Latest News

“It hurts. We have to hold our hands up and admit we weren’t good enough.”

Graham Alexander speaks after the derby defeat.

Motherwell’s impressive run of three wins in four games came to a shuddering halt as Accies made it a hat-trick of wins over the Steelmen this season.

And while Hamilton’s win at Fir Park in August was slender, this one was emphatic with the points in the bag after the opening 30 minutes.

It was obvious that Brian Rice’s men have the measure of the Fir Park side and Bruce Anderson’s goal after seven minutes gave them the advantage.

However, the double whammy of Ross Callachan’s penalty and Stephen O’Donnell’s dismissal after 18 minutes left ‘Well facing an uphill task. That became mission impossible when Marios Ogkmpoe made it 3-0.

Second-half goals from David Mayo and a consolation from Mark O’Hara made little impression on Accies’ control of the game.

After standing by the same starting side for the three consecutive games, Graham Alexander made one change, O’Hara returning from injury with Robbie Crawford moving to the bench.

‘Well’s intentions of avenging the 3-0 drubbing at Hamilton last month were dealt an early setback when the visitors fired home the opening goal after only seven minutes.

Callachan’s pass into the box found Anderson and from 10 yards the former Aberdeen striker rifled the ball low past Liam Kelly.

The home side replied immediately but from around the same distance from goal Devante Cole’s shot was blocked by Aaron Martin.

Barry Maguire left the field for treatment to a bloody nose and with ‘Well down to 10 men Accies passed up a couple of chances.

The Scotland Under 21 man had no sooner returned to restore parity when the Steelmen were permanently reduced to 10 men.

When O’Donnell impeded Callachan’s hopeful attempts to get his head to Lee Hodson’s cross, the referee David Munro’s decision to award a penalty seemed harsh. The official then compounded ‘Well’s misery when he showed O’Donnell a red card on the basis of denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Callachan sent Kelly the wrong way from the spot but had to retake it as a disgruntled O’Donnell was still walking off the pitch. Although the ‘Well ‘keeper guessed correctly for the second attempt Callachan confidently drilled the ball home to make it 2-0.

By the half-hour mark, and with the Fir Park men still to threaten Ryan Fulton in the Hamilton goal, ‘Well found themselves 3-0 behind.

A neat exchange with Anderson at the edge of the box sent Ogkmpoe in behind Bevis Mugabi and Ricki Lamie and the Accies striker took full advantage of the opening, ramming the ball beyond Kelly and all but wrap up the points with an hour remaining.

A couple of free-kicks from Maguire finally brought Fulton into action before Christopher Long made way for on-loan Blackburn Rovers defender Tyler Magloire.

Three goals behind and a man down at the interval, Motherwell faced an almost impossible task in the second half.

And it got worse after 63 minutes when Accies extended their lead.

Scott McMann supplied the cross and substitute David Mayo, with his first touch the finish to make it 4-0.

Four minutes later, ‘Well pulled one back after Cole went down in the box and O’Hara’s fired the penalty just beyond Fulton’s right hand.

The ‘Well boss immediately made a positive change Max Johnstone replacing Mugabi.

But the home side made little impression as Accies comfortably collected another three points at ‘Well’s expense.

Motherwell host Hamilton in the third Lanarkshire derby of the 2020/21 campaign.

Here are the key topics going into the match.

Wrongs to right

Hamilton are unbeaten in the last four derby fixtures, winning three.

You have to go back to August 2019 for Motherwell’s last victory in the fixture, which was away from home, and back to March 2019 for the last win at Fir Park.

Room to breathe

Motherwell are currently eight points clear of Hamilton, the bottom side in the Premiership.

Victory would increase the breathing room for Graham Alexander’s men, and keep sights on a top six place in the run-in to the split.

“These games are fiery and competitive. We need to stand up to that and show our qualities.”

Allan Campbell speaks ahead of Saturday’s clash with Hamilton Academical.

“We want to win the derby for the fans. We want the three points more than ever.”

Motherwell assistant Chris Lucketti looks ahead to Saturday’s Lanarkshire derby.

The Lanarkshire derby is available to watch worldwide on Saturday.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.

Season ticket holders can watch the game for free, as usual, at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 3pm GMT.

The third Lanarkshire derby of the season takes place on Saturday.

Motherwell host local rivals Hamilton Academical, looking to claim a first win of the 2020/21 campaign against Brian Rice’s side.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 3pm.

Watch live

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.

Season ticket holders can watch the game for free, as usual, at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Tale of the tape

Hamilton are unbeaten in their last four competitive Lanarkshire derbies.

A 3-0 win at the start of 2021 at home followed a 1-0 success at Fir Park early on in the campaign.

Motherwell started 2019/20 with a 3-1 victory at the home of their rivals, but a 2-1 home loss came before a 0-0 draw away.

Form guide

Motherwell made it three wins from four with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Kilmarnock in midweek.

That success followed taking three points apiece from Dundee United and Ross County, as well as running Celtic close in Glasgow in a 2-1 defeat.

Accies are without a win in five but came close to ending that at home to Rangers last weekend.

A battling show looked to be in vain as the visitors took the lead late on, but Ross Callachan’s last-gasp equaliser ensured a share of the spoils.

“It’s a great win. But it’s important we don’t relax. We need to keep grinding out victories.”

The manager hails his side’s fighting spirit after another win, this time on the road at Kilmarnock.

Motherwell got back to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Kilmarnock.

Allan Campbell’s second-half strike was the difference, paired with resolute defending from Graham Alexander’s side.

A frantic start saw both teams have early chances from set plays. First, a ball into the ‘Well box saw Dikamona’s close-range effort blocked, before Watt fired a 25-yard free-kick off the wall.

Motherwell were struggling to get the ball to their forwards, with Kilmarnock enjoying the bulk of the attacking play in the first half.

Cole would have the best chance of the half. Kelly’s long-kick was flicked on by Watt into the path of his fellow forward.

The Englishman, however, scuffed his shot from 15 yards straight into the hands of goalkeeper Doyle, and the two teams would go in level at the interval.

Kilmarnock had the bulk of the attacking play again in the second period, but the better chances continued to fall to the Steelmen.

Cole should have had ‘Well ahead 15 minutes into the second half. Maguire’s free-kick from the left was flicked on in the box by Lamie. Cole read it to dive in, but his header from close range was parried by Doyle.

The visitors though did get the lead in the 71st minute.

Manager Alexander spotted the quick throw opportunity on the left, with Carroll throwing into the feet of Watt.

The forward hustled well, spinning inside and feeding a perfect pass into the path of Campbell, who rushed through and fired in off the bar from 15 yards.

Motherwell head to Ayrshire on Wednesday night to take on Kilmarnock.

Here are the key topics going into the Scottish Premiership match.

Long overdue visit

You have to go back to 21 December 2019 for Motherwell’s last trip to Rugby Park.

A combination of the fixture list, the curtailment of the 2019/20 season and the postponement of this fixture earlier in the campaign means it’s almost 14 months since the Steelmen last made the trip south.

On that occasion, Jake Carroll’s free-kick gave Motherwell all three points in a 1-0 victory.

Tightly packed

One point separates the two teams going into Wednesday night’s match.

Motherwell are the side a point better off, sitting ninth and one position above their opponents.

‘Well have also played a game less, with a rearranged match with St Mirren still to come.

While both teams will be looking over their shoulders, a top six place is also still attainable, with St Mirren currently seven points ahead of Motherwell.

New man in the dugout

Wednesday’s match will be Tommy Wright’s first of charge of Kilmarnock, having been appointed as manager on Monday.

The Northern Irishman, of course, is no stranger to Motherwell, having successfully guided St Johnstone to cup success and numerous top six finishes in the Scottish Premiership.