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Join us for an amazing night of music as Alan Walker performs his sensational Robbie Williams Tribute act.

Alan is a multi-talented tribute act artist with many years of experience and his accurate and energetic tribute to the former Take That star is sure to be a huge hit.

For just £20 per person you will be treated to Robbie’s biggest solo hits throughout the years and a delicious three course meal in the atmospheric Centenary Suite at Fir Park.

It’s a perfect night out for the ladies – come along on Friday 18th October at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

You can book your place online now by clicking here. Alternatively, phone the club on 01698 333333.

Referee for this Sunday’s Scottish Professional Football League Premiership clash with Dundee Utd at Tannadice is Kevin Clancy.

With the season only recently kicking off, it will come as no surprise to learn that it’s Kevin’s first Motherwell match of the new campaign.

It would have been his second but he was replaced at the last minute ahead of our clash with Aberdeen last month, replaced by John Beaton, after a hectic midweek European jaunt.

Coincidentally, his last Motherwell match was against Aberdeen, at Pittodrie, back in March when the teams drew a blank in a 0-0 draw.

It was one of two ‘Well fixtures the 29-year old took charge of last season, his other being the 2-1 away win at Dundee when Michael Higdon bagging a double as Stuart McCall’s men came back from a losing position to pick up all three points.

His only other Motherwell match was in the 2011/12 Scottish Cup, where he was the man in the middle as the Fir Parkers demolished Queen’s Park 4-0, a certain Henrik Ojamaa smashing home a debut goal.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads three matches in total, Motherwell winning two and drawing one. ‘Well have scored six and conceded just the one. There have been six cautions dished out in those three matches, five of them to a man wearing Claret and Amber and zero dismissals.

He had a busy season in 2012/13, with some high profile matches including Celtic’s 5-0 win over Dundee at Celtic Park, Spain U17s wins against both Poland and Azerbaijan and the UEFA Europa League qualifier between Inter Baku and JK Trans Narva of Estonia.

Already this term he has taken charge of Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s opening day win over St Mirren in the highlands with Saints reduced to ten men after David van Zanten was sent for an early bath. That and Hibs 2-1 win at Rugby Park a few weeks ago.

Coincidentally, Kevin was in Russia the same time ‘Well faced Kuban Krasnodar. He was appointed to take charge of FC Rubin Kazan vs Randers in the second leg tie of the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Europa League

He has also been in Croatia on Europa League duty when he handled Lokomotiva Zagreb’s match with Dinamo Minsk, managed by ex ‘Well defender Bob Maaskant. The Belarusian side ran out 3-2 winners.

Slightly less glamorous, he also had Dundee’s 1-0 win over Alloa in the Ramsden’s Cup two weeks ago.

Kevin will be ably assisted by Graham Chambers and Douglas Rose with George Salmond handed 4th Official duties.

Highlights from Creamery Park in Bathgate where goals from Dom Thomas and Craig Moore saw off St Mirren U20s 2-0.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Jonatan Johansson paid tribute to the first-team players who helped ‘Well to their first win in six weeks.

The Finn had the luxury off adding the likes of Paul Lawson, Lionel Ainsworth and Adam Cummins to his squad and all three contributed to a much better showing from the young Steelmen side.

That additional experience, coupled with some fine individual performances from the likes of Ross Stewart and Jack Leitch, laid the foundations for the success.

And Johansson hopes the win will help kick-start the season ahead of Sunday’s SFA Youth Cup clash with East Fife.

[pullquote]There were a lot of players that have played their best game for me, and they were helped by the first team players who came here to play tonight on a difficult surface with no complaints.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, Johansson said: “There were a lot of players that have played their best game for me, and they were helped by the first team players who came here to play tonight on a difficult surface with no complaints.

“It was a very professional performance.

“We’ve got players who have great delivery from set-pieces and that showed tonight when Leitch put the ball in for our first goal. It was great for Dom to get it and it settled us down as it was a little scrappy before that; it helped give us a platform to build on.

“The second goal was a great goals and great work again from Dom. There was a good deep run from Lawson to open it up and we don’t do that often enough. Dom saw that run and although he didn’t play it to him, he used it as a decoy, cut inside and did really well to slide in Moore who had a great finish.

“We can now look ahead to the cup game on Sunday and hopefully start a good run in the Cup.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Motherwell Under 20s ended a four game losing streak with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over St Mirren this evening.

The Steelmen hadn’t tasted success since their opening day win at Rugby Park six weeks ago, but a goal in either half handed Jonatan Johansson a much-needed boost.

Dom Thomas opened the scoring after eleven minutes, before Craig Moore grabbed his fifth of the campaign twenty-five minutes from time to seal the win.

Saints weren’t without their chances, Ross Stewart having to make a string of excellent saves throughout the ninety minutes.

Motherwell had a more experience feel about them with the likes of Paul Lawson, Lionel Ainsworth and Adam Cummins drafted in from the team that lost to Hibs one week ago. Jonatan Johansson opted for five changes in total and it had the desired effect right from the off.

The hosts made the better start and scored with their first real attack. Having won a corner from a deflected Craig Moore shot, Jack Leitch whipped a terrific ball towards the back post where Cummins was lurking.

The defender crashed a header off the crossbar but Dom Thomas was well placed to prod into the net from close range – his first of the new season.

Both teams traded half-chances with Ainsworth firing a volley just wide of the post after Lewis Morgan had forced Ross Stewart into the first save of the match.

It was actually the first of many for the Scotland Under 19s goalie – his best perhaps came on the 20th minute. Anton Brady collected some thirty yards out and his crashing effort was heading in under the crossbar but for a last ditch hand to turn it over.

His next came twelve minutes later when his namesake Jordan managed to wriggle clear of David Ferguson but his low shot was again brilliantly turned around by the Steelmen stopper from point-blank range.

Saints upped their efforts in search of a leveler and Jordan Stewart was again denied, this time by a stunning last-ditch block inside the six-yard box by Jack Leitch.

‘Well managed to weather the storm though and had a decent chance of their own before the interval. Leitch was again involved, sending a superb ball out to the left flank for Thomas whose first time cross was pinpoint for Cadden but he screwed it over.

Ross Stewart was the star of the first-half for ‘Well and he picked up where he left off as the second got underway. He was on hand to deny Jon Scullion just three minutes after the restart, the big striker’s fearsome drive tipped over the crossbar at the expense of a corner which was eventually hooked clear.

Saints had enjoyed the majority of possession with ‘Well content to hit on the counter attack; utilising the creativity of Lawson and Leitch combined with the pace of Ainsworth, Thomas and Moore.

And they all combined for Motherwell’s decisive second goal on the 65th minute. Thomas was the principle architect though, collecting a Lawson pass, dribbling past three tackles before slipping in Craig Moore who lashed it high past Kieran Hughes and into the net.

Saints tried hard to get back into the game but chances either flew wide of the post, blazed over the bar or were straight at Ross Stewart.

Johansson introduced Steven Higgins and Paul McCafferty late in the game but it ended 2-0; ‘Well delighted to get back to winning ways ahead of Sunday’s Cup clash with East Fife.

Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden, Ferguson, Cummins, Neill, Leitch, Ainsworth, Lawson, Moore, Thomas (McCafferty – 81mins), Shirkie (Higgins – 71mins)

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

Tickets for this Sunday’s match against Dundee Utd (3pm KO) will be available on the turnstiles at Tannadice.

Tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are Over 60, Under 18s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Student concessions should enter via Turnstile 14.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Highlights from St Mirren Park as John Sutton scored the only goal of the game to secure a 1-0 win for Motherwell over St Mirren

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was pleased with his side after beating St Mirren 1-0 in Paisley this afternoon.

John Sutton scored the game’s only goal after thirty-eight minutes, heading Zaine Francis-Angol’s cross through Cornell and into the net.

As has been the case for the previous two matches against Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock, the Steelmen had numerous chances to make the game safe by failed to do so.

However, Saints rarely threatened Lee Hollis’ goal despite Motherwell’s slender advantage, as the Fir Parkers held on for their third clean sheet of the campaign this season.

[pullquote]If you look at the chances created, the only concern is when we are ahead, we need to kill teams off.[/pullquote]

“The three points where merited over the piece,” McCall told MFC TV after the match.

“If you look at the chances created, the only concern is when we are ahead, we need to kill teams off.

“We had it last weekend against Kilmarnock and the week prior against Partick Thistle and again today.

“We went one on one, we’ve hit the bar, Bob’s flashed one wide, we’ve passed up good chances to shoot when we have been in good positions and it would be nice if we could go two up and be able to relax a little bit.

“We can take confidence from another clean sheet into another tough fixture at Tannadice next Sunday.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Pictures from the 1-0 win over St Mirren in the Scottish Professional Football League Premiership at St Mirren Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Craig Foy Photography.

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[tab:Match report]

 Alan Burrows at St Mirren Park

A first-half John Sutton header handed ‘Well a deserved three points at St Mirren Park this afternoon.

The big striker notched his third in consecutive matches to give the Steelmen all three points in a match they were rarely troubled.

Indeed, with as many five good chances missed in the second half to kill the game off, the scoreline could have been more flattering.

At the other end, other than a comfortable stop from McGowan and a late scramble in the six-yard box, Saints offered little that would trouble Lee Hollis.

The win keeps Motherwell in third spot, a point behind Celtic and four behind leaders Inverness CT.

Stuart McCall was forced into one change from the side that beat Kilmarnock two weeks ago. Simon Ramsden would sit it out after his red card, his replacement in the side with Antiguan International Zaine Francis-Angol.

James McFadden would sit at the top of a midfield diamond, playing in behind Sutton and Estonian International Henri Anier, who started despite playing ninety minutes for his country on Tuesday night.

Both teams started positively and one flashed shots wide of the post. It took eight minutes for the game’s first real chance and it almost fell to Hammell, filling in at right back for the first time in his career.

His super cross from the flank almost found McFadden but was just too high. It continued on and almost bounced through and into the net, narrowly evading John Sutton who was charging in at the far post.

Motherwell had a fairly strong penalty claim turned down three minutes later when McAusland appeared to trip Sutton inside the area. On first viewing it certainly looked like a spot kick but referee Thomson was having none of it.

Steven Thompson fired narrowly wide for Saints and, at the other end, Anier blazed over after a quick-thinking Keith Lasley free-kick, as both teams searched for the opener.

There was a moment of huge controversy on the half-hour mark when Conor Newton broke through the Motherwell rearguard and was fouled by Keith Lasley on the edge of the box.

Inexplicably, Craig Thomson awarded a penalty despite the challenge clearly taking place at least a yard outside the area. The referee eventually made the correct call after consultation with assistant referee Alan Mulvanny, awarding a free-kick. Danny Grainger blazed the resultant free-kick high over the crossbar.

Hollis had to save well at the feet of Newton before ‘Well scored what turned out to be the winner seven minutes before the half-time interval.

Excellent link-up play between Iain Vigurs and Francis-Angol on the left allowed the latter space to hang up an inviting cross to the back post where Sutton rose highest to head his third goal of the season through David Cornell.

St Mirren started the second half at a high tempo as they tried to find a way back into the game, Newton immediately finding space in the Motherwell box before his shot was blocked by a combination of Stephen McManus and Shaun Hutchinson.

Motherwell absorbed the pressure before going on to create five good chances to kill the game off.

The first came after a free-flowing move resulted in Francis-Angol winning a corner. Vigurs’ floating delivery found Hutchinson on the penalty spot but his looping header hit the bar and dropped over.

This signalled a good spell for Motherwell in which the hesitant Cornell almost presented Sutton with an opening, James McFadden clipped over following more good work from Francis-Angol and Cornell made amends for his earlier mistake by saving well from Henri Anier after the Estonian had been put clean through by Vigurs.

The former Ross County midfielder then had a shot from just outside the box blaze over the bar when, give his quality and history of long-range efforts, he will have been disappointed to not hit the target.

St Mirren were finding it hard to get the ball forward now, and substitute Bob McHugh shot just wide shortly after replacing Anier on 70 minutes, latching on to Lasley’s pass after Grainger had presented him with the ball.

Having taken none of those chances, Saints pushed hard for a leveler in the closing stages but bar a McGowan shot straight at Hollis, a scramble in the six-yard box following a corner and late, later Goodwin free-kick that flashed way over, Saints couldn’t get that vital goal as the Steelmen held on for their first win in Paisley for two years.

[tab:As it happened]

Ally Reilly at St Mirren Park

‘Well take all three points home from Paisley #COYW

FT: St Mirren 0 – 1 Motherwell

Goodwin fires over!

93mins: Goodwin wins a free-kick 25 yards out. Going to be the last kick of the ball….

92mins: Big chance there as Teale curled the ball into the box. Sutton had to be alert and head wide for a corner!

3 minutes added on.

90mins: McLean inches away from meeting Teale’s cross! Let off.

87mins: Vigurs finds some space 30 yards out and tries his luck. Curled well over!

85mins: Final change of the day for ‘Well. Off comes Francis-Angol for Cummins.

879 ‘Well fans here today. Fantastic as usual!

81mins: St Mirren piling on the pressure! Cross from MacAusland just missed the head of Thompson.

Been an uneventful second half in terms of chances. last ten minutes, looking to hold on.

80mins: St Mirren sub, McLean on for Harkins.

74mins: Motherwell sub, McFadden off for Lawson.

73mins: Teale whips in a great ball but no takers as it drifts out for a throw-in

71mins: Another St Mirren sub, Caprice on for Grainger

St Mirren sub, Bahoken off for Reilly

67mins: Motherwell sub; McHugh on for Anier.

60mins: Anier has a great chance to make it 2 after Vigurs slid him in. From 15 yards, Cornell comes out to make a good block with his chest

58mins: Fantastic play from Francis-Angol to skin Teale on the wing and square to McFadden who stabs his shot just over.

55mins: Hutchinson hits the bar with a free header from a corner. So close to doubling the advantage!

50mins: St Mirren win a corner which McGregor misses at the far post. Scrappy start to this half.

We’re back underway here at St Mirren Park. COYW!!!!!

HT: St Mirren 0 – 1 Motherwell

1 minute added on to the first half.

Ball came in from the left and there was big Sutty to stick it by Cornell.

39mins: John Sutton has scored for ‘Well!! 0-1

GOALLLLL!!!

33mins: Hollis gathers at the feet of Newton who had bundled his way into the box and was about to pull the trigger!

30mins: Phew, linesman overturns the referee’s verdict of giving a penalty to St Mirren. It’s a free-kick on the edge now. Good decision.

28mins: Great football there from McFadden, Lasley and Carswell. The Captain’s final cross just evading Sutton in the box.

26mins: Hammell shoves over Bahoken for what is a clear free-kick, Should probably have been a booking too. …

20mins: Goodwin booked for using his hand to prevent the ball travelling through to Anier.

19mins: Hutchinson wins a header at the back post from Vigurs’ delivery. Loops just over.

16mins: Quick thinking by Lasley to chip the ball into Anier from a free-kick. He blazes it well over as he shot on the turn, though.

14mins: Hutchinson booked for winning the ball. Ref judged it a heavy challenge, I guess.

13mins: Danger as Gary Teale swings in a ball for Thompson. Heads it just over.

10mins: Claims of a push on Sutton inside the box. ‘Well players claimed, but ref waved it away. Hard to tell without another look.

9mins: Hammell just inches away from opening the scoring. His curled delivery was missed by McFadden and bounced just past!

8mins: Hutchison JUST gets his toe to the ball to poke it away from the onrushing Steven Thompson. Vital interception.

4mins: Another corner to St Mirren. Hollis does enough to clear from McGregor.

3mins; Lively start! McFadden was free in the box had Anier looked up after being slid in by Sutton. Instead, the ball runs out the park

2mins: And up the other end Francis-Angol wins Motherwell a corner. Ref judges Hutchinson had fouled upon deliver. FK to St Mirren.

1mins: Bahoken wins Saints an early corner, Which Thompson knocks well wide at the front post.

Anier and Lasley get us underway. #COYW

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I thought we had a clear spot-kick on John Sutton that wasn’t given, and then they get one that thankfully the linesman intervened as he saw it was outside the box, and I believe that was the case, so at least they came to the right decision.

“I think it was a fair result on chances created. In the second half St Mirren were obviously going to come at us, but we hit the bar, had a one on one and another chance just wide, so chance-wise, I think that it was a deserved three points.”

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon:

“I felt that we got a lot of our own identity back today, there was a lot of pleasing stuff from us.We had a new formation that we worked hard on all week, and we dominated a lot of possession and got a lot of deliveries into their box.

“We still have to work on our end product though and the one and only ball we don’t deal with today, we find ends up in the back of our net.

“I am buoyant. Once again there will be a lot of focus on Danny Lennon’s managerial record and ability, but let me tell you, the only focus I have is to prepare this group of players mentally, physically and tactically for a very difficult game against Hibs next Saturday.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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