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Referee for this Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Dundee Utd at Fir Park will be Euan Norris.

The 34-year old will be handling his second Motherwell game of the campaign having previously been the man in the middle for the 1-1 draw with St Mirren at Fir Park back in August.

Euan will be a familiar face to Fir Park fans having taken charge of four matches last season too.

He started with the 4-2 away success against Dunfermline at East End Park in late August, the 1-0 win at Easter Road in October, the 3 – 0 defeat at Ibrox in January and, most recently, the 6-0 demolition of Morton in the Scottish Cup in early February..

He also handled two games the previous season…

The first, a 0-0 draw with Inverness was instantly forgettable. However, the other was one that will live long in the memory. Motherwell beat Championship-chasing Celtic 2-0 at Fir Park; former striker John Sutton netting a brace.

Going back a further year to 2009-10, Euan also handed two matches. He was the man in the middle when Motherwell edged out Falkirk 1-0 at Fir Park. Lukas Jutkiewicz got the only goal of the game, heading home a corner from the left after 18 minutes.

His other game that campaign was also at Fir Park; a stormy affair between Motherwell and Hibs.

The Steelmen won the game 1-0 thanks to a Jamie Murphy goal eight minutes from time but the game was marred by a red card for Liam Miller for a challenge on Jim O’Brien midway through the first forty-five.

Thankfully, FIFA referee Norris usually likes to keep his cards in his pocket with only twenty-six cautions handed out in all those games, with ten flashed at a ‘Well players. He had only produced one red to a ‘Well player and that was Shaun Hutchinson for a second bookable offence the last time he was at Fir Park.

Euan will be ably assisted by James Bee and Billy Baxter with Greg Aitken on fourth official duties.

It’s time to decide who you think deserves to win the Clydesdale Bank SPL Manager, Player & Young Player of the Month for September.

Has someone in our team shown some skill worthy of reward?  Has a new signing set your pulses racing or has our manager impressed you with our team’s performances over the month? 

Fans can vote by visiting the Clydesdale Bank Premier League website www.cbfootball.co.uk and the top three fans nominations will be put forward to the shortlist for the panel of Scottish football experts to choose the winners.

Voting is open now and closes at 12pm on Tuesday 2nd October 2012.

Log onto www.cbfootball.co.uk to cast your vote and play Score Selector. You can also win tickets for our upcoming fixtures, take part in the weekly quiz and keep up to date with all Clydesdale Bank’s football activities.

Highlights from Bayview as Motherwell Under 20s crashed out the SFA Youth Cup at the hands of East Fife.

-WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS ONLY ON MFC TV-
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Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson was left angry and frustrated as his side crashed out the Youth Cup to Second Division East Fife at Bayview this afternoon.

Motherwell dominated both the opening and closing stages but were off the pace for large spells and the part-timers from Fife can be proud of this efforts.

In the end, a 51st minute penalty from Mark Shaw separated the sides after some poor defending from the Fir Park side

The 106-times capped Finnish International Johansson spoke of his embarrassment and frustration at crashing out at the second round stage of the competition.

[pullquote]I’m angry, embarrassed and there can be no excuses from the lads. There are no hiding places but credit to East Fife who showed a great attitude.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “I’m angry, embarrassed and there can be no excuses from the lads. There are no hiding places but credit to East Fife who showed a great attitude.

“We started well but after fifteen minutes the whole gameplan went out the window and we were getting caught offside too much and trying the hard ball when nobody wanted to do the hard work of getting the ball down and playing the simple stuff that would have got us through.

“We can take loads from this game but unfortunately most are negatives”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 1-0 defeat to East Fife U20s in the SFA Youth Cup, Second Round at Bayview.

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 Graham Barnstaple at Bayview

Motherwell’s miserable record in the SFA Youth Cup continued after crashing out to Second Division side East Fife at Bayview.

The Steelmen were dominant in the opening exchanges but despite a couple of good chances for the usually prolific Craig Moore, the scores remained at stalemate.

However, just six minutes into the second half the home side scored what would turn out to be the winning goal from the penalty spot.

Jonatan Johansson will be furious with how the goal came about with ‘Well caught in possession on the edge of the area before eventually giving away a cheap spot kick. Mark Shaw took the resulting kick and kept his composure to drill the ball down the middle.

Tournament rules does not allow for overage players so there were wholesale changes from the side that won at Dens Park on Monday night.

Lee Hollis, Simon Ramsden, Jonathan Page, Zaine Francis-Angol and Omar Daley all dropped out, replaced by Ross Stewart, Adam Asghar, Jack Leitch, Morgyn Neill and Paul McCafferty.

Motherwell controlled the first half without managing to properly test the home keeper, Dylan Roonie, often enough. He should have been called into action as early as the first minute, Josh Watt bursting down the left but his cross was narrowly missed by Craig Moore and Paul McCafferty.

A few minutes late Neil sent Moore in one on one with long ball over the top but his shot was deflected wide by the foot of goalkeeper Roonie. From the resultant corner Neill could only head the ball just over the bar.

The home side had their first effort on goal after seventeen minutes when Shaw’s twenty-yard effort sailed high and wide of the left hand post. At the other end Moore squandered another opportunity when, clean through again, he clipped the ball over the goalie but the ball rebounded clear off the cross bar.

The onslaught continued and Stuart Carswell sent a stinging low drive just an inch wide of the post.

You would have been forgiven for thinking at that point that it was only a matter of time before the Fir Parkers got themselves ahead but, despite dominating the opening forty five minutes, they had nothing to show for their efforts.

As often happens, ‘Well were punished just six minutes after the break. Daryl Falconer shrugged off Dale Shirkie to create a shooting opportunity, but his effort was well saved by Ross Stewart. The ball fell for Nicky McGowan who was bundled to the deck by Adam Ashgar for a clear penalty.

Falconer confidently struck the ball into the bottom left hand corner after sending keeper Stewart the wrong way to give his side an unlikely lead at this stage.

East Fife defended deep for the remainder of the game, inviting Motherwell on to them but despite a couple of headers off target from Neill and Moore there was little to trouble Roonie.

The home side managed to keep the glaring opportunities to a minimum and goalkeeper Roonie was rarely called into meaningful action.

Carswell did have a couple of glaring chances in the dying stages, both of which flew over the bar.

Motherwell: Stewart, Asghar, Leitch, Murray, Neill, Hetherington, Carswell, McCafferty, Watt, Shirkie (Thomas 64), Moore

Subs Not Used: Currie, Green, Johnstone

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Celtic run out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Gary Hooper and a Adam Cummins own-goal.

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‘Well boss Stuart McCall conceded his side were second best to a strong Celtic side who ran out 2-0 winners at Fir Park this afternoon.

The Steelmen started the match well but a quick-fire double from Gary Hooper and an Adam Cummins own-goal handed the visitors the advantage before the break.

Motherwell’s task was made even harder with the red card to Adam Cummins just after the hour mark but the young defence battled on and the score remained the same.

McCall was honest enough to admit that Celtic were just too strong for his side and that he is already looking towards next week’s match against Dundee United at Fir Park.

[pullquote]I’ve got to say that, while we were not at our best, we were up against opposition who used their quality well today.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “I was pleased with the way we started the game, but I’ve got to say that, while we were not at our best, we were up against opposition who used their quality well today.

“I thought they were outstanding. As always when you are playing Celtic you need them to be off their game. We did ok up until 30 minutes when we had some chances but their class shone through and if they play like that on a regular basis nobody will get near them.

“It was a hard day for us and to be two down and down to ten men, everyone had to stick hard at it.

“We won’t get judged by how we perform against Celtic. Of course we want to beat them, especially at home, but we can only do that if we are at their best and they aren’t and today they were at their best.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 2-0 defeat by Celtuic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at The Fir Park.

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[tab:Match report]

 Kris Jack at Fir Park

Celtic moved above 10-man Motherwell at the top of the SPL with a 2-0 win at Fir Park.

Gary Hooper opened the scoring after half an hour, before Adam Cummins put through his own net four minutes later.

Cummins then saw red for a last man challenge on Kris Commons to give away a second half penalty, which was saved by Darren Randolph.

The scoreline perhaps doesn’t reflect the away performance though, as but for Randolph and some losses of composure in the box, Celtic could and should have scored more. Motherwell struggled to make any impact on Fraser Forster’s goal against a rampant Celtic side who had quality throughout their squad.

Stuart McCall stated after Wednesday night’s Scottish Communities League Cup exit at Ibrox that changes would likely be made for Celtic’s visit and he followed through by making three. Henrik Ojamaa and Fraser Kerr dropped to the bench, with Stevie Hammell missing out completely with an ankle knock. In came Jamie Murphy, Simon Ramsden and Zaine Francis- Angol.

Neil Lennon fielded a strong team, with several who took part in their midweek win over Raith Rovers, dropping out. Gary Hooper looked to add to his four goal League Cup haul on Tuesday at the front of the Hoops attack. New signing Efe Ambrose made the starting eleven, with fellow newcomer Miku starting from the bench.

Despite a reasonably comfortable start, albeit creating little in the final third, Motherwell had Darren Randolph to thank for keeping the scores level in the first ten minutes. James Forrest played a neat reverse ball for Hooper to latch on to but the former Scunthorpe hitman’s shot was well kept out by the shins of the Irish goalkeeper.

A free-kick on the edge of the box then worked its way to Scott Brown whose low drive was palmed out by Randolph with Victor Wanyama blasting the rebound wide.

Forrest and Commons then had efforts dip just over the bar, as the visitors looked to turn the screw. In contrast, the Steelmen couldn’t keep possession for any amount of time, with only Tom Hateley offering any excitement for the home crowd but his right footed dig from 20 yards sailed over and in to the fans behind the goal.

Antiguan Francis-Angol then made a great last ditch block to prevent Hooper opening the scoring. It was only delaying the inevitable though as on 31 minutes, the English striker gave Celtic the lead.

A diagonal ball over the top from Scott Brown caught Shaun Hutchinson on his heels. Hooper took a great touch to put the ball in front of him before coolly slotting it under the advancing Randolph to net his eighth goal of the season.

As on Wednesday, McCall’s men had to react to going behind, but within four minutes of doing so, they found themselves two goals down.

Another diagonal ball, this time from Commons, found Scott Brown on the left hand side. With time to compose himself he struck a ball in to the six yard box aimed for Gary Hooper. Adam Cummins slid in to make the block, but only contrived to knock the ball beyond Randolph at the front post.

With the second half still to play, it was a tall order for ‘Well to get back in to the game, and it was made even taller 10 minutes in to the second period. Commons ran on to a ball from Mulgrew and just as he looked to get past Cummins, the young defender hauled him down, earning himself a red card and a penalty for Celtic.

Having missed a spot kick against Dundee last week, skipper Scott Brown placed the ball to make amends for Celtic. With a stuttered run up, his spot kick was hit central allowing the diving Randolph to get his legs up to keep the effort out. It was the Well stopper’s third penalty save of the season, and gave the home fans something to cheer about in a wholly one sided game.

Surprisingly, with a man advantage for the most of the second half, Celtic did not add to their tally. Commons and Hooper had tame efforts after flooding the Steelmen defence, before Randolph earned his man of the match plaudits with a fine save from Scott Brown’s close range volley, after Izaguirre had got in behind Hutchinson.

Celtic introduced Miku and Georgios Samaras as they showed off their attacking options, but neither could increase their side’s lead. The new Celtic number seven had two decent chances, one which he screwed wide, the other hitting the side netting.

The introduction of Henrik Ojamaa sparked a brief spell of pressure for the Fir Parkers failed to produce a decent effort on goal for the home side. James Forrest should have made it 3-0 in the dying moments, after skipping past Francis-Angol in the box but he fell over the ball before he could get his shot off.

Focus for Motherwell will now turn to next week’s meeting with Dundee United at Fir Park.

[tab:As it happened]

Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FULL-TIME: Motherwell 0 – 2 Celtic.

90mins: Just into added on time.

88mins: Hateley finds Hutchinson with it but he just mis-times his jump and heads over.

86mins: It’s a late chance for Motherwell. Free-kick from a narrow angle on the edge of the box.

84mins: Corner to Motherwell…….Samaras breaks clear and is hauled down by Daley.

81mins: Celtic break with 3 against 3. Francis-Angol does enough to divert Forrest’s shot wide of the post.

79mins: Motherwell/Celtic subs: Ojamaa on for Murphy and Ledley on for Lustig.

75mins: Wanyama stings Randolph’s hands from 30 yards. Had it been either side of him ,it’s a great goal.

74mins: Celtic Sub: Miku on for Commons

72mins: Motherwell finally get out their own half. The attack ends when the ref judges Daley to have fouled Izaguirre.

69mins: 10 man Motherwell under severe pressure. Can’t get the ball and the majority of this half has been played in ‘Well’s final third.

68mins: Celtic Sub: Brown off for Samaras.

68mins: Motherwell sub: Daley on for Humphrey

65mins: Randolph somehow manages to beat away Brown’s close range shot. Looked like a certain goal.

64mins: Motherwell sub: Nicky Law off for Fraser Kerr.

60mins: Half-chance there for Hooper. Commons delivered a wicked ball into the box at the front post and Hooper can’t get enough on it.

54mins: Uphill struggle now for the 10 men!

54mins: RED CARD: Cummins sent off for hauling down Commons inside the box. Penalty saved by Randolph!!

52mins: Izaguirre controls a long ball and gets in behind the defence. Squares to Commons who drags his shot wide.

51mins: Celtic controlling the opening 5 minutes of the second half.

48mins: Hooper clips the ball across goal but there are no Celtic players there to divert home. A let off.

45mins: Second half now underway. Need a big reaction from the players now if we are to get back into this.

HALF-TIME: It’s Motherwell 0 – 2 Celtic. Hooper and a Cummins own goal separates the two sides.

35mins: GOAL: Cummins knocks Brown’s cross into his own net. 0-2

31mins: Too easy as the defence were caught under the ball giving him time and space to slot past the helpless Randolph

31mins: GOAL – Hooper sends Celtic 1 in front.

29mins: Francis-Angol does fantastically to block from Hooper after he peeled off his shoulder to volley towards goal.

28mins: And up the other end Randolph has to look sharp to get off his line to slide clear from Forrest.

27mins: Hateley dispossess Commons and has a crack from 20 yards. Unlucky to see it fly over.

25mins: Booking for Brown after a bodycheck on Murphy in the Motherwell half. Pity as there looked a good break on!

22mins: Commons goes close with a cheeky volley over Randolph. Looked like he was shaping for power but lobs it goalward just over bar.

14mins: Free-kick drilled straight into the wall by Commons. Humphrey almost broke clear but Mulgrew was equal to him and cleared for Celtic.

13mins: Hutchinson booked for a bodycheck on Commons as he burst through on goal. Free-kick 25 yards out.

12mins: Three corners in quick succession there for Celtic. All were scrambled clear by Motherwell.

11mins: Corner to Celtic….Common’s volley deflected out for another corner.

9mins: And again a great stop! Intelligent set-play from Celtic free’s space for Brown to shoot from 25 yards. Good hand beats it away.

8mins: Great save from Randolph! Hooper just has to slot home but the big stopper, slides out well with his feet and clears.

5mins: Good ball in from Hateley at the front post but Murphy’s header bounces into Forster’s arms.

4mins: It’s a positive start from the Steelmen. Had the bulk of possession as Francis-Angol is hacked down in a dangerous position.

1min: Lasley delivers from the right after early pressure but it overshoots the box.

1min: And we’re off. Let’s get right behind the ‘Well!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“We were beaten by a better side on the day. If you come up against a side that are better than you and they play well, you can only do your best

“We saw Celtic at their best and when they are at their best no-one in this league will live with them. It could have been worse, getting a man sent off with 30 minutes to go.

“It’s not what we’ll do against Celtic that will count. Obviously, we want to beat every side but you’ve got to be realistic.

“With the side they’ve got, when they play at their best, which they certainly were today, nobody else will have a prayer to match them.

“Celtic were outstanding and that’s what happens when they are good. The one thing from us is that we stuck at it.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon:

“We were brilliant today from start to finish. It should have been alot more.

“I was delighted with how we defended and some of our attacking play was excellent. We probably should’ve had more as it was one way traffic for a lot of the match.

“We were superb all over the park and that’s the best I’ve seen us this season.”

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