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Motherwell and Inverness Under 20s shared the spoils after a terrific 1-1 draw at Fir Park this evening.

The visitors took an early lead after just two minutes courtesy of new signing Ibra Sekajja, only for Steven Higgins to level things ten minutes later.

‘Well were on top for the most part, but Caley defended valiantly and always looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

However, both sides failed to add to their tally and the game eventually finished all square.

Jonatan Johansson made two changes to the team that beat Hibs three weeks ago. Ross Stewart and Jack Leitch dropped out, replaced by Max Currie and Ross McLean.

Caley had new signing; former Crystal Palace front man Ibra Sekajja in their starting eleven and he made an immediate impact for the Highlanders, scoring after just two minutes.

Liam Polworth’s whipped corner form the left found the former England Youth International unmarked and he was left with the simplest of tasks, heading home from inside the six-yard box.

The same player almost doubled his, and Caley’s, tally five minutes later but found Currie in top form, tipping away his shot from the edge of the area.

‘Well eventually settled down and with their first meaningful attack, leveled the game.

Steven Higgins was the scorer, but Chris Cadden deserves a lot of credit for the assist. The midfielder collected and drove towards goal, eventually playing a neat ball inside Blair Maclennan; Higgins held off the fullback before firing past Cameron Mackay for his fifth of the campaign.

After drawing level, ‘Well went immediately in search of a second and Higgins shot over before Dylan Mackin curled an effort a yard or so over the crossbar.

Higgins then brought out the best in Mackay with a stinging volley that forced the Caley stopper to beat away. Seconds later, the visitors roared up the park and Calum Ferguson replied with a shot from distance, but it was straight at Currie who gathered comfortably.

There was barely time to catch a breath with Caley’s Maclennan almost turned McLean’s drilled low cross into his own net, only for it to squirm just wide before Mackin snatched a shot after industrious wing work from Higgins on the left.

Caley weathered the onslaught and came within an inch of taking the lead for a second time. Liam Polworth’s thundering drive cannoned off Currie’s crossbar, bounced down on the line before eventually being scrambled clear. Caley claimed it had crossed, but the officials were having none of it.

Minutes later, Sekajja had a half chance inside the area after a corner had fell kindly for him, but ‘Well’s defense quickly charged out to make the block.

The first action of the second period came from the visitors and Polworth was again unfortunate not to find the net. The youngster collected a loose ball on the edge of the area and his shot hit a wicked deflection, only for Currie, who was going the wrong way, to expertly block with an outstretched leg to keep it at 1-1.

Both teams were again trading chances, Mackin firing over before Sutherland almost completed a quick Caley counter, his looping shot from the edge of the area went narrowly wide.

‘Well were gaining the upperhand though and enjoyed a period of dominance without being able to get another goal. Half chances came and went for Mackin and Thomas, but the score remained level.

Caley were content to soak up the pressure and hit with a long-ball counter, using the pace of Ferguson and Sekajja to great effect. They almost got their rewards when Sekejaa wriggled into space on the edge of the area but could only drag a low shot wide of target.

Mackin chipped over again, McLean flicked a header wide and Higgins ballooned a shot as the Steelmen continued to knock at the door, though.

As the game headed towards its conclusion, Thomas again fired over before Cummins should have won it with a close range header. Thomas was the architect, his stinging free kick was perfect for the former Evertonian but his little flick was an inch wide of target.

With five minutes left, ‘Well continued their relentless pressure at the visitors goal. After a quick counter from a Caley free-kick, Mackin’s shot from distance deflected wide for a corner when he had better options either side of him. Neil blazed over the resulting kick from the quadrant.

Higgins then had an effort straight at MacKay and with virtually the last kick of the ball, Craig McCall curled an effort at goal only for the Caley keeper to pluck it comfortably out the air.

The final whistle brought about a standing ovation from the small group of fans and family in the Phil O’Donnell Stand. It was pulsating, exciting and, at times, gung-ho and frustrating, but a great advert for U20s Development League football for sure.

Motherwell: Currie, McMillan (Watt – 73mins), Ferguson, Cummins, Neill, McCall, Mackin, Cadden (Leitch – 75mins), Higgins, Thomas, McLean (Anderson -79mins)

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Hall, Campbell, McNulty

Topps Match Attax, the world’s most successful football trading card game launches its all-new Scottish Premiership 2014-15 collection today at Hampden Stadium, Glasgow.

Steelmen of all ages can get involved in this years’ collection, which features all-new card types and the introduction of Championship players.

Every Scottish Match Attax card in the 2014-15 collection features player star ratings and a range of statistics, so that collectors can rank the Premiership and Championship stars according to power, skill, passing, shooting, speed and tackling. New Attack and Defence categories will make the game even more exciting than ever.

The very latest players’ photos feature on the cards, alongside player values, enabling fans to build their own £100million super-squad. The values also act as an aid to help collector’s trade cards fairly in the school playground.

Rod Pearson, Marketing Director for Topps, comments: “Scottish Match Attax is set to be a huge hit and brings fans all the action, all of the top players and all 22 teams from the Scottish Premiership and Championship. It offers a great accompaniment to the new season and enables fans of all teams to take part in the action that this trading card game of super skill, stats and tactics brings.”

The 2014-15 Match Attax collection is on sale from 2nd October and features over 280 cards to collect, including Star Player Man of the Match cards, plus new Trophy cards, duo cards and 100 Club cards.

Scottish Premiership Match Attax 2014-15 Starter Packs (£4.99) contain everything needed to get straight into a competitive game upon opening and include a sturdy plastic binder, A2 play pitch, an exclusive Limited Edition card and supersize wall chart. Packets of 9 cards will retail at £1 and multipacks of 50 cards, including a Bronze, Silver or Gold Limited Edition, will retail at £5.

For further information about Topps Match Attax, please visit www.toppsfootball.co.uk Catch all the latest Topps collectibles news at www.facebook.com/MyTopps and via Twitter @MyTopps.

Highlights from Firhill as Motherwell slump to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Partick Thistle.

Action pictures from this afternoon’s 3-1 defeat by Partick Thistle at Firhill.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Ian McFadyen.

[svgallery name=”partickthistle041014″]

 Gavin McCafferty at Firhill

Stuart McCall is refusing to panic despite another frustrating defeat sent his side second bottom of the SPFL Premiership.

Partick Thistle inflicted Motherwell’s seventh defeat in nine games with a 3-1 triumph at Firhill.

However, McCall does not believe drastic change is required, just hard work and more confidence, and believes the game could have been different had Scott Fox not pushed Henrik Ojamaa’s early header on to the bar.

McCall said: “Obviously when you are not winning games it’s a worry. I’ve been through it as a player and a coach and there’s no hiding place. You have to stand up and be counted.

“I don’t think it was a lack of desire or effort, they scored at the right times and took their opportunities.

“Of course it’s a concern when you are losing games and near the bottom of the table. I think you could say for the last three and a half years we have punched above our weight, I think certainly at this moment we are punching below our weight.

[pullquote]I think you could say for the last three and a half years we have punched above our weight, I think certainly at this moment we are punching below our weight.[/pullquote]

“I don’t think there is much between teams. Confidence plays a big part in football and the only way we get that back is by winning games. It’s just hard work, no magic formula, it’s hard work, dedication, organisation and individuals playing as well as they possibly can.”

McCall, whose team have finished runners-up in each of the last two seasons, added: “Last year we were probably winning games like that. We’ve won two league games this season and we’ve scored first in both of them.

“The keeper made a terrific save from Ojamaa and if that had gone in, it may have been a different game. But we’re attacking, should have put a cross in and don’t, and they break on us. It was a good counter-attack goal for them but for a bad one for us. I didn’t think there was much in the game.

“The third goal has killed us and it was just a lack of communication. The pass goes through Zaine’s legs and the goalie’s legs. Things aren’t going for us, we are not playing superbly obviously and confidence is a little bit low. but we just have to stick in there.

“I don’t think there is a lot between many teams at this level, as there maybe wasn’t last season. Last year we won a lot of games by the odd goal. This season we are not scoring when we should be scoring.”

[tab:Match report]

 Gavin McCafferty at Firhill

Motherwell slipped to eleventh in the table with a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Firhill this afternoon.

The Jags were largely comfortable after Stuart Bannigan gave them a 16th-minute lead, although the game might have been different had Henrik Ojamaa’s early header been a inches lower rather than hitting the underside of the bar.

O’Donnell fed Kris Doolan for the second after the break and took advantage of a absent Motherwell defence to score a late clincher on the counter-attack.

Motherwell had briefly threatened a comeback following a sensational 35-yard strike from substitute Lionel Ainsworth, but they were again lacking in confidence as an attacking side, despite signs that Ojamaa is regaining his sharpness.

Both sides rang the changes as they looked to bounce back from heavy defeats, Thistle at Kilmarnock and Motherwell against Hamilton.

Thistle made three switches, with one enforced after Kallum Higginbotham was forced to undergo knee surgery. O’Donnell, James Craigen and Christie Elliott came in.

Steven Hammell made his first league appearance of the season for Motherwell following a groin tear while Keith Lasley, Mark O’Brien and Iain Vigurs returned from injury too and both John Sutton and Josh Law were recalled.

Motherwell came close to the lead in the 11th minute when Law made a loose ball his and burst to the bye-line where he crossed to the near post. Henrik Ojamaa got his head to it but saw his effort crash off the bar and bounce down off the line, with goalkeeper Scott Fox getting a decisive touch.

A goal soon came at the other end though. Steven Lawless had not long shot just wide following good skill when he collected the ball in the centre circle after Motherwell right-back Fraser Kerr’s run down the wing was thwarted.

Lawless exploited the space by playing the ball inside Vigurs into the path of Bannigan, who streaked away from his marker and guided a shot high into the net past Dan Twardzik.

Twardzik held a 20-yard volley from Doolan before Motherwell had a couple of half-chances from corners, Fox saving from Sutton’s close-range header before McManus sent a free header well over from a difficult angle.

Thistle were posing sporadic threats and an ambitious Lawless snap-shot flew wide before Elliott shot straight at Twardzik.

Motherwell pressed before half-time but the best effort they could muster saw Law curl just over from 20 yards.

There was little sign of a Motherwell comeback in the early stages of the second half and Stuart McCall brought on Ainsworth for Vigurs on the right wing 11 minutes in.

But Thistle’s second goal followed from their right wing in the 62nd minute. O’Donnell got on to Conrad Balatoni’s ball and held off Law before getting to the bye-line and cutting it back for Doolan, who got in front of O’Brien to fire a shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Law soon made way for Lee Erwin but Thistle came close again when Twardzik beat away Craigen’s near-post strike.

The Jags looked completely in control but there was nothing any team could have done about Ainsworth’s 72nd-minute strike.

Motherwell won the ball back in midfield and Erwin fed Ainsworth almost 40 yards out. The winger took one touch and fired a magnificent strike across Fox and right in the top corner.

Ainsworth threatened again moments later when Fox turned his 20-yard strike past his near post.

Suddenly Thistle were under pressure but Motherwell were undone on the break in the 82nd minute after the hosts cleared a corner.

Nathan Eccleston, on moments earlier for Doolan, got to the ball just in front of Stuart Carswell on the touchline 15 yards inside his own half. But Motherwell sub Zaine Francis-Angol charged forward from his position on the halfway line to leave Twardzik unprotected and Eccleston managed to turn the ball forward for O’Donnell to run on to.

The right-back ran from his own half unchallenged and kept his composure to slot through the legs of Twardzik, and Fox saved well from Erwin in injury-time to complete the 3-1 triumph.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Firhill

FT: Partick Thistle 3 – 1 Motherwell #PTFCvMFC

91mins: Great save by Fox to tip Erwin’s close-range effort over the bar #PTFCvMFC

82mins: GOAL! O’Donnell breaks away and kills the game with a finish under Twardzik. 3-1 #PTFCvMFC

80mins: Partick Thistle sub, Eccleston on for Doolan #PTFCvMFC

79mins: Craigen is booked for a clumsy tackle on Lasley #PTFCvMFC

76mins: Partick Thistle sub, Carroll on for Lawless #PTFCvMFC

73mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol on for Hammell #PTFCvMFC

What a goal by Ainsworth!! Must have been all of 30 yards and it absolutely flew into the top corner!!! 2-1 now. #PTFCvMFC

GOOOAALLLL!!

66mins: Great save from Twardzik, beating away Craigen’s effort as it looked like it was sailing into the top corner #PTFCvMFC

65mins: McMillan booked for time wasting #PTFCvMFC

64mins: Motherwell sub, Law off for Erwin #PTFCvMFC

62mins: GOAL! Doolan with a right footed shot from inside the box from a cut-back. 2-0 #PTFCvMFC

56mins: Motherwell sub, Ainsworth on for Vigurs #PTFCvMFC

53mins: Partick win a corner…which Carswell heads clear at the front post #PTFCvMFC

Neither side make any changes at the break and the second half gets underway #PTFCvMFC

HT: Partick Thistle 1 – 0 Motherwell #PTFCvMFC

43mins: Great spell of passing football there from ‘Well but Law can’t keep his curled shot down as he looked to finish it off #PTFCvMFC

38mins: Yellow card for Doolan after a late challenge on Vigurs #PTFCvMFC

32mins: O’Brien is booked for pulling down Doolan 30 yards from goal #PTFCvMFC

30mins: Half chance there for McManus who lost his marker at a corner but couldn’t get his header on target from an awkward angle #PTFCvMFC

27mins: Vigurs’ corner causes problems and as Sutton nods it goalwards, Ojamaa can’t quite do enough to nick it past Fox #PTFCvMFC

26mins: A loose ball falls to Doolan 25 yards out. A attempts a left-footed volley which is straight at Twardzik #PTFCvMFC

24mins: Ojamaa gathers a throw-in into his feet and spins Balatoni but his low front-post cross is gathered by Fox #PTFCvMFC

15mins: GOAL! Bannigan puts the Jags 1-0 up with a good finish from just inside the box. #PTFCvMFC

14mins: Lawless spins McManus 40 yards out, drives forward and has a strike that whistles just past Twardzik’s right hand post #PTFCvMFC

13mins: Thistle have a breakaway but thankfully O’Donnell’s superb cross has no takers. Still 0-0 #PTFCvMFC

11mins:Ojamaa hits the bar! Wonderful work from Law to get the cross in to Ojamaa whose header looked like it was tipped onto the bar by Fox

9mins: Great delivery from a Craigen corner finds the head of Seabourne who heads wide #PTFCvMFC

8mins: Carswell gets away with a late challenge in the middle of the park. Only a talking to, good refereeing #PTFCvMFC

3mins: First bit of attacking intent shown by ‘Well. Ojamaa gets to the byline but his volleyed cross is gathered by Fox #PTFCvMFC

Doolan and Craigen get the game underway #COYW #PTFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald:

“We touched on it last week, we lost Dan and Kallum last week at Kilmarnock at half-time and I thought other players have got to take responsibility as a team.

“I thought they did that as a team. They worked ever so hard at the ugly side of the game and they got their reward with goals, good footballing goals as well.”

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“Obviously when you are not winning games it’s a worry. I’ve been through it as a player and a coach and there’s no hiding place. You have to stand up and be counted.

“I don’t think it was a lack of desire or effort, they scored at the right times and took their opportunities.

“Of course it’s a concern when you are losing games and near the bottom of the table. I think you could say for the last three and a half years we have punched above our weight, I think certainly at this moment we are punching below our weight.

“I don’t think there is much between teams. Confidence plays a big part in football and the only way we get that back is by winning games. It’s just hard work, no magic formula, it’s hard work, dedication, organisation and individuals playing as well as they possibly can.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”204″]

 Follow ‘Dibsy’ on Twitter 

It was a quiet one for ‘Well ladies last weekend, with only the Under 9s and under 11s in action.

Under 9s

The Under 9s were at K Park taking part in a tournament with five other teams. A confident and clinical first game saw the girls beat Gartcairn 3-0. Their second match was a much tougher test, but the girls managed to sneak a win, beating East Kilbride 4-3. The next two games saw defeat for the young Wells girls, losing 5-2 to a more experienced East Kilbride team and losing 1-0 to East Kilbride Thistle, however a 1-0 win to Rossvale added to their win tally.

The girls once again played their socks off and made their coaches proud. Laura Daley said: “(It was) another fantastic tournament for the girls to be part of, I can definitely see improvement as the weeks go on; the future definitely looks bright.”

Under 11s

The Under 11s won 4-1 on Saturday against Gartcairn. They played some fantastic football and demonstrated just how the old ‘give and go’ technique should be played. A solid win for the girls with only one wee flaw in the ‘Well defence, as fatigue saw an unfortunate goal lost in the closing stages of the game.

This weekend’s fixtures:

• Under 9s vs K Park Festival: Sat 4th October 2014, K Park, East Kilbride, 12noon – 1.30pm.
• Under 11s vs Central Girls: Sat 4th October 2014, Fir Park Astro, 9am KO
• Under 15s have no game this weekend due to the Scottish Cup Semi Final.
• Motherwell Ladies FC v Bishopton: Sunday 5th October, Daisy Park (Cathedral Primary), 12noon KO.

With a vast range of player pathway age groups ever growing at Motherwell FC, I thought I would see where it all starts at the club. In this week’s focus I had the privilege of speaking with Lead Coach of the Under 9’s and 11’s, Laura Day.

Name: Laura Daly

Nickname: ‘Daly’, ‘Shavey’ and my mum has always called me ‘Ludgey’! (Don’t ask, I have no idea why?)

Job title: Lead Coach at Motherwell FC and Child Protection Officer

Qualifications: SFA Early Touches, SFA Coaching Youth Footballers, SFA Coaching Young Footballers, First Aid, Safe Guarding & Protecting Children

Did you play football? Yes

What was your playing position? I started as striker but ended up working my way back to Right Back.

Who are the previous clubs you have played for? East Kilbride, Motherwell, Glasgow Girls, Scotland Development and a few games for both Rangers and Celtic.

What age group do you coach? The Under 9s and Under 11s and help at the senior Ladies team.

How long have you coached them for? I have coached the younger age groups since I arrived at Motherwell nearly two years ago, and actually started the Ladies team after only a few months of being part of Motherwell FC.

What made you decide you wanted to coach football? I wanted to help improve the number of girls participating in football and to help encourage them to take their talent as far as possible.

What inspires you to coach football? To see the difference and effect I can have on someone, not only as a footballer, but as a person in general, is an amazing feeling. My key word is confidence and it makes me happy to see the girls all enjoying themselves and positively interacting with each other.

How did you get involved at Motherwell? I just tried my luck and emailed Motherwell FC after a spell at Glasgow City and met (MFC Community Trust General Manager) Charlie Bennett for a coffee. After hearing his plans for the club and us having the same views on girls’ football, I had no doubts I wanted to be a part of the club.

How does it feel to be a part of Motherwell FC? It’s amazing! Very demanding at times as we have a quality set up and are always attracting new players for all age groups. But we also have a great bunch of coaches, who are all very knowledgeable, so it’s always good to learn new ideas from them and see the club growing in numbers.

What do you and your team do to prepare for each game? We gather round the tactics board to discuss our aims for the upcoming match. Between fellow coach Pamela Liddell and I, we choose one specific area for the girls to work on during the game and discuss how to get success in that area. We then do a warm up and some stretching before a wee ‘cuddle’ to gather our confidence.

Who’s coaching career do you admire the most? I would say Shelley Kerr. She’s achieved so much and is now the only female coach to go on to coach men’s football.

Would you trade football to coach in any other sport? You couldn’t pay me enough to leave football. It’s my life and what I always wanted to do.

Is it hard to juggle coaching with other commitments? Sometimes it is difficult to manage my college course with coaching, but I have great team around me who always help out and always keep me focussed. Big shout out needs to go to Linda Gibson for that one! Thanks buddy.

In your opinion, what’s been your favourite coaching moment? It has got to be when our Under 11s won their first game after the Performance Centre only been up and running for just one week. The girls and coaches walked off the pitch to a big cheer from our fans, so it was a great atmosphere and a great piece of history for the club. It’s a memory that will last a lifetime.

What do you love most about coaching at Motherwell? The girls I coach are always looking to improve, regardless of what they are learning. They turn up for football with a smile on their face and are always focussed which makes my job easier.

What makes a great football player? I think a lot of key areas make a great football player but if I was to narrow it down I would say they would need to be full of confidence in their own ability and also have a good mentality to get the head down and strive to learn new things.

What do you hope to achieve with your team over the next few seasons? For me it’s quite simple, I want them to enjoy their football and enjoy winning games. From doing what we practise in training and working together then we will be challenging for the league in March …and winning it!

Stuart McCall is targeting more goals as his side aims to bounce back from last week’s derby disappointment.

The Steelmen have only netted four times domestically this campaign, resulting in two wins from eight matches.

It’s been a frustrating start, but one McCall is hoping to rectify when he faces a tough trip to Firhill.

He said: ”The disappointing thing is we have only scored one goal at home.

“In saying that, we had five outstanding chances at the start of the second half against Hamilton.

[pullquote]We just need to step up to the mark. We have players who can score goals and we now need to convert.[/pullquote]

“It’s been like that since I’ve been here; the home form up until Christmas, then we seem to go on a good run. Our away performances have been better and we need to put in another good one.

“Big Sutty [John Sutton] has managed to get a couple of goals, Vigs [Iain Vigurs] has chipped in with one and Lawsy [Josh Law] has a couple.

“We’ve not been scoring but in the last two games we have been creating chances.

“I was more worried when we weren’t creating. We just need to step up to the mark. We have players who can score goals and we now need to convert.”

The returning Stevie Hammell says ‘Well will need to up their game significantly to get a result at Firhill tomorrow.

The Steelmen have made a stuttering start to the new campaign, although recent results at Dingwall and Celtic Park gave some cause for optimism before a hugely disappointing derby double whammy by Hamilton.

The experienced left-back has been a frustrated spectator, watching on from the stand after tearing a muscle in the European match back in July.

Finally fit and back in contention, the former Scotland International is in the squad for tomorrow’s match against the Jags and he knows what to expect.

Asked if he is confident ‘Well can turn their fortures around, the 32-year old said: “Of course we can. It’s not gone the way we want it to go so far, but if we can put a little run together and keep up with the group in front of us, then we’re right amongst it again.

[pullquote]We’ve got good characters and we’ve bounced back before, but it’s okay me sitting here saying it and us training hard through the week. When it comes to a Saturday that’s all the fans want to see and that’s when we need to do it.[/pullquote]

“We’ve got good characters and we’ve bounced back before, but it’s okay me sitting here saying it and us training hard through the week. When it comes to a Saturday that’s all the fans want to see and that’s when we need to do it.

“In saying that, we’re expecting a tough one tomorrow. I’ve watched Thistle a few times and they’ve impressed me, and they’ll probably feel some of the matches they’ve lost they’ve been hard done to.

“They’re on the same points as us so will be hungry for the win. We need to go there, be confident and concentrate on ourselves but I’ve got no doubts it’ll be a hard game.”

Every month this season, Cash Converters will be giving you the opportunity to present your Motherwell Player of the Month with his trophy.

All you need to do is vote for the ‘Well player you think has been the stand-out performer for September and you could be chosen at random to congratulate our star man in person.

To cast your vote, simply visit our Cash Converters SPL Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

The Cash Converters SPL Facebook page will also give you the opportunity to enter the draw for our Convert Your Seat competition and Convert for Cash race.