| 6 | Dundee | 31 | 10 | 9 | 12 | -10 | 39 |
| 7 | Hibernian | 32 | 9 | 11 | 12 | -7 | 38 |
| 8 | Motherwell | 32 | 8 | 12 | 12 | -5 | 36 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | 32 | 8 | 10 | 14 | -5 | 34 |
| 10 | St Johnstone | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | -20 | 31 |
Stephen Craigan was disappointed his Colts side exited the IRN-BRU Cup at the hands of Ross County, but was proud of his history-making side.
The youngsters were the first Under 20s Premiership side to reach the quarter-finals and more than matched their vastly more experienced opponents, before losing 2-1.
Motherwell’s colts side put in a fighting performance but just lost out to Championship high-flyers Ross County in the IRN-BRU Cup quarter-final.
A stunning Adam Livingstone free-kick pegged back the Staggies but two goals lost from set plays handed the win to the visitors.
In a combative affair at Fir Park, the game came down to four incidents in a five-minute spell.
With six minutes gone in the second half, County had the lead. A corner to the back post was headed back across the face of the goal, where Ross Stewart was on hand to knock the ball home.
Two minutes later, Stephen Craigan’s men were handed a lifeline as Jake Hastie was felled as he bore down on goal.
Presented with the chance 20 yards from goal, left back Livingstone lifted the ball brilliantly over the wall and off the bar, before it nestled in the net.
Scenes of celebration were then immediately tempered. Christian Mbulu was adjudged to have committed an act of violent conduct as he ran into Don Cowie as he went to join his team-mates.
A man down, the young Steelmen were then undone three minutes later from another set play. Again, Stewart was the beneficiary, putting the Championship side back in the lead.
Motherwell continued to push to try and get back into the match, but ultimately came up short as their more-experienced opponents held firm in front of 1,200 supporters.
Adam Livingstone believes the Colts can use more than just a place in the Irn-Bru Cup semi final as inspiration against Ross County on Saturday.
The academy graduate admits that the thought of a spot in Stephen Robinson’s first team is something the youngsters can channel in to their performance as they prepare to face Championship opposition at Fir Park.
“I think it can give us all an extra edge,” the defender said.
“We’ve shown that we’re capable of going toe-to-toe with first team players and teams, and we want to do ourselves justice this weekend.”
Stephen Craigan wants his players to express themselves in Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup quarter-final.
Motherwell’s Colts side take on Ladbrokes Championship opposition in Ross County, having become the first young side to reach the last eight.
Fir Park plays host to the IRN-BRU Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, as Motherwell Colts welcome Ross County.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
The youngsters are the first in the competition’s history to reach the last eight of the IRN-BRU Cup, having defeated Sligo Rovers in the last round.
East Stirlingshire and Dundee Colts have also been defeated on the way to the clash with the Ladbrokes Championship side.
The opportunity to face senior teams in the competition provides a different test for Stephen Craigan’s side, but taking on County arguably provides their most difficult to date.
The Staggies, relegated from the Premiership last season, are second in the league this campaign and still boast a host of players who played top flight football last season.
That includes lively striker Billy McKay, who has netted 11 goals in 18 appearances in 2018/19.
You can buy your tickets online now, or pay at the gate on the day. Adult entry costs £8, concessions go for £4 and kids aged 15 and under can get in for just £2.
The John Hunter stand will be the only stand open for the match for home fans. Ross County fans will be housed in our Cooper stand behind the goal.
Motherwell are in IRN-BRU Cup action on Saturday, as Championship high-flyers Ross County travel to take on our colts team.
Stephen Craigan’s youngsters have already made history in reaching the last eight of the competition but face a tough test against the team who were in the Ladbrokes Premiership last season.
Here is the game previewed in numbers.
Only one colts team has ever reached the quarter final of the IRN-BRU Cup, and it was Motherwell who set that record in this season’s competition.
Now in the third season with Premiership clubs’ under 20s players being involved in the competition, their progression signals the progression they’ve made, using the opportunity the competition provides to play against senior teams.
From the Colts’ three games in the IRN-BRU Cup this season, the youngsters have put seven goals past their opponents, conceding just once.
A 3-0 win over East Stirlingshire was followed up by a 2-1 win at Dens Park against Dundee’s colts side.
Then at Fir Park, Irish side Sligo Rovers were put to the sword in a 2-0 victory.
Ross County’s goal difference in the Championship is the best in the division, having scored 24 goals and conceded nine.
Only table-topping Ayr United have scored more goals with 25, while the Staggies have the best defensive record.
Motherwell Colts host Ross County on Saturday in the quarter-final of the IRN-BRU Cup at Fir Park.
Stephen Craigan’s history-making youngsters are the only remaining Colts’ side in the competition, and now face Championship opposition for a chance to make it to the last four.
Here, we take a look at Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell’s side.
The Dingwall outfit have started strongly in the Scottish Championship following their relegation last season, and currently sit four points off league leaders Ayr.
In what is a competitive division, the Staggies are joined by Dundee United and fellow Highlanders Inverness CT in the immediate pack challenging Ian McCall’s side.
No side has a better defence in the Championship than Ross County, who have shipped just nine goals this term.
Going forward, they have bagged 24 goals and are currently only being outscored by Ayr, who have found the net on 25 occasions.
Motherwell Colts can expect a difficult clash against a side who have been impressive all over the park in 2018/19.
Although it’s a long trip in distance for Saturday’s opponents, it’s not been long since Ross County were last at Fir Park.
Back in January, the Staggies took on the Steelmen and lost 2-0, thanks to a Harry Souttar own goal and a Curtis Main strike to give Stephen Robinson’s men all three points.
Our lottery scheme to help invest money in youth development and our academy has changed.
Our new Well Lottery allows you the chance to win up to £25,000, while also continuing to back the future players of the club.
Still priced at £1 per entry, our new providers Unity will also offer up smaller prizes of £1,000 and £25.
What’s more, if you sign up to our new lottery before 30 November, you will go into the prize draw to win hospitality at a first team game at Fir Park.
To join the new Well Lottery, you can now choose one of the following options:
Once you have signed up, you will receive a letter welcoming you to the lottery which will tell you your lottery numbers. You will then be entered into the draw for as long as you wish to play.
We have teamed up with Unity to run the Well Lottery. For as little as £1 per week, you’ll have the chance to win up to £25,000. At least 50p of every £1 played goes straight to youth development but most importantly, there are no ongoing costs to the club.
New lottery numbers: Every player will be allocated a six-digit lottery number for every entry they wish to play. If you match your number with the winning number drawn on a Saturday in the correct sequence, you can win up to £25,000.
Higher prize fund: Through Unity, we can now offer a higher weekly jackpot of £25,000, with smaller prizes of £1,000, £25 and five entries into the next draw on offer.
More payment options: You can join the lottery by direct debit, credit card or cheque.
Proceeds: Every £1 ticket gains Motherwell FC at least 50p towards the club’s youth development and academy programme.
No change to the ticket price: It’s still £1 to play.
Every £1 is split three ways. At least 50p of every £1 comes straight to Motherwell FC, which is put towards the club’s youth Development and academy programme. The other 50p covers the cost of the administration of the lottery, and goes towards the fantastic prize fund.
Every player of the new Well Lottery will be allocated a six-digit lottery number for every entry they wish to play. This idea is to match your number with the winning number that is drawn on a Saturday in the correct sequence. Every entry in the Unity lottery has an equal one in 63 chance of winning a prize.
For example:
325764 – random winning number
326574 – your lottery number
This is a three-number match, winning five entries into the next draw.
Players are notified automatically, and prizes sent out by post, so you do not need to claim your prize. If you would like to check the winning number each week, these can be found on Unity’s website and here on the official Motherwell FC website.
Unity is a platform on which charities run their own fundraising lottery. It is run by an external lottery manager, Sterling Lotteries, who administer hundreds of charity lotteries for clients across the country.
Motherwell have already made history in being the first Colts team to reach the quarter-finals of the IRN-BRU Cup.
Now they face the challenge of taking on Ladbrokes Premiership promotion chasers Ross County in the last eight at Fir Park on Saturday, 17 November. Kick off is at 3pm.
Stephen Craigan’s side brilliantly beat Irish side Sligo Rovers in the last round in front of almost 1,000 fans on home turf, and another big crowd could help send them to the semi-finals.
You can buy your tickets online now, or pay at the gate on the day. Adult entry costs £8, concessions go for £4 and kids aged 15 and under can get in for just £2.
Looking to get ahead of the game and book your Christmas party night for 2018?
We’ve got the perfect venue for you to hold yours in style. Our party night packages are hugely popular and will sell fast, so get yours today by buying online for just £35 per person.
This year’s Christmas party nights will be held at Fir Park on 8, 14 and 21 December.
Once you’ve had your glass of fizz on arrival our fantastic package includes a menu of:
After that, you can party the night away with our resident Christmas DJ.
There is also a VIP package on request which will be priced at £85. For more information, get in touch with our hospitality team today.
