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  • Archive

    Robinson: We showed great desire

  • Archive

    Mixed Zone: Players reflect on Dundee

  • Archive

    Dundee draw in pictures

  • Archive

    Motherwell 1 – 1 Dundee

  • Archive

    Match preview: Motherwell v Dundee

  • Archive

    Moult and Xenodochov in Signing Zone

  • Archive

    Dundee matchday magazine preview

  • Archive

    Grimshaw: Wins wanted before break

  • Archive

    Scott Leitch leaves Motherwell

  • Archive

    Players make Wishaw General visit

  • Archive

    Robinson: We showed great desire

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson hailed the hard work of his players as they battled for a point at Fir Park.

    A penalty from Craig Tanner cancelled out an incredible strike from Paul McGowan on a windy afternoon.

    And in a post-match interview with MFC TV, Robinson reflected on a much needed point following a run of defeats.

    [pullquote]We got back in to the game, showed great character and scored the penalty, then from there it was just pure desire and determination to make sure we seen the game out.[/pullquote]

    He said: “Even with Elliott hobbling about we got back in to the game, showed great character and scored the penalty, then from there it was just pure desire and determination to make sure we seen the game out.

    “The back four were magnificent today and I thought Charles Dunne was absolutely outstanding, probably the best game he’s had for the club.”

    He added: “The midfield battled and scrapped the whole way through and they ran themselves in to the ground and I can’t ask for any more from the ten that were on the pitch.”

  • Archive

    Mixed Zone: Players reflect on Dundee

    Injuries dogged Motherwell’s performance at home to Dundee but the team battled on to claim a point.

    Here’s what the players had to say after the match at Fir Park.

    Trevor Carson: “A point against Dundee doesn’t look that glamorous but with everything that went against us [with injuries], we had the walking wounded on the pitch.

    “On the back of four defeats, a point in the circumstances has left a positive atmosphere in there.”

    Craig Tanner: “At the start of the game we wanted all three points, as you would against anyone.

    “We were playing with eight or nine men towards the end of the game. Trevor Carson and Peter Hartley have went through the pain barrier for us today.”

    Ryan Bowman: “Certain boys that stayed on… it just shows what it means to them. Digging in for each other and getting the point.”

  • Archive

    Dundee draw in pictures

    Images from this afternoon’s 1-1 draw with Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”dundee231217″]

  • Archive

    Motherwell 1 – 1 Dundee

    [tab:Match report]

    Phil McGhee at Fir Park

    In what was just the second home match in nine games for Motherwell, the hosts had to settle for a share of the points against Dundee.

    But unlike the late equaliser from Celtic which cruelly denied ‘Well a win in their last home appearance, it took some resolute defending to earn the Steelmen a share of the points.

    It took both sides some time to tame the strong swirling wind, but after a wonderful goal from Paul McGowan gave Dundee the lead within a minute of the restart it set the scene for a cracking second forty-five. And when Craig Tanner levelled from the penalty spot on the hour mark, Motherwell looked on course for a much needed win.

    However, recurring injuries to three players who had raced to be fit almost cost ‘Well, as both Chris Cadden and Elliot Frear tweaked their hamstrings forcing the sides to finish the match with only 10 men for the final 15 minutes. And it could have been worse when Trevor Carson aggravated his injured shoulder in the last 10 minutes but bravely played on to produce a couple of stunning saves.  

    Incredibly, Motherwell were back at Fir Park for only the second time in nine gruelling fixtures. And it was also welcome back to a host of key players with ‘Well almost back to full strength, with the obvious omission of Louis Moult.

    Despite the wind, both sides made a positive opening. Within two minutes Sofien Moussa headed over Trevor Carson’s goal before Peter Hartley did likewise at the other end.

    The Dundee striker came much closer after eight minutes when, from Jon Aurtenetxe’s corner, Moussa’s header smacked off the face of the bar, forcing the grounded Carson to turn the loose ball behind.

    Six minutes later, Chris Cadden floated a free kick into the six yard box but Elliot Parish firmly held on to the ball despite the aerial presence of Charles Dunne.

    As the action moved from end to end, a brave sliding stop from Gael Bigirimana blocked A-jay Leitch-Smith’s angled drive.

    As the the half progressed though, the play was generally towards the Dundee goal and Cadden’s deep cross picked out Cedric Kipre at the back of the six yard box but his header back across goal was just beyond Ryan Bowman.

    Then six minutes from the break a swift move down the right opened up the Dens defence. But after Bigirimana laid off Richard Tait’s cross, Liam Grimshaw screwed his side foot effort off target from 12 yards.

    In the last attack of the first half, Tanner ,who looked lively on both flanks, sent Cadden down the right and his cross flew narrowly past the ‘keeper’s left hand post.

    It was assumed that with the wind behind them ‘Well would dominate the second half, but inside 60 seconds Dundee dented those thoughts.

    There seemed little danger when Paul McGowan gathered the ball 40-yards out, but after a couple of strides forward the Dundee midfielder unleashed a terrific drive which sailed past Carson and into the top corner to set the tone for the second half.

    Two minutes later and the visitors were almost two ahead when a delicate chip from McGowan rebounded from the crossbar.

    Grimshaw then survived two tackles before firing in a drive towards Parish, which the keeper parried. That was the last action for the former Man United youth player as Stephen Robinson made a double substitution in the 50th minute, bringing on Elliot Frear and George Newell.

    Two minutes later, Cadden’s hamstring injury resurfaced and his replacement Andy Rose was no sooner on the pitch when controversially he was booked for diving after being tripped at the edge of the box.

    Referee Don Robertson had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot in the 59th minute when Kipre cleverly got between Mark O’Hara and the ball, forcing a rash challenge from the Dundee man.

    From the resultant penalty, Tanner confidently sent Parish the wrong way to level the scores. And three minutes later Tanner had the chance to put ‘Well in front when he was fouled 25 yards from goal. But although he curled his free kick over the defensive wall under the bar, Parish stretched to palm the ball away.

    With 15 minutes left, Frear limped off to leave the Steelmen down to 10 men and force them on to the back foot for the remainder of the game.

    Ten minutes from time, the home goal was lucky to survive intact when Jack Hendry’s header bounced past Carson and rebounded from the inside of the post before the ball was booted clear of a packed six yard box.

    Further drama arrived a couple of minutes later when Carson stretched to hold a low cross and then immediately went to ground holding his left shoulder. As ‘Well contemplated finishing with only nine players, Carson responded to treatment and continued to play a heroic role.

    With ‘Well defending deep into injury time, Carson’s sliding tackle blocked Moussa at the edge of the six yard area. From the resultant corner, Josh Meeking’s header back across goal looked to net Dundee the winner, until Carson reacted superbly to claw the ball away with his right hand and reward ‘Well with a hard-earned point.

     

    [tab:As it happened]

     Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

    FT: Motherwell 1 – 1 Dundee

    90+3′ | 1-1
    What a save that is from Carson. O’Hara looked certain to score with a point-blank header but the ‘keeper gets a huge hand onto it!

    89′ | 1-1
    Dundee go close as Allan clips a ball over the top and it’s knocked just past the post by McGowan. Four minutes added on.

    81′ | 1-1
    A let-off there as Hendry’s header comes back off the post and thankfully McHugh is there to sweep it clear.

    77′ | 1-1
    Motherwell will have to finish the game with ten men as Frear has now limped off with all three subs made.

    76′ | 1-1
    Tanner clips in free-kick from deep which Rose diverts goalwards but it lacks the power to trouble Parish.

    67′ | 1-1
    Incredible bit of footwork there from Tanner to get past three and setup McHugh but his shot curls wide of the post.

    66′ | 1-1
    Dundee sub, Allan on for El Bakhtaoui

    …what a strike from Tanner but Parish gets across his line and beats it away to safety.

    62′ | 1-1
    Tanner wins a free-kick in a great position…

    61′ | 1-1
    TANNER steps up and sends Parish the wrong way!

    GOOAALL!!

    Kipré fouled inside the box. Stonewaller….Tanner to take….

    PENALTY!

    58′ | 0-1
    Controversial decision there as Rose is booked for simulation. Certainly looked like contact.

    56′ | 0-1
    Tait, switched to the right-hand side, swings in a great ball with his left foot but Tanner can’t get on the end of Newell’s flick-on

    55′ | 0-1
    Bigirimana booked for pulling back Kamara

    53′ | 0-1
    Motherwell sub, Cadden limps off and is replaced by Rose.

    51′ | 0-1
    Double Motherwell change, Newell and Frear on for Bowman and Grimshaw

    51′ | 0-1
    Chance! Grimshaw gets into the box but his powerful shot is beaten away by Parish!

    49′ | 0-1
    McGowan almost makes it two with a delicate chip over Carson but the ball comes crashing back off the bar.

    47′ | 0-1
    Goal – McGowan opens the scoring with a great long-range strike past Carson.

    Dundee gets the second 45 underway. COYW!!

    HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 DundeeTranslate from German

    44′ | 0-0
    Close! Cadden is played in down the right and his cross/shot flies inches wide of the post! Moussa then booked for a late tackle on Hartley

    39′ | 0-0
    Chance! Tait’s cross in falls for Grimshaw on the edge of the box but he can’t place his shot on target and the chance goes.

    35′ | 0-0
    Tanner attempts a deep ball in but it’d knocked out for a corner…Dundee clear but it’s fired back into the box and Kipré can’t quite get his header goalwards.

    30′ | 0-0
    Tait curls in a ball from the left but in the swirling wind, it just evades the head of Tanner.

    20′ | 0-0
    Ball breaks for Leitch-Smith inside the box but Bigirimana makes a great sliding block. Still goalless!

    18′ | 0-0
    Hartley feeds the ball in to Tanner who peels off his man, turns and gets a shot away from 20 yards but it’s comfortably saved by Parish

    13′ | 0-0
    Free-kick for Motherwell as Bowman is bowled over about 30 yards from goal, just to the left of the box….curled in by Tait but gathered by Parish

    8′ | 0-0
    Chance for Dundee has Moussa’s header looped onto the top of the bar then is knocked out for a corner. From that, ref blows for a foul on Dunne

    ….drilled in by Tanner, headed over the bar by Hartley.

    3′ | 0-0
    Tait gets past Kerr but his cross is deflected wide for the first corner of the game…

    1′ | 0-0
    Early chance for Dundee, with Moussa heading over the bar from Kerr’s cross.

    Grimshaw gets the game underway. COYW!!

    Out come both sides from the tunnel. Pretty windy here at Fir Park, usual colours for both.

  • Archive

    Match preview: Motherwell v Dundee

    Motherwell return to Premiership action on Saturday, with Dundee visiting Fir Park for a rare 3pm kick off at the stadium.

    It is a welcome return to home comforts for Stephen Robinson and his squad, who haven’t enjoyed the best run of form of late, with the majority of their games being on the road.

    Motherwell won the only encounter between the two sides this season, with Craig Tanner scoring the goal in a 1-0 win at Dens Park.

    And with a return to Fir Park for the Steelmen, manager Stephen Robinson is feeling optimistic ahead of an all-important Premiership encounter.

    “It’s been a while now because we’ve had a run of games away from home, which is obviously difficult, and we haven’t picked up the results we’ve wanted in the last four games.

    [pullquote]So we’re looking forward to getting back to business, getting the fans behind us again and getting a home game under our belt.[/pullquote]

    “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we just have to pick ourselves up because we know our performances have been decent so if you’re not playing well it’s more of a worry.”

    Robinson will have a near-full strength squad to pick from, with Chris Cadden, Elliott Frear, Trevor Carson and Peter Hartley all returning to training this week. Only Louis Moult and Ellis Plummer remain on the sidelines.

    Midfielder Liam Grimshaw says that home comforts will play a part in trying to reverse the recent dip in form.

    “It’s been frustrating,” he said. “Obviously we were on a really good run but I think over the season it maybe evens itself out.

    [pullquote]Hopefully we can pick up a couple of wins before we break up for winter and then we can kick on again when we come back.[/pullquote]

    “I think it always helps if you have a good start to the season. If you have a run like this, there’s not as much pressure on you in terms of your league position.

    “Even losing a few games, we’ve not gone that far down the league. We just want to get back to winning ways at the weekend.”

    Dundee, who have won three of their last five games, are expected to be without midfielder Roarie Deacon, but goalkeeper Elliot Parish is expected to be fit.

    Motherwell v Dundee

    Saturday 23rd December 2017
    3.00pm
    Fir Park

    Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate.

    Admission prices are as follows:

    ADULTS £23/£19
    CONCESSIONS £16/£15
    JUVENILES £12/£9
    • Cheaper price is for the John Hunter stand.
    • Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card.
    • Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

    If you can’t make it tomorrow, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC

    You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

     

    The Cooper Bar is open for both sets of supporters to enjoy pre-match food and drink from 11am. Children are welcome.

    Louis Moult and Gennadios Xenodochov will also be in the bar from 12.45pm in the Signing Zone. Come along and get your photograph taken and get an autograph.

  • Archive

    Moult and Xenodochov in Signing Zone

    The Signing Zone returns to Fir Park on Saturday as the Steelmen host Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership. 

    Don’t miss your chance to meet Louis Moult and Giannadios Xenodochov, who will both be in the Cooper Bar from 12.45pm until 1.15pm ahead of kick off. 

    Louis Moult is departing for Preston North End in January so don’t miss your last chance to meet him and Greek goalkeeper Xenodochov, who has joined on a short-term deal.

    There will be face painting, fun activities and good offers on food and drink in the Cooper Bar ahead of the club’s seventh home match of the 2017/18 Scottish Premiership campaign. 

  • Archive

    Dundee matchday magazine preview

    The twelfth issue of ‘Steelmen’ is on sale now ahead of the Fir Parkers clash with Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership. 

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

    Feature interviewee Liam Grimshaw reflects on the Steelmen’s season so far and his return to the Scottish top flight.

    ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson and skipper Carl McHugh give their updates following a difficult run for the club and in ‘From the Vault’ we take a look back at a memorable clash with the Dee. 

    There are the usual updates from the Community Trust and the Well Society, along with another instalment of ‘Goal Zone’ – where we look at Craig Tanner’s terrific solo-goal vs Partick Thistle.

    Feature writer Andrew Paterson profiles Renfrewshire taxi driver Gordon Rooney in another instalment of ‘We Are the Motherwell FC’.

    An in-depth look at Neil McCann’s Dundee side is featured, as well as the ‘Scouting Report’ section, where some of the Dee’s key men are profiled. 

    An update on Stephen Craigan’s U20s side is included too, with some historic features again included in the programme, one looking at the career of Bobby Ancell and the other looking at the career of Phil O’Donnell nearly 10-years after his tragic passing.

    Our increased kids content remains, with quizzes, games and prizes to be won for young ‘Well fans.

    You’ll also get an update from the Ticket Office as well as an in-depth look at tomorrow’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

    Grimshaw: Wins wanted before break

    Liam Grimshaw is targeting a return to form for Motherwell as they host their first Saturday 3pm game at Fir Park since late October.

    The Steelmen have played seven of their last eight games since on their travels, coinciding with a six-game run without a victory.

    Dundee lie in wait on Saturday and the midfielder says that with the winter break looming, bouncing back is key.

    “It’s been frustrating,” he said. “Obviously we were on a really good run but I think over the season it maybe evens itself out.

    [pullquote]Hopefully we can pick up a couple of wins before we break up for winter and then we can kick on again when we come back.[/pullquote]

    “I think it always helps if you have a good start to the season. If you have a run like this, there’s not as much pressure on you in terms of your league position.

    “Even losing a few games, we’ve not gone that far down the league. We just want to get back to winning ways at the weekend.”

  • Archive

    Scott Leitch leaves Motherwell

    Motherwell Football Club can announce Academy Director Scott Leitch has left the club by mutual consent.

    Leitch, a former club captain and assistant manager, has been in his current post for just over four years, but has left with the aim of returning to first team management.

    Motherwell were recently named among the eight clubs chosen by the Scottish FA to head up the ‘Elite’ level of its new Project Brave initiative.

    [pullquote]“I am keen to get back into football management and I’m leaving having helped secure Elite status within Project Brave.[/pullquote]

    The club will now look to appoint a successor to continue the good work and progress of the last few years.

    Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows said: “I would like to thank Scott for his work at Braidhurst and wish him every success in his future career.”

    Scott Leitch added: “I am keen to get back into football management and I’m leaving having helped secure Elite status within Project Brave. I want to wish everyone at Motherwell FC all the very best going forward.

    “Under my directorship a high number of players have moved from the Academy to the first team. In addition Motherwell youth players are now representing Scotland in every age group.

    “I want to wish everyone at Motherwell FC all the very best going forward.”

  • Archive

    Players make Wishaw General visit

    Members of the playing squad paid a visit to the children’s ward at Wishaw General on Thursday.

    Louis Moult, Cedric Kipre, Gael Bigirimana, Trevor Carson and Charles Dunne spread some Christmas cheer, delivering gifts and spending time with kids and their families.

    Motherwell FC would like to thank the staff at the hospital for allowing the players to visit and for the tireless work they do.