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Extended highlights from Tannadice as ‘Well lose to Dundee United by the odd goal in five.

Jonatan Johansson was left frustrated with the manner in which his side conceded after an encouraging performance at Tanandice.

The Fir Parkers played their part in what was an excellent and enjoyable game of football, but came unstuck thanks to three preventable goals.

A poor clearance, a penalty and a set-piece would prove the downfall, with Josh Law and Craig Moore replying for ‘Well.

[pullquote]Goals aside, I am pleased with how we performed. We asked the players to react after last Tuesday’s disappointment against St Mirren and I think we got that.[/pullquote]

“It was a good game tonight,” Johansson said.

“At this level, it was one of the best I’ve seen. I thought we very much deserved a point for the way we played.

“In saying that, if you come to a place like this and lose three goals in the manner we did, you’re always going to struggle.

“Goals aside, I am pleased with how we performed. We asked the players to react after last Tuesday’s disappointment against St Mirren and I think we got that.

“You never like to lose, but we can take positives from tonight.”

Motherwell lost by the odd goal in five in what was a thoroughly entertaining contest at Tannadice this evening.

The Steelmen got their noses in front through Josh Law, before Scott Lochhead drew the hosts level. Ola Adeyemo put United in front from the penalty spot before Craig Moore scored his first goal in six months to level things up again.

However, Adeyemo would have the final say, netting late on to hand Dave Bowman’s men the win.

Motherwell made a bright start and Dom Thomas was first to test Michal Szromnik after nine minute, a low shot forcing the Polish stopper to turn around. Shortly after, Thomas turned provider for Moore, but his skidding effort from 30 yards dropped just wide of the post.

The hosts eventually settled into the game and started to create themselves.

Charlie Telfer shot over, Gary Mackay-Steven saw a low shot blocked by Chris Cadden before Adeyemo brought Ross Stewart into action for this time, his low shot having to be turned away by the Steelmen stopper at his near post.

However, it would be Motherwell who would take the lead just before the half hour.

Paul Lawson did well to win the ball deep in United territory; Moore, Law and McHugh all combined in a lovely triangle, with Moore eventually hooking it back across goal for Law to head home past Szromnik from close range. A fantastic team goal!

The joy was fairly short-lived though as with their next attack, United drew level.

‘Well will be disappointed given they had three separate opportunities to get it up the park, but when Thomas’ hooked clearance landed at the feet of Scott Lochhead, he smashed through Stewart from 25-yards.

Both teams had half-chances to get back in front before the break; Thomas curled a shot inches wide of the post before Mackay-Steven drilled a left-footed effort wide of target.

Into the second half and the home club had two quickfire chances to take the lead, both of them falling to Telfer. The first, a low shot, forced Stewart to block but when it eventually arrived back at the player some thirty seconds later, he smashed it high over the bar.

Motherwell responded with a low shot from McHugh that was well held by Szromnik in the home goal.

United continued to look a threat and Adeyemo almost got on the scoresheet, only to see his close range effort well blocked by David Ferguson. From the resulting corner, Keith Watson got up well to header, but it was way off target.

However, shortly after the hour, United did get in front and it was Adeyemo who made and scored the goal.

The 19-year old former UCD player latched on to a neat through ball to get on the wrong side of Morgyn Neill before being clipped by the defender. The referee pointed to the spot, and Adeyemo dusted himself down to coolly finish.

‘Well went immediately in search of a leveller, and only a goal-saving tackle from Watson denied McHugh an instant reply, the striker almost getting on the end of a teasing Moore cross.

Lawson forced a couple of corners before Johansson’s men eventually did get an equaliser they deserved.

After McMillan’s block, Law drove forward from the middle of the park, pulling defenders towards him, before slipping Moore in on the left channel. The striker raced in on Szromnik before delicately lifting it over the Pole and into the net via the base of the post.

Two minutes later and McHugh almost made it three-two for the Claret and Amber men – latching on to Carswell’s neat pass but his low shot was again well saved by Szromnik at the second attempt.

Play swung from end to end as both teams plugged away for a winner.

Adeyemo passed up a great chance when he blazed a Mackay-Steven cutback over the bar, before eventually scoring the decisive third just nine minutes from time.

Once again ‘Well will be frustrated, given the goal came from a simple set piece.

Feguson inadvertently flicked a searching corner on to the striker, who was lurking at the far post. He got it under control before eventually lashing it past the outrushing Stewart.

To their credit, the Fir Parkers refused to be beat and created a plethora of chances in the closing stages.

Lawson hit a free-kick that almost bounced straight into the net, Thomas shot wide and McMillan curled a shot over as United held on. Young full-back McMillan also hit a stinging right-footed effort that forced Szromnik to tip away at full stretch.

Then, as stoppage time approach, substitute Steven Higgins, who was introduced in place of Bob McHugh, shot over, as did Lawson, he slid to get on the end of a low Carswell square ball.

It eventually ended 3-2 for United, but ‘Well can be proud of their night’s work and no doubt deserved a point for their efforts.

Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden, McMillan, Ferguson, Neill, Lawson, Law, Carswell, McHugh (Higgins – 73mins), Moore, Thomas

Subs Not Used: Currie, Hall, McNulty, MacLean, Anderson

Motherwell FC were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former ‘Ancell Babe’ Sammy Reid.

Lanarkshire born and bred, Sammy signed for his boyhood hero’s in 1956, reportedly rejecting the advances of Rangers at the time.

He made his debut in January 1958 against Lanarkshire rivals Airdrie, aged just eighteen.

His contribution to the club was significant as a talented Inside Forward, who had a who worked incredibly well alongside other legendary names such as Hunter, Reid, St John, Quinn and Weir in an impressive Steelmen side; which famously beat Rangers four times in the same 1959-60 campaign, although sadly and regretfully never lifted silverware.

After impressing in Claret and Amber, netting 19 times in 60 appearances, Sammy had the distinction of being Bill Shankly’s first signing at Liverpool in 1960, leaving Fir Park for a sum of £8,000.

But after failing to make the breakthrough at Anfield the winger, whose brother Billy also played for ‘Well, left the club and later wrote his name into football folklore with his winning goal in Berwick’s 1-0 triumph over the Glasgow giants at Shielfield Park in what remains arguably the biggest upset in Scottish football.

Sammy passed away at the weekend, aged 75, in his home in Wishaw.

Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the Reid family at this sad time, whilst remembering an extremely talented local footballer who played in an outstanding team for those lucky to have seen it.

Following the success of last year’s draw, Motherwell FC will again be running our Christmas Raffle to win a Match Sponsorship package.

For just £5, you can be in with a chance of winning a full match sponsorship package for the game against Partick Thistle on Saturday 27th December.

The package includes:

• Four course meal served in the Joe Wark Lounge with a complimentary bar pre and post match.
• Match programme and team sheet for you and your guests
• Watch the match from seats adjacent to the Directors Box.
• Half time tea served back in the Joe Wark Lounge.
• The ability to pick the MFC Man of the Match.
• Post match visit by the man of the match; you make the presentation and there’s a special MFC gift for each of your guests.

The draw to pick the winning ticket will be at the Ross County game on Saturday 13th December.

You can pick up your raffle tickets from the Chapman Building during the week, we’ll have sellers also in and around the ground on each matchday leading up to the draw.

You can also buy them in Jack Daniels Sportsbar as well as buying them online by CLICKING HERE.

Highlights from Fir Park as caretaker boss Kenny Black guides his Motherwell side to a 1-0 win over Dundee Utd

Action pictures from this evening’s hard-fought 1-0 win over Dundee Utd at Fir Park in the SPFL Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”dundeeutd071114″]

Kenny Black was delighted to end a difficult week at the club with a battling win over Dundee United at Fir Park.

The Steelmen were rocked last Sunday with the resignation of long-term boss Stuart McCall and the club have had to pick up the pieces all throughout the week.

However, with the rain battering down at Fir Park under the floodlights, the players were as brave as lions, working hard for every minute and deservedly ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Iain Vigurs’ second-half goal.

[pullquote]We had to try and compete. For too long now there’s been a lot of talk at this club that we need to get a result, but we did our talking for once on the pitch tonight.[/pullquote]

Black was thrilled with the performance and dedicated the three points to Motherwell’s former gaffer: “It finishes off a really difficult week for everybody, so I was delighted with that. We don’t have a game for a fortnight now so it gives everybody a chance to have a look and see what the situation is.

“I’m going to go back down south, see my family and we’ll take it from there. Forget me, I’m not particularly enjoying talking about me, it’s all about those players in there.

“They’ve had some difficult times and some difficult performances but they got their just rewards tonight.

“We had to try and compete. For too long now there’s been a lot of talk at this club that we need to get a result, but we did our talking for once on the pitch tonight.”

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee Fir Park

Motherwell’s new era without Stuart McCall commenced with a narrow but thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory over Dundee United.

After losing five consecutive games and their manager, little was expected of the home side against the league leaders and a team that hasn’t lost at Fir Park since April 2011.

That all changed though in a dramatic and action packed ninety minutes

Interim boss Kenny Black made only two changes to the side which lost at Perth, Mark O’Brien replacing the injured Stevie Hamill and Craig Reid returning at the expense of Zaine Francis-Angol. With Reid covering at left back, Simon Ramsden was deployed in front of the back four and his presence helped to blunt the free scoring Tannadice side.

The Motherwell players looked determined from the start and might have been in front after just five minutes. In a quick move upfield Keith Lasley sent Lionel Ainsworth scurrying down the right hand side and after his cross was partially blocked Henrik Ojamma’s drive towards goal was booted clear by John Soutar.

The first threat from United forced a wonderful block from Stephen McManus to deny Ryan Dow.

The visitors had most of the ball but the Motherwell players made their presence felt although O’Brien’s robust tackle on Stuart Armstrong earned him a yellow card.

It was McManus to the rescue again after 25 minutes when he stretched to deflect Armstong’s powerful strike on goal.

‘Well looked lively in attack and Lasley set up Ojamma at the endge of the box but the Estonian’s effort flew past on the wrong side of Radoslaw Cierzniak’s left hand post.

A powerful run from Ojamma carried him into the United box but when the ball broke to Iain Vigurs he lifted the ball over the crossbar – but the home side’s determined play lifted the home crowd.

At the other end, in 37 minutes and after a few close calls, Dan Twardzik made his first save diving full length to beat away Chris Erskine’s thumping drive.

A minute later the ‘Well ‘keeper produced a more spectacular save rising and twisting to palm over an Aidan Connolly shot which took a wicked defelction on its way to goal.

The first half ended with the ‘Well players and fans optimistic after a decent forty five minutes of action.

And things got even better at the start of the second.

In the 49th cruel luck denied ‘Well the opener. Cierzniak dived to push away Reid’s low drive but with ‘keeper grounded Ainsworth, from a tight angle, rattled the ball against the post.

The goal was only delayed two minutes as Motherwell netted their first against United in five home games. Lasley was again the provider slipping the ball in front of Vigurs and his low drive skimmed past the ‘diving ‘keeper and inside the post.

‘Well thought they had made it 2-0 when Ainsworth raced onto Vigurs through ball to nudge it past the ‘keeper only to have the celebrations curtailed due to a belated offside flag.

United looked stunned and after 58 minutes Jackie McNamara boosted his attack bringing on Gary Mackay-Steven and Nadir Cifti. But the home defence remained strong.

It was the home side who came close again in 69th minute when a trademark run saw Ojamma drag the ball across the box before rifling a shot just beyond the far post.

As the visitors chased an equaliser the ‘Well players threw themselves into blocks and tackles all over the park at both ends of the park. And while they defended in numbers to preserve their lead it was the home side who came closest to scoring in the closing stages.

Keith Lasley, who played a true captain’s role, set up yet another chance, this time Vigurs drilling his shot just wide.

Then after Conor Townsend nodded the chance of an equaliser over the bar Ojamma was denied a deserved goal with the last kick of the ball which forced Cierzniak into a great save.

As well as collecting a long overdue three points it also sets up ‘Well for the return of United in the Scottish Cup in three weeks time.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

A ground-out win for ‘Well against their bogey team. 1-0 to the Steelmen! #MFCvDUFC

FT: Motherwell 1 – 0 Dundee Utd #MFCvDUFC

A minute left to play…

91mins; Paton booked for kicking the ball away #MFCvDUFC

Three minutes added on #MFCvDUFC

89mins: Townsend wins a front post header but yet again can’t get in on target. Good chance wasted #MFCvDUFC

88mins: Good chance for Vigurs abouot 20 yards out but this time he slices it just past the post #MFCvDUFC

86mins: Twardzik awkwardly takes an Erskine cross. Almost palmed it into his own net :O #MFCvDUFC

83mins: Kerr takes no chances and heads out for a corner at the backpost. From the corner, ref spots a foul and gives ‘Well a free-kick

Kids, vote for your Match Attax Man of the Match by tweeting his name and the hashtag, #MatchAttaxMOTM

79mins: ‘Well fans breathe a sigh of relief as the ball just won’t break for Any Utd striker after Ciftci went around Twardzik. Still 1-0

And a Utd sub, Souttar off for Morris #MFCvDUFC

77mins: Motherwell sub, Ainsworth makes way for Law #MFCvDUFC

75mins; Townsend heads past the post from Ciftci’s deep ball in #MFCvDUFC

70mins: Great stuff from Ojamaa! Cut in from the left and arrowed a shot towards the top corner but it whistles just inches wide! #MFCvDUFC

69mins: great chance for Erskine as Paton clipped a nice cross in but he can’t head is goalwards #MFCvDUFC

62mins: Fojut and Ojamaa booked. Fojut with 4 pushes on Ojamaa, Ojamaa with….nothing? Strange booking. #MFCvDUFC

58mins: Dundee Utd subs, Spittal and Connolly off for Mackay-Steven and Ciftci #MFCvDUFC

56mins: ‘Well have a goal WRONGLY disallowed! Ainsworth well onside and should have been 2!

51mins: Vigurs slots home from 20 yards!! Good work by Lasley to set him up! 1-0 to the Steelmen #MFCvDUFC

GGOOOAALLL!!!

49mins: Ainsworth strikes the post! Reid’s shot is palmed out to him and from 6 yards out he can only find the inside of the post. So close!

Second half is underway #MFCvDUFC

HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 Dundee utd #MFCvDUFC

41mins: McManus is booked for hacking down Dow on the half-way line. #MFCvDUFC

39mins: It’s another fine save from Twardzik! This time he tips Connolly’s deflected looping shot over the bar! #MFCvDUFC

38mins: Twardzik has to react sharply to beat away Erskine’s left footed shot from 20 yards. Good stop #MFCvDUFC

35mins: Great chance for Spittal. Slid through 1 on 1 but opts for the toe-poke and sees it fly just wide of the post #MFCvDUFC

33mins: Utd have a free-kick, wide on the right, Paton delivers to the back post where ‘Well sweep it clear #MFCvDUFC

30mins: Great chance! ‘Well counter and space opend up for Ojamaa who then tees up Vigurs. He was leaning back though and shoots well over

28mins: Ojamaa is unlucky to see his long-range effort fly just past. #MFCvDUFC

24mins: Lasley clatters Townsend on the edge of the box. Dangerous free-kick….which Spittal harmlessly curls well over #MFCvDUFC

17mins: Erskine picks up a loose ball on the edge of the box but is off balance and skews his left-footed shot well wide #MFCvDUFC

15mins: Great recovery challenge from McManus as he slid in on Dow. Looked like he was going to score #MFCvDUFC

14mins: O’Brien booked for a late challenge in Paton, deep in the Utd half #MFCvDUFC

13mins: Vigurs clips in a 30 yard free-kick which Sutton wins but he can’t divert it goalwards. Chance gone. #MFCvDUFC

11mins: Good combination play from Utd but Townsend’s cross from the left drifts well over the bar #MFCvDUFC

7mins: Lasley brings down Erskine on the edge of the box. Free-kick to Utd, which Connolly hooks well over #MFCvDUFC

Great low ball across goal by Ainsworth but Souttar gets to it first and manages to clear! #MFCvDUFC

Dow and Spittal get the action underway, COYW!! #MFCvDUFC

Ready for action after an impeccably observed minute’s silence….#MFCvDUFC

Out come the teams, ‘Well in claret and amber, Utd in Black and white. #MFCvDUFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell caretaker manager Kenny Black:

“It finishes off a really difficult week for everybody, so I was delighted with that. We don’t have a game for a fortnight now so it gives everybody a chance to have a look and see what the situation is.

“I’m going to go back down south, see my family and we’ll take it from there. Forget me, I’m not particularly enjoying talking about me, it’s all about those players in there.

“They’ve had some difficult times and some difficult performances but they got their just rewards tonight. We had to try and compete. For too long now there’s been a lot of talk at this club that we need to get a result, but we did our talking for once on the pitch tonight.”

Dundee Utd manager Jackie McNamara:

“I thought we were excellent without finishing it off.

“We kept going and we kept chipping away at them, but it just wasn’t our night. We’ve actually played a lot worse this season and won. We’re frustrated, but if we continue to play like that we’ll win a lot more games than we’ll lose.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”208″]

Caretaker boss Kenny Black has spoke of his determination to finally get Motherwell’s season up and running.

Black, who has formed one half of one of the club’s most successful management teams in history, will hold the fort after previous boss Stuart McCall stepped down from his role last Sunday night.

The former Motherwell midfielder has faced a difficult job of lifting a shell-shocked squad, but has urged his players to finally put their words into action.

[pullquote]We’ve got to go out there, it’s live on TV, and lay down a marker and bring a positive end to what has been a difficult week.[/pullquote]

Speaking to a packed press conference, the 50-year old said: “The whole club needs a lift and that can come from a positive result against Dundee United.

“The time for talking is now gone, we now need to see it on the park. I felt we started to do that against St Johnstone last Friday but, ultimately, the result at full-time was another defeat.

“That needs rectified sooner rather than later. We’ve got to go out there, it’s live on TV, and lay down a marker and bring a positive end to what has been a difficult week.

“We know how difficult it will be against a United side who are the on-form club in the country. However, it’s a perfect opportunity for us to play against the league leaders and make some sort of statement about our intent.”