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[tab:Match report]

 Gavin McCafferty at the Fir Park

Craig Moore scored a spectacular goal seconds into his Premiership debut to start ‘Well’s comeback as the Steelmen edged out Hearts 2-1 at Fir Park.

The 19-year-old former Hearts Academy product fired the ball into the top corner from 22 yards within 20 seconds of coming off the bench midway through the second half at Fir Park.

The strike cancelled out Ryan Stevenson’s 62nd-minute breakaway opener and Shaun Hutchinson headed home with eight minutes left to secure Motherwell’s fourth consecutive home victory.

The entertaining first half followed a slow start to the game as Motherwell, who were without injured wingers James McFadden and Lionel Ainsworth, struggled to break down a Hearts side which pressed them quickly.

Hearts, who were missing left-back Kevin McHattie, set up in positive fashion with Jamie Walker and Stevenson playing up front and Callum Paterson and David Smith on either flank, but they struggled to get out of their half during the first period.

The first pieces of meaningful action were two penalty appeals for handball from the home side around the half-hour mark, the first when Jordan McGhee blocked an Iain Vigurs shot and the second when Danny Wilson appeared to move his hand towards Henri Anier’s cross.

Vigurs had a couple of long-range efforts and soon set up a better chance when he played John Sutton in through the left channel but the striker shot straight at MacDonald.

Hearts created the best chance of the half in the closing stages when McGhee’s pass sent Walker through as the Motherwell defence waited for an offside flag that never came. Gunnar Nielsen, who was making his home debut after Lee Hollis suffered an ankle injury, came out quickly to narrow the angle and block the shot before brilliantly touching over Smith’s close-range follow-up.

Motherwell stepped up a couple of gears after the restart. Sutton headed just wide before seeing another header tipped round the post by MacDonald.
Hutchinson met an Vigurs corner but his header was cleared off the line by Callum Tapping and Sutton hooked the rebound wide.

Scott Robinson came on for the injured Paterson in the 55th minute as Hearts moved to a 4-5-1 and they were soon under pressure again.

Anier had a shot beaten away by MacDonald after a pass by Keith Lasley, who soon drilled a 22-yard shot just wide following a half-cleared corner.

Motherwell were given warning before the opener when Stevenson had a shot saved on the break and Walker ran at the Motherwell defence before firing wide.
But they were caught short at the back when Robinson broke and played the ball out to the left wing for Stevenson, who had peeled off into space.

The forward ran into the box and fired a shot that nicked off Stephen McManus and beat Nielsen at his near post.

The game change with a couple of substitutions, Moore came on in the 67th minute along with Paul Lawson and it paid off instantly. The ball fell for Moore after a cross was cleared just outside the box and the teenager dispatched it in style, smashing a volley high past the goalkeeper after being on the pitch just eighteen seconds.

Motherwell pushed for a winner and it came after another Vigurs corner. Hutchinson made a near-post run to meet the inswinging delivery and headed powerfully down and over the line from the edge of the six-yard box.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 2 – 1 Hearts

90mins: 4 minutes added on.

85mins: Into the last 5 minutes then……. #nervy

81mins: Corner to Motherwell…….GOOOOAALLLLL! Hutchy bullets in a header to make it 2-1!!!

80mins: Final Hearts change, Nicholson on for Smith

76mins: Hearts sub, Holt on for Tapping

75mins: Motherwell sub: Anier off for McHugh

68mins: Just on the pitch and CRAIG MOORE unleashes a thunderbolt into the top corner from 25 yards! Brilliant!!

68mins: GOOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!

61mins: GOAL! Stevenson’s shot is deflected past Nielsen. 1-0 Hearts

56mins: Chances coming thick and fast now! Anier from a tight angle forces a good save then Lasley strikes just past from 20 yards

53mins: Hearts sub: Paterson limps off for Robinson

53mins: Good start to this half! Vigurs has a shot saved by MacDonald then Hearts break and Walker can only shoot straight at Nielsen

49mins: McManus and Hutchinson test MacDonald with headers. Should maybe be 1 up after that!

46mins: Stevenson and Walker get the second half underway.

HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 Hearts

44mins: Great double stop from Nielsen to deny Walker !! First one was a solid block, second one was a cracker to tip it over!!

37mins: Probably the best chance so far as Sutton latches on to Anier’s through ball buit on his weak foot fires tamely at MacDonald.

34mins: Another claim for handball after Anier’s flicked on header appeared to strike Hammill inside the box. Looked a decent shout.

31mins: Still 0-0. Hearts have a corner… Smith scuffs his delivery straight to Francis-Angol who clears.

28mins: First corner of the game goes to Hearts. Smith’s delivery is headed clear by Sutton… From that header, Francis-Angol sends Vigurs through on goal and as he cuts back in to shoot, claims that his shot hit a hand!

22mins: Nielsen had to be lively as he raced off his line to clear from Tapping with his knee.

18mins: McGhee does well to slide in and block Anier’s left footed shot. Was hitting the target.

10mins: Fairly even first 10 minutes. Very little in the way of good chances though.

2mins: First decent chance of the game falls to Sutton. He can’t direct his header goalwards from Lasley’s cross, though.

1min: Lasley and Carswell kick the game off.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

TBC

Hearts manager Gary Locke:

“It’s a hard one to take. I seem to be saying the same things every week.

“I certainly felt we played well enough, playing against a really good side and we more than matched them for 90 minutes.

“We went a goal ahead and at that stage I thought we were playing well, passing the ball well and getting the ball forward well. We looked really dangerous on the counter-attack.

“There is nothing you can do about the first goal, it’s probably the best substitution Macca [Stuart McCall] will make all season, the boy comes on and first kick of the ball, 30 yards, top corner.

“But I’m disappointed with the second one, we have got to defend corners better than that.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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The fifth domestic Steelmen Matchday Magazine of 2013/14 is on sale when Hearts visit tomorrow (Saturday).

But what is inside the 68-page issue?

‘Well boss Stuart McCall and Captain Keith Lasley both return with the regular columns.

Fresh from Scotland duty, Stuart talks about continuing the positive home form this season, which has seen the Steelmen win the last three games on their own patch.

The skipper chats about what he expects from the match and how difficult it will be against a hard-to-predict Hearts.

The feature interview is with experienced full-back Simon Ramsden. The former Bradford defender talks fondly about his time at Fir Park and why he, perhaps more than most, is relishing recent success after thinking his career was under threat just two years ago.

“Rammers” also features as the fifth of a souvenir poster collection in the centre pages.

But that’s not where the features stop!

There is a 14-page section dedicated to our visitors, Hearts.

Ray Morrison introduces the Tynecastle men and there is a player-by-player breakdown of who is likely to line up for the Gorgie side.

We continue our opposition manager section by speaking directly Gary Locke. The Hearts legend turned boss chats about the difficulty in picking up the pieces at Tynecastle and his hopes for the rest of the 2013/14 campaign.

Our guest journalist for this edition is The Terrace Podcast’s resident Jambo Craig Fowler. Craig discusses the torment and torture of supporting the Edinburgh club as they come to terms with life in administration and battling at the wrong end of the table.

We’ll also have a fact-finding piece on ten things you didn’t know about the opposition.

The big features keep coming…

We take a look at Tony Smith’s trip to Kenya where he delivered, amongst other things, Motherwell strips to some of the local school kids.

Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows returns in ‘The Last Word’ and the next round of new quiz, MFC Eggheads, is the Tyne-Weir derby between Geordie Shaun Hutchinson and Mackem Simon Ramsden.

But wait, there’s more!

Our match reports section takes a look back at the 2-0 defeat by Celtic in Glasgow two weeks ago.

There’s also an in-depth report from the Under 20s super 2-1 win at Ibrox recently.

We have the latest from The Ticket Office, Commercial and Community Departments, and update from the Well Society as well as the latest stats, facts and figures from the 2013/2014 campaign.

We also take a statistical look at the match official and detail how your local club can get more involved at Fir Park.

Another new feature is the ‘Junior Steel’ kids page that will test the youngster’s quiz minds with puzzles and ‘Did you know’ facts.

The programme is available for £3 and is will be on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

You can also order back editions or take a season-long subscription to the magazine by visiting the website of our publishers – Curtis-Sports – CLICK HERE

Stuart McCall says striker John Sutton has nothing to prove to Hearts and Gary Locke.

The 29-year old striker returned to Fir Park in June after two seasons at Tynecastle and has already netted five times this season.

Sutton has struck up a formidable partnership with on-loan Estonian Henri Anier but McCall doesn’t feel Sutton will be any more motivated than usual against his old side.

[pullquote]I don’t think he has anything to prove to Gary Locke wrong because I know he would have loved to have kept him.[/pullquote]

He told the broadcast press at Motherwell pre-match news conference: “I don’t think he has anything to prove to Gary Locke wrong because I know he would have loved to have kept him. He played him when he was in charge early on.

“He was farmed out to Australia but once when lost [Michael] Higdon and we knew John was up for grabs then it was a no-brainer for me because not only is he a good goalscorer, he’s a good pro and good in the dressing room.

“Even when he’s not scoring he’s a handful, you ask any central defender who plays against him. He gives everything he’s got in every game and you can’t ask any more than that.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Referee for this Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Hearts here at Fir Park is Brian Colvin.

Brian will be handling his second Motherwell match of the current campaign, the other being the League Cup Third Round clash at Livingston just over three weeks ago.

Bob McHugh put the Fir Parkers ahead before James McFadden made it two with a deft back-heel flick. Livi reduced the deficit late into stoppage time but it wasn’t enough as ‘Well progressed to the Quarter Finals with a 2-1 win.

Brian took charge of two ‘Well matches last term too.

The first was his first ever in charge of the Steelmen – a 3-1 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park last October.

Jamie Murphy had put Motherwell in a commanding lead with two goals before the break. Nicky Law added a third with a cheeky dink over the goalkeeper before Saints pulled one back late on.

The second was a 2-2 draw with St Mirren at Fir Park. Michael Higdon opened the scoring for the Steelmen only for Connor Newton and Lewis Guy to put the visitors ahead.

Step forward James McFadden with another piece of brilliance from a dead ball, curling a free-kick high past Craig Samson to rescue a point.

In those three matches, he has produced just five yellow cards, two of which were flashed at players in Claret and Amber, and one red for Livi’s Jason Talbot for a reckless lunge at Stevie Hammell.

Brian is no stranger to our opponents having officiated Hearts’ SPFL League Cup win at Raith Rovers back in August; Gary Locke’s men progressing 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw during the regulation time.

It has already been a busy season for the 35-year old. He has handled two fixtures in the Scottish Premiership; St Johnstone’s 4-0 demolition of Ross County at McDiarmid Park and Dundee Utd’s 4-2 success in Dingwall.

He also took charge of Rangers’ 8-0 thumping of Stenhousemuir at Ibrox as well as Scottish Championship matches at Dundee, Dumbarton and Dumfries.

He will be assisted by Francis Andrews and Graeme Leslie with Greg Aitken on 4th Official duty. John Young is the referee observer with Frank Coulston as the SPFL delegate.

Tickets for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash against Hearts at Fir Park will be available on the turnstile.

Tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
• Family tickets consist of 1x Adult and 1x Juvenile.
• The cheaper priced ticket is for the East Stand only.
• If you are new to Fir Park, check our handy ‘New Fans’ section that will detail everything you need to know about matchdays.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

The club can also announce that, for every Hearts fan that pays into the match, Motherwell Football Club will donate £1 to the ‘Foundation of Hearts’ campaign, who are currently in the process of trying to secure ownership of the club.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “We wanted to make this donation because, as a club, we are all to aware of the difficulties during an insolvency event.

“Although it was over ten years ago, we very much appreciated the help and support of other clubs in our time of need. We are also still very thankful to the job Bryan Jackson did whilst in charge at Fir Park.

“That restructure back in 2002-2004 laid the groundwork for the fan ownership vehicle, the ‘Well Society, to appear some seven years later.

“We, as a club, are sympathetic to the aims and objectives of the ‘Foundation of Hearts’ and we hope this small gesture will help them on their way towards their ultimate goal.”

Motherwell boss Stuart McCall has urged fans that if they are going to smoke, they do so outdoors and encouraged them to take the Smoking Cessation survey.

He said: “Please keep smoke outdoors! The club want healthy, fit fans & as such we have been working hard to highlight the dangerous effects to your health of exposure to second hand smoke.

“Babies & children are especially at risk because their lungs are still developing. They can get illnesses like chest & ear infections & asthma as a result.

“What was great about this campaign was that it found out that 90% of you fans already had homes & cars that were completely smoke free, so well done! Let’s keep our youngest fans safe & healthy – keep smoke outdoors, where it belongs!

>> CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SMOKING CESSATION SURVEY

Motherwell FC are offering fans the chance to get more involved during matchdays at Fir Park.

Ever wanted to choose the tunes before the big game or get your views on the scoreboard?

Well now you can as we continue to make our matchdays more interactive at Fir Park.

From this weekend against Hearts, we’ll be giving you the chance to choose the songs you want to hear as we countdown to the big kick off.

All you need to do is choose your favourite five terracing anthems and send them alongside your name, where you’ll be watching the game from and why you’ve chosen your top five to announcer@motherwellfc.co.uk.

We’ll play your choices out 30 minutes before kick-off at every game for the rest of the season. Whilst the Steelmen Matchday Magazine covers stars will have their chance to choose the ‘Player’s Playlist’ which we will play out before the game.

And that’s not all…

Following a successful trial in the game against Ross County last month, we’re giving you the chance to get your views on the day’s game broadcast.

Get yourself on twitter using the hashtag #mfcmatchday in the run up to and during the game and we’ll display the best on the scoreboard.

North Lanarkshire’s Cultural Festival ‘Encounters’ comes to Fir Park this Thursday with a debate on Scottish Football.

The programme for North Lanarkshire’s cultural festival ‘Encounters’ includes music, drama, dance, author talks, film, creative workshops & visual art throughout the whole month of October, and has a variety of things for kids and adults to take part in during the whole month, including the holidays.

This Thursday in the Centenary Suite, the debate is around the fall and rise of Scottish Football.

The “Beautiful Game” is arguably in an unprecedented era of change at present.

We are facing issues such as the financial implosion of major clubs, contentious reconstruction of the Scottish league system, introduction of a pyramid system and legislation criminalising the behaviour of supporters. These are all white-hot topics of debate among fans and the media alike.

Where will this tumultuous period take our national game? Will more teams fall into financial meltdown? Is the Scottish game now in terminal decline, or will it emerge from the ashes to be stronger, able to compete once again on an international scale?

Join our panel as we examine the current state of Scottish football and what we as fans can do to change it.

The hugely popular journalist and presenter Tam Cowan will chair the discussion, with the following members also confirmed: Stevie Kirk (Motherwell FC legend), Dr. Stuart Waiton (author of “Snob’s Law: Criminalising Football Fans in an Age of Intolerance”) and Alan Burrows (Media and Press Manager, Motherwell FC).

Tickets are free of charge – pre booking is available via the contact box on the NLC website: CLICK HERE.

Hearts visit Fir Park on Saturday 19th October and we are putting on a fantastic lunch menu in our hospitality suites.

It’s a Saturday and it’s a 3pm kick off so an idea opportunity to combine a lovely afternoon meal with a game.

We’re already almost full up, there are only a few spaces left available, so the atmosphere promises to be electric.

We will be serving:

• Leek and Potato Soup, Served with Crusty Bread Rolls
• Roast Chicken wrapped in Bacon, served with Selection of Vegetables.
• Chocolate Fudge Cake served with Whipped Cream
• Freshly Brewed Coffee/Tea and Mints

All hospitality packages include your match ticket, programme, team sheet and half time tea.

Former players will host the afternoon with your chance to meet first team players and club staff whilst enjoying your afternoon.

You have a choice of three packages:

• Centenary Claret: Arriving at 1pm prompt for meal. Full service with access to a pay bar till kick off and then again for an hour post match. All this in the comfort of our Centenary Lounge. Book now from only £60 for an adult and £45 for a child under 16.
• Centenary Amber: Arriving at 1pm prompt for meal. Full table service with complimentary bar and then again for an hour post match. All this in the comfort of our Centenary Lounge. Book now from only £99 for an adult and £55 for a child under 16.
• Millennium Ticket: Enjoy a lighter bite with a complimentary bar for one-hour pre & post. Soup pre-match and half time refreshments, team sheet, match day programme for only £70 for an adult and £35 for a child.

Remember, Season Ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality for just £25.

If you would like to book a place at our fantastic Hospitality Lunch, you can do so online by CLICKING HERE.

Alternatively, please phone Jennifer Reston on 01698 338 008 or email jennifer.reston@motherwellfc.co.uk..

Before kick-off this weekend, clubs playing at every Premiership match will be united in calling for an end to racism & sectarianism in football and in society.

The 2013 Fortnight of Action will again make a stand against both racism and sectarianism. We believe that it is vital to highlight the anti-sectarian message as well as the anti-racism message at this time, especially when recent incidents have once again highlighted the problems of racism and sectarianism within our communities.

All professional clubs will take a stand against both racism and sectarianism at a home game during the fortnight. We have developed the ways in which the clubs are able to take action to make it the biggest and most high profile fortnight so far.

At every Scottish Professional Football League fixture this weekend, all clubs will be united in calling for an end to racism and sectarianism in football and in society. Players in over 40 European countries are involved in similar events as part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network against racism and discrimination.

Show Racism the Red Card has received excellent support from football clubs, football authorities and football fans the length and breadth of Scotland and we would like to thank you for this.

It has not been without its challenges though and we urge fans to continue to support the anti-racism and anti-sectarianism messages.

We have heard of many instances where real supporters are proactive in promoting the anti-racism and anti-sectarianism messages in and around their club, making it clear that racist / sectarian fans are not welcome at their club.

Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of the SPFL, said: “Football is a powerful medium to break down barriers and promote tolerance. Our clubs have supported Show Racism the Red Card since season 2003/04 and once again, this united action in support of the campaign sends out the positive message that football is a game to be enjoyed by all.”

Keith Lasley, Motherwell Captain and the clubs’ Fortnight of Action Ambassador said: “Everyone at Motherwell Football Club is committed to football as an enjoyable experience for all, regardless of race, ethnic or religious background, and condemn racial and religious discrimination in football and society.”

The campaign will continue to speak to all football clubs, the football authorities and the police to eradicate all forms of racist and sectarian behaviour.

The SPFL and its clubs deplore all forms of racism and sectarianism and any racist or sectarian behaviour will not be tolerated at Scottish Professional Football League fixtures.

Here’s a brief outline of what’s taking place during the Fortnight of Action this year:

• Anti-racist / anti-sectarian football festivals and projects across Scotland.
• Show Racism the Red Card actions at Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Women’s Premier League and Scottish Women’s Football League fixtures.
• ‘Unite Against Racism’ actions at UEFA Champions League fixtures.
• Educational workshops in schools and community groups across Scotland.

However, the Show Racism the Red Card message will continue to be heard long after the fortnight. Through educational workshops and football coaching, their dedicated team of ex-professional footballers and education staff worked with 13,369 young people last year to encourage them to reject racist and sectarian ideas.

Through partnerships with Scottish Government, local authorities, football clubs and trade unions this work will continue throughout season 2013/4.

Football is a sport that is followed by people across the world, and football matches should be an enjoyable experience for all, whatever their racial or religious background. We all have a part to play in stamping out racism and sectarianism in football and society.

If you see or hear racism or sectarianism at any level of football, please report it to stewards or police. Our website also includes updates on Fortnight of Action events and more information on the “Show Racism the Red Card” campaign in Scotland.

www.theredcardscotland.org.

Show your support for tackling racism and sectarianism:

Follow us on twitter: @SRtRCScotland.

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/theRedCardScotland.