Latest News

Motherwell contrived to throw away a half-time lead, three points and a great opportunity to extend their lead over fourth placed Aberdeen as they lost 2-1 to St Mirren.

The third meeting between these two sides inside three weeks finally produced a winner in regulation time. And once agin ‘Well were deflated at the end when another late loss cost them dearly.

A Liam Donnelly penalty after 12 minutes allowed the Steelmen to control the first half.

Saints ‘keeper Vaclav Hladky then made a handful of first half saves to restrict Motherwell to the solitary goal and keep alive Saints’ hopes of taking something from the game.

However, after Saints grabbed an equaliser five minutes into the second half, the Fir Park men lost their grip on the game. And just when it looked like they were going to drop two points, Iklay Durmas smashed home the winner four minutes from time to leave ‘Well empty handed.

Not surprisingly Stephen Robinson went with the side available to him which did extremely well against Accies on Saturday, especially when they were reduced to 10 men following Christopher Long’s dismissal. His red card forced the solitary change, with Jermaine Hylton taking his place playing in a more central role alongside Tony Watt.

What was a pleasant surprise was the inclusion of shirt number 7, with David Turnbull’s return to full fitness meriting him a place on the home bench.

Within two minutes Hylton had stretched the visitors’ defence but having escaped Conor McCarthy on the halfway line, the Saints defender managed to recover blocking Hylton at the edge of the box.

Four minutes later a quick break towards the Saints goal, Allan Campbell fed in the overlapping Rolando Aarons but blasted the ball high into the away fans behind Hladky’s goal.

The on-loan Newcastle United winger made amends in the 12th minute. A quick exchange with Hylton on the halfway line sent Aarons racing towards the Saints box where he was tripped by Akin Famewo, with referee David Munro immediately pointing to the penalty spot.

Despite missing ‘Well’s first in last week’s penalty shoot-out, Liam Donnelly confidently stepped up to slam the ball high into the corner of the net to open the scoring.

Five minutes later it could have been 2-0. Aarons, supplying all the dead balls from the right, found Declan Gallagher and his downward header forced a good save from Hladky. The Saints ‘keeper then reacted smartly to deny Watt who had latched onto the rebound six yards from goal.

The home defence comfortably dealt with a couple of Saints chances before ‘Well almost scored on the break from one of them. Aaron’s cleared the flag kick out to Watt who superbly carried the ball 80 yards into Hladky’s area before his angled drive was palmed round the post by the ‘keeper.

From then until the half-time whistle a series of corner and free kicks pinned Saints into their own area, but Hladky stood firm to block Hylton’s low drive before clutching Aaron’s curling free kick under his cross bar.

Although they failed to turn their first half dominance into more goals, it was a much improved scoreline this week, as the Fir Park fans looked forward to the second half.

Conversely, Saints entered the second 45 knowing they were still in the game and within five minutes the Paisley men were level.

Lee Hodson cut in from the right to fire a low ball into the six-yard box. Campbell, standing in front of Mark Gillespie failed to clear the ball leaving Jon Obika to flick the ball high into the net and make it 1-1.

It might have been worse for the Steelmen three minutes later when Gillespie, with his first real save of the match was at full stretch to push a 20 yard drive from Durmus round his right hand post.

Motherwell looked out of sorts and even the introduction of Ross MacIver for the injured Mark O’Hara after 55 failed to have any affect.

In a bid to find that spark and a winner, Turnbull was given a heroes welcome and 20 minutes to exert his influence on the game.

Eight minutes from time it almost happened when the midfielder’s cross picked out Watt but from eight yard his header was straight at the ‘keeper.

Watt then worked a clever one-two with MacIver but as the ball rolled across the box the former Celtic striker couldn’t turn and get his shot on goal.

Just as ‘Well looked the more dangerous the Buddies hit them with a sucker punch. From a quick break down the right the ball was centred into the box and laid back for Durmus to smash it high past Gillespie to give Saints a much needed three points.

However it left ‘Well fans once again dumfounded by their side’s home form and an inability to hold on to a winning position.

“We know how hard we’ve worked to get to this position. It’s up to us to try and maintain that now.”

Keith Lasley looks ahead to Motherwell v St Mirren on Tuesday.

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

We are unable to show a live stream due to UEFA blackout rules while the Champions League is being played. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

To subscribe and get live streams of 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

Motherwell exited the SPFL Reserve Cup at the semi-final stage with a 3-1 home loss to Aberdeen.

Both sides had early goals ruled out for offside, but it would be the visitors who would go ahead after 16 minutes.

Seb Ross crossed in for Bruce Anderson, who steered the ball past PJ Morrison to put Aberdeen in front.

Nine minutes later, it was 2-0. PJ Morrison pulled off a stop but the rebound from Michael Ruth crossed the line, despite the goalkeeper’s best efforts to keep it out.

Motherwell halved the deficit in the 32nd minute. Trialist picked the ball up in a central area and unleashed from 25 yards, finding the top left corner of the net with his strike.

It took Aberdeen less than two minutes to restore their two-goal cushion. Luke Turner set up Miko Virtanen to bundle over the line and send the Dons in 3-1 up at the break.

Neither side could add to the score in the second half, meaning the visitors reach the final to take on Celtic.

Motherwell have been awarded three points following the cancellation of their SWPL Cup group stage match with Kilmarnock.

The league ruled that, due to the Ayrshire club calling the game off the night before the match on Sunday 16 February, they failed to fulfil the fixture.

Motherwell now move to three points in the table, having yet to take to the field in the competition following the earlier postponement of the match with Partick Thistle due to weather.

Eddie Wolecki Black’s side take on Forfar Farmington in the group stage at Ravenscraig on Sunday. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Motherwell opened their SWPL1 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Forfar Farmington.

Windy and blustery conditions made for very difficult conditions to play football, but Jordan McLintock’s debut goal ensured ‘Well returned back down the road with three points.

Both sides made the first half very entertaining with both trying to play despite the conditions. It was Motherwell who were on the front foot, making the most of the wind at their back and pinning Forfar in the own half for the majority of the first half.

In a strong 15 minute performance Motherwell saw four corners in a row cause the Forfar defenders issues without success.

In the 35th minute Motherwell’s best attempt in the first half fell to Katie Rice. The visitors pressed high, forcing the Forfar defender to make a cross field pass which was intercepted by Kodie Hay, who drove forward and shot but the attempt was well held by the Forfar goalkeeper.

The second half saw a much more competitive half, with Forfar changing formation and utilising the wind at their back to their advantage, but having no real efforts made on Khym Ramsay’s goal.

Motherwell then began having more of the play again and forcing corner and corner without any success.

Finally in the 85th minute the deadlock was broken. Rice drove down the left and put in a effort which saw they goalkeeper fumble into the path of McLintock. who calmly slotted the ball home.

The last five minutes saw Forfar pile on the pressure through long balls forward into the box. But ‘Well held firm to take the points.

Motherwell moved back up to third in the Ladbrokes Premiership with a battling point with 10 men against local rivals Hamilton Academical.

Motherwell are straight back to action on Tuesday with a home match against St Mirren at Fir Park.

Kick-off in the Ladbrokes Premiership match is at 7.45pm.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell jumped back up to third in the table with a 0-0 draw at Hamilton on Saturday, with Aberdeen’s home loss to Ross County opening a one-point gap.

The match with the Saints is a game in hand for Stephen Robinson’s men, presenting the opportunity to move four points clear.

St Mirren’s game with Hearts on Friday fell foul of the weather, meaning they had the weekend off going into this game.

Jim Goodwin’s team are three points above bottom club Hearts, and one point above Hamilton in the play-off spot.

Head to head

The two sides met just last Tuesday, with St Mirren going in at the break 4-1 up in the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round replay.

Motherwell roared back to 4-4 to take the game to penalties, before succumbing to their opponents and going out of the competition.

Prior to that, a 1-1 draw in Paisley in the cup came before two Motherwell victories.

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.

Tickets purchased for the original, postponed match will be valid.

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.

Can’t make it? Listen live

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

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

“It was a terrific point but we could have won it. It feels like we are back on track again.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to Motherwell’s draw at Hamilton.

Ten-man Motherwell’s brave show earned them a valuable point which allowed them to reclaim third spot in Ladbrokes Premiership.

Bucking the trend from midweek, the team put on a masterclass in denying Hamilton any real goal opportunities after Christopher Long was ordered off eight minutes from half-time.

And after some highly organised and committed defending to protect Mark Gillespie, the best chances to claim all three points came ‘Well’s way in the latter stages of an evenly contested game.

Motherwell were looking to take the positives from their second half performance in the midweek defeat to St Mirren. Conversely, Stephen Robinson was hoping that his side erased the defensive lapses that ultimately cost them a place in the last eight of the Scottish Cup.

With that in mind and partially due to Jake Carroll’s horrible Achilles injury, ‘Well reverted to a central back three of a fit again Declan Gallagher, Liam Donnelly and Peter Hartley. A five-man midfield meant that Christopher Long, back from a thigh injury was partnered in attack with Tony Watt.

The swirling wind around the Fountain of Youth stadium provided a challenge for both sets of players on an otherwise perfect-looking 4G pitch.

To their credit both teams quickly adapted to the elements and after three minutes Mark Gillespie produced his first save.

David Moyo slipped the ball through to Accies on-form striker Marios Ogkmpoe who tried to dink the ball past the advancing ‘keeper. But Gillespie stood firm to block the ball with his feet.

Some mazy runs on the right from Rolando Aarons stretched the Accies defenders. The only opening came after 13 minutes when his cutback found Long at the corner of the six yard but his sclaffed shot rolled into Luke Southwood’s hands.

Then from Aarons’ inswinging corner, Watt laid the ball back to Polworth but his 18 yard drive was straight at the Hamiton ‘keeper.

A poor pass from David Templeton sent Long scampering towards the Accies box but from wide on the right he screwed his shot across goal and well wide of target.

The ‘Well striker then picked up a needless yellow card when he kicked the ball away near the Accies corner flag. That was to prove costly for the former Everton man who continued to look a frustrated figure.

Not unexpectedly then, Long was shown a second yellow card eight minutes from the break for a lunge at Templeton, leaving ‘Well down to 10 men for over 50 minutes.

Accies almost turned their numerical advantage into the opening goal two minutes from the interval. Johnny Hunt lifted the ball over Gillespie to find Moyo lurking at the back post but the Hamilton striker headed over the bar when it looked easier to score.

‘Well re-gigged their line-up at half-time, Richard Tait forming a back four and Aarons moving in from the wing to provide more support for Watt.

The first action of the half was at the other end where where Ogkmpoe’s turn and drive from the edge of the box forced Gillespie into a comfortable diving save.

Allan Campbell then worked his way to the byline before crossing towards the six-yard area. Despite having defenders on either shoulder, Watt managed to head the ball down towards goal but again it was a comfortable save for Southwood.

In an attempt to stretch 10 man ‘Well, Hamilton made a couple of substitutions before the hour mark.

‘Well then made their first change after 66 minutes when Watt, who is regaining his match fitness and looking sharper with every passing game, was relieved of his duties with Ross MacIver taking over the thankless striker’s role.

The Steelmen remained stout in defending with Accies having plenty of possession but posing very very little threat to Gillespie.

With 15 minutes remaining and thoughts of stealing a winner Jermaine Hylton replaced Aarons. Five minutes later the Fir Park side passed up their best chance of finding a winner.

Polworth’s free kick found Gallagher completely unmarked just beyond the six-yard area, but after taking a touch the defender’s shot was well blocked by Alex Gogic’s desperate lunge.

As Accies ran out of ideas it was the visitor’s who looked more likely to unlock the defences as the game moved into four minutes additional time.

And urged on by the 1200 ‘Well fans behind Southwood’s goal, the Steelmen came closest to claiming all three points.

The better chance came Polworth’s way when Donnelly’s well measured pass spilt the home defence but Southwood raced from his line to brilliantly block the angled drive.

Then, with Accies pinned in their own box, Donnelly’s long throw was nodded on by Gallagher only to see Hylton’s hitch-kick volley the ball over the bar from 20 yards.

The point was enough to leapfrog Aberdeen, with the opportunity to strengthen their hold on third place when St Mirren visit Fir Park on Tuesday night.