fbpx
News

Latest News

  • First team

    Highlights as ‘Well exit Scottish Cup

  • First team

    Manager reacts to cup exit

  • First team

    Motherwell exit Scottish Cup to St Mirren

  • First team

    St Mirren league game rearranged

  • First team

    Stephen Robinson previews St Mirren cup replay

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves lose to Kilmarnock

  • First team

    Listen to live audio from Motherwell v St Mirren

  • First team

    Next up: St Mirren

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves take on Kilmarnock

  • Women

    Kilmarnock SWPL Cup match called off

  • First team

    Highlights as ‘Well exit Scottish Cup

    The highlights as Motherwell come from 4-1 down against St Mirren, but go out of the William Hill Scottish Cup on penalties.

  • First team

    Manager reacts to cup exit

    “We never said die. We showed great character to come back. But you don’t win many games if you go 4-1 down at home.”

    Stephen Robinson reacts to Motherwell’s Scottish Cup exit.

  • First team

    Motherwell exit Scottish Cup to St Mirren

    Motherwell exit Scottish Cup to St Mirren

    Motherwell’s Scottish Cup run came to a disappointing end as St Mirren eventually progressed to the quarter-finals on penalties.

    It was a dramatic and exciting cup tie as ‘Well came storming back from 4-1 down at the interval to dominate the second half and extra-time, before frustratingly failing three times from the spot in the penalty shootout.

    In truth, though, the Fir Park men were second best all over the pitch as Saints clinically punished them with four first half goals.

    Liam Polworth’s equaliser midway through the first half brought some false hope as the visitors looked to have booked their spot in the last eight.

    However, when Tony Watt grabbed a second 11 minutes into the second half, ‘Well’s faint hopes were raised.

    Nobody, though, could have envisaged the fightback which followed, as goals from Rolando Aarons and Allan Campbell drew the sides level, with Motherwell pushing for a winner before the game moved into extra time and penalties.

    Motherwell might have argued that on their second half onslaught they deserved a winner in regulation time. But ultimately three tame penalty attempts cost them a place in the last eight.

    The Fir Park pitch had recovered well from Storm Dennis but neither Gallagher or Christopher Long were fit enough to participate in this fifth round replay.

    That meant Bevis Mugabi partnering Peter Hartley in the centre of defence and Tony Watt making his home debut up front.

    Ross MacIver was also given a start alongside the former Celtic striker, as Stephen Robinson searched for an attacking combination that would turn chances into much needed goals. Mark O’Hara, the goal hero in Paisley, had to make way for a fully fit Allan Campbell.

    After Saturday’s postponement both teams were eager to kill off this tie as quickly as possible.

    To that end, Saints with a crucial relegation encounter on Friday, started the game more positively pushing towards Mark Gillespie’s goal from the start.

    However, the first goal threat came at the visitor’s end. Liam Polworth’s inswinging corner was nodded on by MacIver forcing Vaclav Hladky to palm the ball over his bar. The Saints’ ‘keeper was then tested with a couple of crosses but Hladky, on a wet surface firmly held the ball.

    Motherwell appeared to be about to take the initiative when, after 14 minutes, Saints fired home the opening goal.

    The ball was worked to Ilkay Durmas wide on the left and when he whipped a cross towards the six yard box, Jon Obika reacted quickest to steer the ball inside Gillespie’s right hand post and put the visitors in front.

    That unsettled the Fir Park players and the home fans shared their frustrations in the 23rd minute when Jamie McGrath raced through unchallenged but his tame finish was easy for Gillespie to beat away.

    However, three minutes later the home fans were celebrating as ‘Well equalised. Polworth again whipped a corner into the six yard box and when Conor McCarthy returned the ball to him the former Inverness man stepped inside the advancing defender before drilling his shot through a packed defence and into the net.

    It was shaping up to be a keenly contested cup tie before Saints hit the home side with a quick double.

    And in both cases the ‘Well defending could have been better.

    After 31  minutes, Cammy MacPherson’s long free kick drifted over the static home defenders, Obika was left to stroke the ball low past Gillespie and in off the ‘keeper’s left-hand post to regain the lead.

    Within 90 seconds Saints had stretched their lead to 3-1. Again the Fir Park defenders were slow to challenge Sam Foley as he strode through the centre of the box. Gillespie did well to block his shot from 12 yards but unlucky to see the ball cannon off Hartley and roll into an empty net.

    It might have been a fourth for the Buddies five minutes later but for a brilliant one-handed save from Gillespie to deny Jamie McGrath as Saints threatened to run riot against a beleaguered looking ‘Well.

    Two minutes from the break Foley did make it four when he collected Hartley’s poor clearance before drilling a low shot beyond a helpless Gillespie.

    With the Saints fans in dreamland some of the Fir Park faithful, fearing a nightmare, headed for the exit before the first half was even over.

    To round off a miserable first half, Mugabi then limped off to be replaced by Mark O’Hara.

    In an attempt to produce the greatest comeback since the memorable one against Hibs in 2010, Hartley stayed indoors at the interval with Richard Tait coming on to form a back three along with Liam Donnelly and Jake Carroll.

    Within seven minutes of his arrival Tait popped the ball into the box for MacIver to hook his shot just wide of the post.

    Five minutes later, though ‘Well reduced the leeway. Watt wriggled his way through a packed box before firing his shot low past Hladky to make it 4-2.

    Gillespie palmed away MacPherson’s 25 yard drive before ‘Well made their last substitution, Jermaine Hylton replacing Liam Grimshaw. Effectively that was Gillespie’s last involvement as ‘Well dominated the remainder of the half.

    Hylton’s trickery on the left was immediate and his cross to the back post after 68 minutes found Campbell. As he forced the ball back across the goal the ball rebounded from the foot of the post before Hladky prevented a follow up drifting under his bar.

    With 20 minutes remaining there was a renewed sense of optimism among the ‘Well support as the Steelmen laid siege on the home goal.

    And two minutes later that was increased further as Rolando Aarons’ long and low cross from the right  eluded everyone including Hladky to sneak inside the ‘keeper’s post to make it 4-3.

    Unbelievably, in a flash it was 4-4. Campbell raced into the box and from an angle his driven shot took a deflection to carry the ball over the ‘keeper and under his bar to make it all level with 16 minutes left for either team to win the tie.

    The impetus had now shifted ‘Well’s waym with the 918 Buddies’ fans totally shellshocked.

    It was all ‘Well until the end of the 90 and Campbell thought he had come up with the winner when he latched on to MacIver’s cut-back but his low driven shot was blocked in a packed six-yard area.

    And so, after a two minute breather, this amazing cup tie headed for 30 minutes of extra time.

    Nine minutes into the extra period Hylton worked his way along the line before shooting with the outside of his boot and leaving Hladky relieved to scoop the ball behind.

    With the luxury of a fourth substitute in extra time, ‘Well re-energised their firepower with Christy Manzinga coming on for MacIver.

    Facing their favoured Davie Cooper stand for the final 15 minutes there was still a sense that Motherwell would snatch the winning goal to complete another memorable fightback before the penalty shoot-out.

    However, down to 10 men for the last few minutes when Carroll limped off, Donnelly had to head the ball off the goal-line to leave the sides level at 4-4 after an exhilarating 120 minutes.

    As both sets of leg weary players raised themselves for a dramatic penalty shoot-out in front of the Cooper Stand there were as many missed as converted. Ultimately, Aarons and Polworth netted but Donnelly, Watt and Hylton all failed from the spot, as ‘Well’s comeback and cup run came to a disappointing end.

  • First team

    St Mirren league game rearranged

    St Mirren league game rearranged

    Motherwell will face St Mirren on Tuesday, 25 February in a rearranged Ladbrokes Premiership match.

    The original game was cancelled on Saturday, 15 February due to adverse weather conditions.

    The William Hill Scottish Cup tie with St Mirren on Tuesday, 18 February is going ahead as planned.

    All tickets purchased for the original match will be valid for use at the rearranged match. Season cards will also work as normal.

    Tickets can be bought online, or you can pay at the gate.

    Adult £24 / £20
    Over 60s / 16-18s / full-time students £17 / £16
    Children aged 15 and under £3
    One adult and two kids £28 / £24

    The cheaper price is for our John Hunter Stand for home supporters. Away fans can pay at the gate at the South Stand.

    Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

  • First team

    Stephen Robinson previews St Mirren cup replay

    “We have an opportunity to be in the quarter-finals of the cup. It’s up to us to step up.”

    Stephen Robinson looks ahead to Tuesday’s William Hill Scottish Cup replay with St Mirren.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves lose to Kilmarnock

    Reserves lose to Kilmarnock

    Motherwell lost 4-3 to Kilmarnock in a topsy-turvy game in the SPFL Reserve League on Monday.

    The visitors went in at the break 2-0 up, before Cole Starrs’ hat-trick had Motherwell temporarily ahead midway through the second half.

    But Kilmarnock turned it round to reclaim the lead, equalising instantly and then claiming the winner with five minutes left.

    Charles Dunne made a return from a long injury lay-off, partnering Yusuf Hussain in defence as he stepped up his recovery.

    It took just over half an hour for a team to make the breakthrough and it was the visitors who got in front. After PJ Morrison brilliantly saved an initial header from close range, he was unable to keep out the rebound.

    Ten minutes later, Kilmarnock were 2-0 ahead from the penalty spot. Morrison guessed the right way but couldn’t keep a thunderous effort out.

    With 12 minutes gone in the second half, Motherwell were given a penalty of their own as Kilmarnock went down to 10 men. Starrs saw his initial spot kick saved, but was on hand to turn in the rebound.

    Minutes later, he had another shot at a penalty. Substitute O’Donnell was taken out in the box by the visiting goalkeeper, with Starrs stepping up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and level the match.

    Then, with 20 minutes left to play, he had his hat-trick. Trialist’s sweeping cross to the back post was met by the onrushing striker, who was able to slip the ball home.

    The lead would last just over 60 seconds. A break down the wing saw Motherwell fail to clear their lines, leaving Kilmarnock with a close-range tap-in.

    But an even bigger chance would present itself with five minutes to go. An attempted back pass to Morrison was placed without seeing where he had positioned himself and, with the ball going past the goalkeeper, Kilmarnock were able to race in and finish into an empty net.

  • First team

    Listen to live audio from Motherwell v St Mirren

    Listen to live audio from Motherwell v St Mirren

    There’s live audio available from Motherwell v St Mirren on Tuesday night.

    A live stream is not available due to Scottish FA rules. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT.

    To subscribe and get all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

    2019/20 Motherwell streaming service matches

    Date Match Service available
    18 February 2020 Motherwell v St Mirren Live audio only
    22 February 2020 Hamilton v Motherwell Live audio only
    4 March 2020 Motherwell v Ross County Live video outside UK/Ireland, audio to all
    7 March 2020 Hearts v Motherwell Live video outside UK/Ireland, audio to all
    14 March 2020 Motherwell v Aberdeen Live video outside UK/Ireland, audio to all
    21 March 2020 Motherwell v Kilmarnock Live video outside UK/Ireland, audio to all
    4 April 2020 Rangers v Motherwell Live audio only

     

  • First team

    Next up: St Mirren

    Next up: St Mirren

    Motherwell and St Mirren play again on Tuesday for a place in the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

    After a 1-1 draw in the initial fifth round tie, the teams face off for the chance of a home tie with either Aberdeen or Kilmarnock.

    Tale of the tape

    The two sides were due to face each other in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday, only for the game to fall foul to the weather.

    In their last outings last midweek, Motherwell lost in stoppage time at St Johnstone in a 2-1 defeat, while St Mirren went down 2-1 away at Livingston to end a run of four games unbeaten, all of which had been draws.

    Head to head

    The 1-1 cup draw followed a run which had seen Motherwell win both league outings between the two clubs this season. A 2-0 win earlier in the campaign at home had been followed by a 3-0 victory in Paisley in December.

    Buy in advance or pay at the gate

    Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office. Cash gates are also available on the day.

    Adult £12
    Over 60s / 16-17s / full-time students £6
    Children aged 15 and under £3

    Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

    Hospitality options

    Come and enjoy a two-course meal with half-time refreshments in our Centenary Suite for the match.

    Priced at an additional £15 per person, or an additional £10 for children, you can buy online now, email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk or call 01698 333333.

    Can’t make it? Listen live

    There’s live audio available from Motherwell v St Mirren on Tuesday night.

    A live stream is not available due to Scottish FA rules. Kick off is at 7.45pm GMT.

    To subscribe and get all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Reserves take on Kilmarnock

    Reserves take on Kilmarnock

    There’s league action for the reserves on Monday, as they take on Kilmarnock.

    Kick-off at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld is at 2pm.

  • Women

    Kilmarnock SWPL Cup match called off

    Kilmarnock SWPL Cup match called off

    Motherwell’s SWPL Cup tie at Kilmarnock on Sunday has been cancelled.

    Poor weather conditions have led to the second cancellation in the group stage, after last week’s home match with Partick Thistle also fell foul.

    A rearranged date will be announced shortly.

    Motherwell kick off the SWPL1 league season next Sunday at Forfar Farmington.