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  • Archive

    TV: Positions to ponder for McCall

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    Hollis is August’s Player of the Month

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    Youths to face Saints on Tuesday

  • Archive

    League Cup prices confirmed

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    Skipper backs ‘Well Society survey

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Almondvale

  • Archive

    TV: JJ frustrated at first-half showing

  • Archive

    Hibernian U20s 2 – 1 Motherwell U20s

  • Archive

    Under 20s take on Hibs tonight

  • Archive

    Francis-Angol: Life in the fast lane

  • Archive

    TV: Positions to ponder for McCall

    Stuart McCall has a selection headache ahead of tomorrow’s match with St Mirren with several defensive options missing.

    Simon Ramsden will miss the match after his red card against Kilmarnock two weeks ago.

    Fraser Kerr has also been ruled out through injury and youngster Euan Murray is still recovering from a hamstring knock.

    And McCall admits he will have to promote some of the youth players to fill spots on the substitutes bench.

    [pullquote]We obviously have some decisions to make on how we line up. We know it is going to be difficult against St Mirren; the matches between the two teams always seem to be very close.[/pullquote]

    “Simon Ramsden is obviously suspended and the ready-made replacement, Fraser Kerr, is out with a bit of sciatica.

    “Young Euan Murray is also still carrying a hamstring injury and, at the other end of the park, Lee Erwin is obviously out on loan.

    “That means we will need to promote some of the young lads to sit on the bench.

    “We obviously have some decisions to make on how we line up. We know it is going to be difficult against St Mirren; the matches between the two teams always seem to be very close.

    “We weren’t able to beat them last season so the lads are keen to try and put that right tomorrow. Confidence is high; we have won the last two and we are obviously desperate to keep that run going.”

    -WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Hollis is August’s Player of the Month

    Goalkeeper Lee Hollis has won the Cash Converters Player of the Month for August.

    The 27-year old has had the unenviable task of replacing Darren Randolph between the sticks at Fir Park; but has made a great start, keeping two clean sheets from the first five SPFL Premiership fixtures during the month.

    Included in that was a stunning last-minute double save against Kilmarnock that ensured ‘Well secured all three points against Allan Johnston’s side last time out.

    Lee’s achievement is even more impressive when you consider he has the talented Faroe Islands International Gunnar Nielsen breathing down his neck for a first-team slot.

    [pullquote]I am pleased with how things have gone for me personally but I always know there is great competition for places here and that’s healthy.[/pullquote]

    The Player of the Month is voted for by the ‘Well fans on Cash Converters’ official SPFL Facebook page and Lee was handed the trophy by Shona Bryson and John Paul McCafferty.

    Lee said: “I am absolutely delighted to win the award, particularly as it was voted for by our supporters.

    “We have made a decent start to the season and it’s the challenge for all of us to try and maintain that during September and beyond.

    “I am pleased with how things have gone for me personally but I always know there is great competition for places here and that’s healthy. It keeps everyone on their toes.

    “I would like to thank the fans who voted for me and the sponsors, Cash Converters, for hosting the award.”

    -WATCH THE INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Youths to face Saints on Tuesday

    Motherwell Under 20s are next in action this Tuesday when they take on St Mirren at Bathgate’s Creamery Park.

    The youths will be aiming to put a halt to a poor run of four consecutive defeats.

    Jonatan Johansson will take some encouragement from the way his side finished Monday’s match with Hibernian at Almondvale and will, no doubt, be encouraging his side to start the way they ended against David Longwell’s side.

    Like ‘Well, Saints have had a difficult start to the campaign with just one win from their opening five matches. They sit one point and two places ahead of the Steelmen in the table, so there’s all to play for.

    The match will take place at Bathgate Thistle’s Creamery Park with a 6pm kick-off. Entry to the match is free of charge.

    >> Click Here for the Under 20s Fixtures & Results

    >> Click Here for the Under 20s League Table

  • Archive

    League Cup prices confirmed

    Tickets for the League Cup Third Round tie against Livingston at the Energy Assets Arena (Almondvale) can now be confirmed.

    Tickets will be available on the gate priced at:

    ADULTS:    £15 
    CONCESSIONS:                        £10
    JUVENILES:                        £5
    • Concessions are listed as Over 65s and  full-time students with a valid matriculation card.
    • Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk

    Please note that the match will take place on Wednesday 25th September 2013 – kick-off will be 7.45pm.

  • Archive

    Skipper backs ‘Well Society survey

    Skipper Keith Lasley believes the Well Society can further cultivate the togetherness that has helped the team to recent success.

    Lasley is a member of the ‘Well Society and has filled in the 60-second online survey that was launched to help Motherwell fans to “Have Your Say” in the future of the club.

    There is a separate survey for members and non-members as the Well Society looks to boost recruitment and make further progress on the way to securing the long-term financial security of the club and community ownership.

    And Lasley is convinced the fan ownership model can help the team consolidate their consecutive top-three finishes.

    The midfielder said: “We are all in together. We are trying to help the fans by entertaining them, the fans are trying to help us by giving us that extra yard.

    “The Well Society adds another layer. You really are in it together because you have a part of the club and a share in the company. That can only help bring everyone together.

    “Motherwell have done really well in recent years and I think one of the big plus points for the club as a whole is how close knit it is between the players and the fans and the people from the boardroom all the way down.

    “New players who come to the club find it easy to settle in because there is a real good feeling within the club.

    “The Well Society can bring everybody together and that can only be a good thing for the team.”

    Fill in the survey by clicking one of the appropriate links below:

    Members: CLICK HERE

    Non-members: CLICK HERE

    Get Involved – 5 a side tournament.

    The Well Society are also delighted to announce the first ever Annual Five a Side tournament with the Well Society Trophy at Stake.

    When: Saturday 12th October, 1:30pm-4:30pm

    Where: Fir Park Astro Turf

    Conditions: 5 a side, maximum 7 players per team (5 players + 2 subs)
    Entry £50 per team.
    Participants must be 16 years & over.

    The competition is open to Non-members as well as Members

    What’s at stake: The Well Society Trophy + £150 cash for winning team.

    Tournament Structure: The tournament is restricted to 16 teams participating & they will be split into 4 groups of 4. The top 2 teams from each group will then go through to the knockout phase / quarter final.

    Register your team by sending the details to wellsociety@motherwellfc.co.uk

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Almondvale

    Highlights from Almondvale as Motherwell U20s late comeback was not enough to stop them losing 2-1 to Hibernian.

    -WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

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    TV: JJ frustrated at first-half showing

    Jonatan Johansson bemoaned a poor first-half as ‘Well Under 20s lost for the fourth successive match.

    The Steelmen were completely out of sorts in the first forty-five and found themselves 2-0 down at the interval.

    A late charge, brought about after a super Steven Higgins goal, almost yielded a leveler but Hibs held on for all three points.

    Former Charlton striker Johansson was left to count the cost of his side’s slow start but did praise his side’s determination.

    “It’s an old cliché but it was a game of two halves,” he told MFC TV after the match.

    [pullquote]The first half was really, really poor. You can’t play football without confidence, without wanting the ball, helping each other out and wanting to run.[/pullquote]

    “The first half was really, really poor. You can’t play football without confidence, without wanting the ball, helping each other out and wanting to run.

    “It’s just basic, basic stuff and we just didn’t show up.

    “However, in the second half, I was quite happy. We played against a good side away from home and really applied ourselves.

    “We were brave and created some chances, especially in the last 15-20 minutes where we pushed them back and could have equalised.

    “I have to be happy with the second half, although it is frustrating that in the first half we never showed up and looked like we were scared and feeling sorry for ourselves.”

    -WATCH THE INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Hibernian U20s 2 – 1 Motherwell U20s

    Despite a late charge, Motherwell Under 20s went down 2-1 to Hibernian at Almondvale this evening.

    The hosts completely dominated the first-half and were well worthy of their 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Cody Mulhall and Jason Cummings.

    The Steelmen rarely threatned until a moment of brilliance from Steven Higgins got the Fir Parkers back in it with fifteen minutes left on the clock.

    ‘Well threw everything at it in search of leveler but it wouldn’t come, leaving Jonatan Johansson to pick the bones out of a fourth successive defeat.

    The Finn opted to mix it up again after the Ross County defeat last Tuesday. Currie, McNulty, Cummins, Ainsworth, McHugh and Thomas all dropped out, replaced by Stewart, Kellock, Hall, Johnstone, Higgins and Cadden.

    It was a quiet opening and it took the home side almost ten minutes to pierce through the Steelmen rearguard. Euan Smith and Ross Caldwell teamed up down the right but the striker’s shot would fizz just wide of the post.

    However, it was merely a warning shot across the bow as, with their next meaningful attack, Hibs scored the games’ opening goal.

    Smith was again involved, finding space on the right wing before sending a teasing cross into the middle. It skidded thought to Mulhall who took a touch before slotting it past the despairing Stewart.

    It could have gone from bad to worse just minutes later when Mulhall turned provider for Cummings but his snapshot hit the outside of the post and wide for a goal kick.

    Hibs were well in control, dominating possession and forcing Motherwell to knock it long for the helpless Higgins, who wasn’t able to feed off scraps from his more experienced opponents James McPake and Alan Maybury.

    The hosts passed up further chances when Smith dragged a shot wide of the post after a poor clearance and Mulhall fired over after a terrific ball across the face of goal.

    Hibs did eventually grab a second goal two minutes before the interval, although there was a slice of good fortune attached to it.

    Cummings collected on the right before cutting inside to take the shot on. It flicked off the unlucky Ross Kellock to take it past the helpless Ross Stewart and into the net.

    Jack Leitch had Motherwell’s first effort on goal with what was virtually the last kick of the half, but dragged it inches wide of the post.

    It brought to an end a terrible first forty-five for the Claret and Amber men.

    They did, however, start the second half on the front foot and almost got back into things when David Ferguson got on the end of a Leitch corner but couldn’t get anything behind his close-range shot and the chance was gone.

    Hibs had one or two half chances to kill the game; Cummings knocked it wide after bursting clear of the ‘Well defence and Caldwell blazed over from the edge of the area.

    As the game approached the last quarter, Motherwell pulled one back in spectacular circumstances via Steven Higgins.

    The little striker, who has had to be patient in recent weeks, got on the end of a Ferguson pass. He took an exquisite first touch and, with his back to goal, sent a deft lob over the scrambling Horne and into the net.

    It transformed Johansson’s men. For 75 minutes they hadn’t mustered anything in the way of an attacking threat, but would dominate for the closing stages.

    Ferguson sent a curling shot straight into the arms of Horne, Moore flashed a free kick over the bar before sending a shot agonisingly wide of the far post after outpacing McPake on the edge of the area.

    In the end, if was too little, too late as the home side held out for a deserved victory. Motherwell will now look to try and get their season back on track against St Mirren next Tuesday.

    Motherwell: Stewart, Ferguson, Kellock (Shirkie – 67mins), Hall, Neill, Leitch, McCafferty, Johnstone (Thomas – 53mins), Moore, Higgins, Cadden

    Subs Not Used: Long, McCall, Anderson, Mackin

  • Archive

    Under 20s take on Hibs tonight

    Motherwell U20s return to action tonight (Monday) when they face Hibernian at Livingston’s Energy Assets Arena (Almondvale).

    Jonatan Johansson’s men will aim to halt a run of three straight defeats in the league.

    The latest, a 2-1 reverse at home to Ross County, leaves the Steelmen stuck on 14th place.

    However, a win and favourable results elsewhere could propel the youngsters up to as high as joint fifth.

    The match will kick-off at 7pm.

  • Archive

    Francis-Angol: Life in the fast lane

    Zaine Francis-Angol is relishing his new attacking role at Motherwell – especially with the backing of the manager, teammates and fans.

    With the likes of Jamie Murphy, Omar Daley and Chris Humphrey departing in recent months, the natural left-back has been thrust forward into a wide midfield role.

    Manager Stuart McCall has been encouraging the 20-year-old to use his pace to get forward and he has been receiving priceless tips from Scotland international James McFadden.

    And Francis-Angol admits the Motherwell supporters have given him a further lift as he gets used to his new position.

    Francis-Angol, who set up John Sutton’s winger in the 1-0 win over Partick Thistle, said: “It’s a good position because I like the attacking side of the game as well. It’s good to be able to get forward and still do a defensive role when the right-backs push forward.

    “I’m enjoying it. I played left back my entire career. I played a few games at youth team on left wing and came on a few times last season to hold the defensive shape.

    “Now I have this attacking role. I hope I can offer pace down the wing and a few deliveries into the box.

    “The manager encourages us to be positive and try to make things happen and create.

    “Because it’s a new role, the more games I will get, the more experience I will gain and the better I will get, and that will hopefully show.

    “Last season I got a taste of the first team by making a few appearances off the bench and it made me even more hungry to start games.

    “This season has been even better so far starting a few games. I worked hard through pre-season and thankfully got a start in both the European games.”

    McFadden has been playing on the right flank or in a more central position this season but has passed on his wealth of experience as a left-winger.

    Francis-Angol, who has made 32 first-team appearances, said: “He is always giving advice, so it’s good to have an experienced player on the opposite wing and in the dressing room. He tells me to keep moving, pass and move, get in behind, when to make the runs.

    There are bits of information that I need to push into that position.”

    Francis-Angol’s direct running made him a favourite with the fans as soon as he made his first-team breakthrough last season. And he appreciates the catchy song they styled to match his name.

    “I don’t know who made it up but it’s a great song! It definitely gives you a boost when you hear the song, especially when you are on the pitch and have maybe made a mistake.

    “Any noise they make gives you a boost, the sound of the crowd and the aura of the stadium.”

    Francis-Angol arrived at Fir Park in the summer of 2011 to continue his football education after leaving Tottenham, where he had been since he was a nine-year-old.

    He said: “The highlight was probably training with Beckham when he came in. It was a crossing session, he was teaching me how to use my right foot. I think I trained with Bale once or twice, but it was hard to come by a first-team session at Spurs.”

    With Tottenham being among the biggest spenders in world football, it is naturally difficult for youngsters to break through there – indeed more of Francis-Angol’s ex-Spurs colleagues are now in Scotland than at White Hart Lane.

    “Tom Carroll is in and around the first team at Spurs and Harry Kane,” he said. “He is a striker, a great finisher.

    “But there are a lot of players from my age group at Spurs who are up in Scotland now. Calum Butcher and Kudus Oyenuga joined Dundee United in the summer. My mate Olumide (Durojaiye) is at Falkirk, Callum Tapping at Hearts.

    “Quite a few of the ex-Spurs lads are up here – basically half my youth team. I have played against Callum a couple of times at youth level but not at first-team level yet, so that will be fun.”

    Francis-Angol’s football experience also includes the international scene having won four caps with Antigua and Barbuda. Zaine was born in London but qualifies for his country through his Antiguan-born mother.

    And his pride in representing the Caribbean country is coupled with his desire to improve his game by testing himself on a different stage.

    “We are basically out of the (World Cup) qualifiers now so there are no games coming up. There might be a few friendlies soon.

    “The last time I played was last year about Christmas time. I have played against USA, Guatemala and Jamiaca. Omar and Chris weren’t there; thankfully I wasn’t playing left-back against Chris!

    “It’s really good, a different experience and mentality. Going away and playing against players from different continents is good experience. It’s a slightly different sort of football, more slow-paced and waiting for an opportunity.

    “Heat contributes to that, you can’t keep going at 100 percent all the time, you have got to take it easy and keep possession a bit more. Whereas it’s too cold to stand still here so you have to constantly attack!

    “I will always be there to help out and better myself through the games. We used to go to Antigua on family holidays when I was young. I still got some cousins and aunties there, who are very proud of me playing. My uncle and auntie came to watch some of my games.”

    This interview first appeared in the Kilmarnock ‘Steelmen Matchday Magazine’. You can order back copies or season subscriptions from our publishers, Curtis Sports.

    Words: Gavin McCafferty
    Photography: Jeff Holmes