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  • Women

    Semi-final action on Sunday

  • Club

    Get tickets for our Business Show event

  • First team

    Busy week for ‘Well internationals

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves draw with St Mirren

  • First team

    Mugabi named in Uganda squad

  • Club

    Reserves to host St Mirren

  • First team

    Declan Gallagher called into Scotland squad

  • First team

    Highlights as Motherwell beat St Mirren

  • First team

    Manager hails performance in victory

  • First team

    Motherwell grab assured win over St Mirren

  • Women

    Semi-final action on Sunday

    Semi-final action on Sunday

    Motherwell take on Hibernian in the semi-final of the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup on Sunday.

    THE FORM GUIDE

    The two teams met just over a week ago and although Donald Jennow’s side lost 2-0, he will take encouragement from their disciplined performance.

    Motherwell have had a positive first season in the Scottish top flight. The women of steel have have already secured their place in the league next season with six games to play and have a fight on with Rangers and Spartans to try and finish fourth behind Glasgow City, Hibs and Celtic.

    Despite that, ‘Well will go into the match as underdogs, considering Hibernian’s impressive form this season.

    The Edinburgh outfit last tasted defeat five games ago and that was at league leaders Glasgow City. Since that loss, Grant Scott’s side have scored 24 goals and have yet to concede.

    HOW THEY GOT HERE

    Both sides entered the competition in third round and have convincingly won the three games to get them to this stage.

    Motherwell have yet to concede a goal, seeing off Partick Thistle 2-0, Inverness CT 5-0, and then beating Queen’s Park 5-0 in the quarter-final.

    Current holders Hibs have been in formidable cup form too. They started the defence of their trophy with a 5-0 win over Stirling University, followed by a 7-1 win over Edinburgh rivals Hearts and a 3-0 win over Hamilton Accies in the quarters.

    ON THE TASK IN HAND

    “It’s an opportunity. The girls have worked incredibly hard to get themselves the opportunity of a semi-final and I want them to go out and approach it as an opportunity – nothing more than that.

    “It’s a chance to go out and show what they are capable of and hopefully reap the rewards of that.”, said head coach Donald Jennow.

    Defender Georgie Rafferty added “As a player, these are the games you want to be playing in.  There’s no denying Hibs are a fantastic side but you’re getting the opportunity to test yourself against some of the best in the country so we are looking forward to it.”

    WATCH THE MATCH

    Forthbank Stadium in Stirling is the venue for the match on Sunday. Kick off is at 3.30pm. Entry is £5 for adults, £2 for concessions and U12’s go free.

  • Club

    Get tickets for our Business Show event

    Get tickets for our Business Show event

    Come and get connected with businesses from all over North Lanarkshire at our business show this Thursday, 10 October.

    It’s free to come along to Fir Park and meet other companies, as well as take part in seminars and workshop sessions.

    We’ve already had a lot of interest in this year’s event, so make sure you don’t miss out by getting your free tickets online now. Pre-registration is required.

    Taking place from 10am to 1pm, you can also exhibit and have a stall at the event for your business to fill up your notepad with leads, contacts and opportunities.

    We have very limited availability, so get in touch with the team today by emailing grace.peacock@motherwellfc.co.uk or calling 01698 333333.

  • First team

    Busy week for ‘Well internationals

    Busy week for ‘Well internationals

    Several Motherwell players have joined with their respective nations ahead of a week of international football.

    Declan Gallagher was named in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the first time as they face UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying fixtures against Russia in Moscow on Thursday (10 October) and San Marino at Hampden on Sunday (13 October).

    Liam Donnelly and Trevor Carson were both included in the Northern Ireland squad for a qualification match in Belfast against the Netherlands on Thursday (10 October) before a trip to Prague to take on the Czech Republic in a friendly match on Monday (14 October).

    Bevis Mugabi is in the Uganda squad looking to win his eighth cap with the Cranes square up against Ethiopia in a friendly match in Addis Adaba on Sunday (13 October).

    Allan Campbell, Barry Maguire and James Scott were again picked by Scott Gemmill for the Scotland U21 squad. The young Scots sit joint top of their 2021 UEFA European Under 21 qualifying group, having won their opening two matches against San Marino and Croatia. They host Lithuania at Tynecastle Park on Thursday (10 October), before travelling to Uherske Hradiste to take on Czech Republic four days later.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves draw with St Mirren

    Reserves draw with St Mirren

    Motherwell and St Mirren played out a 2-2 draw at Broadwood on Monday in the SPFL Reserve League.

    An experienced Steelmen side fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1, courtesy of a Christopher Long double.

    However, an injury time leveller from a young Saints side meant Maurice Ross’ men had to be content with a share of the spoils.

    Motherwell were able to call on several first team players with Bevis Mugabi, Mark O’Hara, Jamie Semple, Jermaine Hylton, Christian Ilic, Christy Manzinga and Christopher Long all named in the starting team. Saints’ notable names included Ethan Erhahon and Oan Djorkaeff.

    It was a fairly uneventful first half, with the quality of the match negatively impacted by a swirling wind in Cumbernauld.

    Finlay Gray had the first attempt of the match, his shot from distance forcing Peter Morrison to beat the ball away. At the other end, a Long shot trickled wide before Manzinga brought out a good save from David Wilson, who turned around his fizzing shot from a tight angle.

    Both teams continued trade both possession and half chances, with Cameron Breadner again forcing a decent block from Morrison and Gray slicing a cutback inches wide of goal when he perhaps should have scored.

    For ‘Well, Manzinga almost repeated his acrobatic effort against Gretna with a spectacular bicycle-kick attempt from just inside the box, but it was blocked en route.

    Whilst the game lacked a cutting edge in the final third during the first half, Saints got their noses in front with the first attempt of the second period.

    Motherwell failed to stop a deep cross from the left following a throw-in and substitute Jay Henderson got above Jack Brown to send an impressive header past Morrison.

    To their credit, ‘Well responded in impressive fashion and equalised almost immediately.

    Mark O’Hara’s searching diagonal ball found Manzinga in some space on the right-hand side of the penalty box. His low cross was inch-perfect for Long, who had time and space at the far post to slot home from close range.

    That sparked ‘Well into action and Mugabi had a header from an Ilic corner go just over the crossbar, before Wilson denied Long his second after Manzinga neatly pulled it back and the former Evertonian youngster who fired low at goal.

    The hosts were starting to dominate the game and almost scored a terrific counter-attacking goal when Hylton started and almost finished in style, only for his outside-of-the-right-boot curler to go inches wide of target.

    Saints’ efforts were hindered when Gray was ordered off for a second bookable offence, putting in a heavy tackle on Hylton after being cautioned in the first half for a pull on Manzinga.

    With ten minutes left on the clock, it looked as if Long had won it for the home side, collecting a positive pass from sub Adam Kettings before thundering a 25-yard rocket past Wilson into the top corner.

    However, in added-on time, a free kick into the area was fumbled by Morrison, allowing Carter Frew to prod the ball into an empty net to earn his side a point.

    Motherwell: Morrison, Cornelius, Brown, Muir, Mugabi, O’Hara, Manzinga, Ilic (Kettings), Long, Hylton, Semple

    Subs Not Used: Connolly, Starrs, MacIver, Trialist

  • First team

    Mugabi named in Uganda squad

    Mugabi named in Uganda squad

    Bevis Mugabi has been called-up for the Ugandan national team for their match against Ethiopia this Sunday.

    The 24-year-old arrived last month from Yeovil, but has yet to feature with Declan Gallagher and Peter Hartley both enjoying a rich vein of form.

    Mugabi has been a regular for the Cranes since making his debut against São Tomé and Príncipe in Namboole in 2018.

    He has gone on to earn a further six caps, including several appearances in this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt when he lined up against Mo Salah, Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly and Britt Assombalonga amongst others.

    The international friendly will take place in Addis Adaba, the Ethiopia capital, this Sunday afternoon.

  • Club

    Reserves to host St Mirren

    Reserves to host St Mirren

    Motherwell are once again in SPFL Reserve League action when they take on St Mirren on Monday.

    A very young side lost 4-1 to Dundee United at St Andrews last Monday and boss Maurice Ross will be hoping for a return to winning ways when they host Saints.

    The visitors have won two and lost two of their opening four encounters.

    The match will take place at Broadwood Stadium; Cumbernauld with kick-off at 2pm. Entry to the match is free of charge.

  • First team

    Declan Gallagher called into Scotland squad

    Declan Gallagher called into Scotland squad

    Declan Gallagher has been called into the Scotland squad for the Euro 2020 qualifying double header with Russia and San Marino.

    The Motherwell defender, a standout for the side since his summer move from Livingston, has been rewarded for his form with his first call-up to the national squad.

    Gallagher, 28, leads the Ladbrokes Premiership for aerial duels won and has contributed heavily to the seven clean sheets kept so far in the 2019/20 season.

    He becomes the first Motherwell player called to the full squad since the selection of Chris Cadden for friendlies against Peru and Mexico in the summer of 2018.

  • First team

    Highlights as Motherwell beat St Mirren

    James Scott and Christopher Long score as Motherwell beat St Mirren 2-0 to stay third in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

  • First team

    Manager hails performance in victory

    “I thought the first half was our best performance of the season. There were lots and lots of positives.”

  • First team

    Motherwell grab assured win over St Mirren

    Motherwell grab assured win over St Mirren

    Two wonderful strikes in either half from James Scott and Chris Long were enough to overcome a dogged St Mirren and make it a very impressive five wins from their last six games.

    Although the Buddies were on the defence for most of the game, and ‘keeper Vaclav Hladky kept their hopes of taking a point alive until Long’s goal five minutes from time, ‘Well’s controlled performance especially in the first half, was well worth another three points.

    Motherwell were aiming for another win and tighten their grip on third place in the Ladbrokes Premiership before the international break.

    Stephen Robinson’s men had to do so without the influential midfield presence of the suspended Liam Donnelly. That allowed Barry Maguire to make his first start of the season in a holding midfield role, which the Scotland Under 21 man did with some style.

    Devante Cole retained the striker’s jersey in an attempt to break down a stubborn Saints defence, which had the third meanest defensive league record.

    Conversely, the Paisley men have only found the net three times this season. However, they had an early chance to end their drought when Ilkay Durmas’ cross was nudged beyond the post by Jon Obika.

    Other than that, all the play was towards a compacted Saints half of the pitch with the Fir Park men patient in possession.

    After 10 minutes, James Scott, revelling in his role on the right, dragged the ball across the 18 yard line before driving his shot wide of goal.

    A minute later ‘Well threatened from the other wing. After playing the ball out wide to Sherwin Seedorf, Polworth collected the return only to watch his low drive palmed away by Vaclav Hladky, as the Saints ‘keeper made the first in a series of fine stops.

    Seedorf then decided to go on a solo run from the touchline into the six-yard area before forcing a good block from the Saints’ ‘keeper.

    Declan Gallagher, poised in possession at the back then set off upfield. Arriving at the opposite goal line, his cut back was perfect for Cole but his shot was blocked on the line as the Buddies defence held firm.

    The visitor’s defence was spliced open after 18 minutes, when from their corner ‘Well broke upfield. However, with Polworth racing unchallenged through the middle, Scott’s pass forced the former ICT man to check his run and his hurried drive was wide of target.

    It was almost a repeat 10 minutes later. Mark Gillespie collected the corner kick and immediately sent play to the other end. When Scott’s cutback was missed by Alan Campbell, it fell perfectly for Polworth but his measured shot was well saved by Hladky.

    Ten minutes from half-time ‘Well created their best chance – only to be again denied by Hladky.

    Liam Grimshaw’s throw-in found Polworth and his incisive pass put Cole though on goal but the Saints’ keeper raced from his line to brilliantly block the on-loan striker’s low shot.

    Two minutes later, though, the ‘keeper was helpless as the Steelmen deservedly made the breakthrough. Scott looked to have passed up the chance as he made his way across the box but after a quick exchange with Polworth the teenager found some space and from 20 yards he fired a superb shot high into the right hand corner of the net to make it 1-0.

    The home side then pressed for a killer second goal before the break which provided a breather for the overworked Paisley men.

    Refreshed from the interval, Saints restarted on the attack and within a minute Mark Gillespie was forced into his first save rising to push Danny Mullen’s angled drive over the bar. The Fir Park goal then survived as the ball from the resultant corner pinged about the six yard before being cleared off the line.

    However, a couple of minutes later normal service was resumed when Hladky, at full stretch, palmed away Seedorf’s effort which was curling inside the keeper’s far post.

    St Mirren, though, with nothing to lose were more adventurous in the second half and created more chances around the home goal.

    Ten minutes into the half Robinson made his first substitution and usual change, bringing on Jermaine Hylton, this time for goal scorer James Scott.

    With the game much more open, and Motherwell wary of being on the receiving end of a sucker punch for a second consecutive home game, the home side doubled their attacking intent when Chris Long replaced Seedorf after 69 minutes.

    Within a minute ‘Well came close to doubling their lead. Polworth’s curling shot from the edge of the box seemed destined for the back of the net and a fitting reward for a fine performance, until Hladky threw himself high to his right to bring off a spectacular save.

    At the other end Kyle Magennis’ volley from 12 yards was on target until Peter Hartley’s stretched to head it behind his goal.

    As the game entered the final 10 minutes and the 896 Saints’ fans behind Gillespie’s goal anticipating an equaliser, ‘Well made the final change, Christian Ilic, bolstering the midfield at the expense of Cole.

    The Paisley fans were on their feet as Junior Morais fired an angled shot heading for the far corner of the net until Gillespie at full stretch palmed the shot away.

    Five minutes from time, though, the tension in the home stands was relieved as ‘Well claimed the all important second goal. Chris Long chased a long ball deep into the visitor’s box before checking back onto his left foot and fire a superb finish high past Hladky and secure all three points.

    Motherwell: Gillespie, Grimshaw, Gallagher, Hartley, Tait, Maguire, Campbell, Polworth, Scott, Seedorf, Cole.

    Subs: Carson, Ilic, Long, Semple, Mugabi, O’Hara, Hylton.