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[tab:Match report]

Gavin McCafferty at McDiarmid Park

Despite taking a first-half lead, Michael O’Halloran scored twice to earn St Johnstone a 2-1 victory over Motherwell this evening.

O’Halloran gifted Motherwell possession before Lionel Ainsworth powered home a 13th-minute equaliser but the Scottish Premiership contest turned with five minutes left of the first half.

Ainsworth came close to a second but his shot was saved by Alan Mannus and Saints went straight up the park for O’Halloran to score following a one-two with Lee Croft.

An improved Motherwell missed some decent chances but their season of woe continued in the 80th minute when O’Halloran netted a brilliant solo effort, although only after Motherwell defenders Stephen McManus and Fraser Kerr collided in the box.

Motherwell remain second bottom in the league and their misery was compounded by the fact former talisman James McFadden had a hand in both goals as they suffered a fifth consecutive league defeat in front of only 2,531 fans at McDiarmid Park.

William Hill Scottish Cup winners St Johnstone and Motherwell, runners-up two years running, came into the game as the two lowest scorers in the league with only 13 goals between them in the first 11 matches.

There were plenty of chances though and Saints created two before Motherwell took the lead, Dan Twardzik getting down to hold O’Halloran’s shot before Frazer Wright glanced a header just wide from McFadden’s free-kick.

Motherwell benefited from a break to open the scoring with Henrik Ojamaa helping the ball on to Ainsworth after O’Halloran was dispossessed on the edge of his box. The winger got a free shot after a ricochet and blasted the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Motherwell defender Simon Ramsden had a header saved and the visitors were looking comfortable apart from a few deep corners from McFadden.

Steven Hammell and Dave Mackay both came close from 30 yards at either end before the key moment of the game.

Ainsworth looked like he might double his tally when he turned a man on the edge of the box after Ojamaa had twisted and turned and fought for the ball before laying it back.

But the shot was too close to Saints goalkeeper Mannus, who blocked with his feet and inadvertently set up a counter-attack. McFadden fed O’Halloran who rode Ramsden’s challenge inside the centre circle and kept charging forward.

The former Bolton player played the ball out for Croft who cut it back for his team-mate to slot into the corner from 10 yards.

Ojamaa set up two chances for Motherwell to regain the lead before half-time but John Sutton took a poor touch six yards out and Ainsworth steered a shot wide of the far post.

Ainsworth set up a couple of chances himself after the break but Kerr wasted a shooting chance by chipping a cross over the bar and Ojamaa shot straight at Mannus from the right channel with the keeper’s fumble proving harmless.

O’Halloran had a long-range strike held and Saints came closer in the 72nd minute after Croft’s cross found Wright.

The defender got a good head on it but Twardzik got down well to parry and Gary McDonald sliced the rebound wide under pressure.

The hosts were lifted by the chance after a quiet start to the second half and O’Halloran grabbed the winner after McFadden shimmied on the left wing and cut the ball back to the edge of the box.

O’Halloran went past both McManus and Kerr as the Motherwell pair collided and then took it round another defender before dinking the ball over Twardzik from the edge of the six-yard box.

O’Halloran soon had a shot blocked when McFadden was screaming for a return pass following a counter-attack before the latter went off to a standing ovation from both sets of fans as Saints held out comfortably for their first win in six games.

[tab:As it happened]

Ally Reilly at McDiarmid Park

FT: St Johnstone 2 – 1 Motherwell #SJFCvMFC

3 minutes added on #SJFCvMFC

And a St Johnstone sub, Miller on for Croft #SJFCvMFC

87mins: Motherwel sub, Vigurs off for Law #SJFCvMFC

And a ‘Well sub, O’Brien on for Hammell #SJFCvMFC

83mins: St Johnstone sub, McFadden off for Caddis #SJFCvMFC

82mins: Corner to ‘Well, again Saints counter it and should have made it 3! #SJFCvMFC

81mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol off for Erwin #SJFCvMFC

80mins: GOAL – O’Halloran makes it 2-1 to St Johnstone. Very unfortunate slip in defence #SJFCvMFC

73mins: St Johnstone counter attack quicly but Graham isn’t direct enough and that allows Francis-Angol time to get back and clear #SJFCvMFC

71mins: Great save by Twardzik to deny Fraser Wright’s close range header! #SJFCvMFC

69mins: Safe hands from Twardzik to gather in O’Halloran’s shot from distance #SJFCvMFC

Vigurs opts to shoot but curls wide and over #SJFCvMFC

67mins: Free-kick to ‘Well in a dangerous looking position…. #SJFCvMFC

64mins: Vigurs is booked. #SJFCvMFC

63mins: Good Motherwell counter sees Mannus deny Ojamaa with his foot. Good chance! #SJFCvMFC

57mins: Great, inviting ball in by Ainsworth but no takers. Curls not far wide at the back post. #SJFCvMFC

53mins: Kerr could show some more composure as he overlaps on the right but blazes his cross into the stand #SJFCvMFC

51mins: Ojamaa is booked for hauling down O’Halloran #SJFCvMFC

Second half is underway… #SJFCvMFC

Great first half from ‘Well. Plenty of chances and in complete control but picked off by a good counter attack. #SJFCvMFC

HT: St Johnstone 1 – 1 Motherwell #SJFCvMFC

45mins: Another great chance for ‘Well but this time Ainsworth can’t get enough bend on his shot from a narrow angle. #SJFCvMFC

43mins: Again, great work by Ojamaa but his cutback just doesn’t settle for Sutton who had the goal gaping #SJFCvMFC

39mins: GOAL! O’Halloran slots home Saints counter attack, seconds after Ainsworth had a shot well saved by Mannus. 1-1 now #SJFCvMFC

35mins: Great effort by MacKay whose long-range free-kick flies just inches wide of Twardzik’s left post. #SJFCvMFC

27mins: A rare one as Hammell ventures forward and tries his luck with a low shot from range. Not far wide! #SJFCvMFC

23mins: Corner to Saints, finally headed clear by Ramsden #SJFCvMFC

16mins: Kerr can’t get enough power in his header from 15 yards to test Mannus. Positive start by Motherwell #SJFCvMFC

Ainsworth blasts home from 10 yards after some sloppy St Johnstone defending. 1-0 to ‘Well! #SJFCvMFC

GGGOOOOAALLLL!!!

11mins: McFadden floats in a free-kick which is headed on by Anderson. Flashes just wide of the post #SJFCvMFC

9mins: Two corners in a row for Saints, both of which come to no harm #SJFCvMFC

8mins: First sign of intent from Saints. O’Halloran created some space just outside the box but his shot is dealt with by Twardizk #SJFCvMFC

6mins: Vigurs delivery is headed clear and eventually comes back to him but hus shot from the edge of the box is scuffed wide #SJFCvMFC

6mins: Francis-Angol forces a second ‘Well corner…….taken short and is headed out for another corner #SJFCvMFC

5mins: Francis-Angol picks up a loose ball on the edge of the box but Mannus safely gathers his cross/shot #SJFCvMFC

4mins: Good spell of passing results in a corner for ‘Well…..but Vigurs’ delivery is headed clear #SJFCvMFC

Ojamaa and Lasley kick the action off. COYW!!! #SJFCvMFC

Out come the teams, ‘Well in claret and amber, Saints in blue and white #SJFCvMFC

Minutes away from kick-off here at McDiarmid Park. Right on cue, the rain has just started…. #SJFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“The harsh reality is we have lost a game that, if we take our chances, we win.

“For a team down where we are, supposedly lacking in confidence, I thought we played some great football.

“We had a good chance and the goalie makes a diving save with his legs, and they break away and score.

“We have had good chances to go ahead. The second half was more even but I thought it was unjust to go into half-time level.

“The winner sums it up, Fraser Kerr ends up sliding into (Stephen) McManus and takes him out and the boy O’Halloran dances around us and puts it in.

“I can’t be critical of the players whatsoever. I’ve been banging on all week about creating chances, and we did, but just didn’t take them.”

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”207″]

Former Scotland International Stephen McManus knows ‘Well will need to up their game to get anything from McDiarmid Park.

Perth was a big of a graveyard for the Fir Parkers last season, losing both games and not scoring.

Both sides have made a below par start to the 2014/15 campaign, making tonight’s BT Live match vital.

The former Celtic and Middlesbrough stopper said: “Last year St Johnstone got the better of us at McDiarmid Park; we know how tough this fixture is likely to be.

[pullquote]The most important thing is to concentrate on your own performance and try to get to the level we know we are capable of[/pullquote]

“Tommy Wright and the players there have done a tremendous job.

“They work hard for each other and they seem to have a really good team spirit; you seen that last year with how successful they were.

“But when you’re in a run that we are, the most important thing is to concentrate on your own performance and try to get to the level we know we are capable of.”

Stuart McCall says he senses a real desire amongst the players to turn Motherwell’s poor start to the season around.

‘Well have made a hugely disappointing start to 2014/15, winning two games in the opening round of matches.

However, a more encouraging and sturdy performance at Pittodrie, albeit without carrying much in the way of a goal threat, has given McCall and the squad cause for optimism.

The Steelmen now face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park and the former Scotland midfielder wants to kick-off the second ‘third’ with maximum points.

[pullquote]I know people will say ‘talk is cheap’, but I think there is a desire within the club; the players the staff and everyone who works here to turn things around[/pullquote]

Speaking to the broadcast press, the former Scotland midfielder said: “We can’t keep talking about what we want to do, the time is now to start producing results.

“We’ve got to look at the next block of games, the next eleven, and we want to obviously win more than what we lose and that starts tomorrow night in Perth.

“I will admit to feeling a bit lost and helpless after the Dundee match but after last week’s performance, the attitude shown and we had a talk afterwards and I really sense people are right behind this cause.

“As I’ve said, I know people will say ‘talk is cheap’, but I think there is a desire within the club; the players the staff and everyone who works here to turn things around.”

St Johnstone Football Club
McDiarmid Park
Crieff Road
Perth

Tel: 01738 459 090
Web: www.perthsaints.co.uk

Opened: 1989
Capacity: 10,696
Sat Nav: PH1 2SJ
Distance from Fir Park: 61.8 miles (1 hr 06mins)

Tickets

• ‘Well fans will be housed in the Main Stand.
• Kids Under 12 go free but must be accomapnied by an adult.
• Saints also offer a reduced price ‘mixed’ family Stand behind the goal (Ormond Stand) where one adult and up to two children aged 12 or under can gain admission at a cost of £15.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

By car

The stadium is located close to the A9 and is relatively straightforward to get to – although please be aware of new average speed cameras installed between Dunblane and Perth.

Head towards Perth on the M9 and take the first exit at Broxden roundabaout (signposted Football traffic) on to the A9. Then take the fourth exit at Inveraimond roundabout so you have turned back on yourself.

Exit on to the slip road and turn left at the roundabout on to the A85 (Crieff road). The stadium will be clearly visible on the left.

Parking is available for visiting fans behind the Main Stand, priced at £5.00 per car. Street parking is also available on numerous streets around the ground.

Supporters Bus

The Central Branch plans to run a bus (numbers permitting), leaving from the Bentley Hotel. Please phone Jim 01698 299650 to book.

By bus

Several operators run buses to Perth, departing every hour from Buchanan Station in Glasgow city centre.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.citylink.co.uk.

By train

Perth station is over three miles away from the ground, although frequent bus services run throughout the city.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.scotrail.co.uk.

[mappress]

Referee for this Friday’s SPFL Premiership match against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park is Kevin Clancy.

It will be Kevin’s second Motherwell appointment of the new season; the other was back in August when he handled the tight 1-0 defeat at Tannadice when Mario Bilate’s late wonder strike separated the teams.

He’ll be a relatively familiar face, despite being a new referee, given he handled four matches last term too.

The first was the swashbuckling 2-2 draw with Dundee United at Tanandice in September 2013.

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.

The second was the excellent 1-0 win at Pittodrie on Boxing Day when a resolute ‘Well came away with all three points thanks to Ainsworth’s winner.

The third was against Friday’s opponents, again at McDiarmid Park last February when Tommy Wright’s men ran out convincing 3-0 victors.

And, finally, he was the man in the middle for the vital 2-1 win over Saints (again) with Ainsworth and Stephen McManus on the score sheet, helping to avenge that earlier defeat and put the Steelmen on the road to SPFL Premiership runners-up.

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

Prior to last season, 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 31-year old took charge of during the 2012/13 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 fabulous debut goal.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads eight matches in total, Motherwell winning four, drawing two and losing two. ‘Well have scored eleven and conceded eight.

There have been twenty-five cautions dished out in those seven matches, fourteen of them to a man wearing Claret and Amber and zero dismissals.

Kevin will be ably assisted by John McCrossan and Dougie Potter with John Beatonon 4th Official duties. The referee observer is George Clyde and the SPFL Delegate is Alan Dick.

Friday football is back at Fir Park for the first time in over eleven months, and we want you to join us for a ‘Curry Night’ in the Centenary Suite.

‘Well face Dundee United on Friday 7th November (7.45pm KO) in what will be another vital SPFL Premiership match.

Join us from 5.30pm onwards to enjoy our tasty three-course curry event with full service and a Pay bar facility pre and post match.

On your table will be a plentiful supply of Poppadoms and spiced onions. We’ll start with mixed pakoras, served with fresh salad and dipping sauce, followed by your choice of either a Chicken or Vegetable Curry (served with basmati rice and mini naan breads).

To cool you down, finish the meal with a delicious Strawberry Crunch, served with fresh whipped cream alongside you choice of tea or coffee and mints.

Legendary defender Brian Martin will be the host with your chance to meet first team players and club staff throughout the evening.

Remember, all hospitality packages at Fir Park also include your match ticket, programme, teamsheet and half time tea too.

The package is priced at £60 for adults and £45 for concession (both inclusive of VAT). Season Ticket holders can upgrade their regular stand ticket for just £25.

If you would like to book your seat or table, please phone the Commercial Department on 01698 338 018, email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk or book online by Clicking Here.

Highlights from McDiarmid Park as Liam Anderson’s 18th minute goal gives ‘Well a 1-0 win over St Johnstone.

Jonatan Johansson was pleased his side took all three points from McDiarmid Park, but challenged them to play better.

The young Steelmen ran out deserved winners in the end, Liam Anderson’s 18th minute goal separating the sides.

Motherwell could, and should, have extended that lead but passed up numerous guilt-edge chances.

However, some careless play allowed Saints to create several opportunities of their own, and the Fir Parkers could quite easily have lost the match on another night.

However, the Finn was keen to extenuate the positives, particularly with a big week coming up, including the SFA Youth Cup against Celtic this Sunday.

[pullquote]I am pleased with the result, pleased with the clean sheet but I think we can play better.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, the former Rangers and Charlton striker said: “We created a lot of chances but, in saying that, at times we were sloppy and had to ride our luck.

“In games like tonight, you are desperate for a second goal to come, just to settle everyone down, but we could easily have lost goals too.

“I am pleased with the result, pleased with the clean sheet but I think we can play better.

“We can take positives from the likes of Craig Moore, playing his first game since May, who was instrumental in the goal. Liam Anderson did well for his first game back after injury; had a few good crosses into the area and took his goal really well too.

“We now have a huge game this Sunday in the SFA Youth Cup against Celtic and I am pleased to go into the match on the back of this solid win.”

Motherwell Under 20s returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

After back-to-back defeats by Rangers and Kilmarnock, the young Steelmen were desperate for the three points and they got them thanks to Liam Anderson, who scored after eighteen minutes of his first start of the season.

Both teams created chances, although ‘Well boss Jonatan Johansson will be scratching his head at how his team didn’t extend their lead after passing up numerous glorious chances as the game headed towards its conclusion.

The win was soured though with the sight of young Jack Leitch being stretchered off, leg in a brace, with what appeared to be a bad injury. He is due a scan in the next few days to assess the damage so hopefully it is not as serious as it looked.

‘Well made an astonishing eight changes to the team that lost to Kilmarnock last Tuesday with Nielsen, Watt, Ferguson, Cadden, McCall, Higgins, Thomas and MacLean dropping out, replaced by Stewart, McNulty, J.Leitch, Carswell, Erwin, Anderson, McHugh and Moore.

Both teams started the game with chances – Dylan Easton seeing his fifth minute shot deflect into the side netting courtesy of Morgyn Neill’s block. Down the other end, Lee Erwin went close with a stinging thirty-yard shot that whistled inches past the left hand upright.

There were howls from the visitor’s bench when Alex Kitchen appears to pull Craig Moore in the area, before going through the back of the striker to win the ball. Referee Mike Roncone had a good look at it, but decided no penalty.

Adam Morgan then let fly from distance for Saints before ‘Well got their noses in front.

Good hold up play by Moore allowed Erwin to slide in the supporting Liam Anderson. The winger took a good first touch, hared in on goal and kept his cool to slot it beyond Mark Hurst for his first of the campaign.

To their credit, Saints went immediately in search of a leveler and Easton saw another shot deflect wide for a corner.

Shortly after, from a corner, Jason Kerr was twice denied within the space of a second as both Jack McMillan and Jack Leitch headed his efforts off the line.

Helped by a stoppage to the game as referee Roncone pulled up and had to go off for some treatment, ‘Well weathered the storm and regrouped. Erwin headed a McNulty cross straight at Hurst before, three minutes later, linking with Moore only to spin and shoot over the bar.

It was back and fourth though and Saints again came within an inch of an equaliser. Morgan found himself clear of the ‘Well defence and was only denied by the outrushing Ross Stewart. The ball spun out to Easton whose goalbound effort was again headed off the line by the recovering McMillan.

For their part, Motherwell managed a couple of efforts before the break with Moore heading a McNulty cross wide before McHugh sent a skidding low effort crashing inches wide of target.

The second half was no older than one minute when Jack Leitch went down in agony. His screams alerted to something serious and Aileen Anderson and Adam Stokes, the Motherwell physiotherapists, were quickly onto the pitch. He wasn’t able to continue though and, with his leg in a brace, was stretchered off, replaced by Dom Thomas.

Motherwell went on to dominate for a 15-minute spell and should have extended their lead. Moore sent another McNulty cross wide of the post before Thomas’ shot looked to be heading for the corner, only to be blocked by the sliding Scott Wilson.

There was another moment of controversy to follow when Saints’ Easton was booked for simulation after a coming together in the area with Bob McHugh. On first look, it looked like a penalty for the hosts but the referee was having none of it, much to the annoyance of the small, but vocal, local support.

Both teams continued to trade chances though, Morgan sending a header straight at Stewart before Moore came close after getting on the end of Erwin’s head on, only to send his lobbed effort wide of target.

Saints keeper Hurst was certainly the busier of the two ‘keepers and he had to look smart to save a turn-and-shot from Moore and a low bouncing effort from McHugh.

He could only look on though as ‘Well came within an inch of securing the game on the 75th minute. McHugh, who enjoyed an excellent second half, took his side forward before crashing a curling effort off the base of the post. It spun out at speed towards substitute Chris Cadden who could only screw the rebound over the bar.

Motherwell continued to make all the chances though, McHugh again shot wide before being denied a certain goal after a last-ditch saving tackle inside the six-yard box by Matthew Buchanan.

Then, a minute later, ‘Well passed up another glorious chance when Anderson’s low cross was miscued by Cadden only to fall kindly for Thomas whose effort was somehow deflected wide for a corner.

From the resulting kick, Neill’s flicked header landed at the feet of Cadden who leathered a shot high and wide of target.

Somehow, the score remained at 1-0 despite a later run and shot from Easton that sailed high over the crossbar. It was a worth win for ‘Well, albeit Saints did have chances throughout the ninety minutes.

Johansson’s men now face a big SFA Youth Cup game this weekend away to Celtic on Sunday.

Motherwell: Stewart, McNulty, McMillan, Hall, Neill, Carswell, Leitch (Thomas – 50mins), Erwin (Cadden – 71mins), McHugh, Moore (McCall – 71mins), Anderson

Subs Not Used: Currie, Ferguson, MacLean, Higgins

Highlights from Pittodrie as an early Jonny Hayes consigned ‘Well to their fourth consecutive league defeat.