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Motherwell failed to make an extra man advantage count in a 3-2 defeat to Hearts

The Steelmen had managed to fight back to level terms after being two goals down but Lawrence Shankland’s late penalty secured three points for the Edinburgh side.

PRE-MATCH

Steven Hammell made no changes to the side that beat Dundee United last weekend. Robbie Neilson freshened up his side with five changes from their Europa Conference League defeat in Turkey on Thursday

The goals

Hearts took the lead just before half-time. Kevin Clancy wrongly awarded a corner from which Andy Halliday was left unmarked and sent a header looping over Callum Slattery and into the net.

Moments after the break, Halliday got his second of the game. This time he got on the end of a cut back and fired low and hard past Kelly.

On the hour Motherwell were. handed a lifeline as Louis Moult was brought down in the box by Gordon, who somehow avoided a second yellow card, and he dispatched confidently from the spot.

With ten minutes left ‘Well were back level with a nicely worked goal. Moult played in McKinstry whose ball across goal was turned in by Spittal for his second of the season.

In the final minutes, Hearts took all three points as Shankland converted from the spot after Solholm was ruled to have handled in the box.

talking points

• Liam Kelly. The Scotland international produced two fine saves in the first half. Firstly from Shankland who looked certain to score but Kelly somehow managed to claw the ball to safety. He also produced a fine save from McKay, tipping over from close range before having a quiet second half
• The red card. Jorge Grant saw red for a foul on Callum Slattery in then 38th minute. It was a careless and dangerous challenge and was the correct decision but Motherwell will be frustrated they didn’t make the extra man advantage count
• Positives for Moult. Although it was from the spot, Louis Moult will be pleased to be back on the scoresheet for the first time in his second spell at the club. He also played a part in the second goal, setting up McKinstry to cross for Spittal.
• VAR involvement. The video referee, David Munro, was a busy man although all the VAR decisions confirmed the on-field decisions. Van Veen had the ball in the net with a spectacular volley into the top corner but unfortunately the linesman’s flag went up. Questions will be asked about why Craig Gordon never received a second yellow for his foul on Moult inside the box.

What they said

Steven Hammell: “It’s not a hard luck story for me. At the very, very least, we need to be coming away with a point.”

Robbie Neilson: “I thought the players were outstanding. We had to really fight and show the spirit.“

Teams

Heart of Midlothian: Gordon, M Smith, Sibbick, Cochrane, Grant, Devlin, Halliday, Snodgrass, McKay, Ginnelly, Shankland.

Substitutes: Clark, Kiomourtzoglou, Atkinson, Rowles, Forrest, Neilson, Henderson, C Smith, Pollock.

Motherwell: Kelly, McGinn, Solholm, Lamie, Penney, Goss, Slattery, Spittal, McKinstry, Shields, Van Veen.

Substitutes: Oxbourgh, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Maguire, Cornelius, Moult, Morris, Tierney, Miller.

Attendance: 18,806

Stuart McKinstry is still ‘buzzing’ to be playing for the club he grew up supporting.

The winger scored his first two goals and scooped the player of the month award for October but is keeping his two feet firmly on the ground and is looking forward to the tricky test that Hearts pose in their next cinch Premiership match.

We are delighted to showcase our new official Motherwell FC tartan range.

The tartan, originally designed by Scott Mcilvaney back in 2017, will now be used across a range of products, including formal kilt purchasing and hire from our partners at Slanj Kilts in Glasgow.

In addition, the ‘Well Shop will carry a number of products at launch with more to follow in the weeks and months ahead.

“We’ve been working on this range and our partnership with Slanj for some time now, so it’s great to finally have it launched,” CEO Alan Burrows said.

“I would like to thank Scott at Touchdown Tartans for his help not only creating the beautiful tartan in the first place, but his efforts to ensure the club could release it across a range of products.

“We already have a number of really nice tartan items, with plans to grow the range over the weeks and months ahead.”

Click here for a number of official Motherwell FC tartan products in the Well Shop.

Click here for the official Motherwell FC tartan kilt purchase at Slanj Kilts. To hire the tartan wear, please click here.

With the world cup fast approaching, Steven Hammell is looking for a good run of form to push his Motherwell side up the table before the break arrives. 

Starting with a trip to Tynecastle on Sunday in the cinch Premiership, the Motherwell gaffer knows the strength and depth that Hearts have within their ranks and any personnel changes will not weaken their side in the slightest.

Stuart McKinstry has been called up to the Scotland Under-21s squad, who will take on Iceland at Fir Park.

The on-loan winger caps off a fine October with another call-up to Scott Gemmill’s side for preparation match ahead of the start of the next set of European Championship qualifiers which get underway in the new year.

The match will take place on Thursday 17 November with a kick off time to be confirmed in due course.

Entry to the match will be free for everyone, with this match being a no ticket event.

Stuart McKinstry is your October player of the month.

The Leeds loanee bagged two goals, against Rangers and Aberdeen as he pipped Matt Penney by one vote to win the award.

Rolando Aarons’ loan from Huddersfield Town has been terminated.

The club had agreed with the Terriers that should the winger sustain a longer-term injury during his stay at Fir Park, the agreement could be brought to a premature end.

Regretfully, following his injury against Hearts last month, it is unlikely the Jamaican international would feature for the first team again until the end of the year.

“We are gutted for Rolando more than anything as he’s a very talented player who really wanted to be with us and help us,” Steven Hammell said.

“However, he has had such an unfortunate time with injuries throughout his career. One of his most consistent runs was when he was last with us, and we had hoped we could replicate that.

“Sadly, that hasn’t been the case. We wish Rolando all the very best in his recovery and his career and thank him for his efforts both back in early 2020 and now.”

We’re asking both sets of supporters to bring along items for our food bank collection at our match with Celtic on Wednesday 9 November.

We’re collecting items on the day of the game for the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank.

We are asking fans to bring what they can to support this important cause, so that those in need can receive a food parcel to help.

“Unfortunately, food banks are now having to play a vital role in helping the most vulnerable in our community,” CEO Alan Burrows said.

“Given soaring inflation levels, rising interest rates and the energy crisis, more and more people are tragically having to rely on the thoughtfulness and generosity of others to help feed their family.

“Over the last few years, Motherwell fans have really stepped up to the mark and helped stock up food banks all over Lanarkshire. This year, as we approach the cold winter months, we are asking those who can to once again help.”

Items needed are:

• Soup

• Beans

• Tinned pasta

• Custard/ Rice Pudding

• Tinned Fruit

• Tinned Meat

• Meals in a tin

• Tuna

• Pasta n Sauce

• Noodles

• Long Life Milk

• Breakfast Cereal

• Tinned Vegetables

• Potatoes in a Tin

• Toiletries -soap, shower gel, Shampoo etc

• Tea/coffee

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Collections are available from 6pm.

Thank you for your help. Your contributions will be a massive help to those in need.

It’s time to pick your Paycare Motherwell FC player of the month for October.

Matt Penney, Blair Spittal, Stuart McKinstry and Sondre Solholm are all in contention.

To vote, head over to our Facebook page.

Games played in October:

• Celtic 2 – 1 Motherwell
• Ross County 0 – 5 Motherwell
• Hibernian 1 – 0 Motherwell
• Motherwell 1 – 2 Rangers
• Motherwell 0 – 4 Celtic
• Motherwell 1 – 2 Aberdeen
• Dundee Utd 0 – 1 Motherwell

Matt Penney

Our September player of the month, is up once again for nomination after another impressive month.

The Ipswich loanee has continued his fine run of form in October, playing a part in helping his side keep two clean sheets on the road. He also set Kevin van Veen up for his third goal against Ross County, while also playing Joe Efford in for his goal against the Highland side.

Penney has played every minute of every game in a hectic schedule.

Blair Spittal

Despite coming off in the first half against Hibernian and missing the subsequent match through injury, Blair Spittal is once again up for player of the month.

Spittal played the ball back into the danger area, which led to our goal against Celtic at the start of the month.

He also got an assist against Dundee United, setting up Sondre Solholm with an inch perfect cross into the box for the defender to power into the net.

Stuart McKinstry

The on-loan winger notched up two goals in four starts this month, including his first ever goal in claret in amber.

The boyhood Motherwell fan has worked his way into the starting eleven this month, scoring his first goal for the club with a perfectly placed free kick against Rangers.

He made is two goals in two league games when he controlled and drilled the ball into the net against Aberdeen.

Sondre Solholm

After building up a formidable partnership with Ricki Lamie at the heart of the defence, Sondre Solholm get his first player of the month nomination this season.

With 70% of his ariel duals throughout the month, he has proven to be tough to get past for attackers.

Keeping two clean sheets in the month, the Norwegian got his first Motherwell goal with a powerful header against Dundee United in his last outing.

Motherwell are in midweek action against Partick Thistle on Wednesday 2 November in SWPL. 

Kick off is 8pm at Petershill Park.

How to follow the game

Entry for this fixture is via pay at the gate. Cash and card are accepted.

Adults: £7
Concessions: £5
U16s: Free

There is a live stream of the game on the Partick Thistle Women’s Youtube channel.

Story of the match

This is the first encounter between the two teams this season.

Last season, all matches were closely fought. With the last three matches between the teams ending in draws.

Thistle drew with Hibernian in their last match, with Motherwell narrowly defeated 1-0 by Hearts.