| 2 | Hearts | 38 | 24 | 8 | 6 | 33 | 80 |
| 3 | Rangers | 38 | 20 | 12 | 6 | 33 | 72 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 38 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 23 | 61 |
| 5 | Hibernian | 38 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 57 |
| 6 | Falkirk | 38 | 14 | 7 | 17 | -12 | 49 |
Go behind the scenes and see the game from a number of different angles in our first Story of the Match feature of the 2018/19 campaign.
Motherwell defeated Queen of the South 2-0 in the Betfred Cup on Tuesday night, setting up a final-day showdown with Clyde on Saturday.
Conor Sammon was at the double as Motherwell ran out 2-0 winners over Queen of the South.
The Betfred Cup group stage win means the Steelmen can secure top spot with a win against Clyde on Saturday.
Conor Sammon, Trevor Carson and Allan Campbell were pleased to get back to winning ways against the Queen of the South.
After a disappointing draw at Stranraer at the weekend, the Steelmen responded with a 2-0 victory, to put qualification in their own hands.
Stephen Robinson was pleased his team bounced back from their weekend disappointment with a win over Queen of the South.
The manager made five changes for the 2-0 win, which puts qualification for the Betfred Cup knockout stages back in their own hands.
A first half double from Conor Sammon and a good solid performance from Motherwell saw off the challenge of Group G leaders Queen of the South.
Only three games into the Betfred Cup, ‘Well faced a win-or-bust tie if they wanted to progress from the group and emulate last season’s terrific cup run.
And although the win was comfortable in the end, it took terrific saves from Trevor Carson at crucial stages to keep ‘Well on course to top the section.
The ‘Well ‘keeper had to produce a hat-trick of saves to prevent Queens taking the lead inside the first six minutes. Twice the ‘Well ‘keeper was at full stretch to deny the prolific Stephen Dobbie who looked certain to add to his impressive haul of seven cup goals.
An instinctive block from Carson then parried Callum Semple’s header from eight yards, as the Fir Park defenders struggled to cope with the lively Dumfries side.
Then, after Carl McHugh had steered Elliot Frear’s free kick wide of goal Motherwell, nicked the lead to settle the nerves.
Chris Cadden set off on a powerful run from his own half before sliding a pass in front of Sammon. Turning onto the pass the on-loan striker then cut the ball between the ‘keeper and his left hand post to open his Motherwell account.
As ‘Well began to dominate possession, Sammon might have grabbed a second after 26 minutes when his drive across goal was beyond the far post and Frear’s lunge.
However, Sammon was hungry for more and eight minutes from the break he doubled ‘Well’s advantage.
Richard Tait launched a long clearance downfield, which Ryan Bowman chased before heading the ball into Sammon’s path. One touch took him beyond the defender before he calmly side footed the ball beyond former ‘Well ‘keeper Alan Martin and low inside the post.
Sammon had an early chance to grab his hat-trick two minutes after the break but from a tight angle he lashed the ball over the bar.
A rash challenge on Bowman ended his participation but allowed Danny Johnson 30 minutes to make an impression.
However, the acclaim of both sets of fans came at the other end after 68 minutes when Carson produced a sensational save.
Dobbie’s header from six yards had the 447 Queen’s fans celebrating a goal, until the ‘Well ‘keeper leapt to his right and clawed the ball off his goal line to preserve his side’s two goal advantage.
And that save served to remind the ‘Well players that the game was still to be won, as they stepped up the play towards the visitors’ goal.
A great cut back from Alan Campbell set up Sammon but after his effort was blocked at the edge of the six yard box, Johnson’s attempt to force home the loose ball met a similar fate.
Nine minutes from time, Liam Grimshaw came within inches of a third goal when he met Cadden’s infield pass and his strike with the outside of his boot raced narrowly past.
Sammon was denied a hat-trick three minutes from time when Martin could only parry Cadden’s shot but the ‘keeper quickly reacted to block Sammon’s thumping effort from six yards.
The victory was enough to give Motherwell control of the section, in the knowledge that a win at Broadwood on Saturday would see them progress to the knockout stages.
Motherwell’s final match in the group stage of the 2018/19 Betfred Cup takes place on Saturday with a trip to face Clyde.
The game on Saturday, 28 July will kick off at 3pm. Adults can get in for £12 at the gate, while concessions go for £6.
The two sides meet for the first time since 2011, when the Steelmen ran out 4-0 winners at Broadwood in the same competition.
Motherwell Football Club are recruiting a ticket office assistant to work on all home matchdays.
We are looking for someone passionate about football, delivering exceptional sales and customer services.
The candidate will play a key role in offering the highest levels of customer service to supporters in person, by telephone and by email. Candidates will be trained on our ticketing system but come with experience of a range of office software, including email, spreadsheets and databases.
To apply for this position, please contact our commercial team using our contact form. The deadline for applications is Monday, 30 July 2018.
Motherwell will take part in the Reserve League in the 2018/19 season, with 18 teams making up the top division.
Stephen Craigan’s side will play each opponent once over the campaign, with the first match due to be played on Monday, 20 August.
There will be no upper age limit or restrictions on which players can take part in the league. Players loaned out by the club are eligible to return to play reserve football.
Games will generally take place on Monday afternoons. A full fixture list will be released shortly.
Motherwell will be joined by Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee, Dundee United, Dunfermline Athletic, Falkirk, Hamilton Academical, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Morton, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Rangers, Ross County, St Johnstone and St Mirren.
A Reserve League Cup will be played to provide additional games during the season, with the format mirroring the Betfred Cup in that any drawn group games will proceed to penalties with an additional bonus point available. Further details on the cup competitions will be confirmed in due course.
Motherwell host Queen of the South in a must-win clash if the 2017/18 Betfred Cup finalists want to claim top spot in the group.
Here’s all the important information you need if you’re coming to the match.
If you haven’t bought your ticket online in advance, don’t worry. You can pay at the gate for £12 for adults and £6 for concessions.
The Cooper Bar and the Centenary Suite will be open for pre-match food and drink from 5.30pm.
Our usual pre-match hospitality will not be in operation. Food can be purchased before the game and access to the bars will be available before and after the match, as well as at half time.
Opposition fans are also welcome.
If you plan to collect your season card in the hours before the match with Queen of the South, you can get it from the Centenary Suite from 5.30pm right up until kick off.
The ticket office will be open only for match ticket sales or for season ticket purchases.
Charles Dunne is to have scans on a groin injury but is likely to face four to six weeks on the sidelines. Craig Tanner remains on the sidelines long term.
Stephen Robinson is well aware of what is at stake when Queen of the South arrive at Fir Park on Tuesday.
Nothing less than three points will do for the Steelmen in their bid to top Group G in the Betfred Cup, with the Doonhamers enjoying a perfect start in their opening three games.
And the ‘Well boss said: “It’s a game we want to win and need to win after Saturday’s result. Our decision making was poor and we didn’t look like ourselves.”
