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Despite a 0-0 stalemate, Jonatan Johansson declared himself content with how his side performed against Dundee Utd tonight.

‘Well, who came into the match on the strength of six successive wins, couldn’t keep the run going against an organised and disciplined United side.

The visitors hit the post from distance in what was the games best moment. In truth, the only real fireworks were the ones being set off outside the Excelsior Stadium.

Johansson was fairly satisfied with how his side performed and was pleased to maintain his side’s unbeaten run that now stretches back over two months.

[pullquote]The second half was an much improved showing. We used the ball better, got into wide areas only for our final ball let us down on occasions.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “I’m pretty pleased, particularly with the second half performance where I felt we were the better team.

“I came in at half-time a bit upset as I felt we were going through the motions a little bit. It was almost as if we were waiting for the game to start, looking around for someone to produce a little spark.

“The second half was an much improved showing. We used the ball better, got into wide areas only for our final ball let us down on occasions.

“It keeps the unbeaten run going and we look forward to our trip to Inverness in seven days time.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Motherwell U20s shared the spoils in a fairly uneventful 0-0 draw with Dundee United this evening.

The Fir Parkers were looking for their seventh consecutive win but were denied by a stubborn United side.

In truth, it was a fair result with both Ross Stewart and Joe McGovern rarely troubled between the sticks at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

Jonatan Johansson made two changes to the starting eleven that put five past Falkirk a fortnight ago. Steven Higgins and Adam Cummins dropped out, replaced by Morgyn Neill and Bob McHugh.

United were the first to threaten via Ali Coute but his long-range effort was fired straight at Stewart in the home goal. Eight minutes later, Aiden Connolly created a chance for Scott Fraser but he swept his shot over the bar after a decent pullback.

It took ‘Well sixteen minutes to get a shot off at the United goal but McHugh’s free-kick sailed high into the stand. Shortly after, Euan Murray almost broke the deadlock but his header from a Leitch corner was hooked off the line.

‘Well were starting to get the upper hand but it was Stevie Campbell’s side who almost took the lead.

Connolly collected twenty-five yards out after the Arabs had quickly turned defence into attack. He smashed a stinging effort off the post with Stewart at full stretch.

Down the other end, Motherwell quickly replied with their best effort of the half when Paul McCafferty got on the end of Dom Thomas’ hung up cross to the back post but his header cannoned into the ground and was comfortable for McGovern to clutch.

Just before the interval, Morgyn Neill almost turned a cross into his own net but was relieved to see his header drop just over the bar for a corner.

Six minutes into the second half and the Terrors passed up their best chance of the match. Euan Spark found space on the right flank and delivered a great ball into the middle for Mark Russell who could only head wide when a goal seemed certain.

Craig Moore, who has been in red-hot form for the Under 20s, might think he should have hit the target just before the hour as ‘Well cut United open.

Thomas and David Ferguson combined down the left. The former crossed it for McHugh whose shot hit Moore on route to goal. As it bounced loose, the little striker was on it in a flash, but could only turn his shot wide of the post.

As the game drew to a close, Dale Shirkie fired over when he perhaps had a better option in McHugh to his left. Shortly after, McHugh himself almost opened the scoring with a curling shot from distance but it dropped just over the bar with McGovern scrambling to get back.

The game eventually finished 0-0, ending Motherwell’s winning run but keeps the unbeaten streak going for at least another week.

Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden, Ferguson, Murray, Neill, Leitch, McCafferty (Higgins – 75mins), Shirkie, McHugh, Moore, Thomas

Subs Not Used: Currie, Hall, Kellock, Mackin, Anderson

Scott Leitch has returned to Fir Park for a third time after being appointed the clubs’ Academy Director.

Leitch, a former captain and assistant manager, will replace Gordon Young who left to take up a role with English League One side Sheffield United.

Scott, a product of the Motherwell youth system himself, enjoyed a successful playing career with Dunfermline, Hearts and Swindon Town before rejoining his hometown club in 2000.

He spent six productive years in North Lanarkshire, including as skipper through the choppy waters of administration before eventually leading the team out at the 2005 League Cup Final with the club back on a sound financial footing.

After his retirement in 2006, he went on to manage Ross County, winning the Challenge Cup, before returning to Motherwell again for a very successful two-year stint as Mark McGhee’s assistant, including a ‘best of the rest’ SPL finish in 2007/08.

After following McGhee to Pittodrie for a spell at Aberdeen, he most recently worked with another former Motherwell Head of Youth, Chris McCart, at Celtic’s Elite Academy.

Scott said: “I am delighted to be back at the club again and I am really looking forward to the role.

“All through history, this club has always enjoyed a reputation for producing quality footballers and that’s something I aim to continue.

“In the current climate, cultivating your own talent is paramount to the success of any club and that is my primary objective.”

Motherwell Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “It was important we filled this vital role with someone who has a wealth of experience as a player and is respected and known in the game as an excellent coach, particularly with younger players.

“The Youth Development department went under a major restructure a little over a year ago and we established the Motherwell Academy at Braidhurst.

“Scott’s role will to be take a fresh look at what we’ve done so far with the aim of getting young players from Lanarkshire and beyond through our system and into the first-team squad.

“He is a strong personality who knows this club inside out and has such a strong affinity with the place. We are really excited about this next phase for the football club.”

“We would also like to take another opportunity to thank Gordon Young for all his hard work and wish him every success in his new role.”

Motherwell have been drawn to face Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill in the Fourth Round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

It’s yet another away tie for the Steelmen in the 3rd/4th Round. Incredibly, ‘Well have drawn just one home fixture in the last fifteen years at this stage, that was a 4-0 win over Queen’s Park two years ago.

The Fir Parkers haven’t faced Rovers in competitive action for over 26 years – the last match was a League Cup tie back in 1987 with ‘Well running out 4-0 winners.

The tie is due to be played on 30th November / 1st December 2013.

The club will announce ticketing arrangements for this Lanarkshire derby as soon as they have been confirmed with Albion Rovers.

4th ROUND DRAW IN FULL:

Falkirk v Rangers
Albion Rovers v Motherwell
Culter or Berwick Rangers v Dumbarton
Clyde v Stranraer or Auchinleck Talbot
Dundee United v Kilmarnock
Queen of the South v St Mirren
Stenhousemuir or Annan v Fraserburgh
Brechin City v Forfar Athletic
Alloa Athletic v Stirling Albion
Ross County v Hibernian
Dundee v Raith Rovers
St Johnstone v Livingston
Partick Thistle v Aberdeen
Hearts v Celtic
Ayr United v Dunfermline
Inverness CT v Greenock Morton

Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s will be looking to make it a magnificent seven when they take on Dundee United tonight.

The young Steelmen side have won six matches on the bounce, the last of which being a 5-1 demolition of Falkirk two weeks ago.

That run has left ‘Well just five points off top with a game in hand against Hearts still to play.

United had a credible 2-2 draw with Rangers in their last match and will be keen to push themselves up the table after a slow start to the season.

The match will take place at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium with a 6pm kick-off. Entry is free of charge.

Extended highlights from Fir Park as a first-half goal from Stephen McManus gave ‘Well a vital 1-0 win over Hibs this afternoon.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Pictures from the 1-0 win over Hibernian in the SPFL Premiership at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Craig Foy Photography

[svgallery name=”hibernian031113″]

‘Well boss Stuart McCall described his team’s performance as ‘gutsy’ after the Steelmen battled to a 1-0 win over Hibs at Fir Park.

The hosts took the lead midway through the first half when Stephen McManus rose to head home Lionel Ainsworth’s corner kick.

‘Well created numerous chances to extend their lead but didn’t take them. In between times, the Claret and Amber men lost both Simon Ramsden and Stevie Hammell to injury.

Hibs threw everything at it in the closing stages but despite being reduced to ten men after Hutchinson denied Paul Heffernan a clear goalscoring opportunity, the Fir Parkers held on for all three points.

A relieved McCall looked delighted with the win, which puts Motherwell back into joint second in the SPFL Premiership table.

[pullquote]Whilst it is 1-0 you are always concerned the opposition might get back into it, but it was a real gutsy, battling performance from our lads as three points was the key today after the last two dissapointing results[/pullquote]

“It’s been a really tough week for us,” McCall admitted to MFC TV after the match.

“Even at half-time today, we had Ramsden already off with what we think is a torn hamstring. Hammell, McManus, Carswell were all really struggling and in normal circumstances, wouldn’t have reappered for the second half.

“Add to that, McFadden and Ainsworth were making their first start in about a month; it was a real struggle.

“In actual fact, we scored when I thought we were at our poorest. But thereafter, between scoring and half-time, we’ve had three of four really good chances to score again and perhaps kill them off, but we didn’t take them.

“Whilst it is 1-0 you are always concerned the opposition might get back into it, but it was a real gutsy, battling performance from our lads as three points was the key today after the last two dissapointing results.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee at Fir Park

Motherwell clocked up a fifth consecutive home league win thanks to a Stephen McManus goal midway through the first half.

But having missed a number of great chances to kill off Hibs in the first half, ‘Well fans were nervously left on the edge of their seats for the final ten minutes of play as ten man ‘Well held on after Shaun Hutchison was ordered off.

Stuart McCall had warned that it would be difficult to lift both sets of players after their respective midweek League Cup defeats, and both teams had quiet spells before that nail-biting finish.

And although it was an unusual time for a kick off on a Sunday, at least the players and 3864 fans were blessed with glorious sunshine, especially compared to the monsoon conditions 24 hours previously.

‘Well fans, though, were more hopeful that the inclusion of James McFadden, for his first start in five games, and Lionel Ainsworth would also help lift the gloom following Wednesday’s cruel defeat to Aberdeen.

However it was Hibs, perhaps stung by Pat Fenlon’s midweek resignation, who started the brighter and Paul Heffernan had a hat-trick of chances inside the opening 15 minutes, the third forcing Gunnar Neilsen into his first save.

Ironically an enforced early substitution, with Simon Ramsden limping off to be replaced by Fraser Kerr signalled an improvement in the home side.

Ainsworth suddenly found space on the right and his pace and crosses posed problems for the visitor’s defence. After 21 minutes the winger’s trickery earned a corner and when Ainsworth delivered the ball to the front post McManus powered home a header for his first goal for the club.

‘Well’s confidence suddenly rose and the Hibs goal had a charmed life until the interval with their keeper Ben Williams having an amazing escape after 31 minutes. John Sutton slipped the ball in for Henri Anier whose low drive went through the ‘keeper’s legs, clipping his heel to deflect the ball along the goal line and beyond the post.

Anier had another great chance seven minutes later when he delayed his shot but with the Williams grounded the Estonian striker rattled his shot off the ‘keeper’s legs.

Stuart Carswell was next to curse his luck when he raced on to Ainsworth’s angled pass but having nudged the ball past the ‘keeper the ball trundled inches past the post.

Then, just before the break, Keith Lasley’s volley took a deflection to dip agonisingly over the bar as somehow Hibs reached the interval only a single goal behind.

After their midweek mugging, their was a fear the ‘Well might pay for those first half misses but in truth the Edinburgh toiled until 58 minutes when another injury forced Motherwell to make another change in their back four. Stevie Hammell came off worst in challenge with Tom Taiwo and was replaced by Zaine Francis-Angol.

Although Hibs had more of the play after that, until the closing stages, the home goal faced only one threat,when Nielsen dived low to his left to push Liam Craig’s drive round his post.

However, the composure in the home defence was transformed after 86 minutes when Hutchison tripped Heffernan right on edge of the penalty box and although Motherwell survived penalty claims they were down to ten men when the defender was shown a straight red card.

There was then some frenetic defending from the Fir Park men as the referee added five additional minutes of play.

The ‘Well goal survived, though, as James Collins sliced a great chance wide before Nielson brilliantly leapt to his left to beat away a Heffernan snap shot to earn a clean sheet and his side another home win.

[tab:As it happened]

Ally Reilly at Fir Park

Not a classic and not the usual goalfest but a well ground out win and a big three points!

FT: Motherwell 1 – 0 Hibernian

94mins: Corner to Hibs…last chance surely?

93mins: Gunnar to the rescue with a great save from Heffernan!!

90mins: 4 minutes added on. #nervy

90mins: Collins should have burst the net to equalise but fires wide!

89mins: Corner to Hibs….Thompson’s delivery headed away by Sutton

88mins: Motherwell’s wall stands strong and the free-kick is cleared to safety

88mins: Hibs Sub, Maybury off for Collins

Free-kick in a dangerous position now for Hibs..

86mins: RED CARD: Hutchinson off for denying a goal scoring opportunity,

81mins: Anier hits the deck outside the box after Hanlon appeared to block him. No free-kick given!

79mins: Corner to ‘Well….Ainsworth swings it in and Williams gathers

78mins: Maybury and Anier booked for a little bit of afters after Anier is fouled

75mins: Hibs sub, Vine on for McGivern

73mins: Motherwell sub, McFadden off for Vigurs

70mins: Hibs on top for most of this half to be fair. ‘Well gone quiet.

68mins: Corner to Hibs as they ramp up their search of an equaliser…

66mins: Nielsen tips Craig’s shot past the post. Was maybe going to sneak in at Nielsen’s right-hand post

64mins: Hibs sub, Zoubir on for Taiwo

63mins: Hutchinson booked for a challenge on Stevenson

59mins: Hutchinson does enough to divert Robertson’s shot out for a corner.

58mins: Motherwell sub, Hammell limps off for Francis-Angol

56mins: Sore one for Hammell. Looks in some pain after a boot on the ankle from Taiwo.

Hammell whips it in but it’s easily headed clear by McGivern

52mins: McFadden does well to win a free-kick 30 yards out…

48mins: Ainsworth drags his shot just past the post after Lasley played him in, just inside the box

Second half underway

HT: Motherwell 1 – 0 Hibernian

45mins: Anier gets on the end of Sutton’s flick on but his volley from just inside the box is straight at Williams

43mins: Taiwo gets enough on Lasley’s shot on goal to take it over the bar. From the corner, Williams punches clear

39mins: Inches past from Carswell! Good effort with the outside of this boot whistles just past the post

39mins: Golden opportunity for Anier from Nielsen’s long ball. Ball got caught under his feet and Hibs get back to block

37mins: Kerr does well to slide in and block from Robertson after he weaved his way through our defence into the bpx

34mins: Hammell gets a decent ball into the box from the left but Williams gets in ahead of Sutton to gather well

32mins: Just past from Anier! His shot had enough power to squirm past Williams, however the stopper got enough on it to put it wide

22mins: McManus bullets in a header from Ainsworth’s corner!! 1-0

GOOALLLL!!!

20mins: Shot on target from Anier, straight at Williams on his left foot though

16mins: Ainsworth goes inside Hanlon then outside and gets a ball in across goal. No takers, though

15mins: Motherwell sub, Kerr on for Ramsden. Looks like he’s pulled his hamstring.

14mins: Another chance for Heffernan! Just 12 yards out he shoots straight at Nielsen

11mins: Heffernan passes up another good chance. Wild attempt on goal from just inside the box curls well wide

8mins: Heffernan just past the post from Thompsons cross. Was a good chance!

4mins: First attack of the day for ‘Well. Ainsowrth swung in a cross but it was to deep for Anier and goes out for a goal kick.

1min: Carswell and Lasley kick us off! #COYW

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

Coming Soon

Hibernian caretaker manager Jimmy Nicholl:

Coming Soon

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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The seventh domestic Steelmen Matchday Magazine of 2013/14 is on sale when Hibs visit tomorrow (Sunday).

But what is inside the 68-page issue?

‘Well boss Stuart McCall and Captain Keith Lasley both return with the regular columns.

The manager reflects on a difficult week at the club following disappointing defeats at the hands of St Johnstone and Aberdeen and talks about what is required to get back to winning ways against mangerless Hibs.

The skipper chats about bouncing back from Wednesday’s Cup exit and what the team still hopes to achieve this campaign.

The feature interview is with legendary fullback Stevie Hammell. The Scotland International talks candidly about how disappointed he was to lose against Aberdeen and insists there is still loads to play for between now and May.

“Hammy” also features as the fifth of a souvenir poster collection in the centre pages.

But that’s not where the features stop!

There is a 14-page section dedicated to our visitors, Hibernian. Ray Morrison introduces the Easter Road side and there is a player-by-player breakdown of who is likely to line up for the Hibees.

We continue our opposition manager section by speaking directly former Hibs boss Pat Fenlon. The Irishman chatted to us before he left the club about working under pressure in the Easter Road hot seat.

Our guest journalist for this edition is The Scotsman’s Patrick McPartlin. Pat picks up the pieces from Hibs’ midweek Cup exit and takes a philosophical look at the Hibees season so far.

Graeme McGarry’s ‘Us and Them’ makes a welcome return as we catch up with Hibs legend Mickey Weir. The pint-sized winger, who also made a huge contribution at Fir Park, talks about the prospects for his two former teams.

The big features keep coming…

Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows returns in ‘The Last Word’ and the next round of new quiz, MFC Eggheads, is the goalkeepers derby between Lee Hollis and Gunnar Nielsen.

But wait, there’s more!

Our match reports section takes a look back at Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat by Aberdeen in the League Cup Quarter Final

We have the latest from The Ticket Office, Commercial and Community

Departments, and update from the Well Society as well as the latest stats, facts and figures from the 2013/2014 campaign.

We also take a statistical look at the match official and detail how your local club can get more involved at Fir Park.

Another new feature is the ‘Junior Steel’ kids page that will test the youngster’s quiz minds with puzzles and ‘Did you know’ facts.

The programme is available for £3 and is will be on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

You can also order back editions or take a season-long subscription to the magazine by visiting the website of our publishers – Curtis-Sports – CLICK HERE