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Motherwell started the season with a clinical 1-0 victory over Queen’s Park in the Premier Sports Cup group stage.

Steven Lawless’ goal in the first half was the difference against the League One side, who caused trouble but were wasteful when faced with Liam Kelly.

Youth graduate Dean Cornelius was given his first start, with Darragh O’Connor and Kaiyne Woolery also making their debuts in the first XI.

But on the 14th minute mark, Motherwell took the chance when it arrived for them.

A loose ball on the edge of the box saw Maguire react quick to drive in, skip inside and fire a ferocious effort at goal, which was parried away.

Maguire recovered the situation and backheeled to Watt, whose pass inside found the waiting Lawless.

Under pressure, he showed all the composure needed to turn his man and fire into the bottom-right corner of the net from 12 yards.

Undeterred, the hosts ploughed on and Simon Murray carved out a whole host of chances for his team which he failed to take, while Kelly had to react fast to chest away a Robson drive from distance.

The League One side ended the first half perhaps aggrieved they weren’t at least level, having broke into the Motherwell box plentiful times but proving wasteful in front of goal.

The Spiders would again look the more likely in the early exchanges of the second half.

Kelly again was at the rescue 10 minutes in. Brown’s surging run through the middle against a retreating defence saw him slip in Murray on the left.

One-on-one with the goalkeeper from 15 yards, he picked his spot but Kelly reacted brilliantly to get down low and stop the equaliser.

There was a welcome return in midfield from Liam Donnelly after almost a year out injured, while Kevin van Veen also got late minutes to make his first appearance in claret and amber.

Motherwell would threaten as the game wore on, with Maguire and Watt both seeing shots saved, while the hosts’ danger subsided near the end as Graham Alexander’s men returned to Fir Park with all three points.

The first episode of Inside Motherwell for the 2021/22 season is here.

The return to pre-season training can be a gruelling one for the players, even if the actual break is shortening in length.

Mark O’Hara made sure he kept himself in good shape over the summer, although even he found the going tough in the first day “yo-yo” running test.

A new season needs a new kit. Step forward defender Ricki Lamie to model our new away strip for the campaign.

We caught up with the defender behind the scenes on the shoot to find out how his return to action was going, and find out if he has an second career in modelling ahead.

Stephen O’Donnell didn’t return at the same time as the rest of the squad for pre-season training. And rightly so, with the important defender involved with the Scotland national team at EURO 2020.

Criticised as part of the team’s loss to Czech Republic in the opening match, he answered all the critics with an outstanding performance against eventual finalists England, in which he almost netted a memorable and famous winner.

Darragh O’Connor is the latest addition to the Motherwell squad.

The Irish defender has signed an initial one-year deal, arriving after departing Leicester City. His move is pending international clearance.

“Darragh is a young centre-half who has been with us for the last couple of weeks,” manager Graham Alexander said.

“We really like what we’ve seen with his attitude and commitment to the game.

“He’s a young player with a lot of potential, but we also think he’s got the capability to break into our first team and compete with our more senior players.

“We’re delighted to have him on board.”

O’Connor made six appearances for the Foxes in the EFL Trophy over his two seasons with the club, as well as featuring 15 times in Premier League 2.

Born in London before moving back to his native Republic of Ireland at an early age, he also featured at youth level for Shamrock Rovers and in the Irish First Division with Wexford.

The Motherwell boss looks ahead to the Premier Sports Cup opener away against the League One side.

Stephen O’Donnell silenced a nation of critics with his performance against England at EURO 2020.

After a barrage of unwarranted comments on the first match against the Czech Republic, the Motherwell right-back responded with a head-turning performance at Wembley, almost netting the winning goal and also being part of the only defence to keep a clean sheet against the eventual finalists.

Now back in ML1, O’Donnell has his sights set on lifting the Steelmen up the Premiership table with a strong start to the campaign.

The 2021/22 season starts with a trip to face Queen’s Park in the Premier Sports Cup.

The group stage match at Firhill on Wednesday 14 July kicks off at 7.45pm.

Watch live

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, you can watch the game live on Premier Sports.

Overseas-based fans can watch via their normal subscriptions at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Unfortunately, tickets are not available for Motherwell supporters to attend the game in person.

Tale of the tape

The two sides last met in the opening game of the 2017/18 edition of this competition, with the Steelmen running out 5-1 winners at Hampden.

Goals from Chris Cadden, Craig Tanner, Louis Moult and a Ryan Bowman double secured the opening victory, with Motherwell later returning to the national stadium for the final.

The other match within the last decade between the two teams came at Fir Park in the 2011/12 Scottish Cup.

Jamie Murphy scored twice, with Omar Daley and Henrik Ojamaa adding in a 4-0 victory.

Form guide

‘Well have faced two tests prior to the start of the season.

An opening match at Dumbarton saw 24 players see action in a 1-0 defeat, before a 2-0 loss against Millwall on Saturday.

Newly promoted to League One, Queen’s drew 2-2 with Raith in a friendly before opening their Premier Sports Cup group stage campaign with an 1-0 win at Queen of the South at the weekend.

How to watch on Premier Sports

Coverage begins at 7.15pm on Premier Sports 1 with Darrell Currie, Stephen Craigan, Shelley Kerr and Rory Hamilton bringing fans all of the coverage.

You can watch via Sky channel 412, Virgin channel 551 and online via the Premier Player.

New customers can subscribe from just £12.99 per month (one-month minimum term) with no connection fee.

Premier Sports customers on Sky will also receive free access to the Premier Player by registering here

To watch online (Web, iOS App, Android App): head to the Premier Player and subscribe from just £12.99 per month (one-month minimum term) with no connection fee.

If using the app, please set up an account first on you web browser before downloading.

Virgin customers can watch Premier Sports channel 551. You can subscribe for £12.99 per month via the provider with no connection fee or minimum contract. Call 0845 840 7777 or set up viewing via box. (Press Home > Apps and Games > All Apps > TV Upgrades.)

Premier Sports offer paid subscription services. Payments for subscriptions to Premier Sports via Sky or the Premier Player streaming service will automatically recur monthly or annually dependent on your chosen package unless notice is given to cancel. The auto-recurring price will be at the standard rate.

Cancellations must be made by phone or email and must include a minimum five days’ notice prior to the next bill. No cancellations accepted within 48 hours of subscribing. The minimum subscriptions period is dependant (and matches) on your chosen package. Terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions visit www.premiersports.com.

Motherwell lost out in a tough test against English Championship side Millwall in their final pre-season test on Saturday.

After Liam Kelly performed heroics from a shot hit at him from three yards away, he could do nothing to stop Millwall opening the scoring after six minutes.

Malone’s surge down the left saw him get in behind and flash the ball across the face of goal, with Thompson arriving at the back post to steer into the net.

Motherwell grew into the match after a difficult opening spell, with Tony Watt in particular impressing higher up the pitch, and Liam Donnelly looking back to his assured best as he continues his comeback.

Barry Maguire’s long-distance effort stung the palms of the Millwall keeper as the half wore on and Watt flashed an effort across the face of goal, but the first 45 ended with the hosts having controlled the ball for the most part.

Max Johnston and a trialist were introduced at the break for O’Donnell and Donnelly and the first chance of the second half would fall immediately at Motherwell’s feet.

With the ball bouncing around in the box, Maguire got to it and tried to stab home into the net from close range, only for his goalbound shot to be blocked on the line.

Millwall had changed the entire team around at the break and the imposing, six foot six inch tall striker Smith would double their advantage close to the hour mark.

A deep cross from the left saw him rise between two ‘Well defenders, nodding down into the bottom-right corner of the net.

With chances at a premium, a trialist saw a close-range header from a right-sided corner go past the post for ‘Well, and Lawless saw a low shot easily gathered by Long.

The hosts enjoyed the bulk of the possession, with Graham Alexander giving more valuable minutes to players as the game wore on.

Motherwell: Kelly, S O’Donnell (Johnston 46), Trialist (Lamie 60), Trialist, Carroll, Donnelly (Trialist 46), Maguire, Cornelius (Crawford 69), Woolery (Amaluzor 69), Watt, Van Veen (Lawless 60).

Subs not used: Fox, Morrison, McLeod, C O’Donnell, Trialist, Trialist, Wilson.

Our Premier Sports Cup derby with Airdrieonians will now be played on Wednesday, 21 July.

The game has been moved from its original date of Tuesday, 20 July. Kick-off will remain at 7.45pm.

The Lanarkshire derby will be broadcast live on Premier Sports in the UK and Ireland.

As it stands, no Motherwell fans will be able to gain entry to the match at the Penny Cars Stadium. We will update you if that changes.

Ricki Lamie picked up a second job at the club this week.

The imposing defender stepped up to the role as the model of our new away kit, taking to the job with ease.

“I never thought I’d say I’d be doing a photoshoot for a new kit,” joked the 28-year-old. “But it’s a good laugh.”

“The kit is lovely, really nice. I think it will be the kitman’s dream because it’s black and easier to wash. It’s got great detail and it’s good quality.”

Despite only joining from Livingston last summer, Lamie finds himself as one of the more familiar faces at the club going into the new campaign.

With a high turnover in the squad in manager Graham Alexander’s first summer in charge, there’s a fresh feel around Fir Park.

“Obviously we had a lot of players who left the building,” added the player. “But we’ve had a good few now come in the way.

“There have been some great additions, particularly in the last week or two, so we’re really pleased and there’s some good characters.

“Hopefully we can add a couple more. But we are looking really healthy now.”

With a final friendly against Milwall lying ahead on Saturday, the competitive action starts next Wednesday in the Premier Sports Cup away to Queen’s Park.

“We’ve only got a couple of weeks in preparation for the cup games,” Lamie added. “It’s a competitive way to break you in.

“It’s even better now we’ve seen the Euros with people in the stadium. So we will be happy to welcome everyone back.”

Trevor Carson has left Motherwell to join Dundee United.

The goalkeeper departs after four years at Fir Park, having arrived from Hartlepool United in the summer of 2017.

Carson was a pivotal figure in the team which reached the 2017/18 League and Scottish Cup finals, with his influence at the club latterly extending to the vice-captain position.

His 18 clean sheets in the 2017/18 campaign contributed to a club-record 20 and established him as one of the top ‘keepers in the Scottish top flight.

International recognition followed, ending his maiden season at the club with his first caps for Northern Ireland in friendlies with Panama and Costa Rica.

Carson’s grip on the number one jersey continued into the following season, before the onset of deep vein thrombosis halted his progress.

A return at the end of the campaign would see him have to bide his time with Mark Gillespie in form, but he returned to action for the 2020/21 season as the club ventured into European competition.

His heroics in the UEFA Europa League qualifying match with Coleraine, which saw him save all three penalties in the shootout, was another memorable moment in his Motherwell career as the team progressed to the third round to face Israeli side Hapoel Beer-Sheva.

Injury would, unfortunately, end his season in December 2020, with his 78th and final appearance for the club coming at Fir Park against Kilmarnock. Amassing 26 clean sheets in total, he achieved a shutout in a third of the matches he played.

We wish Trevor all the best for the future, and thank him for all he did for our club.