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Motherwell and Ross County Under 20s played out a fairly uneventful 1-1 draw at Dingwall this afternoon.

Both sides had notable first-termers in their starting eleven, including Stevie Hammell who played another full ninety minutes on the road to recovery.

Steven Higgins slammed the Steelmen in front on the hour mark but the lead only lasted nine minutes when Kyle MacLeod to level things nine minutes later.

Despite both teams trading chances, neither could add to the scoring and the game finished all square.

Jonatan Johansson’s side started well and after just two minutes, got their first sight of goal. Steven Higgins played a hopeful ball over the top to Moore who did well to spin Miller and get a shot away. Goalkeeper Tait was equal to it, and former ‘Well man Stevie Saunders mopped up the danger.

Once both sides settled into the action, County had the bulk of the play. The experience Graham Carey, on his road back from injury, went close twice within five minutes. Both were long range strikes, and both failed to test Long in the Motherwell goal.

Chances are few and far between until a clever set-piece from County almost opened the scoring. Brittain played it low to MacLeod who met it first time 15 yards out, and with Long scrambling to get down to it, the ball trickled just past the post.

The only other talking point from the first half was a strong penalty shout from ‘Well. Higgins showed a good turn of pace to get past left-back Ross and appeared to have been hacked to the ground.

The Motherwell players were further riled by the referee’s decision to give a goal kick. Highlights show that it was a fairly close call, but Ross had indeed played the ball.

Into the second half and with their first meaningful attack of the half, the Steelmen took the lead.

Higgins picked the ball up just inside the Ross County half and, after a one-two with Leitch, drove forward and fired off a shot from 30 yards which bounced awkwardly in front of Tait and sailed into the net.

It might have been two-nil seconds later when Higgins and Mackin combined, but the latter’s shot flew just wide of target.

However, less than ten minutes later, County were back level.

Carey jinked down the right wing and cleverly scooped a ball into the box and onto the head of Dingwall whose header fell fortunately off the back of Hall. MacLeod reacted quickest and slammed the ball into the net from close range.

County should had have taken the lead shortly after when Carey’s shot from fifteen yards forced Long into a decent save.

The hosts cranked up the pressure in the last time minute – Jervis forcing Long into another save before MacLeod headed a close-range effort wide.

At the other end, Jack Leitch fired an effort from distance that forced Tait into a difficult save, but that was it as the game ended all square.

Motherwell: Long, Watt, Hammell, Hall, O’Brien, Francis-Angol (McCall – 46mins), J. Leitch, MacLean, Higgins, Mackin, Moore

Subs Not Used: Currie, Anderson, McCall, R. Leitch, McNulty, Watters

Following the publication of the split fixture list we now know who we are up against in the battle to stay up.

While nothing is guaranteed, I remain optimistic that the team can put in a good run of results from now until the end of the season, starting with our local rivals Hamilton a week on Friday, 24 April.

The support for the team from fans over the past few weeks, in particular, has been excellent, for which the manager, players and staff at the club is most grateful.

It goes without saying that the team now needs your continued support throughout our next five games, which will determine the final outcome of our season’s campaign and hopefully end on a high.

For the sake of the team and the club, I urge all fans not only to continue attending games in large numbers but also to invite your friends, uncles, aunties, grannies or next door neighbours to join you for the next three crucial home games, which start on Saturday 2 May against Ross County – a classic six pointer if ever there was one!

I am convinced that the greater number of Motherwell fans and friends of Motherwell attend these games the more likely the players will respond to your vocal support and take us out of the danger zone.

Your support really makes a difference. Please, make every effort to be there for the team!

Thank you for your loyal and continuous support.

Brian McCafferty
Chairman

Tickets for the last Lanarkshire derby of the season have gone on sale at the Fir Park Ticket Office.

The game, scheduled to go ahead on Friday 24th April at New Douglas Park, will be the Steelmen’s first of five vital post-split fixtures.

‘Well have an allocation of 2,189 for both the Spice of Life North Stand and the temporary stand along the east side of the pitch.

Tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Under 18s and Over 65s.
• The Ticket Office will be open standard hours for this week and next. Telephone bookings can be taken any weekdays up until close of business this coming Tuesday (21st April).
• In addition to the standard opening times, fans can purchase tickets at the ‘Well Shop this Saturday (18th April) between 10am and 1pm and late night on Wednesday (22nd April) to 7pm.

Motherwell will kick-off their post split fixtures with a Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park.

That game will go ahead on Friday 24th April live on BT Sport (7.45pm KO).

Ian Baraclough’s side will then face Ross County at home on Saturday 2nd May (3pm KO) and then Kilmarnock at home on Friday 8th May (7.45pm KO), again live on BT Sport.

The Steelmen will then travel to St Mirren on Saturday 16th May (3pm KO) before finishing the season with Partick Thistle at home on Saturday 23rd May (although this game may be changed to Friday 22nd depending on the outcome of results over the next few weeks).

Extended highlights from Fir Park where after an explosive opening eleven minutes, Motherwell run out 4-3 losers to Dundee in the Development League.

 Jonatan Johansson was left frustrated as his side crashed to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Dundee  this afternoon.

The away side raced into a two-goal in the opening five minutes before goals from MacLean and Thomas quickly brought ‘Well back level.

Dundee’s Lee Cameron put his side back in the lead to complete a whirlwind opening eleven minutes. The Dark Blues eventually ran out 4-3 winners but the Finn was frustrated at how his team defended, particularly in those explosive opening stages.

“If you lose four goals like that, you don’t deserve to win games of football, no matter what level it is.”, said Johansson.

“It was an incredible start but that can happen, especially if you come into the game thinking you can stroll the first five or ten minutes and get into the game. They had two good first team strikers playing, who were quick to react and we weren’t ready for it.

[pullquote]”When your aggression and concentration levels are poor, you will concede goals; we did that twice and after that it was always going to be difficult.[/pullquote]

“It was good to score the two goals and get back into it and at that point I felt as though we could settle down and start passing the ball but then we lost another goal, and a really sloppy one, considering our back four.

“Our attacking game was really good, especially in the second half but I’m frustrated with the goals we have conceded.”

Motherwell U20s lost 3-4 to Dundee in a quite incredible Development League match at Fir Park today.

Dundee were two ahead inside the opening five minutes when Craig Wighton notched a double with the home defence all at sea.

Ross MacLean and Dom Thomas has the Steelmen at level pegging before the ninth minute before Dundee got back ahead two minutes later, Lee Cameron scoring the game’s fifth goal.

Despite passing up a host of chances, ‘Well couldn’t get level for a second time and a Luke Watt own goal restored the Dee’s two goal advantage.

Thomas grabbed his second, and Motherwell’s third with a blistering strike from distance and despite numerous chances and three goals chalked off for offside, the Fir Parkers couldn’t get that second equaliser.

Jonatan Johansson made seven changes to the team that comfortably saw off Hearts last midweek. Danny McNulty, Jack McMillan, Ben Hall, Craig McCall, Nathan Thomas, Paul Lawson and Steven Higgins dropped out, replaced by Stevie Hammell, Simon Ramsden, Fraser Kerr, Mark O’Brien, Jack Leitch, Dom Thomas and Craig Moore.

Motherwell made a positive start and forced three corners, all of which the visitors managed to clear. Then, with their first venture over the halfway line, Dundee scored.

Andrew Black and Cameron combined down the right, before slotting in Wighton who fired it under O’Brien and past Currie into the first corner.

Astonishingly, two minutes later, Dundee doubled their lead. A corner from the right was headed down by Kostadin Gadzhalov for Wighton who found himself in yards of space. His first effort was blocked by Currie, but the striker was able to prod home the rebound.

Shell-shocked, ‘Well sought about getting back into the match and they pulled one back inside two minutes later. Stevie Hammell’s ball was perfect for Moore who cushioned a header for the supporting Dylan Mackin. He played in MacLean who slid a nice shot past Brodie.

A further two minutes past before the Steelmen equalised. The home side pressed high to win the ball back and when Moore slid in Thomas, he wriggled away from the full-back to fire under Brodie into the far corner.

The scoring wasn’t finished there though and, astoundingly; Dundee got their noses back in front on the 12th minute. A long ball from the back allowed Luka Tankulic to out jump Fraser Kerr. The ball dropped to Cameron, who had got the wrong side of the ‘Well defence, and he kept his cool to hold off O’Brien and slot home.

‘Well went in search of a second equaliser and Brodie saved well from Mackin before Jack Leitch dragged a low shot wide of target. Mackin then had another shot, this time from a Thomas cut back, but he blazed over.

Down the other end, Tankulic brought about a smart save from Currie after driving a shot from distance.

It was the Steelmen who were the team in the ascendancy though and Moore prodded wide before Brodie was in action again, saving well from Moore again with Leitch narrowly missing the rebound.

Moore was in the thick of everything and he again went close, flicking a Ramsden ball back into the box just wide before being denied again just before the interval when Brodie flapped at a Hammell cross but the striker’s effort was deflected wide.

Johansson’s men made a good start and Moore had the ball in the net after just three minutes but the assistant John McCrossan had rightly ruled the striker was offside when O’Brien had fired the ball into the box.

It was to prove a crucial call as with their next attack, Dundee got their fourth. Cameron picked up on a long diagonal into the right flank, and his cross looked bread and butter for Max Currie, but with little communication in the ‘Well back line, he crashed into Luke Watt and the ball tricked into the net. Josh Kelly smashed it in but replays show the ball was already over the line.

The Fir Parkers wouldn’t give up though and seven minutes later, they were back to within one. Dom Thomas collected the ball thirty yards from goal and with the Dundee defence backing off; he unleashed a stringing effort into the far corner, with Brodie helpless.

‘Well pressed for a fourth and both Moore and Ramsden brought about saves from Brodie before substitute Steven Higgins had the ball in the net, but once again assistant McCrossan had his flag up. This time replays would show the assistant was incorrect with the forward a yard on.

To complete what was a bizarre afternoon, three minutes later ‘Well had the ball in the net for a sixth time. This time it was Higgins who was the provider, whipping an excellent cross in for Moore who bulleted the ball home. Again, McCrossan’s flag would frustrate the home side.

The home side pushed and pushed to get level, but Dundee held firm.

There are still seats / tables left for our Sportsman’s Dinner, re-arranged from last autumn, which will go ahead this Sunday.

Held at the Dalziel Park, Motherwell and starting at 7.30pm with pre-dinner drinks, it promises to be a night to remember with Tam Cowan once again returning as compere.

The Scottish Sun’s Andy Devlin will host a Q&A with current skipper Keith Lasley and the rest of the first-team squad will also attend.

The first speaker is sure to be a real treat – former Grade 1 official Jon Rowbotham. Now retired, John was also a FIFA referee and has officiated at 4 World Cup qualifiers and was always popular down at Fir Park.

The second speaker is Jimmy Stirling – who has been a regular feature on the the Uk entertainment and after-dinner circuit for over twenty years.

Jimmy is recognised as one of the most versatile and sought after acts described as ‘THE’ after dinner speakers after dinner speaker.

We will also have an auction not to be missed, bringing you more incredible ‘money can’t buy’ experiences that any ‘Well fan would love.

If you want to attend, tables of ten cost just £350+VAT. You can book by phoning 01698 333333 or emailing commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Attenders should note that some of the language used on the night will be coarse and not suitable for children or the easily offended.

DRESS CODE: Lounge suits / open shirt – no requirement to wear a tie.

The ‘Well Society has created a new post for a Marketing, Communications Manager.

The Society is poised to increase its membership and provide further support to the Motherwell FC business plan.

We are seeking to appoint a full-time experienced and creative Marketing and Communications manager who will develop the society brand and help drive its campaign to recruit twice as many new members as currently.

Reporting to the Society Chairman, the new manager will liaise closely with the club’s soon to be appointed marketing and commercial manager.

Initially, the role will focus sharply on the marketing for and recruitment of new members through a range of actions linked to the society’s marketing and communications strategy, to which the new manager will contribute.

As the role develops, the manager will concentrate on a range and variety of relevant projects.

The role will also involve the administration of relevant processes, systems and procedures necessary to ensure the society is run on a professional, business-like manner

The role will involve flexible working hours to take account of the nature of the work, which includes evening work from time-to-time.

The ideal candidate will possess most of the following:

Qualifications

• a degree or national diploma in marketing/business management

Experience

• a successful track record in a marketing/sales department within a relevant business environment for at least two/three years
• project/change management experience
• brand/concept development and management experience
• experience of internet, social media marketing, and tele-sales
• customer/client relations and people management
• experience of dealing with a range of media effectively

Skills and Qualities

• empathy for a community-based enterprise and the club’s vision for success
• well developed social skills and emotional intelligence
• outcome focused
• competent writer
• leadership qualities
• enterprising
• ability to translate creative thinking into concrete actions
• setting and achieving objectives using relevant metrics to measure success
• data analyses skills
• building professional networks and links

Main Duties

• developing a range of marketing materials and programmes
• data maintenance and management
• formulating, planning and executing strategy and actions
• developing and maintaining society web-site and links with club web-site
• supporting the club’s business plan and marketing and sales strategy
• providing admin support for the society, including at meetings and events
• interact with society members
• liaising closely with club’s marketing and sales manager and team, club staff and departments, MFC Community Trust, and external agencies and organisations
• other duties that may be required in order to fulfil the role effectively.

Salary:

Negotiable, depending on experience

Closing Date for applications

30th April 2015

To apply, please send an email to well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk with a,

• covering letter outlining why you would like to apply for the job
• statement indicating how you match the experience and skills required for the post
• brief CV relevant to the role

Please indicate FAO Brian McCafferty at the top of the email.

Alternatively, please send a the above by post to,

Brian McCafferty, Chairman

Well Society, Motherwell Football Club

Fir Park Stadium, Fir Park Street

MOTHERWELL, Ml1 2QN

CRITERIA FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Motherwell Under 20s return to action on Tuesday afternoon when they take on Dundee at Fir Park.

Jonatan Johansson’s youngsters had been on an excellent run of form, but lost to both Partick Thistle and Celtic in recent weeks. However, a fine 4-1 victory over Hearts has them back on track and they’ll be looking to repeat that once again.

The Steelmen, currently sitting in mid-table tenth position – a single point behind the Dee, previously lost to the Tayside club 1-0 at Alloa’s Indodrill Stadium back in late November.

The match will take place at Fir Park Stadium, with kick-off set for 2pm.