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Tom Hateley is hoping to continue quietly racking up the points with another away-day scalp, this time with victory against Hibernian on Saturday afternoon.
 
Without fanfare, the Steelmen have crept into second spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, sitting a point ahead of Glasgow giants Celtic.

‘The ‘Well have already racked up six wins from ten SPL outings, including notable away wins at Rugby Park, St. Mirren Park and, most recently, Tannadice.

[pullquote]We’ve got massive belief in our squad that we can win games. It may be a bit of a surprise to see ourselves sitting in second but it’s something we’re relishing.[/pullquote]

And Hateley admits that all the players are thriving under the relative lack of media focus and expectation at Fir Park – something which has allowed the men in claret and amber to produce some of the most entertaining football in the country.

“We haven’t had much of the limelight and I’m happy about that,” the 22-year old considered. “A lot of the press has been about the Old Firm as it probably should be. That has worked well for us. We have just gone under the radar and done what we had to do to get three points.

“We’ve got massive belief in our squad that we can win games. It may be a bit of a surprise to see ourselves sitting in second but it’s something we’re relishing.

“It’s always nice to prove people wrong that don’t think we can do something as a team or individuals. It’s quite a good feeling to do something you’re not expected to do. All the boys love to play football and that’s the most important thing. You try not to focus too much on what’s going on around you or what people think you should be doing. We’ve got players who can win games for us and as long as they keep doing what they’re doing, I’m sure we’ll all be smiling.

“We have got players at this club that can win you games and are quick and good on the counter attack, and we’ve done well away from home so far due to that. Hopefully that can continue.”

Motherwell’s current success is made all the more notable given the relative lack of depth in the ‘Well pool – something exascerbated by the recent absence of Shaun Hutchinson and the long-term injury of Stevie Saunders.

Hateley even concedes that you could pretty much name the Motherwell XI ahead of time, such is the consistency borne out of a lack of experienced repacements. Yet the results keep on coming.

He continued: “We enjoy playing games, I’m young and I’m not getting tired or sore from playing games. It’s something we’re all enjoying.

It will be interesting to see in a couple of months if we get some injuries or suspensions, what will happen. That could be a problem but until something like that happens, and touch wood it doesn’t, then hopefully we can keep doing well.”

The former Motherwell Young Player of the Year also took the time to praise the foresight of many of the upcoming talents at the club.

It was mooted that there was interest in the likes of Jamie Murphy, Chris Humphrey and Hateley himself over the summer.

But the versatile youngster believes the club – and the players – are reaping the benefits from staying on in North Lanarkshire.

“Murph probably had the best opportunity to go elsewhere in the window just gone but he stayed and that’s great for us.” Hateley lauded.

“As young players, all we want to do is focus on playing games. You don’t want to be sitting on the bench or sitting in the stand somewhere. As long as you’re playing games and enjoying your football, and it always helps to be doing well like we’re doing at the moment.”

Stuart McCall insists his side will not dwell on what has been a marvelous start to the Steelmen’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign.

Instead, the ‘Well boss has already targeted putting more points on the board with a tough trip to face Hibs on Saturday.

Motherwell currently sit in 2nd place in the SPL after ten matches, providing one of the most memorable opening to a campaign in the club’s history. The only black mark, ironically, came at the hands of Colin Calderwood’s side, as they knocked ‘Well out of the Scottish Communities League Cup partly due to an erroneously disallowed Bob McHugh ‘goal’.

[pullquote]Both sides have a lot of attacking players on the park. Agogo has got his fitness now, and with him and O’Connor up top there is attacking threat.[/pullquote]

But McCall says he isn’t concerned with the past – whether it’s his own sides great league form or the recent defeat to Hibs – choosing, instead, to focus on the future.

“It’s been a great start to the season,” the gaffer praised. “But we won’t be looking back; you’ve always got to look forward in this game. The next game is a difficult trip to a rejuvenated Hibs side.

“It’s possible [to replicating the form of the first quarter of the season in the next set of games] but I would say it’s unlikely. If you were to take this total for every quarter then you’d be up there with about 80 points, challenging for the title. We just need to take every game as it comes and we always try to win them all.

“The lads have played really, really well in most of the games this season. We’ve got a good amount of wins on the board and we’ve deserved that.

“We won’t look back on that either [the defeat on penalties and disallowed goal in the cup] but we will look at the game overall. There was a part of the game when Hibs had a lot of chances, but throughout the game it was their keeper who was tested regularly. And in extra-time we had five outstanding opportunities to win the game.

“Everyone knows the goal should have stood but it’s water under the bridge now. It was a terrific game of football. We have to defend better, but hopefully our attack can be just as potent.

“We can [win anywhere] if we’re at it. Everyone played well against Dundee United and that’s what you need.”

The Motherwell gaffer has admitted that he is wary of the “rejuvenated” Leith side’s attacking potency, which was ably demonstrated as the SPL’s second-top marksman Garry O’Connor fired two goals past the Steelmen in the Scottish Communities League Cup.

O’Connor has been aided in recent weeks by Junior Agogo, who is finding a degree of form and fitness at Easter Road following his summer move. Indeed, the Hibees have only lost one of their last five domestic outings.

With that dangerous pairing, and a supporting cast of the likes of Ivan Sproule and Leigh Griffiths, McCall has no doubts about the task awaiting his defensive unit in the Capital on Saturday.

“The match in the cup was a very open game,” the former Bradford boss recalled. “Both sides have a lot of attacking players on the park. Agogo has got his fitness now, and with him and O’Connor up top there is attacking threat.

“Likewise, we have players in our team who can create chances – I think it’s probably the team that defends best on the day that will come away with three points.

“They’ve picked up some decent results of late and we had a terrific game here against them in the cup which could have finished five-all. I’m sure myself and Colin [Calderwood] will be hoping both defences are on better form this time.

“I’ve been pleased with the defending in our last two games. The home game against Aberdeen was very good and then we went to Tannadice and defended really well as a unit. That’s the whole team; the goalie, the midfield, the wide men and attackers. We need to do that again.”

Despite the initial prognosis suggesting he could be back for the upcoming trip to Edinburgh, Shaun Hutchinson will miss out on the match.

The towering defender has recovered from his ankle knock, but picked up a slight hamstring strain in training which rules him out of contention for the weekend.

McCall continued: “Unfortunately Hutch won’t be ready. His ankle is OK now, but he’s pushed himself a little too hard and has tweaked his hamstring and it’s set him back a couple of days.

“If it was a cup final then maybe we’d risk him, but we’re not in a position where we need to be rushing him back.”

This afternoon’s scheduled U19s match with Dunfermline has been moved to Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium with a 2pm kick-off.

Bathgate’s Creamery Park was unplayable but instead of cancelling the game, both teams have agreed to the late switch.

Motherwell Football Club have held discussions with both the Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA) and Scottish Premier League (SPL) regarding the Merseyside Police investigation involving our player Steven Jennings.

The club takes the matter very seriously but notes that our player has been released without charge. He remains available for selection and is an important member of our team and club.

He will continue to assist in the police investigation and the Board will continue to monitor the process.

The club will not make any further statement on this matter at this time, nor will any member of our staff.

The Scottish FA and SPL note our decision and we will keep them both closely informed of the situation as it affects us and our player.

Motherwell will make the journey east along the M8 to face Hibernian at Easter Road this Saturday.

It marks the end of the first round of games and with the sides in decent form; both will be desperate for the three points.

The Steelmen currently sit second, a point ahead of Celtic in third, but the focus will surely be on opening a gap on fourth placed Hearts rather than any loftier ambitions.

Hibs have managed to turn their season around and have picked up dramatically in recent weeks. Colin Calderwood was under a great deal of pressure but a penalty-kick win over ‘Well in the Scottish Communities League Cup has heralded a reversal of fortunes and the Easter Road club will very much have one eye on the teams above them.

It’s sure to be a tough encounter for the Claret and Amber men.

Tickets for the match are available from the Fir Park Ticket Office now,  from the Easter Road Ticket Office (South Stand) on the day of the match, or on the gate priced at the following:

• Concessions are listed as Over 60s, Under 18s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email sharon.mccaskie@sky.com.

SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION COACHES

WISHAW BRANCH

The Wishaw branch bus to Easter Road on Saturday 15th October will leave Kenilworth Ave. at 1.15pm. To book seats please call Anne on 01698470601 or email andrew.sim48@btinternet.com as soon as possible.

CENTRAL BRANCH

The bus for the game v Hibs on Saturday 15 October will leave the Bentley Hotel at 1.15pm. To book a seat email christopher_hutton@btinternet.com or give Jim a call on 01698 299650.

BELLSHILL & DISTRICT BRANCH

Times TBC

TRAVEL

BY CAR

The stadium is located to the East of the city and is one of the more difficult grounds to find in the SPL.

Follow the M8 until its end and then take the A720 South, joining the A701 towards the city centre. Upon reaching the city centre, head left on to the A900 (signposted Leith), leaving at the junction with the B1350 to turn right on to London Road.

Then take the fourth left at the crossroads on to Easter Road, followed by the fourth right on to Albion Road. The stadium will be clearly visible ahead.

If travelling from the South, follow the A1 into Edinburgh before turning right on to the B1350 (London Road). Then turn right at the crossroads on to Easter Road, followed by the fourth right on to Albion Road.

Street parking is available on numerous streets around the ground.

BY BUS

Several operators run buses to Edinburgh, departing every hour from Buchanan Station in Glasgow city centre.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.citylink.co.uk.

BY TRAIN

Waverley station is served by trains from Glasgow and is within walking distance of the ground.

Upon leaving the station, cross Princes Street and head for Leith Walk, which is directly opposite the exit. Follow the road for approximately 1/4 mile and turn right on to the B1350 (London Road). Then turn left on to Easter Road and take the fourth right on to Albion Road. The stadium will be clearly visible ahead.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.scotrail.co.uk.

MAP

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Referee for Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hibernian at Easter Road will be Euan Norris.

It will be Euan’s second match in charge of the ‘Well this season after previously overseeing the 4-2 away success against Dunfermline at East End Park in late August.

Fir Park fans will be familiar with the 33-year old who handled two games last term.

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.

The season previous to last, 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 fourteen cautions handed out in those games, with seven flashed at a ‘Well players.

Euan will be ably assisted by Gary Cheyne and Stuart Stevenson with Craig Charleston on fourth official duties.

Gordon Young hailed in-form striker Keiran McGachie after the 18-year old fired Motherwell into the third round of the Scottish Youth Cup.

The young Steelmen saw a plethora of chances come and go throughout a dominant display against a dogged Arbroath side, with Lee Erwin and McGachie seeing shots cleared of the line before Herman Mboa Mekonga lashed a shot against the bar.

‘Well finally broke through early in the second period, with the powerful McGachie nodding home from a Zaine Francis-Angol delivery – his fifth goal of a fruitful campaign.

And Young was keen to praise the young striker, as well as those around him who created such an abundance of chances.

“I am delighted for him,” praised Motherwell’s Head of Youth Development. “And the reason I withdrew him with twenty minutes left to play is because I am desperate to try and spread the goals around the team.

[pullquote]The most important thing was to get to the next round but we can be pleased with how we played during the game.[/pullquote]

“We’ve got to get goals from other areas of the park and he understands that; he’s a great kid who works exceptionally hard during games.

“I have to pay credit to my players because they played very well and executed some of what we worked on in training very well indeed.

“We asked them to be confident in on the goal, go forward and create chances, and they did that today. On another day we could have won the game by six or seven goals.

“The most important thing was to get to the next round but we can be pleased with how we played during the game.”

The part-time visitors of Arbroath struggled to conjure much going forward throughout the 90 minutes; a low shot in the second half which was comfortably clasped by Willie Muir proving the sum-total of their attacking intent.

However the Gayfield youngsters, roared on from the Fir Park stands by senior player/boss Paul Sheerin, were admirable in their defensive discipline and work ethic – something acknowledged by the opposition manager.

Young continued: “I have got to compliment Arbroath; defensively they did very well.”

“They’ve came here, got a great lift from the surroundings and set their stall out to frustrate Motherwell. Whether or not they have seen us before or not, I don’t know.

“But it’s great credit to them that they displayed a resilience to stay in the game for the full ninety minutes.”

The ‘Well under-19’s, as well as being a mere six points behind the leaders in the Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League, will now march on to the third round of the Scottish Youth Cup.

It’s already one step further than the club managed last year, and the gaffer is hoping the young talents of Fir Park left an imprint on the near-200 crowd at the stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“I think we finished the match with eighteen or nineteen shots on target,” Young recalled. “And we hit the woodwork three times.

“I hope it was entertaining for the people that came along to Fir Park today.”

Pictures from the 1-0 win over Arbroath U19s in the Scottish FA Youth Cup at Fir Park.

[svgallery name=”arbroathu19081011″]

Motherwell powered into the third round of the Scottish Youth Cup with a deceptively comfortable 1-0 victory over Arbroath at Fir Park.

After seeing a truly astonishing amount of chances passed up, ‘Well finally took the lead in the second half as the dangerous Keiran McGachie leapt highest to nod home just before the hour.

In truth, the score-line could have been far more damaging for the visitors from Gayfield. A combination of last-ditch defending, wayward finishing and good goalkeeping ensuring a series of good chances didn’t find the net.

Lee Erwin and McGachie will both look back ruefully on efforts cleared off the line, in particular, while Herman Mboa Mekonga saw his effort in the second period smash against the bar.

Gordon Young’s Motherwell charges have been in fine form this season, sitting in 5th place in the Clydesdale Bank Under 19’s League, a mere six points behind league leaders Celtic. The home side’s mood going into this encounter was further lifted by a fine draw with Rangers last week.

Arbroath have endured a stop-start opening to their league campaign, playing just four times while some other clubs in the Scottish Football League Under 19’s Youth Division have played eight. That lack of competitive action has seen the Red Lichties slip to 6th from bottom of a 25-team league.

The top flight side illustrated their full-time credentials from the start of a one-sided encounter, with Zaine-Francis Angol winding up a drive from distance after two minutes which flashed wide of Jack Whitton’s goal.

Josh Watt’s deliveries were proving an early nuisance for the visitors, and after one corner skidded dangerously across the face of goal Watt almost provided a perfect assist for Keiran McGachie. The towering striker comfortably out-jumped his marker but nodded just wide.

A surging run from Keiran MacDonald almost produced the opener after a quarter of an hour. The 18-year old burst towards the edge of the penalty box and tried to feed the ball through to McGachie, and the subsequent interception almost saw the ball ricochet into the net – but it trickled wide.

The young Steelmen continued to push for a deserved opener as the half progressed. Erwin came close with an industrious run down the left-flank followed by a good low shot which clipped the post and went wide.

McGachie – a constantly dangerous figure at the head of the ‘Well side – followed that with his low shot from just inside the area, but once again the ball trundled past the wrong side of the post.

Josh Watt’s delivery was once again causing havoc with ten minutes to play before the break. His left-footed cross was perfect for Erwin, who found himself unmarked in the box, but the 17-year old’s header was superbly parried by Whitton.

Arbroath’s goal continued to lead a charmed life as half-time approached. Watt managed to get a toe on a teasing ball across the face of goal, but Craig Patterson managed to dramatically block the effort on the line – a piece of defending his former Motherwell cup-winning namesake would have been proud of.

Young Jack Whitton was turning in a fine display in the driving Lanarkshire rain, and the second half began with the keeper making two more good saves. Firstly he parried away a powerful McGachie drive, then he had to palm an Erwin shot away from goal second later.

Remarkably Arbroath cleared another goal-bound effort off the line on 54 minutes. Watt fired in a superb low cross and McGachie scrambled it towards the goal after a collision with the keeper – but this time Lee Gallacher was on hand to keep the game scoreless.

Former Tottenham Hotspur trainee Zaine Francis-Angol getting through a power of work down the left-flank, and it was his delivery which finally unlocked the visitors’ backline. The left-back’s booming cross deceived Whitton and McGachie out-jumped the diminutive keeper to head into the net.

Francis-Angol could have had a goal of his own as he continues to massively impress at this level. He played a slick one-two with Erwin and, from a tight angle, drilled in a decent low shot, but once again Whitton was on-hand to save.

The Arbroath keeper was proving himself as an excellent shot-stopper, and he managed to make an excellent save with his legs after Darren Brownlie’s effort from distance took a violent knick on the way.

The spirited young part-timers of Arbroath were sticking diligently to their defensive task despite falling behind, but they were utterly failing to test the Steelmen, who were enjoying exorbitant amounts of possession. 

And Mboa Mekongo was the next to threaten for the home side. The midfielder athletically burst into the penalty area and smashed an effort towards goal, but – befitting Motherwell’s luck in front of goal – it crashed against the bar and bounced to safety.

Whitton was forced into action again with five minutes to play as Josh Watt lashed a powerful shot across the face of goal, but the young keeper was on hand again to fist the effort clear.

Motherwell, who could quite easily have been five-goals clear, ended the match in the same fashion in which it had been played: threatening Arbroath’s goal-mouth. Lee Erwin’s towering header had Whitton beaten, but it came back off the post.

Motherwell: Muir, Brownlie, Murray, Cummins, Francis-Angol, Hetherington, Mboa Mekonga, MacDonald (Leitch 88), Watt, Erwin, McGachie (Moore 73)

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Lynch, Ashgar, Green.

Head of Youth Development Gordon Young has insisted his Under 19s side will have to be at their best to overcome Arbroath in the Youth Cup tomorrow.

The young Steelmen will line up against their Second Division opponents at Fir Park hoping to book their place in the third round of the competition.

However, with the Red Lichties first-team squad doing well and the confidence that spreads throughout a club as a result, Young has warned his men not to be complacent, particularly with a disappointing record in the competition in recent seasons.

“The Arbroath first-team are top of the second division which is always great,” said Young.

“You have a synergy running through a club so when the first-team is doing well, there’s a great moral amongst everyone and we see that here at Motherwell. A lot of our players are only a couple of good games away from playing for our first-team; I think highly of this squad of players and, individually, I think they are exceptional.

“Collectively, they are starting to get to the mark where they should be putting more pressure on themselves to take that next step.”

[pullquote]This is a great opportunity for the players on both sides to showcase themselves at Fir Park; if we play to our capabilities and replicate recent form then there’s every chance of progressing.[/pullquote]

All managers and coaches maintain that in order to progress against lower league opposition, it requires everyone in the side to do a professional job.

Acknowledging this, Young has put his charges through an identical pre-match routine and will field his strongest possible side as a mark of respect to the Gayfield club.

Young continued, “Our motto this week is consistency versus complacency.

“The important thing when you approach a game like tomorrow is that you ensure everything in terms of preparation is the same as it would normally be. With that in mind, our build-up has been identical to what it would be if we were playing either half of the Old Firm or any other team for that matter.

“This is a great opportunity for the players on both sides to showcase themselves at Fir Park; if we play to our capabilities and replicate recent form then there’s every chance of progressing.

“We try and win each and every single match we play and to date, we have managed to win more than we’ve lost. We try, as a group, to treat every game, every week, as the most important so this is the focus at the moment. Win, lose or draw, as soon as it is over, the exact same preparation will go in to facing Dunfermline and that’ll be our most important game of the season.

“If we keep up that approach and prepare in the same way then we’ll not stray too far from our aim of getting guys into the first-team pool.”

With the Scottish National side facing the first of a double header against Lichtenstein later in the evening, it opens an opportunity for Motherwell’s youngsters to take centre stage tomorrow.

Young has urged the Motherwell supporting public to come out and support his side and add to the experience for the players still learning their trade.

“I would encourage everyone to get along where possible,” he pleaded.

“People continually ask me, ‘You got anyone coming through or how is such and such doing?’ This is a chance for you to have a wee look. It’s another learning curve for our youngsters as they experience a different environment.

“We try and play all our matches in a non-league stadium and not a training ground so the lads can differentiate, mentally, the difference between a training game and a competitive match.

“Playing at Fir Park will give everyone a massive lift. We only have two full-time teams at the club now and we have a small squad. Like Stuart Carswell coming out the woodwork towards the end of last season, I am confident there are two or three from tomorrow’s starting eleven that can be chapping on the first-team door certainly if not by the end of this season, then by the start of next.”

Motherwell U19s will take on Arbroath on Saturday afternoon (8th October) at Fir Park Stadium with kick-off at 1pm. Admission is on the gate with adults priced at £2 and concessions (U16s, Over 65s) at £1.