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  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Dens Park

  • Archive

    McGhee: First goal was crucial

  • Archive

    Dundee defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    Dundee 2 – 0 Motherwell

  • Archive

    Fan Information: vs Dundee

  • Archive

    Dundee: A closer look

  • Archive

    Agyeman promoted to the Under 20s

  • Archive

    McGhee: Expecting Dundee at their best

  • Archive

    Heneghan: Got to be at our best

  • Archive

    Motherwell FC will remember

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Dens Park

    Extended highlights from Dens Park as goals from Cammy Kerr and Marcus Haber consign Motherwell to a 2-0 loss.

  • Archive

    McGhee: First goal was crucial


    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee admitted the first goal was critical as his side lost 2-0 away to Dundee this afternoon.

    With the game goalless, a controversial decision from the officials ensured the Steelmen were not awarded a goal despite Dundee stopper David Mitchell bundling the ball over his own line.

    Speaking to MFC TV, the manager expressed his disappointment at the result and touched on the importance of the match officials decision.

    He said: “We were going through a period in the game when it looked like we’d make a breakthrough.

    [pullquote]The first goal is so important in these games and I think if you make the breakthrough you go on to win the game.[/pullquote]

    “The first goal is so important in these games and I think if you make the breakthrough you go on to win the game because at that point we were starting to undermine their confidence, the crowd were starting to rumble a wee bit and we were creating chances.”

    He added: “Not to be given the goal was ludicrous, it was a shocking, scandalous decision – but then we go on and concede a goal which was just as big a crime as the referee and the linesman were guilty of.

    “It was the first half that cost us because we didn’t play as well as I would’ve hoped, down the sides especially, and then the decision not to give us the goal which I think would have sent us on to do pretty well in the game.”

    [pullquote]It was the first half that cost us because we didn’t play as well as I would’ve hoped, down the sides especially, and then the decision not to give us the goal which I think would have sent us on to do pretty well in the game.[/pullquote]

    McGhee also admitted that Dundee got their second half tactics correct, frustrating the Steelmen after riding their luck in the opening 45.

    He said: “I think in the second half Dundee did the right thing and I told the boys at half time exactly what they were going to expect – you’re going to expect the balls raining in from distance, they’re going to hook it on and turn you around – and it was absolutely the right tactics.”

  • Archive

    Dundee defeat in pictures

    Images from today’s 2-0 loss to Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”dundee051116″]

  • Archive

    Dundee 2 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Lewis Irons at Dens Park

    Motherwell suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership, on an afternoon of controversy and disappointment.

    Motherwell were incorrectly denied a clear goal when Dee stopper David Mitchell ran the ball across his line and were punished by a late Cammy Kerr strike in the first half, which swayed the momentum of the game and contributed to a poor second half showing.

    Mark McGhee named two changes from the side that recorded a 4-1 win over Ross County last weekend. Lee Lucas missed out due to injury but was replaced by the returning skipper Keith Lasley, while youngster Jack McMillan was replaced by experienced full-back Stevie Hammell.

    And it was a dominant first period for Motherwell after the game settled down. Louis Moult fancied his chances from range within the opening five minutes, but his ambitious effort was off target and didn’t trouble Mitchell.

    Some neat passing allowed Jamie Kerr a good opportunity inside the Motherwell box after eight minutes, but from a tight angle he flashed his effort across goal.

    It took over ten minutes for the game to settle somewhat, and the Steelmen enjoyed a good spell of possession deep in Dundee’s half. Cadden teed up Tait who swung a cross on to the head of Scott McDonald, who directed it on target but was halted by the linesman’s flag.

    Mitchell did well to tip an in swinging Lionel Ainsworth corner on to the crossbar, and McGhee’s men didn’t quite get the luck they needed as it bounced too high for McManus who struck it on the half-volley over the bar.

    The pressure was maintained and just minutes later Scott McDonald tried his luck from range, but he too struck too high and Mitchell remained fairly untested after the first 20 minutes.

    There was a huge decision to be made for the officials in the 25th minute, as David Mitchell was caught off guard from a lofted Scott McDonald cross, which had him scrambling back towards his goal and as he gathered it, the keeper ran the ball over his own line sending the travelling ‘Well fans in to disarray as the linesman didn’t flag for a goal and play went on.

    Lionel Ainsworth was denied a sure goal by an impressive block from … after cadden’s low, drilled cross landed at the wingers feet – but his first time effort crashed against the defender and it remained 0-0, when in truth it could have been two and most certainly should have at least been one for the Fir Parkers.

    Completely against the run of play and in crushing fashion, Cammy Kerr gave Dundee the lead with just minutes left in the first half.

    McGhee replaced Stevie Hammell with Jack McMillan at the break before withdrawing Ainsworth and Lasley for youngsters Thomas and MacLean.

    The second half was largely scrappy, with neither side creating too many clear cut chances. The best opportunity fell Dundee’s way just before the 70th minute, when Holt had time to attempt a shot from inside the area, which flashed wide of Samson’s far post.

    In a scrappy half with next to no chances created, Dundee grabbed their second of the match and all but sealed the three points. Wighton got in behind the Motherwell defence before cutting the ball back to Haber who slotted it past Samson from close range.

    Almost immediately down the other end, Stephen  McManus should have pulled one back as the ball broke to him inside the box after Mitchell fumbled, but the centre-back blazed it high over the bar.

    David Mitchell was forced in to a double save in the 85th minute, as Craig Clay’s effort was plamed before McDonald’s header was eventually gathered by the Dundee stopper.

    But it wasn’t to be for Motherwell, on an afternoon where a controversial decision denied the Fir Parkers the lead and ultimately changed the game.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Lewis Irons at Dens Park

     

    FT: Dundee 2 – 0 Motherwell #DFCvMFC

    5 minutes added on.

    84′ | 2-0
    Another good chance there as Clay’s shot is beaten away by Mitchell then McDonald heads straight at him

    82′ | 2-0
    Chance to nick a goal back there as Mitchell fumbled to McManus but he fires over the bar.

    79′ | 2-0
    Goal – Wighton gets in behind the defence and cuts it back to Haber who slots it home. 2-0 to Dundee.

    67′ | 1-0
    Dundee break away and a loose ball falls to Holt who fires just wide from the edge of the box.

    58′ | 1-0
    Double Motherwell sub, MacLean and Thomas on for Ainsworth and Lasley

    56′ | 1-0
    Gomis hobbles off and is replaced by Williams

    54′ | 1-0
    McManus booked for fouling Gomis on the edge of the box.

    51′ | 1-0
    Great save from Samson who palms Haber’s close-range header onto the bar!

    50′ | 1-0
    Wighton tests Samson with a good effort from 20 yards but the ‘keeper palms it over the bar.

    Both sides are back out and Dundee get the second 45 underway…

    Motherwell sub, McMillan on for Hammell

    HT: Dundee 1 – 0 Motherwell #DFCvMFC
    40′ | 1-0
    Goal – Unbelievably Dundee take the lead with their first dangerous attack of the game. 1-0 to Dundee through Kerr.

    33′ | 0-0
    Chance! Cadden with a great low cross to Ainsworth whose shot from 12 yards is blocked by O’Dea!

    24′ | 0-0
    Motherwell spurred on by that injustice and McDonald goes close with a header from close range.

    21′ | 0-0
    Woah! Incredibly bad decision there as McDonald’s shot goes well into the net but linesman somehow doesn’t see it.

    17′ | 0-0
    McDonald drops the shoulder to beat Vincent but his effort on goal is way off. Still 0-0.

    16′ | 0-0
    Off the bar! Ainsworth’s cross causes Mitchell all sorts of problems and he has to palm it onto the woodwork!

    8′ | 0-0
    Close! Kerr overlaps and from a tight angle takes on the shot which fizzes inches past the far post.

    6’ | 0-0
    Moult advances but has little options and opts to go for a shot which is way off target.

    Lasley gets the game underway. COYW!!!

    Both teams emerge from the tunnel, Dundee in pink and dark blue, Motherwell in all white.

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

     

    Dundee  Manager  Paul Hartley:

     

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”295″]

  • Archive

    Fan Information: vs Dundee

    ADULTS:    £22 
    CONCESSIONS       £17
    UNDER 13    £10
    • Concessions are listed as 65 and over and juveniles under 16
    • Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745 494631/ 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk 

    • The Motherwell Support will be housed in the Shankly Stand (behind the goals)
    • Pay at the gate turnstiles are 33-34 with a contingency gate if necessary.
    • Dens park is a completely no smoking stadium with no facility to leave the stadium to smoke during the game or at half time. This also applies to e cigarettes.
    • The club cannot allow surfing flags however flags can be draped over the seating area at the front of the stand (four rows) that are cordoned off for the game. These must be able to be secured and the stewards will be on hand to assist.
    • Bus parking is Neish Street ( across the road from tannadice)

    By car

    Click here for Directions (if on iPhone, this link will open up your maps app for Sat Nav)

    The stadium is located less than 200 yards from Tannadice, home of their city rivals Dundee Utd, and is well signposted for travelling fans.

    Head towards Perth on the A9 and then follow the A90 into Dundee, leaving at the junction with the B960 to turn right on to Clepington Road (signposted Football traffic).

    Continue along Clepington Road for one mile and go through a roundabout before turning right on Arklay Street. The stadium will be clearly visible.

    Street parking is available on numerous streets around the ground.

    By bus

    Several operators run buses to Dundee, departing every hour from Buchanan Station in Glasgow city centre.

    Further information and timetables are available online at www.citylink.co.uk.

    By train

    Dundee station is over two miles away from the ground, although frequent bus services run throughout the city.

    Further information and timetables are available online at www.tpexpress.co.uk.

  • Archive

    Dundee: A closer look

    Motherwell travel to Dens Park in the Ladbrokes Premiership tomorrow, looking to follow up from the important three points picked up against Ross County last weekend.

    The Steelmen currently occupy ninth spot in the table and are just two points off the top six, but Mark McGhee and his side also sit just three points ahead of Dundee, highlighting the tight nature of the league.

    Dundee earned a hugely important win over Hamilton to set them up nicely for this clash, having strung together six defeats on the bounce prior to that 1-0 victory last weekend.

    And it proved to be a big six points, not just for tomorrow’s opposition but for the entire table, with a mere six points separating sixth and 12th.

    Both the Dee’s wins have come away from home this term, with Paul Hartley’s side picking up just two points on their home turf in 12 games. But the Steelmen will be wary of the task at hand on Saturday after failing to break the Dark Blues resistance in the 0-0 draw at Fir Park back in late August.

    Other examples of the clubs defensive capabilities were on show in their hard-fought 1-0 and 2-1 defeats to Celtic and Rangers respectively, where both sides of the Old Firm scraped narrowly past Paul Hartley’s men at Dens Park.

    Mark McGhee knows that his side must prepare for Dundee at their best tomorrow afternoon, and admitted that it will be a tough test.

    He said: “Dundee aren’t any different to the rest of us in this league, I’ve seen Dundee play poorly but I’ve seen them play well, I’ve seen the same with Inverness, Ross County, Partick Thistle.

    “We’ve got to go in to every game thinking whoever we’re playing will play well, that they’re capable of it and that day they will play well – that way we won’t be taken by surprise.

    “Dundee have that in them, they’re at home and the first goal is really important I feel.”

    Keith Lasley and Stevie Hammell both trained this week as the experienced duo look to recover for the trip to Dundee, but Carl McHugh is still out of action due to concussion.

    Scott Bain is fit to return to action for the home side after the keeper missed the 1-0 victory over Hamilton, while Kevin Gomis and Nicky Low are set to return to fitness as well. Mark O’Hara and Faissal El Bakhtaoui will remain sidelined for Hartley’s side.

     

    ‘Well defender Ben Heneghan has enjoyed a stellar start to his Motherwell career, forming a solid partnership with veteran centre-back Stephen McManus.

    Yet another impressive display was on show last weekend as the English centre-back limited the chances for prolific County striker Liam Boyce so he remained on seven league goals for the season so far.

    Ahead of the Dundee clash, the 6ft 4 defender insists it is important to get another big three points on the board this weekend.

    He said: “I think the team played really well on Saturday, it was a positive result and we need to build on that.

    “Obviously we know we’ve got to start getting the points on the board and a positive result on Saturday will hopefully push us on.

    “To be honest I think it was just the second half against Inverness where we were really poor, but we built on it on Saturday with a good performance.”

    He added: “Cadds and Lionel did really well and Lee coming in I thought he was class. I think it helped having wingers on either side, for my personal performance I like having a winger on either side but we play like the manager says and it was a positive result – that’s what matters.

    “After a loss everyone’s head goes a bit but you just know that the next game is around the corner and you have to build on it – the next day you’re in training, you’re getting ready for that next game and we done it right and it showed.”

    [pullquote]Dundee are not going to be an easy game so we’ve got to bring our A-game, be the best we can be, take it to them, win the game and hopefully have a nice break.[/pullquote]

    Despite Dundee’s position in the table, the English defender knows it is important for everyone in a Motherwell shirt to be at their best.

    He said: “We need the three points on Saturday, Dundee are not going to be an easy game so we’ve got to bring our A-game, be the best we can be, take it to them, win the game and hopefully have a nice break.

    “We’ve had a few not so good results, but you’ve just got to build on it. There’s only 12 teams in the league so it’s very close – Celtic are obviously up there but everyone else is still fighting for it so we just have to focus on the three points.”

    The change in pace is something Ben admits he is still adjusting to. He said: “There’s been a lot of breaks, I’m not used to it to be honest I’m used to Saturday-Tuesday every week but it’s good for recovery and you can get a bit more training in as well so I’ll take the positives from it.”

     

    Today’s visitors Dundee arrive on the back of a 1-0 win over Hamilton Academical, where a goal from Paul McGowan was enough to secure three points at the SuperSeal stadium.

    The 2016/17 season represents an opportunity to return the club to a top half finish.

    Appointed in 2014, the ex-Hearts midfielder got off to a brilliant start to his Dee managerial career – guiding the club to the Championship title followed by a sixth placed spot in the top flight in the 2014/15 season.

    ‘Well fans need no reminder that that was the season the club slumped into the Premiership play-offs and survived in stunning fashion by beating Rangers 6-1 on aggregate.

    Last season though, Dundee finished eighth as the Steelmen surged to fifth, and tomorrow’s match could bear fruit towards both sides aspirations of a top six finish.

    For the Dark Blues though, it won’t be plain sailing after they lost a number of key players from their squad.

    Midfielder Greg Stewart departed the club for Birmingham City in a £500,000 deal and will be taking with him a large chunk of Dundee’s goal-threat.

    Last season, the 26-year-old scored nine league goals from his left-sided role and was his clubs second top scorer – the creative attacker also notched 15 assists.

    The season before that though, when the Dee clinched a top-half finish, the Scotsman scored 13 in the league and assisted 10.

    But perhaps an even bigger loss was the departure of Kane Hemmings, who left the Ladbrokes Premiership for English League One side Oxford United.

    Scoring 22 goals last season was not only huge for Dundee but left the Englishman as the second top scorer in the league, only behind Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths.

    Such impeccable goal-scoring form meant the 25-year-old forward only lasted one year north of the border after making the switch from Barnsley in 2014.

    Two such important players will always be hard to replace, but with the captures of Faissal El Bakhtaoui from Dunfermline and Michael Duffy on loan from champions Celtic, Paul Hartley may have found a source of goals for his side.

    But so far this season it has been 28-year-old Scottish forward Rory Loy who has proven will be able to lead the line after the departure of Hemmings.

    After signing from Falkirk last summer, the striker scored nine in the league last season, but has already scored two this term, in the form of a brace against Ross County.

    Both Mark McGhee and Paul Hartley will be confident in their sides chances this weekend, after drawing earlier this season. In the three games last term the ‘Well won once, drew once and lost once – making this one tough to call for the neutrals.

    With a big season ahead for Paul Hartley and his side and with both sides looking to move up the table, they will both be coming in to today’s match fired up for the occasion, which will prove to be a tough test for both sides.

     

  • Archive

    Agyeman promoted to the Under 20s

    Motherwell FC is today please to confirm Alfredo Agyeman has been promoted to the Under 20s squad.

    Agyeman is a Ghanaian-born Italian who has been in sensational form for the Academy Under 17s; so much so he was a late substitute against Hibernian for Stephen Craigan’s side last month.

    And now the former Holyrood Secondary pupil has turned sixteen, the club have rewarded him with a professional contract and he will train with the rest of the Under 20s on a daily basis, competing with the likes of James Scott, Dylan Falconer, Ryan Watters and Dylan Mackin for a spot in the side.

    Speaking of his progress and promotion, Under 20s boss Stephen Craigan said: “I’m in constant contact with the Academy staff about the progress of players and the feedback we’ve had on Alfie has been extremely positive.

    “He will take time to get used to the rigours and demands of full-time professional football, particularly as he’s still so very young, but we have high hopes for him.

    “He’s quick, can score and most importantly, has a real desire to learn and improve.”

    [pullquote]This is another example of the pathway we have between the Academy and the full-time professional teams at Under 20s and first-team level at Motherwell and hopefully gives further inspiration to every youth player in our system.[/pullquote]

    Academy Director Scott Leitch added: “This is another example of the pathway we have between the Academy and the full-time professional teams at Under 20s and first-team level at Motherwell and hopefully gives further inspiration to every youth player in our system.

    “Over the last year we’ve seen the likes of Ross MacLean, Allan Campbell, Jake Hastie, Jack McMillan and David Turnbull, all Academy graduates, appear in first-team squads as well as Chris Cadden cementing himself as one of the best young players in Scotland.

    “Alfie will join the likes of Jordan Armstrong and James Scott as first-years, working under the tutorship of Stephen Craigan, who is doing a magnificent job with the Under 20s.”

  • Archive

    McGhee: Expecting Dundee at their best

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee knows his side have to expect Dundee at their best on Saturday when his side travel to Dens Park.

    With mixed results in recent weeks, the manager is well aware that any side in the league can play well or poorly on the day.

    Speaking to the press this morning, McGhee admitted it was hugely important to bounce back to winning ways against Ross County and hopes the run can continue into the weekend.

    He said: “We played well against Hearts, we played well against Celtic but we didn’t get good results of course – but because of the nature of the opposition it tends not to affect your confidence quite as much.

    “The Inverness game was neck and neck until the last half hour where it was like a balloon was popped and that was hugely disappointing, so it was just making sure that we were a bit more robust than that mentally against Ross County. We started the game really, really well then we got the first goal which was very important.”

    [pullquote]We’ve got to go in to every game thinking whoever we’re playing will play well, that they’re capable of it and that day they will play well – that way we won’t be taken by surprise.[/pullquote]

    He added: “It wasn’t too long between the matches, it was only a couple of days so it wasn’t like a week or it wasn’t the international break and we had two weeks to fester, it was a case of getting in the next day and knowing that we were better than that, let’s get up to training, let’s get on with it, get together again and go out and batter, to the best of our ability, Ross County.”

    Dundee currently sit bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership on nine points, but a win on Saturday could lift them to ninth.

    McGhee said: “Dundee aren’t any different to the rest of us in this league, I’ve seen Dundee play poorly but I’ve seen them play well, I’ve seen the same with Inverness, Ross County, Partick Thistle.

    “We’ve got to go in to every game thinking whoever we’re playing will play well, that they’re capable of it and that day they will play well – that way we won’t be taken by surprise. Dundee have that in them, they’re at home and the first goal is really important I feel.”

    [pullquote]When I came here a year ago he was the one I targeted and he’s done everything I’ve asked of him. We’re delighted with him, I’m delighted for him and we’re starting to see him develop on and off the pitch.[/pullquote]

    On the day Chris Cadden penned a new deal with the club, Mark McGhee expressed his delight at securing the star’s future until 2019.

    He said: “It’s thoroughly deserved. He signed a contract back in March and he deserves a new deal – he’s playing every week, he’s starting most weeks and he’s applying himself.

    “When I came here a year ago he was the one I targeted and he’s done everything I’ve asked of him. We’re delighted with him, I’m delighted for him and we’re starting to see him develop on and off the pitch.”

    He added: “He’s just got to keep improving cause I still think there’s aspects of his play that he can work really hard on. At the moment he’s most effective on the outside but I still think he can develop his game in a 360 degree basis and play in the centre of the park where I think he could be a great asset.

    “He needs to add some goals, he’s got goal potential and I see that every day in training, but he’s still young and he’s still working at it and he’s still developing so I’m sure he’ll keep improving.”

  • Archive

    Heneghan: Got to be at our best

    ‘Well defender Ben Heneghan insists it is important to get another big three points on the board this weekend.

    The Steelmen travel to Dens Park for a clash with bottom of the table Dundee, but Ben is well aware of the difficulty of the task at hand.

    Speaking to the press this morning, the 23-year-old admitted the squad need to keep their momentum going following the 4-1 win over Ross County last weekend.

    He said: “I think the team played really well on Saturday, it was a positive result and we need to build on that.

    “Obviously we know we’ve got to start getting the points on the board and a positive result on Saturday will hopefully push us on.

    [pullquote]Obviously we know we’ve got to start getting the points on the board and a positive result on Saturday will hopefully push us on.[/pullquote]

    “To be honest I think it was just the second half against Inverness where we were really poor, but we built on it on Saturday with a good performance.”

    He added: “Cadds and Lionel did really well and Lee coming in I thought he was class. I think it helped having wingers on either side, for my personal performance I like having a winger on either side but we play like the manager says and it was a positive result – that’s what matters.

    “After a loss everyone’s head goes a bit but you just know that the next game is around the corner and you have to build on it – the next day you’re in training, you’re getting ready for that next game and we done it right and it showed.”

    [pullquote]Dundee are not going to be an easy game so we’ve got to bring our A-game, be the best we can be, take it to them, win the game and hopefully have a nice break.[/pullquote]

    Despite Dundee’s position in the table, the English defender knows it is important for everyone to be at their best.

    He said: “We need the three points on Saturday, Dundee are not going to be an easy game so we’ve got to bring our A-game, be the best we can be, take it to them, win the game and hopefully have a nice break.

    “We’ve had a few not so good results, but you’ve just got to build on it. There’s only 12 teams in the league so it’s very close – Celtic are obviously up there but everyone else is still fighting for it so we just have to focus on the three points.”

    The change in pace is something Ben admits he is still adjusting to. He said: “There’s been a lot of breaks, I’m not used to it to be honest I’m used to Saturday-Tuesday every week but it’s good for recovery and you can get a bit more training in as well so I’ll take the positives from it.”

  • Archive

    Motherwell FC will remember

    As we do every season, Motherwell FC will commemorate Remembrance Day by wearing special poppy shirts against Dundee on Saturday.

    The Steelmen have a close relationship with the Armed Forces and in particular The Royal Regiment of Scotland (both 1 & 2 SCOTS) who receive 30 season tickets for soldiers in Scotland and four season tickets for each of the soldier’s families.

    Although the poppy has been the subject of much debate over the last week, the club choose to wear one every November simply out of respect to anyone who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty anywhere across the world.