| 2 | Celtic | 35 | 23 | 4 | 8 | 27 | 73 |
| 3 | Rangers | 35 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 33 | 69 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 36 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 23 | 58 |
| 5 | Hibernian | 36 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 54 |
| 6 | Falkirk | 36 | 14 | 7 | 15 | -4 | 49 |
Devante Cole has been chosen as the Motherwell FC player of the month for March.
The award, in conjunction with our main partners Paycare, comes after the English forward netted two goals across the month’s two matches.
Cole, who returned to Fir Park in the summer for a second stint, has scored nine times in 24 appearances this campaign.
A trip to face Formartine United lies in wait in the Scottish Cup third round on Saturday.
Kick-off at North Lodge Park is at 3pm.
A live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12 worldwide.
To buy, head to ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.
If you have not purchased from our PPV site before, please create an account.
Season ticket holders will need to create a new account if they have not done so already for previous games on the PPV website, which were against Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the UEFA Europa League and St Johnstone in the Betfred Cup.
If you created an account for these matches, just use the login details you previously used.
The Covid-19 pandemic has put paid to the majority of Formartine United’s season, with only two Highland League and three Scottish Cup matches managed since football was originally put on hold in March 2020.
Saturday’s opponents have won all five of those matches, defeating Turriff United and Nairn County in the league, and seeing off Turriff, Haddington Athletic and Annan Athletic in the cup.
Their 1-1 draw with Annan in the last round, followed by a dramatic penalty shootout win, set up the clash with Motherwell.
The Steelmen enter the competition for the first time this season on Saturday, having been more fortunate in having a consistent playing schedule.
Two wins, a draw and two defeats have came in the last five games, beating Hibernian and Livingston, before losing last time out at Kilmarnock in the Premiership.
Motherwell were made to rue missed chances as they lost out 3-2 against Forfar Farmington on their return to SWPL1 action.
Second half goals from Ryan, Cowper and Bruce ensured defeat for the women of steel in their first match back after the prolonged break.
‘Well went into the game with interim coaches Stewart Hall and Willie Kinniburgh in the dugout, following the departure of Eddie Wolecki Black in midweek.
Motherwell had the first chance of the match. Callaghan’s low drive was well saved by Perry, after she had sprung the offside trap after a delightful through ball from Adams.
McDonald-Nguah was next to test the visiting keeper, her brilliant touch on the far side taking out two defenders and her curling effort going agonisingly over the bar from just outside the box.
Motherwell looked like a team hungry to improve on a poorer earlier start to the SWPL1 campaign and Perry was forced to make another smart stop from McDonald-Nguah soon after. Skelton’s cross was deflected into her path and her effort was straight at the keeper.
Kilcoyne nearly put the visitors ahead after a mix-up from a corner left home goalkeeper Ramsay exposed. She recovered well to eventually smother the ball after the Forfar forward looked destined to score, sending the two teams in level at the break.
The second half would see the match open up further, as both teams felt the effect of playing their first competitive match for months.
Callaghan started the second half with an early effort that just went wide, after she found space outside the box, while McDonald-Nguah was a constant menace for the Forfar backline with her craft and guile.
But the visitors opened the scoring from a well-worked corner. An inch-perfect ball gave Ryan an easy header from close range and she made no mistake finishing well.
Motherwell rallied and quickly levelled the match. After a stramash in the box, the ball was cleared out to Callaghan, who expertly shot from outside the box to make it 1-1.
Shortly after, the visitors retook the lead. Cowper’s long-range lob caught out Ramsay in goals, who could only watch on as the ball flew into the top corner.
Fraser nearly sealed the three points for the visitors when the ball deflected to her in the box, but she blasted the ball well over to the relief of the Motherwell defence.
Sinclair and McLintock replaced Callaghan and Skelton as ‘Well looked to bring fresh legs into their attacking play. Crooks was the next player to have an effort at goal, but she rushed her attempt just inside the box and the ball flew past the post.
Motherwell then missed a golden chance, McDonald-Nguah played in Sinclair after great hold-up play, but she lost her composure at the vital moment and gave Perry an easy save after a tame effort.
Forfar sealed the three points when Bruce punished a lack of concentration at the back, finding herself goalside from Watson and finishing well past Ramsey.
Motherwell then pulled one back when substitute McLintock fired home from range to ensure a nervy ending at The Penny Cars Stadium, but the visitors held out for the victory – which keeps Motherwell rooted second bottom.
‘Well now face a trip to Ainslie Park to take on Hibernian next Sunday, Kick off is at 2pm.
Motherwell: Ramsay, Connor (Swanson), C Watson, G Crooks, Adams, Slater, Inglis, McDonald-Nguah, Gardner, Callaghan (McLintock), Skelton (Sinclair).
Subs not used: Pollard, K Watson, Roberts, M Crooks.
Assistant coach Stewart Hall was happy with the performance, despite the result.
“The three goals we conceded were poor and we will work on them,” he said. “But to score two well-worked goals like we did was pleasing.
“Most importantly, our team performance was back to the levels we expect here at Motherwell.
“We came in at the break knowing we should have been ahead in the match, but that’s what happens in this division. You have to take your chances against a team like Forfar because they have bundles of experience.
“To lose two set pieces, a corner and a free kick was disappointing, but those are things we can work on. Our application was spot on.
“If we continue to play like we did today, results will come. We need to look ahead of ourselves and not behind us.”
Eddie Wolecki Black has left his post as manager of the Motherwell FC women’s team.
Following discussions with the club, Eddie is leaving to concentrate on a degree course at a local college.
Assistants Stewart Hall and Willie Kinniburgh have agreed to lead the team on an interim basis.
Wolecki Black first joined the club in 2018 and, together with assistant Donald Jennow, led the club to the SWPL2 title and promotion to the Scottish top flight. The pair also guided ‘Well to their first Scottish Cup final in 38 years.
After leaving for a short stint at Celtic, Wolecki Black returned in late 2019, ahead of the proposed 2020 campaign.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to the season, with the league campaign resuming on Sunday after a lengthy break.
“I want to put on record my thanks to Eddie for all he has done for Motherwell in his time with us,” Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows said.
“He achieved everything we asked him to and more. However, we both felt that this was probably a good time for a change, allowing the club to focus on a new direction, particularly with next season in mind.
“I would like to wish Eddie every success, particularly with his impending degree and with his future football career.”
Wolecki Black added: “I am grateful for the opportunities Motherwell Football Club have provided me with to grow the women’s team over my two spells here.
“We have made great strides forward to become a top-flight team, and the club has every chance of continuing to build on that in the coming months and years.
“I wish everyone at the club all the best for the future and the resumption of the league season.”
Motherwell will face Greenock Morton at home in the fourth round of the 2020/21 Scottish Cup.
Victory over Formartine United on Saturday saw the Steelmen progress, with Morton doing likewise with success over East Fife.
The game will be played on the weekend of Saturday 17 April.
A confirmed date and kick-off time will follow shortly.
Should Motherwell progress, a trip to Queen of the South, Hibernian or Stranraer will follow a week later in the quarter-finals.
Stranraer v Queen of the South or Hibernian
Motherwell v Greenock Morton
St Mirren v Inverness CT
St Johnstone v Clyde
Rangers v Celtic
Aberdeen v Livingston
Forfar Athletic v Dundee United
Kilmarnock v Montrose
Rangers or Celtic v St Johnstone or Clyde
Kilmarnock or Montrose v St Mirren or Inverness CT
Aberdeen or Livingston v Forfar Athletic or Dundee United
Hibernian or Queen of the South or Stranraer v Motherwell or Morton
Bevis Mugabi, Devante Cole, Charles Dunne and Sherwin Seedorf all play professional football for Motherwell FC.
They’ve all also been targeted based on their race in their lives, both during their time as players and in life generally.
In a candid chat amongst the four, they tell of the racist abuse they’ve suffered, living with the perception of being targeted for their race, the Black Lives Matter campaign and “taking the knee” before matches, and how they hope the world can change to make it equal for all.
Please be warned that this video contains offensive language and comments of a racist nature.
“We had to earn the right to win the game.
“We wore them down and then showed our quality.”
Graham Alexander praises his players after a 5-0 win at Formartine United in the Scottish Cup third round.
Our partners Paycare are hosting another free e-clinic focused around stress and workplace wellness.
Ways to combat and cope with stress will be shared during the latest in a series of hour-long online sessions hosted by their wellbeing manager Kerry B Mitchell, starting at 10am on Tuesday 6 April.
She will be joined by David Webster, CEO of the Dougie Mac Hospice – a charity that offers specialised care for patients with life-limiting illnesses when a cure is no longer possible.
The hospice provides free care to more than 3,500 patients each year in Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire and the surrounding villages, as well as offering support to their families and carers.
“It’s important that colleague wellbeing isn’t simply tokenism, but that it’s woven into the tapestry of a values-driven organisation’s culture, as a natural part of what you stand for,’ said David.
“If colleague wellbeing isn’t part of a broader canvas then it will struggle, but if it’s a natural fit within the culture of the organisation then it has every chance of long-term resonance.
“An example of considered workplace wellbeing is that clinical staff within our organisation have reflection time built into their day, but we believe that fundraisers and those within HR and marketing teams, for example, are all part of the same organisation so they should also be able to have that time where they reflect on how they are, and whether anything is going on around them which is impacting them.”
Kerry added: “Even before the pandemic, three-quarters of adults were reporting in the previous year they had felt so stressed they were unable to cope. Recent research shows two-thirds have felt more stressed since Coronavirus restrictions began in March 2020.
“That’s why it’s so important for us to share information about the strategies which can be used to cope with stress, and combat it, as well as enabling e-clinic attendees to understand more about positive coping strategies.
“April is Stress Awareness Month too, so it’s a good time to get organisations focused on how they can support employees who are struggling with stress, as well as equipping individuals with the tools they need to effectively combat the stress they are experiencing.”
The session will particularly focus on how an organisation’s culture can impact employee stress levels, including key values around workplace wellbeing, initiatives that make a positive difference, and information about The Culture Audit.
For more information and to book your free place on the Workplace Wellness e-clinic, visit paycare.org/MHFA or email wellbeing@paycare.org.
In addition to monthly e-clinics, Paycare Wellbeing offers a range of training opportunities including a two-day virtual accredited Mental Health First Aid course. Visit paycare.org/wellbeing to find out more.
Motherwell put on a professional show to emerge with a 5-0 win at Formartine United in the Scottish Cup third round.
A double from Jordan Roberts, followed by strikes from Christopher Long, Devante Cole and Allan Campbell, secured the Steelmen’s passage to Sunday’s draw.
Declan Gallagher was restored to the starting team for Graham Alexander’s men, with Nathan McGinley, Steven Lawless and Christopher Long also coming in.
The Highland League opposition were seeking a scalp and after a high energy start, could have been ahead within five minutes.
A cross to the back post found Anderson in space but his header was well read and well taken by a diving Liam Kelly.
Motherwell had plenty of the ball against a Formartine side sitting deep but the resistance was finally worn down 33 minutes in.
A direct ball over the top saw the goalkeeper rush out and misjudge the ball, allowing Long to nick in behind. Under pressure from defenders, he fired into the net from just outside the area.
Seven minutes later, it was 2-0. McGinley’s ball to the back post was knocked down well by Cole, and Roberts turned and bulleted his shot into the far right side of the net.
‘Well started the second period with the same intensity and found themselves three to the good eight minutes in.
Cole again was at the heart of things, firing across goal for Roberts to slide in at the back post and score.
Just after the hour mark, Cole got his rewards. A pinpoint Stephen O’Donnell cross was stood up to the back stick and Cole rose highest to head into the net.
There was time for another with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Great interchange play between substitute Jake Hastie, Long and Campbell saw the latter played into the box on the right side.
Composing himself, he fired low across the face and into the bottom-left corner to send Motherwell home with five goals, a clean sheet and progression in the competition.
The kick-off time for Scottish Premiership match with Hamilton Academical has changed.
The game on 21 April will now start at 6pm, moved from the original time of 7.45pm.
Streaming information for the game at FOYS Stadium will be announced shortly.
