Latest News

The club would like to take the opportunity to remind fans ahead of tonight’s final home league match of the season against Kilmarnock.

Following the conclusion of the SPFL Commission in relation to the Premiership / Championship Playoff 2nd Leg on May 31st 2015, the club agreed to take forward various action points set out in the decision, covering the period up until the end of May 2017.

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

While the club’s position was, and is, 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 and the threat of serious sanctions, including potentially severe financial penalties, is still there should any repeat be forthcoming. Therefore, it is absolutely paramount that no fan enters the pitch or trackside area at tonight’s game.

Should this instruction be ignored, the club will be left with no other alternative but to take appropriate action against those concerned, which reluctantly may include stadium bans

Last year the club did not manage fans’ expectations about the scope of what was required in order to ensure no incursion happened in the final match against St Johnstone in 2015/16. The club did not explain in great enough detail what additional measures were required to meet the commitments given to the Commission, which led to a lot of confusion and anger amongst supporters.

As a result, we are making fans aware that once again they can expect to see additional stewarding deployed in various areas and they can expect the first three rows of both the Cooper and Hunter Stands to be cordoned off. Visiting fans will be housed in the top tier of the South Stand and there will be several posters in and around the stands, encouraging people to follow this message.

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, and that have worked with us to ensure that there has been no pitch incursion in the many months since May 2015.

We would ask every supporter to take heed of the message and work with us to ensure no further issues or problems and allow the club to meet the commitments made to the Commission and to avoid the possibility of further sanction.

Motherwell host Kilmarnock at Fir Park tomorrow night following their vital win over Hamilton on Saturday afternoon.

And with the chance to secure Premiership survival, the Steelmen will take to the Fir Park turf on Tuesday night for one of the biggest games in the clubs recent history.

A win for the Fir Parkers could wrap up safety prior to the trip to Inverness on Saturday, depending on other results.

And following the Lanarkshire derby win, Stephen Robinson’s men will be hungry to win consecutive matches for the first time in the league this season.

The fight, desire and will-to-win individual battles is something the ‘Well boss was delighted with at the weekend, and hopes for more of the same tomorrow night.

Speaking to the broadcast press this morning, Robinson reflected on the “relief” of victory and looked ahead to tomorrow night.

He said: “Saturday was a relief more than delight because we knew how important the game was and it was a scrap and a battle, it wasn’t the prettiest game in the world.

“What is was though was three points towards our ultimate goal of staying up and we know that we need to follow that up tomorrow night.”

He added: “We just have to focus solely on us and put the same level of commitment in to the game that we did on Saturday and add a little bit of quality to that, which I believe will be different being on our home patch.”

The Fir Park gaffer will be without Richard Tait, Stephen McManus and Stephen Pearson – who are missing due to groin injuries.

Motherwell stopper Russell Griffiths is aiming to grab more clean sheets before the season ends on Saturday.

And as the keeper prepares to take on Kilmarnock tomorrow night, the on-loan Englishman reflected on Saturday’s hugely positive performance and result and spoke of his patience to break in to the starting eleven.

Speaking to the broadcast press, Russell admitted there was “sigh of relief” to secure three points ahead of tomorrow’s crunch match at Fir Park.

[pullquote]It’s been a hard six-months for me since I came up here trying to get in to the team – I’ve been patient, I’ve waited and thankfully I’ve been able to play the last couple of games.[/pullquote]

He said: “It was brilliant to play my second game for the club and to come out of the game with a clean sheet was even better – there was a big sigh of relief when the final whistle went.

“It’s been a good few weeks for me although I was disappointed we didn’t manage to get the result the week before, but overall it’s been a hard six-months for me since I came up here trying to get in to the team – I’ve been patient, I’ve waited and thankfully I’ve been able to play the last couple of games.

He added: “Sammy’s been brilliant, his advice is always valuable to me. He was there for me before the game, spoke to me after the game and then text me on Saturday night as well, so he’s been great, really professional.”

Kilmarnock may have started the season with a loss against the Steelmen and experienced some ups and downs along the way, but for the Ayrshire outfit, it has been a positive campaign all round.

When the two sides got the opening game underway back in August, Lee Clarke was in charge at Killie while Mark McGhee was at the helm of the Fir Parkers.

Now, under the stewardship of Interim boss Lee McCulloch, tonight’s visitors prepare for the fourth clash against Motherwell and their second here at Fir Park this term.

And if their recent form is to go by, Kilmarnock will be brimming with confidence as they prepare to take on the Steelmen tomorrow night.

Valuable draws against Rangers and Hearts sent tomorrow’s visitors in to the split with some comfortable distance between themselves and the relegation and play-off spots.

That was followed up by victory over Hamilton Accies in their first post-split encounter to send Killie six points clear of the Fir Parkers.

They come in to the encounter with a win under their belt against relegation strugglers Inverness and Lee McCulloch will be eager to see his side follow up that result with another big win here tomorrow as they look to secure seventh spot in the table.

However, their win on Saturday means Killie are safe from relegation and the play-offs too, marking a superb campaign for interim boss McCulloch and everyone involved with the club.

After the 2-1 victory over the Caley Jags, McCulloch reflected on a performance capped off by goals from Sean Longstaff and Jordan Jones.

The manager said: “The way we played today was outstanding. Last week I said we were not at it but today I knew that we were. There was a feeling in the dressing room, a togetherness that was brilliant.

“The last 10 minutes were a bit nervy but we got there in the end and to have finally secured survival with two games remaining, I am just delighted for everybody in the dressing room and everyone at the club. Another year, we continue to strive to get better.”

The last outing between Motherwell and tomorrow’s opponents was Killie gaffer Lee McCulloch’s third in charge and he was literally inches away from avoiding defeat that afternoon.

Kris Boyd gave the hosts the lead before Carl McHugh and Zak Jules each grabbed their first goals in Claret and Amber to drag the Steelmen from behind to win 2-1.

However, with just minutes left on the clock, Kilmarnock and their new boss were handed what looked like a lifeline in the battle for valuable points as they were awarded a penalty.

As the clock ticked down and Boyd stood over the spot kick, McCulloch watched on as his forward struck his effort off the woodwork and Stephen Robinson’s Steelmen held on for all three points.

However, all attention is on tomorrow’s match here at Fir Park, the final home fixture for the Steelmen in the league this season and Killie’s final away fixture.

Referee for Tuesday’s Ladbrokes Premiership match against Kilmarnock at Fir Park is Nick Walsh.

And it marks the referee’s third ‘Well appointment of the 2016/17 campaign, after he officiated the Betfred cup 3-1 victory over Annan Athletic back in July and the Steelmen’s 4-1 victory over Ross County here at Fir Park in October.

Tomorrow night will be Nick’s second appointment at Fir Park as referee – his first of 2017.

The young official took charge of his very first Premiership game last season, and has involvements with the Steelmen this season are his only involvements with the club in his career so far.

It may make for a good omen for the ‘Well though, who have a 100% record while Walsh has been in charge, admittedly only for two games.

His assistants on Saturday are Douglas Ross and Andy Milne – and the fourth official is John McKendrick.

Motherwell stopper Russell Griffiths is aiming to grab more clean sheets before the season ends on Saturday.

And as the keeper prepares to take on Kilmarnock tomorrow night, the on-loan Englishman reflected on Saturday’s hugely positive performance and result and spoke of his patience to break in to the starting eleven.

Speaking to the broadcast press, Russell admitted there was “sigh of relief” to secure three points ahead of tomorrow’s crunch match at Fir Park.

He said: “It was brilliant to play my second game for the club and to come out of the game with a clean sheet was even better – there was a big sigh of relief when the final whistle went.

[pullquote]It’s been a hard six-months for me since I came up here trying to get in to the team – I’ve been patient, I’ve waited and thankfully I’ve been able to play the last couple of games.[/pullquote]

“It’s been a good few weeks for me although I was disappointed we didn’t manage to get the result the week before, but overall it’s been a hard six-months for me since I came up here trying to get in to the team – I’ve been patient, I’ve waited and thankfully I’ve been able to play the last couple of games.

He added: “Sammy’s been brilliant, his advice is always valuable to me. He was there for me before the game, spoke to me after the game and then text me on Saturday night as well, so he’s been great, really professional.”

You can watch the full press conference with Russell on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is calling on his players to put in the same level of commitment as they prepare for their second match in four days.

The Steelmen host Kilmarnock in a game that could potentially secure the clubs safety in the top flight, and Robinson wants more of the same from his team following Saturday’s derby delight.

Speaking to the broadcast press this morning, the Fir Park boss reflected on the “relief” of victory and looked ahead to tomorrow night.

[pullquote]We just have to focus solely on us and put the same level of commitment in to the game that we did on Saturday and add a little bit of quality to that.[/pullquote]

He said: “Saturday was a relief more than delight because we knew how important the game was and it was a scrap and a battle, it wasn’t the prettiest game in the world.

“What is was though was three points towards our ultimate goal of staying up and we know that we need to follow that up tomorrow night.”

He added: “We just have to focus solely on us and put the same level of commitment in to the game that we did on Saturday and add a little bit of quality to that, which I believe will be different being on our home patch.”

You can watch the manager’s full press conference on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

Current Season Ticket holders are reminded they can ‘Bring a Friend for Free’ for the match against Kilmarnock this Tuesday.

It’s the second of three huge matches in a week for the Steelmen and Stephen Robinson’s men will look to build on Saturday’s Lanarkshire derby win over Hamilton at New Douglas Park.

To claim a free ticket, all you need to do is bring Voucher K from the back of the book to the Ticket Office at any point between now and 12 noon on Tuesday 16th May, exchanging it for a match ticket (one ticket per voucher).

The club will look to accommodate the additional ticket to be as close to the season ticket holder’s seat as possible.

[pullquote]All the hard work is still in front of us. We have two massive matches this week and I hope you can again turn out on Tuesday night at Fir Park and back the team with the same passion and pride. As I said last week, if we stick together, fans and everyone at the club, we’ll get there.[/pullquote]

Chairman Jim McMahon said: “I want to thank the Motherwell support for an outstanding turnout at Hamilton on Saturday, it was hugely appreciated by everyone at the club.

“To have over 2,300 fans at an away league match is superb and I know having spoke with the manager, it gave the players a huge boost.

“All the hard work is still in front of us. We have two massive matches this week and I hope you can again turn out on Tuesday night at Fir Park and back the team with the same passion and pride. As I said last week, if we stick together, fans and everyone at the club, we’ll get there.

“We still have our Introduce a friend offer, and I would encourage you to get any ‘Well fans you know along to back the lads on Tuesday night.”

Extended highlights from Superseal Stadium as Louis Moult’s second-half header gives Motherwell a big three points over Hamilton Accies.

Images from today’s 0-1 win over Hamilton Accies in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”hamiltonaccies130517″]

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson knew that today’s clash with local rivals Hamilton was always going to be a tough battle.

And after seeing his side win 1-0, the Northern Irishman expressed his “relief” to see his side move out of the play-off spots.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, the manager admitted his side “out-battled” their rivals, with Premiership survival in the balance ahead of kick off.

[pullquote]I thought we were stronger and we out-battled Hamilton, which is a big part of their game, and when you’ve got someone like Louis Moult who can turn on the style and produce one moment like that it wins you the game.[/pullquote]

Robinson said: “I feel relieved more than anything because it was a tough game, there was little between the sides and it was always going to be a massive, physical battle.

“The tempo of the game was 100 mph but we asked them to battle and scrap like they have done every game for me and they did that today.”

He added: “I thought we were stronger and we out-battled Hamilton, which is a big part of their game, and when you’ve got someone like Louis Moult who can turn on the style and produce one moment like that it wins you the game.”

[tab:Match report]

Motherwell clinched a crucial victory over local rivals Hamilton to send Stephen Robinson’s men out of the relegation play-off spots.

It also means that the Steelmen now have a seven point gap over Inverness at the foot of the table, with just six points left to play for.

Louis Moult’s fortunate goal was the difference between the sides, who were both battling for their Premiership survival on the artificial Superseal Stadium surface.

And in truth it looked every bit like the derby scrap it was billed up to be, with yellow cards aplenty and little to separate the two sides.

Motherwell took a little while to get going, as the hosts pegged back Robinson’s side early on with a couple of freekick’s in the opening exchanges.

However, the travelling Fir Parkers looked a threat on the break with the pace and trickery of Elliott Frear, who was thwarted on the break by a cynical and dangerous foul by Michael Devlin – which in truth could have warranted more than just the early yellow card that referee Kevin Clancy brandished.

With neither team enjoying too many opportunities, Craig Clay, returning to the starting line-up in place of Lionel Ainsworth, had his head in his hands when his effort from the edge of the area whistled narrowly past the post.

The second half was a similarly scrappy affair, and Accies went close to going ahead.

Alex D’Acol was afforded too much time in the box and the forward’s effort was matched by a superb save from on-loan keeper Russell Griffiths – making his second consecutive start in claret and amber.

Eventually the deadlock was breached just after the hour mark when Frear’s in-swinging freekick was turned goalward by the shoulder of top-scorer Moult and past Remi Matthews for the forwards sixth Lanarkshire Derby goal of the season.

As the clock ticked down and three points drew tantalisingly closer, Robinson’s men dug in deep in the final few minutes, with David Templeton’s deflected effort wide the closest the hosts came to drawing level.

But as the final whistle was heard around the ground, wild celebrations in the sold out away end broke out as the players hailed the incredible travelling support.

It leaves the Steelmen with an all important clash on Tuesday night against Kilmarnock, with the opportunity to confirm Premiership survival.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Superseal Stadium

Louis Moult’s looping header gives the Steelmen a big, big win over their Lanarkshire neighbours. COYW!!!!

FT: Hamilton Accies 0 – 1 Motherwell

FULL TIME!!!

90+3′ | 0-1
Ainsworth fires just past from 20 yards!

90′ | 0-1
Four minutes added on.

90′ | 0-1
Pause in play as Clay goes down with a headknock.

…ball falls to Templeton whose shot is deflected wide for a corner. ‘Well clear and Templeton is booked for a shocker of a challenge .

86′ | 0-1
Accies have a free-kick in a good area. Crawford to take…

84′ | 0-1
Accies sub, Redmond off for Templeton.

84′ | 0-1
Motherwell sub, Ferguson on for Moult

77′ | 0-1
Motherwell sub, Frear off for Bowman. Corner coming up…

76′ | 0-1
MacKinnon booked for a clumsy looking tackle on Ainsworth.

75′ | 0-1
Accies sub, Docherty off for Brophy

75′ | 0-1
A let-off as McHugh is dispossessed but Hammell does superbly to cover and get it clear!

68′ | 0-1
Dochert booked for a shirt pull on Frear as he broke away.

66′ | 0-1
Hammell whips in a free-kick and it loops in off @louismoult’s shoulder!!! Come on!!!!

GGGGOOOAAALLLL!!!!

65′ | 0-0
Motherwell sub, Lasley off for Ainsworth.

56′ | 0-0
Matthews booked. Raced off his line to stop a quick throw-in.

55′ | 0-0
Great save by Griffiths! D’Acol with plenty of space inside the box but the on-loan ‘keeper is equal to his effort!

D’Acol gets the second 45 underway. COYW!!

Both teams are back out, it’s time for the second half.

HT: Hamilton Accies 0 – 0 Motherwell #HAFCvMFC

42′ | 0-0
Quite incredibly there is another yellow card, this time for Campbell for a foul in the middle of the park.

40′ | 0-0
McHugh booked. Was a foul in the touchline but can’t believe he’s produced a card.

38′ | 0-0
Great ball into the back post area by Crawford to Imrie. He takes it on his chest and volleys towards goal but Griffiths gathers.

36′ | 0-0
Bad challenge on the Motherwell captain by Docherty. No card shown though.

36′ | 0-0
Lasley booked. Was never a foul and ref books him for being frustrated at the poor decision.

34′ | 0-0
McDonald booked as he goes down under a challenge from Sarris. Ref says dive.

32′ | 0-0
Redmond again tries his luck from range but again it’s the same outcome. Well over the bar.

31′ | 0-0
Rash challenge by Crawford on Cadden earns him a booking.

20′ | 0-0
Redmond gets in behind the ‘Well defence and cuts it back to Crawford but he can’t hit the target, firing well over.

17′ | 0-0
Close! Moult lays it off for Clay whose shot slides inches past the post.

16′ | 0-0
Docherty picks up a loose ball about 30 yards out. Doesn’t really sit well for him and blasts it well over the bar.

10′ | 0-0
Shocker of a challenge from Devlin as Frear broke clear midway inside the Accies half. Booked.

8′ | 0-0
Crawford’s shot from distance is deflected out for a corner. Accies work it short but Redmond’s cross is high and wide.

….Moult strikes but it’s routine stop for Matthews

4′ | 0-0
McDonald clattered on the edge of the box. Free-kick coming up….

2′ | 0-0
Early Accies chance. Crawford with the free-kick from 20 yards but it’s well over the bar.

Campbell gets the game underway. COYW!!

Out come the two sides. Absolutely magnificent away support here!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell caretaker manager Stephen Robinson:

Hamilton Accies manager Martin Canning:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”324″]