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  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Irn-Bru Cup match details confirmed

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    The goals from the Reserves’ win over Hearts

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Stephen Craigan happy with opening win

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves: Motherwell 2-0 Hearts

  • First team

    Midfielders get Scotland Under 21 call

  • First team

    Tanner approaching the home stretch

  • First team

    Wednesday date for Hearts quarter-final

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves start league campaign on Tuesday

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Loan Watch: Two in action

  • Women

    Women a win away from league title

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Irn-Bru Cup match details confirmed

    Irn-Bru Cup match details confirmed

    Motherwell’s Irn-Bru Cup second round tie with Dundee Colts will be played on Thursday, 6 September.

    Stephen Craigan’s side will face the Dee at Dens Park, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.

    Motherwell won their first round tie for the third successive season, eliminated Lowland League side East Stirlingshire following quick-fire goals from David Turnbull, Broque Watson and Jake Hastie.

    Dundee edged out fellow Colts side Hibernian on penalties, after a 2-2 draw at Dens.

    Tickets for the match will be priced at £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    The goals from the Reserves’ win over Hearts

    George Newell and Neil McLaughlin grabbed the goals as Motherwell Reserves opened their league campaign with a win over Hearts.

    After success against East Stirlingshire in the IRN-BRU Cup last week, Stephen Craigan’s side made it back-to-back victories in the match at Forthbank.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Stephen Craigan happy with opening win

    Stephen Craigan says there were strong performances throughout his reserves side, as they opened their league campaign with a victory over Hearts.

    George Newell and Neil McLaughlin scored second half goals against an experienced visiting team, as ‘Well recorded back-to-back victories after cup success last week.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves: Motherwell 2-0 Hearts

    Reserves: Motherwell 2-0 Hearts

    Motherwell reserves started their league campaign with a 2-0 win over Hearts at Forthbank Stadium.

    Stephen Craigan selected a young side for the clash with the Jambos, naming summer signings Christian Mbulu and Neil McLaughlin in the starting team.

    Hearts, on the other hand, had an experienced line up on show at Forthbank Stadium. Ryan Edwards, Arnaud Djoum and Harry Cochrane were the three standouts, lining up in the visitors midfield.

    It was a fast start for the Steelmen, who put the visitors under pressure from the first whistle and looked sure to take the lead early on when Neil McLaughlin won a penalty in the seventh minute.

    As the attacking midfielder attempted to turn an effort on goal, he was brushed aside and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

    Up stepped George Newell, who sent a decent effort to the keepers left, but Hearts stopper Mason produced an equally decent save to keep the score level.

    In a rather dull first half, Hearts went close through Cochrane from distance, and Barry Maguire sent a volley wide of the mark just after the half hour mark.

    Craigan made one change at the break, replacing Jamie Semple for Broque Watson.

    But it was McLaughlin who went closest to an opener, rising highest from a freekick to nod on target from inside the six-yard box, but Mason did well to palm it away.

    With just under 15 minutes remaining, the deadlock was broken.

    Mbulu, bringing the ball down in the box and firing across goal, nearly found Jason Krones to prod home, but the centre-back couldn’t connect to find the target. Fortunately, the ball fell kindly for Newell, who made no mistake from eight yards as he made amends for his earlier penalty miss to put the Steelmen in front.

    Five minutes later, the lead was doubled and it was a well taken goal from McLaughlin which put the seal on proceedings at Forthbank.

    Newell found Watson on the right flank in acres of space. He cut infield and his pass found McLaughlin on the edge of the box, who showed terrific composure to take a touch and fire low beyond Mason to wrap up all three points.

  • First team

    Midfielders get Scotland Under 21 call

    Midfielders get Scotland Under 21 call

    Chris Cadden and Allan Campbell have been called up to the Scotland Under 21 squad for their forthcoming UEFA qualifiers against Andorra and the Netherlands.

    Cadden, who now has two full caps to his name, and Campbell both started when the Scots beat the Dutch 2-0 at St Mirren Park last September and in the 1-1 draw away to Andorra in March.

    The young Scots, fresh from their semi-final finish at the Toulon tournament back in June, sit three points behind second spot and trail Group 4 leaders England by eight points after six matches.

    Scot Gemmill’s side will face the Andorrans at Tynecastle on Wednesday 6 September, before heading to the Netherlands and the Stadium de Vijverberg in Doetinchem on Tuesday 11 September.

  • First team

    Tanner approaching the home stretch

    Tanner approaching the home stretch

    It’s been a long road back from recovery for Craig Tanner.

    But the time has come for the Englishman to ditch the crutches and return to the grass as he reaches the home stretch of a difficult route back to fitness.

    Determined to come back even stronger, Tanner admits he still has a long way to go.

    “It’s been a positive couple of weeks,” he said. “I had a tough month or so when things wouldn’t quite settle down, but hopefully now I’m on the home stretch.”

    The attacker knows the importance of patience and positivity at such a frustrating time for a footballer, and he owes much to head physiotherapist David Henderson.

    “I’m starting to limp around a bit. I think I’m going out on the grass on Tuesday to work on some light running mechanics with Davie, so it’s a positive start and we’ll see how it goes.

    “Davie Henderson has been so important in helping me, not just in terms of the work he does but even little things. We take the mick out of each other to keep us laughing, and stuff like that is huge sometimes.”

    The recovery room is starting to get a little bit busier for the medical team, and Tanner admits it has been a lonely place until recently.

    “A few lads have joined me on loan at Injury FC,” he joked. “Thankfully it’s just short-term for them. But it’s good, we have a laugh and a joke about things but we all just want to get back on the pitch really.”

    And that’s getting closer and closer for one of Motherwell’s creative sparks, whose patella tendon injury will keep him out for at least another month at the very least.

    “To be honest when it first happened, the thought of even running lightly seemed a million miles away, but I see now how much I’ve come on over the past six months,” he said.

    “But to be honest, some days are better than others and some days are harder too. Sometimes I feel I’ve still got a long way to go, so I just need to be patient and positive too.”

    Running and moving around the pitch will be difficult for the 23-year-old initially, but the thought of kicking a ball after such a long spell is something else entirely.

    “I need to make sure I’ve still got the technique, that’s the problem! But as always the boys are winding me up about that, saying I won’t have my left-foot whips anymore.

    “But to be honest it’s gone alright so I just have to see what happens really and tick the boxes as I go along.”

    Motherwell’s number 27 knows he has been lucky with the support around him, and it’s been what’s kept his head up.

    He said: “Mentally it’s been really tough at times, but I have good support at home and that’s been something I’m so thankful for.

    “Then when I come in to work it can be difficult because I don’t see anything outside, I’m there from 9am till 4pm just giving it my all.

    “That’s when the lads seemed to notice a change, they could tell it was getting to me and they knew exactly what to say and how to be with me, and that’s what teammates are for sometimes. They picked me up.”

    He added: “The gaffer’s been superb too. He hasn’t put any pressure on my injury, he keeps telling me the same things, to take my time, make sure I approach everything properly and don’t cut corners.”

    And for Craig Tanner, the long road back to recovery may be approaching it’s end, but there are no corners in sight on the home stretch.

  • First team

    Wednesday date for Hearts quarter-final

    Wednesday date for Hearts quarter-final

    Motherwell’s Betfred Cup quarter-final tie with Hearts will be played on Wednesday, 26 September.

    Kick off at Tynecastle Park is at 7.45pm. The match is not being televised.

    Ticket information will be announced shortly.

    Motherwell progressed to the last eight with victory over Livingston at the weekend, while Hearts defeated Dunfermline Athletic away from home.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves start league campaign on Tuesday

    Reserves start league campaign on Tuesday

    Motherwell’s reserves side open their league campaign this week with a home match against Hearts.

    Stephen Craigan’s side take on the Jam Tarts at Forthbank Stadium on Tuesday. Kick off is at 12pm. Entry is free.

    The youngsters opened their season with a 3-0 win in the IRN-BRU Cup against East Stirlingshire last week.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Loan Watch: Two in action

    Loan Watch: Two in action

    Two of Motherwell’s four loanees were in action at the weekend.

    Midfielder Shea Gordon was named in the starting XI as Partick Thistle hosted Celtic in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup.

    However the game, live on BT Sport, was cut short for the Northern Irishman who was injured shortly before the break. He was replaced by Craig Slater.

    Despite pulling it back to 1-1 via Mbuyi-Mutombo with 17 minutes left to play, late goals from Moussa Dembele and Tom Rogic handed Celtic a 3-1 win.

    With Greenock Morton and Alloa Athletic already eliminated from the tournament, there were no games for either Ross MacLean or Jake Hastie.

    League Two football was on and Neil McLaughlin played a part for Stirling Albion, introduced as a second half sub against Edinburgh City at Ainslee Park.

    The young striker was helpless to prevent his side going down 3-1 though, with the Binos having made a difficult start to the campaign.

  • Women

    Women a win away from league title

    Women a win away from league title

    Motherwell defeated Kilmarnock 3-2 on Sunday to move within one win of capturing the SWPL2 title.

    Sammy Hare netted twice and Hayley Cunningham made no mistake from the penalty spot as ‘Well came out on top in a fiercely contested encounter.

    Hare had two good chances as Motherwell made a bright start to the match, but they found themselves behind after 13 minutes. Kirsten Rolph’s dangerous cross found Aimee Docherty, who glanced a header beyond Claire Johnstone.

    Within six minutes the women of steel were level. Hare’s first effort was kept out by Morgan Hunter, but the striker was quick to react, pouncing on the rebound and blasting the ball into the net.

    Given the importance of a win for both sides, tempers began to flare as the first half went on. The half-time whistle brought a welcome opportunity for Eddie Wolecki Black and Donald Jennow to emphasise the importance of keeping their discipline.

    Motherwell made the perfect start to the second 45 when Hare doubled her tally for the afternoon, converting from close range after Lesley Condie’s excellent cutback. The striker has now scored six times in the last three matches, taking her tally for the season to 13.

    Kilmarnock responded well after finding themselves behind for the first time in the match and they got back on terms on the hour mark, courtesy of Lisa Swanson’s well-placed header.

    Just minutes later, Motherwell were presented with a great chance to restore their lead. Rolph was adjudged to have handled Kerry Montgomery’s corner and Hayley Cunningham stepped up to take the resulting kick and blasted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.

    In the closing stages of the match ‘Well were forced onto the backfoot, but a combination of brave defending and some assured goalkeeping from Johnstone meant they would hold on for a huge victory.

    The women of steel travel to Edinburgh next Sunday for a meeting with Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale. A win will secure the SWPL2 championship and promotion to the top flight of Scottish women’s football.