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  • First team

    Livingston 0-2 Motherwell

  • Club

    Vote for your Hall of Fame class of 2020 entrant

  • First team

    Manager previews the trip to Livingston

  • Women

    Hibernian at home next in SWPL1

  • First team

    Storylines: Livingston v Motherwell

  • First team

    How to watch Livingston v Motherwell

  • First team

    Jordan Archer added to the squad

  • First team

    Trevor Carson out with knee injury

  • First team

    Duo called into Scotland Under 21 squad

  • Women

    No fear for the women of steel

  • First team

    Livingston 0-2 Motherwell

    Livingston 0-2 Motherwell

    Motherwell picked up a hard-fought three points on the road as Livingston were put to the sword.

    First half goals from Callum Lang and Tony Watt secured a brilliant win for the visitors in difficult conditions in West Lothian.

    Stephen Robinson made two changes from the side which started the 4-0 win over Ross County last weekend.

    Aaron Chapman came in from the start in place of the injured Trevor Carson, with Lang replacing Christopher Long in attack.

    In total, eight academy players made up the matchday 20 for the Steelmen, including a first appearance on the bench for 18-year-old defender Matthew McDonald.

    Livingston is a formidable place to go but in treacherous windy conditions, the visitors immediately set about getting control of the match.

    After settling in and absorbing the early pressure, the breakthrough would come in the 22nd minute.

    Lang was slipped in behind down the left with 35 yards to make up on goal.

    Arriving in the box, he was forced to check back and with reinforcements arriving on both sides, he cooly placed the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.

    Motherwell looked settled and assured and would go in at the interval two goals to the good.

    Winning a free-kick dead on the edge of the area, just to the right of the arc, Mark O’Hara sized up the opportunity.

    The stand-in defender sent a rocket through the wall which Stryjek did well to parry. But Watt was alive to get to the rebound and stab home from close range.

    The second half was low on chances, as both sides absorbed pressure from either.

    Tiffoney came closest with a head wide from the penalty spot from the hosts, while the Steelmen didn’t trouble the home ‘keeper save for Watt’s late stinging effort from distance, which was turned away.

    Motherwell: Chapman, O’Donnell, O’Hara, Gallagher, McGinley, Maguire, Campbell, Polworth, Lang (Long), Cole (White), Watt.

    Subs not used: Archer, Devine, Hussain, Johnston, McDonald, Cornelius, Hastie.

  • Club

    Vote for your Hall of Fame class of 2020 entrant

    Vote for your Hall of Fame class of 2020 entrant

    We will honour the Motherwell FC Hall of Fame Class of 2020 with a unique virtual induction event this winter.

    Our Hall of Fame was launched in November 2019 at a memorable dinner in the Bothwell Bridge Hotel.

    George Stevenson, Willie Pettigrew, Ally Maxwell and James McFadden were all inducted, with our fans’ vote adding Phil O’Donnell to complete the inaugural group.

    The current Covid-19 restrictions make a similar night impossible in 2020. Instead, we will have a special live, free-to-air, online event coming soon.

    Tam Cowan will again host, and our assistant manager – and former club captain – Keith Lasley will join him to induct four more legends from the club’s past.

    We are also once again launching a special fans’ vote for a five inductee.

    You can join in the vote by nominating any individual from any era in Motherwell’s past – player, manager or official – who you think is worthy of being included in the 2020 class.

    Click here to vote for who you want to see in the Motherwell FC Hall of Fame.

    We will shortly be announcing the other four inductees who will either receive their induction on the night, either in person or represented by a relative, the date of which will be announced in due course.

    The four inductees usually come from four broad groups:

    1886 – 1939
    1945 – 1969
    1970 – 1995
    1996 – 2020

    “It was crucial to continue the Hall of Fame this year, despite the Covid-19 restrictions,” chief executive Alan Burrows said.

    “We want to ensure this is an annual induction, and being a member of the Hall of Fame really means something special to those involved, which is why we will carry on with an online version.

    “All four in the class of 2020 have made incredible contributions to Motherwell FC and are already, rightly, genuine club legends.

    “The event itself is only possible thanks to the brilliant backing of our five sponsors, who I thank very much for their ongoing support. I hope fans enjoy the event when we broadcast it live across our platforms later this year.”

  • First team

    Manager previews the trip to Livingston

    Stephen Robinson discusses the loss of Trevor Carson, the influx of young talent in the team and the weekend visit to West Lothian.

  • Women

    Hibernian at home next in SWPL1

    Hibernian at home next in SWPL1

    Motherwell return to home action in SWPL1 action on Sunday, with the visit of Hibernian.

    Having lost the opening fixture at Forfar Farmington, Eddie Wolecki Black’s team are in action at Airdrie’s Penny Cars Stadium. Kick off is at 12.30pm.

    The game is closed to supporters.

    You can watch a live stream of the match for £5. Click to buy your pass and watch.

    Tale of the tape

    Hibs have won all six encounters between the two sides, dating back to a first encounter in the Scottish Cup in June 2017.

    The last home match for the women of steel resulted in a 2-0 loss back in September last year.

    Form guide

    A 4-2 loss at Forfar Farmington kicked off the campaign for Motherwell two weekends ago.

    Hibernian meanwhile were 2-1 home winners against Spartans.

    Manager looking to bounce back

    “We didn’t start the season the way we wanted against Forfar,” said manager Eddie Wolecki Black.

    “Hibernian are obviously a tough test but we’ve shown in our last few home matches with them that we can cause problems.

    “Again, the team will play with no fear. Every game is an opportunity and we’ll be ready for the task in hand.”

  • First team

    Storylines: Livingston v Motherwell

    Storylines: Livingston v Motherwell

    Motherwell travel to West Lothian to take on Livingston next in the Scottish Premiership.

    Here are the storylines going into Saturday’s match.

    A difficult place to visit

    Since Livingston’s return to the top flight in 2018, Almondvale has not been a happy hunting ground for the Steelmen.

    The first visit in August 2018 brought a 1-0 win in the League Cup, thanks to Danny Johnson’s goal.

    But since then, Livi have won twice, with a 0-0 draw sandwiched in between.

    Their home form points to why. In 2020 to date, they are unbeaten in nine of their 12 home matches.

    Change between the posts

    Injury to Trevor Carson means manager Stephen Robinson has a decision to make for the trip along the M8.

    Aaron Chapman proved himself to be an able deputy when he stepped in against Ross County on Saturday, helping to keep the team’s clean sheet.

    Competition has arrived in the form of Jordan Archer, the Scotland international ‘keeper who signed on Wednesday after spending last season with promotion-winning Fulham.

    A chance to climb

    Both sides are currently locked on 11 points in the Premiership table, with Motherwell ahead on goal difference and having played two games fewer.

    Saturday’s encounter provides an opportunity for both sides to potentially break into the top six.

    With fifth-placed Kilmarnock on 14 points and sixth-placed Dundee United on 13, a win for either side could propel them into the top half.

  • First team

    How to watch Livingston v Motherwell

    How to watch Livingston v Motherwell

    A live stream is available of Livingston v Motherwell on Saturday.

    The Scottish Premiership match can be watched in two ways, depending on where you are in the world.

    Fans based in the UK and Republic of Ireland can purchase a pay-per-view match pass from Livingston FC for £20 at ppv.livingstonfc.co.uk.

    If you’re outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch by taking out a monthly subscription for £15 which covers all of our Premiership matches at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

    The game will also be shown in full again on BBC Alba at 6pm on Saturday.

  • First team

    Jordan Archer added to the squad

    Jordan Archer added to the squad

    Jordan Archer has joined on a short-term deal until the January window.

    The 27-year-old Scotland international goalkeeper has been drafted in following a knee injury to Trevor Carson which will keep the Northern Irishman out of action for several months.

    “We’ve moved quickly after learning that Trevor would be out for a prolonged period,” said manager Stephen Robinson of the move, which is subject to international clearance.

    “To be able to bring in a ‘keeper of Jordan’s quality is fortunate and he will challenge Aaron Chapman for the jersey.

    “Jordan has been capped by Scotland and played games in the Championship and League One in England. He arrives with a strong pedigree.

    “We had a decision whether to bring someone else in or bring back PJ Morrison from his loan at Falkirk.

    “Given that PJ is likely to play for them this weekend and stake a claim for a regular spot, we felt it was best for his development to remain there.”

    Archer came through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur, spending four years at White Hart Lane.

    Although he never tasted first-team football, he enjoyed five separate spells out on loan, gaining experience from the Southern Football League to the Championship.

    It was whilst with his last loan club, Millwall, where he impressed enough to earn a permanent move following the expiry of his contract at Spurs.

    He was the new number one at the New Den, earning the Player of the Year vote in his debut season.

    The Lions were promoted back to the Championship in his second season, and it was around that time the Londoner received his first call into the Scotland squad under boss Gordon Strachan, owing to his Clydebank-born grandparents.

    He made his full international debut against Peru in May 2018, on the same day future team-mate Stephen O’Donnell also made his first outing in dark blue, together with then ‘Well player Chris Cadden. That added to his 23 caps gained at Under 19, Under 20 and Under 21 level for the national team.

    Archer left Millwall last summer and had short spells with League One side Oxford and Premiership-bound Fulham before Covid-19 paused the season.

    “I’m glad to be here, and I’m ready if called upon,” said the goalkeeper.

    “It’s an opportunity for me to try and play games. It’s my first time playing club football in Scotland, and I am looking forward to the new challenge.”

  • First team

    Trevor Carson out with knee injury

    Trevor Carson out with knee injury

    Trevor Carson will spend time on the sidelines with a knee issue.

    The goalkeeper requires an operation on the injury sustained during Saturday’s win over Ross County.

    It will not become clear how long the Northern Irishman will require to spend out of action until after the procedure takes place.

    However, it is expected he will be absent for a minimum of three months.

    “It is a blow to lose Trevor,” said manager Stephen Robinson. “He has done so well since he’s got back into the side and also getting back into the national team.

    “We will support him through his recovery and hope that he makes a quick and full return to fitness.

    “We brought in Aaron Chapman as cover previously, and we are evaluating whether we now need to bring in another goalkeeper to cover Trevor’s absence.”

    Carson, 32, has made 76 appearances for Motherwell since joining the club in the summer of 2017.

    The Northern Ireland international goalkeeper previously recovered from deep vein thrombosis, which ruled him out for the bulk of the 2018/19 season.

  • First team

    Duo called into Scotland Under 21 squad

    Duo called into Scotland Under 21 squad

    Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire are in the Scotland squad for their European Under 21 Championship qualifying double header.

    The national side are at home to Croatia and then away to Greece, as they push to qualify for next year’s competition.

    The young Scots are a point behind group leaders Czech Republic, with a game in hand, as they look to make the finals for the first time since 1996.

  • Women

    No fear for the women of steel

    No fear for the women of steel

    Glasgow City going for their 14th successive league title. Celtic and Rangers pouring big investment into the teams. Hearts joining the division. Hibs continuing to look strong.

    If the Scottish Women’s Premier League 1 was previously a formidable league for Motherwell, that challenge has only intensified further in the last 12 months or so.

    But despite that strength elsewhere, the women of steel also have plenty to offer. One of those things is the lack of fear when taking on the challenges that lie ahead.

    With Eddie Wolecki Black at the helm, Motherwell returned to league action with a 4-2 loss at Forfar Farmington on Sunday.

    Scottish women’s football’s most successful coach has made it clear to his squad that he wants more success in Lanarkshire.

    “He’s very ambitious,” says forward Lori Gardner. “His message to the squad is just not to fear anything. We’ve got nothing to lose, go into every game to win.

    “We’re not just there to take part. We want to compete and win in every game. And that’s his message in every training session, about how we can hurt teams in the league.”

    Wolecki Black famously led Glasgow City to four successive domestic trebles between 2011 and 2015, and also took them as far the Women’s Champions League quarter-final for the first time in his final season.

    He returned to the women’s game in 2017 and was instrumental in securing Motherwell promotion to the top flight and helping them reach the 2018 Women’s Scottish Cup final.

    In December last year, he made the move back to Lanarkshire, hoping to improve on last season’s sixth-place finish.

    He set to work strengthening the side all over the park with with the likes of goalkeeper Khym Ramsay, defender Lauren Gallon and midfielder Kodie Hay all joining, while he has added more firepower up front in the shape of Lisa Swanson and Nicole Pullar.

    “We want to be competitive in every game,” said Gardner. “Last season I think we were just stuck in mid-table, but obviously this season we want to push on from that.

    “We’ve got a lot of new players in, we’ve got a good squad. There’s no reason why we can’t compete with the top teams and get further up the league.

    “I think it’s good to have a manager who’s got that experience. He’s brought in a lot of good players as well that have been at clubs he’s previously worked with. So there’s a good mix and there’s a good feel about the place.

    “Obviously there’s other coaching staff there as well, there’s not just Eddie. There’s Stewart Hall and Willie Kinniburgh and they bring great experience. Stewart has worked in the women’s game for a long time and Willie’s worked in the men’s game. There’s a good balance around the club.

    “All the girls get on really well which helps. Everyone is wanting to be part of a team. We’re all helping each other. It’s just a good environment to be around just now.”

    In Motherwell’s next two games, they host last season’s top two Hibernian and champions Glasgow City.

    The headlines around the SWPL have cantered on Rangers and Celtic going full-time, setting the stage for the most competitive season the league has ever been.

    If Motherwell are to compete then the form of tenacious forward Gardner will be pivota. But it’s an expectation the Bellshill-born 23-year-old is happy to take on.

    “Obviously I want to score as many goals as possible but I just want to help the team,” said Gardner, who made the move from Hamilton Academical in 2019.

    “I’ve been playing up front for the past few seasons but I quite like playing out wide so, getting more assists to my game is something I look forward to trying to do this season.

    “The strength of the league is good for the women’s game in Scotland. Rangers and Celtic are now pushing on with Hibs and Glasgow City. So there’s a more competitive edge to the league, especially for the title and Champions League spots.

    “It’ll be good to be part of this year. It’s exciting with all the new players coming to the Scottish game.”

    For now, games are being played behind closed doors due to the current pandemic, but when the gates do open again Gardner has pinpointed one team-mate fans should look out for.

    “Abby Callaghan,” she said. “She’s in and around the Scotland Under 19 squad just now, she’s an exciting young player. I think she’s one to watch.”

    By Andrew Southwick