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  • Archive

    Well fans: Thank you

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 1 – 2 Celtic U20s

  • Archive

    Scottish FA: Notice of Complaints

  • Archive

    Club Statement: Final home game

  • Archive

    Club Statement: Keith Lasley appeal

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Pittodrie

  • Archive

    McGhee – We looked jaded

  • Archive

    Aberdeen defeat in Pictures

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    Aberdeen 4 – 1 Motherwell

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    Well fans: Thank you

    Motherwell FC today thanked their fans for working with the club to stay off the pitch at the end of the game.

    As a part of the SPFL Commission, the club had to demonstrate clearly that it would prevent another pitch incursion, which the commission deemed as ‘unacceptable conduct’ when reviewing the Play-off Final of 31st May 2015.

    As we detailed in a statement back in March 2016 and again at the start of this week, the threat posed to the club in the event of another incursion was potentially significant, possibly even material.

    We had to take an extremely visible presence during and at the end of the game, something that fans hopefully know is not the norm at Fir Park.

    We understand some of our supporters may have felt the actions were severe and that it spoiled their enjoyment of the game, and for that we apologise. With the risk, we were almost damned if we do, and very much damned if we didn’t.

    However, we would like to once again sincerely thank the fans for their cooperation in ensuring the requirements of the commission were met this afternoon.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

    Highlights from the final Development League game of the season, as Motherwell lose 1-2 to Celtic.

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 1 – 2 Celtic U20s

    Motherwell Under 20s signed off their 15/16 campaign with a 1-2 defeat to Celtic at Excelsior Stadium this afternoon.

    A first-half double from Hoops front man Calvin Miller was enough to cancel out a fine David Turnbull volley and give the Development League champions all three points.

    The game was a typical end of season fare with little in the way of chances until the 25th minute when Celtic took the lead.

    Regan Hendry collected the ball on the edge of the box and had a snapshot which flashed across Long, struck the far post, came back off the other post and fell into the path of Miller who made no mistake with the finish from six yards.

    With little between the sides, Motherwell were back level seven minutes later.

    Dom Thomas’ cross was headed clear by Kelleher only as far as Turnbull who showed great technique to volley low into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

    Celtic were back ahead, though, ten minutes later through Miller again.

    Mark Hill’s pass was deflected into Miller who showed a great piece of skill to get past Maguire and produced a fine curled finish into the far corner.

    Motherwell arguably had the two best chances of the second half.

    The first fell to Josh Moore who got on the end of Falconer’s ball into the box and although the winger got enough power in his header, he couldn’t quite direct it past Doohan who saved well.

    Moore was also involved in a good chance for Falconer. He won the ball on the counter and although he was tackled, managed to ping the ball through to the pint-sized striker who opted to go for power but ended up firing just over the bar from 18 yards.

    Despite the defeat, Motherwell finish the season in sixth place. Added to the Youth Cup success, it’s been a very impressive debut season for Stephen Craigan.

    Motherwell: Long, McMillan, Ferguson, Maguire, Livingstone, Moore (MacLean – 85), Campbell, Turnbull, Thomas, Leitch, Falconer

    Unused subs: Morrison

  • Archive

    Scottish FA: Notice of Complaints

    Both Mark McGhee and Stephen Robinson have been issued with a Notice of Complaint from the Scottish FA compliance officer.

    Mark McGhee has been offered, and accepted, an immediate one-match ban for a breach of Disciplinary Rule 203 surrounding comments made to the fourth official at the conclusion of Saturday’s match with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

    From the same game, Assistant Stephen Robinson has been accused of a similar offence, relating to alleged comments to the fourth official on the 88th minute.

    Stephen will appear in front of a hearing at Hampden Park on Thursday 12th May, but is available to be in the Motherwell dugout at least until the hearing is concluded.

  • Archive

    Club Statement: Final home game

    Further to the official statement on March 9th, the club would like to take another opportunity to remind fans ahead of Saturday’s final home match of the season against St Johnstone.

    Following the conclusion of the SPFL Commission in relation to the Premiership / Championship Playoff 2nd Leg on May 31st 2015, where the club robustly defended itself, it agreed to take forward the various action points set out in the decision.

    Although much of what is required of the club is and has been addressed, it is vitally important to re-emphasise the role of our supporters in helping meet the requirements of the commission.

    While the club acknowledges that the end of season pitch incursions at Fir Park, by predominantly young supporters, have almost always been celebratory and without malice, incursions themselves are considered to be ‘unacceptable conduct’ and may give rise to further disorder.

    In particular, the incursion on 31st May 2015 was found to be disorderly by the commission.

    It is clear that the league will no longer accept these incursions and the club could face extremely serious sanctions should there be a repeat this weekend against St Johnstone, or any other game for that matter. It is absolutely paramount that no fan enters the pitch or trackside area, either at Fir Park or elsewhere, at any time.

    Should this instruction be ignored, the club will reluctantly be left with no other alternative but to take appropriate action against those concerned, which will include a significant ban from the stadium and possible prosecution by Police Scotland.

    Motherwell Football Club is immensely proud of its supporters and appreciates every single fan that follows the club each and every week, through good times and bad.

    We would ask every supporter to take heed of the message and work with us to ensure no further issues or problems.

     

     

  • Archive

    Club Statement: Keith Lasley appeal

    Motherwell Football Club can confirm that it has today (Tuesday) formally submitted an appeal to the Scottish FA in relation to Keith Lasley’s red card during Saturday’s SPFL Premiership match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

    The skipper was shown a straight red card by the match official in the closing stages after being accused of serious foul play in a clash with Dons player Kenny McLean.

    Bobby Madden, who had a clear view from just yards away, appeared to initially deem the tackle a bookable offence and had the yellow card in his hand, but changed his mind, presumably on the advice of another official.

    The club strongly believes this to be a case of wrongful dismissal and has therefore submitted an appeal this afternoon. The Scottish FA have notified the club the hearing will take place on Thursday 12th May 2016.

    Manager Mark McGhee said: “Having watched it back several times, I thought it was more of a tired, miss-timed tackle, rather than one that was reckless, violent or with intent to hurt the opponent.

    [pullquote]Having watched it back several times, I thought it was more of a tired, miss-timed tackle, rather than one that was reckless, violent or with intent to hurt the opponent.[/pullquote]

    “There was another tackle earlier in the game that was fairly similar in many ways, that resulted in a booking, which is why I was surprised at the red card. Obviously Bobby, who I thought had a good game overall, had the yellow in his hand and he’s changed his mind, which he’s perfectly entitled to do, but I think his initial gut reaction to the challenge was the correct one.”

    General Manager Alan Burrows added: “Our Football Administrator Karen Paterson has already submitted a Player Reference for Fast Tracking proceeding to the Compliance Officer, and will follow that with the relevant evidence tomorrow.

    “We’ve only ever had fair and thorough experience when we’ve appealed Stephen McManus and Scott McDonald’s incorrect red cards and I expect the same again in this instance.”

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Pittodrie

    Highlights from Pittodrie as ten man Motherwell are beaten 4-1 by Aberdeen.

  • Archive

    McGhee – We looked jaded

    Mark McGhee says his players will have to regroup after looking jaded during today’s defeat at Pittodrie.

    The Steelmen went into the match on the back of six wins from seven games, a monumental effort and run that lifted the side from eleventh to fourth, securing a top-six spot along the way.

    However, the Scotland Assistant admitted that push has taken it out the players, and he will have to regroup ahead of two vital matches against both St Johnstone and Ross County over the next eleven days.

    The Fir Park boss told MFC TV after today’s 4-1 defeat: “We were poor and lost a couple of really bad goals.

    [pullquote]We need to regroup, get the players as fresh as we can and go into the next two matches against St Johnstone and Ross County looking to win.[/pullquote]

    “We improved a little after the break, and after getting a goal at 3-1, they appeared to be wobbling and we had a couple of good chances to make it 3-2 and really put some pressure on, but they scored again to kill the match.

    “We didn’t play as well as can. We were less joined up, lacked a little cohesion and weren’t aggressive as we have been, certainly not as much as last week.

    “But even that game at Fir Park last weekend, and the shift the players have put in over recent months, takes it toll. They’ve given us a fantastic return, and almost every game since the turn of the year we’ve been flat out. Yes, there have been disappointment along the way, but we’ve put a fantastic effort.

    “We need to regroup, get the players as fresh as we can and go into the next two matches against St Johnstone and Ross County looking to win.”

  • Archive

    Aberdeen defeat in Pictures

    Action images from this afternoon’s 4-1 defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”aberdeen300416″]

  • Archive

    Aberdeen 4 – 1 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Phil McGhee at Pittodrie

    An off-colour Motherwell were soundly beaten 4-1 by Aberdeen at Pittodrie this afternoon.

    The Steelmen were second best for the majority of the game, lost frustratingly poor goals and to compound the misery, captain Keith Lasley was harshly red carded late in the match.

    The game was long gone by then though, with McLean, McGinn, Rooney and Hayes giving the hosts a commanding lead, Chris Cadden scored Motherwell’s only goal to give some hope when it was 3-1, but it failed to materialise despite one or two decent chances.

    Mark McGhee made three changes to the side that beat Hearts last weekend.

    Connor Ripley was back between the sticks in place of Craig Samson. Josh Law missed out injured, replaced by the returning Louis Laing and another returnee, Stephen Pearson, was preferred to Cadden who had a gruelling ninety-minute during the midweek.

    The Dons were quick out of the traps, and the Hayes picked up on the left flank, twisted and turned his way past Laing before the defender bundled the Irishman over.

    Kenny McLean took the resulting spot kick, sending Ripley the wrong way. 1-0 Aberdeen after just five minutes.

    The Fir Parkers enjoyed a good chunk of the ball in the early stages of the match, forced a great deal of corner kicks, but failed to seriously test debutant keeper Adam Collin.

    However, with only their second shot on target, Aberdeen doubled their lead. Shay Logan got himself into an advanced position on the right, and his cross towards the penalty spot was perfect for Nial McGinn, who nipped in ahead of Keith Lasley to slot home.

    Motherwell’s only response of note during a fairly lacklustre first half was long-distance shots from both Ainsworth and Johnson, but neither proved any trouble for Collin.

    The hosts had earlier replaced striker Simon Church with the returning Adam Rooney, and the striker made an immediate impact.

    He angled a header from a Logan cross narrowly wide of goal after 52 minutes. It was a warning the Claret and Amber men failed to heed though as he did net two minutes later.

    McGinn’s free kick had been flicked on by Andrew Considine,forcing Ripley to make a brilliant stop, pushing the ball onto the bar. However, the rebound would fall kindly for the unmarked Rooney to prod home from close range.

    Motherwell introduced Chris Cadden and looked a different team for it. The youngster dragged his side kicking and screaming back into the match, getting on the end of Johnson’s low cross to fire off, albeit his effort taking a fortuitous hit off Ash Taylor.

    Boosted by their goal, Motherwell pressed on and Louis Moult came close to further reducing the deficit. The striker got on the end of a Scott McDonald pass, racing clear of the home defence. With only Collin to beat, his angled shot agonisingly wide of Collin’s left-hand upright.

    Most of the play was going towards the Dons goal, but Hayes put the seal on things, confirming a win for his side, with a solo strike with 12 minutes remaining.

    He outstripped both Pearson and Hall on the left flank before bursting into the penalty area and lifted the ball over Ripley to make it 4-1.

    That wasn’t the end of the drama though as ‘Well were reduced to ten men. Keith Lasley caught Kenny McLean late as the midfielder was bursting clear. It looked no more than a mistimed challenge, similar to a Graeme Shinnie tackle on Marvin Johnson earlier in the match, which resulted in a caution.

    However, despite initially having the yellow card in his hand, referee Bobby Madden changed his mind and after pulling several players apart, including an angry Shinnie, flashed a red card at the Motherwell skipper.

    Assistant boss Stephen Robinson was also sent to the stand for his protests with fourth official Nick Walsh.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Pittodrie

    FT: Aberdeen 4 – 1 Motherwell

    88′ | 4-1
    Red card for Lasley! Initially booked but changed to a red. Bizarre stuff.

    83′ | 4-1
    Aberdeen sub, McGinn off for Wright

    80′ | 4-1
    Aberdeen sub, Robson on for Rooney.

    78′ | 4-1
    Goal – Hayes bursts clear and knocks it past Ripley. Frustrating as it had been a decent spell for Motherwell

    76′ | 3-1
    McLean booked for a foul on Johnson. Marv has been in the wars today!

    74′ | 3-1
    Johnson is fouled by Shinnie in a decent area on the right…whipped into the box and almost lands for Moult but Taylor clears.

    71′ | 3-1
    What a chance for Moult! Played in well by McDonald and his shot from inside the box goes inches past!

    69′ | 3-1
    Johnson is set clear but the linesman’s flag goes up. Looked tight!

    65′ | 3-1
    Cadden pulls a goal back, after a great ball in from Johnson.

    GOAL!

    61′ | 2-0
    Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for Cadden.

    54′ | 3-0
    Goal – Rooney makes it 3. Great save from Ripley puts it onto the bar but the striker is there to poke in from close.

    53′ | 2-0
    Deep ball in from Logan finds Rooney. His header back across Ripley flies just wide of the post.

    49′ | 2-0
    Decent build up play between Johnson and McDonald but the Aussie’s cross is too deep and goes out for a goal kick.

    47′ | 2-0
    McGinn’s cross is put out for a corner……cleared by ‘Well, fed back in to Rooney but the sub is offside.

    Aberdeen get the second 45 underway.

    Half time change for ‘Well, Hall on for Laing.

    HT: Aberdeen 2 – 0 Motherwell

    45′ | 2-0
    McGinn fires across a low ball which thankfully neither Rooney nor Hayes can get on the end of. A let off.

    44′ | 2-0
    Aberdeen sub, Church limps off and is replaced by Rooney.

    36′ | 2-0
    Moult’s free-kick from 30 yards deflects over the bar for a corner. Again, though, Motherwell can’t capitalise.

    35′ | 2-0
    Hayes drives into the box and from a narrow angle, his cross/shot lands on the roof of the net.

    25′ | 2-0
    Goal – Logan crosses to McGinn who gets in ahead of Lasley and volleys into the net. 2-0.

    22′ | 1-0
    Hayes gets a great ball into the box which McManus manages to get to ahead of Church. Corner to Aberdeen.

    21′ | 1-0
    Laing and Johnson combine down the right to win a corner…..ball in finds Johnson who is hacked down by Shinnie. Booking.

    14′ | 1-0
    Johnson tries his luck from distance but can’t get it on target. Well wide and high.

    9′ | 1-0
    Hammell’s free-kick lands at the feet of Ainsworth on the edge of the box. Curls straight at Collin.

    5′ | 1-0
    Goal – McLean sends Ripley the wrong way to put Aberdeen 1 up.

    5′ | 0-0
    Penalty to Aberdeen! Hayes gets past Laing and the big defender barges him down.

    3′ | 0-0
    Long range shot from McLean takes a touch off Hammell and goes wide for an Aberdeen corner.

    …….From Hammell’s delivery the ball falls to Moult but his volley is well blocked

    1′ | 0-0
    Early corner for Motherwell, won by Moult on the right flank.

    Pre-match formalities over, it’s time for kick-off. COYW!!!!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

    “We didn’t play as well as can. We were less joined up, lacked a little cohesion and weren’t aggressive as we have been, certainly not as much as last week.

    “But even that game at Fir Park last weekend, and the shift the players have put in over recent months, takes it toll. They’ve given us a fantastic return, and almost every game since the turn of the year we’ve been flat out. Yes, there have been disappointment along the way, but we’ve put a fantastic effort.”

    Aberdeen Manager Derek McInnes

    “Last week as a team I felt we lost out in every department, and today I thought we got on top of our opponents and won every battle.

    “We’ve got five points to get over the final three games to beat our points total from last season, and again beat the record for points accumulated for a non-Old Firm club, and we’ll try to do that.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”271″]