Latest News

Extended highlights from Firhill as Motherwell U20s crash to a 3-1 defeat despite taking the lead through Kallum Higginbotham.

-WATCH HIGHLIGHTS ONLY ON MFC TV-

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson was in an upbeat mood despite losing away at Celtic.

The Steelmen took an early lead through Kallum Higginbotham but goals from George, Twardzik and Atajic gave the hosts all three points.

Despite this, Motherwell’s youth boss was in the mood to take positives from what was arguably the u20s best performance of the campaign.

[pullquote]There was a lot of good performances and the attitude was great. I’m not too disappointed although obviously I didn’t want to lose.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “It was a good game and one of the best I’ve seen in this league.

“It wasn’t a 3-1 game and when Omar hit the bar at 1-1, I thought the game could have went differently.

“In saying that, Celtic played some really good attacking stuff and scored a great goal.

“In the first half we played some excellent stuff; side to side and the midfield looked really strong.

“Towards the end of the half Celtic were getting into the game more and more so maybe 1-1 at half time was fair.

“There was a lot of good performances and the attitude was great. It was nice for Higginbotham to score his first goal for the club and I’m not too disappointed although obviously I didn’t want to lose.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Despite taking a first-half lead, Motherwell U20s crashed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Celtic at Firhill this evening.

The scoreline doesn’t tell the true story of the match though with Johansson’s side turning in a very decent performance, arguably their best showing of the season so far.

Kallum Higginbotham had the Fir Parkers in front early on with an audacious chipped penalty after Craig Moore had been tripped just inside the area.

But a super strike from Paul George had the hosts level before the break and late goals from substitute Patrick Twardzik and Bahrudin Atajic handed Stevie Frail’s side the points.

The Fir Parkers made two changes from the side that thrashed St Johnstone 5-1 last Tuesday. Both Bob McHugh and Lee Hollis were rested after first-team commitments yesterday and were replaced by Omar Daley and Ross Stewart.

Celtic looked strong too with the likes of Anthony Stokes, Paul Slane and new signing Remi Garshon amongst their starters.

Motherwell were by far the better side for the opening half hour but it actually Celtic who created the first chance.

George played in former ‘Well winger Slane but he hesitated, allowing Saunders to get a good block in. The ball spun out to Lewis Kidd but he screwed the rebound a foot or so wide of the post.

Johansson’s side quickly grew into things and posted intent with a Higginbotham free-kick over the bar and a bouncing Hetherington’s shot from distance well held by Thomson in the home goal.

It wasn’t long though before the Claret and Amber men took the lead. A lovely ball through the middle had Craig Moore racing in on goal. Bearing down on Thomson, he was fouled by Stuart Finlay with the referee pointing to the spot.

On-loan Huddersfield forward Higginbotham stepped up and cheekily dinked the ball down the middle, with Thomson diving low to his right.

Motherwell should have added to that lead.

After a mix-up in the home defence, Omar Daley found himself in space inside the box. Despite slipping the ball past Thomson, it cruelly bounced wide of the far post.

Minutes later, Antiguan International Zaine Francis-Angol went on a mazy run before unleashing a stinging effort which fizzed inches over the crossbar.

The away side would live to rue those misses as Celtic brought themselves back into the match ten minutes from the break.

Picking up thirty-five yards from goal, Paul George strode forward before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top corner with the outstretched Stewart completely helpless.

The goal came very much against the run of play but it gave Celtic a swagger and they finished the half the stronger.

Indeed, it took a fine save from Stewart at the feet of Atajic to keep it at 1-1, thankfully for ‘Well Kidd once again lashed the rebound wide.

Into the second half and the Steelmen were again the side setting the agenda. A Fraser Kerr shot, after good link-up play between Daley and Higginbotham, had to be deflected wide for a corner.

The resulting kick eventually found its way to Omar Daley who’s stinging drive cannoned off the crossbar and out for a goalkick.

Celtic had the ball in the net when Atajic completed a patient move with a neat finish but was correctly flagged offside by the assistant before the ball was in the net.

It was, unfortunately, a prelude of what was to come.

Five minutes after seeing his goal disallowed, the same player picked up the ball inside the area and as he tried to turn, was bundled to the ground by Steven Saunders.

The referee, who fifteen minutes earlier booked Atajic for simulation, this time pointed to the spot.

Substitute Patrick Twardzik kept his cool to send Stewart the wrong way.

To rub salt into Motherwell wounds, Celtic added a third with just a few minutes left on the clock. Atajic, who had caused problems all evening, collected the ball on the counter. He got a bit of luck with the ball striking his hand in the build-up but he certainly finished with aplomb, curling a shot into the far corner.

The match ended in defeat for the ‘Well but Johansson and Black will take plenty of positives from a battling performance.

Motherwell: Stewart, Kerr, Cummins, Saunders, Francis-Angol, Watt, Hetherington, Carswell, Daley, Higginbotham, Moore

Subs Not Used: Currie, Murray, Leitch, Johnstone, McCafferty, Shirkie

Extended highlights from Fir Park as a Michael Higdon hat-trick hands Motherwell all three points against St Johnstone.

-WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

Hat-trick hero Michael Higdon was thrilled after his winning contribution handed ‘Well all three points.

Higdon scored his 14th, 15th and 16th goals of the campaign but his hardwork was almost undone with two late Saints goals.

But the Steelmen showed their metal to hang on for win to put them back level with Inverness CT in second place.

[pullquote]I’m delighted with the three points and the hat-trick is a bonus for me.[/pullquote]

“I’m delighted with the three points and the hat-trick is a bonus for me,” he told MFC TV after the match.

“If you look at both halves, we were probably better in the first half and we’ve ended up making it hard for ourselves in the last fifteen minutes or so.

“That said, we saw it through and got the three points. The two goals took the limelight off the win and we’ll need to learn from that.

“My first goal was probably the pick of the bunch. The other two had ricochets but I’ll take that as many a time when I’ve played when I’ve never had the break of the ball.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was happy to take all three points after a late St Johnstone fightback made for a nervous last ten minutes.

Despite being slightly below par, the Fir Parkers found themselves three goals to the good courtesy of another Michael Higdon hat-trick – his third in eleven months.

But late goals from substitute Nigel Hasselbaink and Liam Craig brought Steve Lomas’ men right back into things.

So much so, it took a fabulous save from Lee Hollis, introduced in place of the injured Darren Randolph, to secure all three points with just seconds left on the clock.

[pullquote]We’ve played a lot better this season and it was edgy near the end. We have Lee Hollis to thank for making a terrific save at the end and fair play to St Johnstone for making a real game of it.[/pullquote]

Several times this season ‘Well have played much better and lost so McCall was relieved his side were able to hold on for the win.

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “First and foremost I’m delighted with the three points and I’m pleased with the three goals.

“We’ve played a lot better this season and it was edgy near the end. We have Lee Hollis to thank for making a terrific save at the end and fair play to St Johnstone for making a real game of it.

“They scored twice in three minutes and put us under pressure at the end. They had nothing to lose and were really doing for it.

“It was always going to be an open game with both sides playing with four attacking players. They have players in their squad who can score goals. I’m relieved and we know we can play better but we have to take the positives out of it and it was a good win.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 3-2 win over St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

[svgallery name=”stjohnstone200113″]

[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee at Fir Park

A Michael Higdon hat-trick helped keep Motherwell in joint second place in the Scottish Premier League with a narrow 3-2 win over St Johnstone.

But having been slightly fortunate to take a 3-0 lead, ‘Well almost tossed away the three points in the final 15 minutes as St Johnstone threw caution to the wind.

The forced substitution of Darren Randolph in the 74th minute didn’t help and after conceding two goals to Nigel Hasselbaink and Liam Craig, it took a fabulous save from Lee Hollis two minutes from time to secure the win.

Bob McHugh was asked to fill the void created with Jamie Murphy’s departure but it was Higdon who reminded ‘Well fans of his scoring prowess taking his tally of league goals to fifteen.

Two first half goals from two chances highlighted the striker’s eye for goal and the home side’s efficiency.

In truth it was a below-par first half showing from the home side with sloppy play allowing Saints to dictate most of the play.

However, Stuart McCall’s men showed the Perth side how to convert chances in their first attack after just seven minutes. McHugh won the ball just inside his own half laying the ball inside to Higdon. And after sending Chris Humphrey scurrying down the right, the ‘Well striker raced on to find himself perfectly placed for the winger’s cut back, side-footing home from 12 yards.

Saints then had the best of the chances with Liam Craig’s in-swinging corners posing problems for the Fir Park defence. Keith Lasley at the back post headed one off the line before another cross curled behind the bar before Gregory Tade nodded the ball off the post although the assistant did have his flag up for the ball going out of play.

A quick break down the left by Henrik Ojamaa after 19 minutes, though, set up the second. Higdon got a break after turning Frazer Wright and his first effort bounced back off the defender. From just inside the penalty box the former Crewe hitman made no mistake at the second time of asking, confidently drilling his shot low inside the left hand post.

Despite their two goal lead ‘Well looked uncharacteristically nervous in possession not helped by a bumpy winter pitch. And Randolph’s goal had another narrow escape at the start of the second half when Rowan Vine’s cross rebounded off the crossbar.

The action continued to focus around the home goal and only a brilliant Shaun Hutchison tackle at the edge of the box prevented Tade powering in on goal.
Motherwell then snatched a third after 68 minutes which should have made the points absolutely safe.

Tom Hateley whipped in a corner and although Hutchison’s header was rebounded back off the thigh of Ojamaa, Higdon toe-poked the rebound into the corner of the net from six yards to grab his hat-trick.

However, the game changed dramatically in the 74th minute when, amidst a number of substitutions, Randolph with a strained hamstring, limped off to be replaced by Lee Hollis.

Within three minutes Saints had pulled back a goal when their sub Hasselbaink slammed the ball high past ‘Well’s substitute ‘keeper.

A minute later a poor clearance landed in front of Craig at the edge of the box and he steered a left foot shot low past Hollis to reduce the lead to one goal and set up a nervous final twelve minutes.

Hollis proved to be the hero two minutes from the end when he bravely spread himself at the edge of his six yard box to block Hasselbaink and preserve ‘Well’s slender goal lead.

It’s a win that keeps the Steelmen in touch with Inverness in second place and McCall’s side will look forward to the visit of Dundee Utd in eight days time.

[tab:As it happened]

Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 3 – 2 St Johnstone

90mins: MacKay’s shot is sliced towards Vine. At the back post he can only blaze over!

88mins: Fantastic save from Hollis! Made himself big and blocks at the feel of Hasselbaink!

87mins: St Johnstone win a corner…..Hollis gathers well!

85mins: Nervy last 5 minutes then…..

81mins: Motherwell sub: Ojamaa off for Carswell

78mins: GOAL – Craig makes it 3-2!

77mins: GOAL – Hasselbaink pulls one back with a good finish from 18 yards. 3-1

75mins: St Johnstone subs: Tade off for Miller and Millar also off for Cregg

74mins: Motherwell sub: Hollis on for Randolph. Looks like a muscle strain.

73mins: All MacLean needs to do is divert Vine’s cross into the net. The ball agonisingly skids inches past him.

71mins: Who in his first time on the ball is clattered by MacKay. Dangerous area, Hateley’s delivery is collected by Mannus

69mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol on for McHugh

68mins: Hutchy’s header bounces off Ojamaa to Higgy who pounces on it to complete his hat-trick!

GOAAALLL Hat-trick for HIGGY!

65mins: Superb recovering challenge from Hutchinson to clear from Tade!

61mins: St Johnstone sub: Hasselbaink on for Pawlett

60mins: Some solid defending from Hutchinson there. Firstly standing firm against Vine’s shot then powering a header away from a cross.

55mins: MacLean finds himself with perhaps too much time in the box. Opts to cut inside on his left foot but fires straight at Randolph

52mins: Hammell concedes a free-kick in a dangerous area. Craig fires through a crowd of players and just past the post.

51mins: Up the other end crosses from Law and Humphrey can’t quite find their man.

50mins: Vine’s cross is deflected onto the top of the bar by Hateley. Bit of a let-off there!

48mins: Craig industrious but still can’t find his finishing touch as he blast another shot wide of the post from distance

46mins: Second half underway!

HT: Motherwell 2 – 0 St Johnstone

34mins: St Johnstone with all the pressure as we enter the final 10 minutes of the half.

31mins: Liam Craig tries his luck from 20 yard. Hooks it well wide on the left foot.

27mins: Vine’s delivery is judged to have left the field as Tade meets it with a header at the back post. Hit post, wrong decision too!

23mins: Good defending from Hutchinson as he knocks Vine’s cross wide for a corner. Danger averted.

19mins: It’s 2-0! Higdon gets a bit of luck as his shot deflects off Davidson straight back to him. Clinical finish on the rebound!

GOAAALLL!!!

16mins: Pawlett squares to Craig at the edge of the box who sees his effort deflected wide by teammate, Steven MacLean

13mins: Tade tries to pick out the top corner from 20 yards. Good effort but too tame to trouble Randolph

11mins: Corner Motherwell. Humphrey getting the better of Davidson there. Cleared as far as Law who drives low straight at Mannus

8mins: Brilliant from Humphrey as he picks out Higdon 10 yards out, Wonderful finish low into the corner! 1-0!

GOALLLL!!!

6mins: Danger as Vine connects well with a volley on the edge of the area. Straight at Randolph.

4mins: Millar slices a left-footed effort just wide of the post from 18 yards

3mins: McHugh swings in a cross which is deflected awkwardly. Higdon can’t capitilise as he leaps with Mannus

1min: Game underway! #COYW

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“A win’s a win. This season we’ve played a lot better and got nothing, so we’re happy with what we’ve done today.

“It’s been a cold winter’s day but three points will warm us up.

“We made hard work of it. At 3-0 we should see it out but fair play to them [St Johnstone] who kept at it.

“It’s three points and three goals again at home which is good.”

St Johnstone assistant manager Tommy Wright:

“I’m extremely disappointed with the result, not the performance. We will try to take positives out of that game. We have shown that we can come here and compete against a very good side.

“We did well, particularly in the first half. We didn’t deserve to be 2-0 down. Motherwell had two or three chances and they were clinical. We probably didn’t make enough of the opportunities we had in the first half. In the second half it was pretty even. We looked to be out of the game but fair play to the lads, they showed a desire to get back into it.

“In the end we looked the team that was going to get the next goal and that would have got us the point which I think that would have been deserved. Even in defeat we can take a lot out of the day’s game.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”134″]

Starting at today’s match with St Johnstone, the club will be using a new voucher system for fans paying at the turnstile.

Depending on what stand you sit in, you will receive an appropriate voucher upon entry.

It is important the voucher is retained as proof of entry should the match have to be rearranged for any reason.

Safety and Facilities Manager Alan Marshall said: “Following the abandonment of the Hibernian match last season and Dundee Utd a few months ago, we have been working to implement a system that will make things much easier for supporters.

“Giving every fan who pays in a voucher will mean we have an easy system in the unlikely event of a match abandonment. Season Ticket holders will enter the rearranged match with a Special Voucher from their book.

“Pay-at-the-gate and complimentary holders should retain the relevant stubs which will be redeemable at the Ticket Office for the rearranged match.

“It cuts out the need for people scrambling for tickets as they leave the ground, making it simpler, safer and fairer for everyone.”

Henrik Ojamaa has been included in the Estonia squad to face Scotland at Pittodrie next month.

The eight-times capped striker, who was named Estonian U21 Player of 2012, has been included in Tarmo Rüütli’s 25-man squad for the friendly on February 6th.

The match will be the first for the new Scotland management team of Gordon Strachan and former Steelmen gaffer Mark McGhee.

FULL ESTONIA SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Pavel Londak – FK Bodø/Glimt
Marko Meerits – Vitesse
Sergei Pareiko – Wisła Kraków

Defenders
Alo Bärengrub – Nõmme JK Kalju
Enar Jääger – Aalesunds FK
Ragnar Klavan – FC Augsburg
Dmitri Kruglov – FK Rostov
Igor Morozov – Polonia Warszawa
Taavi Rähn – Tianjin Songjiang
Tihhon Šišov – Nõmme JK Kalju
Taijo Teniste – Sogndal Fotball

Midfielders
Aleksandr Dmitrijev – FK Gomel
Gert Kams – Tallinna FC Flora
Joel Lindpere – Chicago Fire
Siim Luts – Tallinna FC Flora
Sergei Mošnikov – Pogoń Szczecin
Sander Puri – Kuopion Palloseura
Ats Purje – Kuopion Palloseura
Konstantin Vassiljev – FK Amkar Perm
Martin Vunk – Panachaiki FC

Forwards
Jarmo Ahjupera – Györi ETO FC
Tarmo Kink – AS Varese 1910
Henrik Ojamaa – Motherwell F.C.
Andres Oper – Nea Salamis Famagusta FC
Vladimir Voskoboinikov – FC Dinamo Tbilisi