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Plenty minutes in the bag for our loan boys this week on loan, as they were in action midweek and at the weekend.

Max Johnston

Keeping his place in the side, Max Johnston played the full 90 minutes when Queen’s Park were the visitors to The Balmoral Stadium.

Cove would run out 2-0 winners, with Johnston helping his side keep a clean sheet.

Scott Fox

Scott Fox was an unused sub as Queen of the South beat FC Edinburgh 3-0 away from home.

Robbie Mahon

Over 7000 were in attendance as Falkirk faced Dunfermline in League one.

Robbie Mahon was an unused sub as he watched his Dunfermline teammates win 1-0 at the Falkirk Stadium.

Ewan Wilson

Ewan Wilson wasn’t involved in the action on Saturday when Albion Rovers took on Stirling Albion.

The left back was serving a suspension after he seen red for a handball the weekend prior. Albion drew 1-1 with high flying Stirling.

Corey O’Donnell

After 45 minutes in the reserves, it was a return to first team action for Corey O’Donnell after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The forward came on in the 73rd minute for Bonnyrigg against Elgin at New Dundas Park. Despite a late comeback, Elgin hung on for a 3-2 win away from home.

Logan Dunachie

East Kilbride took on Stirling Uni on Saturday away from home.

Dunachie was an unused sub with Stirling claiming all three points with a 2-0 win.

Daniel Hunter

Daniel Hunter was on the bench for Cumbernauld Colts on Wednesday night, when they were beaten 4-2 by Gala Fairydean. Hunter played the last 27 minutes in the game.

He was an unused sub on Saturday against Cowdenbeath.

“I don’t want to talk about refereeing decisions because we can’t make excuses.

“We had enough of this game to come away with at least a point.”

Motherwell failed to make an extra man advantage count in a 3-2 defeat to Hearts

The Steelmen had managed to fight back to level terms after being two goals down but Lawrence Shankland’s late penalty secured three points for the Edinburgh side.

PRE-MATCH

Steven Hammell made no changes to the side that beat Dundee United last weekend. Robbie Neilson freshened up his side with five changes from their Europa Conference League defeat in Turkey on Thursday

The goals

Hearts took the lead just before half-time. Kevin Clancy wrongly awarded a corner from which Andy Halliday was left unmarked and sent a header looping over Callum Slattery and into the net.

Moments after the break, Halliday got his second of the game. This time he got on the end of a cut back and fired low and hard past Kelly.

On the hour Motherwell were. handed a lifeline as Louis Moult was brought down in the box by Gordon, who somehow avoided a second yellow card, and he dispatched confidently from the spot.

With ten minutes left ‘Well were back level with a nicely worked goal. Moult played in McKinstry whose ball across goal was turned in by Spittal for his second of the season.

In the final minutes, Hearts took all three points as Shankland converted from the spot after Solholm was ruled to have handled in the box.

talking points

• Liam Kelly. The Scotland international produced two fine saves in the first half. Firstly from Shankland who looked certain to score but Kelly somehow managed to claw the ball to safety. He also produced a fine save from McKay, tipping over from close range before having a quiet second half
• The red card. Jorge Grant saw red for a foul on Callum Slattery in then 38th minute. It was a careless and dangerous challenge and was the correct decision but Motherwell will be frustrated they didn’t make the extra man advantage count
• Positives for Moult. Although it was from the spot, Louis Moult will be pleased to be back on the scoresheet for the first time in his second spell at the club. He also played a part in the second goal, setting up McKinstry to cross for Spittal.
• VAR involvement. The video referee, David Munro, was a busy man although all the VAR decisions confirmed the on-field decisions. Van Veen had the ball in the net with a spectacular volley into the top corner but unfortunately the linesman’s flag went up. Questions will be asked about why Craig Gordon never received a second yellow for his foul on Moult inside the box.

What they said

Steven Hammell: “It’s not a hard luck story for me. At the very, very least, we need to be coming away with a point.”

Robbie Neilson: “I thought the players were outstanding. We had to really fight and show the spirit.“

Teams

Heart of Midlothian: Gordon, M Smith, Sibbick, Cochrane, Grant, Devlin, Halliday, Snodgrass, McKay, Ginnelly, Shankland.

Substitutes: Clark, Kiomourtzoglou, Atkinson, Rowles, Forrest, Neilson, Henderson, C Smith, Pollock.

Motherwell: Kelly, McGinn, Solholm, Lamie, Penney, Goss, Slattery, Spittal, McKinstry, Shields, Van Veen.

Substitutes: Oxbourgh, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Maguire, Cornelius, Moult, Morris, Tierney, Miller.

Attendance: 18,806

Stuart McKinstry is still ‘buzzing’ to be playing for the club he grew up supporting.

The winger scored his first two goals and scooped the player of the month award for October but is keeping his two feet firmly on the ground and is looking forward to the tricky test that Hearts pose in their next cinch Premiership match.

We are delighted to showcase our new official Motherwell FC tartan range.

The tartan, originally designed by Scott Mcilvaney back in 2017, will now be used across a range of products, including formal kilt purchasing and hire from our partners at Slanj Kilts in Glasgow.

In addition, the ‘Well Shop will carry a number of products at launch with more to follow in the weeks and months ahead.

“We’ve been working on this range and our partnership with Slanj for some time now, so it’s great to finally have it launched,” CEO Alan Burrows said.

“I would like to thank Scott at Touchdown Tartans for his help not only creating the beautiful tartan in the first place, but his efforts to ensure the club could release it across a range of products.

“We already have a number of really nice tartan items, with plans to grow the range over the weeks and months ahead.”

Click here for a number of official Motherwell FC tartan products in the Well Shop.

Click here for the official Motherwell FC tartan kilt purchase at Slanj Kilts. To hire the tartan wear, please click here.

With the world cup fast approaching, Steven Hammell is looking for a good run of form to push his Motherwell side up the table before the break arrives. 

Starting with a trip to Tynecastle on Sunday in the cinch Premiership, the Motherwell gaffer knows the strength and depth that Hearts have within their ranks and any personnel changes will not weaken their side in the slightest.

Stuart McKinstry has been called up to the Scotland Under-21s squad, who will take on Iceland at Fir Park.

The on-loan winger caps off a fine October with another call-up to Scott Gemmill’s side for preparation match ahead of the start of the next set of European Championship qualifiers which get underway in the new year.

The match will take place on Thursday 17 November with a kick off time to be confirmed in due course.

Entry to the match will be free for everyone, with this match being a no ticket event.

Stuart McKinstry is your October player of the month.

The Leeds loanee bagged two goals, against Rangers and Aberdeen as he pipped Matt Penney by one vote to win the award.

Rolando Aarons’ loan from Huddersfield Town has been terminated.

The club had agreed with the Terriers that should the winger sustain a longer-term injury during his stay at Fir Park, the agreement could be brought to a premature end.

Regretfully, following his injury against Hearts last month, it is unlikely the Jamaican international would feature for the first team again until the end of the year.

“We are gutted for Rolando more than anything as he’s a very talented player who really wanted to be with us and help us,” Steven Hammell said.

“However, he has had such an unfortunate time with injuries throughout his career. One of his most consistent runs was when he was last with us, and we had hoped we could replicate that.

“Sadly, that hasn’t been the case. We wish Rolando all the very best in his recovery and his career and thank him for his efforts both back in early 2020 and now.”

We’re asking both sets of supporters to bring along items for our food bank collection at our match with Celtic on Wednesday 9 November.

We’re collecting items on the day of the game for the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank.

We are asking fans to bring what they can to support this important cause, so that those in need can receive a food parcel to help.

“Unfortunately, food banks are now having to play a vital role in helping the most vulnerable in our community,” CEO Alan Burrows said.

“Given soaring inflation levels, rising interest rates and the energy crisis, more and more people are tragically having to rely on the thoughtfulness and generosity of others to help feed their family.

“Over the last few years, Motherwell fans have really stepped up to the mark and helped stock up food banks all over Lanarkshire. This year, as we approach the cold winter months, we are asking those who can to once again help.”

Items needed are:

• Soup

• Beans

• Tinned pasta

• Custard/ Rice Pudding

• Tinned Fruit

• Tinned Meat

• Meals in a tin

• Tuna

• Pasta n Sauce

• Noodles

• Long Life Milk

• Breakfast Cereal

• Tinned Vegetables

• Potatoes in a Tin

• Toiletries -soap, shower gel, Shampoo etc

• Tea/coffee

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Collections are available from 6pm.

Thank you for your help. Your contributions will be a massive help to those in need.