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Motherwell are now in touching distance of the next round in the Viaplay Cup, having picked up their second win in the group against Queen’s Park. 

Jon Obika’s deflected goal midway through the first half was enough to give Motherwell a narrow victory and three points and extend their advantage at the top of their Viaplay League Cup group.

In truth, though, Stuart Kettlewell’s side took very little else from a game, where Queen’s Park more than matched them. Indeed, apart from a dominant spell either side of the interval when the Fir Park men spurned a number of chances to extend their lead, they failed to get the better of the Championship side.

This early evening televised game provided Fir Park fans the first glimpse of the new look Steelmen. The ‘Well boss made the minimum of changes to the side that returned from Dumfries with 2 points in midweek.

Shane Blaney and the re-signed Dan Casey came in to form the central defensive trio alongside Paul McGinn, in front of Liam Kelly, alternating with Aston Oxborough for the ‘keeper’s gloves.

And the Motherwell rearguard was given some testing moments in the first 20 minutes as Queen’s, very comfortable in possession, bravely took the game to the Premiership side. Three consecutive corners put some pressure on Kelly’s goal before Casey cut out a promising cut back from Barry Hepburn.

It was 25 minutes before ‘Well finally threatened Calum Ferrie’s goal. A fine build u should have resulted in the opening gaol but two yards from an open goal Obika somehow stooped to head Stephen O’Donnell’s low cross wide of the post.

A couple of minutes later Callum Slattery hooked Blair Spittal’s cut-back over the bar as the fans sensed the breakthrough wasn’t far away.

When it arrived in the 28th minute it owed a lot to a cruel deflection. Obika collected Slattery’s pass at the edge of the box and although his left foot shot was on target Ferrie had it covered until Will Tizzard’s outstretched leg carried the ball past his helpless ‘keeper.

There was almost a repeat at the other end two minutes later. Former Fir Park winger Dom Thomas cut in from the right before trying to curl the ball towards goal. A touch from Casey looked to have carried the ball over his keeper but Kelly stretched high to palm the ball away.

A minute before the interval the Steelmen almost doubled their advantage but Slattery’s thumping drive from 18 yards came crashing back off the crossbar.

Within a minute of the restart the home side passed up another chance to extend the lead. A wonderful mazy run from McGinn deserved a better finish but Spittal’s effort from 20 yards sent the ball high into the Davie Cooper stand.

As ‘Well stepped up the pace the Queen’s goal was lucky to survive some poor defending after 52 minutes. From his own byeline Fox tried to play in his ‘keeper but having rolled the ball into the six-yard box he was relieved as Ferrie reacted to clatter the ball of the advancing Obika and send the ball over the bar.

That was Obika’s last involvement as 18 year-old Mark Ferrie was given 30 minutes to find a crucial second goal.

For all that Motherwell were more determined and sharper at the start of the second half the Championship side still chased an equaliser and it almost arrived after 67 minutes.

A cross ball came off Pape Souare’s raised arm and in the absence of VAR, Steven McLean’s decision to award a corner wasn’t overturned. When Thomas floated the flag kick towards the front post Tizzard’s touch sent the ball glancing off the face of the bar as ‘Well desperately cleared the ball out of the six-yard box.

With 20 minutes remaining Kettlewell tried to take the sting out of the visitor’s game sending on the experienced Harry Paton for 16 year-old Lennon Miller.

As the Steelmen were forced deeper into their own half, Queen’s looked the more likely to grab and equaliser.

Ten minutes from time the tie was almost beyond them as Spittal had a double opportunity to make it 2-0.

His first attempt from Slattery’s pass was firmly held by Ferrie. Inexplicably, the ‘keeper then gave possession back to Spittal and his lob over the stranded Ferrie bounced off the Queen’s crossbar.

Sensing that a second goal wasn’t coming the ‘Well boss made a double substitution bringing on Nathan McGinley and Barry McGuire for the final five minutes as ‘Well held on to their slender lead and three points.

Davor Zdravkovski has joined Motherwell on a two-year deal, subject to international clearance and paperwork formalities. 

The centre-midfielder has made the switch to Scotland, having most recently played with AEL Limassol in Cyprus.

“Davor is an exciting signing for the club,” manager Stuart Kettlewell.

“He is someone who we feel, will fit into the system that we are trying to implement here.

“He’s been in international squads, which shows the quality he has displayed in Cyprus and North Macedonia. The staff here have done an excellent job in scouting and getting the transfer done.

“The fact he’s an unknown player to most Motherwell supporters, makes it more exciting for everyone.”

The 25-year-old broke onto the scene with Makedonija in North Macedonia. He went on to make 33 appearances for Makedonija between 2015 and 2017.

He joined AEL Limassol in 2017, where has since went on to make 161 appearances.

The holding midfielder has had successful spell in Cyprus, from winning the Cypriot Cup in 2019, to representing in the Europa League and Europa Conference League, where the North Macedonian was an integral part of the team.

AEL Limassol, with Zdravkovski in the team, came runners-up in the Cypriot league in 2020/21.

Coming through the North Macedonian youth sides, he was named in North Macedonia’s squad in March, however was an unused sub for their match against Faroe Islands.

“This is a new chapter and new challenge for me,” Davor Zdravkovski added.

“I look forward to working hard with this club and will do my best to bring joy to the fans.”

Zdravkovski will wear the 17 kit this season but will not be available for our match against Queen’s Park.

Callum Slattery is delighted with his start to his season so far. 

The English midfielder scored against Queen of the South and can see the team beginning to pick up the match sharpness game by game.

Slattery knows how important these games are, especially in front of the home crowd at Fir Park for the first time in the 2023/24 campaign.

Assistant Manager Stephen Frail speaks to the press for the first time since joining in March.

Frail discusses how his tenure has went so far and the excitement that the team have about the prospect of playing back in front of the home fans.

The number two also tells us about the importance of progression in the Viaplay Cup competition this season.

We take on Queen’s Park in our first home match of the 2023/24 season. 

Kick-off is 5.15pm at Fir Park.

How to follow the game

We would like to make coverage for the match as clear as possible for our supporters, given recent reports.

The match will be shown exclusively live on Viaplay Sports, with the kick-off time remaining at 5.15pm. Coverage will begin on air at 5pm.

Tickets can be purchased online.

Additional information

SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

If you are a season ticket holder, you can purchase your own seat(s) for the match.

To get yours, just log in to your account at tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk. Once logged in, your reserved ticket(s) will be in your account menu and will be uploaded to your card. You will not be required to collect a physical ticket if you purchase your season ticket seat(s).

For help, call 01698 333333 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please note there will no cash turnstiles on the day of the game. The ticket office will be open for sales from 1.30pm on the 22nd July.

The Centenary Suite and Cooper Suite will open for refreshments and bar food pre-match from 2.30pm, with both bars open following the match. No reservations required and both home and away fans are welcome.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for the match against Queen’s Park.

Team News

Calum Butcher will remain sidelined for a number of weeks.

Ricki Lamie will be absent due to his second yellow card against Queen of the South.

Motherwell’s fortunes

With a win and gaining a further two points against Queen of the South on Tuesday night, Motherwell sit on five points after two games.

A win against Queen’s Park would see Motherwell go three points clear of second place East Fife, who don’t play this weekend.

With East Fife due to play Queen of the South on Tuesday night, the Doonhamers could only be a point behind the Fifers going into the game meaning all three teams could qualify top of the group.

Opposition report

Queen’s Park narrowly missed out on winning the Championship last term, losing out to Dundee on the final day of the season.

Since then, manager Owen Coyle has departed the club for India, with Robin Veldman taking the reigns at the club.

Queen’s were beaten by East Fife on penalties in their first match of the season.

There have been seven incomings thus far, including former Queen of the South talisman Ruari Paton. The Irishman scored 26 goals of Queen of the South last season, with former Motherwell man Dom Thomas also within the Queen’s ranks.

We have entered a new partnership with Phoenix Specialist Solutions.

The brand will feature on the back of the first-team home and away shirts for a minimum of two years.

Phoenix Specialist Solutions are a local company that specialise in street lighting, road marking and traffic signs.

“We are delighted that we can take our relationship to the next level with Motherwell Football Club as their new back of shirt sponsor,” managing director David Clark commented.

“As my family and I are all Motherwell supporters, it is with great delight that we are now partners with the club, and I look forward to a successful season on the pitch.”

“We are delighted to welcome Phoenix Specialist Solutions to our partnership portfolio and thank David for his support of the club. Through this agreement and other partnerships, we have surpassed the club’s commercial revenue figure to date,” Motherwell Football Club Commercial Director added.

“It is wonderful to partner with another local business who are truly invested in the club’s long-term success, and I very much look forward to working with them.”

On the road for the second time in four days, Motherwell went South this time around as they headed for Dumfries to face Queen of the South. 

With a sell out travelling Motherwell crowd behind them, the Steelmen were looking to make it two wins out of two in the Viaplay Cup group stage.

In a game that everything, it was Queen’s who struck first. Kieran McKechnie battered in a strike off the post from the edge of the box after 20 minutes.

Motherwell didn’t let this setback effect them and immediately set off to find an equaliser. Jon Obika would go close but it would be Blair Spittal who drew the sides level, after he finished off Callum Slattery’s cutback just before half time.

The game was turned on it’s head when Slattery raced through on goal to give his side the lead.

Missed chances would prove costly for Motherwell. Having hit the post, crossbar and forcing the hosts’ keeper into a number of saves, Gavin Reilly would convert at the back post from a cross on the counter attack.

An immediate response would see Motherwell back in front with 10 to go.

Craig Napier controversially pointed to the spot, adjudging Ricki Lamie to have fouled in the penalty area. Reilly made it two for the evening but the drama didn’t stop there.

Napier again at the centre of attention, blew up play when Lamie went sliding into to block a cross off the pitch. Napier subsequently sent Lamie off for his second bookable offence, causing mass confusion at Palmerston.

A penalty shootout would decide who got the bonus point on the evening. The first eight penalties were converted before debutant Aston Oxborough made the first penalty save in the shootout. Stephen O’Donnell stepped up to confirm a bonus point for the ‘Well, taking them to five points in the group.

The manager reacts to our frantic game against Queen of the South.

• Have to improve defensively
• Additions needed up top
• Held composure in shootout

Motherwell had to settle for a 4-5 win on penalties after a 3-3 draw with Queen of the South.

The Steelmen dominated the match but somehow couldn’t secure all three points after goals from Blair Spittal and Callum Slattery.

Stuart Kettlewell handed debuts to Aston Oxborough and new signing Pape Souaré and gave Mark Ferrie his first start in claret and amber.

The Steelmen controlled the opening exchanges with plenty of possession in the Queens half but looked vulnerable to a counter attack.

Kieran McKechnie broke forward, cut in on his right foot and dispatched a curling shot in off the post past the helpless Oxborough.

The same pattern then continued – plenty of Motherwell possession and shots in the final third but each time Botterill was equal to the shot.

It looked like it was going to be one of those nights when Obika spun his man in the box but somehow Botterill got his foot to the goalbound shot and it went out for a corner.

Motherwell finally found a way though just before half-time.

A nice bit of play from Slattery found Spittal inside the area and he did the rest from close range to net his first goal of the season.

The Steelmen almost took the lead minutes into the second half. A teasing ball from O’Donnell found Obika but his diving header came crashing back off the post.

Obika could have found himself on the scoresheet but ended up producing a fine assist as Motherwell took the lead.

A ball forward was expertly flicked into the path of Callum Slattery. The midfielder still had a lot to do as he raced past his man but kept his head down and rifled the ball into the back of the net

Incredibly Queens drew level with fifteen minutes to go. Obika’s shot came crashing back off the bar and from there the home team broke away and Gavin Reilly converted from a cross.

It was totally against the run of the play and it might have been easy for the wind to be sucked out of Motherwell’s sails.

However, almost instantly, Paul McGinn worked his way into the box and squared for Blair Spittal to cooly finish for his second of the night.

That looked to be the win secured but ‘Well passed up numerous other chances and were punished for their wastefulness.

Queens broke into the box and a midfielder went down under Spittal’s challenge. Craig Napier pointed to the spot and Gavin Reilly converted the spot-kick.

Defender Ricki Lamie was then sent off, shown his second yellow card for a foul that had taken place off the pitch.

A point was disappointing in the end although Motherwell did win the bonus point on penalties. Spittal, Wilkinson, Slattery, McGinn and O’Donnell all scored and Aston Oxborough saved McKechnie’s penalty.

Focus now turns to Queen’s Park on Saturday, with Motherwell sitting joint top of group G with East Fife.