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Motherwell cruised to their fourth league victory and second Lanarkshire derby triumph after defeating local rivals Hamilton 2-1.

Paige McAllister’s close-range finish put the women of steel in the ascendency midway through the first half, before Carla Boyce netted the second early into the second half.

In the dying stages of the game, Josi Giard netted Hamilton a late consolation.

Looking for their second Lanarkshire derby victory of the season, ‘Well applied the early pressure and came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock after 15 minutes.

Lori Gardner skillfully worked her way into the box, nutmegging her opponent in the process, before picking out Amy Anderson at the edge of the box, but the midfielder lost her footing and sent her effort well over the bar.

After controlling much of the early possession, Motherwell continued to threaten and deservedly netted the opener minutes later.

Leanne Crichton’s pinpoint delivery was poorly misjudged by Hamilton stopper Jeni Currie, and her looping cross ricocheted off the bar to the feet of McAllister, who coolly slotted her strike home from close range.

Hamilton thought they had brought themselves level 10 minutes later. Tiree Burchill quickly closed down Khym Ramsay’s clearance, and the striker raced through to tap in the rebound. However, the referee adjudged that Ramsay was fouled in the build-up, and the equaliser was soon disallowed.

With the half-time whistle looming, Motherwell pressed forward in search of a vital second goal as Gardner continued to cause the hosts problems.

The winger skipped past several lacklustre Hamilton challenges before being impeded in the box, leaving the referee no alternative but to award the spot kick. Boyce stepped up, but the striker’s low effort rattled off the post, allowing the keeper to easily gather.

Minutes into the second half, the visitors doubled their advantage.

Katie Rice’s perfectly weighted cross fell kindly to Boyce deep into the Hamilton penalty area, and the forward calmly placed her strike past Currie to put the visitors in control of the tie.

With the final few minutes ticking away, the hosts netted a late consolation. Giard latched onto Hannah Coakley’s long ball, and the striker’s exquisite finish left Ramsay with no chance.

This result will be a confidence booster for Motherwell as Paul Brownlie’s side move into fifth place and two points clear of Spartans, who they will face at the end of the month.

The Motherwell boss speaks ahead of the Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Fir Park.

We’ll face Aberdeen in the fifth round of the 2021/22 Scottish Cup.

Having defeated Morton after extra-time on Saturday, we’ll host the Dons.

The tie will be played on the weekend of 12 February 2022.

The confirmed date and kick-off time will be confirmed in due course.

2021/22 Scottish Cup fifth round draw

Motherwell v Aberdeen

Celtic v Raith Rovers

Arbroath v Hibernian

Annan Athletic v Rangers

Hearts v Livingston

Peterhead v Dundee

Partick Thistle v Dundee United

St Mirren v Kelty Hearts

The end of 2021 brought with it a fraught spell at Motherwell FC, with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 threatening to play havoc.

With the Scottish Government imposing a limit of 500 fans for games at Fir Park, the league decided to bring forward the scheduled winter break to minimise the potential damage.

One game – against Livingston on Boxing Day – was played in front of limited numbers, an experience nobody enjoyed or wants to return to.

A win in that match then brought the start of some well-earned rest for a playing squad in form. During the break, however, there was plenty of talk off the field about seriöse Buchmacher ohne Lugas Eintrag, as fans explored alternative betting options that bypass certain local regulations. This growing interest in more flexible gambling platforms reflects broader trends in the gaming industry, particularly for those looking for higher payouts and fewer restrictions.

But there would be no respite for Paul Matthew and the ground staff, who made the most of the time to carry out remedial work on the pitch.

The time off also allowed us to catch up with summer recruit Sean Goss.

A reserved, laidback character off the pitch, it turns out there’s much more to him than originally meets the eye.

“We didn’t let it become a hard-luck story. We kept going to the end and did not quit.”

The world of workplace wellbeing has been turned on its head over the past two years – with the importance of a happy and healthy workforce becoming ever more apparent in light of the individual and business struggles we’ve all experienced.

Because it’s not just team members who benefit from a focus on physical, mental, financial and emotional health: their employers also stand to benefit from implementing an effective workplace wellbeing strategy.

Here, the team from Paycare – proud sponsors of Motherwell Football Club – share their expert insights, having supported employee health and wellbeing since 1874.

Healthy employees take less time off sick

Sickness leave has been reduced to 3.6 days on average per employee per year – with carefully thought out policies that promote early detection and intervention of illnesses, meaningful support for those with long-term conditions, and assistance in the case of injury having the potential to improve employee health further.

Introducing mental health assistance alone sees sickness absence fall in a third of companies. This is far more preferable than the alternative: creating a culture where employees feel they must come to work even if they are unwell.

While on the surface this approach may look to be beneficial for the company in question, presenteeism has an even more damaging impact when it comes to business revenue: costing the UK economy £15.1 billion each year.

Increased productivity and loyalty

In workplaces where mental health is addressed, productivity rises by 12%, and more than half of companies report increased engagement and morale. Beyond these gains, the financial impact is clear: for every £1 a company invests in employee mental health, they can expect a £5 return through reduced absence, presenteeism, and staff turnover. Meanwhile, industries like entertainment have also seen shifts, particularly with the rise in digital engagement options, such as an expansive online casinos list, that provide mental escape and relaxation, which is increasingly relevant in discussions on workplace wellness and mental health solutions.

Companies not yet realising the importance of workplace wellbeing are not only losing good employees to other firms, one in every eight people leaving the labour market does so because of ill health. Those dismissing the importance of healthcare perks might also find themselves missing out on top applicants – a third consider wellbeing benefits as a top priority when considering whether to accept a job offer.

What should a Wellbeing Strategy include?

To prove truly impactive, a formalised Wellbeing Strategy should be implemented to ensure consistency of offering across the business and ease of communication about perks and benefits to existing and potential staff, as well as external stakeholders and clients.

A Wellbeing Strategy should protect the emotional, mental, physical and financial wellbeing of every team member. Naturally, employees should be supported through any specific problems which arise. Still, the strategy should also focus on preventing issues and making health and wellness a priority at all times, not just when a specific team member is experiencing a problem.

As well as covering specific benefits available, the strategy should also focus on the company’s flexible working policy, who employees can approach for support, and whether adjustments can be made in light of long-term conditions.

The bottom line

A well-thought-out strategy offering effective benefits focused around all aspects of employee health – physical, emotional, mental, and financial – has been shown to reduce absenteeism, presenteeism, and absence leave, while simultaneously increasing loyalty, staff retention, and productivity.

An investment in staff wellbeing isn’t just good for individuals. It’s good for business – and it needn’t be a huge investment, as Paycare has proved with its Bundle package.

For just £2 per employee per month, Bundle members have access to three core wellbeing services: round-the-clock virtual access to a GP, confidential telephone support and counselling, and discounts on everything from utilities and sports gear to holidays and days out.

Visit paycare.org/wellbeing-bundle for more information.

If you can’t make Motherwell v Greenock Morton in person on Saturday, there’s still a way to watch.

A pay-per-view online stream of the game is now available for all fans to buy for £12.

To get your pass, head to ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk. Please note that this stream is restricted to viewers in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Wales. It is not available to buy in England, due to UEFA restrictions.

If you’re based outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch as part of your subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Get your ticket

Don’t forget, tickets are still available if you want to make the trip to Fir Park.

If you’re a season ticket holder, we’ve reserved your seat for you.

To get yours, just log in to your account at tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk. Once logged in, your reserved ticket(s) will be in your account menu and will be uploaded to your card. You will not be required to collect a physical ticket.

If you don’t have a season ticket, match tickets can also be bought from tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk. Pay at the gate is not available. Alternatively, call 01698 333333 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Prices for tickets are:

• Adult: £15
• Over 60s, full-time students and 16-18 year-olds: £10
• Under 15s: £5

For away supporters, the ticket booth at the Tommy McLean Stand will open from 1.30pm, and will accept cash and card.

Our 2021/22 Scottish Cup campaign starts on Saturday with the visit of Greenock Morton.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 3pm.

Get your ticket

If you’re a season ticket holder, we’ve reserved your seat for you. You have until 1pm on Friday to guarantee your normal seat.

To get yours, just log in to your account at tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk. Once logged in, your reserved ticket(s) will be in your account menu and will be uploaded to your card. You will not be required to collect a physical ticket.

If you don’t have a season ticket, match tickets can also be bought from tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk. Pay at the gate is not available. Alternatively, call 01698 333333 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Prices for tickets are:

• Adult: £15
• Over 60s, full-time students and 16-18 year-olds: £10
• Under 15s: £5

For away supporters, the ticket booth at the Tommy McLean Stand will open from 1.30pm, and will accept cash and card.

Watch live online

If you can’t make Motherwell v Greenock Morton in person on Saturday, there’s still a way to watch.

A pay-per-view online stream of the game is now available for all fans to buy for £12.

To get your pass, head to ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Covid-19 information

Covid-19 certification checks will now be in place at all matches.

At Fir Park, we require that you are either:

• fully vaccinated, which will include a booster vaccine for those who had a second dose more than four months ago; or
• able to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test.

We also advise that all fans take a lateral flow test before travelling to the match, regardless of their vaccination status.

Join us before the match

The Cooper Bar is open from 12pm for food and drink. Table service is in operation for this match.

Our Centenary Suite is open to supporters who have already purchased hospitality for this fixture.

Form guide

Motherwell returned from the cinch Premiership winter break with a 3-1 loss at Ross County on Tuesday night.

Prior to that, Graham Alexander’s men had won two on the bounce, beating St Johnstone and Livingston.

Morton are unbeaten in three, drawing with Kilmarnock and then winning against Dunfermline Athletic and Ayr United.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell and Morton have met three times in the last five years in cup competitions, with the Steelmen winning all three.

A 4-0 League Cup win in 2017 was followed up by the same scoreline in the same competition two years later, before Motherwell won a penalty shootout in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup last season.

“We’ve thrown the game away. Hopefully that is a harsh lesson for everyone.”

Motherwell’s return to cinch Premiership action ended in defeat at Ross County.

Sondre Solholm’s own goal in the dying seconds of the first half was cancelled out by Jordan Roberts’ stunner early in the second.

But a double from County’s Regan Charles-Cook, after a red card for Jordon Tillson, gave the hosts all three points.

Motherwell controlled large spells of the opening period, but chances were at a premium.

Maguire’s long-distance drive was inches past the right post, as was a bending free kick from Van Veen from 25 yards which had home ‘keeper Maynard-Brewer scampering.

A shout for a penalty was waved away in between, with Solholm clearly caught by the closed hand of the County keeper after he won a header in the box, which dropped wide.

Then at the end of the half, a downward Donnelly header from a corner was going wide but Van Veen was again inches away from making the telling connection.

With no shots on target the whole first 45, a sucker punch shouldn’t have arrived, but it somehow did in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time.

Charles-Cook found space on the left after beating Mugabi, and his low cross across the face of goal was turned into his own net by Solholm at the front post.

‘Well needed to inject something extra into their play and it arrived 10 minutes into the second half.

Van Veen refused to give up down the left and chased down a long ball to find himself up against two County men.

Roberts had broke from deep and, receiving the ball 25 yards from goal, set himself with a deft touch before sending an unstoppable half-volley into the top right corner of the net.

With County rattled, their discipline would go soon after.

Roberts again caused trouble down the right and substitute Tillson answered with a two-footed lunge, which sparked furious scenes between both sets of players.

In the end, Tillson saw a just red to put the hosts down to 10 men.

The game predictably sparked to life, with both sides going at it at in an end-to-end second period.

But it would be County who would strike next in the 72nd minute.

A cross from the right wasn’t well dealt with as White and Mugabi collided, and Charles-Cook arrived late to smash the ball home from 12 yards.

The 10 men then went even further in front with 10 minutes left.

Charles-Cook’s burst to the byline saw him attempt to cross the ball, only for Mugabi’s outstretched hand to make contact with the ball in the box.

Referee Beaton pointed to the spot, and Charles-Cook stepped up himself to put home County’s third.

Motherwell: Kelly, O’Donnell, Solholm, Mugabi, McGinley, Donnelly, Maguire (Shields), Goss, Roberts, Woolery (Amaluzor), Van Veen.

Subs not used: Fox, Morrison, Carroll, O’Connor, Grimshaw, Cornelius, Slattery.