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Kris Jack at the Caledonian Stadium

Five star Motherwell ran riot in the Highlands as they racked up an impressive 5-1 away victory over Inverness at the Caledonian Stadium.

Goals from Michael Higdon, Jamie Murphy, Adam Cummins, Henrik Ojamaa and Omar Daley gave Motherwell the three points, while Richie Foran netted for the hosts.

The win sees ‘Well and the Caley Jags trade places in the SPL table, with the visitors rising to fourth after the emphatic victory which could have been even more emphatic given the chances created.

Stuart McCall made only the one change from the side that drew with Dundee last weekend, Simon Ramsden dropping out through injury to be replaced by the returning Shaun Hutchinson. Hutchinson had scored the first leveller for ‘Well at the Tulloch Stadium last season, in the Steelmen’s smash and grab 3-2 victory over Inverness.

Terry Butcher opted for just the win switch as well, Morrison coming in for Roberts, as Inverness looked to keep their brilliant momentum going,as they aimed to keep up with the leading pack at the summit of the SPL.

Former ‘Well man Richie Foran, who is enjoying a great season for the Caley Jags, was the captain for the home side for the lunch time kick off.

Both sides were set up to attack and with most of the opening stages battled in the midfield, it was the visitors who took the lead on eighteen minutes when Michael Higdon bulleted a header past Reguero after Nicky Law had stole in at the edge of the box to stand up a cross from the byline for the Scouser to score his 9th SPL goal of the season.

It got better for the Steelmen three minutes later, when Jamie Murphy was on hand to volley home from 12 yards after great work on the left from Chris Humphrey. The Jamaican got in behind Graeme Shinnie to cross to the back post, but Meekings clearing header fell perfectly for the 23-year old to lash home.

Two minutes later Murphy could have made it three and easy after being played in on the left but his effort from the edge of the box clipped the bar.

Motherwell were in total control; a great flowing move almost brought a goal when Stevie Hammell’s first time cross for Ojamaa eluded the Estonian; Humphrey’s follow up wasw brilliantly blocked out by the legs of Reguero in goal.

Inverness were kept to half chances, with Owain Tudur-Jones hitting a tame free kick right at Randolph, having seen a shot from distance easily saved by the Irish stopper. Down the other end, Nicky Law could have increased the ‘Well lead after a training ground corner routine, but his effort just went over the bar.

Inverness needed a wake up call and with seconds of the restart, they had halved the deficit. David Raven’s left foot ball found Richie Foran in the box and after getting behind Adam Cummins, he slammed the ball beyond Randolph from eight yards.

It was the ideal response from Butcher’s boys, but their joy was short lived, as Motherwell scored a third.

Tom Hateley’s corner was cleared out of the box, with Law finding the right back on the wing once more with a neat header. His ball in to the box eluded all but Adam Cummins at the back post who took a touch before lashing the ball high in to the net.

‘Well were now in the ascendancy, with the tireless Ojamaa and Murphy creating further chances, without finding the net. Aaron Doran looks keen to get his team back in to it, but his day was summed up when a shot from distance was deflected over by his own man.

Motherwell made it 4-1 on 72 minutes when a fast break by Nicky Law saw the midfielder cut the ball back for Ojamaa, who beat Reguero with a first time shot from 12 yards to grab his first goal of the season.

His team mates flocked to celebrate with him in front of the travelling support, as after weeks of creativity, he finally had his first goal in over twenty games.

Doran tried to respond for the hosts with a terrific effort from 20 yards which crashed back off the bar after a stunning Randolph save, but despite a decent spell of pressure, they couldn’t breach the Steelmen rearguard goal for a second time.

Instead, Motherwell capped off a display to remember with a goal that the ICT goalie would want to forget.

Substitute Omar Daley was allowed to turn on the ball 25 yards out before hitting a daisy cutter in the general direction of the goal. As the ball came through a pack of players, it looked an easy take for Reguero, but somehow, the ball nestled in the goal bid him, sending the ‘Well fans back down the A9 happy with a great result and performance.

[tab:As it happened]

Alan Burrows at McDiarmid Park

FT: Inverness 1 – 5 Motherwell. Absolutely emphatic win in the Highlands for The Steelmen! Well worth the points and scoreline.

90mins: Motherwell sub: Carswell on for Murphy

89mins: Omar Daley sends Motherwell home with all three points! A speculative effort from 30 yards which Reguero spills 1-5.

GOAALLLL!!!!

85mins: How many chances?! Law slid in by Murphy, drags his shot just past the far post.

82mins: Motherwell sub: Humphrey off for Daley.

80mins: Murphy in acres of space at the back post…..cross just overhit by Humphrey and the chance is gone.

79mins: Motherwell sub: Ojamaa off for McHugh

77mins: Another counter there! Higdon opts to shoot instead of sliding in Humphrey. The big man’s shot is deflected narrowly past the post.

76mins: Murphy tries his luck from a counter attack. His 20 yard shot is low and straight at Reguero though.

75mins: Good spell of pressure from Caley now. Can feel a goal coming.

73mins: Great strike from Doran! His 25 yard scorcher comes straight back off the bar though.

71mins: It was great play from Law and Murphy, the former squaring to Ojamaa who slots home from 12 yards. 1-4.

Ojammmmaaaaaaaaa has scored. Repeat, Ojamaa has scored!

GOAALLLLLL!!!

67mins: Inverness sub: Pepper on for Morrison.

67mins: Sutherland booked for a high kick on Hammell.

65mins: ‘Well still on top but degenerating into a slugfest.

60mins: Inverness sub: Sutherland on for McKay

55mins: Ojamaa with a great chance! 1 on 1, Reguero does enough to deflect his shot past the post!

52mins: It’s the Scouser Adam Cummins who finishes emphatically at the back post from Hateley’s cross. Great finish, 1-3.

GOOOAAALLLLL!!!

49mins: Humphrey wins Motherwell a corner. Front post delivery presents no danger.

47mins: Should have been 3! Murphy beats his man all ends up and crosses goalward. Just needs turned home but it’s not to be!

46mins: GOAL: Caley pull one back through Foran. ICT 1 – 2 Motherwell

46mins: Second 45 now underway.

HT: Half-time here in Inverness. Inverness CT 0 – 2 Motherwell.

44mins: Law almost adding the icing to a superb first half from ‘Well. Blazed just over from 15 yards.

42mins: Just approaching half-time…..getting a bit slack from both sides now.

34mins: Inverness lining up a free-kick from 25 yards………..straight to Randolph from Tudur Jones.

32mins: Murphy is flying here! He gets into the box past his man and aims a shot into the far corner. Well saved by Reguero though.

31mins: Motherwell playing some superb football, it has to be said.

30mins: Oh my. What a goal that would have been. Great passing move eventually crossed in by Hammell. Ojamaa then Humphrey should have netted

22mins: Murphy cuts inside and blasts a shot off the top of the bar. Almost 3 already!

20mins: Humphrey skins his man and crosses it in. Meekings heads straight to Murphy who volleys home from 10 yards. 2-0 ‘Well!

GOOOOAAALLLLL!

16mins: Law hangs the ball up wonderfully at the back post to find big Higgy who bullets home! 1-0 to ‘Well.

GOAALLLL!

12mins: Great piece of skill by McKay to turn and create space.With no options ahead, he opts to shoot, just wide of the post.

10mins: Bit of a half chance there for The Steelmen. Humphrey found a bit of space out wide and swung it in low. Cleared by ICT.

7mins: First shot of the game goes to Inverness. It was Morrison from 25 yards….didn’t trouble Randolph.

4mins: Hutchinson almost gifts Doran a glorious chance with a slack pass to Cummins. The Scouser just gets there in time to clear.

2mins: Hateley’s corner is aimed towards the back post….no takers though!

1mins: Ojamaa wins ‘Well a corner.

Kick-off: Ojamaa and Lasley kick us off.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“We’ve been threatening that. Today everything came off,”

“We’ve got good players middle to front and we can cause teams problems. The results of late haven’t been great but the performances have been good, I’ve been saying that all along,” he added.

“To limit Caley to a few efforts – they are top scorers in the league – and come away and score five against the form team is fantastic.

“They are going well, Inverness. They are always a threat. They were 2-0 down at Hibs, 2-0 down at Hearts, they stick at it, but I felt today our forward play was very good and we got the goals at the right times.

“Occasionally you get a blip and they were off their game today and we were on top of ours.

“I felt all game we were a threat. We could have scored more, on the break we had lots of opportunities. We are delighted with the outcome.”

Inverness manager Terry Butcher:

“We never played from the first whistle to the last. We were comprehensively beaten.

“We just never got going today and that was disappointing, especially in front of a television audience.

“It’s one of these games that we’ll have a look at the DVD, although not a long one, then we’ll throw it in the bin and move on from there.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Motherwell make the long journey north to take on Inverness CT at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

TEAMS:

Teams will appear shortly after 11.45am.

TICKETS:

Tickets are still available on the gate at the Caledonian Stadium. Admission is priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Senior Citizens, along with 12 to 25 year olds.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

TRAVEL:

There are no anticipated travel problems between Motherwell and Invernes and the area in and around the Caledonian Stadium is fairly clear. There are one or two slight issues on the A9 but nothing that will delay too much. Take into account cold low temperatures when driving.

WEATHER:

There is bright sunshine forecast until around kick-off time. It will feel quite cold so wrap up. Temperature highs in Inverness will be around 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit).

FOLLOW THE MATCH:

Motherwell Media will bring you all the action from Fir Park. Alan Burrows and Kris Jack will call every kick off the ball live on MFC TV.

You can also follow match updates on Twitter and join in the debate on our Facebook page.

If you are heading to tonight’s match, remember to check in and follow the Steelmen on Foursquare and listen out for Stuart McCall’s pre-match thoughts on Audioboo.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall has called for his side to be more clinical ahead of this Sunday’s clash with Inverness CT in the Highlands.

The Steelmen have created numerous chances in recent matches but have only picked up three points against St Johnstone a fortnight ago.

Since then, then side enjoyed long spells in charge against both Dundee Utd and Dundee but were unable to capitalise, taking just one point from both fixtures.

McCall hopes his side’s fortunes will change and perhaps replicate that of the last time the Fir Parkers visited the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium back in October 2011 when a late Tom Hateley handed ‘Well the victory in a 3-2 thriller.

[pullquote]I won’t gloss things over and if it’s not good enough the players will know about it but when I come to edit and analyze games I can only show the chances for and against and everyone can see we’re playing some good stuff.[/pullquote]

“If you look back over the season, we’ve not quite got what we’ve deserved,” he said.

“There have been several occasions this season when performances haven’t merited the points we’ve got and that is a fact.

“I won’t gloss things over and if it’s not good enough the players will know about it but when I come to edit and analyze games I can only show the chances for and against and everyone can see we’re playing some good stuff.

“We’re just not taking the chances as they come along. Last season the only time we went somewhere and didn’t get what we deserved was at Inverness but we scored three goals.

“Would I accept that again? Yeah, if it means getting back to getting three points rather than getting pats on the backs saying we’re playing well.

“Our away form has been good so far. We’ve gone up to St Johnstone and put in a really good performance against a side that were bang in form and on Sunday we go to another side that are bang in form.

“We’re aware of Inverness’ fighting qualities; they’ve came back from behind a few times this season but also the fact they have got some very good players in their side.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV-

Estonian International Henrik Ojamaa maintains Motherwell are still full of confidence despite a difficult run of results.

Although the Steelmen have taken just four points from a possible nine, there is an acceptance that performances have still been positive.

Chances have been plentiful but it has been a lack of goals that has been the real Achilles heel in recent times.

The eight-times capped striker hasn’t hit the back of the net himself since bagging a brace against St Johnstone last April but is satisfied with his contribution, including five assists, and is certain the side will return to the form that clinched a Champions League spot in 2011/12.

[pullquote]Our quality will come through and I believe we’ll get the results we deserve.[/pullquote]

“We could be playing bad and not getting results so it could be worse,” he joked whilst chatting to the press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference.

“Personally I’m quite happy with the way we’ve been playing as a team and I think it’s just as good as how we were playing last season when we were in a really good league position.

“We’re just not getting the breaks that we got last season and when we’re dominating games, we just can’t convert that into three points. Our quality will come through and I believe we’ll get the results we deserve.

“I was hoping from the three games last week that we’d have picked up nine points and at times I thought our performances would have definitely deserved that but it wasn’t to be and we got four points from nine.

“It’s good to have this game coming up, against a team who are doing really well at the moment so I’m relishing the challenge on Sunday. We are going there to win.”

-WATCH THE FULL BROADCAST PRESS CONFERENCE ONLY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell Football Club has developed an all new Girls Soccer School at the Fir Park Astroturf.

Aimed exclusively at girls between the ages of five and twelve, the Motherwell Football Club Girls Soccer Centre will use the same principles employed by our first team squad including developing technical skills, game awareness and passion for football.

Our Soccer Centre welcomes girls of all abilities and it doesn’t matter which team you support, you’ll enjoy learning to play football the Motherwell way and at £40 for the sessions, its great value.

The centre starts Wednesday 21st November between 6pm and 7:30pm.

You can book for the Girls Soccer Centre on our website at www.motherwellsoccerschools.com or by telephone us at 01698 239 926.

Players from Motherwell are to feature in the first ever Clydesdale Bank Premier League edition of Match Attax, the world’s most successful sports trading card game.

Kids will be going mad for the new Match Attax SPL collection from Topps, which offers fans of all ages the excitement of the season!

Available at all good retailers from 15th November, the brand new trading card game offers players and collectors alike a fun-filled accompaniment to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, with over 220 cards to collect, including all of the best players from The Well.

Rod Pearson, Marketing Director for Topps Match Attax, comments: “We’re delighted to be able to offer fans of the Scottish Premier League a fun-filled way to enjoy the current season with our brand new collection.”

Fans can kick start their collection in style with the brilliant new Starter Pack, which includes a hardback binder, portable Play Pitch, rules guide and an exclusive Limited Edition!

Plus fans can look out for cool Man of the Match cards, 100 Club Rainbow foils and awesome Star Player cards, too.

Stuart MacPhee, SPL Head of Sales & Marketing, adds: “Topps is another fantastic brand to join our family of partners, and we look forward to engaging more young fans in Clydesdale Bank Premier League football.

“In the New Year, supporters will be able to get involved and compete in Match Attax SPL events that are planned across the country, in and around each club.”

Match Attax SPL Starter Packs retail at £4.99; with packet of 10 cards available for £1 each.

For further information about the new collection from Topps, including details of upcoming tours and events, please visit www.toppsfootball.co.uk.

Follow Match Attax on Twitter @ToppsMatchAttax and get the latest news and updates at www.facebook.com/toppsMA

Weatherseal and the SPL have announced that Football Memories, an Alzheimer Scotland project, has been selected by supporters to benefit from the league’s first official Charity Weekend.

Nearly 4,000 fans cast votes via www.weatherseal-charity.co.uk over a seven day period to 28th October 2012, with clubs the length and breadth of the country encouraging fans to have their say in a wide ranging debate.

Alzheimer Scotland will benefit from a range of rights to promote the emotive Football Memories project on the weekend of 8th/9th December 2012.

As well as bucket collections organised by Weatherseal staff, the SPL’s official home improvement partner will also gift their marketing rights for that weekend. This includes advertising space and digital perimeter display boards.

Football Memories is a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland and the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park. There are over 84,000 people in Scotland with dementia, the equivalent of every spectator on an average Scottish football weekend.

Groups are being established locally across Scotland, and football images and memorabilia are used as reminiscence therapy for people with dementia and other memory problems. The recall by many attending the groups is fascinating and several stories are being recorded for use with future generations of football supporters.

Tony Reilly, Weatherseal managing director, commented: “Weatherseal is proud to be supporting Football Memories. It’s a fantastic project, hugely emotive and we’ve been very impressed by the engaging way in which the organisation has engaged with football to such positive effect.”

Michael White, Alzheimer Scotland Football Memories project manager said: “Alzheimer Scotland is absolutely delighted that Football Memories has been selected to be the charity partners for the Weatherseal SPL Charity Weekend. It is fantastic that through the Charity Weekend thousands of present-day football fans will have the chance to support this work and help us to extend the project to supporters all across Scotland.

“We are incredibly grateful to Weatherseal and the SPL for this opportunity, and want to say a huge thank you to them and every single person who voted for us.”

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster added: “The Weatherseal SPL Charity weekend has been hugely successful so far, in that thousands of supporters have had their say in choosing Football Memories. I am sure they will continue to embrace the project.”

For more information on the Football Memories project visit www.footballmemories.org.uk.

Fans should note forthcoming fixture amendments over the Christmas and New Year period.

The match with St Mirren, originally scheduled for Saturday 22nd December has been switched to Friday night, 21st December (7.45pm KO).

The match against St Johnstone, originally scheduled for Saturday 19th January will now take place on Sunday 20th (2.15pm) for live coverage on ESPN.

>> Updated Fixture List

Highlights from Tynecastle as Motherwell throw away a two goal lead to lose 4-2 to Hearts in a capital city classic.

-WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS FROM TYNECASTLE-
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Jonatan Johansson’s was angered by his side’s capitulation as they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 to Hearts at Tynecastle this evening.

Motherwell were in cruise control after seventeen minutes with Axel Bossekota and Craig Moore firing the Fir Parkers in front.

However, a Billy King goal and a Jamie Walker hat-trick consigned ‘Well to another defeat and the Finn was far from happy after the match.

[pullquote]Maybe we thought it was too easy and thought we could just run the game for seventy minutes but football isn’t like.[/pullquote]

“I think that is the worst we’ve played,” he told MFC TV after the match.

“It’s most disappointing as we got a great start and looked dangerous.

“At two each we didn’t have the right work-ethic and didn’t work as a team nor did we pressure enough.

“We let Hearts come back into it too easy. They are a good side and showed much more enthusiasm and willingness to win than we did.

“Maybe we thought it was too easy and thought we could just run the game for seventy minutes but football isn’t like that and credit to Hearts for coming back.

“We have got a lot of hard work ahead of us.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-