner.

    From the resulting kick from the quadrant, Thomas’ ball found Kennedy, but his header came back off the frame of the goal for the second time.

    Thomas then had a shot that was headind for the corner before yet another Pars sliding block before Craigan’s men hit the woodwork for a third time. Cadden’s cross was punched out by Gill, landing at the feet of Leitch. His lobbed effort hit the bar and dropped over, much to the disbelief of everyone inside the ground.

    Finally, Motherwell got themselves level and it was top-scorer Mackin who scored the important goal. Cadden was again involved, his cross from the right found the striker and he flicked it past Gill to make it 2-2.

    With just minutes left on the clock, ‘Well had several chances to win it. Mackin had a good low shot saved by Gill again before the big striker was so close to connecting with a Thomas pass but it rolled just wide of target.

    Incredibly, Dunfermline almost robbed a winner when both McCabe and Byrne were denied by good goalkeeping from Morrison, but that wasn’t the end of the chances.

    Mackin had another deflected shot that was spectacularly turned around by Gill, before the resulting corner again found the big striker but he headed wide when a goal seemed certain.

    It was an astonishing finish to the game – another scintillating Under 20s game that had a bit of everything.

    Motherwell: Morrison, Watt, McMillan, Ferguson, Kennedy, Turnbull (Campbell – 59mins), Watters (Mackin – 59mins), R. Leitch, Clarkson, Thomas, Cadden

    Subs Not Used: Long, J.Moore, Falconer, Maguire, MacLean

  • Archive

    VACANCIES | Match day 50/50 sellers

    At Motherwell FC we are always looking to improve your day at Fir Park, and currently we are looking for supporters to help the Club on a match day sell our 50/50 draw tickets to fans arriving at the Stadium, with all money collected from the raffle directly supporting the Club’s youth academy.  

    If you are outgoing, enthusiastic with experience in handling cash and importantly keen to support the development of the Club’s youth players by helping sell these tickets then email mfcenquiries@motherwellfc.co.uk with your contact details.

    These are paid roles based on a commission structure  – so the more you sell the more you make – with match ticket included, though we cannot guarantee that you’ll see all the game as you may have responsibilities beyond kick off, including helping count the money and splitting tickets for the draw at half-time.

    Applicants should be at least 16 years old.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Tynecastle

    Extended highlights from Tynecastle, as Motherwell ship six goals in the Capital.

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    Hearts defeat in pictures

    Action images from today’s 6-0 defeat to Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Tynecastle.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

    [svgallery name=”hearts160116″]

  • Archive

    McGhee bemoans missing midfielders

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee bemoaned missing two key players as the Steelmen lost six goals to Hearts this afternoon.

    After an unbeaten run that stretched back almost two months, the Fir Parkers were soundly beaten at Tynecastle.

    ‘Well notably missed both skipper Keith Lasley, who had to sit out through suspension, and Liam Grimshaw, who was recalled to his parent club at the start of the week.

    That forced McGhee to shuffle his pack for the first time in six games, and he felt it played a significant part in the team’s downfall.

    [pullquote]I was disappointed obviously, I think we were a pale imitation of what we have been. I don’t think we were at it anywhere, all over the park they were quicker to the ball, better in possession and obviously in finishing, everything about them was better than us.[/pullquote]

    He said: “It (reshuffle) was part of it. I didn’t really have any choice. We asked Josh Law to play in the middle of the park, and Pearo (Stephen Pearson) was asked to play almost as a sitting playmaker and he is not that but we had no choice so that possibly affected us.

    “I was disappointed obviously, I think we were a pale imitation of what we have been. I don’t think we were at it anywhere, all over the park they were quicker to the ball, better in possession and obviously in finishing, everything about them was better than us.

    “It wasn’t us at our best playing Hearts at their best, it was Hearts at their best playing us who were a poor imitation of what we were capable of. But Hearts were excellent.”

  • Archive

    Hearts 6 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Phil McGhee at Tynecastle

    A poor Motherwell were hit for six as a rampant Hearts brushed the Fir Parkers aside in the January snow.

    The Steelmen, crucially missing skipper Keith Lasley to suspension and Liam Grimshaw, who returned to his parent club during the week, were second best all across the park and were deservedly beaten.

    The game was as good as over in the early stages as Hearts scored three in a ten-minute blitz courtesy of goals from Rossi, Sow and a Reilly penalty.

    It stayed that way until the 77th minute before the hosts added three late on, Paterson, Juanma and another penalty, this time from Djoum, rubbing salt into the wounds.

    Mark McGhee was forced to reshuffle his pack for the first time in five matches, with the aforementioned midfielders missing. Joe Chalmers and Lionel Ainsworth were introduced. Hammell was pushed into right back to allow the former Celtic youngster into left back.

    Law partnered Pearson in the middle of the park with Ainsworth and Marvin Johnson operating on the flanks.

    ‘Well made a decent start and could’ve been ahead from a well-worked corner but didn’t capitalise.

    Hearts showed no mercy and got their noses in front on the eleventh minute. Defender Rossi flicked on a King corner at the near post. It looped over Ripley, only for Law to head off the line. However, the standside assistant referee, Brian Templeton, raised his flag to signal a goal and spark the celebrations amongst home supporters.

    ‘Well then missed a chance to level when Moult cleverly played in Ainsworth, but his low shot was well held by Alexander.

    It was to prove a crucial miss as Hearts extended their advantage five minutes later. Paterson won the ball just inside the visitor’s half, allowing Djoum to burst forward and worked the ball towards Osman Sow. ‘Well didn’t get out quickly enough to block, allowing the striker to lash a low shot into the far corner.

    It went from bad to worse and the game was effectively over on 21 minutes when Hearts were awarded a penalty. Reilly was pulled down by Ripley whilst attempting to dribble round the keeper, and the striker confident stroked home the spot-kick to give the hosts a comfortable 3-0 lead.

    Sow had a possible fourth goal disallowed for offside just after the half-hour mark, and Prince Buaben stung Ripley’s palms from 25 yards soon after.

    The visitors started the second half seeking an early goal and some sort of lifeline. Louis Moult ought to have done better than head Lionel Ainsworth’s free-kick over the crossbar on 52 minutes. Mark McGhee would have noticed his players keeping the ball slightly better but would have been frustrated by their inability to forge clear scoring chances.

    Motherwell continued to make the better of it and could and should have gone ahead but both Scott McDonald and sub Wes Fletcher passed up glaring opportunities.

    Unmarked, the Australian headed Marvin Johnson’s right-sided cross wide of the back post, a miss which virtually summed up a miserable afternoon for McGhee and his team.

    An equally good chance presented itself a few minutes later when substitute Wes Fletcher ran through on goal after dispossessing Pallardo. However, he too failed to hit the target.

    Hearts punished that loose finishing with another three in short succession. Paterson fired home from just inside the area, as did sub Juanma shortly after then, in stoppage time, Djoum won and scored a penalty to end the afternoon in miserable fashion.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Tynecastle

    FT: Hearts 6 – 0 Motherwell

    91′ | 6-0
    Goal – Djoum wins a penalty and fires home from the spot.

    87′ | 5-0
    Goal – Juanma collects the ball on the box, turns and fires past Ripley to make it 5-0 to the Edinburgh side.

    84′ | 4-0
    Hearts sub, McGhee on for Rossi.

    82′ | 4-0
    Motherwell sub, Clarkson on for Law.

    80′ | 4-0
    Augustyn booked for punching the ball away in anger.

    77′ | 4-0
    Goal – Paterson turns inside the box and gets his shot past Ripley. 4-0 to Hearts

    76′ | 3-0
    Law booked for a challenge on King, wide on the right.

    74′ | 3-0
    Great chance for Fletcher there as he dispossesses Ozturk and races through on goal but Alexander pushes it wide.

    71′ | 3-0
    Wonderful chance for McDonald after Johnson got down the right and fired a ball in to the back post but the Aussie heads wide.

    69′ | 3-0
    Hearts sub, Reilly off for Zanatta

    64′ | 3-0
    Motherwell subs, Fletcher and Thomas on for Ainsworth and Moult.

    66′ | 3-0
    Hearts sub, Juanma on for Sow.

    64′ | 3-0
    Great ball in from Ainsworth wide on the right, finds Pearson at the front post but he gets too much on it, and shoots wide.

    56′ | 3-0
    Moult is booked as he and Ozturk go for a header. Not a lot in that.

    52′ | 3-0
    From the free-kick, Moult heads just over the bar. Decent chance!

    51′ | 3-0
    Buaben booked for handball on the edge of the box.

    Both teams back out, Law and Pearson get the second 45 underway.

    HT: Hearts 3 – 0 Motherwell #HMFCvMFC

    41′ | 3-0
    Buaben stings Ripley’s palms with a good strike from 25 yards.

    37′ | 3-0
    McManus booked for a robust challenge on Sow, about 20 yards out.

    33′ | 3-0
    Sow has the ball in the net again, but this time the linesman’s flag is up and offside is given.

    31′ | 3-0
    Paterson’s deep cross finds Buaben at the back post. He takes a touch but his curled shot goes well over the bar.

    27′ | 3-0
    Moult slides it wide to Johnson about 20 yards out but he loses his footing as he pulls the trigger and it sails well over.

    21′ | 3-0
    Goal – Reilly steps up and fires low beyond Ripley. Horrible start.

    20′ | 2-0
    Penalty to Hearts! Ripley booked in the process for hauling down Reilly.

    15′ | 2-0
    Goal – It’s 2-0 to Heart, Sow with a low shot beyond Ripley into the bottom corner.

    11′ | 1-0
    Goal – Rossi heads the ball goalwards and after some thought, linesman says it was over the line. 1-0 to Hearts.

    4′ | 0-0
    Djoum takes no chances and knocks Ainsworth’s cross out for a corner…..Set-piece is worked short but Hearts clear.

    3′ | 0-0
    Hearts work the ball to Paterson about 30 yards out. He shoots, but Ripley looks comfortable as it flies past his post.

    Reilly and Sow get the game underway at a sold out Tynecastle. COYW!!!!

    Out come the teams……..and out comes the snow.

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell  manager Mark McGhee:

    “The forced shuffle was part of it. I didn’t really have any choice. We asked Josh Law to play in the middle of the park, and Pearo (Stephen Pearson) was asked to play almost as a sitting playmaker and he is not that but we had no choice so that possibly affected us.

    “I was disappointed obviously, I think we were a pale imitation of what we have been. I don’t think we were at it anywhere, all over the park they were quicker to the ball, better in possession and obviously in finishing, everything about them was better than us.

    “It wasn’t us at our best playing Hearts at their best, it was Hearts at their best playing us who were a poor imitation of what we were capable of. But Hearts were excellent.”

    Hearts manager Robbie Neilson:

    “I felt a wee bit for Mark as he lost Lasley to suspension and Grimshaw, one of their best players this season, got sent back so they had a void that they had to try to fill and we managed to expose it a wee bit.

    “Coming off the Aberdeen game, such a high-profile game, there was a worry that we wouldn’t start the same way as we left off last week. The players did. We started the first 10 or 15 minutes positive, getting in behind people and causing them problems and that won us the game.

    “After 22 minutes we were 3-0 up but you are always worried if they get a goal. I heard Mark saying that if they can get a goal then it gives them something to chase in the second-half but we managed to be the ones who scored in the second-half and it was a convincing win.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”258″]

  • Archive

    Ross County hospitality at Fir Park!

    The atmosphere in all our suites these last few games has been electric, fired on from the performances on the pitch so why not join in, enjoy the game with friends or colleagues over a meal and a few drinks. 

     Our next Ladbrokes Premiership match here at Fir Park is against Ross County on Saturday 23rd January with a 3pm kick off.

    All our keenly priced hospitality packages include a ticket, match programme, team-sheet and half time refreshments.

    You can choose from three packages:

    Centenary Claret: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full, four course table service with access to a pay bar till kick off and then again for an hour post-match.

     Book now from only £60 for an adult and £45 for a child under 16.

     Centenary AmberArrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full four course table service with complimentary bar and then again for an hour post-match.

     Book now for £99 for an adult and £55 for a child under 16.

     Millennium TicketEnjoy a lighter bite pre-match and at half-time with a complimentary bar for one-hour pre & post-match.

     Book now for £70 for an adult and £35 for a child under 16.

    Remember, Season Ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality for just £25.

    01698 333333 | hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk

  • Archive

    TV: McGhee planning for Hearts battle

    Mark McGhee says his side are preparing for a tough encounter at Tynecastle but has a plan to combat the Jambos’ “robust” style.

    The Steelmen head to the Capital without two of their influential midfield players, with skipper Keith Lasley suspended and Liam Grimshaw having left the club following his loan spell.

    But McGhee is confident the players he does have at his disposal will give as good as they get against Hearts.

    He said: “We are going to Tynecastle without our two of our most physical players at a time when Hearts are playing a very robust style of game.

    “But, as the week has gone on, we have developed an idea of how to approach it and now we are very confident.

    [pullquote]“I’ve got no fears at all. I’ve got a lot of time for the way Hearts play and we are trying to do a bit of that as well. The last time the teams squared off at Fir Park we beat each other up.[/pullquote]

    “It’s a physical game these days, there’s a lot of athleticism involved, there are some big lads involved. As long as it doesn’t cross a certain point…. and I don’t think it has done with Hearts or ourselves at any point.

    “I expect our lads to stand up to the Hearts players in the best possible way and not be bullied.”

    The clash with Hearts marks McGhee’s 900th game as a manager.

    He added: “I want to get to 1,000 and I’ve got a chance, maybe in a couple of seasons.

    “There aren’t many managers who get to 1,000. It would be an achievement and that’s what I’m aiming for.”

  • Archive

    Minister for Sport visits Fir Park

    Motherwell FC today welcomed Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement & Mental Health to Fir Park.

    In attendance for his visit were representatives from the Football Club, the MFC Community Trust and also the ‘Well Society.

    With the Scottish Government’s consultation paper on ‘Supporter Involvement in Scottish Football Clubs’ closing tomorrow, it was a timely visit to the home of the Steelmen.

    The Minister was given a tour of the ground taking in the club’s facilitates, which supports not only the first-team and development squads, but also the youth and female teams run by the Community Trust.

    Leanne Thomas, Motherwell FC Director thanked the Minister for taking the time to visit Fir Park, “This morning was a great opportunity for all three pillars of Motherwell Football Club to showcase the good, positive work being done to Mr Hepburn.

    “The Club is the epitome of community spirit, with our fans at the heart so it was important for us to demonstrate how we all work together for the good of Motherwell FC, the local community here in Lanarkshire and our supporters.”

    The Minister was highly impressed with the range and depth of programmes and initiatives led by the Trust, with their General Manager Charlie Bennett grateful for the opportunity to converse directly with Minister.

    Charlie added: “We engage with over thirty thousand individuals across Lanarkshire each year using football as a vehicle to motivate people to change their lives for the better. Our community initiatives support the concept of fan ownership and the benefits it will bring to people living our communities.”

    [pullquote]Motherwell is doing fantastic work to increase supporter involvement, and that’s why I was so pleased to accept their invitation to come and find out more. [/pullquote]

    Maureen Kirkwood, newly appointed member of the ‘Well Society board, engaged with the visiting Minister on the emotive subject of Fan Ownership; both fresh from the Supporters Direct summit which took place at Hampden last weekend.

    Maureen commented: “This morning was a fantastic opportunity to meet Mr Hepburn, especially in light of the consultation paper’s subject of supporter involvement. Fan ownership at Motherwell is our vision, so we are keen to hear the outcome of the paper with its findings hopefully helping shape our future.”

    In summary, the Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health said “It was a pleasure to visit Fir Park and meet people from the MFC Community Trust, the Well Society and the club itself.

    “Motherwell is doing fantastic work to increase supporter involvement, and that’s why I was so pleased to accept their invitation to come and find out more. It was also a timely visit because the Scottish Government’s consultation paper on fan involvement in football clubs closes tomorrow (Friday).

    “We are committed to the principle that football supporters should have a role for decision-making in their clubs, or even ownership when the opportunity arises. I’d urge everyone to take part in the consultation, which can be found on our website.”