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    St Mirren U20s 1 – 1 Motherwell U20s

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    Clancy to officiate Celtic clash

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    U20s back in action

  • Archive

    Calendar signing a hit with fans

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    Scottish Cup 4th Round draw

  • Archive

    Don’t miss tonight’s signing event

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Tynecastle

  • Archive

    Hearts defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    McGhee: We lost fair and square

  • Archive

    Hearts 3 – 0 Motherwell

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    St Mirren U20s 1 – 1 Motherwell U20s

    Motherwell U20s took an early lead but failed to secure the three points as they drew 1-1 away to St Mirren in the Development League.

    A Dylan Mackin finish in the opening seconds was cancelled out by a tap-in from Andy Webster on an afternoon when the Steelmen dominated much of the game.

    Stephen Craigan named a few changes as his side returned to action following last week’s break – with Tom Fry shifted to an unfamiliar right back role and Dean Brill starting between the sticks.

    It was a lightning quick start for the Steelmen who took the lead just seconds after the referee got the game underway.

    A terrific delivery from the left flank from Adam Livingstone was turned neatly beyond St Mirren keeper Reece Willison from six yards by Dylan Mackin with a neat side-footed finish.

    That didn’t settle the U20s but instead made them appear hungry for more – with MacLean, Turnbull, Thomas and Hastie all trying their luck from around 20 yards within the opening 15 minutes, but it remained 0-1.

    It perhaps should have been two when Fry burst forward from right-back and put in a near perfect low ball across the corridor of uncertainty, but no one could get on the end of it and St Mirren remained just the one goal behind.

    Craigan’s side continued to dominate for the opening 30 minutes but with ten minutes remaining in the half, the Saints clawed one back.

    It was against the run of play but it was cheap from Motherwell defensively.

    A free kick was swung into the box by Connor O’Keefe and it was glanced onto the post via the finger tips of ‘Well stopper Brill – only for the rebound to fall to Andy Webster who tapped it in to an empty net.

    There were numerous calls for handball after Thomas’ cross deflected up on to the hand of Webster, but the referee waved play on and minutes later brought the first half to a close.

    Craigan replaced Adam Livingstone with Jordan Armstrong at the break.

    The second half offered a number of chances for either side in the opening exchanges – St Mirren went close through Orsi from close range then O’Keefe from outside the box, but it was Motherwell who went closest through goal scorer Mackin.

    Allan Campbell did superbly to win the ball despite the battling of two St Mirren players, slowing the ball to fall to Hastie. The winger charged inside from the left and teed up Motherwell’s number nine who took a touch and curled an incredible strike towards the top corner. Saints stopper Willison stood and watched and was ultimately relieved to see it come crashing back off the bar.

    St Mirren made their first change of the afternoon just before the hour mark, withdrawing goal scorer Webster and replacing him with Greig McNaughton.

    Straight after the change, Mackin went close from just inside the box, but on his right foot the goal scorer failed to hit the target.

    Motherwell started to ramp up their game a notch with around 25 minutes left – searching for a winner.

    Thomas in particular looked lively and was involved heavily in the Fir Parkers attacks.

    Hastie linked-up well with the midfielder, who looked up and charged towards the Saints goal before curling a low effort on target, but Willison saved comfortably.

    Two minutes later, the ‘Well number seven nearly scored a wonder goal, collecting the ball on the edge of the box before beating his man with a Cruyff turn and striking a powerful effort over the bar.

    He was at the heart of things just seconds later, from a throw in he beat his marker with ease and burst through the centre of the park, unleashing a good effort from 20 yards, but Willison did well to get across and gather it.

    Dylan Mackin was inches away from grabbing a winner in the 85th minute, but his strike took a slight deflection and went wide. From the corner, the big striker appeared to be fouled in the box and there were calls for a penalty, but again the referee said no.

    It nearly cost the Steelmen too, as McLear struck inches over the crossbar after a neat cutback with the last kick of the game.

    It finished all square and the draw means the youngsters sit fourth in the Development League table, but are now without a win in their last three matches.

  • Archive

    Clancy to officiate Celtic clash

    Referee for this Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership match against Celtic at Fir Park is Kevin Clancy.

    It will be Kevin’s third Motherwell involvement of the season and second as referee.

    The first involvement as referee came in the BetFred Cup match against Celtic after he was on fourth official duties for the Rangers clash in the group stages.

    Kevin was in the middle as a dominant Celtic overturned Motherwell 5-0 in Glasgow before they went on to lift the trophy last weekend.

    Prior to the Celtic clash, it had been a while since the referee had officiated a Steelmen match.

    It was back in October 2014, when Stuart McCall’s side lost 2-1 at McDiarmid Park.

    He’ll be a relatively familiar face given this will be his eleventh Motherwell game as referee.

    He took charge of a swashbuckling 2-2 draw with Dundee United at Tanandice in September 2013 and that was followed a couple of months later with the 1-0 win at Pittodrie on Boxing Day, when a resolute ‘Well came away with all three points thanks to Ainsworth’s winner.

    The 33-year-old was the man in the middle again that season for the vital 2-1 win over Saints when Ainsworth and McManus got on the score sheet to put the Steelmen on the road to SPFL Premiership runners-up.

    His only other Motherwell match outwith the League was in the 2011/12 campaign in the Scottish Cup, where he was the man in the middle as the Fir Parkers demolished Queen’s Park 4-0, a certain Henrik Ojamaa smashing home a fabulous debut goal.

    His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads ten matches in total, Motherwell winning four, drawing two and losing four. ‘Well have scored twelve and conceded fifteen.

    There have been twenty-seven cautions dished out in those matches, sixteen of them to a man wearing Claret and Amber and zero dismissals.

    Kevin will be ably assisted by Graham Chambers and Mark McLean with Alan Muir on Fourth Official duties.

  • Archive

    U20s back in action

    Motherwell U20s are back in action tomorrow afternoon following a break from action last week.

    And Stephen Craigan’s side will be facing St. Mirren at New Western Park, Renfrew, with kick-off at 1pm.

    The Paisley outfit currently sit ninth in the Development League table, five points behind the young Steelmen who sit fifth on 22 points.

    The Saints come in to the match on the back of a 1-4 loss at home to Dundee last week but are in a good spell of form with two wins in their last three.

    Motherwell on the other hand will be hoping to return to the sort of form they enjoyed early in the season, but will continue to have to do without youngsters Jack McMillan and David Ferguson who continue their break in to the first team.

    The U20s last bit of action was an intense goalless draw away to Dundee and prior to that was the disappointing 1-0 loss to Hearts, making tomorrow afternoons clash an interesting one with the Fir Parkers hungry to return to winning ways.

    You can follow all the action live on twitter @MotherwellFC as well as catch the highlights on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel tomorrow.

  • Archive

    Calendar signing a hit with fans

    The club’s official calendar signing event saw hundreds of fans meet their favourite stars at the Fir Park Centenary Suite last night. 

    And it was a successful night for everyone who attended, with people of all ages able to meet the squad, get their new 2017 calendars signed and pose for a selfie or two.

    If you missed the event but would like to buy a calendar, you can buy yours at the Well Shop.

  • Archive

    Scottish Cup 4th Round draw

    Motherwell have been drawn to face Rangers at Ibrox in the Fourth Round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

    The tie is due to be played on 21st January 2017.

    Full draw:

    Ross County vs Dundee United

    St Johnstone vs Forres Mechanics or Stenhousemuir

    Albion Rovers or Queen of the South vs Celtic

    Livingston vs East Fife or Edinburgh City

    Rangers vs Motherwell

    Aberdeen vs Stranraer or East Kilbride

    Elgin City vs Inverness CT

    Raith Rovers vs Hearts

    Kilmarnock vs Hamilton

    Bonnyrigg Rose or Dumbarton vs Hibs

    Brechin City or Ayr United vs Queen’s Park or Montrose

    Partick Thistle vs Formartine United or Annan Athletic

    Stirling Albion or Wick Academy vs Clyde or Arbroath

    Alloa vs Dunfermline

    Dundee vs St Mirren or Spartans

    Beith Juniors or Greenock Morton vs Falkirk

  • Archive

    Don’t miss tonight’s signing event

    ‘Well fans have the chance to meet their favourite first team players at tonight’s open calendar signing in the Centenary Suite. 

    The whole squad will be available between 6pm and 7.30pm tonight to sign the newly released calendar – available here on motherwelldirect.co.uk  – and pose for pictures with the guys.

    You can purchase the calendar prior to the event at the ‘Well Shop and take it along with you or you can buy one at the event on the evening.

    After the Calendar signing there will be a Quiz event, supported by the Well Society, which you can find more details about here: www.thewellsociety.co.uk

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Tynecastle

    Highlights from Tynecastle as Motherwell lose 3-0 against Hearts.

  • Archive

    Hearts defeat in pictures

    Images from today’s 3-0 loss to Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”hearts261116″]

  • Archive

    McGhee: We lost fair and square

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee admitted his side were beaten “fair and square” away to Hearts this afternoon.

    A brace from Bjorn Johnsen and a neat finish by Jamie Walker secured all three points for the Jambos but Motherwell had a number of chances cleared off the line during a frustrating ninety minutes.

    Speaking to MFC TV after the match, the manager admitted his side were second best.

    He said: “We lost the game fair and square. They were better on the ball they were more aggressive. As a team they were more effective and I felt we never really got it going at any point even although we ended up forcing a few chances from set plays and from longer, deeper free kicks.

    “They were determined in defence to get to clear those balls and get them off the line so you have to give them credit for that, we have to get it over the line that’s our job and we didn’t manage it.”

    [pullquote]“I was disappointed with the nature of the goals. The first one down the side of us when we have three centre-halves and the second one a header from a corner kick.”[/pullquote]

    Despite the loss, the Steelmen remain in the top six, however McGhee knows that it is too early in the season to judge the table.

    He said: “The relevance of being in the top six at this stage is irrelevant, I think the important thing is the points between us and the bottom which I think is only two points.

    He added: “So that’s the important thing, we have to put points on the board to open up some distance between us and the teams at the bottom.

    “Next week we have a very difficult game at home to Celtic and then we’ve got a big December after that too.”

  • Archive

    Hearts 3 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Lewis Irons at Tynecastle

    Motherwell slumped to a 3-0 loss at Tynecastle this afternoon against a ruthless Hearts side who ultimately took their chances.

    The Steelmen were unlucky not to score though, with as much as FOUR goal-bound efforts cleared off the line in agonising fashion for the Fir Parkers.

    A brace from Bjorn Johnsen and a neat finish from Jamie Walker punished Motherwell on a cold and sunny afternoon in the capital.

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee named an unchanged line-up from the side that overcame Partick Thistle 2-0 at Fir Park last week, while Robbie Neilson on the other hand named four changes to his side after they drew 3-3 against Hamilton on Monday night.

    Tony Watt, Prince Buaben, Liam Smith and Alim Ozturk were replaced by Igor Rossi, Faycal Rherras, Arnaud Djoum and Robbie Muirhead – but it was top scorers Jamie Walker and Callum Paterson who looked the most dangerous in the opening exchanges of the match.

    The two looked to combine and cause problems down the right flank but it was a surging run from Walker which led to the midfielders first shot on target. Cutting in on to his right foot the Hearts number seven forced a routine save from Craig Samson after two minutes and proceeded to test the ‘Well keeper twice more in the following four minutes –  but almost identical strikes from the midfielder left Samson making comfortable saves.

    Motherwell failed to create anything in the opening fifteen minutes as Hearts peppered Samson’s goal and after 16 minutes the game came to a brief standstill.

    A head-knock between Ben Heneghan and Callum Paterson left both on the floor requiring treatment. The Hearts defender was allowed to stay on the pitch despite his gushing wound and nasty looking bump above his eye as Heneghan was bandaged up on the sidelines.

    But it was Paterson who was withdrawn from the action nine minutes later – Heneghan meanwhile was fine to carry on and play the full 90 minutes.

    Hearts deservedly took the lead but it came from a loose touch in the Motherwell midfield. Johnsen was quick to burst beyond the Claret and Amber defence and latch on to a neat through ball before the tall centre-forward rounded Craig Samson and rolled the ball into an empty net.

    Just two minutes later, Johnsen was celebrating again but the linesman’s flag cut the party short as the goal scorer had strayed offside before looping his header into the far corner.

    That scare seemed to spark the Steelmen in to life as a looping ball into the Jambos box was knocked on by Heneghan, but it flashed across the goalmouth untouched and out for a goal kick.

    The tall, bandaged centre-back was involved in front of Hearts goal just minutes later but this time his attempted header from a Richard Tait free kick soared over the bar.

    Louis Moult and Scott McDonald were allowed to link-up five minutes before the break after a slack John Souttar pass gifted Motherwell a chance. The recovering Jam Tarts defence did enough to put pressure on the attackers and block Moult’s effort at goal.

    On the stroke of half time Craig Samson produced a fine save to deny Hearts a second goal and keep the deficit down going in to the interval.

    McGhee made two changes as he brought off Jack McMillan and David Ferguson for Lionel Ainsworth and Stevie Hammell and matched the home side with a 4-4-2 shape.

    The break didn’t change things though as just four minutes in to the second half Hearts went two up.

    An in-swinging corner was headed low past Samson by Johnsen for his second of the game and it looked as though Motherwell’s hopes of a comeback were crushed.

    However, the Fir Parkers responded well and a strong 20-minute spell in the second half should have led to a goal for the visitors.

    A header on target from McDonald was cleared off the line by Rherras before the defender, still on the line, somehow denied Heneghan immediately after.

    Substitute Ainsworth fired an ambitious effort narrowly wide of the post from 30-yards as the Steelmen pushed to find a way back in to the game, but soon after Hearts made it three.

    Ainsworth’s free-kick was cleared and Hearts hit the Steelmen on the break, Walker providing the low neat finish to a swift Hearts counter as Robbie Neilson’s side all but secured the three points.

    In the final five minutes of the match, Motherwell were denied a further two times by goal-line clearances. The first a hooked Souttar clearance after Ainsworth’s dink bounced towards the line and the second a decent clearance from Rherras to deny Moult his seventh goal of the season.

    But Hearts held on for their clean sheet and Motherwell left feeling somewhat deflated, yet still sitting in the top six of a compact Ladbrokes Premiership.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Lewis Irons at Tynecastle

     

    FT: Hearts 3 – 0 Motherwell #HMFCvMFC

    89′ | 3-0
    That’s now a fourth chance cleared off the line! Moult with a free header, swept away by Rherras

    86′ | 3-0
    Ainsworth is sent clear but Souttar manages to retreat and clear his chipped shot off the line.

    75′ | 3-0
    Hearts sub, Currie on for Cowie

    74′ | 3-0
    Sammon squanders a great chance to make it 4, dragging his shot wide of the target from 15 yards.

    68′ | 3-0
    Hearts sub, Johnsen makes way for Sammon

    66′ | 3-0
    Goal – Hearts breakaway and Walker finishes it off with a low shot past Samson.

    65′ | 2-0
    Motherwell sub, Hastie on for Cadden.

    64′ | 2-0
    Ainsworth’s powerful low shot from 30 yards fizzes inches wide of the post.

    51′ | 2-0
    McDonald’s header is cleared off the line by Rherras. Seconds later he is there again, this time denying Heneghan!!

    49′ | 2-0
    Goal – Hearts go two up, this time a header by Johnsen from a corner.

    Motherwell get the second 45 underway. COYW!!

    Double change at half-time for Motherwell, Hammell and Ainsworth on for Ferguson and McMillan.

    Seconds before the whistle blew, Samson had a great save from Rossi’s header, clawing it off the line!

    HT | Hearts 1 – 0 Motherwell #HMFCvMFC

    45+1′ | 1-0
    Souttar booked for a shirt pull on McDonald. Can have no complaints there.

    Three minutes added on.

    44′ | 1-0
    Ball over the top is squared by Johnsen to Djoum 12 yards out but he curls his shot over the bar.

    41′ | 1-0
    Great chance for Moult as a slack pass allows him and McDonald to combine on the edge of the box but the defence recover to block.

    38′ | 1-0
    Tait whips in a free-kick from the right which is met by Heneghan but he can’t get his header on target.

    35′ | 1-0
    Chance! Looping ball into the box is knock across goal by Heneghan but no takers!

    34′ | 1-0
    Johnsen has the ball in the net again with a fine looping header but the linesman’s flag is thankfully up!

    32′ | 1-0
    Goal – Johnsen is slid through and cooly rounds Samson before slotting into the empty net. 1-0 to Hearts.

    26′ | 0-0
    Hearts sub, Paterson off for Smith. Has quite a nasty looking bump just above his eye.

    25′ | 0-0
    Decent chance for Hearts there. Long throw into Johnsen whose flicked header is just wide of the post.

    23′ | 0-0
    Paterson fires wide of the post, seconds after being told to leave the pitch and get a blood injury attended to!

    21′ | 0-0
    ‘Well still down to ten men, and Hearts almost capitalise. Johnsen is slid in but blazes over from a narrow angle.

    Both will need further treatment on the sidelines. Heneghan will return wearing a bandage, no doubt.

    16′ | 0-0
    Hearts have the first corner of the game…Heneghan and Paterson compete and both go down with head knocks.

    From the free-kick, Walker drills it straight into the wall and Rherras fires well over the bar.

    9′ | 0-0
    Rherras shows good feet to get past Tait and the Motherwell man is booked for impeding his run into the box.

    6′ | 0-0
    Hearts work a throw-in from the left which releases Walker inside the box. His attempt on goal is again matched by Samson.

    2′ | 0-0
    Walker again tests Samson, with an effort very similar to the first, with the same outcome. Save Samson.

    1′ | 0-0
    Walker tests Samson almost immediately with a bouncing effort from distance. Probably going wide but Samson gathers anyway

    Djoum gets the action underway for the Jambos. COYW!!!

    Out come the two sides at a packed Tynecastle. Usual colours for both teams…

     

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

     

    Hearts Manager Robbie Neilson:

     

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”297″]