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Referee for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Celtic at Fir Park is Calum Murray.

Murray is an experienced whistler with well over fifteen years in the top flight and this is his second ‘Well match of the campaign, the other being the opening day success of St Mirren thanks to Lee Erwin’s first senior goal.

Somewhat surprisingly though, that Saints game was his first in North Lanarkshire for eighteen months.

He only took charge of one ‘Well match last term, that was the disappointing 2-0 defeat at McDiarmid Park – Stevie May and Nigel Hasselbaink on the score sheet.

Previous to that, it was February 2013 and a 3-0 for Stuart McCall’s side over Inverness (Michael Higdon double and a Nicky Law strike) at Fir Park.

Murray took charge of another two Motherwell matches that same campaign, the instantly forgettable 2-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Communities League Cup and the 3-2 victory over Ross County at Fir Park.

Back in 2011, he also handled the Scottish Cup Final between Motherwell and Celtic at Hampden.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is fairly mixed. Of the 22 games he has taken charge of, Motherwell have won ten, drawn four and lost eight. The Fir Parkers have scored 29 whilst 29 have hit the back of the ‘Well net.

63 players have seen yellow on those fourteen matches, 34 of which were shown to a player wearing Claret and Amber.

Two players has been sent for an early bath, Bob Malcolm in the famous 1-0 win over Celtic back in early 2008 and Jim Goodwin, for a second bookable offence, in that match this term.

Calum will be ably assisted by Graeme Leslie and Gary Hilland with John McKendrick on fourth official duties. Donald McVicar is the Referee Observer and John Connolly is the SPFL Delegate.

Tickets for the Celtic match this Saturday are still on sale to both home and away fans from the Fir Park Ticket Office.

The club has sent a batch of tickets to Celtic for the Maxim Office Stand behind the south goal and they will distribute in the usual fashion.

Similar to previous matches between the teams, Motherwell will also sell ‘Away Family Section’ tickets in the North (Cooper) end of the Phil O’Donnell Stand – priced at £25 for one adult and one juvenile.

‘Home Family Section’ tickets are also available in both the Davie Cooper and East Stand, again priced at £27.

Tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
• Family tickets consist of 1x Adult and 1x Juvenile (Away Family Tickets are only available in the Phil O’Donnell Stand ‘Family Section’)
• The cheaper priced ticket is for the East Stand only.
• If you are new to Fir Park, check our handy ‘New Fans’ section that will detail everything you need to know about matchdays.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

PAYMENT OPTIONS: You can either pay cash or, if you prefer, via credit or debit card at the Fir Park Ticket Office – There is no cash at the turnstile. Please note there is a 2.5% surcharge on any credit card purchase. Alternatively, you can pre-purchase your ticket by booking online – just click the link below. *The following credit cards are accepted at the Fir Park Ticket Office:

 Highlights from Excelsior Stadium where two Dylan Mackin strikes earned the young Steelmen a point against Ross County.

U20s boss Jonatan Johansson praised his side after they battled back from 0-2 down to earn a point against Ross County.

The Steelmen started the game well, but somehow found themselves two behind when Steven Saunders and Darren Maatsen scored for the Staggies.

However, a second half double from Dylan Mackin earned the Fir Parkers a share of the spoils, with the only disappointment being they didn’t go on to win the match.

Speaking to MFC TV, the 106-times capped former Finnish International said: “Considering we came in two goals down at half-time, I’m very pleased to have got a point and the second half performance was excellent.

“To be two goals down after twelve minutes was harsh on us and was disappointing, but we showed some great spirit and character to get back into it.

[pullquote]It would have been great to score a third goal but after being two-nil down, 2-2 was pleasing.[/pullquote]

“Two minutes in I was thinking it was going well; we had to great chances from two good balls into the box but then, despite us going over set-pieces, County have scored from a corner which is disappointing.

“We then lost a little bit of composure. It’s natural to want to get back into the game after you lose a goal but we’ve been hit on a counter attack and they’ve scored a lucky second goal. After that it is an uphill battle.

“We’ve came out and scored a really good goal. We had been practising our play from wide areas so it was pleasing to see a goal come from it. I always put Dylan’s name down for direct free kicks but he always lets someone else take them.He’s got a fantastic left foot and showed that today with his free kick.

“It would have been great to score a third goal but after being two-nil down, 2-2 was pleasing.”

The U20s fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with Ross County but finished the match feeling they should have taken all three points.

Despite making an impressive start to the match, ‘Well found themselves two behind when Steven Saunders and Darren Maatsen both netted.

However, ‘Well roared back and Dylan Mackin scored twice in the second half to level things up and but for an exceptional goalkeeping performance from Antonio Reguero, the Steelmen would’ve won the match.

Jonatan Johansson made two changes to the side that lost to Dundee, Ross Stewart and Ben Hall dropping out, replaced by Max Currie and Ross MacLean.

And the Fir Parkers should have been ahead inside the opening sixty seconds when Mackin got on the end of a superb Jack McMillan cross, only to see his header brilliantly saved by Reguero at point-blank range. When the rebound fell for Cadden, the Spaniard was up like a flash to make the second save.

Incredibly, a minute later, and ‘Well past up another glorious opportunity to get ahead. It came from another delightful cross, this time Luke Watt, and Mackin was again on the end of it, but he steered his header a yard or so wide of target.

Even more incredible was that despite Motherwell’s hugely positive start to the match, completely against the run of play, County took the lead with their first attack.

A corner wasn’t properly cleared and when Maatsen hung up a cross towards the back post, Saunders got up above Morgyn Neill to head past Currie into the net.

Then, four minutes later, the Staggies doubled their advantage and it was a fluke from Maatsen.

The Dutchmen attempted to wriggle clear of his marker, McMillan, but could only screw a cross towards the back post. Unbelievably, it hit the frame of the goal and bounced into the net. The celebrations were understandably low-key from the former S.B.V. Excelsior forward.

The home side were stunned and set about the task of trying to get back into the game. They almost pulled a goal back when Mackin got on the end of a Craig McCall cross, but just as he pulled the trigger, right back Ross MacKillop got across in the nick of time to make the intervention.

County were buoyed by their lead and were content to hit on the counter as ‘Well threw everything forward. Both Maatsen and Steven Ross had shots from distance that flew over, but certainly nothing that would trouble Currie in the home goal.

At the other end, Reguero was again well placed to deny Steven Higgins after the front man hared in on goal following a McCall pass. Then, moments later, another Watt cross into the box flew over the head of Mackin but fell for Chris Cadden, but the midfielder couldn’t get a clean connection on his shot and it bobbled away from goal.

Motherwell continued to push and push for a goal, but did get a lucky escape when Kyle MacLeod went down inside the area from a Neill challenge. It looked like a strong claim on first inspection, but the match official, who was right up with play, was having none of it.

As the half finished, Steven Higgins again came close with a curling effort that went over, Thomas hit the wall with a free-kick and Cadden pulled a shot wide of target after Higgins had teed him up with a neat cut back.

It took the second half ten minutes to really get going when Watt fired a low shot that was deflected wide. From the corner, County countered at speed and were only denied a third goal by the strong hands of Currie, who pushed away the low shot from Maatsen.

It would prove a crucial save as with their next attack, ‘Well got the goal they so badly needed. McCall and Cadden combined in the middle of the park, before Thomas drove the attack forward. He slid it out wide to Higgins on the left flank and his first time low ball across the face of goal was gobbled up by Mackin at the back post, who drilled high into the net.

‘Well almost immediately went in search for a leveler and Mackin, MacLean, Thomas and Ferguson all passed up half chances to net.

Then, with seventeen minutes left, ‘Well thought they were level when Mackin was again denied by the brilliance of Reugero, who stopped his near post shot from point blank range.

Sadly, in the same attack, County defender Ben Frempah sustained a bad injury after an awkward fall and had to be taken to hospital. The best wishes of everyone at Motherwell FC are with him.

Johansson’s men continued to plug away though and eventually leveled with twelve minutes left on the clock. McCall won a free-kick on the edge, allowing Mackin to size it up. The big striker dully dispatched a cracker, leaving Reugero helpless.

Motherwell sensed blood and threw the kitchen sink at it, but were almost suckered at the other end when sub Russell Dingwall finished an excellent counter with a curling shot that forced Currie to tip over.

Then, deep into stoppage time, his opposite number was at it again, stopping brilliantly from Thomas whose goalbound looking effort was expertly turned over.

The home side would be forced to settle for a point in an entertaining affair at a cold Excelsior Stadium.

Motherwell U20s: Currie, Watt, McMillan, Ferguson, Neill, McCall, Cadden, Mackin, Higgins, Thomas, MacLean

Subs Not Used: Stewart, McNulty, Anderson, R. Leitch, Watters

Motherwell Football Club today released the following brief update on the search for a new manager.

“We continue to work to secure new investment and, in the meantime, the Board has recommenced the process of seeking a new first-team manager.

“The Board has narrowed the extensive candidates list down into something more manageable and will now seek to interview relevant applicants, with a view to making an appointment as swiftly as possible.”

 Highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell exit the Scottish Cup at the hands of Dundee Utd.

Action pictures from this afternoon’s 2-1 Scottish Cup defeat by Dundee United at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”dundeeutd291114″]

Caretaker boss Kenny Black was bitterly disappointed to watch his side lose narrowly to Dundee United this afternoon.

The Steelmen started the game so well, got ahead through Henrik Ojamaa and generally enjoyed a very satisfactory first-half.

However, an injury to Paul Lawson just minutes into the second period seemed to upset the flow of the Steelmen side, who weren’t able to reach the same heights in the second forty-five.

United leveled from a corner, a close-range John Souttar header, before Keith Watson got above Zaine Francis-Angol to head home a winner eight minutes from time.

It was a frustrating way for Motherwell to exit the competition, and Black told MFC TV: “I am bitterly disappointed to have lost that game.

[pullquote]The injury to Paul (Lawson) was a bit turning point too as he was very prominent in a three-man midfield. We then loose a poor goal from a set-piece and all the momentum is with the away team.[/pullquote]

“I was delighted with long spells of the first-half. We got ourselves ahead and maybe could have had more too; I thought we posed a threat.

“You also know, against a quality side like Dundee United, you are going to have to dig in at times.

“The injury to Paul (Lawson) was a bit turning point too as he was very prominent in a three-man midfield. We then loose a poor goal from a set-piece and all the momentum is with the away team.

“Both their goals are probably not what you would associate with Dundee Utd; they’re known for goals on the deck, which makes it even more frustrating. Players have jobs to do all over the park and we’ve got to be better.”

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee Fir Park

Dundee United came from behind to beat Motherwell and send the Fir Parkers out the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Motherwell produced a battling and spirited Cup performance and, in the first half, showed signs of their real form as they tried to build on Henrik Ojamaa’s early lead.

But in a second half largely dominated by United, Dan Twardzik’s heroics couldn’t prevent goals from John Souttar and Keith Watson, seven minutes from time, taking the Tannadice side into the 5th Round.

It was a cruel end for ‘Well as their horrendous cup form continued and for the second consecutive season the Fir Park side found themselves knocked out of three Cups before Christmas.

Considering their current league form and recent cup record, the Steelmen started this Scottish Cup 4th round tie as underdogs.

But the home side looked to their 1-0 win over the Tannadice team three weeks for a confidence booster, and gave Jackie McNamara’s men no time to settle.

After a quiet opening, ‘Well stormed into the lead. Paul Lawson fed the ball to Ojamma and from 25yards he turned and hit a low skidding shot which sped past the diving Radoslaw Cierzniak and into the corner for the perfect start.

United replied immediately and when Gary Mackay-Steven slipped in behind the home defence, Twardzik raced from his line to make the first of a series of tremendous saves.

Iain Vigurs, along with Keith Lasley and Paul Lawson had an influential first half, and from his corner Mark O’Brien headed the ball straight at the ‘keeper.

Having dominated possession ‘Well should have doubled the lead after 21 minutes when a terrific run and cross from Zaine Francis-Angol picked out the unmarked Josh Law but from 8 yards his header failed to beat the ‘keeper.

The home side almost paid for that when Stuart Armstrong raced beyond the back four only to squeeze his shot beyond the advancing ‘keeper and the post.

Law then finished off a fine mazy run with a powerful drive, which was held by Cierzniak. Within a minute Twardzik came to ‘Well’s rescue again advancing from his line to block Ryan Dow’s shot with his foot.

The home side was on top though, and looked the more likely to score again but two inviting crosses from Vigurs and Francis-Angol found no takers in front of goal.

Within two minutes of the restart Kenny Black had to make achange when the luckless Lawson limped off, with a calf injury, with Craig Reid coming on to play in front of the back four.

Last year’s beaten finalists, aiming to embark on another impressive cup run, pressed for an equaliser in front of their 2,000 travelling fans, and only a fine diving save from Twardzik denied Chris Erskine.

United’s pace was causing problems for the home defence and when Mackay-Steven raced through on goal after 57 minutes he should have equalised but once again Twardzik came out to make a brilliant block.

The ‘Well keeper was helpless, though, in the 65th minute when Armstrong’s corner found Souttar unmarked in the 6 yard box and he headed home to the delight of the travelling Arabs.

Inside two minutes the visitors should have been ahead when Calum Butcher raced through but once again Twardzik stood firm to deny United.

With ‘Well hemmed in their own half a United winner looked on the cards.

And it seemed a certainty in the 79th minute as Armstong raced through unchallenged but as he rounded Twardzik the ‘keeper produced a fabulous save.

That should have been enough to earn ‘Well a replay but seven minutes from time Keith Watson outjumped Francis-Angol to power a header down and beyond Twardzik.

The home side had one final chance to force a replay their first half play merited but after getting above Souttar, John Sutton could only guide his header over the crossbar.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 1 – 2 Dundee Utd #MFCvDUFC

92mins: Great chance for Sutton but he can’t keep his header down from 10 yards. #MFCvDUFC

3 minutes left to find an equaliser…#MFCvDUFC

84mins: Dundee Utd sub, Erskine off for Adeyemo #MFCvDUFC

83mins: Motherwell sub, Kerr on for Francis-Angol #MFCvDUFC

82mins: GOAL! Watson heads the ball into the net from 12 yards. 2-1 to Utd #MFCvDUFC

…Twardzik launches himself at his feet and gathers it to safety. #MFCvDUFC

79mins: Dan Twardzik…INCREDIBLE! Armstrong springs the offside trap and with all the time in the world surely has to score but..

76mins: Motherwell sub, Erwin on for Law

74mins: Twardzik yet again to the rescue. This time has to palm away Dow’s powerful effort from just inside the box 69mins: #MFCvDUFC

69mins: Connolly cuts in from the right wing on his left foot and fires a shot inches over the bar #MFCvDUFC

68mins: Another good block by Twardzik! This time Butcher went through 1 on 1 but he stands strong and beats the ball away #MFCvDUFC

66mins: GOAL! Utd back level, Souttar heading home a corner. 1-1 #MFCvDUFC

61mins: Huge let-off there as Twardzik slices a clearance to Armstrong. Thankfully the defence flood back and eventually clear #MFCvDUFC

61mins: Dundee utd sub, Mackaty-Steven off for Connolly #MFCvDUFC

57mins: Great chance for Utd but again Twardzik is on hand to block from Mackay-Steven who was through 1v1 #MFCvDUFC

55mins: Pretty even first 10 minutes of the second half. Still a very high tempo game #MFCvDUFC

52mins: ‘Well counter but from Ojamaa’s low ball into the box, the ball just doesn’t sit right for Sutton and Utd clear #MFCvDUFC

51mins: Good chance for Utd, Erksine firing it goalwards and only denied by the diving Dan Twardzik. Great save. Still 1-0. #MFCvDUFC

48mins: Corner for Utd…….ball flashes all the way across goal with no takers #MFCvDUFC

46mins: Gutted for Paul Lawson. Limping off after 46 mins, replaced by Craig Reid #MFCvDUFC

Dundee Utd sub, Telfer off for Butcher. Both teams are back out and the second half is underway. #MFCvDUFC

HT: Motherwell 1 – 0 Dundee Utd #MFCvDUFC

42mins: Good take from Cierzniak as he races from his line and plucks a Francis-Angol out the air before Law got to it #MFCvDUFC

40mins: Telfer spins and comes in off the right wing but he is off balance as he shoots and it flys well over #MFCvDUFC

39mins: Watson is booked for a last-ditch tackle on Sutton. Would have been a red but a Utd defender and got back far enough to cover

37mins: Great patient build up play there. Lawson finally floated a ball into the box but Sutton can’t get any power in his header #MFCvDUFC

32mins: Lasley booked for a hard tackle in the Utd half. Looked a fair challenge on first look. Very harsh #MFCvDUFC

30mins: It’s end-to-end and very open. Really enjoyable cup tie so far #MFCvDUFC

29mins: Utd win a corner, then ‘Well counter through Ojamaa who jinks up the field and wins ‘Well a corner. #MFCvDUFC

United are looking very dangerous now. Thats two great chances in as many minutes. #MFCvDUFC

27mins: Great chance for Dow as he is put through on goal but Twardzik gets a foot to it. Good save! #MFCvDUFC

26mins: What a break from Utd. Great bit of passing put Armstrong in 1v1 but he drags his shot inches past the post #MFCvDUFC

24mins: Motherwell on top here! Another corner…..headed over by Sutton #MFCvDUFC

21mins: Unbelievable diagonal ball by Lawson to pick out Francis-Angol who picks out Law in the box but hIs header is straight at Cierzniak

20mins: Bookings for Paton and Vigurs. Looked pretty harsh on first inspection. Petty handbags, nothing in it #MFCvDUFC

18mins: Some really good stuff from The Steelmen so far. ZFA gets some space on the left but his cross is easily dealt with by Cierzniak

15mins: Good interplay from Ojamaa and Francis-Angol but his high through ball to Ojamaa his overhit and it trickles back to Cierzniak.

10mins:Vigurs wins the first corner of the game. From delivery, O’Brien gets a looping header on it but it’s not enough to trouble Cierzniak

8mins: Great chance for Utd but McManus gets across wonderfully to slide clear from Armstrong as he pulled the trigger #MFCvDUFC

7mins: Lawson slides a ball into Ojamaa and from 25 yards he unleashes one into the bottom left corner. 1-0 to ‘Well! #MFCvDUFC

GGGOOOAALLLLL!!

5mins: Great feet from Mackay-Steven on the right wing to get past Francis-Angol but Twardzik is on hand to mop up his cross #MFCvDUFC

4mins: High-tempo start to the game, ‘Well with a couple of balls into the box that haven’t really caused Utd any problems #MFCvDUFC

Law and Lasley kick off the action #COYW #MFCvDUFC

And the teams are out the tunnel. Utd in their change kit, black shirt with white shorts and socks,’Well in their Claret and Amber #MFCvDUFC

The atmosphere is building up here at Fir Park, just moments away from kick-off #MFCvDUFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell caretaker manager Kenny Black:

Coming Soon…

Dundee Utd manager Jackie McNamara:

Coming Soon…

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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