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  • Women

    Defeat at Hibernian in SWPL1

  • First team

    Manager reacts to win over St Mirren

  • First team

    Motherwell 1-0 St Mirren

  • Archive

    PJ Morrison loaned to Ayr United

  • First team

    ‘If we perform, we have a chance’

  • First team

    Live stream of Motherwell v Greenock Morton

  • First team

    Steven Lawless looks ahead to St Mirren

  • First team

    Storylines: Motherwell v St Mirren

  • Women

    Hibernian away next in SWPL1

  • First team

    Liam Kelly bringing the noise to Fir Park

  • Women

    Defeat at Hibernian in SWPL1

    Defeat at Hibernian in SWPL1

    Motherwell lost out by the odd goal in five for the second week running, going down 3-2 away to Hibernian.

    After a home loss to Forfar Farmington on the return to play last weekend, the women of steel went east to take on a typically formidable opponent at Ainslie Park.

    Early pressure from both sides saw a scrappy start to affairs, but it would be Motherwell who would make their chance count when it arrived.

    With 26 minutes gone, two waves of attack from the visitors forced a corner. Claire Adams put in the ball for Rosie Slater, who bulleted past the Hibernian keeper.

    The lead though would last three minutes. Boyle’s through pass found Gallagher, who rounded goalkeeper Ramsay to slot home from a tight angle.

    Then, shortly before half-time, the hosts took control. A similar pattern of play saw Boyle break through, before squaring to Cavanagh to score from eight yards out.

    Motherwell came out determined to put up a fight to get back into the game but would be penalised by a handball decision on the edge of the box with a minute of the second half gone.

    Chelsie Watson’s arms appeared to be by her side as the ball hit off her, but the resulting set play would see Gallagher find the top-right corner of the net to extend Hibs’ advantage.

    The visitors continued to rally, and got a foothold back in the game with three minutes left ot play.

    Good play saw the ball worked wide before finding Nicole Pullar in the box, who rose above Murray to head past the goalkeeper.

    Motherwell pushed and pushed in the dying stages but couldn’t find the goal to take a point back to ML1.

    Motherwell: Ramsay, Connor, C Watson, G Crooks (McLintock), Adams, Slater, Inglis, Gardner, Callaghan (Sinclair), Skelton (Pullar), Gallon.

    Subs: Pollard, K Watson, Roberts, M Crooks.

  • First team

    Manager reacts to win over St Mirren

    “It’s a massive win.

    “But we have to keep going hell for leather for more points.

    “That’s the least we can do for our supporters.”

    Graham Alexander says the team have to keep fighting after a big home win over St Mirren.

  • First team

    Motherwell 1-0 St Mirren

    Motherwell 1-0 St Mirren

    A determined Motherwell earned a narrow win over St Mirren and a valuable three points to take them clearer of relegation trouble.

    Sitting nine points ahead of 11th placed Kilmarnock, the Fir Park men know that another performance like this will end any relegation worries this season.

    In the fourth meeting of the season, ‘Well were aiming to record their first win over the Paisley outfit. However, after two draws already this year, not surprisingly another tight game was envisaged.

    And so it turned out. The main talking points will be Liam Kelly’s tremendous first-half penalty save and Devante Cole’s instinctive second-half winner, which turned the game ‘Well’s way.

    The Steelmen, though, passed up a couple of great chances to tie up the points before stout defending in the last 15 minutes was enough to secure all three points.

    Graham Alexander made one change from the starting side which convincingly saw off Formartine United in the Scottish Cup last week, Ricki Lamie replacing Tyler Magloire at the heart of the home defence alongside Declan Gallagher.

    ‘Well looked to make the better start when after two minutes Nathan McGinley’s cross found Devante Cole 6 yards in front of goal but the striker glanced his header wide of target.

    Saints replied almost immediately when top scorer Jamie McGrath cut inside Lamie but his deft dink from the edge of the box wasn’t enough to beat Kelly who blocked the ball with his left hand.

    The visitors, with a five-man midfield, dictated most of the early play as the pressure mounted around the home goal. Ilkay Durmas came close with a free kick from 25 yards as the Fir Park side struggled to get on the ball and find their front three.

    After 20 minutes, in a rare threat on Jak Alnwick’s goal, Jordan Roberts broke into the box only to come out second best in a 50/50 with the Saints’ keeper.

    With 24 minutes played Stephen O’Donnell’s pass found Devante Cole, who in turn a played a superb ball between Marcus Fraser and Conor McCarthy.

    As Christopher Long latched onto the pass he looked certain to open the scoring but his strike was too close to Alnwick who did well to block the shot.

    Five minutes later O’Donnell and Cole combined again, this time the striker’s cute backheel sending Roberts free. But after progressing to the edge of the box the Hearts’ loanee blasted his shot high into the south stand.

    Having passed up two good chances the Steelmen finished the first half on the back foot as Saints pressed for the opening goal.

    It should have arrived after 33 minutes when O’Donnell’s challenge just inside the corner of the box brought down Dylan Connolly. When McGrath stepped up to take the resultant penalty he was odds on to add to his impressive haul of converted spot kicks – until his low effort was brilliantly palmed away by Kelly at full stretch.

    Before half-time the ‘Well ‘keeper produced a couple of routine saves to deny former Fir Park striker Lee Erwin as Saints failed to turn their upperhand into goals.

    In an attempt to get a hold of the midfield in the second half Barry Maguire replaced Stevie Lawless at the interval.

    Things immediately looked brighter within four minutes of the restart. Long burst to the byeline before driving the ball hard across goal but as Cole wited for a tap-in, Alnwick smothered the ball at his front post.

    Minutes later ‘Well were forced into another change. Roberts who had been on the receiving end of a few hefty challenges, was stretchered off after lengthy treatment on his knee – allowing Mark O’Hara to return to action after his long absence due to illness.

    The next action was in the home box where O’Donnell’s poor touch gave the ball to Jake Doyle-Hayes. The Scotland full back was a relieved man as the Saints’ midfielder blasted the ball over the bar.

    Having survived that scare, the Fir Park side opened the scoring after 62 minutes with a rather bizarre goal.

    O’Donnell’s long throw sent Long racing down the right touchline. When the former Blackpool striker cut towards the corner of the box he had only one thought as he hammered a left-foot drive on goal.

    Alnwick found it too hot to handle and with Cole bearing down on him, the ‘keeper palmed the ball off the ‘Well striker’s outstretched leg and then watch as the ball rebounded behind him and trickle over his goal line.

    As Alnwick desperately appealed for an infringement Cole happily accepted his 10th goal of the season.

    Eight minutes later Alexander’s men almost doubled their lead. Once again Long created the opening as he sprinted to the dead ball line. His cut-back was perfect for Allan Campbell and from 10 yards his low drive was just forced round the post by Alnwick.

    As Saints pushed for the equaliser the home side had another chance to tie up the points. This time it was O’Donnell who burst forward but once he got into the visitor’s box Cole took the ball off him, only to curl his shot beyond the ‘keeper and his left hand post.

    With ten minutes remaining Bevis Mugabi replaced Long as the ‘Well boss set up his side to consolidate their lead.

    The Fir Park side was then content to give Saints possession and deny the Paisley men anything in around the box, resolutely protecting Kelly’s goal deep into seven minutes added on time for a hard-fought victory

  • Archive

    PJ Morrison loaned to Ayr United

    PJ Morrison loaned to Ayr United

    PJ Morrison has joined Ayr United on an emergency loan deal.

    The goalkeeper heads to the Championship club after injury to on-loan Aston Villa man Viljami Sinisalo.

    He joins on an initial seven-day deal, with the option to extend as necessary.

    Morrison, 23, has served as the number two ‘keeper at Fir Park since the turn of the year, sitting on the bench as Liam Kelly’s deputy.

    The ‘keeper has also had successful loan spells with Albion Rovers, Cowdenbeath and Falkirk, as he continues his development.

  • First team

    ‘If we perform, we have a chance’

    “We know when we perform, we give ourselves the best chance of winning.”

    Graham Alexander looks ahead to the weekend’s visit of St Mirren.

  • First team

    Live stream of Motherwell v Greenock Morton

    Live stream of Motherwell v Greenock Morton

    Our Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Greenock Morton will be streamed live online.

    Priced at £12, you can get your ticket now to watch the match direct from Fir Park on Friday 16 April.

    Kick-off is at 7pm.

    To buy, head to ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

    If you purchased a ticket for our games against Formartine United, Hapoel Beer-Sheva or St Johnstone in the Betfred Cup, just login to our PPV site with the details you used.

    If you have not purchased previously for either of those games, you will need to create an account on the PPV website – even if you are a season ticket holder.

    For support, please email motherwelltv@streamdigital.tv.

  • First team

    Steven Lawless looks ahead to St Mirren

    “There’s no better time for us to find the consistency we’ve been missing.”

    Steven Lawless looks ahead to the visit of St Mirren.

  • First team

    Storylines: Motherwell v St Mirren

    Storylines: Motherwell v St Mirren

    Motherwell host St Mirren on Saturday, as the run-in to the end of the Scottish Premiership season picks up pace.

    Here are the key topics going into the match.

    The first of the split

    Both sides find themselves in the bottom half of the Premiership table going into the final five games.

    While Motherwell’s fate in that sense was sealed some time ago, St Mirren went into round 32 hoping to tie up a top-six finish.

    However, a 1-1 draw at Hamilton put paid to that, with St Johnstone sneaking ahead to claim the final spot.

    Competing priorities

    St Mirren are almost mathematically safe, and a point on Saturday would potentially ensure that is the case.

    The priority for Jim Goodwin’s men instead is likely to be to hold onto seventh place, and finish as the ‘best of the rest’ in the bottom half.

    Motherwell sit five points behind at present but are primarily more concerned with what’s going on below.

    Graham Alexander’s men are seven points ahead of the play-off spot and eight from bottom, meaning amassing points is crucial to ward off any lingering fears of the drop.

  • Women

    Hibernian away next in SWPL1

    Hibernian away next in SWPL1

    Motherwell head to Hibernian next in SWPL1.

    Kick off on Sunday at Ainslie Park is at 2pm.

    The game is closed to supporters.

    You can watch a live stream for free on Hibernian’s Facebook page.

    Highlights of the match will also be broadcast live on BBC Scotland at 8.30pm on Sunday.

    Tale of the tape

    Hibs have won all seven of the encounters between the two sides since the first meeting in June 2017.

    Earlier this season, the Edinburgh side were 6-0 winners away against the women of steel.

    Form guide

    Both sides returned to action with defeat in their first SWPL1 matches on Sunday.

    Motherwell put up a fight but ultimately lost out 3-2 at home to Forfar Farmington, while Hibs were defeated 2-0 at Spartans.

    One place in the table separates the two teams, with Hibernian six points ahead in sixth spot, and Motherwell in seventh.

  • First team

    Liam Kelly bringing the noise to Fir Park

    Liam Kelly bringing the noise to Fir Park

    One would think there wouldn’t be much to hear at a football ground these days.

    Granted, there are a few things missing from the usual hum of activity on a matchday. The clunk of a turnstile grinding in motion, a growling din of chat among fans, even the rustling of sweetie wrappers from that annoying bloke in the seat behind you. Yes Mr Haribo who never shares in the East Stand, I’m looking at you.

    But if you were at Fir Park last month for Motherwell’s triumph over Livingston, you’d struggle to hear yourself think. In fact, those in the Tim Hortons donut queue were probably wondering what the cacophony was.

    Step forward Well goalkeeper Liam Kelly.

    Throughout the match, the on-loan Queens Park Rangers man barked, shouted, screeched and cajoled for an entire 90 minutes during an extraordinary display of communication rivalled only by the person charged with taking the order for those donuts up the street on a bank holiday.

    “It’s not a frustration thing,” laughed the keeper. “If people listen to me they’ll hear I’m just giving clear, simple instructions so I’ve got as little to do as possible.

    “I can see everything and I just want the ball to stay away from me, us to keep it and for us to try and score goals. If I can get us organised from the back then I’m confident enough to do that.

    “I listen to what the manager wants. I try and be that eye on the pitch to attempt to implement what he wants. I think I try make everyone’s life easier, including mine, and if it makes a difference at least one minute then it’ll be worth it.

    “I enjoy it.”

    To be fair, nobody told him to be quiet.

    And why would they? Since arriving on loan earlier this year, the former Livingston man has performed heroics between the sticks for the Steelmen, keeping them in many a game as Graham Alexander gets used to his charges.

    It says a lot for the 25-year-old that he has not looked out of place taking up a role previously occupied by the now-departed Mark Gillespie or the injured Trevor Carson.

    While his future beyond the summer remains unclear – Kelly has another two years to run at the London club – he admits the lure of first-team football, and the enjoyment of pulling on a Motherwell shirt, is a key factor.

    “Ultimately what happens is going to be on QPR’s terms. The goalie there is flying and doing really well, and I want to play football. That’s as simple as I can say it.

    “If the opportunity to play wasn’t happening at QPR but there was one somewhere else, then absolutely I’d do that. I’ve loved my time at Motherwell so if that was an option it’s something I’d strongly consider.

    “We’re only in April, so much can happen between now and the new season, so I’m just focusing on Saturday first. Talks that need to happen will happen.”

    Turning that attention to today, Kelly is in no danger of looking down as St Mirren come into view.

    The Steelmen are seven points above 11th-placed Kilmarnock and eight superior to Hamilton, with many Well fans feels a win on Saturday would secure safety. Indeed, it could mean Motherwell are 11 points clear of Accies with just 12 left to play for.

    However, the Well keeper is instead focused on reeling in those above them, including St Mirren, to claim seventh spot.

    “We’re going for seventh if I’m being honest,” he said.

    “I’m not sure what the points say, but while it’s still achievable then that’s what we’re shooting for.

    “That starts on Saturday against St Mirren. I think we’ve played them twice since I came in, both at their place and both finished in draws. It’s obviously a game we’ll be looking to win.

    “The results would suggest there’s not a lot between us. It could go either way. I’m sure they’re confident, but so are we.

    “It’s a difficult game but we want seventh. We’re not thinking of anything different. We know though if we’re not at it then it could be a long afternoon.”

    The following week it’s Morton who come to Fir Park with a place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals at stake.

    With a 5-0 win over Formartine already in the bag, Kelly understands those who may be dreaming Motherwell’s 30-year wait for glory could be this year, but he remains pragmatic.

    “Formartine made it that far for a reason,” said Kelly. “They beat Annan and we knew if we didn’t approach it right then it was a potential banana skin. All the boys had the right frame of mind, had their heads switched on and made sure I had a quiet day at the office.

    “Every team left will be doing the same. There are 16 teams left and you have the Old Firm playing each other, so that takes out one of the favourites.

    “You’re not daft, you see those things. It’s a good opportunity. We’re really looking forward to playing Morton next Saturday. The cup is something we want to go far in, but we know if we don’t take it a game at a time then we’ll be out.”

    And what of hopes of a Scotland call up once more?

    “It’s in your mind, of course it is, but ultimately it’s not something you can control,” said Kelly, who has been involved before but has yet to be capped by his country.

    “What I will say is the talent of goalkeepers in Scotland is so good. It’s not as if I should be entitled to get in, the goalkeepers who are in there are unbelievable.

    “I’ve got no complaints. If my time and the manager thought I should be in it then fantastic, but my priority is performing for Motherwell on a Saturday.”