Latest News

Motherwell fans have formed an unlikely brotherhood with Argentine side Estudiantes, after a chance encounter led them all the way to meeting legendary player Juan Sebastián Verón.

‘Well followers Iain MacLeod and Andrew Jack, together with their non-Steelmen supporting friend Steve McGurk, are on a football holiday in Argentina, and originally contacted La Plata-based ‘Well fan Bubi Blurtago about getting tickets for their derby match with Gimnasia on Sunday.

Like all good tales, one thing led to another and the trio found themselves this weekend in the company of club president Verón, who stood on a table and introduced them as the “official representatives of Estudiantes in Scotland”.

With a link now firmly in place between supporters of both clubs, the former Lazio, Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder then presented them with an official shirt at the club’s training ground. The favour was returned, with Verón pictured with the claret and amber jersey that’s his to keep.

Also on the visit were Bubi’s wife, Natalia Arecha, their son Jeremias Gomez, and Luis Alvarez Gelvez, who organised the meeting for the group.

Motherwell have a brief history in Argentina, having played in the country as part of a nine-game South American tour in 1928, which included a 3-0 win over the Argentina national team and a defeat to Boca Juniors, as well as a match against the Brazilian national side.

Hibernian hit four as they inflicted a second defeat of the season for Motherwell at Ravenscraig on Sunday.

A second half showing from Hibs ensured that they would be travelling back to Edinburgh with the three points.

It had been an even start to the encounter. Motherwell found success down the left wing, with Sarah Crilly surging down the flank trying to create an early chance, but the cross was headed away by the Hibs defence.

Lauren Davidson had an early chance for Hibs. The striker picked the ball up down the right wing before trying to cut inside onto her left foot. Trying to place it past the keeper, Morgan Hunter got down well to make the save.

As the game progressed, Hibs were pressing forward more, linking up in the middle and trying to ship the ball out to Jamie-Lee Napier on the left wing. The attacking possession however never led to any clear-cut chances and the ‘Well were able to deal with the challenge.

There was a scare for Motherwell on the stroke of 30 minutes. The hosts had won a free kick in a promising position, but the strike deflected off the wall and Hibs began to counter in numbers.

Davidson latched onto the long ball in behind of the defence, but Hunter met her halfway as she rushed off her line to try and stop the attack. The break of the ball fell to Lia Tweedie, whose half volley sailed over the bar.

Hibs continued to press up the pitch as the half came to a close. Joelle Murray came agonisingly close with a header from a set piece, whivh had Hunter beaten but was cleared off the line to deny the midfielder.

Just as Motherwell looked likely to go into the break on level terms. Hibs went ahead on the stroke of half time.

Rachel Small bundled the ball over the line amongst a barrage of bodies from a Napier cross. The initial shot came off the bar but the midfielder was able to nod the ball into the corner to put Hibs ahead with 44 minutes played.

Motherwell came out the traps determined to bounce back from the late Hibs goal. Chelsea McEachran looked to be in on goal before being bundled to the ground, the subsequent free kick was hit by Montgomery, but it sailed harmlessly over the bar.

However, it didn’t take long for Hibs to start going. Napier was inches from heading home a cross, the Motherwell defence was split by the low through ball and Napier was left unmarked at the back post for the cross, the ball however the ball had just too much on it.

Napier continued to cause problems, this time hitting the bar with 55 minutes played. The winger brushed past Natasha Roberts before trying to fire the ball goalward, the shot evaded Hunter but crashed off the post and eventually clear.

McEachran looked to have snuck in behind the defence and was in on goal to try and put Motherwell level. She brought down the pass and looked set to pull the trigger, but the shot was blocked well however to deny the women of steel a leveller.

Hibs made it two shortly after. Davidson produced a composed finish into the bottom left corner, after a lay off by Napier to double their lead on the 65th minute.

The table toppers got a third in quickly soon after, when Small’s corner was floated into the back post and Hunter could do nothing but help it in the net with 19 minutes left on the clock.

The final goal of the game – and the fourth for Hibs – came from Kirsten Reilly’s free kick, which went through the gloves of Hunter and into the net.

A dominating second half showing ensuring that the visitors would be heading back to Edinburgh with three points and still on top of SWPL1.

Motherwell: Hunter, Knox (Russell), Welsh (Roberts), Rolph, Rafferty, Rice, Crilly, Montgomery, Gardner (Fyfe), McEachran, Adams.

Subs not used: Hutchison, McManus.

Ravenscraig will host its first SWPL1 fixture of 2019, when successive SWPL Cup and Scottish Cup winners Hibernian make the journey to North Lanarkshire.

‘Well began life in the top flight with a 1-0 victory over Stirling University at Fir Park, before narrowly losing out to Forfar Farmington in their second fixture of the new campaign.

An emphatic 13-0 success over Hutchison Vale in the SWPL Cup followed and now the women of steel can look forward to returning to league action, at the new venue that they’ll call home.

Kick off indoors at Ravenscraig is 2:30pm.

The Opposition

In recent years Hibs have firmly established themselves as one half of the ‘big two’ in Scottish women’s football.

In 2017 and 2018 they enjoyed triumphs in both the SWPL Cup and Scottish Cup. However on both occasions, they narrowly missed out on ending Glasgow City’s stranglehold on the league title.

The close season has been a difficult one for Hibs boss Grant Scott, who has seen a number of top players head down south, though the quality he has at his disposal is undeniable.

A surprise 0-0 draw at home to Spartans on the opening day led to a few raised eyebrows, however Hibs have bounced back with wins over Celtic and Hearts in the week’s following.

Position

Motherwell SWPL1 – 5th – three points

Hibs SWPL1 – 1st – four points

What They Said

Having netted four goals in the 13-0 win over Hutchison Vale, Lori Gardner is hoping to get among the goals in the league when Hibs visit Ravenscraig.

Gardner feels the international break came at a good time for the women of steel and says the squad are now looking forward to returning to action.

“It was good to have a break and recharge,” she said. “All the girls are now excited to get back to playing and the challenges ahead.

“As a striker, it’s always good to get goals and I’m obviously looking to get as many as I can.”

“Regardless of opposition we always look to set up and play the same way.

“It was good to put in such a dominant performance against Hutchison Vale and it has really helped our confidence for the league kicking off again.”

Motherwell head coach Donald Jennow is well aware of the challenge awaits his side and has challenged his squad to keep improving in the weeks ahead.

“Our recent performances have been mixed and we know today is likely to be a challenging afternoon,” he said. “I think this group of players has a lot of potential and they have shown that in flashes.”

“We need to perform at our highest level for longer in games, when we do we are a tough opponent.

“Between the cup game and today, we have had a couple of weeks to work on the areas we wanted to improve on and that we hope will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.”

See the highlights as Motherwell emphatically win the derby against Hamilton Academical.

Skipper Richard Tait, Liam Grimshaw and double scorer David Turnbull speak after the 3-0 derby victory over Hamilton Academical.

Stephen Robinson hailed his side’s blistering start in the derby win over Hamilton Academical, but says there’s always room for improvement as the top six surge continues.

Motherwell made it a very impressive four home wins on the spin with victory in the derby with Hamilton Academical.

The result sets up a crucial game at Easter Road next week, as the Steelmen continue in their bid to overtake Hibs for a top six spot.

‘Well’s trio of teenagers celebrated their call up to the Scotland Under 21 squad with a major contribution in Accies downfall. David Turnbull’s double inside the first 12 minutes set the tone for a fabulous first half performance, with Jake Hastie hitting a third to effectively kill off Hamilton before half-time.

And while the ‘Well youngsters have been claiming the headlines, Mark Gillespie and his back four deserve credit having conceded only one goal during that run.

On a very rare occasion Motherwell kicked off facing the Davie Cooper stand. However, it didn’t affect them and after only two minutes were a goal ahead.

A wonderful headed flick from Curtis Main sent Gboly Ariyibi down the left channel, before sliding the ball across the six yard box for Turnbull whose half-hit effort bounced inside the ‘keeper’s left hand post.

Aryibi was proving a real handful for Ziggy Gordon and the on loan winger skipped past a couple of challenges before his low shot was saved by Gary Woods.

A similar mazy run and quick feet from Ariyibi after 12 minutes ended with Gordon tripping him in the box. Turnbull confidently stroked home the resultant penalty kick to almost kill off Accies before they could find their feet.

With Hamilton struggling to match the movement and passing of the Fir Park players, a long cross field ball from Charles Dunne picked out Hastie, who could only volley his shot over.

Accies seemed to have steadied themselves for almost 20 minutes before ‘Well increased the intensity towards the visitor’s goal.

Just after the half hour, Turnbull and Campbell combined to feed Hastie who cut into the box before testing Woods with a low ground shot.

A couple of minutes later with Accies defending deeply in their box, Turnbull’s shot at goal found its way to Hastie and from six yards he smashed the ball home to make it 3-0.

Ariyibi then set off on another terrific run dribbling the ball towards the byline before forcing a good block from Woods.

A minute from half–time, Turnbull might have nabbed his it a hat-trick. But after a bursting run and cross from Liam Grimshaw, the Motherwell midfielder headed the ball over from a couple of yards.

Three minutes after the break it was Main’s turn to pass up the chance to make it 4-0 when he powered his way into the box only to stumble yards in front of a helpless Woods. A minute later, as Accies failed to clear Turnbull’s corner, from a tight angle Main forced a good save from the Accies ‘keeper.

It took Hamilton until the 54th minute for their first real effort on ‘Well’s goal but James Keatings’ free kick was straight into Gillespie’s waiting hands.

It Woods again who was called into action getting down to block Ariybi’s low shot at the second attempt after Hastie and Turnbull had combined to set up the winger.

Accies, though, made it more of a game in the second half, and Tony Andreu’s chipped shot wasn’t far away from grabbing a goal and giving the visitor’s a boost.

Stephen Robinson swapped wingers after 66 minutes replacing Hastie with Elliot Frear and then Carl McHugh for Alex Gorrin, as ‘Well looked to regain full control of the proceedings.

Fifteen minutes from time Grimshaw sent Frear down the line and after working his way into the box he set up Aryibi but from eight yards he blasted over a begging goal.

Danny Johnson was then given the opportunity to convert some of the many chances being created in front of the Accies goal.

A final opportunity arrived in added on time but on this occasion Turnbull’s 25 yard free kick was firmly held by the ‘keeper as ‘Well were unable to add to their first half haul.

It’s derby day at Fir Park, as Motherwell host Hamilton in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

If you live outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch a live stream of the game direct from Fir Park. Kick off is at 3pm GMT.

To sign up for our service, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and choose your package. Subscriptions to see live games start at just £12 a month.

Every league game between now and the split will be broadcast live on our service.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland but can’t make the game, there’s also live audio commentary available on our service. Our domestic subscriptions cost £6 a month and also get you full game replays.

Stephen Robinson has urged his team to focus their efforts on stringing together another winning run, as the push for the top six continues.

Having received many plaudits for winning six games in a row, and going seven of their last eight unbeaten, the manager says it’s time to put the praise to one side and focus on winning the derby with Hamilton Academical.

After netting four goals in the emphatic 13-0 victory over Hutchison Vale, there could be a case for suggesting the international break arrived at a bad time for Lori Gardner.

The ’Well forward was in lethal form as Donald Jennow’s side booked their place in the last eight of the SWPL Cup.

However Gardner, who has enjoyed a good start to life at Fir Park, feels the squad have returned from the break raring to go and is hoping to get among the goals in the league when Hibs visit Ravenscraig on Sunday.

“It was good to have a break and recharge,” she said. “All the girls are now excited to get back to playing and the challenges ahead.

“As a striker, it’s always good to get goals and I’m obviously looking to get as many as I can.”

While victory over struggling, lower league opposition in their last match came as little surprise to most, the margin of Motherwell’s success certainly did.

Gardner also feels the result came as a big lift following the disappointment endured at Forfar one week before, in which Kerry Montgomery was controversially denied a last gasp leveller.

“The result was very important,” Gardner added. “Regardless of opposition we always look to set up and play the same way.

“It was good to put in such a dominant performance and it has really helped our confidence for the league kicking off again.”

Successive double winners Hibs make the trip to Lanarkshire from the capital, having recovered from an early season setback.

They followed up their surprise opening day draw with victories over Celtic and Hearts.

Those results have gone someway to alleviating fears that a close season where they lost a number of star players would hamper their chances of another successful season.

Motherwell provided the opposition as Grant Scott’s side lifted their last trophy, the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup, but Gardner says the previous meeting between the sides won’t be a factor.

“It’ll be a challenge but one we’re looking forward to,” the 22-year-old said. “These are the kind of games you want to be playing in and allows us to challenge ourselves against the best.

“We always try to look forward as individuals and as a team, so the previous result between the teams won’t come into our thoughts.”

The women of steel squad underwent major overhaul ahead of their first season in SWPL1 and Lori admits settling in has been an easy process.

The striker celebrated her 22nd birthday earlier in the week and now she is now targeting a belated gift.

“I’m really enjoying it. Everyone gets on really well which made it easy to settle in quickly.

“The standard of players who have remained and have been brought is high. We all share common goals and a have desire to be as successful as we can.

“It would be great to celebrate my birthday with a goal and that’s certainly what I’ll be hoping for.”