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Friday football is back at Fir Park yet again and we want you to join us for a ‘Curry Night’ in the Centenary Suite.

‘Well face Kilmarnock on Friday 8th May (7.45pm KO) in what will be another vital SPFL Premiership match.

Join us from 5.30pm onwards to enjoy our tasty three-course curry event with full service and a Pay bar facility pre and post match.

On your table will be a plentiful supply of Poppadoms and spiced onions. We’ll start with mixed pakoras, served with fresh salad and dipping sauce, followed by your choice of either a Chicken or Vegetable Curry (served with basmati rice and mini naan breads).

Legendary defender Brian Martin will be the host with your chance to meet first team players and club staff throughout the evening.

Remember, all hospitality packages at Fir Park also include your match ticket, programme, teamsheet and half time tea too.

The package is priced at £60 for adults and £45 for concession (both inclusive of VAT). Season Ticket holders can upgrade their regular stand ticket from just £25.

If you would like to book your seat or table, please phone the Commercial Department on 01698 333333 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk

Motherwell Football Club today confirmed to its Under 20s which players would be offered extended deals.

David Ferguson, Ben Hall, Chris Cadden and Dylan Mackin have all been offered new contracts to stay with the club.

In addition, seven players have been promoted from the club’s Elite Academy Under 17s to be first-year full time professionals for 2015/16.

They are: Dylan Falconer, Jake Hastie, David Turnbull, PJ Morrison, Barry McGuire, Josh Moore and Adam Livingstone.

Sadly, Max Currie, Morgyn Neill, Danny McNulty, Craig McCall, Liam Anderson and Steven Higgins will leave when their contracts expire at the end of the month.

Motherwell Football Club would like to sincerely thank each and every player who is leaving for their contribution and wish them every success in the future career.

Willie Collum will take charge of Friday’s Scottish Premiership meeting with Kilmarnock at Fir Park.

One of Scotland’s most recognisable officials, Willie will be handling his sixth ‘Well game of the campaign.

The first was at Rugby Park in late August, the home side running out comfortable 2-0 winners. The game didn’t pass without controversy, with Stuart McCall left frustrated at a number of decisions involving Manual Pascali and a missed handball in the box.

The second was the instantly forgettable 0-4 reverse against Hamilton Accies at Fir Park. When goals from Mickael Antoine-Curier, Tony Andreu and a double from Ali Crawford gave the Accies their biggest win at Fir Park in over 80 years,

He was the man in the middle for the 2-2 draw with Ross County when Tony Dingwall’s double, including a 94th minute equaliser, cancelled out John Sutton and Henrik Ojamaa’s goals.

In January, he took charge of Motherwell’s 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen, in which he controversially sent off Stephen McManus; a decision which was later rescinded after an appeal.

Most recently, he officiated ‘Well’s 1-1 draw with St Johnstone at Fir Park in January. Murray Davidson gave Saints and early lead before Louis Laing saw red on his debut. 10-men Motherwell battled back and equalised through John Sutton, who fired spectacularly into the back of Alan Mannus’ net.

He took charge of three during the 2013/14 season too.

His first was a 3-0 win over St Mirren back in December when Lionel Ainsworth and a Henri Anier double separated the sides.

The second was at Tynecastle a few weeks later, John Sutton scoring the game’s only goal.

The last was the 2-1 win over Inverness back in May with goals coming from Sutton and a Gary Warren OG.

Willie is no stranger to ‘Well fans having been a top-flight whistler for a number of years, taking charge of six Motherwell matches the previous term too.

The first was the 1-0 defeat to Hearts in October 2012 when Danny Grainger’s long-range effort separated the sides.

He also took charge of both William Hill Scottish Cup clashes with Aberdeen in December.

In the first meeting at Pittodrie, Niall McGinn headed home a late equaliser to cancel out Jamie Murphy’s opener 10 minutes from time.

There would be disappointment for the Steelmen in the replay as goals from Rory Fallon and Joe Shaughnessy helped the Dons progress to the next round.

Motherwell were handed a lifeline in injury-time when Michael Higdon netted from the penalty spot, however Craig Brown’s side held firm in the final minutes.

He was also the man in the middle for the narrow 3-2 win over St Johnstone in January; Michael Higdon’s hat-trick sealing a terrific three points and also the disappointing 3-0 defeat at Ross County shortly after.

He also handled the James McFadden-inspired 4-1 victory over Hibs in March and, finally, the 4-3 defeat to Inverness Caley in the Highlands in May.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads eight wins, fifteen defeats and seven draws from thirty matches (in all competitions).

In those games, Motherwell have scored 40 and conceded 55.

59 players have gone into the book, 30 wearing Claret and Amber, while six players have been dismissed – Ian Murray of Hibs at Easter Road five years back, Jerard Aafjes at Falkirk four seasons ago, Paul Dixon at the end of 2009/10, Henrik Ojamaa in that game at Caley and Fraser Kerr down at Rugby Park. Stephen McManus was shown a red card against Aberdeen but that was later rescinded after an appeal and Louis Laing was given his marching orders in January.

Willie will be assisted by Gary Hilland and Graeme Stewart with Craig Charleston listed as fourth official.

 Extended highlights from the Falkirk Stadium as a young Steelmen side run out comfortable 0-3 winners.

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson praised his players after their emphatic win against Falkirk this evening.

The young Steelmen were excellent and comfortably beat their opponents at the Falkirk Stadium thanks to goals from Dylan Mackin, Steven Higgins and Robbie Leitch.

Indeed, had it not been for home goalkeeper Graham Bowman, the scoreline may have been even more emphatic.

And the former Finnish International front man was delighted with what he watched and the way his team played.

[pullquote]It was one of the most pleasing games of this season in terms of their attitude and shape, pressing and the quality of goals.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “It was one of the most pleasing games of this season in terms of their attitude and shape, pressing and the quality of goals.

“We spoke before the game about only having two games left and how much we wanted to go out and show what we’re about, the team spirit we have and generally to have fun and that showed today.

“The whole day was very good. To see the lads play with the heart and desire was excellent. We’ve got a big game next week and let’s see if we can sign the season off in style.”

Motherwell Under 20s turned in one of their best performances of the season to beat Falkirk 0-3 this evening.

First half goals from Dylan Mackin and Steven Higgins put ‘Well in a commanding position at the interval.

Robbie Leitch added a third after the break to secure all three points in a game the Steelmen dominated throughout.

Indeed, but for some superb goalkeeping from Bairns stopper Graham Bowman, the scoreline may have been even more emphatic.

Jonatan Johansson made seven changes to the side that beat Partick Thistle last week, but it didn’t upset the team’s rhythm as ‘Well took the game to the hosts from the first minute.

Paul Lawson had the game’s first shot on the eighth minute, but it sailed high over the bar.

Two minutes later, after Ryan Blair had fired a similar effort over the bar for the Bairns, Bowman made a great block to stop Mackin opening the scoring after the big striker met a Higgins cross from the left with a powerful downwards header.

Higgins fired wide and Lawson had an attempted lob from distance comfortably saved as the Steelmen continued to pile on the pressure.

Bowman was again in top form on the 18th minute when he denied Liam Anderson. Luke Watt’s cross from the left was nodded back by Mackin for the winger and his effort was somehow saved at point-blank range from the Falkirk stopper; Higgins could only bundle the rebound wide.

Falkirk forced Stewart into action for the first time shortly after when he got down low to his right to save from Thomas Grant.

Sadly, Paul Lawson’s game lasted just twenty-five minutes before he had to come off, replaced by young Alan Campbell.

It did little to upset the shape of the visitors who, with their next attack, got their noses in front. Watt was the creator, sending a lovely ball down the left channel for Mackin and with Bowman coming off his line, the big striker lifted it over him and into the net.

Mackin was in the mood and he had another effort from distance drop just wide before ‘Well made it 0-2 on the 38th minute. Danny McNulty collected the ball in space on the right flank and after pausing for a moment, delivered an excellent low cross that Higgins tucked away from close range.

Motherwell’s tails were up and Higgins again brought out a save from Bowman after getting onto a Mackin lobbed pass and drilling at goal.

The same player had the first effort in the second half, again dragging a low shot off target. A minute later, Mackin got in off a long pass from Ben Hall but, with his feet, Bowman again kept the Claret and Amber men out.

Robbie Leitch was having an excellent match in the hole off the main striker, and he almost scored after getting on the end of a free-kick from the right, only for his lobbed shot to land on the roof of the net.

He wouldn’t be denied for long though as with the next attack, the 17-year old scored his first ever goal for the Under 20s. McNulty was again the creator, finishing a good move with a teasing near post cross which Leitch acrobatically volleyed home from six yards.

Motherwell were flying and Bowman again denied Higgins after the nippy front man had got clear of the Falkirk defence. The home keeper was having a super game and had to move his feet quickly to deny Luke Watt, whose whipped cross from the left bounced over everyone and was heading for the corner, but for the outstretched arm of the 22-year old.

Watt went close again minutes later, but his left-footed cross took a deflection off a defender and clipped the underside of the bar before bouncing out.

Then, with five minutes left on the clock, Danny McNulty almost got the goal his evening deserved but after a lovely passing move and cross, the full-back’s header came crashing back off the frame of the goal.

The game soon ended, with ‘Well running out deserved winners. Indeed, it was arguably amongst the most impressive the young Steelmen have been all season. They will now round off their season with a home match against Hamilton next midweek.

Motherwell: Stewart, McNulty, Watt, McCall, Hall, Kerr, Anderson (Watters – 66mins), Higgins, R. Leitch, Lawson (Campbell – 25mins), Mackin (McMillan – 73mins)

Subs Not Used: B. Long

The Under 20s face their penultimate fixture of the season when they take on Falkirk tonight (Monday).

Johansson’s men have just two fixtures left of the 2014/15 campaign, with a trip to the Falkirk Stadium their last ‘away’ match.

It’s been a mixed bag season for the young Steelmen, who currently sit mid-table, but after last week’s win over Partick Thistle, hopes will be high for a strong finish.

The match will take place at the Falkirk Stadium, kick-off is 7pm.

 Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell and Ross County battle out a 1-1 draw.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough was left frustrated as his side again passed up chances to take all three points this afternoon.

Much like last Friday’s defeat at New Douglas Park, ‘Well had a number of efforts, and a couple of penalty shouts, but it would be another ninety minutes where the illusive three points ended up getting away.

Scott McDonald’s opener had the Steelmen deservedly ahead but a slip-up at the back allowed Liam Boyce to level things before half-time.

It was the Claret and Amber men who created the bulk of the chances, with Stephen Pearson, Conor Grant and others going close, but Jim McIntyre’s County held out for a vauluable share of the spoils.

[pullquote]For me, we couldn’t ask for any more from the boys. We created a lot of good chances, we did everything to try and win the game. We again lacked that little bit of composure in the final third.[/pullquote]

The result leaves Motherwell trailing the Staggies and Kilmarnock by six points with three games remaining, and Gary Locke’s side are due to visit North Lanarkshire in six days time.

“I don’t think there’s any way that the players could be criticised for much today,” Baraclough said

“It was 90 mile per hour for the whole game, both teams going hammer and tong, giving absolutely everything.

“For me, we couldn’t ask for any more from the boys. We created a lot of good chances, we did everything to try and win the game. We again lacked that little bit of composure in the final third.

“It was a case of just waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net at times.”

Action pictures from this afternoon’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Ross County at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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