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Extended Highlights from Fir Park as an own goal and a Scott McDonald strike give Motherwell a valuable three points over Partick Thistle.

Interim manager Stephen Craigan praised his side after they secured a 2-1 victory over Partick Thistle this afternoon.

Craigan has taken the helm at Fir Park following the sacking of Ian Baraclough on Wednesday night.

“I’m delighted for the players – it’s not about me,” he said. “It’s going to be made out now that there’s been freshness from me; that’s not the case.

“The players won the game, not me.”

Ian Baraclough’s dismissal followed a midweek League Cup exit to Morton , but ‘Well bounced back to claim three points at the expense of lowly Thistle.

[pullquote]It was a little bit of a nervous performance, but I expected that, because of the trauma during the week.[/pullquote]

“It was a little bit of a nervous performance, but I expected that, because of the trauma during the week,” added Craigan. “That’s a huge disappointment for a lot of the players.

“We’ve only really had one day training since Morton, there was a little bit of information given to them. I said to them pre-match it was going to be about how they would respond, could they find something within themselves that would motivate them and push them over the line when times were tough.

“They stuck to their task, they worked hard. Whether we deserved the three points or not, I’m not really bothered.”

Action images from today’s 2-1 win over Partick Thistle at Fir Park in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee Fir Park

Stephen Craigan made the perfect start as interim manager as Motherwell held on for the narrowest of wins over struggling Thistle.

A first-half own goal from Freddy Frans and a second half strike from Scott McDonald set the Fir Park side on their way to a much needed win.

However, when David Agoo pulled one back for Partick with twelve minutes remaining, it required stout defensive qualities from the home side to secure all three points and take some pressure off the ‘Well players.

Craigan’s first team selection saw five changes from Ian Baraclough’s last starting eleven against Morton. Back came Keith Lasley, Scott McDonald, Louis Moult and Lionel Ainsworth. There was also a surprise return for Stephen Pearson missing for nine games after being injured in the opening game of the season at Inverness.

The buzz of anticipation from the home support at the kick off almost led to an opening goal inside the first five minutes.

A series of passes ended with the ball finding Johnson but from 12 yards and with a decent angle on goal he rattled the ball against Tomas Cerny’s legs.

Partick replied with a 20-yard drive from Stuart Bannigan, which was comfortably held by Connor Ripley.

The visitors appeared more composed and as ‘Well carelessly conceded possession Thistle had a few chances around the home goal with Robbie Muirhead heading narrowly over.

Out of nothing ‘Well took the lead after 21 minutes courtesy of an own goal.

Ainsworth darted into the box on the right before sliding a pass across the face of the goal and with Moult lurking behind him Freddy Frans lashed the ball high into his own net.

It was a lucky break for the Fir Park men and they had another slice of good fortune five minutes later. After watching his header palmed over the bar by Ripley, former ‘Well striker Steven Lawless was again denied an equaliser when his low shot from the edge of the box rebounded off the post.

The first half started positively for ‘Well when Ainsworth set off on a long mazy run which carried him fifty yards before he thumped his parting shot off Cerny.

Ainsworth was involved in the thick off the action and five minutes later his free kick picked out Moult and his back header bounced past the ‘keeper but on the wrong side of the post.

Motherwell chased a second goal to kill off Thistle and it arrived after 68 minutes with Ainsworth again the provider. His cross found McDonald unmarked six yards in front of goal and although Cerny managed to palm out his initial header the Ausie striker coolly steered the rebound beyond the grounded ‘keeper to make it 2-0.
That should have put the Steelmen comfortably on course for three points but Partick pulled one back to leave a nervous closing 12 minutes.

A Thistle corner was directed towards a packed goalmouth and substitute Amoo nodded the ball inside the post and give the visitors a lift.

In the final minutes Motherwell’s defence, with Stephen McManus and Kieran Kennedy solid in the air, withstood Thistle’s pressure for the narrowest of victories and a welcome three points, which lifts them to ninth in the league table.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

An own goal and a McDonald strike are enough to give ‘Well all three points!!

95′ | 2-1
Full time!!

90′ | 2-1
5 minutes added on!

88′ | 2-1
Both players booked.

88′ | 2-1
Ouch. Seabourne clatters into Ripley and the big man is not happy, with the pair exchanging heated words.

84′ | 2-1
Muirhead turns and hits a volley from a Thistle throw-in which thankfully hits the outside of the post.

78′ | 2-1
Goal – Amoo pulls a goalback for Thistle from a corner….

76′ | 2-0
And a Motherwell change, Wes Fletcher makes a return to action, coming on for Scott McDonald.

76′ | 2-0
Final Thistle change, Amoo on for Bannigan

71′ | 2-0
Lasley booked for a heavy tackle on Osman.

69′ | 2-0
IT’S 2-0!! Ainsworth curls in a delightful ball which is fired home by McDonald!!!

GGOOOAALLLL!!!
65′ | 1-0
And a Motherwell change, Johnson limps off for Thomas

65′ | 1-0
Thistle sub, Muirhead off for Pogba

63′ | 1-0
Motherwell sub, Leitch on for Moult

61′ | 1-0
Lovely little jinking run again from Ainsworth but as he gets into the box, he is robbed by Booth.

58′ | 1-0
Welsh booked after he lost the ball and hacked down Pearson.

57′ | 1-0
Thistle sub, Doolan off for Nisbet

52′ | 1-0
From that free-kick, McManus flicks Ainsworth’s delivery inches past the post!

50′ | 1-0
Johnson hits the ground hard after Dumbuya gets himself underneath him as he rose to head the ball. Free-kick to ‘Well.

48′ | 1-0
Great run by Ainsworth which takes him all the way into the box. You’d bet on him scoring from there but Cerny makes the save!!!

Both teams are back out and the second half gets underway. COYW!!!!

HT: Motherwell 1 – 0 Partick Thistle

44′ | 1-0
Frans booked for being overly aggressive in an aerial duel with McDonald, then Moult is booked for dissent.

36′ | 1-0
Osman enters the ref’s book for pulling Moult to the ground as he broke away

26′ | 1-0
Great save by Ripley, tipping Lawless’ header over the bar!! Seconds later, Lawless strikes the base of the post from 18 yards!

22′ | 1-0
Ainsworth gets past his man his cross/shot is put into his own net by what looked like Frans. 1-0 ‘Well!!

GGGOOOAALLLL!!!

19′ | 0-0
Good ball in from the left finds the head of Muirhead who flicks it just over the bar.

10′ | 0-0
Bannigan picks the ball up in an advanced position and opts for the shot. Easy save for Ripley though.

5′ | 0-0
Great chance for Johnson! Gets a second bite at the cherry from his first shot but fires straight at Cerny from 12 yards!

And we’re off! COYW!!!!!!!

Motherwell in the claret and amber home colours, Thistle in their baby blue away kit.

Out come the teams from the tunnel……

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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The Well Society are delighted to announce that they will be holding a Football Quiz night in the Centenary Suite here at Fir Park, on Tuesday 29th September kicking off at 7:30pm.

The quiz will include questions on Motherwell FC past and present as well as rounds on Scottish, European and International football.

In attendance will be some first team players, the coaches and Club Directors who will be participating in the quiz and avoiding the wooden spoon!

Each team will be made up of four people, to register your team today email Craig at well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk

If you don’t have a team of four don’t worry you can register as an individual and we’ll put you into a team on the night.

There will be a trophy and a prize for the winning team along with the prestigious title of ‘The Well Society Football Quiz Champions’

The event will be free for Well Society members, however non-members are also welcome to attend for an entry fee of £5 per person.

Experienced defender Stephen McManus talks to the press ahead of this weekend’s Ladbrokes Premiership game with Partick Thistle.

Caretaker manager Stephen Craigan previews Saturday’s clash with his old side, Partick Thistle.

The Big Debate with Gordon Brewer is coming to Motherwell on Friday 25th September for a live lunchtime show.

Every Friday the programme visits a different part of Scotland to discuss the big issues of the week.

Gordon will be joined by a panel of speakers from the world of Politics, Arts, Science, Business and other areas of public life and the BBC want you – the audience – to pose the questions.

They are looking for questions on the most stimulating moral, political and social issues of the day – the current issues that will get people talking. So the programme gives you the opportunity to challenge politicians, policy makers, writers and thinkers.

The programme is very similar in format to the TV debate programme Question Time only for radio  – they look at 4 or 5 issues that are making the headlines in the week of the debate depending on what questions are submitted by audience members in advance of the programme.

Questions should be brief and to the point if possible and should be on something that’s been reported in the news.

As the programme broadcasts to a Scotland wide audience, they are looking for issues that raise matters of genuine national and international interest.

Once you know what you want to ask, email your question to the BBC at bigdebate@bbc.co.uk by 5.00pm, Thursday 24^th September.

Please be aware the BBC are not able to guarantee that all questions will be used.

To apply and join in discussing the burning topical issues of the week, book your place via the BBC’s online booking form http://bbc.in/1Al9Rpx  or by emailing bigdebate@bbc.co.uk

Tickets are free.

Motherwell Football Club has today (Wednesday) parted company with manager, Ian Baraclough.

The Board of Directors would like to sincerely thank Ian for his great efforts last season and keeping the club in the SPFL Premiership for this very important season in the Club history, with the 130th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 1991 Scottish Cup celebrated at the end of the season.

The Board will immediately commence the search for a new manager.

In the interim, current Under 20s boss Stephen Craigan, along with Stephen Robinson and Jim Hollman, will handle first-team affairs.

Extended Highlights from Cappielow Park as Motherwell crash out the League cup with a 3-2 extra time defeat to Greenock Morton.