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  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Need to know: A look at Sligo Rovers

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Barry Maguire ready for Colts clash

  • Women

    Maxine Welsh relishing shot on big stage

  • First team

    Motherwell players in international action

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    A coffee and a chat with Stephen Craigan

  • Well Society

    Well Society share scheme relaunched

  • First team

    Story of the Match from Livingston draw

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Craigan wants more from reserves

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Loan Watch: Hastie nets for Alloa

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves win at Queens

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Need to know: A look at Sligo Rovers

    Need to know: A look at Sligo Rovers

    Motherwell host SSE Airtricity League Premier Division side Sligo Rovers at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon.

    Stephen Craigan’s side have beaten both East Stirlingshire and Dundee on their way to this stage as part of an impressive start to their domestic campaign.

    The youngsters have also won both Reserve Cup matches and collected seven points from their first four league matches, including wins over both Hearts and Hibs.

    They now face Sligo Rovers on Saturday, looking to create history by being the first Colts team to book a spot in the Irn-Bru Cup quarter-finals.

    The ‘Baraclough Derby’

    When the draw was first made, fans of both clubs took to social media to jokingly dub the tie – ‘the Baraclough Derby’.

    Bara was in charge of the Bit ‘o Red between 2012 and 2014, culminating in one of the most successful periods in the history of the club. He won the Premier Division in his first season, the FAI Cup in his second and the Setanta Sports Cup in his last, before switching the Fir Park in the winter of 2014.

    Although his time in Scotland was brief, he succeeded in keeping the club in the Premiership, famously beating Rangers home and away in the play-off final. He also brought Marvin Johnson and Louis Moult to ‘Well, both of whom combined netted the club over £1m in transfer fees.

    A season almost complete

    The League of Ireland operates a summer calendar, meaning the 2018 campaign is almost at an end. Indeed, Gerard Lyttle’s side have just three games left, but secured their top-league status following last weekend’s 2-1 win over bottom side Bray Wanderers – only their third home win of the season.

    Currently sitting in eighth, they could still catch the three teams ahead of them when they wrap up the campaign with matches against champions Dundalk, Bohemians and third-placed Shamrock Rovers.

    A familiar face or two

    A handful of those likely to feature for Sligo on Saturday have plied their trade in the Scottish leagues.

    The most notable is midfielder Rhys McCabe, who started his career at Rangers before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday back in 2012.

    After three years at Hillsbrough, he was back north with Dunfermline before signing on at the Showgrounds in June 2017.

    Others who have been in Scotland include Irvine-born Lewis Morrison (Kilmarnock & St Mirren), Lee Lynch (Hamilton Accies) and Caolan McAleer (East Fife, Airdrie & Morton)

    Life on the road

    Whilst Sligo’s form at home has been a disappointment for their fans, results on the road have been very impressive.

    They have won at the home of almost every top-league team this campaign, with the exception of runaway leaders Dundalk, European contenders Shamrock Rovers and Waterford.

    Rovers have collected 38 points so far this term, 26 of them on their travels. Only the teams that will finish first and second have amassed more away points, so Saturday’s trip to Fir Park won’t faze this Sligo squad.

    We meet again…

    Although this is the first time Motherwell and Sligo have locked horns in a competitive fixture, the teams faced each other in friendly action back in the summer of 2015.

    Dom Thomas had put the Fir Parkers ahead after just eight minutes, however the home side were soon level through Keith Ward.

    It stayed that way until virtually the last kick of the ball when Wes Fletcher slotted home what was his second goal of that particular pre-season campaign.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Barry Maguire ready for Colts clash

    Barry Maguire is looking forward to the atmosphere of playing at Fir Park as Motherwell’s youngsters prepare to face Sligo Rovers.

    The Colts take on the Irish side on Saturday, as they look to become the first young team to reach the quarter-finals of the IRN-BRU Cup.

  • Women

    Maxine Welsh relishing shot on big stage

    Maxine Welsh relishing shot on big stage

    Maxine Welsh can’t wait for the opportunity to play on the big stage when the women of steel take on Spartans in the semi-final of the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup.

    The 20-year-old has battled back from almost two years on the sidelines through injury, to play an important role in Donald Jennow’s side capturing the SWPL2 title.

    On Sunday, ‘Well will aim to continue their success by reaching the final of the Scottish Cup, following in the footsteps of their male counterparts, who contested two national finals last season.

    “I’ve spent quite a lot of my time as a senior player injured, so have never played in a cup final at this level,” Welsh said. “Everyone is really looking forward to Sunday, it’s a big occasion and an exciting one to be involved in.

    “Most of our more experienced players have played in high profile games and know how to handle the pressure that comes with it.

    “We’ve been working hard in training and I think with the mix of youth and experience within the team, we’ll fancy our chances.”

    Many of the Motherwell squad have sampled great success in the Scottish game and Sunday’s big game at Forthbank Stadium won’t be a step into the unknown.

    Welsh believes the more experienced figures within the team have been vital in providing guidance to the younger players in the build up to what will be for some, the biggest game of the careers so far.

    “The more experienced players can also help the younger players deal with the pressure, they’ve done this for years and the information they pass on is invaluable,” she added. “Playing and training alongside such experience and hard workers pushes you.

    “I’ve also been putting in extra work in the gym and it seems to have paid off for me.

    “We were written off a bit at the start of the season as we had a lot of older players, some of which hadn’t played in a while.

    “There’s a great unity within the team as well as determination and motivation to prove the doubters wrong.”

    Former Glasgow City youngster Welsh, has had to recover from ACL surgery to restart her career at Motherwell.

    She was reunited with Eddie Wolecki Black when the former ‘Well boss brought her to the club in May and she believes she has made good progress following a difficult start to life at the club.

    “When Eddie asked me to come in, I hadn’t played in a while and was pretty nervous,” she admitted. “I arrived after not playing for two years, from there I had to build my fitness up and bide my time a bit.

    “The girls and the coaches gave me a chance though and I feel like I’ve developed a lot in a short space of time.

    “When I got my chance, it wasn’t in my natural position, but I was more than happy to take the role as it’s not for me, it’s for the team.”

    By the time Motherwell take to the field on Sunday, it will have been a fortnight since they were last in competitive action.

    There has been no let up in training though and Welsh believes Jennow’s dedicated approach to the team will ensure they are well prepared for what is their biggest game of the season.

    And the youngster, who has adapted superbly to her role at centre back, hopes the Motherwell fans can get along to back those in claret and amber.

    “Donald won’t settle for anything other than what he knows we’re capable of,” Welsh said. “He pushes us in every training session and prepares everything for us to ensure the standards won’t slip.

    “He does all his work and we want to repay him for all his efforts.

    “We saw a few more fans along at the Hearts game and it’s nice to have people taking an interest and supporting the team.

    “It gives you that big game experience and it would mean a lot to have a good support on Sunday.”

  • First team

    Motherwell players in international action

    Motherwell players in international action

    Five of Stephen Robinson’s first team squad will be in international action over the coming days.

    Chris Cadden and Allan Campbell are on Scotland Under 21 duty, as Scot Gemmill’s side continue their push for at least a play-off spot in qualification for the 2019 UEFA European Under 21 Championship.

    Goal difference currently keeps the Scots in third place behind Ukraine in second, who the pair travel to face on Thursday.

    A win in Kiev will set up a final game with England which, depending on results, could be a shootout for top spot or a potential play-off place.

    Northern Ireland Under 21s are also in contention to reach the play-offs, as they face a double header away to Iceland on Thursday and then at home to Slovakia next Tuesday.

    Liam Donnelly’s side are a point behind the Slovaks with two games to go, with Iceland sitting three points behind. All three teams can finish in second and claim a possible play-off spot, depending on results in other groups.

    At senior level, Trevor Carson and Gaël Bigirimana are also in qualification action.

    Carson’s Northern Ireland play two UEFA Nations League matches away from home on Friday and Monday.

    The goalkeeper’s side are in Austria first, before heading south to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    Bosnia are the runaway leaders in the group, having won both of their matches so far. Northern Ireland and Austria have only played once, both against Bosnia.

    Bigirimana meanwhile is in action in the qualifying stages for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Burundi.

    His nation have never reached the tournament before but have made a great start in their group, winning their first match and drawing the second against Gabon.

    Group leaders Mali lie in wait on Friday in Bamako, before the two sides meet again in Burundi next Tuesday.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    A coffee and a chat with Stephen Craigan

    Reserves manager Stephen Craigan sits down for a coffee and a chat ahead of Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup clash against Sligo Rovers. 

    With a big week ahead for his players, Craigan talks about all the build-up around the fixture, as well as the demands on young players.

    “You’re trying to point them in the right direction and guide them in the early stages of their career,” he said. “I don’t want any of them to leave the football club and think ‘I should have listened’, or have any regrets.”

  • Well Society

    Well Society share scheme relaunched

    Well Society share scheme relaunched

    Last year after consulting with members, the Well Society launched a share issue, giving Motherwell fans the chance to own individual shares in the club.

    Having raised over £40,000 on the first go, the owners of our club are now relaunching the share issue scheme, giving supporters another chance to purchase shares.

    Running until Friday, 21 December, the scheme will allow the Society the chance to make the most of the offer from former owner Les Hutchison to double every penny raised in 2018.

    Shares will be available at a cost of £10 per share, with a minimum purchase of five shares required.

    We are again offering the following discounts to Well Society members.

    Total contributed to the Well Society (on date of purchase) Discount on shares
    Up to £999 5%
    £1,000-£4,999 10%
    £5,000 and above  15%

    Buying shares allow you to own your own direct part of Motherwell Football Club. Once the share issue is complete, the Well Society will continue to hold the majority shareholding and, therefore, the fan ownership model at the club will not change in any way.

    It is also important to state that this share issue in no way impacts existing Well Society memberships. Your pledges and donations are still very much vital to the club. This is a separate initiative which is entirely optional to all members.

    To apply to purchase shares, fill out this application form and send it to well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk. This can also be done over the phone by calling 01698 338009 or you can post to The Well Society, Fir Park, Fir Park Street, Motherwell, ML1 2QN.

  • First team

    Story of the Match from Livingston draw

    Off a run of four consecutive defeats, Motherwell faced a tough test against high-flying Livingston on their return to Fir Park.

    This is the Story of the Match from the weekend clash.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Craigan wants more from reserves

    Stephen Craigan says he expects his reserve side to step up and perform better when they face Sligo Rovers in the IRN-BRU Cup on Saturday.

    The youngsters were 1-0 winners in the Reserve Cup at Queen of the South on Monday, with George Newell getting the only goal from the spot.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Loan Watch: Hastie nets for Alloa

    Loan Watch: Hastie nets for Alloa

    Jake Hastie was on the scoresheet for Alloa Athletic as they drew 3-3 with Queen of the South at the weekend.

    The Motherwell loanee scored the second for the Wasps as they raced into a three-goal lead at Palmerston within 25 minutes, netting a header from a deep cross from the right.

    But Stephen Dobbie went on to net a hat-trick to pull the game back for the Doonhamers, taking his tally for the season to 24.

    Also in the Championship, Ross MacLean came on 10 minutes into the second half for Morton as they drew 1-1 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

    The Ton had taken the lead early on through Charlie Telfer, before Jordan White equalised on the stroke of half time.

    In League Two, PJ Morrison was in goal for Albion Rovers as they lost 3-1 at Annan, while Neil McLaughlin was a second half substitute in Stirling Albion’s 1-0 defeat at Cowdenbeath.

    Picture: David Glencross

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves win at Queens

    Reserves win at Queens

    Motherwell picked up all three points in their Reserve Cup group stage clash with Queen of the South at Palmerston.

    George Newell’s penalty gave the Steelmen a 1-0 victory against the Doonhamers, edging what was a rather quiet encounter in Dumfries.

    It was surprising that the game remained goalless for the opening half hour, with a whole host of chances falling for the travelling reserves.

    James Scott went closest, sending a neat effort past the keeper from a narrow angle, but missing the target by inches.

    It was a well spotted foul by the referee’s assistant which afforded Motherwell a glorious chance to break the deadlock.

    Kyle MacDonald threaded a neat pass through for the run of Newell, who couldn’t get on the end of it due to Queen’s defender Dan Harvey dragging him to the deck just inside the 18 yard box.

    Newell made no mistake from the spot, sending Jack Leighfield the wrong way to put ‘Well one up after 35 minutes.

    In a game largely dominated by Craigan’s side, the hosts should have levelled and went extremely close to doing so.

    With just three minutes remaining, David Norman sent in a terrific cross which right back Ewan Gourlay got his head to, but his effort flashed narrowly past the far post.

    With two wins from two in the group stage, the reserves’ next group game is at home to Dunfermline Athletic on Monday, 15 October.