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‘Well midfielder Chris Cadden has yet again been called up to the Scotland U21 squad as the youngster continues his superb run of form.

The call-ups have been coming thick and fast for the young Steelman, who was first picked for his country back in August and has already received his first cap.

A mainstay in Mark McGhee’s squad for the last year, the lung-bursting midfielder has been scintillating, getting amongst the goals, assists and man of the match awards, as well as terrorising full-backs on a regular basis this season.

Cadden was one of the best players on the pitch at Celtic Park recently and is part of the 19-man squad to face Slovakia in the U21 International Challenge Match on November 9.

Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to congratulate Chris on his call-up and wish him, and the squad, all the best over the next two weeks.

Stephen Craigan hopes his side can find their form in front of goal having put in impressive performances this season so far.

With Partick Thistle awaiting the youngsters tomorrow night, the manager caught up with MFC TV to look ahead to the match on the back of their 1-1 draw last week.

A trip to Firhill stadium is something the Northern Irishman is looking forward to, having enjoyed a number of matches there as a player.

[pullquote]Against Ross County last week we got back to what we’ve been good at – we were strong defensively at times and we created lots of chances and I don’t think the 1-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game.[/pullquote]

He said: “It’s always nice to go to a stadium like Firhill, I played there myself many moons ago and it’s always nice to go back.

“It’s also good for the players to play on grass and we’ve spoke about Airdrie in the past being a bit dry and sticky and depending on the weather it can be windy too.”

He added: “Hopefully tomorrow night the ball runs a little truer to football and it won’t be as sticky. We hope that we can get our players at the top end of the pitch being creative and getting on the ball.”

Despite not managing to secure a win, Craigan was impressed by his sides efforts in their last match and felt that three points would have been deserved for his side.

[pullquote]We want more of the same tomorrow night, for the boys to go out there, play free, take people on and this week hope that we have the finishing touch to put an end to the good work.[/pullquote]

He said: “Against Ross County last week we got back to what we’ve been good at – we were strong defensively at times and we created lots of chances and I don’t think the 1-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game to be honest.”

He added: “We want more of the same tomorrow night, for the boys to go out there, play free, take people on and this week hope that we have the finishing touch to put an end to the good work.”

When asked about any team news, the manager said: “We’ll probably have one or two dropping down from the first team because at the moment we’re kind of in between with a few of the young boys making the step up to the first team.”

The U20s return to action tomorrow evening in the Development League with a clash against Partick Thistle at Firhill.

And it presents Stephen Craigan’s side the opportunity to return to winning ways having gone two matches without three points.

Last week, the youngsters drew 1-1 with Ross County which followed the 3-0 home defeat against Hibs the week before.

And remarkably, the two match run is the longest spell the Northern Irishman’s side have gone without a win this season – summing up an impressive start to the season.

Tomorrow’s opponents have made a good start too, sitting in second place and just three points behind league leaders Ross County and one ahead of the Steelmen.

They arrive in good form too, having strung together three wins on the bounce, including wins over Hearts and Celtic.

Currently sitting fourth in the league, the Motherwell U20s have two matches this week, with their defence of the Scottish FA Youth Cup getting underway on Sunday afternoon.

The U20s face the Cumbernauld Colts in the third round of the competition, hoping to follow up on the brilliant success of last season.

The match kicks-off at the Excelsior Stadium at 10:30am.

Jamie Semple was named amongst the starting eleven as Scotland U16s kicked their Victory Shield campaign off with a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland at the Oriam.

16-year old Semple, who turns out for both the Academy Under 17s and Stephen Craigan’s Under 20s at ‘Well, played up top and put in a good showing for the Scots, who won thanks to goals from Taylor Wilson and substitute Zac Butterworth.

Scotland will now face Wales this Tuesday, a 4pm kick-off at the Oriam in Edinburgh.

Extended highlights from Fir Park as goals from McDonald, an own goal,  Tait and Ainsworth secure a 4-1 win for the Steelmen.

Images from today’s 4-1 win over Ross County in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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‘Well boss Mark McGhee was in good spirits after his side stormed to a convincing victory over Ross County at Fir Park this afternoon.

And he insists that it is key not to panic after suffering disappointing defeats, instead focussing on bouncing back to form.

Speaking to MFC TV after the match, the manager expressed his delight with his teams performance.

He said: “I think what you’ve got to do in this league with a team like ours is stay calm. We know how good we can be or bad we can be too.

“I think the important thing that we’ve done since Wednesday is that we’ve stayed calm, we’ve stayed as a group and we’ve picked the right team too.”

[pullquote]I think the important thing that we’ve done since Wednesday is that we’ve stayed calm, we’ve stayed as a group and we’ve picked the right team too.[/pullquote]

He added: “The right players have stepped up, it was a big ask of Lionel today, I needed him and we got him at his best.

“But more than anything, I’m delighted for the fans because we’ve lost a couple of games, some that I don’t think we deserved to lose, but I’m delighted for the fans cause they saw a few goals and they saw some good performances.”

At 4-1 and with around ten minutes remaining, the manager was able to bring on both Allan Campbell and Ross MacLean for some valuable game time.

He said: “We want to keep blooding the young players but equally today our experienced players stood up today and were counted and were hugely important in the result as well as the young players energy.

[pullquote]I don’t want the selection to be made easy for me, I much prefer the competition for places and I’ve said that in the dressing room.[/pullquote]

“So that combination of enthusiasm and young energy as well as the experienced players is the combination we’re looking for.”

Skipper Keith Lasley and vice-captain Stevie Hammell both missed out due to injury, but with the two returning to fitness, it offers the manager a number of options in terms of selection.

He said: “As a manager you want as many of your players to be performing well and I don’t want the selection to be made easy for me, I much prefer the competition for places and I’ve said that in the dressing room.”

He added: “Kieran Kennedy got back on the bench because of the way he’s trained, as did Jacob Blyth, and the two strikers, Ryan and Jacob, have to look at the way Scott and Louis played today and they can either wait for one of them to miss a game through injury or suspension, or keep training hard like they are and push for a place.”

[tab:Match report]

On a weekend for disguises Motherwell were unrecognisable from the team that lost to Inverness CT on Wednesday night. Two goals in each half and a couple of efforts off the cross bar earned ‘Well an emphatic victory over SPL strugglers Ross County.

And after the let down in midweek, the experienced players responded brilliantly. Scott McDonald and a rejuvenated Lionel Ainsworth were rewarded with a goal each, along with a first for the hard working Richard Tait. County full back Kenny Van Der Weg, who will have recurring nightmares of Chris Cadden powering past him, also had the misfortune of claiming an own goal.

Facing their second Highland visitors in four days Mark McGhee made three changes from the midweek defeat to Inverness. McDonald returned to partner Louis Moult with Ainsworth, in his first start since August, aiming to support the front two and claim a permanent place in the team. Following a superb 80 minutes and standing ovation from the Fir Park fans it would be difficult to deny him a start at Dundee next week.

Keith Lasley’s broken toe meant a league debut for Lee Lucas who has had to wait patiently for a starting place after being injured in the cup tie at Annan in July. However, his partnership with Craig Clay in the middle of the park was impressive.

Following the disappointing performance and lack of fire power in midweek Motherwell set out to test a County side with the poorest goal difference in the SPL.

And it took Motherwell only seven minutes to breach the leaky Staggies defence.

Chris Cadden, who had the measure of Kenny Van Der Weg throughout the game, burst past the County fullback only to be tripped 10 yards from the goal-line. Ainsworth’s measured free kick was perfect for the unmarked McDonald to stoop and nod the ball home for his 3^rd of the season.

Suddenly ‘Well’s passing was crisp and accurate as the visitors were left chasing the ball and the game.

Van Der Weg was still chasing Cadden and another burst from the ‘Well midfielder took him to the opposition box. His pass found Moult who laid the ball off for McDonald but he dragged his shot agonisingly beyond the post from 10 yards.

There was no respite for the over worked Dingwall defence and after stretching to reach Ainsworth’s cross, Moult’s touch carried the ball just over the bar.

Scott McDonald was next for a strike at goal, turning at the corner of the penalty box before driving the ball over the bar.

A second goal was overdue and it arrived on the half hour mark. McDonald fed in Moult and he cleverly worked his way along the goal line before cutting the ball back for the waiting Cadden only for Van Der Weg’s touch to deflect the ball over his own goal line.

Local lad Ian McShane gave notice that County weren’t out of it with a 20-yard drive that skimmed narrowly past with Craig Samson at full stretch.

The visitors were soon on the back foot again and Van Der Weg’s first half got worse when he was cautioned after yet again tripping Cadden.

On the stroke of half-time and with County gaining in possession around the home box, Ben Heneghan’s brave and timely block prevented Michael Gardyne’s shot hitting the target.

Jim McIntyre’s thoughts that his team might stage a second half fightback were erased seven minutes after the restart.

Richard Tait’s trademark race down the right carried him into the box but rather than cutting the ball back the full back elected to unleash a thumping drive which Scott Fox could only parry inside his left hand post.

It was then a question of whether Motherwell had an appetite for more goals and Ainsworth proved he was in the mood two minutes later with an audacious free kick from fully 35 yards, casually curling the ball off the top of the cross bar.

The ‘Well wide man was not to be denied though, and after 63 minutes claimed the goal his performance earned. McDonald did well to hold off former teammate Paul Quinn before slipping the ball inside. With Fox advancing from his goal Ainsworth sped past the ‘keeper before calmly stroking the ball over the goal line.

Two minutes later Ainsworth came within inches of adding another, volleying Cadden’s cutback across the face of the goal and just beyond the far post.

Craig Samson then produced his first save of the game rising to his right to push Alex Shalk’s stinging drive away from his goal.

The Fir Park men looked the more likely to add to the scoring add after carrying the ball from his own half Ainsworth’s drive from the middle of the box was deflected over the cross bar.

The Staggies continued to chase a goal and were rewarded 13 minutes from time when Shalk whipped a low shot past Samson to make it 4-1.

‘Well hadn’t given up thoughts of making it five and Lee Lucas almost capped an very impressive league debut setting himself up 20 yards from goal before curling a fabulous effort which Fox touched onto his bar.

Minutes later Lucas left the field to the applause of the home fans as 18-year-old Allan Campbell made his first team debut.

And shortly after that, Ainsworth left the park to a similar reception from the jubilant home support.

It was just the response that Motherwell fans would be hoping for, and they were treated to a good afternoon of football of football too at Fir Park.

[tab:As it happened]

 Lewis Irons at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 4 – 1 Ross County
Superb stuff from Mark McGhee’s men, with goals from McDonald, OG, Tait and Ainsworth!

90′ | 4-1
Two minutes added on.

86′ | 4-1
Final Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for MacLean

83′ | 4-1
Motherwell sub, Campbell on for Lucas.

82′ | 4-1
What a save by Fox to deny Lucas his first goal!! Tipped his 25 yard curler over the bar!

MATCH ATTAX | Young ‘Well fan? Vote for your Man of the Match now. Tweet us your name, age, choice & #MatchAttaxMOTM.

78′ | 4-1
Goal – County pull a goal back, Schalk firing home from a cross. 4-1.

76′ | 4-0
Ball falls into McDonalds path about 25 yards out. He spins and gets a shot off but it’s easy for Fox.

74′ | 4-0
So close again! Ainsworth runs from his own half and dribbles inside past Quinn but his shot is deflected over the bar!

67′ | 4-0
Schalk straight into action, forcing Samson into a good save with a powerful left-footed shot from range.

66′ | 4-0
Ross County sub, Boyce off for Schalk

65′ | 4-0
Nearly 5!! Cadden powers in a cross which takes a touch off Ainsworth but it flashes just wide of the far post.

62′ | 4-0
It’s 4!!!! McDonald slides in AINSWORTH who takes a touch past Fox and cooly slots it home!!! COYW!!!

GGOOOAAALLL!!!

53′ | 3-0
Quinn booked for wrestling down Moult. Free-kick about 30 yards out…..Ainsworth strikes the bar!! Inches away from 4!!

51′ | 3-0
It’s TAIT with his first Motherwell goal! Overlapped down the right, and fired a powerful shot past Fox. 3-0 to the Steelmen!!!

GGOOOAAALLLL!!!

48′ | 2-0
Booking for Heneghan. Clumsy tackle on Dow after a loose first touch.

McDonald gets the second 45 underway.

Ross County sub at half-time, Curran on for Gardyne

HT: Motherwell 2 – 0 Ross County
Excellent first 45 from the Steelmen!
43′ | 2-0
Davies heads Wood’s corner wide of the post. Samson, so far,
….From that free-kick, Fox gathers Ainsworth’s delivery with ease.

39′ | 2-0
Van Der Weg finally into the book, after Cadden bursts past him. Free-kick in a dangerous area….

37′ | 2-0
Inches past the post from McShane there, a powerful low drive from 20 yards. Close.

35′ | 2-0
First sniff at goal there for County as Davies rises highest to meet a cross but it’s well over the bar.

30′ | 2-0
It’s 2-0!! Moult gets down the left, twists, turns puts the ball across goal and it ends up in the net via Davies!!! COYW!!!

GGOOAAALLLL!!!

29′ | 1-0
Close! Loose ball lands at McDonald’s feet and he opts for the half volley on his left foot but it flashes just over the bar.

27′ | 1-0
Lovely stuff again there as ‘Well carve open County again but Davies blocks Cadden’s low cross into the box.

22′ | 1-0
From that corner, Moult’s effort goes just past! Really positive start from Motherwell!

22′ | 1-0
Moult gets past Davies but the County man gets a foot on it and it goes out for a corner.

19′ | 1-0
Chance!! Cadden again gets down the right, clips it in to Moult who squares to McDonald but he drags his shot inches past the post

7′ | 1-0
From the free-kick, Ainsworth sticks it right on McDonald’s head and he makes no mistake, powering past Fox. COYW!!!!

GGGOOOAALLLL!!!

7′ | 0-0
Nice turn of pace there to skip past Van Der Weg on the right. Hauled down, no booking.

Ross County get the game underway. COYW!!!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”293″]

Motherwell host Ross County in an all important league clash at Fir Park tomorrow afternoon.

And for Mark McGhee’s side, the match comes with added importance after the 3-0 home defeat on Wednesday night.

The Steelmen are in need of three points to put an end to their run of matches without a win, but manager Mark McGhee is confident and determined in equal measure, that his team will put things right.

He said:“I actually think that up until that second half in the Inverness game our form has been good in terms of performances, just results haven’t been.

“It’s only a couple of weeks ago that had we beaten Hearts we could have gone second and that’s the nature of this league, so from all that perspective – points, league position and stuff – I think it’s all irrelevant at the moment. We’ve got 23 games to get ourselves in to the top six.”

He added: “As far as the other night goes, my concern is more or less always about performance cause you can actually play really well and get beat, so the performance is the overriding thing.

“The second half performance, certainly in the last half hour after we conceded the first goal was poor.”

Looking forward, the boss is hopeful of bouncing back to winning ways and admits the squad will be able to click in to gear soon.

[pullquote]We’re determined to put that right and play well for an entire 90 minutes, which is where we went wrong the other night.[/pullquote]

He said: “We’ve got a mixture here of very good experience, ability and also of good, energetic young players.

“We’ve got another home game against a team who are in the same area as ourselves and they’ll have watched us against Inverness the other night and will perhaps fancy their chances tomorrow.”

He added: “We’re determined to put that right and play well for an entire 90 minutes, which is where we went wrong the other night.”

The Staggies travel down to Fir Park just one point ahead of the Steelmen having played an extra game.

Motherwell will be without the injured Carl McHugh and Joe Chalmers, while skipper Keith Lasley has until tomorrow morning to prove his fitness after injuring his toe.

Louis Moult is one of the top scorers in the top flight and is a hugely important player in the Motherwell dressing room.

However, the striker is without a goal in his last four matches, which is making the 24-yearold hungry and excited for Saturday.

‘Well fans will be looking on with intent to see their top scorer in action, hopeful of him netting his sixth league goal of the season.

The striker said: “I think it’s a blessing in disguise that we have a match coming up so quickly.

“It feels like this season has been stop/start and personally I was injured at the start then we’ve had a game, then a weekend off with international breaks and then what happened with the Aberdeen game another weekend off too.”

He added: “I’m really excited that we have a game on Saturday, so soon after Wednesday.”

With December offering the striker a number of games in quick succession, this is something that Moult admits he prefers.

He said: “I certainly prefer it, but I’m used to it from my time down south where games came thick and fast.

“It is nice to get a break once in a while but when you get a chunk of games together and a run of goals together it does help.”

The 24-year-old also hopes he can grab a goal soon after a run of games without finding the net.

He said: “Things started with my goal against Ross County and then the four against Hamilton.”

He added: “As unbelievable as that was we’ve had some difficult games after that and it’s been stop/start like I said, but hopefully we can get some rhythm going now and get something from the game on Saturday.”

Ross County enjoyed a solid start to the 2016/17 season, after winning two of their opening four games, but since Jim McIntyre’s side drew 1-1 with the Steelmen back at the start of September, their form has dropped off.

The Staggies are certainly capable, and will be more than hungry, to pick up points at Fir Park tomorrow.

Currently sitting on 10 points and one spot ahead of the Steelmen, the northerners will be hungry to follow up on last season’s terrific top six finish.

It makes for an interesting encounter tomorrow afternoon, with both sides sharing the same aspirations of a top-half spot meaning there is added emphasis on the outcome in Lanarkshire.

When McGhee’s men travelled north to Dingwall in the fifth game of the Ladbrokes Premiership season, the two sides couldn’t be separated as Louis Moult cancelled out Liam Boyce’s opener.

Before the season started, it was a big summer for the Staggies who looked to follow up on their brilliant season, highlighted by their League Cup triumph against Hibs at Hampden back in March.

One of the main threats to the Steelmen is Northern Irish striker Liam Boyce, who opened the scoring earlier in the season in the 1-1 draw at the Global Energy Stadium.

Ross County have scored eight goals in the league this season, and Boyce has been involved in seven of them, scoring six and assisting once.

At just 25-years of age, keeping hold of Boyce was a shrewd bit of business from the Staggies over the summer, after the forward scored 15 goals and provided 7 assists in the Premiership last season.

If he keeps going at this rate, he’ll have improved on that tally before Christmas, making him an obvious threat to the Steelmen this afternoon.

Another threat the Staggies have in their side is international star Chris Burke, who at 32-years-old is a great coup for the club after penning a deal as a free agent late in September.

Having only played 50 minutes of action for his new club, the fact he is already off the mark in front of goal shows signs of the midfielder’s capabilities.

And what a crucial goal it was from the Scot too, coming off the bench to draw Ross County level in the 95^th minute away to Partick Thistle.

They are now without a victory in eight matches after their mid-week loss against Celtic, but Burke’s injury-time strike last weekend at least put an end to their goalless streak which was minutes away from being five matches.

The absence of striker Liam Boyce through injury certainly hurt the Staggies and McIntyre will be happy to see his star man on the way back to full fitness.

The 4-0 scoreline  on Wednesday flattered Celtic somewhat, due to the fact they scored three goals in the last eight minutes of the match.

With both sides hungry to get back to winning ways tonight, this afternoon’s match makes for an interesting clash.

The ‘Signing Zone’ continues this week prior to tomorrow’s fixture against Ross County.

So why not come to Fir Park tonight where Ryan Bowman and Dom Thomas will be in The Well Shop’s ‘Signing Zone’ from 12:45pm until 1:15pm to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for selfies.

Fans have the opportunity to meet striker Ryan Bowman who signed in the summer and Dom Thomas who graduated from the academy.

Each week, two different players will take their seats as the season progresses as part of the developing fan engagement programme here at Fir Park.

Share your pics on twitter @motherwellfc using #MFCSigningZone or facebook.com/motherwellfc

The club shop is situated at the Cooper Stand and is open from 9.30am.