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    Collum to officiate Saints clash

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    Players visit Wishaw General

  • Archive

    Moult: Focussed on Saints clash

  • Archive

    McGhee: We must be better

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    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

  • Archive

    Craigan: Glad with win

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 2 – 1 Rangers U20s

  • Archive

    Aberdeen | Ticket Update

  • Archive

    Christmas lunch a hit with elderly guests

  • Archive

    Gers up next for ‘Well U20s

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    Collum to officiate Saints clash

    Referee for Saturday’s league clash with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park is the experienced Willie Collum.

    One of Europe’s most recognisable officials, Willie will be handling his second ‘Well fixture of the campaign, after taking charge of the Lanarkshire derby back in September.

    And it was a historic day too, as star forward Louis Moult bagged a phenomenal four goals as the Steelmen stormed to a 4-2 victory over local rivals Hamilton.

    Last season, Collum took charge on three occasions – all resulting in 2-1 defeats.

    The first was a defesat to eventual Champions Celtic, who clinched a 2-1 victory on a day when the Steelmen put in a sound display.

    The other two fixtures also ended in 1-2 home defeats. The first was at the hands of Aberdeen when Marvin Johnson’s early opener was cancelled out by Niall McGinn and Ash Taylor.

    The second, at the end of January, ended with Ross County taking the points when Stephen Pearson’s late goal wasn’t enough to earn the Fir Parkers anything after Jackson Irvine and Brian Graham had put the Staggies into a commanding lead.

    Those results are on the back of the six he took charge of in the 2014/15 campaign too.

    His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads ten wins, eighteen defeats and seven draws from thirty-five matches (in all competitions).

    In those games, Motherwell have scored 50 and conceded 64.

    78 players have gone into the book, 36 wearing Claret and Amber, while six players have been dismissed – Ian Murray of Hibs at Easter Road seven years back, Jerard Aafjes at Falkirk seven seasons ago, Paul Dixon at the end of 2009/10, Henrik Ojamaa at the Caledonian Stadium and Fraser Kerr down at Rugby Park. Stephen McManus was shown a red card against Aberdeen but that was later rescinded after an appeal.

    Willie will be assisted by Gavin Harris and Paul O’Neill with David Lowe listed as fourth official.

  • Archive

    Players visit Wishaw General

    Stars from the first team squad visited the Children’s Ward at Wishaw General Hospital this afternoon.

    Captain Keith Lasley, Louis Moult, Lionel Ainsworth, Richard Tait, Steven Hammell and Chris Cadden visited Ward 20 and gave out Motherwell FC goody bags,  spreading some Christmas cheer to the young kids.

    Motherwell FC would like to thank the hospital’s staff, who do a wonderful job and are an inspiration to all.

     

     

  • Archive

    Moult: Focussed on Saints clash

    ‘Well striker Louis Moult insists preparation for Saturday’s match won’t have been affected by the abandoned match on Tuesday night.

    Speaking to the press this morning, the forward admitted it was frustrating making the trip to Aberdeen to see the game cut short and called off, but he has his attentions firmly on St Johnstone now.

    The 24-year-old said: “Obviously travelling all the way up there, sitting on the bus for three hours and then getting six minutes in to the game before it’s called off is frustrating but it’s just one of those things, we’ve got to get on with it now and look forward to Saturday’s game.

    “We’ve still got two days to prepare for Saturday so there’s not much difference I think we can work hard today and think a little bit more about preparing for the game tomorrow.”

    [pullquote]I know that a few of the lads were feeling the effects of two games in a week so I think a few of them were pleased the game was called off to be honest.[/pullquote]

    He added: “I know that a few of the lads were feeling the effects of two games in a week so I think a few of them were pleased the game was called off to be honest.”

    When asked about his form so far this season, the Steelmen’s top scorer, and the third top scorer in the Premiership, would rather see his team pick up points.

    He said: “On a personal note I’m doing ok, I managed to get two goals against Celtic and it’s always nice to score goals but as a team we were disappointed in the manner of the way we lost.

    “Then we drew 0-0 at home against Kilmarnock and you always want to score goals at home. The positive is obviously that we kept a clean sheet but we had to put the chances away and we didn’t do that.”

    [pullquote] On a personal note I’m doing ok, I managed to get two goals against Celtic and it’s always nice to score goals but as a team we were disappointed in the manner of the way we lost.[/pullquote]

    He added: “I’ve been pleased with my goals to game ratio so far this season because I think I have 10 goals in 12 games now so it’s not a bad ratio.

    “In terms of targets for this season though I just aim to score every time that I get the opportunity.”

    Moult’s stunning finish against Celtic has received a lot of attention and the forward himself admitted that his phone was “red hot” for up to two days after the match.

    On the goal itself though he said: “I think it was actually my first touch in the game and it’s gone in, it’s one of those things, and I was delighted with the two goals but on the whole I was disappointed with the result.”

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    McGhee: We must be better

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee feels his side must be better this Saturday than in previous meetings with St Johnstone.

    The Saints come in to Saturday’s match on the back of a goalless draw with Aberdeen and occupy fifth spot in the table.

    The Fir Park boss, who will serve the final game of his ban after it was carried over from Tuesday, knows it will be a tough match for his side.

    Speaking to the press this morning, he said: “St Johnstone are consistent, they finished fourth last year and they are up there again so we know that they are tough opposition.

    “We’ve lost narrowly most times we’ve played them recently, but we’ve never really played well against them so clearly we’re going to have to play better than what we’ve played in the other games because they are the type of team that you do have to break down and you won’t just beat them by turning up.”

    After Tuesday nights abandoned match against Aberdeen, McGhee admitted that the inconvenience of the round trip wasn’t a major problem for him and his side.

    Speaking to the press this morning, the manager insisted unforeseen circumstances like floodlight failure can happen to any club.

    [pullquote]St Johnstone are consistent, they finished fourth last year and they are up there again so we know that they are tough opposition.[/pullquote]

    He said: “We got over the events midweek quickly, what can you do? I know that they had plans next week to completely renew the wiring so they just got caught out a bit and that can happen to anyone.

    “We have no problem with that, we’ll go back and play them whenever the game is rescheduled.”

    The match lasted a mere eight minutes before the decision was made to abandon play due to floodlight failures.

    And McGhee joked: “I thought we started well on Tuesday, but the surprise to me was that when we looked at the stats Aberdeen had 92% possession which was disappointing.”

    However, the unforeseen circumstances may act as a blessing in disguise for the Steelmen.

    McGhee said: “We actually went in to the game with Scott McDonald, Chris Cadden and Stephen McManus all struggling a bit. Cadden especially who we gave a fitness test before we left and he wanted to play and said that he felt alright but we were a bit nervous about it.

    “When we came back in to the dressing room Scotty said he was struggling so maybe that’s worked for us because maybe he would’ve struggled more late in the game or even before that.

    “We’ve got to accentuate the positives so hopefully they’ve got a couple of days now to recover in order to be fit for the St Johnstone game.”

    [pullquote] When I’m with Scotland I sit in the stand for the first half anyway and I report down to Gordon at half time or before if I need to, so I’m used to it and it’s not a big deal really.[/pullquote]

    On his ban, the manager said: “When I’m with Scotland I sit in the stand for the first half anyway and I report down to Gordon at half time or before if I need to, so I’m used to it and it’s not a big deal really.”

    With his absence in the dugout, assistant manager James McFadden has stepped up and McGhee believes he will have a future in the game as a manager one day.

    He joked: “Well we’ve had two games and he’s only had two nil-nil draws, I think that says it all, he has to do better.

    “But no Faddy’s young – there’s been a lot of talk about the lad at Hearts and I don’t think that you can be too young.

    “I started in management at 34 when I was at Reading and Faddy’s 33, but he’s loving it and that’s the important thing.”

    He added: “I think when he took the job he wasn’t sure exactly that it was what he wanted and I think in the short period he’s been in the position he’s certainly established that this is what he wants to do, so he’ll be a quick learner.

    “It wouldn’t surprise me if he became a manager one day, he’s a confident lad, quietly confident, he talks with authority, he has convictions and he’s not wishy-washy about his beliefs and how the game should be played so it’s important that he has those convictions and a direction.”

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Excelsior Stadium

    Extended highlights from Excelsior Stadium as goals from Jake Hastie and David Turnbull give ‘Well a 2-1 win over Rangers Under 20s.

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    Craigan: Glad with win

    U20s manager Stephen Craigan admitted it was nice to see his side return to winning ways as they beat Rangers U20s 2-1 in the Development League tonight.

    While the manager prioritises performance levels first and foremost from his youngsters, he felt that the feeling of winning will do his team good.

    Speaking to MFC TV after the match, Craigan said: “We always talk about development and not necessarily winning football but it’s nice for the boys to learn how to win a game.

    “They’ve had a little sticky spell, we’ve got a few players missing who would normally play so credit to the young ones who have come in.

    [pullquote]We always talk about development and not necessarily winning football but it’s nice for the boys to learn how to win a game.[/pullquote]

    He added: “We haven’t had a lot of fit defenders so we had a bit of a makeshift back four with Tom Fry at right back alongside Barry Maguire and Jordan Armstrong, who hasn’t played too much and then Adam Livingstone at left back.”

    Craigan was complimentary of the young Rangers team too, who grew in to the match in the second half.

    He said: “Rangers had a young team too, maybe just slightly younger but they beat an experienced Dundee side 3-0 last week and they beat Hearts 5-2 in the youth cup.

    “So, irrespective of age they’re a good footballing side and they like to move the ball.”

    [pullquote]I think we scored goals at the right time, the game was kind of caught in between the two teams but then we got the goal and then the second on the stroke of half time, which kind of takes the sting out of Rangers[/pullquote]

    A goal from Jake Hastie and a neat finish from David Turnbull in the first half was enough to secure the win and despite Liam Burt’s strike to pull a goal back early in the second half, the Steelmen stayed strong.

    He said: “I think we scored goals at the right time, the game was kind of caught in between the two teams but then we got the goal and then the second on the stroke of half time, which kind of takes the sting out of Rangers and then gives us a bit more relaxation in the second half.”

    He added: “When it goes to 2-1 we’ve seen in before we can crumble but it’s a little test of character to see how you get on, so it was nice that we managed to wrestle the game back and I think in the end we probably just slightly edged the game to win it.”

     

  • Archive

    Motherwell U20s 2 – 1 Rangers U20s

    Motherwell U20s returned to Development League action tonight with a 2-1 win over Rangers.

    First half goals from Jake Hastie and David Turnbull secured the three points and despite a much better Rangers performance in the second half, the Steelmen held strong.

    Stephen Craigan named a young team to face equally young opposition, with Motherwell’s Dom Thomas and Rangers’ David Bates the only over age players on the park.

    The visitors set the pace from the first whistle, charging deep in to Motherwell territory and winning two free kicks in dangerous positions but the Steelmen survived both comfortably.

    However it was the ‘Well who had the best chance to take the lead after just four minutes of action – Dylan Falconer was released through on goal and in a one-on-one situation and got his shot away. Gers stopper Robby McCrorie got enough of a touch on it to take the pace off it and full-back Jordan Houston managed to get across and clear narrowly past his post.

    Rangers continued to threaten through set-pieces, with Jamie Barjonas curling a superb effort towards the top corner from 30-yards and forcing PJ Morrison to pull off an outstanding save to deny the midfielder.

    The young Steelmen did superb to hit Rangers on the break when a sloppy ball out from the back from Bates afforded Thomas the chance to drive at the defence. He played it wide to Mackin who cut it back for Hastie, but the midfielder’s powerful low effort was stopped by a strong hand from McCrorie.

    The youngster made amends for that though, opening the scoring after 23 minutes. Dylan Falconer struck towards goal when he was teed up inside the box by Mackin, unfortunately for young Falconer his shot looked to have been blocked, but the deflection fell kindly for Hastie inside the six-yard box and he was quickest to react and finish beyond McCrorie.

    That seemed to spark the Fir Parkers in to life and two minutes after taking the lead they nearly had a second. A well worked move resulted in Thomas freeing the advancing Tom Fry from right back, he broke into the box and drilled the ball across the box but the Gers stopper did well to fling himself towards it and clutch it out of the air.

    Hastie was involved again as Motherwell went inches away from a second goal. The midfielder got up highest to head towards goal from Thomas’ corner. McCrorie could only watch on as the ball flew past his far post leaving Hastie with his head in his hands.

    Rangers were forced in to making a change after 30 minutes when centre back Aidan Wilson left the field to be replaced by Kyle Bradley.

    In the 33rd minute, Thomas nearly scored a wonder goal, receiving the ball deep in midfield from Adam Livingstone’s throw-in and turning to beat three men before firing a speculative effort wildly over the bar from 25-yards.

    Two minutes later the midfielder went closer from the edge of the box, McCrorie getting the slightest of touches to tip his goal bound effort just over the crossbar.

    Barjonas was the first player to be cautioned despite a high number of fouls awarded by the referee, his lunging challenge resulted in his name going in to the book in the 38th minute.

    But he nearly responded to that by getting his name on the scoresheet if it wasn’t for a fantastic save by Morrison.

    A clever dummy afforded the midfielder to take a touch and strike at goal inside the box, but Morrison’s strong left hand pushed the effort from close range over the bar.

    The Steelmen doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when another slack ball out of defence fell straight to Falconer, who played it quickly to Thomas who’s shot was blocked only in to the path of David Turnbull who took one touch and fired it low past McCrorie.

    The second half got off to a bit of a slower start than the first, with neither goalkeeper called in to action until the 53rd minute.

    Ross Lyon picked the ball up on the left flank and curled in a pinpoint, deep curling cross on to the head of Zak Rudden, who headed straight at Morrison from ten yards.

    Three minutes later Liam Burt pulled one back for the visitors after some slack play at the back put Motherwell on the back foot. Burt picked up the ball and almost mirrored Turnbull’s finish by firing low past Morrison from the edge of the box.

    Falconer and Turnbull both found themselves in the book in the space of a few minutes, the former for a trip and the latter for blocking a free kick.

    That was followed by substitutions for both sides – the ‘Well replacing Falconer with Luke Watt as Craigan changed the shape of his side, and Rangers brought off 15-year-old Barry Gilmour for Serge Atakayi.

    The U20s boss made his third and final change in the 70th minute, replacing Mackin for young forward James Scott.

    Three minutes later, Thomas tried his luck from outside the box after some neat play on the left from Hastie, but Motherwell’s number seven couldn’t hit the target and it spun well over the bar.

    Gers defender Bates went close from a corner in the 77th minute, heading narrowly wide of the mark as the game approached its final ten minutes somewhat in the balance.

    The final stages of the game were largely played out in the middle of the park, with neither side creating too much in the way of chances.

    A corner in injury time was the final hurdle for the Steelmen to get over to secure the three points and Barry Maguire did well to head the danger clear.

    It was a tough second half at a cold Excelsior Stadium, but the youngsters held on for a well-deserved victory.

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    Aberdeen | Ticket Update

    Any ‘Well fan who bought a ticket for last night’s abandoned match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie will be entitled to enter the rearranged game free of charge.

    Fans should keep their ticket stubs from the game dated 13th December 2016 and that will entitle them to free entry to the next match, with a date as yet to be confirmed.

    Fans who cannot make the next match will be entitled to a full refund on the face value of the ticket. Anyone who does wish a refund should contact Wendy MacFarlane at the Motherwell FC ticket office (contact details below), who will arrange as soon as possible.

    Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows said: “It was obviously extremely unfortunate for our fans who travelled all the way to Pittodrie to support the team, only for it to be cut short.

    “However, these things do happen in football from time to time and I would like to put on record my appreciation to Aberdeen FC for the professional way they handled the situation, both on the night of the game and again this morning.

    “Both clubs are working on a suitable date for the rearranged game in what is a fairly congested fixture list and hope to announce that soon.”

    Ticket Office:

    Wendy MacFarlane
    T: 01698 333333 (Option 2)
    E: wendy.macfarlane@motherwellfc.co.uk

  • Archive

    Christmas lunch a hit with elderly guests

    The Motherwell FC Community Trust held a Christmas party for more than 20 elderly people from a local care home.

    Providing guests with a turkey dinner, gifts and music, the trust oversaw a successful afternoon in Fir Park’s Centenary Suite.

    And for event organiser Carly Slamin, it was a pleasing moment seeing the guests from Ravens Court Sheltered Housing enjoy themselves and get in the festive spirit.

    She said: “It’s lovely to be able to put on a lunch for people who may need some cheering up at Christmas time.”

    “The lunch day was great, the look on the people faces when they received a gift was amazing to see and it has made myself and the Community Trust delighted to be able to make someone’s day through a small gesture.”

    Carly hopes to see more positive work like this take lace between the football club, the trust and local care home Ravens Court.

    [pullquote]We’re hoping to build on our relationship with Ravens Court sheltered housing in the future through offering different activities in the Motherwell community and involving them in our Memory Well project.[/pullquote]

    She said: “We’re hoping to build on our relationship with Ravens Court sheltered housing in the future through offering different activities in the Motherwell community and involving them in our Memory Well project.”

    Community Trust general manager Dawn Middleton added: “This afternoon is exactly what the Community Trust was set up to do, to engage with all sectors of the community, coming three days after we had over 100 young people at a Christmas party, we’ve now got over 20 from the other end of the age spectrum.”

    She continued: “The credit has to go to Carly Slamin for all of her hard work in setting it up, her liaison with Ravens Court, her liaison with catering staff, making sure music and everything was in place – she’s done a great job.

    [pullquote]This afternoon is exactly what the Community Trust was set up to do, to engage with all sectors of the community, coming three days after we had over 100 young people at a Christmas party.[/pullquote]

    “Particular thanks has to go to the SPFL Trust for their funding through the Festive Friends Initiative to enable this to happen.

    “One of the key aims of this project is to focus on people who don’t necessarily have family and friends to share Christmas with.

    “This is hugely important and an opportunity that Motherwell Football Club can offer; for people to come along and be part of the club at this time of year.”

    Ravens Court Sheltered Housing not only care for elderly people but also people with illnesses, and those staying in their care range from the age of 23 up to 94.

    Margaret McLaughlin, Housing Co-ordinator at Ravens Court said: “A lot of the elderly people staying at Ravens Court have family but a lot are also a bit isolated and don’t get a lot of visits.

    [pullquote]It’s nice to be working beside Motherwell Football Club who we’re really close to because we actually have a lot of Motherwell supporters so it’s lovely that the club have invited us here to celebrate Christmas.[/pullquote]

    “We try to do a lot of things like this ourselves but it’s nice to be working beside Motherwell Football Club who we’re really close to because we actually have a lot of Motherwell supporters so it’s lovely that the club have invited us here to celebrate Christmas – it’s perked everyone up and it gave us all something to look forward to so it’s been lovely.

    “On Christmas day a lot of people don’t go anywhere or their families don’t come and take them home for the day but because we’re 24 hours, we do something for them.

    “Although it’s a celebration for most of the community, it can be a really lonely time for others and we’re aware of that.

    She added: “I’ve actually brought my dad along with me today, he doesn’t stay at Ravens Court but he’s been quite ill and has had to get dialysis so he’s been quite isolated at home and only really gets out for dialysis.

    “He’s been an avid football supporter all his days, he used to lift me over the turnstiles when I was young and I knew that he’d really enjoy this today and he has.”

  • Archive

    Gers up next for ‘Well U20s

    Stephen Craigan’s U20s take on Rangers U20s tonight in the Development League at the Excelsior Stadium.

    And having not won a match since the start of November, the young Steelmen will be keen to return to winning ways against the Glaswegian side this evening.

    Last week, the U20s slumped 3-1 away to Falkirk after battling through a tiring cup clash with Greenock Morton two days before.

    Goals from Cameron Eadie, Reis Peggie and Scott Shepherd sealed all three points for the Bairns, despite Jake Hastie pulling one back just after the hour mark.

    Rangers, on the other hand, come in to tonight’s match on the back of a convincing 3-0 victory over Dundee, which saw the Gers move to within two points of the Fir Parkers in the Development League table.

    A brace from Zak Rudden and a deflected effort from Liam Burt put Dundee to the sword and extended Rangers unbeaten run to four matches.

    Tonight will be the first meeting between the two sides this season, and manager Stephen Craigan will be keen to oversee his side bounce back to the form they enjoyed at the start of the season.

    The Steelmen’s 16th game in the Development League this season kicks off at 6pm tonight in Airdrie.