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Extended highlights from Tulloch Caledonian Stadium as Motherwell U20’s come back to defeat Inverness Caley 2-1

-WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

A delighted Jonatan Johansson reckons today’s win in Inverness was the best his side have managed this campaign.

In what has been a largely disappointing campaign for the young Fir Parkers, a young ‘Well side containing four Under 17s in the starting line-up came from behind to beat their more experienced counterparts.

Bob McHugh cancelled out Nick Ross’ opener before Stuart Carswell drilled home the winner with a stunning shot from the edge of the area.

[pullquote]To come away with the three points is fantastic especially when you consider how inexperienced we were today.[/pullquote]

The 106-times capped former Finland striker was upbeat and told MFC TV after the match: “This is the happiest I’ve been after a game because we played a lot of good stuff against a really good team; the boys did me proud today.

“The experienced players were fantastic and I said to them before the game if they encouraged the younger ones, they would respond and that is what happened today.

“[Stuart] Carswell scored a wondergoal and he has that in his locker. We’ve seen him do that against Dundee as well so has a great strike on him. It was a fantastic goal but the only downside is we’ll never hear the end of it!

“To come away with the three points is fantastic especially when you consider how inexperienced we were today.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell Under 20s came from behind to beat Inverness 2-1 in the Highlands this afternoon.

Nick Ross had put the Caley Jags ahead, but their lead lasted less than a minute when Bob McHugh robbed the home defence and tucked it home.

Then, with just ten minutes left on the clock, Stuart Carswell fired in a thirty-yard stunner high into the top corner to secure an impressive three points.

Jonatan Johnasson made six changes to the side that lost 4-0 to Aberdeen last midweek. Out went Lee Hollis, Fraser Kerr, Zaine Francis-Angol, Adam Cummins, Lee Erwin and Kallum Higginbotham.

Ross Stewart, David Ferguson, Morgyn Neill, Chris Cadden, Dale Shirkie and Dom Thomas replaced them.

Both teams traded chances in what was a fairly even first-half but it was Motherwell, through Bob McHugh, who would create the game’s first opportunity.

A neat ball over the top of the Caley defence had the striker in a foot race. His shot from just outside the box was well held by home keeper Scott Mathieson.

The home side replied quickly and would have went ahead but for a terrific goal-line block by Steven Saunders. Ross found some space on the left channel and, after getting a break off the outrushing Stewart, his cutback was perfect for Ryan Christie but Saunders was perfectly placed to hook it clear from just under the crossbar.

Paul McCafferty will feel he might have hit the target after good work on the left flank by Shirkie set him up but the little winger’s shot went a yard or so wide of the post.

Play was swinging back and fourth and Stewart did well to block a Sutherland shot with an outstretched foot before Mathieson was at full stretch to turn away a McHugh turn and shot from twelve yards out.

The home keeper was in top form shortly after when he turned away a fierce McCafferty effort at the expense of a corner.

Not to be outdone, Stewart produced an excellent stop of his own to deny Sutherland for the second time in the match. The big striker worked space for himself and his low shot was heading for the far corner but for the outstretched hand of ‘Well’s 18-year old stopper.

Into the second half and Stewart started where he left off, making another brilliant block to deny the hosts.  Sutherland and Liam Polworth combined and the latter found himself in space inside the box. The ‘Well keeper was quick off his line though and made the block as the game remained at stalemate.

The stubborn Steelmen rearguard were eventually breached when Nick Ross raced between Saunders and Neill to get on the end of a Khutsishvilli throughball. He kept his composure to fire beyond Stewart and into the far corner.

Inverness’ lead lasted about a minute before Johansson’s side hit back. Inverness were slack at the back and when Andrew Skinner was caught in possession, Bob McHugh nipped, held off Stephen McKenzie before nutmegging Mathieson for the equaliser.

That goal gave Motherwell confidence and Leitch almost put ‘Well in front with a decent volley inside the area which sailed over.

However, it would be a stunning strike that would eventually give Motherwell their second and, ultimately, the three points.

Bob McHugh’s free-kick on edge of the area cannoned off the wall and ended back at his feet. He squared it left to waiting Stuart Carswell who took a touch to set himself before rifling an unstoppable strike high into the top right hand corner.

It was the last real chance of an entertaining game. After a recent difficult run, the Fir Parkers will be more than delighted with a win that sets them up for next week’s home match with Hearts at Fir Park.

Motherwell: Stewart, Ferguson, Leitch, Saunders, Neill, Carswell, McCafferty, Caddens, McHugh, Shirkie (79mins), Thomas

Subs Not Used: Currie, Watt, Anderson

Motherwell will start their post-split fixtures with an away trip to face Dundee Utd at Tannadice on Friday 19^th April.

Stuart McCall’s side will then face Celtic (H), Inverness CT (A), Ross County (H) before finishing the season against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

The confirmed top-six fixtures are:

• Friday 19^th April vs Dundee Utd (A): 7.45pm KO
• Sunday 28^th April vs Celtic (H): 12.45pm KO
• Saturday 4^th May vs Inverness CT (A): 3pm KO
• Sunday 12^th May vs Ross County (H): 4.05pm KO
• Sunday 19^th May vs St Johnstone (A): 12.45pm KO

Ticket information will be published as soon as it is confirmed.

It is time for you to decide who you think deserves to win the Cash Converters Player of the Month for March.

Every month this season, Cash Converters will be giving you the opportunity to present your Motherwell Player of the Month with their trophy, and now is your chance to vote for who you think deserves to receive March’s award.

All you need to do is vote for which ‘Well player you think has been the stand-out performer for March and, if you are correct, you could be chosen at random from all entries received, to congratulate our star man in person at Fir Park ahead of the next home fixture.

With Nicky Law, winning February’s player of the month award, who should win it for March?

To cast your vote, simply visit our SPL Facebook page, or by CLICKING HERE.

The link will also give you the opportunity to enter the draw to take part in the next Convert for Cash, and the chance to sit in the dugout at Fir Park.

For the March Player of the Month – Click to VOTE HERE.

Motherwell Football Club will host an open fans forum on league reconstruction this coming Thursday, 11th April.

The club have already met with both the board and members of the ‘Well Society in recent months, but wish to discuss more broadly with the general support ahead of the SPL vote on Monday 15th April.

The forum will take place in the Davie Cooper Suite at Fir Park between 7pm and 9pm. Representatives from the MFC board will be in attendance to take questions from the audience.

The first hour of the meeting will be for pre-submitted questions – you are encouraged to send any questions you would like to see answered, even if you can’t or don’t want to attend the evening itself. These can be submitted to – press@motherwellfc.co.uk.

The second hour will be a live Q&A with the audience where attendees can quiz the board on any topic not covered in the previous hour.

The Cooper Suite is restricted to 120 people and attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like attend, please email the same address, press@motherwellfc.co.uk, when you will be given an email of confirmation if you are in the first 120.

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell and St Mirren share the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

-WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was pleased with his side despite being held at home to St Mirren.

Motherwell had the majority of the chances throughout the ninety minutes, but a combination of heroic defending, fantastic goalkeeping and some bad luck prevented the Steelmen racking up an insurmountable lead.

As it transpired, a super Conor Newton goal cancelled out Michael Higdon’s opener before substitute Lewis Guy suckered-punched the hosts with a rare venture up the park and neat finish.

Thankfully, a sensational James McFadden free-kick five minutes from time earned Motherwell a point which was no less than they deserved for their efforts.

[pullquote]I’m just delighted with the way we played. Managers are supposed to be in tense and fraught but I was standing there just enjoying the football.[/pullquote]

When asked if he would regret the missed chances more than being happy at the late leveller, McCall told MFC TV: “I might be disappointed later on when I watch it back, but right now I’m just delighted with the way we played.

“It was a terrific game of football as it always is against St Mirren. We’ve had the majority of the chances in the first half and although Daz made a good save, we had the most opportunities in the second too.

“I thought we were outstanding in the second half and to go 2-1 down when we did was against the run of play was frustrating.

“I’m just delighted with the way we played. Managers are supposed to be in tense and fraught but I was standing there just enjoying the football.

“Samson has came here and, yet again, had a great game so much so when James hit the ball over the wall I half expected a flying arm to knock it over the bar.

“Thankfully it went in and we’ve got a point, which is no less than we deserved.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 2-2 draw with St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

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Alan Burrows at Fir Park

A sublime James McFadden free-kick rescued a deserved point for Motherwell against St Mirren this afternoon.

The Steelmen played well all afternoon but somehow found themselves behind, Conor Newton cancelling out Michael Higdon’s opener before substitute Lew Guy fired Saints ahead with fifteen minutes left on the clock.

It looked like the curse of St Mirren all over again but step forward McFadden with a pearler of a free-kick into the postage stamp top-right hand corner to send Fir Park delirious.

It was the least the Fir Parkers deserved from the match with Craig Samson again in inspired form for the Buddies.

Only time will tell if it’s a point gained or two dropped as the race for European places is nearing its conclusion.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall had hoped to go with the same eighteen as last weekend at Dens Park, but after Stevie Hammell tweaked his hamstring in the warm-up, he was replaced by Antiguan International Zaine Francis-Angol. Steven Saunders was promoted to the substitutes bench.

Danny Lennon made three changes to the Saints side that drew at Rugby Park during the weak. Isma Conçalves missed out through suspension, Gary Teale was injured and John McGinn had to be content with a place amongst the subs. Dougie Imrie, Kenny McLean Sander Puri all came into the starting eleven.

Scottish Communities League Cup winners Saints started well and Darren Randolph had to look smart in the early moments to deny at the feet of McLean, the midfielder having made a good run into the area.

Motherwell’s reply was almost immediate. Chris Humphrey got the better of Paul Dummett and his delivery almost found McFadden in the middle. Saints somehow managed to defend it, but it squirmed out to Higdon who could only screw the rebound high and wide of target.

The hosts were having more of the ball and Higdon almost finished a lovely McFadden ball towards the back post but he crashed the volley high into the Maxim Office Park Stand from about twelve yards out.

Samson got a great hand to a cross to once again deny Higdon and Tom Hateley fired a shot from distance well wide of the post as the Steelmen looked to go in front.

Those chances were sandwiched between a decent chance for Marc McAusland who found himself in space at a corner but his shot lacked power and was straight at Randolph.

Stuart McCall’s side did eventually find the breakthrough their pressure deserved when Higdon returned to haunt his former club. Keith Lasley’s delivery to the back post found the big striker in space and he bulleted a header past Samson for his 23^rd goal of the campaign.

The former Crewe hitman now needs just one goal to level Willie Pettigrew’s post war record for top league goals set back in 1975/76.

To their credit, St Mirren’s reacted quickly to going a goal down and they almost drew level right away, but Randolph was again in the right place to smother at the feet of McLean for the second time in the match.

It was a warning the Fir Parkers would fail to heed though as, with just four minutes remaining until the interval, Conor Newton thundered his side level. It was a patient build-up, Imrie feeding Puri on the right. The Estonian teed up the on-loan Newcastle midfielder who took a touch before rocketing a shot high past Randolph.

It was a fine strike although the Republic of Ireland international stopper was right to question the lack of pressure on the ball.

Just before Brian Colvin brought the first forty-five to a close, Nicky Law came within a yard of putting ‘Well back in front but his shot from the edge of the ball flew over the bar.

The Steelmen made a positive start to the second half and Samson had to make another good save to deny Henrik Ojamaa whose stinging effort was turned over for a corner.

Stuart McCall has encouraged his side to play good football on the deck and one example almost brought about what would have been a goal-of-the-season contender.

A free-flowing move involving McFadden, Ojamaa, Higdon, Humphrey and eventually, a shot from Keith Lasley was deflected around for another corner.

The Claret and Amber men were well on top and Samson was again proving the thorn in the Motherwell side. The Scotland International was on great form to turn Chris Humphrey’s shot up and over the bar.

McFadden’s mazy run and shot went a yard or so wide, another deflected Lasley shot spun just over with Samson rooted and Law flicked a Hateley effort just wide as Motherwell continued to dominate.

You got the sense that ‘Well were going regret the missed opportunities and, completely against the run of play, St Mirren got themselves in front. Substitute Lewis Guy, who had been introduced at the interval in place of the otherwise quiet Puri, played a neat one-two with McLean on the edge of the area before coolly slipping it under Randolph for 2-1.

The way results have gone between the two sides in recent years; there was an air of almost resigned inevitability about it all for the Fir Park faithful. But their frustration would soon turn to jubilation as the talismanic McFadden dragged his side level in sensational style.

A long, almost hopeful, ball towards Higdon caused McAusland to give away what looked like a pretty needless foul on the edge of the area. The former Birmingham City and Everton man grabbed it straight away. What happened next was a moment of genius, the 29-year old curling it beautifully into the top-right hand corner despite the best efforts of the otherwise excellent Samson.

The roof came off the old ground and Faddy looked as if he loved it – celebrating with his young children who were pearched at the rear of the Cooper Stand.

Incredibly, Motherwell could and probably should have won it. Higdon had a great chance in the dying seconds when an Ojamaa ball flashed across the face. To be fair to the big striker, the cross was fizzed at him and was probably more difficult that it first looked. His touch allowed Saints to eventually hook it clear.

With virtually the last kick, Humphrey had another effort deflected just wide for a corner.

McCall will be delighted to grab a point from a losing situation but will be scratching his head at how his side never won after creating so many opportunities.

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Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

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Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I would say the same even if we lost – I was really proud of the players. I thought it was a terrific game of football on a really lively pitch, which was a bit dry and bumpy.

“I thought second half we were terrific. I thought first half we were dangerous and had opportunities. It was a cracking goal by them, having said that all four goals were well executed.

“But some of the stuff we played second half was terrific and I was really pleased with the performance against a good, good St Mirren side. As good a team as St Mirren are, I think it would have been a travesty if we didn’t at least get something out of the game.

“Everyone gave their all. Managers aren’t supposed to enjoy games but I really enjoyed it, I thought it was a terrific game of football. If we can take that form into the last five games I’ll be more than happy.”

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon:

“You could probably dig out the same reports you have done from the last couple of years,

“They are always fixtures I look forward to and once again both sets of players and supporters brought a great deal to the game.

“It was thoroughly entertaining – goalmouth action, quality goals – and football certainly won today again.”

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