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[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee at Pittodrie

A Lionel Ainsworth goal saw ‘Well leapfrog Aberdeen as they climbed into second spot in the Scottish Premiership with a 1-0 win.

The on-loan Rotherham winger netted early in the second half of a game and although the home side had a lot of possession for long stages, they found a ‘Well defence in mean form.

The Dons had been forced into a change of formation in the absence of a recognised left-back, lining up 3-4-3 with Johnny Hayes coming in on the left of midfield to replace Mark Reynolds, who had started in the full-back position in the 4-3 win at Inverness.

Motherwell continued with on-loan goalkeeper Dan Twardzik in goal, the Dundee man having moved to Fir Park after injuries to regular keepers Gunnar Nielsen and Lee Hollis.

McCall made two changes to the side that beat St Mirren 3-0. Stephen McManus missed out with an ankle injury and was replaced by Fraser Kerr, while Paul Lawson took the place of Iain Vigurs in midfield.

After an even opening period, the Dons could have taken the lead when Niall McGinn popped up on the right to send in a cross for Hayes, who threw himself at the ball but who could only head wide of the target.

John Sutton was forced from the field twice in the opening quarter after a clash of heads with Joe Shaughnessy, the initial treatment the big striker received not quite having stemmed the flow of blood, with stitches eventually required.

That allowed the Dons an advantage, but Stuart McCall’s side did a fine job of containing them and forcing them into shots from distance.

Indeed, it was nearly the half-hour mark before Twardzik was forced into serious action, and even then it was a comfortable hold from McGinn’s 20-yard effort.

The Steelmen were always a threat, though, and when Michael Hector’s burst up the pitch left Aberdeen short at the back, Jamie Langfield did well to hold onto Lawson’s long-range effort.

The best chance of the half fell to McGinn in injury time, the striker sent clear by Peter Pawlett and rounding Twardzik, only to see the Czech react well to save his effort.

But just four minutes after the restart, it was the visitors who took the lead following an incisive counter-attack.

Estonian striker Henri Anier broke following a Dons corner, and with the equally pacy Ainsworth providing support, they had the Dons caught two-on-one.

The sole man back, Hayes, did not know whether to stick or twist, eventually moving to block off Anier who calmly squared for Ainsworth to stroke home for the second time in as many games.

Aberdeen responded, and when Ryan Jack slipped in Pawlett, the midfielder went down after a coming together with Kerr. It looked rather innocuous, but it led to furious claims, all of which were waved away by the referee, though, and Russell Anderson picked up a booking for dissent in the aftermath.

It also sparked a reaction from the home support who were suddenly loudly behind their team, roaring for every decision and urging their side forward.

And their support was almost rewarded when Shaughnessy popped up on the edge of the area to send a left-foot volley off the outside of the post from 20 yards.

The home side changed formation, but were almost caught by another counter, Twardzik’s clearance finding Anier who was denied only by a desperate block from Shaughnessy.

That would be the striker’s last involvement, as he was replaced in attack by Craig Moore.

Trading changes, the Dons brought on Josh Magennis for Shaughnessy, before Motherwell’s Zaine Fracis-Angol took the place of Ainsworth.

Aberdeen’s last throw of the dice saw them replace Scott Vernon and the injured Barry Robson with Craig Murray and Calvin Zola after 84 minutes.

The visitors battled for every scrap, but they had a scare deep into injury time when the crowd thought McGinn had levelled matters with a free-kick which had in fact only hit the side-netting.

It’s a super three points for the Steelmen who now face another tough test against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Sunday.

[tab:As it happened]

Ally Reilly at Pittodrie

FULL TIME!! Aberdeen 0 – 1 Motherwell #afcvmfc

92mins: Corner to Aberdeen….’Well clear but again when Moore is fouled, Aberdeen get the free-kick! #afcvmfc

91mins: Moore booked for being pushed over. Ref says he dived…. #afcvmfc

90mins: 4 minutes added on..#afcvmfc

89mins: Close! Pawlett heads inches past in the dying minutes #afcvmfc

84mins: Aberdeen subs, Murray and Zola on for Robson and Vernon #afcvmfc

83mins: Pawlett slices well wide from inside the box with only Twardzik to beat. Lawson booked in the process. #afcvmfc

82mins: Corner to Aberdeen…..gathered by Twardzik #afcvmfc

75mins: Into the last fifteen and McGinn has just passed up another good chance at the back post. Blasts over from 12 yards #afcvmfc

70mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol on for the goalscorer, Lionel Ainsworth #afcvmfc

69mins: Aberdeen sub, Magennis on for Shaughnessy #afcvmfc

65mins: Motherwell sub, Anier off for Moore #afcvmfc

63mins: Excellent chance for Anier again on the counter. Just can’t quite get his shot away and the Dons sweep clear #afcvmfc

58mins: Shaughnessy strikes one off the post! #afcvmfc

56mins: Free-kick right on the edge of the ‘Well box….Lawson sweeps clear #afcvmfc

54mins: Withstanding a wee bit of pressure here. Half hearted penalty claims waved away by the ref #afcvmfc

48mins: ‘Well counter from a Dons corner and AINSWORTH pokes home Anier’s cutback! 0-1 #afcvmfc

GGGOOOOAAALLLL!

Second half underway #afcvmfc

Teams are back out. #afcvmfc

HT: Aberdeen 0 – 0 Motherwell #afcvmfc

43mins: Corner to Motherwell….Lawson’s delivery flashes across goal and Hutchy is inches away from connecting #afcvmfc

37mins: Lawson stings Langfield’s palms with an ambitious 28 yards strike. #afcvmfc

33mins: Dangerous free-kick for Aberdeen…McGinn bends it just wide. Dons fans though it was in. #afcvmfc

30mins: Great chance for a counter attack there but Anier seems a bit impatient and needlessly strays well offside #afcvmfc

26mins: Sutton loses his footing at the vital second as he latched onto Lasley’s reverse pass. Wee half chance #afcvmfc

23mins: Robson finds a bit of space in midfield and gets a shot away from 25 yards. Well wide though #afcvmfc

17mins: Corner to ‘Well…….cleared by The Dons. Sutton heads down the tunnel for treatment on a cut #afcvmfc

13mins: Hayes passes up a glorious opportunity! McGinn swung it and from 8 yards his diving header goes wide #afcvmfc

3mins: Corner to Aberdeen….Twardzik has to be sharp and punch clear at his front post #afcvmfc

2mins: Aberdeen have a FK out wide but Robson’s inswinger has no takers. #afcvmfc

McGinn and Vernon kick-off #afcvmfc

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“We had a hard couple of weeks after going out of the cup and lesser teams would have crumbled after what had happened.

“But I said at the time that we have some good strong characters in the dressing room and those are the times you have to stand up and be counted.

“We were getting flak, which was rightly deserved at the time, but those are the times you have to show a bit of steel and character.

“It gets a monkey off our back in terms of having not beaten a side in the top six this season. It’s a good boost to come and take three points from what is a difficult place to come to.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes:

“There’s no shame in losing to Motherwell. They’re a good team and you don’t always get what you deserve.

“We lost a really untidy goal which gave Motherwell something to hold on to and, from that perspective, it feels a bit smash-and-grab.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”173″]

Referee for the Boxing Day clash against Aberdeen at Pittodrie is Kevin Clancy.

It will be Kevin’s second ‘Well appointment of the current campaign after previously taking charge of the swashbuckling 2-2 draw with Dundee United in September.

Henri Anier had ‘Well ahead at the interval but two quick-fire goals from United had McNamara’s men ahead. Step forward substitute Lionel Ainsworth, who smashed home a brilliant leveller to give the Steelmen a deserved point.

It would have been his third game, but John Beaton replaced him at the last minute ahead of the Aberdeen match back in August, after a hectic midweek European jaunt.

Prior to the match at Tannadice, his last Motherwell match was against Aberdeen at Pittodrie (again), back in March, when the teams drew a blank in a 0-0 draw.

It was one of two ‘Well fixtures the 30-year old took charge of last season, his other being the 2-1 away win at Dundee when Michael Higdon bagging a double as Stuart McCall’s men came back from a losing position to pick up all three points.

His only other Motherwell match was in the 2011/12 Scottish Cup, where he was the man in the middle as the Fir Parkers demolished Queen’s Park 4-0, a certain Henrik Ojamaa smashing home a debut goal.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads four matches in total, Motherwell winning two and drawing two. ‘Well have scored eight and conceded three. There have been eleven cautions dished out in those four matches, eight of them to a man wearing Claret and Amber and zero dismissals.

He’s had a busy season in 2013/14, with some high profile matches including on Europa League duty when he handled Lokomotiva Zagreb’s match with Dinamo Minsk, managed by ex ‘Well defender Bob Maaskant. The Belarusian side ran out 3-2 winners.

Coincidentally, Kevin was in Russia the same time ‘Well faced Kuban Krasnodar. He was appointed to take charge of FC Rubin Kazan vs Randers in the second leg tie of the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Europa League.

He was also the man in the middle for the UEFA Under 21 Qualifier between Montenegro and Germany as well as the UEFA Youth Champions League matches Real Madrid vs FC Copenhagen and Man Utd vs Real Sociedad.

Kevin will be ably assisted by Charlie Smith and Frank Connor with Mat Northcroft on 4th Official duties.

Stuart McCall is hoping to repeat the form shown against the bottom six clubs when they meet high-flying Aberdeen on Thursday.

Motherwell have taken maximum points from their ten games against the current bottom six sides.

The Steelmen sit just one point behind Dundee United, the Dons and Inverness, who are all currently tied for second on 32 points.

The record against teams currently in the top half isn’t quite as inspiring, something the former Scotland midfielder is hoping to put right on Boxing Day against Derek McInnes’ men.

[pullquote]The other sides up there, Dundee Utd, Inverness, St Johnstone and ourselves, will all think, team wise, we’re all quite similar and we need to go up there and prove that.[/pullquote]

Speaking to the broadcast press at ‘Well’s pre-match news conference, McCall said: “It’s an amazing stat that we’ve won all ten games against the bottom six clubs and managed one result against the teams in the top six; a draw at Dundee United, where I thought we played well.

“If you look back at the two games against Aberdeen this season; the first was after our trip to Russia, which had an impact later in the game, albeit the Dons absolutely merited their victory.

“The Cup game, well, things just didn’t go for us that night, as I was relatively pleased with the performance, just not the result.

“I said at the beginning of the season that Derek (McInnes) had brought in some really good players, allied to the strong squad they already had. I’ve said it before, but for me, they have the strongest pool in the league out with Celtic.

“However, the other sides up there, Dundee Utd, Inverness, St Johnstone and ourselves, will all think, team wise, we’re all quite similar and we need to go up there and prove that.”

-WATCH STUART’S FULL PRESS CONFERENCE  ON MFC TV–

Stuart Carswell hopes ‘Well can use the St Mirren win and performance to really kick on over the busy festive period.

After a difficult few weeks, the Steelmen have put together back-to-back wins over Ross County and Saints, with Saturday’s showing particularly impressive.

Now the 20-year old, who has played 66 times for the first-team, wants to use that as a springboard against a high-flying Dons side, who themselves have won the last four on the bounce.

[pullquote]It’s the manner in which we won that has really given everyone a boost; everyone was happy with it.[/pullquote]

Looking back at Saturday’s success, he told the gathered press at ‘Well’s weekly news conference: “It’s the manner in which we won that has really given everyone a boost; everyone was happy with it.

“We weren’t satisfied with the second half at Ross County and how we applied ourselves, but I thought the St Mirren win had shades of last season about it.

“Obviously Aberdeen, along with Dundee United, are on form and everyone is talking about them for second place.

“So, for us, we want to go up there and get a result, see if we can put a marker down then kick on from there. “

-WATCH STUART’S FULL PRESS CONFERENCE  ON MFC TV–

Fans should note the festive opening hours for the Chapman Building and Ticket Office.

The Office will be open/closed on the following dates:

Tuesday 24th to Sunday 29th – Closed

Monday 30th – Normal Business hours
Tuesday 31st – Normal Business hours
Wednesday 1st – Home Matchday
Thursday 2nd – Normal Business hours
Friday 3rd – Normal Business hours
Saturday 4th – Home Matchday
Sunday 5th – Closed

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Lionel Ainsworth and a Henri Anier double secure an impressive 3-0 win over St Mirren.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Action pictures from the 3-0 win over St Mirren at Fir Park in the SPFL Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”stmirren211213″]

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was delighted with his side after they swept St Mirren aside in an impressive 3-0 win.

It was a ding-dong battle in the first half before Henri Anier opened the scoring after 31 minutes, the on-loan Viking Stavanger striker turning his markers inside out before firing home from eight yards.

Lionel Ainsworth sped into the penalty box to slip the second past St Mirren goalkeeper Marian Kello before the break, before Anier ensured a deserved victory with a fine half volley finish from 12 yards just after the hour.

McCall said his side grafted to the win in Dingwall seven days ago, but it was a far more impressive showing this time out.

[pullquote]People will look at Lionel (Ainsworth) and Henri (Anier) for their goals but you can go right though the side, so many people were on top of their game which is what you need to win games in the Premiership.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “It’s a great result for us – St Mirren have been on a good run and have some real talented players in their side.

“The first half was reminiscent of just about every other match we’ve played against Saints; end to end, nothing much between the teams.

“The three goals we scored were quality and we could have had more. Their keeer (Marian Kello) has had a couple of really good saves.

“We had some outstanding individual performances; it was hard to pick a man of the match for us. People will look at Lionel (Ainsworth) and Henri (Anier) for their goals but you can go right though the side, so many people were on top of their game which is what you need to win games in the Premiership.”

-WATCH STUART’S FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV–

[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee  at Fir Park

Motherwell gave the Fir Park fans some pre-Christmas cheer with a comfortable home win over St Mirren.

And after two heavy home defeats, Stuart McCall’s men bounced back with an impressive and emphatic win over Danny Lennon’s men.

Two well taken goals from Henri Anier in each half and a cool finish from Lionel Ainsworth just before half-time was more than a fair reward for Motherwell’s play.

With first choice ‘keepers Lee Hollis and Gunnar Nielsen still sidelined through injury, it gave another on loanee, Dan Twardzik the chance to make his home debut.

And after helping ‘Well to all three points at Dingwall last week the young Dundee ‘keeper helped himself to another win bonus with a shut-out.

In truth, though, he was seldom tested as Motherwell controlled the match for long spells and after the first half double the result was never in doubt.

Motherwell posted their intentions from the start and Anier headed Ainsworth’s cross just wide within 30 seconds.

Saints replied with a cross from Sean Kelly which forced Twardzik into a brave save at the feet of the in rushing Gary Harkins. Other than that the young ‘keeper had a quiet afternoon although he did have a couple of decent saves from John McGinn and Kenny McLean late in the game to deny Saints a consolation goal.

Motherwell were well on top by that stage. A sustained spell of pressure midway through the half from the home side finally paid off.

With 24 minutes played Marian Kello did well to block Ainsworth’s volley inside the six-yard box. But the ‘keeper was helpless when ‘Well made the deserved breakthrough on the half hour mark.

A good build up involving Ainsworth and Keith Lasley set up Anier who twice turned Lee Mair inside the box before slamming the ball high past Kello from close range.

Four minutes from half-time ‘Well doubled their lead with a brilliantly created and finished goal. Anier and John Sutton were involved in a smart exchange of passes before Ainsworth worked a one-two with Sutton before stroking the ball inside the post to round of a great move and make it 2-0.

Although a fight back from Saints was anticipated, it never came and it really became a question of how many more ‘Well would score.

A third almost came after 53 minutes when Sutton terrific pass sent Ainsworth down the right and when his cross was only partially cleared Sutton strike from the edge of the box was blocked by Mair on the line.

Kello then produced a wonderful save to deny Ainsworth a second goal.

However, it was Anier who grabbed his second and Motherwell’s third after 63 minutes. Iain Vigurs sent over a tempting cross and Anier drilled the ball beyond Kello from 15 yards for a superb finish.

It might have been more miserable for the Saints fans as Sutton headed narrowly past and Paul Lawson’s thundering drive was palmed out by Kello.

But nothing could detract from a fine Motherwell performance and a perfect start to the hectic programme of fixtures over the festive holidays.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Of course, an early Christmas present for all ‘Well fans too! Safe journey home everyone and have a great Christmas!

FT: A great home performance and well worthy of the final scoreline and three points.

FT: Motherwell 3 – 0 St Mirren

90mins: Lawson stings the palms of Kello with a 25 yard drive! #mfcvsmfc

89mins: Sutton almost puts the cream on the pudding with a diving header at the back post just wide. #mfcvsmfc

89mins: Sutton almost outs the cream on the pudding with a diving header at the back post just wide. #mfcvsmfc

83mins: St Mirren corner……Twardzik punches to safety #mfcvsmfc

83mins: Motherwell sub, Lasley off for Lawson. Took a bit of a knock. #mfcvsmfc

81mins: McGowan tries to pick out Thompson with a ball in however he misses it and it very nearly deceives Twardzik. Good save in the end.

78mins: St Mirren sub, Goodwin off for Van Zanten #mfcvsmfc

76mins: Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for Kerr. That’s a great shift from the Winger. #mfcvsmfc

75mins: St Mirren sub, Harkins off for Reilly #mfcvsmfc

72mins: Almost another instant impact for Moore as he gambles at the front post to get on the end of Ainsworth’s cross.Inches away. #mfcvsmfc

70mins: Motherwell sub, Anier off for Moore. Been great today! #mfcvsmfc

63mins: Anier pokes home to make it 3 after Vigurs puts in the best delivery you’ll see this festive period 3-0 #mfcvsmfc

GOOOAAALLLL!!!

61mins: Ainsworth cuts the ball across the face of goal and Naismith takes no chances with Anier waiting to pounce. Corner. #mfcvsmfc

60mins: St Mirren sub, Newton off for McGinn #mfcvsmfc

59mins: Anier drives into the box and with a few options to pick from, opts to shoot straight at Kello.#mfcvsmfc

57mins: Corner to ‘Well…balls falls to McManus and to be fair, his volley is heading in until it’s blocked 6 yards out #mfcvsmfc

53mins: Glorious chance for Sutton! Kello flaps at a cross and it falls to Sutton, albeit 23 yards out. His goalbound effort is cleared

Second half underway

Motherwell well worth their half-time lead. Been an entertaining first 45. #mfcvsmfc

HT: Motherwell 2 – 0 St Mirren.

41mins: Ainsworth makes it 2-0!!! Sutton laid him off, and the winger was composed enough to slot past Kello. #mfcvsmfc

GOOOAAALLLL!

37mins: McLean whips in a dangerous free-kick which almost catches Twardzik out. Drifts inches over #mfcvsmfc

34mins: Two corners in succession for the Buddies. Eventually clawed away by Twardzik #mfcvsmfc

32mins: Almost 2! Ainsworth flashes a shot inches past of Kello’s post from the edge of the area. #mfcvsmfc

30mins: It’s a christmas cracker from ANIER who turns Mair inside out in the box and drills it home from 10 yards 1-0 #mfcvsmfc

GGGOOOOAAALLLL!!!

28mins: Decent effort from Newton who curls a shot just over the bar from the edge of the box #mfcvsmfc

27mins: Another corner to Motherwell…this time Sutton dives in at the front post only to see his header fly just past! #mfcvsmfc

25mins: ‘Well break through Las who picks out Ainsworth at the back post. Should score but Kello makes a great block at his feet #mfcvsmfc

….ball falls to Goodwin who slices well wide and high #mfcvsmfc

23mins: Hutchinson slides in to block Kelly’s cross which was heading into the danger area, From the corner, Saints win another…..

21mins: Corner to ‘Well again…..close! A combination of Ramsden and Hutchinson heads goal wards but it’s cleared off the line! #mfcvsmfc

14mins: Lasley sells McGowan a dummy to win a free-kick just outside the box next to the byline. Vigurs’ delivery has no takers #mfcvsmfc

13mins: Now a corner to St Mirren, good delivery headed to safety by McManus #mfcvsmfc

11mins: Another corner to ‘Well…..Ainsworth’s delivery is headed back to him by McManus.Hutchy concedes a foul on the next cross #mfcvsmfc

10mins: Hutchinson leaps in the box to meet Ainsworth’s corner but it’s too high and he awkwardly heads over #mfcvsmfc

8mins: Free-kick from wide on the left for St Mirren, Thompson heads it harmlessly wide #mfcvsmfc

3mins Corner to St Mirren, whichs is too deep and Thompson can only head wide #mfcvsmfc

2mins: Good bravery from Twardzik as he slid out at the feet of the sliding Harkins. Gathers and clears #mfcvsmfc

18seconds: Seconds in and Anier has a header at the front post sneak just past from Ainsworth’s cross #mfcvsmfc

And we’re underway! #COYW #mfcvsmfc

Here come the teams, usual colours for both sides. #mfcvsmfc

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“It’s a great result for us – St Mirren have been on a good run and have some real talented players in their side.

“The first half was reminiscent of just about every other match we’ve played against Saints; end to end, nothing much between the teams.

“The three goals we scored were quality and we could have had more. Their keeer (Marian Kello) has had a couple of really good saves.

“We had some outstanding individual performances; it was hard to pick a man of the match for us. People will look at Lionel (Ainsworth) and Henri (Anier) for their goals but you can go right though the side, so many people were on top of their game which is what you need to win games in the Premiership.”

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon:

“The highly frustrating part is that we have dropped one or two gears in terms of our work ethic, and that has been the main ingredient of our success,” he said.

“I just felt we were off, we played second fiddle to a lot of balls and Motherwell just showed a greater hunger.

“That disappoints me and it hurts me to say that.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Stuart McCall hopes to complete the full set of home victories when St Mirren visit Fir Park tomorrow.

The Steelmen have managed to beat every single SPFL Premiership side on their own patch under the former Scotland midfielder, with the exception of the Paisley Saints.

Indeed, you need to go back to October 2010 for Motherwell’s last home victory over the Buddies, albeit in the same time period, ‘Well have won three and drawn one of five fixtures at St Mirren Park.

Kilmarnock had a similar record that was finally ended back in August, and McCall is hoping to do something similar tomorrow.

[pullquote]Like every other point we’ve earned this season, we will need to work exceptionally hard against a side who are certainly on form. I say it every week, but we’ll need to be at our very best if we’re to win the match.[/pullquote]

“I am almost three years at the club and I’ve not managed a home win against them [St Mirren],” he said.

“Kilmarnock were in the same boat, but we managed to bury that ghost a few months ago.

“They lost last week against Aberdeen in terrible conditions, but I’ve watched the game; Danny and Tommy will be reasonably happy with their performance despite the defeat.

“I expect St Mirren to be right in the mix for top-six, they’ve got some really good players coupled with real leaders like Steven Thompson and Jim Goodwin.

“Like every other point we’ve earned this season, we will need to work exceptionally hard against a side who are certainly on form. I say it every week, but we’ll need to be at our very best if we’re to win the match.”

-WATCH STUART’S FULL PRESS CONFERENCE  ON MFC TV–