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 Extended highlights from the Excelsior Stadium as ‘Well cruised past Hearts with a 4-1 win in the SPFL Development League.

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson was pleased after his side got back to winning ways with a 4-1 win over Hearts tonight.

The young Steelmen had crashed to defeats at the hands of both Partick Thistle and Celtic, and were desperate to put it right against a youthful Jambos.

Goals from Luke Watt, Steven Higgins and a Ross MacLean double secured the comfortable win, and the former Finnish International was content with the night’s work.

[pullquote]I was particularly pleased with our set plays, we looked dangerous, and it was good to see some of our younger guys come through and play so well.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV after the match: “The first half was a little bit laboured, we could have passed the ball a bit quicker and better. We improved a lot in the second half.

“I was particularly pleased with our set plays, we looked dangerous, and it was good to see some of our younger guys come through and play so well.

“It was also great to have Paul Lawson there in the middle of the park. He’s always excellent for me, I love the way he’s such a good professional.

“All in all, it was a good night’s work and we want to build on this to finish the season in style.”

Motherwell U20s returned to winning ways with a comfortable 4-1 win over Hearts at the Excelsior Stadium.

‘Well took the lead through Luke Watt in an otherwise quiet first-half, before Ross MacLean and Steven Higgins put the Fir Parkers in the driving seat.

Hearts pulled one back via Robbie Buchanan before MacLean slotted home his second of the night to confirm the victory.

Jonatan Johansson made seven changes to the team that lost to Celtic. Ross Stewart, Jack Leitch, Mark O’Brien, Fraser Kerr, Stuart Carswell, Craig Moore and Dom Thomas dropped out, replaced by Max Currie, Danny McNulty, Ben Hall, Craig McCall, Nathan Thomas, Dylan Mackin and Steven Higgins.

The first chance of the match fell to Higgins who, after cutting in from the left, skipping past Aaron Reid, curled a low shot that forced Scott Gallacher to palm away.

The striker had another half chance, flicking it straight at Gallacher from a corner, before the Steelmen finally got in front on ten minutes.

It again came from a corner, Lawson whipping it in with pace where Watt rose well to head down and into the net from close range.

After a ferocious start, the game hit a lull and it took a full twenty minutes for another effort at goal. It fell to Hearts, Nathan Flanagan doing well to create space for himself, but his thirty-yard shot was comfortable for Currie who clutched comfortably at his near post.

The second half burst to life within two minutes and only a fantastic save from Gallacher denied Dylan Mackin, who had got on the end of a lovely Lawson cross. From the resulting corner, MacLean’s looping header was heading in but for Sean McKirdy, who had got back on the line to clear the danger.

Hearts settled into things though and both Angus Beith and McKirdy had shots that failed to trouble Currie.

At the other end, Thomas shot way wide before Watt hit from distance, only to watch Gallacher comfortably stop.

However, the Steelmen scored twice in six minutes to secure all three points and Paul Lawson played a pivotal role in both.

He sent an exquisite reverse ball for MacLean inside the area, who took a touch inside his marker before curling home. Then, shortly after, Lawson’s corner caused all sorts of problems in the Hearts defence, allowing Higgins to smash home from close range.

To their credit, Hearts regrouped and got amongst the goals themselves, albeit ‘Well will be frustrated given they had three separate chances to clear inside their own area. It eventually landed at Robbie Buchanan who lashed home high into the net.

Any hopes of a Hearts comeback were quickly squashed though when MacLean wrapped up the game with a fourth. Kyle Smith left a header back to Gallacher short. Mackin nipped in only for his shot to be well saved by the Jambos keeper. However, it spun out loose and MacLean tucked home his second of the evening.

There was still enough time for a few chances at either end, with Mackin and Lawson firing wide for the Steelmen and Hearts substitute Morrison forcing Currie to tip over after a venomous long-range hit.

It was a very satisfying win for Johansson, who will look to finish the season in style with his young squad.

Motherwell: Currie, McNulty, McMillan, Hall, McCall (Campbell – 76mins), Watt, N. Thomas (Anderson – 57mins), Lawson, Mackin, Higgins, MacLean (Watters – 81mins)

Subs Not Used: B.Long

Ian Baraclough has challenged his side to start the match on the front foot ahead of Tuesday’s match with St Mirren.

The Steelmen took thirty minutes to settle into the weekend’s game with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, before going on to pretty much dominate the last hour of the game and winning 1-2.

Baraclough cited the recent home win over Inverness as an example of how the opening stages can set the tone for the full match, and challenged his troops to repeat it against Saints tomorrow.

[pullquote]If we give St Mirren any sort of sniff, we will cause ourselves problems so we have to take the game to them and start the game strong.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV ahead of the BT Sport Live match, he said: “We have to make sure we start better than what we did against Kilmarnock.

“If we give St Mirren any sort of sniff, we will cause ourselves problems so we have to take the game to them and start the game strong.

“They have to come and win so we will know exactly what to expect from them but we have to deal with that and impose our game on theirs.

“I talk to the players about the opposition but for me it is all about concentrating on our strengths and how we are going to create and take chances.”

 Extended highlights from Rugby Park as goals from Stephen Pearson & Lee Erwin give ‘Well a 1-2 win.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough praised his side’s battling qualities after they came back from going behind to beat Kilmarnock.

It’s the first time this season the Steelmen have taken all three points from a losing position and the first victory on the road for almost four months.

The Fir Parkers had to show their grit though, going behind in the first-half before goals from Stephen Pearson and Lee Erwin won the game for the Claret and Amber men.

It was an unusual afternoon, with ‘Well not at the races for the opening half hour, before going on to dominate most of the last sixty minutes.

Baraclough was understandably delighted to win the match, praise the character of his side and challenged them to take their second half showing into the midweek match against St Mirren.

[pullquote]For the first twenty-five minutes, it didn’t look as if we were in the game but we managed to steady ourselves, pull a goal back and went on to dominate the game.[/pullquote]

He said: “For the first twenty-five minutes, it didn’t look as if we were in the game but we managed to steady ourselves, pull a goal back and went on to dominate the game.

“We had to battle and scrap to get a foothold in the game but that happens in games, you’re not going to get it all your own way. Sometimes you had to dig in but we showed tremendous spirit to turn it around.

“All of a sudden we started playing to our strengths. We defended well; when we won the ball back, we used it better. We put it into areas they didn’t enjoy defending, we got people in the box as was the support from midfield and the energy from the front two.

“We looked a totally different side. The lads deserve huge credit for the second half showing and it’s now about trying to take the sort of performance into Tuesday night’s game at Fir Park.”

Action pictures from this afternoon’s battling 1-2 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”kilmarnock040415″]

[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee at Rugby Park

Motherwell came back from a goal down to take all three points with a thoroughly deserved victory against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park today.

The near 1,000 ‘Well fans at Rugby Park would have been thrilled and encouraged with the team’s response after falling being to an early Kilmarnock goal.

The Fir Park players showed great determination and application with Stephen Pearson celebrating his new contract by grabbing the equalising goal before Lee Erwin capped his ‘man of the match’ performance with the winner, which keeps them in touch with teams above them in the table.

Ian Baraclough made one change from the side which hammered Hamilton, Connor Grant coming in to the midfield at the expense of Marvin Johnson who wasn’t risked with a slight knock. And it was the Everton loanee who had the first strike at goal after five minutes his shot deflected just outside his own post by Ross Barbour.

Killie’s reply was a drive from David Syme, which flashed past the post.

The pace of the game was fast on the synthetic surface and after Grant went down in the box under a legitimate sliding tackle from Barbour, play raced to the other end where Josh Magennis’ thumping effort was parried by George Long.

Having being felled by a couple of aerial challenges, Long looked a little uncomfortable when Paul Cairney lofted a free kick into the six yard box which the ‘Well ‘keeper missed leaving Syme to head home the opening goal.

That sparked a positive response from the visitors and twice inside a minute they forced efforts on the home goal.

A clever piece of work from Erwin opened up the Killie defence but after lobbing the ball over Syme he sliced his volley off target. A nod down from Pearson presented Lionel Ainsworth with a chance to test Craig Samson with a low drive from the edge of the box.

Some of referee Euan Anderson’s decisions irritated both sets of players, although there could be few complaints when he booked Pearson and Josh Law who was having a tough time taming Tope Obadeyi. Likewise, when Stephen McManus was adjudged to have pushed Lee Ashcroft before heading Grant’s corner into the net after 31 minutes there was no protest.

The deserved equaliser, though, was only delayed another six minutes. A good cross field move found Ainsworth and although his low drive was on target, Pearson ghosted in to prod the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-1.

‘Well looked the more likely to add a second and a couple of decent shots from Scott McDonald and Keith Lasley produced saves from Samson before the break.

The second half was fairly even until 57 minutes when ‘Well made their first change, John Sutton replacing Grant and after that Baraclough’s boys dominated the play.

Within two minutes of his arrival Sutton’s pass inside the centre circle found McDonald who released Erwin. And when McDonald collected the ball at the edge of the box a wonderful goal looked on the cards until his rising shot skimmed off the top of the cross bar.

Erwin then set off on a solo run from his own half only to curl his finishing shot wide of goal.

At that stage ‘Well were a constant threat on the Killie goal and Ainsworth’s fierce drive forced Samson into a fine diving save.

Samson was kept busy with saves from Erwin and McDonald as the Fir Park men pressed for the winner.

Motherwell and the tireless Erwin were finally rewarded 14 minutes from time when he jinked inside his marker at the edge of the box before steering a left foot shot low into the corner of the goal.

The ‘Well defence stood solid in the closing minutes as Killie chased a hopeful equaliser but in the end Motherwell comfortably played out the game for another convincing win, to make it three in five games and build momentum ahead of two massive games against Saints and Partick Thistle before the league split.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Rugby Park

Great scenes in the Kilmarnock sunshine as the players take the applause from the hugely vocal ‘Well support. Superb again!!

FT | 1-2 | #KFCvMFC
FULL TIME!!

90′ | 1-2 | #KFCvMFC
There will be 3 minutes added on.

89′ | 1-2 | #KFCvMFC
Motherwell sub, Erwin off for Ramsden. Big man has been superb in the second half!

87′ | 1-2 | #KFCvMFC
Erwin gathers in McDonald’s corner and hits it on the spin but it flies just over!

81′ | 1-2 | #KFCvMFC
Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for Carswell.

77′ | 1-2 | #KFCvMFC
Double Killie sub, Eremenko and Kiltie on for Johnston and Cairney

77′ | 1-2 | #KFCvMFC
Erwin twists and turns in the box and fires past Samson. 2-1 to ‘Well!!!!

GGGOOOAALLLLL!!!!

75′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Another save from Samson! This time he has to tip away McDonald’s long range shot from distance. All Motherwell.

74′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Great pressure from ‘Well. From a corner, Ainsworth finds plenty of space but his goalbound shot is blocked by Barbour.

71′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Terrible dive from Obadeyi in the box and is rightly booked.

65′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Erwin shoots from 25 yards. It’s a tough one for Samson as it bounces of him but he deals with it well.

68′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Kilmarnock sub, Miller off for Eccleston.

66′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Samson to the rescue again for Killie, this time diving low to deny Ainsworth from distance.

65′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
O’Hara is booked for hauling down McDonald on the half-way line

63′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Erwin does great and cuts inside but with other options, opts to shoot and curls it wide of the post. Great chance!

61′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Laing booked for winning a header. Ref says he barged into Miller but very harsh indeed.

59′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
What a save from Samson!! McDonald’s shot from 18 yards looked certain for the net but he somehow got a hand to it :O

57′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Motherwell sub, Grant off for Sutton.

51′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Johnston skips past Straker and McManus has to cover and concede a corner. From the delivery, ‘Well clear.

48′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Killie clear the delivery with ease.

48′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Erwin does well to force a corner for ‘Well.

45′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Grant and Lasley get the second half underway.

45′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
Teams are back out for the second half

HT’ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
First half ends Kilmarnock 1 – 1 Motherwell

GGGOOOAALLL!!!

38′ | 1-1 | #KFCvMFC
GGGOOOLLL!!! Ainsworth’s goalbound strike is diverted into the net by PEARSON!! 1-1!!

31′ | 1-0 | #KFCvMFC
McManus has the ball in the net but ref says there was a foul in the process.

30′ | 1-0 | #KFCvMFC
Now Law is booked for a more clear-cut tackle on Obadeyi

26mins: Ref plays advantage then books Pearson for a challenge on O’Hara. Not convinced there was much contact there.

24′ | 1-0 | #KFCvMFC
Pearson nods the ball back to Ainsworth who strikes it first time from 20 yards. Samson gathers at the second attempt

22′ | 1-0 | #KFCvMFC
Great play by Erwin as he lobs Syme to get though on goal. His first-time volley is scuffed well wide, though.

20′ | 1-0 | #KFCvMFC
‘Well break up the field and Erwin wins a corner. Nothing comes of Grant’s ball into the box.

17′ | 1-0 | #KFCvMFC
Goal! Syme gets on the end of Cairney’s free-kick to make it 1-0 to Killie.

13′ | 0-0 | #KFCvMFC
Magennis gathers the ball 18 yards out and gets a shot away. Straight at Long who beats it to safety.

7′ | 0-0 | #KFCvMFC
Killie win a corner of their own and from the cross, Syme fires just past the post

5′ | 0-0 | #KFCvMFC
Chance! Grant’s low shot is deflected just wide. From the corner, his delivery goes untaken.

1′ | 0-0 | #KFCvMFC
Barbour swings a ball into the box which Long punches clear under pressure from Miller. Ref says free-kick, anyway.

Kick-Off | 0-0 | #KFCvMFC
Cairney and Miller get the game underway. COYW!!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

“There are seven games still to play and, after today, we’re three points better off against St Mirren.

“There is now a seven-point gap and we play them on Tuesday, which is a massive game for both clubs. However, until it’s mathematically impossible for teams to catch us, we won’t be ruling anyone out.

“Others can get dragged in quite easily if we keep picking up three points. We’ll get ourselves out of it.”

Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke:

“I’m disappointed because I thought we started well and deservedly went in front. But you have to give Motherwell credit because I thought they came back well in the second half.

“We had a couple of young centre-halves in today in Lee Ashcroft and David Syme and I’d like to have seen them get us up the pitch a little bit more.

“But I’m not going to be too critical. David was making his full debut and acquitted himself well. Lee isn’t the oldest either so I tend to look at the positives.

“But we are a young team lacking in experience and that showed in the second half. I think the top six will be really difficult now but we need to make sure we bounce back against Aberdeen next week.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”226″]

Ian Baraclough hopes his side can continue their recent momentum despite having no match last weekend due to the International calendar.

The Steelmen have taken seven points from their last twelve, including wins over top-six sides Inverness and Hamilton, with the only defeat a narrow 2-1 reverse at Pittodrie.

It was fourteen days ago Baraclough masterminded the magnificent 4-0 success in the Lanarkshire derby and although he admits he would have liked the games to have kept coming, he has used the time to work further with the players.

Speaking to the gathered media at the pre-match news conference, he said: “It’s an interesting one as there were probably a couple of lads who needed that little break.

[pullquote]We’ve tried to build on that feel-good factor, tried to mix up training whilst working on one or two things and we hope it’ll not have taken the edge off us.[/pullquote]

“From a club’s point of view, you’re on a good run of results, you’ve just beaten your local rivals 4-0 and a fantastic performance, you just want to get another game in.

“However, we’ve tried to build on that feel-good factor, tried to mix up training whilst working on one or two things and we hope it’ll not have taken the edge off us.”

Baraclough was speaking on the day the club managed to secure the services of Stephen Pearson for a further two years.

Pearson was his first signing as Motherwell manager and he is equally thrilled to be working with him for an extended period of time.

He added: “I am delighted Stephen has signed this extended deal as he has been a huge influence both on and off the park. It is a big boost for everybody. Since day one I knew he was the type of character I wanted to bring in.

“He was my first signing and to extend that deal for another two years is massive and testament to what he has seen in this club. I know he had another couple of other clubs trailing him.”

Stephen Pearson says he wants to repay the faith shown in him by Ian Baraclough by helping the Steelmen stay in the Scottish top-flight.

The midfielder was the Fir Park boss’ first signing during the January Window; the former Scotland International returning for his second spell with the club.

The 32-year old started his career in North Lanarkshire over 15 years ago before leaving for Celtic.

He has also played for English sides Derby County, Stoke, Bristol City and in the Indian Super League with Kerala Blasters.

[pullquote]I want to help the club stay in the Premiership – that is the short-term goal and then obviously we will look at things after that.[/pullquote]

“You are always anxious going back to a club for a second spell but it is about confidence in your own ability,” he said, speaking to the Broadcast media at ‘Well’s weekly news conference.

“If you feel you are an improved player then you shouldn’t have any doubts going back anywhere.

“I am enjoying football. I plan on playing as long as I possibly can. If I can play for another four or five years that would be great.

“There was a big turnaround of players in January but we are starting to see the new players settle down.

“I want to help the club stay in the Premiership – that is the short-term goal and then obviously we will look at things after that.”