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[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee at Fir Park

Motherwell slipped to a disappointing 0-2 home defeat at the hands of Inverness Caley.

A Greg Tansey goal just before the break and a second from Aaron Doran two minutes from the end was sufficient to give the Highlanders all three points against a home side which never looked like breaking down the well-organised visitors.

Eighteen-year-old David Ferguson made his home debut covering at left back for the injured Zaine Francis-Angol and Jack Leitch dropped to the bench and was replaced by Lionel Ainsworth.

The Mothwerwell bench looked a bit healthier, though, with Iain Vigurs and Paul Lawson on the way back from injury. There was also a seat amongst the substitutes for Henrik Ojamaa after returning to the club on loan in midweek.

Inverness, largely unchanged from last season, were the more settled and controlled throughout the match although ‘Well almost snatched the lead after eleven minutes.

Dean Brill, who was not forced to make a save of any note, raced from his goal but under pressure from Lee Erwin sent his clearance to Lionel Ainsworth. From 30 yards and wide of goal the winger curled a fabulous effort over the stranded ‘keeper only to watch Gary Warren head clear from under the cross bar.

Sadly, that was the closest Inverness came to conceding their first goal of the season as Sutton remained isolated and the home attack toothless.

Instead most of the action was towards the home goal and Dan Twardzik produced his first save of the afternoon after 20 minutes diving low to his left to push away a Tansey drive from the edge of the area.

The ‘Well ‘keeper again denied the Liverpudlian six minutes later when he brilliantly beat away a thumping angled shot. But when the ball was returned across goal it was Ferguson’s superbly timed block on Ryan Christie, ten yards in front of goal, which prevented the opening strike.

However, four minutes from half-time, Thistle took a deserved lead when Tansey was allowed to run towards the home box before his shot skimmed off the surface and beyond the diving Twardzik.

The home fans were less than pleased at the half-time whistle but their mood changed after the break with Ojamaa coming on at the expense of Ainsworth.

Suddenly the Fir Park players had a bit more energy about them and a couple of strong runs beyond the visitors defence from Stuart Carswell and the tireless Erwin provided some promise of a fightback.

After 72 minutes Vigurs replaced John Sutton allowing Erwin to play through the middle of the home attack in the hope of unsettling the visitors defence.

But while ‘Well pushed forward in hope of an equaliser they stood the risk of Thistle nicking one on the break and only the pace of Fraser Kerr matched Aaron Doran strong run to deny the Caley sub.

John Hughes’ men were not to be denied a second goal though and two minutes from time, Doran curled an effort from the corner of the box high beyond Twardzik to wrap up the points and round off a miserable afternoon for Stuart McCall’s side.

[tab:As it happened]

Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 0 – 2 Inverness CT #MFCvICTFC

90mins: 3 minutes added on.

89mins: GOAL! Doran wins it for Caley. 2-0.

86mins: Vigurs booked for a clumsy challenge on Draper in the ICT half.

84mins: Motherwell sub, Lasley off for Leitch

81mins: Ball falls to Warren at the backpost. Ferguson does enough to put him off and he can only slice wide

80mins: ICT sub, McKay makes way for Ross.

And 2 ICT subs,Williams and Christie off for Doran and Polworth

72mins: Motherwell sub, Sutton off for Vigurs.

69mins: Williams hacks down Erwin 30 yards out. Decent position for a shot but the wall does it’s job to deny Lasley

68mins: Law swings in a free-kick from wide on the left but Caley head clear. No way through for ‘Well.

58mins: ‘Carswell well shows a good turn of pace to get past Shinnie but his cut back is deflected high above the head of Sutton

56mins: Kerr is fouled on the edge of the box but ref waves play on. Stuart McCall is raging, and on first look, rightly so!

53mins: Erwin wins a corner which Law delivers….McManus heads it goalwards from 15 yards but ICT clear easily.

46mins: ‘Well have a free-kick in a great position which Sutton takes. Warren takes a sore one to the…well, he takes a sore one.

Half-time sub for ‘Well, Ojamaa is on for Ainsworth. Second half underway. COYW!!!

HT: Motherwell 0 – 1 ICT

44mins: Law wins a corner as ‘Well search for an equaliser..

41mins: GOAL! Tansey fires a shot from distance low past Twardzik to make it 1-0 to Caley!

36mins: Corner to ‘Well, Caley clear and break which leads to Reid being booked for bringing down McKay.

30mins: Free-kick to ‘Well 30 yards out. Ainsworth takes it on but drills it into the ICT defence.

26mins: Twardzik then Ferguson to the rescue! Twardzik did well to deny Watkins Ferguson slid in to deny Christie. ICT on top here.

21mins: Close for Caley! First Tansey forces Dan into a good save, then McKay pokes a shot just past from 8 yards!

15mins: Christie does well to work some space in midfield. He shoots from 30 yards but see’s it fly well past the post.

…a shot from 25 yards towards goal but Shinnie got back to head it off the line! Unlucky!

11mins: Great effort from Ainsworth! Brill had charged off his line to clear from Erwin and it landed at Lionel’s feet. He curled…

10mins: Raven wins a free-kick on the edge of the ‘Well box which Shinnie blasts well over the bar.

6mins: ICT win a second corner, this time it is headed inches wide by Draper!

5mins: ICT get the first corner of the game. Williams swings it in, McManus leaps and heads clear.

1min: Game is underway… ‘mon the ‘Well! #MFCvICTFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“To sum it up, it’s quite simple; we were absolutely rotten.

“I thought they were very good. Basic stuff today we couldn’t do, we couldn’t pass from A to B. We’ve got a lot of work to do next week.

“Again, we couldn’t name the side today until just before the game, but that’s no excuse, we were really poor in all departments today and I don’t think we mustered an attempt at goal if I’m honest. There were two good goals from them today, no doubt about it, Tansey and Doran with two quality finishes.

“Certainly they deserved it massively and we’ve under-performed, and we have done really, we’ve not been up at it.”

Inverness CT manager John Hughes:

“The first half performance was very good, very slick.

“Ball retention, total domination, moving the ball around, but we never scored. Then we got our wee break just before half-time and it settled us down.

“No two halves are ever the same, but we were wise to that. We knew that Motherwell would change shape, they put (Henrik) Ojamaa up top, so we had to be a bit more compact and play on the counter attack, but we can do that because we work at it, it doesn’t just happen, but it took us right to the last minute to get that second goal.

“The pleasing things; first half performance was very, very good, we were pleasing on the eye, and we kept a clean sheet.

“I can’t speak highly enough of these boys, they’ve had a great buy-in to our philosophy.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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The second domestic Steelmen Matchday Magazine of 2014/15 is on sale when Inverness CT visit Fir Park this afternoon.

But what is inside the 68-page issue?

‘Well boss Stuart McCall and Captain Keith Lasley both return with the regular columns. McCall speaks about building on a good midweek performance and Las chats about the threat posed by today’s opponents.

The feature interview is with midfielder Stuart Carswell, who talks in-depth about his ‘unglamorous’ role in the Fir Park first-team and his aims for the coming season.

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

But that’s not where the features stop!

There is an in-depth section dedicated to our visitors, Inverness CT.

As ever, Ray Morrison introduces the Highlanders and talks through four vital characters in the Caley Jags side likely to cause issues.

Charles Bannerman also pays tribute to John Hughes’ men, almost twenty years from their inception into the Scottish League.

The big features keep coming…

Graeme McGarry returns and has caught up with the recently departed Henri Anier after the Estonian’s move to Germany. The striker remembers fondly his time in North Lanarkshire and admits he hopes to be back soon.

‘From the Press Box’ returns with regular host, the Herald’s Scott Mullen and there’s a new column from ‘Well fan Eddie McGuigan, who heads up the ‘Voices from the East Stand’ blog, who gives a fans viewpoint as the new season gets underway.

Eddie Ferguson’s new feature looking at every Motherwell manager in history continues and focuses on the great George Stevenson.

Our match reports section takes a look back at the 1-0 win over St Mirren seven days ago and that unlucky defeat at Tannadice on Wednesday. Dylan Mackin is the U20s in focus and there’s an update from the Prostate Cancer – MEN UTD – campaign.

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 2014/2015 campaign.

We also take a statistical look at the match official and the new GIRFEC sponsored ‘Junior Steel’ kids page returns and is sure to 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.

Henrik Ojamaa has spoke of his delight at being back at Motherwell fourteen months after leaving.

The Estonian International had a successful time in Warsaw in his first season, winning the Championship.

However, in most of those games he was utilised in wide areas and not through the middle, a position he played to great effect at Fir Park alongside Michael Higdon.

And now the 23-year old can’t wait to get back playing again in front of the Claret and Amber faithful.

“It feels great,” he said, smiling, after being asked how it felt to be back at Fir Park.

“I’m also very appreciative to the Legia manager [Henning Berg] for letting me come on loan.

“I had a conversation with him at the end of last season, after we had secured the title, about my future because I wasn’t quite happy with my position on the field.

[pullquote]”When the option with Motherwell came up, it made sense in a lot of ways. I know the manager really well and the majority of the team, people in general in Motherwell were great to me and I haven’t forgotten that and I really appreciate it.”[/pullquote]

“Its still very familiar I don’t think it’s going to take long to get use to the surroundings, the team and the way the manager works. For me right now I need to get my fitness up it’s not quite what I’d like it to be having missed a lot of pre season because of injury

The former Derby County youngster will be in the squad against Inverness tomorrow but he remembers all too well just how tough it is against the Highlanders.

“It’s going to be a tough and interesting game,” he added.

“From what I understand they’ve managed to keep their core players which is going to help them. I’m looking forward to playing a part and hopefully getting a good turnout from the Motherwell fans as well.”

‘Well boss Stuart McCall is sure tomorrow’s Caley clash at Fir Park will once again be nip-and-tuck.

The Steelmen managed to win three of the four encounters against the Highlanders last term, but everyone one of them was by the odd goal.

John Hughes’ side have made an impressive and unbeaten start to the new campaign and visit Fir Park in confident mood.

They have a bunch of real honest players mixed in with some really good players as well,” McCall told the broadcast press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference.

“We managed to beat them three times last season but they were all really tight and could have gone either way.

“Our supporters might have to be a little patient because they might have a lot of the ball in certain areas. I’m sure it will be a tight game.”

[pullquote]Our supporters might have to be a little patient because they might have a lot of the ball in certain areas. I’m sure it will be a tight game.[/pullquote]

McCall hosted his press conference the day after Motherwell announced Henrik Ojamaa’s five-month loan deal from Legia Warsaw.

Although the Estonian has missed a fair bit of pre-season, he is in the squad for tomorrow’s match.

McCall added: “I have to say a big thanks to the board for making it happen and I’m delighted, even though it may only be short term, to have him at the club.

“Hopefully we can get him up and running soon, he missed a bit of pre-season. But he definitely gives us an extra dimension in the forward area with his pace, tenacity and he created a lot of opening for other players as well. And he’s a handful.

“Certainly centre-halves know they’ve been in a game when they play against him. There’s no guarantee it will be as successful as it was previously, we need to get him up and running and he needs to get himself in the side.

“I mentioned to Henrik when he left us that a lot of clubs in Europe play with a solitary striker and a lot of strikers get pushed out wide. Henrik’s assets are his pace and willingness to get in behind. We have brought him to compete for a position down the middle.”

Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm defender Mark O’Brien has joined the club on loan from Derby County.

21-year old O’Brien started his career at Cherry Orchard in his home city of Dublin, before being spotted by County scouts in the Dublin & District Schoolboy League.

After signing for Derby, O’Brien became a regular in the clubs under-18 side before he made his debut for the Rams as a 65th minute substitute away to Watford back in May 2009.

He was named Derby County scholar of the year at a club awards ceremony two days later. He also won the 2009 Republic of Ireland under-19 Player of the Year.

He has subsequently gone on to play 35 times for the first-team, although his progress into a regular first-teamer has been hampered by injury and the form of Richard Keogh, Jake Buxton and Zak Whitbread.

[pullquote]Everyone who I’ve spoke to rates him highly and this is a great opportunity for him to stake a claim for a regular first-team start and show just what he is capable of.[/pullquote]

Now free from injury, he joins Stuart McCall’s side until January and offers additional competition for places at the back.

O’Brien is travelling to Scotland today and will be in the squad for tomorrow’s match against Inverness Caley Thistle subject to clearance.

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, ‘Well boss Stuart McCall said: “We are delighted Mark has joined us, he is a player we have tracked for some time now.

“He would have been here much earlier but had a slight ankle knock during pre-season. Now that is clear, we are pleased to have him in the squad.

“Everyone who I’ve spoke to rates him highly and this is a great opportunity for him to stake a claim for a regular first-team start and show just what he is capable of.”

Derby Head Coach Steve McClaren told dcfc.co.uk: “It is important Mark gets out and plays some first-team football and going to Motherwell will allow him to do that.

“He has been incredibly patient waiting in the wings behind our other central defenders and it will benefit him going out and playing matches again.”

Referee for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership game with Inverness Caley Thistle at Fir Park will be Steven McLean.

It will be McLean’s first ‘Well appointment of the season.

Incredibly, he was in charge of seven Motherwell matches in the SPFL Premiership last year – three of the seven won’t live long in the memory; one will be cherished forever.

The first of those to forget was back in November, when a depleted Steelmen crashed 4-0 at home to Dundee United. One month later, as ‘Well were already hurting from a Scottish Cup exit, he was the man in the middle for Celtic’s 5-0 win at Fir Park.

Thankfully, he handled our 5-1 win at Firhill in late December but also the controversial 2-2 draw with Aberdeen at Fir Park. ‘Well were holding out in the face of intense Aberdeen pressure and looked to have saw the match out, but a late Russell Anderson equaliser levelled things up.

He also handled the 3-3 draw at Easter Road when ‘Well threw away a two-goal lead but still showed tremendous character to net late on to save a draw.

He also officiated the 5-1 demolition at Tannadice when Lionel Ainsworth’s late conciliation goal was the only ray of light in an otherwise horrible afternoon in Tayside.

Most recently was the final game of last season at Pittodrie when Craig Reid’s controversial 91st minute winner game Motherwell the win they needed to seal second and spark incredible celebrations that will rival any moment in Motherwell’s recent history. Maybe decisions do even themselves out over a season after all?

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads eleven wins, six defeats and two draws from nineteen matches. In those games, ‘Well have scored 41 and conceded 35. 48 cautions have been dished out, 29 flashed at those wearing Claret and Amber.

Four people have been sent off, two for ‘Well (Fraser Kerr and Keith Lasley in the same match against Killie last year).

He had an extremely busy season in 2013/14 – handling twenty-five SPFL Premiership matches.

He has also had two League Cup matches, both at the Falkirk Stadium, and two Europa League Qualifiers – Omonia Nikosia’s 1-2 defeat by Romania’s Astra Giurgiu and Serbian side FK Vojvodina’s 2-2 draw with Bursaspor.

He also handled the Europa League Group game between Standard Liège and IF Elfsborg Boras.

McLean will be ably assisted by Alastair Mather and Brian Templeton with Barry Cook on fourth official duties. Referee observer is John Young and SPFL Delegate will be John Blackley.

Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm Estonian International Henrik Ojamaa has re-joined the club on loan.

After en explosive eighteen-months at Fir Park, Ojamaa left last summer to join Legia Warsaw for an undisclosed fee.

However, he joins a growing list of players in the squad who have returned to the club and he will spend the next five months (until January) back in Claret and Amber.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall told motherwellfc.co.uk: “I am absolutely delighted that we’ve managed to pull this deal off, it has involved a lot of hard work by people at the club over a period of time, as well as the support of the board, of which I am very appreciative.

[pullquote]I am absolutely delighted that we’ve managed to pull this deal off, it has involved a lot of hard work by people at the club over a period of time, as well as the support of the board, of which I am very appreciative.[/pullquote]

“He is exactly what we need at this present moment. He is not only quick and carries a goal threat; he had more assists than anyone in the league in his last full season in Scotland.

“He will provide real competition and add a different dynamic to what we have. We kept saying we need a ‘Henrik Ojamaa’ type player then thought, we might as well see if we can try and get him back.

“He knows the place well, he’ll be familiar to most of the people and players at the club so we hope he can hit the ground running.”

Both clubs and the player (who is travelling to Scotland tonight) have signed the deal and we await International clearance to determine whether or not he can be involved in Saturday’s match against Inverness Caley at Fir Park.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was in a buoyant mood despite his side’s narrow 1-0 defeat at Tannadice tonight.

With Stevie Hammell, Iain Vigurs, Simon Ramsden, Craig Moore and Adam Cummins watching from the stand, Paul Lawson only a fit enough to take a seat on the bench and several players nursing nocks, many had predicted a Dundee United whitewash, particularly after their impressive opening day win at Pittodrie.

However, the battling Fir Parkers contained Jackie McNamara’s side for the majority of the match, with Dan Twardzik rarely troubled.

At the other end, ‘Well hit the crossbar, had a fairly decent penalty claim turned down and had Lee Erwin’s goal disallowed for a late (and very tight) offside flag.

However, substitute Mario Bilate separated the sides with an 82nd minute dart that broke the Steelmen’s stubborn resistance.

[pullquote]In the end, it’s taken a world-class strike to beat us. It was really hard on the players tonight for their effort, endeavour and I am in no doubt that we deserved a point.[/pullquote]

Whilst naturally disappointed to lose the match, Stuart McCall focused on the positives, particularly the showing of his young Academy graduates like Lee Erwin, Fraser Kerr, Jack Leitch, Stuart Carswell and David Ferguson, who made his first-team debut as a half-time substitute.

Speaking to MFC TV on Motherwell’s Official You Tube channel, McCall said: “We’ve came here recently and lost a lot of goals, but I thought we were excellent defensively tonight.

“For a team who are noted for scoring a lot of goals, particularly here at Tannadice, we restricted them to very little. They had a fair bit of pressure in the second-half, but Dan [Twardzik] has had virtually noting to do.

“We score a terrific goal that was borderline offside – I’ve had a look at it, it might be level as it’s difficult to tell from the camera angles we have; that could have gone our way and, right at the end, I thought Craig Reid had leveled for us but his effort from a corner was deflected just wide.

“In the end, it’s taken a world-class strike to beat us. It was really hard on the players tonight for their effort, endeavour and I am in no doubt that we deserved a point.”

Action pictures from this evening’s 1-0 defeat by Dundee United at Tannadice in the SPFL Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”dundeeutd130814″]

[tab:Match report]

Ray Morrison at Tannadice

A screamer from substitute Mario Bilate eight minutes from time denied Motherwell a deserved point from tonight’s Tannadice clash.

After a fairly even first-half, United certainly enjoyed the vast majority of possession in the second, but rarely troubled Dan Twardzik in the visitors goal.

Indeed, the former Bayern Munich youngster’s only real moment of note in the game, other than a few comfortable long-range efforts, was to pick the ball out his net when Dutchman Bilate rifled home a sizzling twenty-five yard stunner.

It was harsh on the Steelmen, who had contained United for almost the full game and even hit the crossbar, had a decent penalty claim turned down and had the ball in the net, ruled out for a marginal offside call.

Stuart McCall made one change to his side that beat St Mirren in midweek – Jack Leitch came in to replace Lionel Ainsworth with the former Scotland midfielder opting for a 4-3-3, with Lee Erwin and Josh Law supporting John Sutton in attach.

And it was the Fir Parkers who made the better start, forcing a number of early corners, eventually leading to a Josh Law curler coming crashing back off the crossbar.

United, normally so potent on the counter, were struggling as ‘Well allowed them to have the ball and hunted in packs to close down attack after attack. The best they could muster was a Gary MacKay-Steven effort that Twardzik watched harmlessly wide.

Fraser Kerr just failed to connect with a Leitch corner and Nadir Ciftci had a bouncing shot from distance that again was comfortable for Motherwell’s young ‘keeper.

Stuart McCall was forced into a change at the break with Zaine Francis-Angol feeling his hamstring. Young David Ferguson replaced him, the 18-year old making his full debut in a position he’s not normally familiar.

However, there was a moment of controversy in the opening few minutes of the second half when Erwin appeared to be bundled down on the edge of the area by Paul Paton. It’s hard to tell if it was inside or outside the box; incredibly referee Kevin Clancy gave nothing.

United started to get a grip on the game in terms of possession, but were restricted to very little actual chances. A few teasing balls across the face and a few timely blocks by the Steelmen defence kept it at 0-0.

In the 67th minute, though, Motherwell had the ball in the net after Lee Erwin was put clean through on goal by Jack Leitch to slot past Cierzniak. A late, late flag by the assistant ruled the goal offside; television pictures were inclusive from the angle, but it was incredibly tight and could have gone either way.

Paton should have put the hosts ahead in the 80th minute but fired over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

However, just as the game looked to be heading for a stalemate an excellent point for the Steelmen, Bilate popped up with an unstoppable drive to ensure the three points stayed in Tayside. Incredibly though, with virtually the seconds remaining, Craig Reid came within an inch of converting a corner only for it deflect inches wide of the post.

Overall, McCall can be very satisfied with his side, even in defeat. The young Academy graduates showed up well with Lee Erwin again impressing.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Tannadice

A battling performance that deserved more but a Bilate wonderstrike is enough to give Utd the 3 points.

FT: Dundee Utd 1 – 0 Motherwell #DUFCvMFC

92mins: Reid’s shot is deflected just wide of the post!

89mins: Utd running down the clock in the corner. 3 minutes added on.

87mins: Free-kick to ‘Well wide on the right, headed out for a corner.

And Dundee Utd changes, Mackay-Steven off for Erskine and Ciftci off for Telfer

85mins: Motherwell subs, McHugh and Ainsworth on for Sutton and Leitch

82mins: GOAL! Bilate sends a rocket into the top corner from 25 yards. 1 – 0

79mins: Ball falls to Dow from Mackay-Steven’s low cross. Should really hit the target from 12 yards but blasts over!

73mins: Great defending from McManus to swipe Mackay-Steven’s cross to safety! Goal was gaping there.

68mins: Succession of Utd corners. Bilate heads over from 10 yards. A bit of a let off.

65mins: Erwin is slid through and has the ball in the net but the linesman has his flag up! Close, but probably correct decision

65mins: Dunde Utd sub, Bilate on for Watson

59mins: Corner to Utd, which is dealt with by Erwin at the front post.

57mins: Great defending from Ferguson who manages to pick the pocket of Ciftci as he looked to shoot

United’s wall holds strong and deflects Law’s effort away to safety

55mins: Erwin spins Morris and wins a free-kick, 25 yards out in a good position

53mins: Utd manage to scramble Law’s low cross away. Was a decent ball in but no takers!

50mins: Armstrong booked. From resulting free-kick, Cierzniak manages to punch clear

48mins: Ferguson is booked for what you could call a tactical foul on Mackay-Steven as he looked to counter

46mins:Erwin dribbles forward and looks to have been fouled in the box!Ref disagrees and waves play on!Will be interesting to see that again

Second half is underway.

Half time change for ‘Well. Francis-Angol makes way for Ferguson who makes his first appearance in a ‘Well shirt.

No goals here at Tannadice but a decent opening 45. Law with the best chance of the game, his effort crashing off the bar after 3 minutes

HT: Dundee Utd 0 – 0 Motherwell #DUFCvMFC

35mins: Mackay-Steven cuts it back to Rankin on the edge of the box. This time he tests Twardzik but the stopper is equal to the shot.

33mins: Rankin scuffs a shot well wide from 25 yards. Lasley and Dow exchange words, after Dow went down in the box.

29mins: Booking for Leitch who crings down Mackay-Steven on the half way line.

27mins: Fraser Kerr’s front post flick-on header isn’t far over!

27mins: Corner to ‘Well after Fojut just got in ahead of Erwin to head to safety.

24mins: An ambitious effort from Ciftci some 35 yards out ends safely in the hands of Twardzik who was never trroubled

21mins: Townsend darts forward and wins a free-kick in a good position…..Wall holds strong to divert the free-kick for a corner.

18mins: Another, ‘Well corner, and it’s another short one. This time Law delivers well but Cierzniak comes out to claim it.

..’Well play it short but quickly lose possession. Utd break, but the final ball eludes Mackay-Steven and runs into Twardzik’s arms

17mins: Leitch does well to win a corner down the left wing…

12mins: Mackay-Steven cuts in from the right wing but his left footed shot goes harmlessly wide of Twardzik’s left post.

10mins: Bit of confusion in the ‘Well defence leads to a corner. Reid is there to head well clear.

3mins: ‘Well win another corner, this time it is short to Law who cuts in and rifles a shot off the bar! So close to the opener!

2mins: A bit of trickery down the left from Law wins ‘Well a corner. Townsend heads clear at the front post.

1min: Ciftci and Dow get the game underway #COYW

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I thought we merited a point. But you hold your hands up when someone hits a goal like that.

“We’ve given goals away in the past which have been sloppy but there’s nothing you can do when there’s a goal like that.

“I think we conceded 60 goals last season – even more than Hibs – but tonight they only really had a couple of long-range shots in the first half.

“In the second half, they came down the hill but I can’t really remember our keeper Dan (Twardzik) having a save to make. So against a good side I thought we merited a point.

Dundee Utd assistant manager Jackie McNamara:

“It was a lovely goal, worthy of winning any match.

“I thought we deserved it to be honest. I thought we put them under pressure in the second-half. We kept plugging away and we got there in the end.

“We’ve had two hard games already this season and Motherwell were difficult to break down here.

“In the first half, we found it hard to get in behind them to create any clear-cut chances.

“But I was confident we could get there in the end and so it proved.

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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