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Watch extended highlights from Easter Road as Motherwell lose 2-1 to Hibs.

Stephen Robinson believed his side were unlucky not to take something away from a second trip to Edinburgh in the space of five days.

Goals from and Florian Kamberi and Brandon Barker had Hibs two up at Easter Road before Curtis Main fired in his third goal in as many games to halve the deficit.

It was too little too late on the evening though, and Robinson was keen to take the positives from a hard-working performance.

[pullquote]The second goal they scored was poor from us defensively, very poor, and they have the players up the top end of the pitch who will punish you.[/pullquote]

“We’ve played a lot worse than that and won football matches,” the Northern Irishman said.

“Even in the first half we had a lot of good chances and I think we controlled large parts of the game, so to come to Easter Road and play like that is positive.”

The manager also reflected on a busy January transfer window, with the deadline nearly behind him.

He added: “I think we’ve got a stronger squad than what we went in to the window with. I believe we’ve set ourselves up to go on and have a strong second half of the season now, and it starts on Saturday.”

Grant Russell at Easter Road

Motherwell fought hard to complete a second comeback in the capital in the space of a week but ultimately came up short as Hibs ran out 2-1 winners.

Curtis Main’s second half strike reduced the deficit after goals from Kamberi and Barker but it wasn’t enough to take a point.

Manager Stephen Robinson made two changes to the team which started the weekend draw at Hearts. Nadir Ciftci and Chris Cadden dropped out, with Craig Tanner and Liam Grimshaw directly replacing them.

With just five minutes on the clock, the hosts came within inches of taking the lead.

Tanner’s attempt at a short free kick backfired, allowing Brandon Barker the chance to run the length of the park. The ball eventually fell to Martin Boyle to get a shot away from just inside the area.

With the ball beating Carson, the ‘Well were thankful for the late intervention of Cedric Kipre, who slid in to stop the effort inches from crossing the line.

From the resulting corner, the visitors were in danger again. The deep ball to the back post caused Carson problems and allowed Paul Hanlon the header, but it cannoned back off the woodwork.

Motherwell took time to settle but it didn’t stop them carving out chances. Curtis Main was first to try his luck from outside the area, with his opportunistic left-footed shot whistling past the left post.

Hibernian though were enjoying the lion’s share and made the breakthrough with 27 minutes on the clock.

A low cross from the left flank was well cut out by Charles Dunne but his clearance found its way to the edge of the box, where debutant Kamberi was lying in wait to cannon the ball home off the underside of the crossbar.

Motherwell continued to look for opportunities on the counter and Allan Campbell came close as the first half wound to a close.

Andy Rose’s ball from the left was well held in by Tanner in the box. With his back to goal, he laid the ball neatly into the path of the onrushing Campbell but his left foot shot skidded past the right hand post.

Campbell continued to be the scourge in between Hibs’ defence and midfield and he set up a chance for Tanner soon after. Robbing McGregor, he played the ball wide to the forward but the left foot shot dipped into Marciano’s hands.

The second half was barely a minute old when Hibs doubled their advantage.

Boyle found space down the left hand side and his cut back found Barker, who steered the ball past Carson and into the net.

Chris Cadden and Gael Bigirimana replaced Liam Grimshaw and Andy Rose on the hour mark and the pair instantly combined to carve out a big chance for the visitors.

Cadden engineered space on the right to swing in a cross to the near post but it was just too high for the unmarked Bigirimana to get his head on.

Cadden was again involved on the 77th minute mark. The ball breaking to him on the edge of the box, he caught the half volley well but Marciano got down well to stop it.

Seconds later, ‘Well got the goal back that their pressure deserved. Main’s strength got him a shooting chance at an angle on the left of the area and his low shot found the back of the net.

The introduction of Nadir Ciftci gave the Steelmen plenty in attack as they pressed for an equaliser, with an aerial threat from Tom Aldred also joining the attack on occasion.

In the dying moments Motherwell continued to push and Main came desperately close to grabbing the equaliser. His chipped shot looked like it might just dip under the crossbar but Marciano  was quick to tip it over.

Referee for Saturday’s match against Partick Thistle is Nick Walsh.

It marks the referee’s second ‘Well appointment of the 2017/18 campaign, after the 1-0 loss to Aberdeen at Fir Park back in September.

The young official took charge of his very first Premiership game in the 2016/17 season, and his involvements with the Steelmen last term were his only involvements with the club in his career so far until this season.

Prior to that 1-0 loss against Aberdeen at Fir Park, ‘Well had a 100% record, albeit just in the two matches the official had taken charge of.

In those three games, Walsh has handed out 14 yellow cards, eight of those flashed at a player in claret and amber.

His assistants on Saturday are Jordan Stokoe and Drew Kirkland.

Adam Livingstone has left Motherwell FC to join East Fife on a development loan.

The young left back, who has made two substitute appearances for the first team so far, will join the League One side until the end of the 2017/18 season.

“This is a good opportunity for Adam to go and get first team football,” manager Stephen Robinson said of the move.

“He is very much part of our long-term plans and playing in League One will help him develop.”

Like Jake Hastie and Rohan Ferguson, Adam’s development loan will mean he is still available to Stephen Craigan at under 20s level.

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to wish Adam the best of luck during his loan stint.

Motherwell tried to mount another second half comeback in Edinburgh in the space of a week but couldn’t overcome a two-goal deficit as they lost 2-1 to Hibernian.

Richard Tait, Charles Dunne and Andy Rose gave their assessment after the match.

Richard Tait: “It’s a hard one to take. We were well in the game, even at 2-0.

“[We conceded] sloppy goals. Defensively on my part for the second but especially the first one. It came from nothing.”

Charles Dunne: “We’ve just got to take positives and move forward. We’ve got three important games coming up, so we just need to concentrate on them.

“Hopefully we can get nine points from the three of them and cement our place in the top six.”

Andy Rose: “In spells throughout both halves we looked pretty comfortable. We moved the ball around well and created some opportunities.

“We had a couple of chances at the end and felt we were going to get one to make it 2-2, but it wasn’t to be.”

A second trip to the capital city in a matter of days lies in wait for Motherwell on Wednesday night, with Hibernian the opponents in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The Steelmen go into the game unbeaten so far in 2018, having defeated Hamilton Academical and Ross County before the weekend draw at Hearts.

Manager Stephen Robinson says his side go in to the match brimming with confidence.

“We’ve won two out of three and got a brilliant draw away to Hearts, and deservedly so. So there’s a real good atmosphere and we have another tough game against Hibs.

[pullquote]But we go in to it confident. It leads us in to three home games in the league and offers us a chance to build on what we’ve already done.”[/pullquote]

Defender Richard Tait believes Motherwell have rediscovered their winning mentality after a refreshing winter break.

The defender said that confidence is firmly back in the dressing room ahead of their second trip to Edinburgh in the space of five days.

[pullquote]Hibs are a very good team. They’ve got a lot of pace and players who can make things happen and I enjoy going there and playing against them.[/pullquote]

“Getting a point in the last minute against Hearts is something we can take confidence from,” the 27-year-old said. “The boys kept going all the way until the end so I think we got what we deserved.

“The break did us some good. We went away and came back refreshed.

“I think playing Hamilton straight away not only allowed us to get back from that loss at the end of the year, but allowed us to get our winning mentality back.”

Elliot Frear, Ryan Bowman, George Newell and Ellis Plummer are all unavailable for Motherwell through injury. New signing Stephen Hendrie is expected to go straight into the squad, pending international clearance.

	Hibernian v Motherwell
	Wednesday 31st January 2018
	7.45pm
	Easter Road
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate

Admission prices are as follows:

Cash turnstiles will be in operation on the day

If you can’t make it along, 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.

Stephen Hendrie is relishing the challenge that lies ahead of him at Fir Park.

The 23-year-old defender is back in Scotland on a six-month loan deal and is eager to get some game time under Stephen Robinson.

The ex-West Ham player is familiar with the Scottish top flight, having made more than 100 appearances for Hamilton Academical before departing for the Hammers in 2015.

And now that he’s a ‘Well player, he admits he is ready to kick on for the next six months.

“I’m absolutely buzzing,” the Glaswegian said. “Obviously to get back up the road and be playing in the Premiership too. I’m just happy to get it all done on deadline day.”

With Stevie Hammell’s retirement and an injury to Ellis Plummer, Robinson was eager to get a left back through the door before Wednesday’s deadline.

Stephen said: “I played up here in the league for a good number of years and then went down south, got a good bit of experience and now come back up here ready to get more games under my belt and kick on.

“I’m relishing the challenge of getting some game time up here. Of course I’m back nearer my family, so I think I’ll be much happier here. You need to be happy playing football, that’s the most important thing.”

Motherwell Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of Stephen Hendrie.

The left back has joined on loan from Southend United until the end of the 2017/18 campaign.

Hendrie will go straight into manager Stephen Robinson’s squad for the trip to face Hibernian in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Wednesday night, pending international clearance.

“I’m relishing the challenge of getting some game time up here,” he said on his deadline day arrival at Fir Park.

“I played up here in the league for a good number of years and then went down south, got a good bit of experience and now come back up here ready to get more games under my belt and kick on.”

Hendrie started his career with Hamilton Academical, making his debut at the age of 16 and going on to play 117 times, before earning a move to West Ham United.

The 23-year-old then had loan spells at Southend and Blackburn Rovers, before returning to Southend on a permanent basis in the summer. Hendrie has also represented Scotland up to Under 21 level.

“We have been in the market for more options at left back throughout the window, so we are delighted to land Stephen on loan for the rest of the season,” manager Stephen Robinson said of the move.

“With Steven Hammell’s retirement and long-term injury to Ellis Plummer, it increased the need to bring someone in.

“Despite his young age, Stephen already has great experience in Scotland and has also learned from being at top clubs down south.”

Motherwell will travel to play Dundee in the fifth round of the 2017/18 William Hill Scottish Cup.

The Ladbrokes Premiership side overcame Inverness CT in a fourth round replay on Tuesday night, setting up the tie on the weekend of Saturday, February 10.

Admission information for the game at Dens Park will be confirmed in due course.

FULL FIFTH ROUND DRAW

Cove Rangers v Falkirk

Morton v Peterhead or Dumbarton

Hearts v St Johnstone

Kilmarnock v Brora Rangers

Ayr United v Fraserburgh or Rangers

Aberdeen v Dundee United

Dundee v Motherwell

Celtic v Partick Thistle