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[tab:Match report]

Andy Ross at Easter Road

Motherwell produced a sensational second-half comeback to defeat Hibernian 3-2 at Easter Road.

Substitute Robert McHugh converted Henrik Ojamaa’s cross two minutes from time to move Motherwell into second in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Eoin Doyle headed the hosts ahead five minutes before half-time and doubled his tally nine minutes after the break when he raced onto Paul Cairney’s high ball and rocketed past Darren Randolph.

Jamie Murphy tapped in from close range to cut the hosts’ lead and he glanced home a leveller with 10 minutes remaining.

Hibs looked shell-shocked after losing a commanding lead and things got worse for Pat Fenlon’s side when substitute McHugh fired in a late winner.

James McPake was dismissed for a second yellow card during injury-time to complete a miserable afternoon for the home side.

The hosts made a bright start and only a well timed block from Tom Hateley denied Cairney from breaking the deadlock in the opening minute.

Doyle dragged his shot inches wide a minute later as the Motherwell goal continued to live a charmed life during the early exchanges.

Motherwell’s first chance of the match arrived after 12 minutes when Michael Higdon fired over after latching onto Shaun Hutchinson’s long ball.

Lee Griffiths forced Randolph into his first save of the match with a low effort from distance and Ben Williams was called into action at the other end when he had to gather Alan Maybury’s header.

Adam Cummins picked up the first booking of the match for hauling back Doyle and the hosts should have profited from the resulting free-kick as McPake rose unmarked to meet Griffiths’ delivery – but the Hibs captain was unable to find the target.

Motherwell were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position after Maybury bundled over Murphy – but Hateley could not test Williams.

The hosts broke the deadlock five minutes before the break when Wotherspoon twisted away from Steven Hammell before providing an pin-point delivery for Doyle to nod home from close range.

Randolph parried Griffiths’ stinging drive as Pat Fenlon’s side threatened to extend their advantage before half-time.

It was Motherwell who began the second half on the front foot and Chris Humphrey should have done better after taking on Ryan McGivern inside the penalty box, but the winger could only manage a tame effort directly at Williams.

In throwing men forward Stuart McCall’s side left themselves liable on the counter-attack and they were punished on 54 minutes when Cairney’s through-ball created an opening for Doyle and the Irish striker finished in style for his second goal of the afternoon.

The Fir Park side continued to look for a way back into the match and they reduced the deficit when Humphrey drilled the ball low across the six-yard box and Murphy was left with a simple tap-in.

Gary Deegan made his return from injury when he replaced Griffiths with 20 minutes left and McCall showed his attacking intent as Cummins made way for McHugh.

Ojamaa flashed an effort just wide of the target and Higdon then tested Williams from 12 yards as the Fir Park side threatened to get back on terms.

Fenlon looked to tighten up his defence with the introduction of Ross Caldwell for Doyle, but the home side were unable to hold their lead as Higdon knocked on Hateley’s dangerous corner and Murphy glanced the ball home at the back post.

McHugh passed up a wonderful opportunity to complete a remarkable second half turnaround when he somehow failed to connect with Humphrey’s cutback.

The substitute made no mistake when presented with another opportunity with two minutes remaining as he turned Ojamaa’s cross across the helpless Williams and into the bottom corner.

McPake was dismissed with seconds remaining for a second yellow card following a tussle with Murphy – and the visitors held out to take all three points from a thrilling encounter.

[tab:As it happened]

Ally Reilly at Easter Road

FULL TIME!

91mins: RED CARD: McPake off for second yellow card.

91mins: ‘Well sitting in. Nervous.

90mins: FOUR minutes added on!

89mins: Ojamaa off for Francis-Angol

89mins: Composure regained. Ahem, McHugh gets enough on Ojamaa’s cross to diver past Williams.

89mins: Somebody just score!!! No idea who!! 3-2 to Motherwell

89mins: WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW

89mins: GOOOOAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

86mins: Hibs sub, Cairney off for Handling

84mins: WOAH. Should have been 3-2. On a plate for McHugh who a yard out can’t get enough on it. Either that or defender got a touch. Possibly even a penalty?

83mins: Lasley off for Ramsden. Looks hurt.

80mins: Murphy with his second, heading in Higdon’s knock-back! That has been coming. 2-2

80mins: GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL

78mins: Great spell of pressure here for ‘Well

76mins: Hibs sub, Doyle off for Caldwel

73mins: Encouraging! Ojamaa and Higdon go close with successive efforts.

72mins: ‘Well sub, Cummins off for McHugh.

70mins: Game sitting at 2-1 to Hibs, Hibee’s worthy of their lead but will be an interesting last 20 minutes.

69mins: Hibs sub: Deegan on for Griffiths.

63mins: Out of nowhere we’re back in it! Murphy slotting home Humphrey’s cross!!! 2-1

63mins: GOOAALL!!!

57mins: Ojamaa wins ‘Well a corner….but is too hard and the danger is gone.

54mins: Long ball over the top, out paces the ‘Well defence and coolly slots past Randolph.

54mins: GOAL: Doyle makes it 2-0 to Hibs.

49mins: Humphrey glides into the box but his left footed effort is tame and straight at Williams.

48mins: Ojamaa curls a cross in that is more of a shot. Easily gathered by Williams.

46mins: Doyle shoots straight at Randolph from outside the box.

46mins: Lasley and Ojamaa kick-off the second half.

HT: Hibernian 1 – 0 Motherwell

43mins: Griffiths stings the palms of Randolph from 18 yards as Hibs look to add a second before half-time.

40mins: GOAL: Doyle opens the scoring. Too easy for him as he heads home Wotherspoon’s cross from 8 yards.

38mins: Randolph does well to pluck the ball out of the air from McGivern’s cross.

35mins: Free-kick to Motherwell 25 yards out, much to the Hibs fans displeasure. Hateley flashes it just over the bar

31mins: Ojamaa grappled to the deck as he went to race clean through. McPake booked.

30mins: Quiet 10 minute spell there. Match becoming a bit more even.

20mins: Still goalless at Easter Road. Hibs the more dangerous side.

20mins: Griffiths can’t jink past Cummins so opts to shoot. Drags it just past from 20 yards.

18mins: Best chance of the game. Griffiths with a perfect in-swinging free-kick met by McPake in acres of space. Over the bar.

17mins: Almost an O.G. there from Hibs. Williams reacting sharply to collect a deflected header back to him.

16mins: Griffith’s 25 yard effort is ambitious to say the least. Forces a good save from Randolph though.

14mins: ‘Well coming into it a bit. Still to trouble Williams but starting to build up some good possession.

11mins: A chance…of sorts. Higdon with a speculative volley from outside the box. High, wide and not at all handsome.

9mins: Bit of danger again there as we approach the 10 minute mark. Wotherspoon works the ball into the box but Cummins heads clear.

8mins: Now it’s Hibs’ turn. Corner……..Randolph claws it clear.

5mins: And as I type….corner to Motherwell! Hateley’s deep delivery is headed clear by McGivern.

5mins: Early days but Hibs are on top. ‘Well still to have any meaningful possession.

2mins: Doyle looks a threat! Shoots just a fraction past Randolph’s right hand post from 18 yards, Unlucky.

1mins: Doyle gets to the byline but sees his cut-back cleared by Cummins.

1mins: Early pressure from Hibs. Griffiths just fails to control the ball at the vital point and it runs through harmlessly to Randolph.

1mins: Hibs kick off.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I’ll take that second-half performance any day of the week. We said at half-time we’ve got to go out and play and show what we can really do.

“I turned to Kenny Black at 2-0 and said we can still win this. I said to Chris Humphrey at half-time: we want you to get to the dead-ball line, it’s no good crossing from the 18-yard box – hit the dead-ball line.

“We did that and got the rewards for it.

“We’ll never get over being knocked out the cup the other night, but we can make up for it by having a good run in the league. I think that’s four away victories [in the league] on the trot.”

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon:

“We’re just giving away too many sloppy goals. So maybe there’s one or two [players] coming back that are looking to play so we might have to change the team around a little bit.

“I’m disgusted. I think we thought we’d won the game when we scored the second goal.

“We never got hold of the ball after that and got deeper and deeper into our own half. You don’t get anything for getting results at half-time; it’s all about seeing games out.”

“We didn’t take them off together. We were getting over-run and we took one off to try and get hold of the ball in the middle of the park and we didn’t do that.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”129]

Motherwell travel east along the M8 to take on Hibernian in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

TEAMS:

Hibernian captain James McPake and midfielder Gary Deegan are fit and available to face Motherwell.

Defender McPake has recovered from a back problem while Deegan has overcome a facial injury.

Tim Clancy, the former Motherwell defender, is also nearing a return following a groin injury.

Motherwell’s Steven Saunders has been undergoing the final stages of his rehabilitation from a knee injury but the trip to Hibs may come too soon.

TICKETS:

Tickets are still available from the Ticket Office at Easter Road priced at:

ADULTS: £22
CONCESSIONS: £12

• Concessions are listed as Over 65s, Under 18s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

TRAVEL:

Lothian & Borders police will be stopping and searching buses for alcohol. When planning your journey today, take into account that Edinburgh will be busy with Christmas shoppers and with tram works are still ongoing in the City. It would be advisable to leave in plenty of time as there will additional pressure on the surrounding road network as a result.

WEATHER:

It will be a bright afternoon in Leith with sunny spells. Temperature highs in the Edinburgh area will be 7 degrees Celsius (45 Fahrenheit).

FOLLOW THE MATCH:

Motherwell Media will bring you all the action from Tannadice. Graham Barnstaple and Alan Burrows 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 can’t wait to get back on the road again as the Steelmen look to bounce back from midweek disappointment.

The Fir Parkers have won five, drawn two and lost one of eight SPL games on the road this campaign but probably face their most difficult test against at Easter Road with Hibs high-flying this campaign.

‘Well won and drew there last season in McCall’s only two matches at the home of the Hibees and the Motherwell boss can’t wait for the match to kick-off.

[pullquote]All the players are focused and we know what is being asked of us and I’m really confident in our ability to deliver in the rest of the season. Away from home our form is terrific.[/pullquote]

“I’m really looking forward to going to Easter Road,” he told the gathered press at ‘Well’s weekly news conference.

“I’ve only been there twice and last season we managed to win one-nil with a really good performance and we drew one-all just before the split when we were having a bit of a dip in form.

“All the players are focused and we know what is being asked of us and I’m really confident in our ability to deliver in the rest of the season. Away from home our form is terrific.

“We’ve won at Inverness, St Johnstone and Dundee Utd recently and have put in some really good performances of late. We’re going to one of the biggest parks in the SPL and the lads are really looking forward to it.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ONLY ON MFC TV-

Left-back Stevie Hammell is hoping for the rub of the green when ‘Well face Hibernian at Easter Road tomorrow.

The teams last met in late October and not only were the Steelmen denied a clear goal by the assistant, Hibs had two debatable penalties and Michael Higdon blazed a spot kick of his own high over the crossbar.

Hibs deservedly won the match, albeit the scoreline was perhaps a little flattering at 4-0.

30-year old Hammell hopes there will be no repeat when the sides lock horns tomorrow.

[pullquote]It’s easy to say but there were a few things that when on that happened in that game that may never happen again.[/pullquote]

“It was four-nil the last time we played them but I don’t think it was a four nil game,” he recalled.

“It’s easy to say but there were a few things that when on that happened in that game that may never happen again.

“We seem to be playing better away from home and gathering a lot of points so hopefully that will continue tomorrow.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV-

The Steelmen Matchday Magazine is now available on your iPad & IPhone with the Matchday Digital Application.

The latest editions of Motherwell’s programme will be available to download on your Apple device.

The Matchday Digital iPad / IPhone App allows you to view the Steelmen Matchday Magazine anytime, anywhere. No matter where you are in the world, whether sitting on a train, a beach or in your living room, you can now have the same turn-page experience that you would have in the stadium.

The Matchday Digital App ensures you always keep up to date with the club and never miss out on any programmes. You can make one-off purchases or take out a Season Pass so you are subscribed to the whole season.

If you can’t make the game, simply download the programme on Matchday Digital and be part of the game.  The digital programme comes with all the content you would have in the printed edition but with added features including:

• Programmes available to fans anytime, anywhere
• Download back copies from past games
• Programmes will be made available for purchase worldwide
• Easy to use curl or slide ‘turn page’ technology
• Keyword search taking you straight to a particular player or feature
• Pinch screen feature to zoom into articles or images
• Add articles to Facebook or Twitter via the social media feature
• The Matchday Digital App is free to download on to your iPad / IPhone.

‘Well supporters can download an individual issue at £2.99 or take out a Season Pass.

We are confident that not only will this new digital service bring in new revenue streams for the club but will complement our existing printed programme making it available to a wider reach of fans.

Download the Matchday Digital App now by clicking on the below iTunes App Store icon. Alternatively simply go to the iTunes App store on your iPad and search for ‘Matchday Digital’.

For more info on Matchday Digital please visit www.matchdaydigital.co.uk/motherwellfc

Christmas is a time for giving, and this week SPL sponsor Clydesdale Bank is getting into the spirit of things with match tickets to give away.

You have a chance to get your hands on complimentary tickets for no less than 24 Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches scheduled over the festive period.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets, all you need to do is log on to their football website www.cbfootball.co.uk, click the competition tab and enter for the game(s) you’d like to go to.

Closing date is Tuesday 18th December at 4pm. Good luck!

Terms and conditions apply

Extended highlights from today’s Under 20s match with Falkirk at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

The Bairns got themselves in front early on through Lewis Small and held that lead until just after half-time when Bob McHugh netted from close range.

-WATCH FULL HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-
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Jonatan Johansson was pleased with the response after going a goal down as his side earned a draw against Falkirk this afternoon.

The Bairns went ahead early but the Steelmen fought back and deservedly drew level courtesy of a Bob McHugh goal, rounding off a wonderful nine-man move.

‘Well, who have only played once competitively since the middle of October, went on to enjoy large spells of possession but neither team created too much in the way of guilt-edged opportunities.

And Johansson was satisfied with the outing despite losing that opening goal.

[pullquote]I’m pleased with the second half and the point, particularly as we have not had a lot of football in the last six or seven weeks.[/pullquote]

“I thought we dominated the second half and the pressing and movement was better,” he told MFC TV after the match.

“In the first half we were too slow. We stopped the ball too often to see where we were instead of just playing it. I’ll need to see the goal again but it’s always annoying to lose an early goal from what seemed like a position we had the ball under control.

“It’s always difficult when you have to start chasing the game because they can sit in deep and start hitting us on the counter. It’s frustrating but apart from that we defended quite well.

“I’m pleased with the second half and the point, particularly as we have not had a lot of football in the last six or seven weeks.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell Under 20s came from behind to secure a deserved point at a freezing cold Excelsior Stadium this afternoon.

The Bairns got themselves in front early on through Lewis Small and held that lead until just after half-time when Bob McHugh netted from close range.

Both sides battled hard for a winner but a draw was a fair outcome in a match with very little between the teams.

Motherwell had a number of players with first-team experience in the starting eleven. Simon Ramsden, Fraser Kerr, Zaine Francis-Angol, Stevie Hetherington and Bob McHugh could all count on game time with Stuart McCall’s side.

However, it took the young Falkirk just six minutes to take the lead and, as has been the case for most of the season, the Steelmen will be disappointed with their defending. Liam Rowan was afforded far too much space on the right flank and his low, teasing ball across the face of goal was tucked away by Small from close range despite the best efforts of Ross Stewart in the home goal.

Motherwell regrouped and Bob McHugh tested Bairns keeper Graham Bowman with a stinging effort from distance the brought about a smart save.

Minutes later McHugh had another opportunity to bring the scores level. Good build-up play down the right eventually led to a curling cross from Kerr. The striker peeled off his marker in the centre but, on the stretch, could only turn his header inches of the crossbar.

Whilst Johansson’s men were starting to take a grip of the match, Falkirk almost doubled their advantage on the counter attack. A neat ball through the middle had David Weatherston in on goal but his low shot was well turned round by Stewart at the expense of a corner.

Falkirk got to the break ahead but not before a tight call from assistant John Gilmour denied the Steelmen a leveller.

A corner from the left was flicked on by Fraser Kerr and McHugh hooked the ball into the net from close range. The assistant’s flag was up and the goal was disallowed. Replays certainly look as if the striker was level with both Liam Rowan and Kris Faulds who were trying to push out from protecting the posts.

So it was with some sense of injustice that Motherwell trooped into the dressing room at the interval. That would be extinguished just four minutes after the restart as McHugh got the goal his play to that point had deserved.

A lovely passing move involving every Motherwell player on the pitch, with the exception of ‘keeper Stewart and Jack Leitch, eventually ended at the feet of Moore on the right flank. His tantalising low ball across the face of the goal found McHugh who slid the ball home from close range.

The Steelmen went on to have much more of the ball for the remainder of the half without creating too much in the way of clear cut chances. In fact, it was Stewart who had to look smart with a couple of decent saves to deny Leahy and Rowan.

Craig Moore looked to be Motherwell’s main threat and had three half-chances to score late on. His first was a dragged shot wide of the post, the second a header that bounced a yard wide of the post and the third, right on the final whistle,  was a stinging effort from the edge of the box straight at Bowman who gathered at the second attempt.

MOTHERWELL: Stewart, Kerr (Asghar 60), Francis-Angol, Neill, Ramsden (Green 46), Leitch, Hetherington, Moore, Johnstone, Bossekota (McCafferty 75), McHugh.

SUBS NOT USED: Thomas, Shirkie

GOALS: McHugh (49)

BOOKED: Moore (68), Johnstone (87)

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was left gutted as an off-form Motherwell crashed out the Scottish Cup at the hands of Aberdeen.

The Steelmen were the better side in the first half, although the Dons could lay claim to having the better chances.

The visitors were much improved in the second period and deservedly went into a two goal lead thanks to Rory Fallon and Joe Shaughnessy.

Michael Higdon pulled one back late on for the Fir Parkers from the penalty spot but it wasn’t enough as the Dons held on for the victory.

[pullquote]They defended really well but we were disappointing in the second half, there is no doubt about it.[/pullquote]

“Just like every fan and player, I’m gutted,” he told MFC TV after the match.

“I thought first half we controlled the game without making many chances. I knew it would be difficult to break them down as they came down with a back five and on a tight park it’s hard to find space in behind them.

“Carswell had a shot and we had a few other opportunities but as always the first goal is important. They got it and then with the system they have got, with McGinn and Hayes playing off Fallon, they could hit us on the counter and they looked more dangerous than us.

“They defended really well but we were disappointing in the second half, there is no doubt about it.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-