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After opening the 2018/19 campaign with a resounding 5-0 win over Edinburgh City, Motherwell head to Stranraer for the second match in the Betfred Cup group stage.

Here are some key numbers and statistics you need to know ahead of the game.

669

That’s the number of days we waited for another Motherwell player to score a hat-trick, before Elliott Frear bagged three in the first half against Edinburgh City on Tuesday night.

Louis Moult was the last to do it on 17 September, 2016, when he netted four against Hamilton Academical at Fir Park.

921

Extending that theme, ‘Well fans waited 921 days to see the team record a victory again by five clear goals. The last time that happened was at home to Cove Rangers in the Scottish Cup in January 2016.

11

The amount of goals scored by Motherwell in the four games they’ve taken part in so far since reporting back for the 2018/19 campaign. Edinburgh City were the first competitive opponents, but Stephen Robinson’s men also put five past Darlington, and one past Crusaders, while keeping three clean sheets along the way.

In just a matter of a few months, a number of young people in North Lanarkshire have taken their own lives.

Last year, 40 people in North Lanarkshire were lost to suicide. Young men in particular are affected, with the suicide rate for males three times more than females.

Nobody wants to talk about suicide. But we need to change that.

If you’re reading this and feel low, we want you to know that everybody feels low sometimes. We all face difficult situations in our lives. That applies to everyone, whether they are our friends and family, supporters and even footballers.

Suicide is not the answer. There is always another way. Help is available. You are not alone. We know it is not always easy to talk but you are contemplating this, please open up to someone.

Our players, our manager Stephen Robinson and everyone at Motherwell Football Club are determined to play a part in preventing any more lives being lost. Everyone in our community is important to us. We want you to be able to talk and find another way.

If you’re feeling like this, please pick up the phone. You will not be judged. People can help you see there is another option.

Call the Samaritans on 116123, Breathing Space on 0800 838587 or Childline on 0800 1111.

Motherwell Football Club have extended their back-of-shirt partnership with North Lanarkshire Suicide Prevention. The logo will continue to be prominently displayed on shirts and around Fir Park Stadium.

Motherwell Football Club are backing efforts to tackle suicide and the dreadful consequences it can have for families and communities.

In season 2018/19, we will continue to display the the Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire logo on the back of our first team jerseys. Our reserve team will also follow suit.

In partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, the club will also be displaying prominent suicide prevention messages and helpline information around Fir Park during matches.

Almost one person every week dies by suicide in North Lanarkshire. As a club, we pledge to support Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire to help raise awareness that help is available for those who need it.

“We work with Motherwell FC on a number of local initiatives and this partnership is vital in helping raise awareness around this sensitive area,” council deputy leader Paul Kelly said.

“Suicide devastates lives across Scotland every day of every week. It is vital that if people are feeling suicidal or down that they know help is available. We need to let people know it helps to talk if you are feeling worried or concerned.

“By working together we can have a greater impact in preventing suicide.”

Lynne MacDonald, senior social work officer with North Lanarkshire Council, added: “This partnership with Motherwell FC means we can use football as a means to reach out to more people to reduce suicide.

“We want to make people aware that there is lots of help available if they are concerned about suicide or are worried about friends or family members.

“By raising awareness of how to recognise the signs sometimes associated with suicide, people will be in a better position to offer support and perhaps save lives.”

Alan Burrows, chief executive at Motherwell FC said: “Suicide has sadly impacted our club and our community on many different levels.

“Former players, staff and their families and, most recently, friends and supporters have been affected in someway over the years.

“We’ve always tried to raise awareness. We need to – and will – double our efforts going forward.”

Suzanne Reid, head of commercial and marketing at Motherwell FC added: “It is important to us as a club, and a central part of this community, to continue our support for this initiative.

“Suicide affects so many families in this area, and has had a direct impact on young supporters’ families in recent months. We want everyone to know that support is out there, and the first step towards it is to talk to someone.”

For more information go to www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/safer or call 0800 073 0918.

If you’re feeling low, please pick up the phone. You will not be judged. People can help you see there is another option. Call the Samaritans on 116123, Breathing Space on 0800 838587 or Childline on 0800 1111.

Motherwell got their 2018/19 campaign off to the perfect start as they ran out 5-0 winners over Edinburgh City.

Elliott Frear bagged a hat-trick in the first half, while Andy Rose and Richard Tait also netted early on to claim all three points in the Betfred Cup group stage match.

Motherwell got their season off to an emphatic start with a 5-0 win over Edinburgh City.

Hat-trick hero Elliott Frear, Andy Rose and Mark Gillespie, who kept a clean sheet on his debut, spoke after the match.

Manager Stephen Robinson hailed his players after they kicked off the 2018/19 campaign with a 5-0 win over Edinburgh City.

Elliott Frear grabbed a first-half hat-trick, with goals also coming in the opening 45 minutes from Curtis Main and Richard Tait.

Motherwell kicked off the new season with an emphatic win over Edinburgh City. Five first half goals, including a hat-trick for Elliot Frear, ensured the Steelmen made the perfect start in their opening Betfred Cup tie.

It was Frear’s winner at Ainslie Park that led to ‘Well’s narrow victory over the side from the capital at the same stage of the competition last year. However, there was no chance of a cup upset on City’s visit to Fir Park as Calum Antwell’s goal was put under constant pressure in the first half.

The new score board was still displaying the seventh minute when Frear latched on to Chris Cadden’s low ball across the face of the goal, to smash home the first goal of the season.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0 when Richard Tait collected the ball just outside the box before drilling a sweet drive inside the ‘keeper’s post on his left foot.

Curtis Main looked keen to add his name to the scoresheet and after he hammered a free kick into the wall, Frear reacted to hammer the loose ball high into the top corner.

Chris Cadden came close to extending the lead when his 20 yard effort clipped the top of the bar. However, having earned his full Scotland cap, Cadden was again the provider for Frear, slipping the ball into his path for the ‘Well winger to bag his hat-trick after only 28 minutes.

Six minutes from the break, Antell did well to block a thunderous drive from Main. The ‘Well striker was not to be denied his first goal of the campaign when another long range effort swerved beyond the ‘keeper and made it 5-0 at the break.

The second 45 was always going to struggle to live up to the first, however, there were debuts for midfielder Alex Gorrin and the twin strike force of Danny Johnson and Conor Sammon.

We’re updating our style for the 2018/19 season. Out go the old white numbers on the back of our home shirts, in come the proper colours.

Our new home kits, which will be worn competitively for the first time on Tuesday night, will have claret numbers for the first time in two decades.

You can get your home kit printed with the claret numbering from 26 July in the ‘Well Shop. Home tops are currently available to buy online.

Peter Hartley may be on the sidelines for Tuesday’s Betfred Cup clash against Edinburgh City, but the club captain can’t wait for competitive football to return. 

The Englishman, who is suspended for the first competitive fixture of the 2018/19 campaign, admits that wearing the armband is something he is proud of.

He said: “I’m chomping at the bit and I can’t wait to get back in to action. I’m honoured to represent this club and to be given the captaincy.”

After 60 days without a competitive game, Motherwell return to competitive action on Tuesday night when Edinburgh City come calling at Fir Park.

Here’s everything you need to know going into the game.

Around the ground before the game

Fans of both clubs have the choice of two bars before the game. Both the Centenary Suite, situated in the main stand, and the David Cooper bar are open from 5.30pm for pre-match food and drinks.

The ‘Well Shop is also open from 6pm before the game. Our new home kit is available to buy in store, and you can place a pre-order for the away kit ahead of its launch shortly.

We’re testing our new access control system

If you’ve bought a ticket in advance, please look for turnstiles marked for “pre-paid tickets”. This will allow our staff to scan the barcode on your ticket and test out the new system.

If you experience any problems, please contact the nearest steward, who will be able to assist.

You can also pay at the gate

If you’ve not bought your ticket in advance online, don’t worry. Pay at the gate is still available on the night priced at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions.

Team news

Cédric Kipré and Peter Hartley are suspended for the match, while Craig Tanner remains out injured long term. All six summer signings are in contention for places, with Mark Gillespie, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Alex Rodríguez Gorrín, Conor Sammon, Danny Johnson and Liam Donnelly all awaiting debuts.

Read lots more about the game

• Want to learn more about our opponents? We’ve profiled them.
• Get up to speed with the context of the game with our scene setter.
• Get the breakdown on the game in numbers.
• Hear from the manager Stephen Robinson, as he says momentum is key early on.