| 7 | Aberdeen | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 8 |
| 8 | Dundee United | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -2 | 8 |
| 9 | Motherwell | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -2 | 8 |
| 10 | Hibernian | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 7 |
| 11 | Falkirk | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 6 |
It was Motherwell’s third straight defeat in the Premiership, as the Steelmen struggled to create enough at the top end of the pitch despite large spells of possession.
A two-week international break now provides time to recover, reset and work on the training pitch before the Champions come to town.
Alfred Johansson reacts to a 2-1 defeat to Dundee at Dens Park.
Motherwell returned from Dens Park empty-handed after a 2-1 defeat to Stephen Pressley’s Dundee.
Joe Westley opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Bradley Fink doubled the host’s advantage with a header. Alex Lowry pulled one back before the interval, but the Steelmen were unable to find the leveller in the second-half.
Following the disappointment of Tuesday night, the Motherwell side had two changes. Ibrahim Said and Seb Palmer-Houlden were brought into the attack, with Jardell Kanga and Regan Charles-Cook dropping to the subs bench.
The early signs were positive for Motherwell, as they settled on the ball quickly. Owen Goodman was tested inside five minutes when Lukas Fadinger struck well from the edge of the box with his left foot, but the goalkeeper was a match to the strike as he dived across to his right-hand side.
Beyond that effort, the 20 minutes brought little action in front of the goal. But when Dundee earned a corner, they kept the play alive on the right-hand side with Emmanuel Longelo coming across to defend the cross. The ball struck Longelo’s arm from close-range, with VAR ordering the referee to review the footage, and he subsequently pointed to the spot.
Westley stepped up and rather unconvincingly managed to get the ball past Paulsen, despite the keeper going the right way and almost making the save. But Dundee had the advantage after 22 minutes.
Longelo looked to redeem the penalty by causing the Dee defence problems at the other end of the pitch. The full-back cut the ball back to the edge of the box from the byline. Tawanda Maswanhise walked onto the effort, but his left-footed drive was wide of the target.
Despite dominating possession, Dundee continued to look threatening going forward. Jack Moorhouse sent a ball forward for Bradley Fink to chase onto; he out-paced the defence and tried to guide the ball into the far corner. Unfortunately for him, the ball ricochet off the woodwork and away from danger.
But after 40 minutes, Dundee did get their second, and Fink got his goal. A long throw-in was only cleared as far as Drey Wright, who volleyed a powerful cross back into the box. Fink was able to get his head and the ball squeezed in off the post with a fortunate bounce off the turf, which deceived Alex Paulsen.
It looked like there would be a mountain to climb for Motherwell as they trailed by two, but Lowry cut the deficit in half as he converted from Tom Sparrow’s cross just before the half-time whistle.
Hope was restored for Motherwell, and they began the second-half searching for the second. A miscommunication from the Dundee players allowed Maswanhise to pick up the ball 25-yards from the goal, but the Zimbabwean couldn’t capitalise fully on the situation.
Paulsen was called into action twice shortly after. He produced a great save from Westley following a Dundee counter, before denying Ryan Astley as the centre-back got on the end of a corner kick.
Joe Hodge saw his strike from distance sail over the bar on 79 minutes, as Johansson’s side continued to push. The introduction of Eythor Bjørgolfsson would bring a more aerial threat for Motherwell, and when the Norwegian was wiped out by Goodman after a cross into the area, the referee and VAR took time to review the situation but deemed it not worthy enough of a penalty kick, as Dundee would then hold out for the 2-1 win.
Motherwell Team: Paulsen, Sparrow, Girdwood-Reich, Moormann, Longelo, Hodge, Fadinger, Lowry, Said, Maswanhise, Palmer-Houlden.
Motherwell Subs: Connelly, O’Donnell, Knight-Lebel, Williams, Levitt, Kanga, Bjørgolfsson, Vogt, Charles-Cook.
All the information you need if you’re attending Dens Park this afternoon.
Kick off between Motherwell and Dundee is at 3pm.
You can buy tickets online by CLICKING HERE.
Prices:
| Away Stand | |
| Adults | £26 |
| Over 65s | £16 |
| Under 18 | £12 |
| Under 12 (Must be accompanied by adult) | £5 |
| Ambulant Disabled & Carer | £16 |
| Wheelchair & Carer | £16 |
Ambulant/Wheelchair & Carer will be available to purchase directly from the Dundee FC Ticket office by calling 01382 889966 or emailing tickets@dundeefc.co.uk. Supporters must be in receipt of PIP/DLA.
There will be no cash gates in operation on matchday. Tickets will be available to purchase online up until kick off.
If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.
Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.
Motherwell fans will be able to buy alcohol in the Bob Shankly Stand between 13.00 and 14.30. All kiosks and bars are card only.
Purchased alcohol must be consumed within the concourse area.
Additional turnstiles open at 14:00 hrs. Turnstiles 33/35 for away support.
Approaching from a westerly direction, (eg Glasgow or Edinburgh)
As you approach the roundabout, continue on the A90 (Kingsway) for about 2 miles, take the second flyover exit (B960) and follow the signs for ‘Football Traffic’ until you reach the stadium.
Travelling from the south (via Tay Road Bridge)
Exit the Tay Road Bridge in the right hand lane then stay in the left hand lane on the inner ring road. You will approach a set of traffic lights (Arnold Clark Garage on your right) turn left at the lights, straight through the next roundabout. Stay in the left hand lane which will split in two as you approach the next roundabout (Ladywell). Keep in the second lane from the left, and you will be directed up Victoria Road. Continue up this road which becomes Dens Road after about 1 mile. Turn right at the second mini roundabout into Arklay Street and take the second street on your left.
The stadium is approximately 400 yards on your left.
It’s to be dry on Saturday in Dundee, with temperatures hitting 16 degrees.
It was a sickening end to an outstanding display from the women of steel, as Celtic struck late into stoppage time to seal victory under the floodlights of the Kirkintilloch Sports Complex on Friday evening.
An intensely fought performance had Motherwell pushing for the decisive winner in the latter stages, but they ultimately couldn’t resist the Celtic breakthrough. The hosts countered with the final opportunity of the game, converting from a fortuitous mis-hit delivery into the box – consigning the visitors to defeat.
Head Coach, Iain Robinson named six changes to his starting XI, with Emergency-loanee Jeni Currie lining up in goal ahead of youngster Kayla Scott, who impressed last weekend. The backline remained unchanged, with Shannon Leishman, Chelsie Watson, Ellie MacDonald, and Leah Sidey completing the back-four.
Lucy Ronald, Eva Thomson and Lucy Sinclair all returned into the midfield three, with Mason Clark and Kodie Hay occupying either flank. Carla Boyce returned ahead of Morgan Anderson to lead the line.
Despite Celtic’s early grip on possession, Motherwell carved out numerous opportunities in the first-half. Boyce recorded the first opportunity of the contest, cutting onto her stronger right-foot, before striking towards goal, but goalkeeper Adelaide Gay calmly gathered.
Minutes later, Boyce again forced Gay into a smart save. A whipped delivery across the face of goal was met by Boyce, who rose highest in the box, but her headed effort was parried clear.
Motherwell continued to thrive on the counter-attack, with Thomson recording Motherwell’s third opportunity and Gay’s third save in the opening 10-minutes, after striking from the edge of the box.
It took until the half hour mark for Celtic to create their first opportunity on-goal, with Mono Nakao’s strike falling wide of the post. The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock seconds before the break, with Currie producing an exceptional last-ditch save to deny Isabella Fisher.
As the second-half resumed, Motherwell continued to threaten, and should’ve deservedly taken the lead.
Defender Chelsie Watson’s strike sailed over the head of Gay before rattling the crossbar, as Motherwell continued to push for an historic result.
Substitute, Sophie Rutherford again tested the palms of the Celtic stopper minutes later, with gay parrying the youngsters attempt.
As Motherwell pressed for a decisive winner, Mary Stanić-Floody almost netted a magnificent breakthrough. The Serbian international caught Gay far from her goalline, and attempted to chip the Celtic goalkeeper, but the American quickly recovered.
In the dying stages of the game, Motherwell’s resistance was eventually broken. Shannon McGregor’s mis-hit delivery from the right flank sailed over the head of Currie before nestling into the bottom-left corner.
A sickening end for the women of steel, who merited a point from the game at the very least.
We can confirm that we have entered into a Cooperation Agreement with League Two side Spartans.
The system allows young Scottish players to join a club on loan, increasing their chances of gaining valuable first-team experience while allowing them to move freely between their parent club and the loan club throughout the season.
The club also has an agreement with the Lowland League side Cowdenbeath.
As part of this newly formed alliance with Spartans, Zander McAllister and Aaron Thomson will join Mixu Paatelainen’s side for the season.
“I’m pleased we have this agreement with Spartans,” academy director David Clarkson said.
“This new system has been a success so far for Motherwell, with young players gaining valuable experience during their time away from Fir Park.
“Zander and Aaron are the next two players to move under this agreement, and we look forward to seeing their progress this season. With increased minutes, the experience of being in that first-team environment will be crucial for them.”
Good luck, lads.
Lukas Fadinger is aiming for a stronger performance tomorrow against Dundee, as he says the last two games have maybe fell short of their expectations.
Fadinger breaks down Tuesday night’s game and what went wrong against Aberdeen.
Alfred Johansson is looking forward to Saturday’s match against Dundee. With everyone moving on from the disappointment of Tuesday, the Motherwell manager believes in the long-term strategy at the club and insists nobody is getting too down about the defeat.
Johansson expects a positive reaction from his players as they travel to Dens Park.
As the dust finally settles on an emphatic victory in the Sky Sports League Cup, the return to league action remains firmly on the horizon, as Motherwell travel to face Celtic under the lights on Friday evening.
Iain Robinson’s side coolly secured their place in the hat for the Quarter-Final of the Sky Sports Cup, with Motherwell set to face Hibernian for a place in the last four. Motherwell’s hopes of an incredible cup run will have to be sidelined for the moment, as they return to league action this weekend.
Motherwell will travel to the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex, with an unbeaten and top of the table, Celtic lying in their wake.
The Tale of the Tape
Motherwell
Motherwell head into Friday evening’s contest encouraged by their recent dismantling of local rivals, Hamilton.
Ellie MacDonald and Mia McArthur both found the target, as Motherwell secured their place in the forthcoming round.
Goalkeeper, Kayla Scott could make her senior league debut for Motherwell against her former club, after the talented young shot stopper departed Celtic last month.
Celtic
Celtic remain unbeaten so far this season, securing four wins from four, as the sit level on points with Rangers at the top of the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League.
Ticket Information
All tickets must be purchased online ahead of kick-off, with no pay at the gate option available. Tickets can be purchased HERE
Matchday Travel
By Car (19 miles from Motherwell – Travel time of roughly 29-minutes) :
By Train (Travel time of roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes from Motherwell)
Follow our live matchday coverage on the Motherwell Women X (formerly Twitter) account.
It was a night of severe punishment and a night to forget for Motherwell, with Aberdeen visiting North Lanarkshire and leaving with not only three points, but four goals to their name.
A quick turnaround to another game is the ideal scenario, and that’s what lies ahead now ahead of the first international break of the season.
