Latest News

[tab:Match report]

Motherwell’s dismal Cup form continued when they were knocked out of the League Cup on penalties at New Douglas Park.

There was little between the sides in a fiercely contested clash, but luck deserted the Fir Parkers.

It was a cruel cup exit with Stuart McCall’s men looking the more likely to score and having no luck when the bar and post were rattled in quick succession in extra time.

While Accies had the better of the first half, Motherwell controlled most of the second, especially when Accies’ Stephen Hendrie was sent off.

However, when Mark O’Brien was harshly shown a second yellow card in extra time, it left both teams level in every aspect, ultimately only separated after 12 penalty kicks.

Even then it was close as John Sutton, Stepehn McManus, Henrik Ojamma, Jack Leitch and Josh Law expertly converted their spot kicks, before Simon Ramsden’s kick was saved by Michael McGovern leaving Craig Watson to ram his penalty past Dan Twardzik and send Accies into the quarter finals.

Stuart McCall made two changes from the side that performed so well at Celtic Park, Lionel Ainsworth and Jack Leitch coming in at the expense of Zaine Francis-Angol and Simon Ramsden.

Not surprisingly it was a frenetic start on Accies plastic pitch with the ball moving from one end to the other with neither side able slow the game down.

After 15 minutes a good break from ‘Well found Ainsworth heading down the right, but his final ball across the box was too far ahead of the inrushing Josh Law.

Mark O’Brien then had to make a sliding challenge just outside his six-yard box to deflect Eamonn Brophy’s strike at goal.

An inswinging corner from the home side had Dan Twardzik firmly punching the ball out from under his cross bar. The Fir Park ‘keeper then produced the first save of the match after 26 minutes when he leapt high to his left to spectacularly hold a rising shot from Brophy.

Motherwell mustered their first attempt on the home goal eight minutes later but at the end of a series of passing Leitch, from 30 yards, screwed his shot off target.

As the ‘Well players started to find their feet on the artificial surface more of the play headed towards McGovern’s goal and the ‘keeper was relieved to watch Mark O’Brien power his header over the cross bar from ten yards.

Ten minutes after the break ‘Well passed up a great chance for the opening goal. Vigurs’ long clearance from an Accies corner sent Ainsworth racing clear but after making his way to the goal line his cross failed to find the waiting John Suton and Law.

Two minutes later Ainsworth’s drive from the edge of the box deflected off the arm of an Accies defender but referee Craig Charleston waved aside appeals for a penalty.

The game was turning Motherwell’s way and Ainsworth becoming more involved. And his next pass was perfectly weighted for Sutton but Ziggy Gordon intervened to scoop the ball behind for a corner.

The pressure on the home side increased twenty minutes into the half when Accies were reduced to 10 men after Stephen Hendrie pulled down Ainsworth to earn his second yellow card.

It just looked a question of when ‘Well would find the opener. And when Vigurs’ low corner found Sutton in the six-yard box he should have done better than slide his shot two yards wide.

With 15 minutes remaining ‘Well produced their best move and chance. Leitch found Kerr out on the right and his cross was touched on by Sutton into the path of Vigurs whose thumping volley seemed certain for a wonderful goal until McGovern matched it with a stunning stop.

After 77 minutes, Vigurs made way for Henrik Ojamma. Within minutes of his arrival he was teed up by Law but from 20 yards, the Estonian dragged his shot wide of goal.

In the last chance of the 90 minutes Ainsworth’s floated free kick found Sutton but his header drifted over the bar.

Both ‘keepers had comfortable saves at the start of extra time, before the Hamilton goal had an amazing escape.

A smart one-two sent Law through but after he fired the ball past the advancing McGovern, it rebounded from the cross bar. With the ‘keeper stranded Ainsworth fired the loose ball towards goal only to see it strike the post and rebound past an inrushing defender and Law.

Motherwell were then reduced to 10 men when Mark O’Brien was harshly shown a second yellow. That forced Stuart McCall to re-organise his back four sending on Simon Ramsden for Ainsworth.

That left both teams level for the remaining 20 minutes of extra time but with neither side able to break the deadlock it came down to a dramatic penalty shoot out.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at New Douglas Park

It’s all over. Accies win 6-5 on pens

Accies pen 6: Watson….Scores!

Motherwell pen 6: Ramsden… SAVED

Accies Pen 5: Imrie….scores

Motherwell pen : Law scores!!

Accies Pen 4: Longridge..scores.

Motherwell Pen 4: Leitch…scores!!

Accies Pen 3: Devlin…Scores

Motherwell Pen 3: Ojamaa……SCORES!

Accies Pen 2: Crawford…scores.

Motherwell Pen 2: McManus….SCORES!!

Accies Pen 1: Gillespie…..Scores in off the bar!

Motherwell Pen 1: Sutton…….SCORES!

Nervous.

ET FT: Still 0-0 so penalties it is! #HAFCvMFC

3 minutes left until penalties….#HAFCvMFC

ET 21: Ojamaa’s powerful front post cross is plucked out the air by McGovern #HAFCvMFC

Second half of extra time is underway… #HAFCvMFC

ET HT: Hamilton Accies 0 – 0 Motherwell #HAFCvMFC

ET 14mins: Motherwell sub, Ainsworth off for Ramsden #HAFCvMFC

ET 11mins: RED CARD: O’Brien gets his second booking and he’s off! Looked soft #HAFCvMFC

ET 8mins: Decent effort from Lyon who drills a low shot from distance just wide. #HAFCvMFC

ET 5mins: Law hits the bar, falls to Sutton who fires it back into the path of Law but he cant convert!! What a chance #HAFCvMFC

ET 4mins: Laws cuts it back to Leitch on the edge of the box and he is unlucky to see his shot curl just wide #HAFCvMFC

ET 2mins: Ojamaa wins a free-kick in a great area…Ainsworth opts to deliver but McGovern gathers with ease #HAFCvMFC

Firs half of extra-time is underway #HAFCvMFC

FT: Hamilton Accies 0 – 0 Motherwell….to extra-time it goes #HAFCvMFC

2 minutes added on #HAFCvMFC

89mins: Free-kick to ‘Weill in a wide area….Sutton’s header loops just over! #HAFCvMFC

84mins: Accies sub, Redmond off for Imrie #HAFCvMFC

83mins: Greatfootball by ‘Well and as the ball falls to Ojamaa just ouside the box, his left footed shot flies inches wide! #HAFCvMFC

79mins: Motherwell sub, Vigurs off for Ojamaa #HAFCvMFC

78mins: Accies sub, Neil is off for Lyon #HAFCvMFC

77mins: Routine save from Twardzik to deny a soft Crawford shot from distance #HAFCvMFC

75mins: INCREDIBLE save from McGovern who somehow gets a hand to Vigur’s powerful close range volley :O #HAFCvMFC

71mins: Great chance for Sutty who slid in to meet Vigurs’ low corner but it flies just past! #HAFCvMFC

69mins: Accies sub, Andreu off for Watson #HAFCvMFC

65mins: RED CARD! Hendrie is given his marching orders for a second booking #HAFCvMFC

61mins: Neil flies into a header leading with his elbow. Nothing given, Lasley, temporarily forceed off for treatment #HAFCvMFC

59mins: Vigurs booked for dissent as yet again ‘Well have a strong handball claim turned away! #HAFCvMFC

57mins: Brophy gets on the end of a front post cross but can only poke the ball wide #HAFCvMFC

56mins: Great chance for ‘Well to break but the ball seemed to take an age to settle for Ainsworth to get a touch on it. Accies recover.

54mins: Redmond is booked for hacking down Leitch #HAFCvMFC

Leitch and Lasley get the second 45 underway. COYW! #HAFCvMFC

The teams are back out for the second half #HAFCvMFC

HT: Hamilton Accies 0 – 0 Motherwell #HAFCvMFC

45mins: Hendrie is booked for Accies #HAFCvMFC

44mins: O’Brien heads Vigurs’ free-kick delivery over the bar #HAFCvMFC

41mins: McManus is booked for a barge from behind. #HAFCvMFC

38mins: Andreu volleys well over on his left foot from 25 yards #HAFCvMFC

35mins: Corner to ‘Well….free header for Sutton but he heads well over! #HAFCvMFC

34mins: Patient build-up play from ‘Well eventually finds its way to Leitch whose awkward half volley isn’t far wide #HAFCvMFC

27mins: Acrobatic save from Twardzik to deny Andreu’s shot from distance… #HAFCvMFC

25mins: Looked like a foul on Lasley but ref waves play on. Fortunately Crawford fires his long range shot well over #HAFCvMFC

23mins: Lovely one two by Law and Lasley but as Law prepares to shoot, the ball gets caught under his feet and the chance is gone #HAFCvMFC

20mins: Accies win a corner. From the delivery, ref says Twardzik was fouled and play is stopped #HAFCvMFC

16mins: Great chance for Crawford after he is slid though 1 on 1 but O’Brien gets back to clear! #HAFCvMFC

15mins: ‘Well counter but Ainsworth’s ball into the box has no takers. #HAFCvMFC

14mins: Decent spell of pressure from Accies but Andreu can’t get enough power in his header to trouble Twardzik #HAFCvMFC

11mins: Great defending from McManus who throws himself in front of Longridge’s shot from the edge of the box #HAFCvMFC

Second delivery is swept clear by the Accies defence #HAFCvMFC

8mins: Law forces a corner,which Andreu heads wide for another one. #HAFCvMFC

6mins: First sniff of a chance for Accies but the through ball for Hendrie runs out of play for a goal kick #HAFCvMFC

5mins: Accies with the bulk of the ball in the opening 5, but no real chances as yet #HAFCvMFC

Out come the teams, ‘Well fans in great voice already. COYW!!! #HAFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I’ve never seen that (O’Brien’s first booking) in my entire life. O’Brien makes a tackle and the referee blows for half-time.

“We all came off the park and go in the dressing room, and the fourth official comes and says he wants to have a word with Mark O’Brien, after being harangued coming off the park. And then he calls him in and books him.

“Why didn’t he book him on the park? And I thought here we go, this is going to be typical. And the second yellow, he body-strengths him off the ball.

“The second yellow card is an absolute joke. It’s barely a foul and if that’s a yellow card I’m Dutch. You always think referees look to even things up and that decision swung the balance of the game.

“But for an unbelievable save from Vigurs, we would have gone through.”

Hamilton Accies manager Alex Neil:

“It’s good to be in the next round.

“I’ve got about seven first-team players out at the moment.

“I had three 18-year-olds playing towards the end with 10 men and one of the 18-year-olds pops up and scores the winning penalty, so you couldn’t really write the script.

“For the last year and a bit everything seems to be really falling into place.

“One thing about us is we’ve got huge energy in the squad. We’re doing well at the moment, we’re proving a hard nut to crack.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”202″]

For a truly unforgettable occasion, Motherwell FC are delighted to offer the perfect destination, a choice of tempting cuisine and sparkling entertainment this winter.

Christmas parties at Fir Park are always a night to remember and this year will be no different.

We’ve all the ingredients for a great party; high quality catering, lively entertainment and excellent service.

Enjoy a glass of Champagne on arrival then a fabulous three-course meal in the Centenary Suite before dancing the night away with our live band and disco.

On the menu will be:

• Lentil & Vegetable Soup or Duck and Orange Pate
• Roast Turkey Tornadoes with trimmings or Roast Sirloin of Beef
• Vegetarian option –  Roast Vegetable tartlet with Goats Cheese
• White Chocolate & rum torte
• Tea, coffee & Mints

All this for an unbelievable £29.95 per person.

We have five fabulous nights  available:

• Saturday, 6th December
• Friday, 12th December
• Saturday, 13th December
• Friday, 19th December
• Saturday, 20th December

Click here to book online.

If you would rather not book online, phone the Commercial Team on 01698 338008 / 338062 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk to secure your seat.

£10 per person deposit to confirm booking. Non returnable after End of October, and cannot be used as part of full payment.

Outstanding balance to be paid by 15^th November.

Goalkeeper Dan Twardzik hopes ‘Well can capitalise on recent results and progress in the League Cup tomorrow.

The former Bayern Munich youngster, who also spent time with Karlsruher and Calcio Como in Italy, has played every minute for the Fir Parkers this season and has already enjoyed some highs and lows in his first few months.

Now the Czech-born former German Youth International wants Motherwell to put recent Cup disappointments behind them when they face on-form Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park tomorrow.

[pullquote]Everyone in the dressing room is aware of just how important a game this is for the club and the fans.[/pullquote]

“Everyone in the dressing room is aware of just how important a game this is for the club and the fans,” he told the press at Motherwell’s pre-match news conference.

“Hamilton are flying at the moment and it would be great if we could beat them tomorrow.

“I’ve been told, in recent years, Motherwell have had some problems in the Cups but there is always a time when you can change things like this.

“Given this game is a derby and we can take confidence from recent results, now is the best time to do that.”

Stuart McCall admits he would sacrifice league places if it meant he could bring silverware to Fir Park.

The Steelmen have been ‘best of the rest’ in the Scottish top flight for the past three seasons, finishing third, second and second, but the form in knock-out competitions has been disappointing.

The Fir Parkers now travel across the River Clyde for a tough tie against high-flying Hamilton Accies knowing a win would see safe passage through into the Quarter Finals.

Speaking to the broadcast press at Motherwell’s pre-match news conference, the former Scotland midfielder smiled when asked if he would swap a Cup win for a lower league placing: “Yes, I would at this stage; lower in the league by a place, maybe!

“No, seriously, we need to do our upmost to pick up in the league, we’ve had a few better results of late and when it comes to it, we absolutely want to be in that top six.

“However, a Cup run and a bit of success to give the fans a trip to Hampden if possible is very high on our agenda.

[pullquote]Been greedy, we would like to have them both but if I had to choose between giving up a couple of places and being really successful in the Cup, then I know what I would choose.”[/pullquote]

McCall also admitted he is jealous Accies player-manager Alex Neil will be able to play in tomorrow’s derby.

McCall has been involved in many derbies as a player, including the Old Firm and Merseyside, and he says he would have loved to have played been involved at New Douglas Park.

“I’m actually envious of Alex because he can play in it and this is one game I would have been looking forward to playing in,” he said.

“It’s a derby; it’s a massive game for both clubs, both sets of supporters and players. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in some big derbies Everton, Rangers, Sheffield United, Bradford and this game will mean as much to fans of Motherwell and Hamilton as any derby.

“My first game as Motherwell manager was on New Year’s Day at Hamilton and I thought it was quite a mild and meek game for a derby, but I don’t think it will be like that tomorrow night. I think both sets of players will be really up for it.

“This is probably the toughest tie we could have got.”

Referee for Wednesday’s SPFL League Cup clash with Hamilton Accies is Craig Charleston.

It will be Craig’s first ‘Well match of the season and only his third ever appointment in charge of the Steelmen.

The last was back in August last year, when the Steelmen edged out Kilmarnock 2-1 at Fir Park. A Stephen McManus OG gave the Ayrshire side the lead but first-half strikes from Henri Anier and John Sutton handed McCall’s men all three points.

The other moment of controversy was a red card for Simon Ramsden late in the game for a second bookable offence.

His only ‘Well appointment was back in February 2012 – a dull and forgetful 0-0 draw with St Mirren in Paisley.

It was a fairly comfortable afternoon for the 43-year old with the only moment of controversy being a denied penalty when Nicky Law went tumbling in the box, but it wasn’t given.

He has been a top-flight referee since 2006/07 and, in that time, has handed a total of 169 matches. He has dished out 665 cautions (average of 3.9 per match) in that six-year period, sending off 45 (average of one red card every 3.7 matches).

Ross Haswell will assist him on the night, alongside Stuart Hodge with Euan Anderson listed as fourth official.

 Follow ‘Dibsy’ on Twitter 

Only having been at the club for such a short space of time, it is already abundantly clear to me the vision Motherwell FC has for the future.

Player development is always at the forefront of the plans and with the wheels already in motion with the new £1.9 million building; girls and women’s football at the club has never looked more promising.

The new performance development centre has many aims and objectives. First and foremost the centre looks to increase the number of females participating in game, starting at the early age of seven.

With this in mind, the club will nurture individuals and develop the elite players of the future. The centre promises not only to enhance skills and playing abilities, but it also takes a more holistic approach, supporting not only football, but promises to support education alongside player welfare.

How does this happen?

Tutors are on site to help youngsters with their homework after school and before training sessions. A player welfare officer will also be appointed to ensure all performance centre participants are achieving their full potential both on and off the pitch.

Motherwell will also offer career structures and employment opportunities within the Centre for talented players across administration, health and coaching roles. The centre will look to employ highly qualified coaches at every age group, to provide a long term player pathway from Under 7s right through to Under 15s.

It will also have fully qualified physiotherapists, sports psychologists, sports nutritionists and sports scientists on hand. Players will not only have access to some of the best facilities around, but they will also receive the very best expertise available.

An example from a day in the life of a performance centre participant includes being collected from school, being taken to the development centre where players will receive juice and snack after a hard day at the office! They will then complete any homework tasks they have been assigned from school with development centre tutors, including the use of online facilities and up to date computer technology.

Players will then receive another snack and get down to the football side of things. For me as a child, this would have been the stuff dreams were made of! I wish I was 23 years younger!

Although not yet in the new building, the development centre has already been up and running for two weeks and has been a huge success. However these things are easy for me to say, right? I thought I would try and speak to someone whose opinions really matter. I was lucky enough to chat with Leah Macpherson (7) from the Under 9s, who attends the development centre. I asked Leah what it was like, what she feels she has learned through the programme so far and why she loves it so much.

“It’s great being part of the club and it’s really exciting. I look forward to training and games every week. I like having our own pitch where we can train. It can be challenging, but it’s still really enjoyable, the training more than doing my homework! I particularly like playing football, we do stretching and a warm-up too, which is not as much fun as playing, but we need to do it.”

“Although doing my homework is not as much fun as playing football, I do like reading my books to coach Gibson. My favourite food from the snacks are apples and ham sandwiches. I have learned many things that will help me improve; when playing football we need to work as a team, concentrate and listen to our coaches”.

Leah is clearly living the dream! I was keen to find out more so I asked Leah if she could pick one skill she would like to improve on and pick one player she would like to be like when she is older. “In the future I want to improve my keepie-uppies and one day I hope to play for Scotland just like Rachel Corsie, my favourite player.”

Thanks for the interview Leah! It was a pleasure! A little birdie has also told me that already, at the young age of seven, Leah has received a Sportsmanship award and a signed Scotland top for encouraging not only her own team, but recognising strengths in other opposition players. What a fantastic and model attitude. Good luck for the future Leah and I’m sure one day, in the not too distant future, I might be cheering you on in a Scotland Ladies strip!

Motherwell FC is so much more than just a football team. It’s a long-term development plan that has the player at the centre.

A child attending the centre will not only benefit from through an increased range of ability as a player and improving fitness, but will also have their education at the heart as well as developing leadership skills, building self confidence, provide individuals with nutritional and injury prevention information, sports psychology sessions and injury prevention.

If you would like more information regarding the performance centre Please call 01698 239926 or email community@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Highlights from Celtic Park as John Sutton’s opener is cancelled out by a Kris Commons penalty.

Action pictures from this afternoon’s 1-1 draw with Celtic at Celtic Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”celtic210914″]

‘Well boss Stuart McCall’s is adamant he doesn’t want penalty decisions to overshadow his team’s efforts this afternoon.

The Steelmen were denied a spot kick in the first half when Iain Vigurs’ ball into the box struck Jason Denayer’s arm.

It wasn’t given and when Celtic did equalise, the penalty kick that brought them level was again hotly disputed by the ‘Well players on the pitch.

The match eventually ended all square, giving ‘Well their first goal at Celtic Park under McCall and the first point at Parkhead since October 2009.

“I am delighted with the performance and the effort the lads gave,” he said.

[pullquote]I don’t want that [penalty decisions] to overshadow what was a really good showing from us. We scored a great goal, carried a threat, particularly in the first-half, and there’s plenty to be pleased with.[/pullquote]

“When you look back at the decisions, we should certainly have had a penalty in the first half.

“It was a great “save” by the lad Denayer, their centre half, in the box. Vigurs was absolutely adamant, as were all our lads, that it was a clear handball.

“The referee said he felt the defender was too near the ball, and couldn’t get out the way, but if you watch it back on television, you can see it is a clear penalty kick.

“At the other end, I thought their award was a little soft. It was most certainly a foul by Lasley outside the box and there is a slight nudge by Law, but I don’t think if Broony [Scott Brown] hadn’t run into one of our defenders, he would have gone down. It was a little disappointing given the one we felt we deserved.

‘That all being said, I don’t want that [penalty decisions] to overshadow what was a really good showing from us. We scored a great goal, carried a threat, particularly in the first-half, and there’s plenty to be pleased with.”

[tab:Match report]

A dogged and determined Motherwell earned a deserved point after holding Celtic to a 1-1 draw this afternoon.

Sutton opened the scoring in the 19th minute before missing a great chance to double the lead from six yards with the home team booed off at the interval.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown and Kris Commons, two of the six players left out by Deila as he rang the changes, came on for the start of the second half with Brown earning a disputed 67th-minute penalty, which Commons converted.

The hosts threw everything forward, but the resolute Steelmen saw the match out to claim their first point from Celtic Park in almost five years.

Zaine Francis-Angol and Fraser Kerr returned for the starting line-up in place of Paul Lawson and Lee Erwin, both of whom had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes.

After Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Salzburg and with Hearts due to visit in the League Cup next Wednesday, Ronnie Delia took the opportunity to utilise his squad.

Lukasz Zaluska was given a rare start in goal while midfielders Beram Kayal, Nir Bitton and Aleksandar Tonev, plus strikers Anthony Stokes and John Guidetti were also brought in with the Swede making his first start since signing on a loan deal from Manchester City.

Brown, Commons, Craig Gordon and Stefan Scepovic started on the bench while Stefan Johansen and Mubarak Wakaso were out altogether.

It was a cagey start, with the hosts seeing most of the ball without really troubling Dan Twardzik. ‘Well came close in the 12th minute when midfielder Iain Vigurs drove just wide from the edge of the box after Sutton set him up with a header.

The next time the visitors went up the park with any real purpose they took the lead.

When Craig Reid’s cross from the right sped to the front post Sutton forced himself in front of Hoops defender Jason Denayer to volley past Zaluska, stunning the home fans and sending the away fans into raptures.

Moments later, with the shock of the goal still reverberating around the stadium, Twardzik made a decent save from Denayer’s 30-yard drive.

However, the Steelmen were growing in belief and should have added a second in the 27th minute when skipper Keith Lasley’s blocked shot from inside the box landed at the feet of the unmarked Sutton but he somehow failed to hit the target from six yards.

Stuart McCall’s side were doing a fine job frustrating the Hoops. There was a huge claim for a penalty for the visitors when Iain Vigurs cross/shot clearly struck the elbow of Denayer. Despite the howls of protest from the former Inverness midfielder, and his teammates, referee Brian Colvin wasn’t interested.

In the 33rd minute Kayal’s drive from the edge of the box escaped the far post and five minutes from the break, Virgil van Dijk got on the end of a Stokes cross only to see Twardzik make a brilliant save from his close-range header.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Brown and Commons replaced Kayal and Tonev respectively for the start of the second period and the home side looked to take a grip of the game.

Wide man Callum McGregor drew another fine save from Twardzik in the 56th minute as Motherwell did there all to crowd out Celtic’s attacks.

However, it would be in controversial circumstances that Celtic would draw level. Scott Brown drove at goal and was clipped by Lasley outside the area. He went tumbling into the box, only to clatter into Law before hitting the deck.

Colvin, who had earlier infuriated the visitors by denying a spot kick, enraged them further by blowing for a penalty. Sub Commons was in no mood for mercy, calmly tucking the ball into the back of the net.

The home side pushed hard for the winner but found a stubborn backline and a on-form keeper. A deflected shot by McGregor almost wrong-footed Twardzik before Stokes and Bitton both had efforts which missed the target.

At the other end, with two minutes remaining, Francis-Angol almost won it. Law collected wide on the left and his delivery picked out the Antiguan, but he crashed his effort narrowly over.

Twardik made another great save from van Dijk as the game entered three added minutes but the Fir Parkers held on for a deserved point.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Celtic Park

A dogged performance from ‘Well!. Backs to the wall for most of it but a good point from Celtic Park #CFCvMFC

FT: Celtic 1 – 1 Motherwell #CFCvMFC

3 minutes added on.

…headed clear by Erwin #CFCvMFC

89mins: Corner to Celtic…

89mins: Great chance for Stokes but he fires straight at Twardzik with better options available. #CFCvMFC

87mins: A rare break forward for Motherwell but Law’s delivery for Francis-Angol is awkward and he can only volley wide #CFCvMFC

86mins: Free-kick to Celtic in a good position….Stokes blasts it well over.. #CFCvMFC

80mins: Another shot from range. This time it is Bitton who fires low and just wide #CFCvMFC

And another ‘Well sub, Vigurs off for Carswell #CFCvMFC

76mins: Celtic sub, Scepovic on for Guidettii #CFCvMFC

76mins: Motherwell sub, Erwin on for Sutton

75mins: Celtic piling on the pressure. McGregor bends his shot just past from inside the box. Earlier a deflection almost beats Twardzik

72mins: Vigurs booked for dissent after O’Brien is fouled but ref gives nothing #CFCvMFC

70mins: Izaguirre bursts into the box but can only produce a week effort which Twardzik deals with #CFCvMFC

GOAL! Commons coverts from the spot 1 – 1 #CFCvMFC

66mins: Penalty to Celtic #CFCvMFC

Commons bends it well over the bar #CFCvMFC

62mins: Free-kick to Celtic in a great area, 25 yards out……

58mins: Quick turn and shot from Guidetti on the edge of the box but sails harmlessly over the bar. #CFCvMFC

56mins: Great save from Twardzik to beat away McGregor’s shot after he cut in from the right wing! #CFCvMFC

53mins: McGregor sneaks in at the back post to meet the cross but can only find the side netting #CFCvMFC

49mins: Commons shoots from just outside through a ruck of bodies but it is straight at Twardzik. #CFCvMFC

Second half is underway Come on ‘Well!!! #CFCvMFC

Second half subs for Celtic, Brown and Commons on for Tonev and Kayal #CFCvMFC

HT: Celtic 0 – 1 Motherwell. Boo’s ringing out as ‘Well go into the break 1 up. #CFCvMFC

44mins: Corner to Celtic,defended well and evetually cleared #CFCvMFC

39mins: Great diving save from Twardzik to stop Van Dijk’s low header! #CFCvMFC

38mins: Izaquirre supplies a deep cross for Guidetti but his header floats harmlessly over #CFCvMFC

34mins: Kayal creates a bit of space on the edge of the box and has a shot with his left foot. Just wide of Twardzik’s right-hand post.

27mins: What a chance for Sutton!! Lasley’s shot spun up for him with only Zaluska to beat but the ‘keeper got a foot to it! #CFCvMFC

25mins: Lasley and Vigurs seem convinced Vigurs’ shot from inside the box had hit Van Dijk’s hand! Nothing given…. #CFCvMFC

21mins: Van Dijk ventures foward and has a shot from about 30 yards. Was a good effort but Twardzik deals with it with ease #CFCvMFC

19mins: SUTTON makes it 1-0 to ‘Well!! A good run from Reid who crosses from the right. Sutton does well to get to it and poke it home!!

GGGOOOAALLLL!!!

15mins: Ramsden’s throws the ball in to Francis-Angol but as he tries to cross it on the spin, he slices it out of play #CFCvMFC

11mins: Again Twardzik has to be quick off his line, this time gathering at the feet of Bitton who was through on goal. #CFCvMFC

7mins: Izaguirre gets down the left but his cross is too close to Twardzik, who deals with it easily.

2mins: Twardzik has to get off his line quickly to sweep the ball clear from the onrushing Stokes #CFCvMFC

30 seconds: Celtic have 2 successive corners, Guidetti heads over at the near post #CFCvMFC

Lasley and Reid get the game underway #COYW ##CFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“We could have done [got three points] but we’re delighted to get a goal, first and foremost, because we’ve not got a goal since I’ve been coming here.

“It was a great goal and Sutty could have had another straight after it. And but for a great save by (defender) Denayer in the box we could have had a penalty, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.

“Today it was one penalty that should have been given and one that was given, but I don’t want to whinge about it.

“Second half we were camped in but first half we were excellent and I’m delighted with them.

“Dundee United, what a good side they can be, and they came here and lost six, and I saw Aberdeen here who, as well as they played in patches, could’ve lost more than two.

“So you’ve got to be careful you’re not just open. We played with a sitting midfielder and we had to do that.”

Celtic manager Ronny Deila:

“We played a very bad first half. We didn’t get any tempo in the play and we didn’t create any chances, and conceded a stupid goal as well.

“That was very bad but I think the second half was much better. We could have had one more.

“In the end the result is disappointing but I’m satisfied with the second half. We should have had more width to our play so we could have had more crosses into the box.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”201″]