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    Thomson in charge of final fixture

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

  • Archive

    Kilmarnock win in pictures

  • Archive

    Robinson: We showed character

  • Archive

    Motherwell 3 – 1 Kilmarnock

  • Archive

    From the vault: vs Kilmarnock

  • Archive

    Killie matchday magazine preview

  • Archive

    Fan Notice: vs Kilmarnock

  • Archive

    Kilmarnock: A closer look

  • Archive

    Walsh to officiate Killie clash

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    Thomson in charge of final fixture

    Referee for Saturday’s final league match of the 2016/17 season is Craig Thomson – as the Steelmen travel to Inverness.

    The 44-year old takes charge of his fourth Motherwell fixture of the season, after the league opener against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, the Steelmen’s 1-1 draw away to Partick Thistle in September and the crushing Scottish Cup defeat against Rangers at Ibrox.

    One of the top Scottish referee’s in the game, Thomson has been in charge of a number of Ladbrokes Premiership clashes this season as well as officiating in the UEFA Champions League and World Cup Qualifiers.

    Of the three matches he refereed in Europe’s premier club competition, one match saw him oversee last year’s finalists Atlético Madrid who took on Rostov.

    His record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mixed bag with 16 wins from 48 matches. There have been 22 defeats and ten draws too.

    Not included in that list was the 2007/08 Scottish Cup fourth round replay win against Hearts at Fir Park, when he replaced the injured Stuart Dougal midway through the second-half.

    In those games, Motherwell have scored 67 and conceded 70.

    168 players have gone into the book, 86 were wearing claret and amber, while seven players, including former and current captains Stephen Craigan and Keith Lasley, have been dismissed. The most recent was Stephen McManus in the away defeat to this weekend’s opponents Inverness.

    Craig will be ably assisted by Dougie Potter and Jordan Stokoe; with Kevin Graham on fourth official duties.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

    Extended Highlights from Fir Park goals from Carl McHugh, Lionel Ainsworth and Elliott Frear secure the three points for the Steelmen.

  • Archive

    Kilmarnock win in pictures

    Images from today’s 3-1 win over Kilmarnock in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”kilmarnock160517″]

  • Archive

    Robinson: We showed character

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson expressed his emotions after the relief of keeping Motherwell in the top flight of Scottish football.

    An outstanding 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Fir Park ensured the Steelmen grabbed back-to-back wins for the first time this season – but at the crucial time.

    Speaking to MFC TV at full time, Robinson hailed the desire and “character” of his squad.

    He said: “We’re relieved, we’re staying up and it was a hard fought victory tonight.

    [pullquote]The boys have thoroughly deserved it and since I came in they’ve showed those battling qualities and desire to remain in this division.[/pullquote]

    “Lee’s done brilliantly with Kilmarnock and they came here on the back of a really good run, so we showed character and started really well.”

    He added: “The set-play we worked on was terrific and came off brilliantly and we then showed character to bounce back from conceding as well.

    “The boys have thoroughly deserved it and since I came in they’ve showed those battling qualities and desire to remain in this division.”

    You can watch Robinson’s full post-match interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Motherwell 3 – 1 Kilmarnock

    [tab:Match report]

    Motherwell secured their Premiership status with a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Fir Park tonight.

    The Steelmen notched consecutive victories for the first time this season as Hamilton conceded in stoppage time to lose 3-2 away to Ross County – leaving Stephen Robinson’s men six points ahead of their local rivals.

    Now the Fir Parkers could finish as high as eighth with a trip to Inverness waiting on Saturday afternoon.

    Following Saturday afternoon’s 1-0 victory over Hamilton, it was a dream start as the ‘Well grabbed the lead after just a minute.

    It was straight from the training ground, with Elliott Frear’s clever corner kick cut back for Carl McHugh to finish first time past Jamie MacDonald.

    While it was a perfect way to get such a crucial encounter started, in truth, Motherwell had their most disappointing spell of the match in the first half as Kilmarnock took a bit of control.

    That was rewarded when Adam Frizzell struck a low effort past Russell Griffiths to level proceedings in the 17th minute after the ball broke kindly for the Killie man.

    Lee McCulloch’s side nearly took the lead six minutes later but Greg Taylor was denied by a superb save from Griffiths, who raced off his line to deny the Ayrshire outfit their second goal.

    Immediately down the other end, top-scorer Louis Moult was denied a sure goal by a fantastic save from MacDonald, who turned the forward’s effort over the bar after a neat ‘Well move which sent Moult free.

    After picking up an early yellow card, Stephen Robinson took no chances as he hooked youngster David Ferguson before half time to ensure his side kept eleven men on the park – he was replaced by Lionel Ainsworth.

    It was an inspired substitution too; as the winger proved to be the difference in a fantastic second half for Motherwell.

    And eight minutes in to the second period, the Englishman scored what turned out to be a decisive goal in Motherwell’s season.

    Standing over a freekick just outside the box, Ainsworth struck a stunning effort from a near impossible angle past the helpless Killie keeper to give ‘Well a crucial lead in their final fixture at Fir Park this season.

    The hosts went on to control the match as they neared three massive points, and with news filtering through the stadium that Hamilton were behind against Ross County, the near 5,000 home supporters celebrations stepped up a notch.

    And in the 79th minute, they burst into ecstasy.

    A lovely reverse ball from Moult out near the touchline in to the run of Frear through the middle of the Killie defence allowed the winger to round the outrushing MacDonald with his first touch and stroke in to an empty net with his second for his first goal in claret and amber to wrap up what was a huge victory for the club.

    With one game remaining and top flight football remaining at Fir Park next season, it was a dramatic and memorable ending to the 2016/17 campaign at the home of the Steelmen.

     

    [tab:As it happened]

     Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

     

    And with that the Steelmen will be playing in the Premiership next season! COYW!!!!!!

    FULL TIME!!!!
    90+3′ | 3-1
    ‘Well have the ball in the corner and will look to keep it there.

    4 minutes added on….

    89′ | 3-1
    Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for @adamlivi03

    85′ | 3-1
    Motherwell sub, Moult off for Bowman. Some shift he’s put in!

    79′ | 3-1
    Excellent breakaway…Moult finds FREAR and he finds the composure to go past MacDonald and slot home. COME ON!!!!!

    MATCH ATTAX | Young ‘Well fans can vote now for your Man of the Match. Tweet your name, age, choice & #MatchAttaxMOTM.

    GGGOOOAAAALLLL!!!!

    77′ | 2-1
    Killie sub, Wilson off for Graham

    5246 here tonight, 500 from Kilmarnock. Thank you for your support!

    72′ | 2-1
    Close! Frear gets past his man but shoots just past the post.

    68′ | 2-1
    Frizzell gets some space about 25 yards out and opts for the shot but it doesn’t trouble Griffiths. Well over.

    65′ | 2-1
    Kilmarnock sub, Kiltie off for McKenzie.

    57′ | 2-1
    Close!! Cadden fires a great ball across the face of goal which MacDonald gets a great hand to, to take it away from Moult. Corner

    55′ | 2-1
    Killie sub, Hawkshaw off for Roberts.

    53′ | 2-1
    What a goal!!!! Ainsworth fires in a beauty from the deadball. COYW!!!!!!

    GGGOOOOAAALLLLL!!!!!

    52′ | 1-1
    Taylor is shown a yellow for hacking down Frear as he burst past him. Free-kick in a decent area…

    50′ | 1-1
    Motherwell free-kick wide on the left….whipped in by Ainsworth but nodded wide by Heneghan

    49′ | 1-1
    Frear spins his man and he is hauled down. No card though.

    48′ | 1-1
    Clay gets into the box. There is contact and he goes down but ref books him for simulation.

    Both teams are back out and Clay gets the action back underway. COYW!!!

    HT: Motherwell 1 – 1 Kilmarnock #MFCvKFC

    44′ | 1-1
    Kiltie’s shot from range skims the top of the bar and goes over.

    39′ | 1-1
    Ainsworth bursts past his man and clips in a ball deep to Frear who then forces a corner. From that, Heneghan heads over.

    38′ | 1-1
    Motherwell sub, Ferguson makes way for Ainsworth.

    34′ | 1-1
    Jones gets past Ferguson but Griffiths his equal to his shot, saving it with his foot.

    31′ | 1-1
    Ferguson booked for a foul on Jones on the edge of the box.

    24′ | 1-1
    Great chance for Moult but MacDonald stands up well and puts it over for a corner.

    23′ | 1-1
    Griffiths races off his line and does well to block at Taylor’s feet.

    19′ | 1-1
    Motherwell almost back in front! Moult sets up Cadden with his chest but he blasts inches wide from 20 yards.

    17′ | 1-1
    Goal – ‘Well are pegged back. Ball breaks kindly for Frizzell and he finds a way past Russell from 12 yards.

    11′ | 1-0
    Lasley booked. Looked harsh to be honest.

    8′ | 1-0
    McDonald gets in behind the Killie defence and squares to Moult who spins well but his shot is blocked. Unlucky.

    5′ | 1-0
    Free-kick wide on the left. Frear to take…..MacDonald gets off his line and claims well.

    1′ | 1-0
    Corner kick is worked short to McHUGH who blasts home. COYW!!!!

    GGOOAALLLL!!!!

    Kilmarnock get the game underway. COYW!!!

    Out come the two sides. Beautiful night here in Lanarkshire…

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:

     

    Kilmarnock interim manager Lee McCulloch:

     

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”321″]

  • Archive

    From the vault: vs Kilmarnock

    Motherwell had suffered a dismal start to their campaign back in season 2006/07, but put a poor run of one win in the opening eight games to one side with a 5-0 thrashing over tonight’s opponents Kilmarnock at Fir Park.

    Richie Foran slotted home from five yards on 15 minutes following a goalmouth scramble to open the scoring for Maurice Malpas’ men.

    The Fir Park side made it 2-0 just five minutes later when Mark Reynolds headed home past Killie stopper Graeme Smith. Brian Kerr’s 25-yard stunner gave the ‘Well a comfortable lead heading in to the break.

    Scott McDonald wrapped up the goalscoring with a cool finish in the final minutes after he had headed in the fourth in the 82nd minute.

    It marked a stunning victory for the Steelmen, then bottom of the table, who were given a huge boost following their nightmare start.

    It may have been a different story had the visiting Ayrshire outfit found the back of the net early on though – instead watching on in agony as Danny Invincible’s  header crashed back off the woodwork after just six minutes.

    In the 15th minute, Scott McDonald sent in a cross from the left which Frazer Wright sliced wildly towards goal. Smith kept it out but Foran forced the ball home as the Killie keeper tried to pick it up.

    Motherwell went two up five minutes later. Paterson’s in-swinging corner was headed on by Mark Reynolds and the ball spun off David Lilley’s leg and into his own net.

    Well practically wrapped up the match after just 23 minutes when Paterson played a neat pass to Brian Kerr on the edge of the box and he found the far corner with a beautiful, curling effort to extend the lead to three.

    Scott McDonald made amends for missed chances earlier in the matcg with a quick-fire double on 82 and 86 minutes to complete the rout.

    The Aussie will be hopeful of a similar outing this evening in one of the club’s biggest matches of the strikers time at Motherwell.

     

    Motherwell: Meldrum, Quinn, Craigan, Paterson, Kerr, Lasley, Reynolds, McGarry, Foran (Fitzpatrick 85), Elliot (Clarkson 83), McDonald (McCormack 88)

     

     

  • Archive

    Killie matchday magazine preview

    The twenty-first issue of the Steelmen matchday magazine is on sale ahead of tonight’s league clash with Kilmarnock at Fir Park.

    Here, we take a look at what can be found inside the 68-page programme.

    In the final league programme of the season, ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is the feature interview as his side prepare for one of the biggest fixtures in Motherwell’s recent history.

    There are the usual updates from club captain Keith Lasley, the Community Trust and the Well Society, along with ‘Getting to Know You’ – where Russell Griffiths is profiled – in the final issue of the 2016/17 season.

    The interesting feature ‘Well in Numbers’, where feature writer Andrew Paterson looks at some of the key numbers in Motherwell history, continues.

    ‘Steelmen’ main features on tomorrow’s opposition remain, including an in depth look at Kilmarnock as well as the ‘Tactics Board’, where we look at Lee McCulloch’s starting eleven from their game against Dundee.

    Our match report section looks back on the Fir Parker’s 0-1 victory over Hamilton at the weekend.

    An update on Stephen Craigan’s U20s side is included too after their season came to a close.

    All the latest news from Fir Park is included too, and you’ll get an update from the Ticket Office as well as an in-depth look at tonight’s match-officials.

    All this and more is available for £3 and is on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

    You can also order back editions or take a subscription to the magazine for the rest of the season by visiting the website of our publishers, Curtis-Sports.

  • Archive

    Fan Notice: vs Kilmarnock

    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.

  • Archive

    Kilmarnock: A closer look

    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.

  • Archive

    Walsh to officiate Killie clash

    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.