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[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee at Fir Park

Motherwell bounced back from two consecutive defeats with a comfortable win over bottom side Hearts.

Two first half goals from Iain Vigurs and Lionel Ainsworth settled Stuart McCall’s side before John Sutton and James McFadden added two more in the second to wrap up the three points.

Amidst all ‘Well’s injury problems, with Stevie Hammell the latest to join the long list on the treatment table, Lee Hollis returned to goal after missing 19 games. Jack Leitch made his first start with Stuart Carswell making way.

With James McFadden replacing Henri Anier in attack, Motherwell pressed the visitors’ goal for the opening spell.

Lionel Ainsworth forced the first save from Jamie MacDonald after nine minutes when his deflected shot was palmed over the bar by the Hearts’ ‘keeper.

Zaine Francis-Angol then cut the ball back for Sutton but although his shot also took a deflection, MacDonald reacted well to push the ball away.

The pressure finally paid off in the seventeenth minute with a well-worked goal. A smart double 1-2 with McFadden sent Vigurs through the visitors defence and from 12 yards he toe poked the ball into the ‘keeper’s left hand corner.

A slip from the experienced Danny Wilson gave Ainsworth half a chance but he drilled his shot into the side netting.

The winger made up for that after 36 minutes, though, with a stunning strike to claim his seventh goal of the season. McFadden did well to keep the ball in play and hoist it to the far side of the box, where Ainsworth took one touch before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top left hand corner.

Hearts young team found it difficult to cope with the tempo of Motherwell’s pressing game in the first half and the game might have been beyond them three minutes after the restart. Vigurs showed some great footwork inside the box before slamming a right foot shot just wide of the post with MacDonald helpless.

With Hollis still to make a save, the home goal had anarrow escape in the 50th minute when Sam Nicholson’s angled drive flashed past the ‘Well ‘keeper only to rebound off the face of the crossbar.

Back came ‘Well and after Leitch fired a grounder from the edge of the box straight at MacDonald, the home side came close to a third when McFadden’s header across goal rebounded off Sutton carrying the ball just over the crossbar.

The Hearts’ goal had a closer escape in the 62nd minute. McFadden sent Leitch through and when his shot was partially blocked by the ‘keeper’s legs the ball rebounded to Ainsworth on the six-yard line but his net bound finish was brilliantly blocked by Kevin McHattie.

The Fir Parkers finally grabbed the third after 65 minutes. McFadden’s shot was blocked by Callum Paterson at the edge of the box but the ball rolled in front of Sutton whose shot trundled over the line for his 15th of the season.

The lead was reduced three minutes later when Paterson got above the ‘Well defence to nod home McHattie’s corner.

The three goal advantage was restored after 73 minutes though, McFadden was rewarded for a great afternoon’s work when he rose to backhead Vigurs free-kick beyond MacDonald to make it 4-1.

Having given Leitch his first ninety minutes and with Euan Murray getting an hour when he replaced Francis-Angol, McCall gave Chris Cadden his first team debut seven minutes from time.

[tab:As it happened]

Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 4 – 1 Hearts #MFCvHMFC

1 minute added on #MFCvHMFC

87mins: The sun is coming out for the final few minutes. Been a very entertaining game, plenty of action #MFCvHMFC

82mins: Motherwell sub, Cadden on for Ainsworth #MFCvHMFC

80mins: Motherwell sub, Lasley off for Carswell #MFCvHMFC

79mins: Hutchinson goes on a mazy run and wins a free-kick right on the edge of the box. McGowan booked #MFCvHMFC

76mins: Paterson booked for pulling back Vigurs. Free-kick in a good area…Leitch volleys over! #MFCvHMFC

75mins: MCFADDEN makes it 4-1 with a flick on header from Vigurs’ delivery!!! #MFCvHMFC

GGGOOOAAAALLLL!!

70mins: ‘Well break and Vigurs gets plenty of space in the box. Can only shoot straight at MacDonald though! #MFCvHMFC

69mins: GOAL! Hearts pull one back through the head of Paterson #MFCvHMFC

67mins: Hearts sub, McCallum & Robinson off, Holt & King on #MFCvHMFC

65mins: SUTTON makes it 3-0! McFadden burst though and the ball broke to Sutty who tapped it home from 12 yards! #MFCvHMFC

GGGGOOOOAALLLL!!!

63mins: Another great chance! Leitch drilled in a shot which was saved. Fell to the feet of Ainsworth who saw his shot somehow blocked!

60mins: Lasley swings in a great cross which is flicked on by McFadden. Sutton can only knee it over the bar from 10 yards! #MFCvHMFC

59mins: Hutchinson is booked. From resulting free-kick, Hollis comes and gathers with ease #MFCvHMFC

56mins: Lasley sets up Leitch on the edge of the box but his shot is straight at MacDonald #MFCvHMFC

54mins: Wilson’s header clear falls to the feet of Lasley who tries a first-time volley. Not a bad effort, not on target #MFCvHMFC

50mins: Nicholson cuts in from the left and his right footed shot crashes off the bar! #MFCvHMFC

49mins: Vigurs drags his shot just wide from 12 yards, great chance! #MFCvHMFC

48mins: Corner to ‘Well…..Leitch’s shot is swept clear by Hamill #MFCvHMFC

Second half underway #MFCvHMFC

Hearts make a half-time change, Carrick on for McKay #MFCvHMFC

HT: Motherwell 2 – 0 Hearts #MFCvHMFC

1 minute added on #MFCvHMFC

42mins: McFadden with a great chance at the back-post. Heads it wide from Ainsworth’s deep cross in #MFCvHMFC

39mins: From the free-kick, Hutchinson rises well and nods it just past #MFCvHMFC

39mins: Wilson booked for a challenge on McFadden #MFCvHMFC

37mins: AINSWORTH makes it 2-0 with a superb drilled shot into the top corner from 18 yards! 2-0 #MFCvHMFC

GGGGGGOOAALLL!!!

33mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol limps off for Euan Murray #MFCvHMFC

27mins: Free-kick from 25 yards drilled just wide by Stevenson #MFCvHMFC

22mins: Ainsworth gets in a good position to get a shot away but he kicked more of the ground and MacDonald gathers easily #MFCvHMFC

20mins: Corner to ‘Well…….Ainsworth’s front post delivery is gathered by MacDonald #MFCvHMFC

18mins: It’s a cracker from VIGURS who plays a one-two with McFadden and pokes past MacDonald. 1-0 #MFCvHMFC

GGOOOOAAALLL!!

14mins: Vigurs and Francis-Angol link up superbly down the left creating a chance for Sutton, who sees his shot parried away #MFCvHMFC

12mins: Ainsworth wins a corner…..McFadden meets his delivery but it’s deflected wide for another corner #MFCvHMFC

10mins: Great effort from Ainsworth whose volley is deflected and tipped over the bar by MacDonald #MFCvHMFC

6mins: Corner to Hearts swung in by Hamill to the head of McKay who nods it wide #MFCvHMFC

3mins: First bit of action for Hollis. Comes out well and gathers Stevenson’s cross #MFCvHMFC

McCallum and Robinson kick-off the action #MFCvHMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

Coming Soon

Heart of Midlothian manager Gary Locke:

Coming Soon

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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The fourteenth domestic Steelmen Matchday Magazine of 2013/14 is on sale when Hearts visit tomorrow.

But what is inside the 68-page issue?

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

The Fir Park gaffer analyses recent defeats to Dundee United and St Johnstone and the skipper looks for the squad to bounce back and return to winning ways.

The feature interview is with Scotland Under 21 defender Fraser Kerr. The former Birmingham City youngster talks about his injury frustration and how he hopes to get back fit in time for the business end of the season.

Fraser also features as the next in the centre-page souvenir poster collection.

There is the usual extensive section dedicated to our visitors, Heart of Midlothian.

As ever, Ray Morrison introduces Hearts and there’s a player-by-player breakdown of who is likely to line up for the Jambos.

We also report from Tynecastle as Gary Locke’s men lose for the first time in five matches at the hands of runaway leaders Celtic. We also have a look back at some of Motherwell’s infamous battles with Hearts in the old Texaco Cup during the 1970s.

Graeme McGarry’s ‘Us and Them’ feature also returns, speaking to Raith Rovers front man Calum Elliot.

Calum talks about his brief time at Fir Park and his frustration at how it turned out, along with his career in Georgie and his battle with injuries.

‘From the Press Box’ returns with regular host, the Herald’s Scott Mullen and the Herald’s Chief Sportswriter Hugh MacDonald talks about the wacky and wonderful football seen at Fir Park.

The first of the Eggheads Semi Finals pits James McFadden against Paul Lawson. The experienced duo do battle for a place in the grand final.

We also have an update from four local groups who recently visited Fir Park and details about how your club or organisation can get involved.

But wait, there’s more!

Our match reports section takes a look back at the 3-0 defeat at St Johnstone as well as the Under 20s 3-2 defeat at Aberdeen.

We have the latest from The Ticket Office, Commercial and Community Departments 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 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-Sport – CLICK HERE.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall has challenged his ‘Well side to get back to winning ways against an improving Hearts.

The Fir Park gaffer has warned the squad of the threat posed by Gary Locke’s men, who have lost just one of their last six matches since the Steelmen won at Tynecastle in January.

In contrast, the Fir Parkers suffered defeat at both Dundee United and St Johnstone in the last seven days, conceding sloppy goals along the way.

To make matters worse, experienced fullback Stevie Hammell and Estonian International Henri Anier join five other first-team players on the injured list.

[pullquote]Although we are down to the absolute bare bones, it’s up to the guys who are fit and selected to go out there and hopefully get us back to winning ways.[/pullquote]

Looking ahead to the match, McCall told MFC TV: “Hearts pose a threat as, psychologically, they are probably playing with a freedom, as if they have little to lose now.

“It’s going to take a huge effort for them to stay up but I am sure Gary and Billy will make sure everyone gives their all.

“From our point of view, we have to tighten that up at the back, stop losing sloppy goals and that will hopefully give us a platform in which to go and win the match.

“Although we are down to the absolute bare bones, it’s up to the guys who are fit and selected to go out there and hopefully get us back to winning ways.”

-WATCH STUART’S INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Extended highlights from Gayfield as Motherwell’s battling youngsters are beaten 3-2 by Aberdeen

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Jonatan Johansson was frustrated after a late penalty denied his side a share of the spoils against Aberdeen.

‘Well had twice trailed, but equalised with five minutes left on the clock and looked good for a hard-earned point.

It was doubly irritating for the Fir Parkers, with the call looking decidedly dubious.

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “Giving away two penalities is a little tough to take, particularly as both were a little controversial.

[pullquote]I’ve had a look at it again with our analyst and the second one is definitely not a penalty and I didn’t think the referee has to give it.[/pullquote]

“I’ve had a look at it again with our analyst and the second one is definitely not a penalty and I didn’t think the referee has to give it.

“It was really unfortunate for the boys who had worked hard to get back into the game. When the wind died down, we started to play some decent football and created some chances with a very young side.

“I felt, all things into account, we deserved a point from the game and it makes it a difficult pill to swallow when we lose it in the manner we did.”

-WATCH STUART’S INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

A controversial stoppage time penalty prevented Motherwell from taking a point from their trip to Arbroath to take on Aberdeen.

Dale Shirkie and Morgyn Neill had pulled Motherwell level on two occasions before Declan McManus took the points for the Dons when he scored the injury time penalty.

Jonatan Johansson made three changes to the side that beat St Mirren two weeks ago. Trialist, Jack Leitch and Craig Moore dropped out, replaced by the returning Danny McNulty, Frazer Johnstone and Steven Higgins.

The Dons thought they had a penalty in the opening minute when Nicky Low went down in a challenge with Euan Murray, but the ref adjudged the midfielder had dived and showed him a yellow. The home side followed this up when Declan McManus was sent clear but Lee Hollis denied him with a decent stop.

At the other end Steven Higgins blasted over from a good position before Dale Shirkie bent a free kick over from 25 yards out.

Minutes later the Dons took the lead, Murray was penalised for a push on inside the area. It looked a softish call, but it didn’t bother Low who tucked the ball low to Hollis’s left as the keeper dived the other way.

Nicky Weaver in the home goal had performed well to keep out a couple of wind assisted in-swinging corners before he was finally beaten in 31 minutes. Shirkie picked up the ball 25-yards out and this time his shot left Weaver helpless as it crashed in off his left hand post and into the net.

Each side had one more chance before the break with McManus lobbing over from close range under pressure from Hollis whilst at the other end, Shirkie blasted over after being released by some fine passing between Higgins and Dom Thomas.

Motherwell looked lively at the start of the second period and Paul McCafferty made space for himself in the opening five minutes but fired his shot well wide. Dom Thomas then went on a tremendous 50-yard solo run only to be denied by a last minute tackle by Scott McKenna.

Despite that pressure, it was the Dons who took the lead just before the hour mark. Low picked up a loose ball just outside the Well box, his cross found Cameron Smith whose effort was blocked on the line by David Ferguson. The rebound fell kindly to Scott Wright who slammed home from close range.

Motherwell battled hard to get back into the game and Shirkie was only denied by a fine stop by Nicky Weaver. Thomas also a shot from 25 yards slip just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

With just five minutes left, the young ‘Well were rewarded for their efforts. Shirkie’s deep cross from the left flank was met brilliantly by the head of Morgyn Neill and the ball looped over the head of Weaver.

Just as it looked the sides would take a point each, the Dons were awarded a second penalty of the game deep into stoppage time, this one was even softer than the first award.

A cross from the left sailed over the head of Ferguson and Markus Campanile, the Aberdeen man hit the deck and the ref awarded the penalty despite there being little contact between the two.

Declan McManus took the kick and smashed the ball straight down the middle to give the home side all three points in controversial circumstances.

Motherwell: Hollis, McNulty (Watt – 62mins), Ferguson, Murray, Neill, Cadden, McCafferty, Shirkie, Higgins, Thomas, Johnston (McCall – 62mins)

Subs: Long, Hall, Mackie

Referee for Saturday’s Scottish Professional Football League clash with Hearts at Fir Park is John Beaton.

John will be handling his fourth Motherwell match of the campaign so far.

His first was the league game against the Dons, when they travelled to Fir Park back in August; Derek McInnes side taking all three points in a 3-1 win.

The game wasn’t without controversy with Beaton, a late replacement for Kevin Clancy, awarding the Dons two spot kicks, although it was certainly a win the visitors deserved for their second half showing.

His next was also against the Dons, when ‘Well disappointingly crashed out despite dominating for the majority of the match.

Most recently, he was the man in the middle as ‘Well smashed four past St Johnstone without reply on New Years Day.

The 32-year old also took charge of two Motherwell matches last term too. The first was a 1-1 draw with Dundee at Fir Park; Michael Higdon rescuing a point after Nicky Reilly had given the Dark Blues a surprise lead midway through the first half.

His other match that campaign was against Dundee United at Tannadice, the Steelmen running rampant in the City of Discovery, confirming second spot with a superb 3-1 win.

Not only did Michael Higdon open the scoring with a peach from distance, the big striker surpassed Willie Pettigrew’s post-war record for most top-league goals in a single season when he netted the third midway through the second half.

His overall record reads two wins, two defeats and a draw from five matches. ‘Well have scored nine and conceded seven. Eighteen players have gone into the book, eleven of them wearing Claret and Amber, with just one red card (Joe Shaughnessy in that Dons League Cup tie earlier this season).

It has been a busy season for Beaton both domestically and in European competition.

Today will be his fifteenth Premiership tie of the season, his most recent was Dundee United’s 3-2 win over Kilmarnock at Tannadice two weeks ago.

Abroad, he oversaw Poland U19s 1-0 home defeat by Armenia as well as Norway U21s’ 2-1 success over Macedonia.

In European action, he looked after BATE Borisov against Celtic’s eventual Champions League opponents Shakhter Karagandy, as well as the UEFA Youth Champions League match between Arsenal and Napoli, the Gunners running out 4-1 winners.

John will be ably assisted by Stuart Stevenson and Andy Tait with Don Robertson on Fourth Official duties.

Fancy trading in your seats for some of the best in the house? Convert Your Seat is back for this weekend’s game against Hearts.

For your chance to sit within touching distance of the players, enter your details at the Cash Converters Football Facebook page now: CLICK HERE.

The Facebook page will also give you the chance to win a whole host of other prizes, including tickets and exclusive, money-can’t-buy experiences. February’s Player of the Month competition will launch on Monday 3rd March 2014. Simply “Like” the page, and get entering. CLICK HERE TO WIN SOME GREAT PRIZES.

Entries will close at 5pm on Thursday 27th February 2014.

*Please note: You must be aged over 18 to take part, and proof of age will be required on the day. You must also already possess a match ticket.

Do you own or run a business? Could you offer any discounts or extra value to Motherwell FC Season Ticket Holders?

For the last couple of years we have included money off discounts and extra value offers for season ticket holders as part of their season ticket.

We have a huge mix of businesses both local and national with offers such as Pizza Hut 2 for 1 main course, Evan Halshaw money off MOT’s and parts and services, Rita Rusk hair product discount and many many more.

To be part of our Season Ticket Holder discount and value scheme, please contact Diane Harvey at commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk or tel 01698 333 333

The benefits for your business are that you’ll be included online on the Motherwell FC website, in the printed Season Ticket Renewal litrature as well as promoted locally.

Click below to view our current offers.

https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/tickets-travel/season-tickets/discount-offers.

Extended highlights from McDiarmid Park as flat Motherwell lose 3-0 to St Johnstone.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–