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Extended highlights from McDiarmid Park as the Under 20s draw 1-1 with St Johnstone in the development league.

A true Motherwell legend, Joe spent the whole of his senior career with the Steelmen making 469 league appearances over sixteen years at the club.

Signed by Bobby Howitt from Irvine Victoria in 1968, Joe instantly made an impression with the Motherwell support going in goals early on in his debut against Tranmere, something he would have to do more than once in his time in claret and amber.

Many of his early appearances were as an inside forward and he netted a memorable hat-trick in a win over Montrose as ‘Well stormed to the Second Division title in 1968’69.

But think of Joe Wark and you think of the hundreds of sterling displays in the left-back role he would make his own.

A consistent performer, he was a darling of the Motherwell support and received a well deserved testimonial in 1978 against West Bromwich Albion. Unfortunately what wasn’t forthcoming was a call up to the Scotland squad which to this day the very mention of has ‘Well fans of a certain vintage shaking their heads in bemusement. Compensation, of a sort, came with a Scottish League cap in a match against their English League counterparts in 1976.

Having enjoyed title success in his first season Joe was able to celebrate the same as his career neared its conclusion when ‘Well won the First Division title in 1981’82 under David Hay.

Used sparingly by Hay’s successor Jock Wallace, it was under Bobby Watson that Joe played his last senior games for the Steelmen before hanging up his boots at the age of thirty-six at the end of season 1983’84.

There was however one last hurrah for the immensely popular full-back when he was rewarded with a Benefit Match against an Old Firm select in January 1985. Step forward twenty years or so and the Joe Wark story was told to a new generation of Motherwell fans and celebrated once more by those who had witnessed him in the flesh through his involvement with the ‘Remember Well initiative’.

Producing his own ‘Memory Book’ Joe’s career was captured through a series of reminisces and photographs for the benefit of those, like Joe, who suffered from dementia.

After a courageous battle with the illness Joe passed away in the autumn of 2015 aged 67.

U20s boss Stephen Craigan felt his side put in a “mixed” performance as they drew 1-1 away to St Johnstone tonight.

A first half header from Jacob Blyth was cancelled out by an impressive Connor McLaren strike just after the hour mark.

The draw marks the U20s fourth unbeaten match in a row and keeps them top of the Development League table.

Speaking to MFC TV after the match, the manager said: “I felt it was a mixed performance tonight and it seemed like it took us until about the 44th minute to string six or seven passes together.

[pullquote]Every game you’re not going to dominate, be the best team or have the best players, but we have to find ways not to lose games first and foremost.[/pullquote]

“I felt as though our two strikers couldn’t quite hold it up or were under pressure from the defenders, but they didn’t get enough flick-on’s or hold it up enough, but that happens sometimes.”

He added: “Every game you’re not going to dominate, be the best team or have the best players, but we have to find ways not to lose games first and foremost.

“It is a Development League and it is about developing and not to lose games is part of your development.”

[pullquote]Defensively we stood up to it tonight, the pitch is quite big and it was quite slick, so I’m satisfied with the draw but I think we’re better than that.[/pullquote]

The manager touched on St Johnstone’s ability to get crosses in to the box, which was both a fault and a sign of his sides defensive qualities.

Craigan said: “They were a threat and I’m sure, if you include corners, that they must have put about 30-35 crosses in to our box tonight.

“It’s not good from our point of view to not be stopping those crosses but we defended them well and we had to go and stop those crosses.”

He added: “So from that point of view defensively we stood up to it tonight, the pitch is quite big and it was quite slick, so I’m satisfied with the draw but I think we’re better than that.”

Tickets for the Ladbrokes Premiership match with Celtic on Saturday 15th October at Parkhead (3.00pm KO) are now on sale from the ticket office. 

And the club can today confirm that the Well Shop will be selling tickets this Saturday (8th October), and next Saturday (15th October) between the hours of 10am and 1pm.

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Concessions are listed as 65 and over and 16 and under
• Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745 494631/ 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk

Motherwell U20s extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 1-1 draw away to St Johnstone tonight.

A first half header from Jacob Blyth was cancelled out by a second half strike from Connor McLaren on an evening where missed opportunities ruined both sides chances of taking all three points.

Kieran Kennedy started alongside goal-scorer Blyth as they both returned to fitness after significant spells out of action.

And it was a bright start for Blyth, who headed inches over the bar within the first two minutes.

It only took the Englishman five minutes and two opportunities to grab a goal though; despite the fact his header didn’t actually hit the back of the net.

The linesman was on hand to make the final call, deciding the summer signings header had indeed crossed the line despite St Johnstone stopper Ben McKenzie’s efforts to gather it.

Jake Hastie and Ross MacLean looked lively early on, providing pace and directness to the Steelmen’s game and looking to utilise the two centre forwards in the starting eleven.

And it was the former who went close and would have scored the second goal of the night had it not been for a great save by McKenzie.

Afforded too much time on the edge of the box, the youngster composed himself and unleashed a rocket of a left-foot towards goal, but it was too central and McKenzie got a strong pair of hands to it to deny him.

25 minutes in to the half and it should have been 2-0 to the Fir Parkers.

Some excellent, hard work by Ross MacLean down the right robbed the hosts in their own penalty area. Instead of shooting from a tight angle the midfielder wisely laid it off to Dylan Mackin who was free in the box, but the striker dragged his shot wide of the post from ten yards out.

The opening 45 quietened down as the game grew a bit scrappy at points, but Craigan’s side held on to their narrow lead going in to the break.

And the hosts were by far the stronger side in the second period, with a number of glaring opportunities to win the game after they drew level in the 65^th minute.

And it was a neat finish from Connor McLaren.

The midfielder raced in to the box with three ‘Well defenders in his way, but he did enough to create space on his right foot and lace a low, hard shot past Morrison.

From then on chances were few and far between for Motherwell as St Johnstone seemed to edge towards a winner.

Over age selection Graham Cummins went close with two efforts in two minutes for the hosts, heading once over the bar and once against the bar, but couldn’t hit the target.

Centre-back Jason Kerr should have nicked the points for St Johnstone in the final seconds of the match, rising high to head at goal but missing the target.

In the end, it was a hard-fought point for the youngsters who remained top of the Development League table and extended their great run of results.

Fancy good value drinks and an atmosphere to take in the World Cup qualifiers this Saturday night? Why not come along to the Centenary Suite Bar here at Fir Park.

The bar will open at 6pm before Scotland vs Lithuania kicks off at 7:45pm.

And there are some great value drink offers, including £2.80 pints of Foster’s or Kronenberg, as well as bottles of Bulmer’s at the same cost.

Situated in the Phil O’Donnell stand, the bar will again be open from 6pm for Scotland’s away clash with Slovakia on Tuesday night at the same kick off time of 7:45pm.

Motherwell football club would like to thank our partners for their support at the game on Friday evening.

Blue Parrot sponsored the game and chose Ben Heneghan as their man of the match. Ben was presented his award by Greg Anderson from Blue Parrot.

Match ball sponsors Rentokil chose Craig Clay as their man of the match and the award was presented to him by Iain Marks.

Match Attax Young Man of the Match was awarded to Scott McDonald by Scott Maxwell. Unfortunately, Scott couldn’t accept the award and Stephen McManus stepped in.

The Club would also like to thank Magnum Sounds for the provision of the PA system in the Centenary Suite.

Results may have been mixed so far this season for the Fir Parkers, but one thing has remained constant throughout.

Richard Tait has quickly established himself as a trusty, consistent performer in Mark McGhee’s side – slotting in to the back four seamlessly alongside fellow new signing Ben Heneghan and veteran defenders Stephen McManus and Stevie Hammell.

Joining Motherwell in the summer from Grimsby Town, the defender admits he is “loving” his new club.

At 26 years of age, Tait boasts a mature attitude beyond his years and contributes going forward as well as protecting his own goal.

His assists have been an example of this, with the full-back most recently turning provider for Scott McDonald’s equalising goal against Partick Thistle.

[pullquote]I love being around the club, all the boys are great and I can’t complain at all – it’s the best move I could’ve made.[/pullquote]

Tait admitted: “We worked on those crosses to the back post in training on the lead up to the game, cutting back on to my weaker foot and whipping it in and my cross came off and led to the goal so I was happy with that.”

With his attitude and work-rate a hit among his teammates, Tait has been a great addition to Mark McGhee’s squad.

The defender admitted he has learnt a great deal from his those around him ay Motherwell and admires the attitude of the team.

“We’ve got so many lads in the team who are natural winners,” Tait said: “so when the weeks come that we don’t quite hit our heights there’s players in the team who can step up and we can still come away with a point or even three on tough match days.”

Winning is something naturally engrained in Richard Tait’s game and approach, not solely down to his ability, but also because of his close bond with the club already.

He said: “I’m absolutely loving it here at Motherwell. I love being around the club, all the boys are great and I can’t complain at all – it’s the best move I could’ve made and I’m really pleased with how it’s working out at the minute.

“I want to go from strength to strength football wise and play my best for Motherwell, that’s my aim.”

With four assists to his name in all competitions this season already, Tait wants to keep that side of his game developing.

[pullquote]So far this season we’ve been trying to find our feet a little but one of the encouraging things is that we’re still getting results and we’re sitting in the top half despite not hitting our consistent best every week.[/pullquote]

He said: “It’s an important part of my game and I have said it since I joined that I want to add more assists to my game and get forward a bit more, but first and foremost my job is to keep a clean sheet and if we can do that then happy days and if I can contribute in any way going forward then that’s even better.”

With two wins, three draws and three losses so far this season, the Steelmen have had a mixed start in terms of results, but find themselves sitting sixth in the league table, something Tait finds reassuring.

He said: “So far this season we’ve been trying to find our feet a little but one of the encouraging things is that we’re still getting results and we’re sitting in the top half despite not hitting our consistent best every week.

“We know that the table is really tight at the moment so points are hugely important at this stage.”

He added: “We’ve done well in some games then poorer in others and the important thing is how we bounce back from results like Friday night.”

There’s a lot to play for as the Ladbrokes Premiership starts to take shape, and for ‘Well defender Richard Tait, he will be hoping to continue his consistent performances after the international break ahead of a big clash with Celtic.

Voting has opened for Motherwell’s Player of the Month for September – sponsored by Motorpoint.

Every month, ‘Well fans have the opportunity to cast their vote for who they think has put in the best performances.

Thanks to club sponsors Motorpoint, the decision is up to the fans, so cast your vote here!

[poll id=”290″]

James McFadden is no stranger to scoring wonder goals.

His latest effort – a curling free kick from 30 yards against Hearts – can be added to a long list stretching back as far as his maiden season in Claret and Amber when he was just 17 years old.

Despite the scoreline, McFadden’s consolation effort has been awarded the credit it deserves, making the shortlist for Ladbrokes Goal of the Week alongside Callum Patterson, Adam Rooney and Liam Polworth.

In a career spanning 16 years, five clubs, international stardom and over 75 goals, James McFadden is, in every sense, a legend of the game in his home nation.

[pullquote]He’s a fantastic footballer and for the Motherwell fans it gave them a highlight in terms of the outcome – it was a brilliant free-kick.[/pullquote]

And while Friday night’s sumptuous free kick may not rank alongside his iconic goal for Scotland in Paris, it is certainly one to be admired.

Mark McGhee agreed, despite the 3-1 loss at Fir Park. The manager said: “He’s just got that ability and when he went to take it I thought to myself ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he put this in’.

“Unfortunately because of the situation I certainly didn’t get excited about it but I certainly did enjoy it.

“He’s a fantastic footballer and for the Motherwell fans it gave them a highlight in terms of the outcome – it was a brilliant free-kick.”

You can vote for the ‘Well legend to win the award and, in turn, make the goal of the month shortlist too. To vote, click here.