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[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee Fir Park

Motherwell failed to halt Aberdeen’s winning run as an Adam Rooney double sent all three points north and kept the Dons on top of the SPFL Premiership.

But after the humbling defeat at Hamilton, it was much more disciplined and spirited performance from the injury-ravished Fir Park side.

And following the introduction of Dom Thomas, the home side chased an equaliser until referee Willie Collum dealt ‘Well a double blow in the closing minutes.

Having adjudged that Stepehen McManus had deliberately handled on the goal line, he sent off the ‘Well defender and presented Rooney with his second goal from the penalty spot.

Television pictures would show that it was an incredibly harsh decision, although it should be acknowledged that it didn’t have much bearing on the overall result.

It was a tough ending for the ‘Well players who had responded positively to the New Year Day drubbing.

As anticipated Simon Ramsden and Stevie Hammell, who both left New Douglas Park nursing injuries, failed to recover. As expected Mark O’Brien was fit enough to partner Stephen McManus but Ian Baraclough gave a surprise debut to 17-year old Luke Watt who started at left back.

The Dons, on superb run of six consecutive wins without conceding a goal, were full of confidence and put the new look ‘Well defence under pressure from the start.

Within three minutes Dan Twardzik produced his first save standing strong to beat away a thumping shot from David Goodwillie. Six minutes later Adam Rooney nipped beyond McManus to flash a header past the post.

A cross come shot from Jonny Hayes was drifting inside the far post until Twardzik, back tracking, palmed the ball over his crossbar.

At the other end Scott Brown finally got involved racing from his line to gather a long high ball from Lionel Ainsworth with John Sutton chasing in.

The Dons’ goal faced more of a threat after 22 minutes. Josh Law broke from the middle of the park before feeding the ball to Henrik Ojamaa who took a couple of steps towards the box before unleashing a swerving drive.

Having withstood the early flurry from the Dons, the Fir Park defence had largely contained the visitor’s threats until a slip in the 36th minute let them in for the opener.

Under no real pressure, Fraser Kerr gave possession to Andy Considine who immediately released Rooney and the Aberdeen striker slipped the ball beyond the advancing Twardzik and inside the post for his 18th goal of the season.

It would have been 2-0 four minutes from half time but for Twardzik’s fingertips touching Niall McGinn’s curling shot onto the crossbar.

Having contained the league leaders for most of the first half Motherwell were more adventurous in the second half and gave the Dons’ defence a few anxious moments.

The Fir Park goal had the narrowest of escapes after 66 minutes when Considine’s looping header rebounded from the base of the post and as Rooney attempted to lash home the rebound Twardzik reacted brilliantly to block.

Play swiftly moved to the other end where an exchange of passes ended with Ojamaa’s shot straight at Brown.

The introduction of Dom Thomas and Lee Erwin after 69 minutes brought renewed life into the home side and a belief they could take a point from the game.

Thomas in particular lifted the tempo and a couple of his teasing crosses went begging although Ojamaa forced a couple of efforts on goal, none of them troubled the Dons keeper.

However, any thoughts a of a late equaliser were killed off when the referee sent off McManus before Rooney sent Twardzik the wrong way from the spot to settle the game.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 0 – 2 Aberdeen #MFCvAFC

Ball was fired at McManus and hit his shoulder. really poor decision.

Looks like a really soft one!

88mins: Goal – Rooney slots home the penalty. 0-2 #MFCvAFC

87mins: Penalty + Red Card! McManus is sent off for what the ref says was handball on the line.! #MFCvAFC

86mins: Aberdeen sub, Flood is on for Goodwillie, complete with head bandage #MFCvAFC

85mins: Motherwell free-kick, 25 yards out which Ainsworth blasts well over the bar #MFCvAFC

84mins: Goodwillie is sent through on goal but Twardzik gets a touch on it. and it goes wide. Ref gives a goal kick #MFCvAFC

78mins: Erwin wins a corner…..Law wins the header but can’t aim it goalwards! #MFCvAFC

77mins: Goodwillie breaks free and fires just past the post #MFCvAFC

76mins: Smith on for Pawlett #MFCvAFC

75mins: Again Ojamaa and Thomas combine, this time Ojamaa’s half volley is tamely fired at Brown #MFCvAFC

74mins: Thomas giving ‘Well a bit of a spark. Picks the ball up 20 yards out, creates some space and curls just past #MFCvAFC

73mins: Thomas and Ojamaa combine as ‘Well look for an equaliser. The Estonian shoots straight at Brown, though #MFCvAFC

And another, Sutton off for Erwin #MFCvAFC

69mins: Motherwell sub, Kerr off for Thomas #MFCvAFC

66mins: Considine heads off the post and Twardzik reacts well to get up and block from Rooney. #MFCvAFC

60mins: O’Brien is booked for hacking down McGinn as Aberdeen broke away #MFCvAFC

52mins: Sutton heads an Aberdeen corner clear to Hayes who hits on first time, well over the bar #MFCvAFC

Jack floats the free-kick in and McManus heads clear #MFCvAFC

50mins: Free-kick to Aberdeen in a central area half way into the Motherwell half #MFCvAFC

Second half is underway #MFCvAFC

Teams are back out for the second half….#MFCvAFC

HT: Motherwell 0 – 1 Aberdeen #MFCvAFC

41mins: McGinn cuts in from the left hand side and curls a shot off the bar! Twardzik got a slight touch #MFCvAFC

40mins: Pawlett takes a shot from 18 yards, looking to place it into corner but curls it wide #MFCvAFC

36mins: Goal – Goodwillie clips a ball over the top to Rooney who taps it past Twardzik in off the post. 0-1 #MFCvAFC

29mins: Good ball from Watt to Sutton who has no options ahead and opts to shoot. It’s well over but a little more encouraging #MFCvAFC

23mins: Great effort from Ojamaa as he pulls the trigger from 25 yards and it flashes just past the right post #MFCvAFC

15mins: Hayes whips in a cross that turns into a shot and almost catches out Twardzik. Thankfully he gets a hand to is as it was sailing in.

13mins: Brave goalkeeping from Twardzik to get out at the feet of Rooney and clear Pawlett’s low cross from danger #MFCvAFC

10mins: Watt puts Rooney under enough pressure to force him to head wide from McGinn’s inviting cross #MFCvAFC

7mins: Logan whips in a cross which O’Brien takes no chances with and heads out for a corner #MFCvAFC

3mins: Early chance for Goodwillie. He gets a shot away 12 yards out but Twardzik does well to beat it away to safety #MFCvAFC

Here we go, game is underway. Come on ye ‘Well!! #MFCvAFC

Out come the teams, Motherwell in claret and amber, Aberdeen in full black #MFCvAFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

[REACTION TO McMANUS RED] “He has put his body on the line, he has not moved his arm towards the ball, it has hit him just below the shoulder.

“He couldn’t get out the way of it because it has been struck so well.

“Would it have changed the result? Possibly not, but it could affect us further down the line. So we’ll appeal that.”

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes:

“The players are honest enough just to have a real proper approach to the next challenge. We have come through the festive period with some strong performances and results. The pressure side of it hasn’t reared its head, it’s just something that we are enjoying.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Ian Baraclough has challenged his players to react positively to the New Year defeat at Hamilton.

The Steelmen were soundly beaten at the home of their near neighboours, bringing to an end the former Sligo boss’ 100% record since taking over.

It was a reality check for everyone at Fir Park, who now face top-of-the-table Aberdeen in the Sky live game on Sunday afternoon.

“The players know in no uncertain terms what is expected of them when they pull on a Motherwell shirt and they need to perform, not just for themselves, but for the team and Motherwell Football club”, said Baraclough.

[pullquote]It should be in any players mindset to go out there and give it their all and come off the pitch leaving nothing out there whatsoever.[/pullquote]

“We have spoken about Hamilton and while at times I can accept losing game, I can’t accept losing in that fashion. The players know that and if they want to stay here, we need to get better.

“We have a chance to put that to bed tomorrow. It’s a good test and one we should be relishing going into. Nobody will be expecting us to win, other than myself, the squad and the coaching staff but we will approach it in a positive manner. We are at home so have to ask questions of Aberdeen. We can find ways of breaching their defence and hopefully we can come away with a good result.”

The eleventh domestic Steelmen Matchday Magazine of 2014/15 is on sale when Aberdeen visit Fir Park this Sunday.

But what is inside?

Ian Baraclough and Keith Lasley both return with their regular columns.

The gaffer looks back at the Festive fixtures and the skipper, Keith Lalsey, reviews 2014 and talks about what he wants to achieve in 2015.

The feature interview is with Antiguan International Zaine Francis-Angol. The former Spurs wide man talks openly about his injury frustrations, his aspirations for the rest of the campaign and working with the new boss.

Zaine 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, Aberdeen.

As ever, Ray Morrison introduces the Granite City side and Andy Paterson talks through four vital characters in the Dons’ squad likely to cause issues.

The big features keep coming…

‘From the Press Box’ returns with regular host, the Herald’s Scott Mullen and ‘Voices from the East Stand’ blogger Eddie McGuigan once again gives a fans viewpoint on recent happenings.

Eddie Ferguson’s fascinating feature looking at every Motherwell manager in history continues and focuses on the short and unsuccessful reign of Bobby Watson, who had to pick up the pieces of Jock Wallace’s tenure, but couldn’t stop the Steelmen from dropping a division.

Our match reports section takes a look back at the 1-0 win over Partick Thistle at Fir Park last weekend. There’s also a short ‘Review of the Year’ – looking at the top five moments of 2014. No prizes for guessing what is number one?

There is also a short feature on kitman Alan MacDonald’s new Boys Club team, Alpha BC, who recently took a donation from the players and management to buy new training balls.

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 GIRFEC sponsored ‘Junior Steel’ kids page returns and is sure to test the youngster’s quiz minds with puzzles and ‘Did you know’ facts and a new Man of the Match feature sponsored by Match Attax.

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 subscription to the magazine for the rest of the season by visiting the website of our publishers – Curtis-Sports – CLICK HERE.

Action pictures from this afternoon’s hugely disappointing 5-0 defeat at New Douglas Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”hamilton010115″]

Ian Baraclough says he has learned a lot about his squad following their derby humiliation at Hamilton.

The Steelmen were humbled 5-0 by their local rivals, a score line that, sadly, didn’t flatter the home side.

Motherwell were incredibly poor from the first whistle. Even more frustratingly, they were the architects of their own downfall, with each and every goal preventable in some way, shape or form.

It was a reality check for the new Fir Park boss, who had enjoyed a 100% record since taking over several weeks ago.

Speaking after the match, he said: “We have no grumbles. I’ve told them in the dressing room that we must concentrate on the fundamentals.

[pullquote]I want people who can work hard and roll up their sleeves when the chips are down. I learned one or two things about my players today when that side of the game comes to the fore.[/pullquote]

Motherwell now face Aberdeen on Sunday looking to try and bounce back against the league leaders.

“At any level, when you get done by five it is a tough one to take, but we have to take it and move forward.

“We have a game in three days’ time, so we can’t dwell on it too much. We have to lift the players and make sure we rectify what we’ve done today on Sunday.

“You have to be strong mentality to pick yourself up. I hate the phrase ‘wanted it more’ but at times that’s how it looked. If you don’t win you’re one v one battles physically, you’re going to get done and we didn’t today.”

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee at New Douglas Park

Motherwell suffered a derby day drubbing as the Fir Park side made the worst possible start to the New Year.

And after two wins from his first games in charge, Ian Baraclough was left in no doubt about the challenge he faces as his men were played off the park by an energetic and determined Accies.

Having already lost 4-0 at Fir Park, Motherwell fans probably thought it couldn’t get any worse against their old rivals.

But after Hamilton took an eigth minute lead it was a long and miserable afternoon for everyone in claret and amber as the Douglas Park side recorded their biggest win over ‘Well in 80 years.

After being substituted in the last two games, Mark O’Brien’s injuries caught up with him and his starting place in the middle of the defence went to Fraser Kerr.

And facing drving rain and an attacking Accies side the ‘Well rearguard was immediately under pressure.

From two corners in the opeing four minutes Alex Neil’s header was blocked in front of goal before Mickey Devlin’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Josh Law.

With the Fir Park men hemmed in their own half, Baraclough was forced into a seventh minute change when Simon Ramsden limped off with Lee Erwin coming on to join John Sutton up front.

Before the change had time to settle, ‘Well found themsleves a goal behind. Dougie Imrie raced beyond Craig Reid and his low drive sneaked inside Dan Twardzik’s right hand post despite the ‘keeper’s best effort to keep it out.

Motherwell looked to have weathered the early storm and finally forced their way into the Accies box. Henrik Ojamaa did well to cut the ball back to Erwin but his shot on goal was blocked by Grant Gillespie.

Accies pace, coupled with ‘Well’s inability to retain possession, regularly left the visitor’s defence exposed.

In the 26th minute Twardzik was at full stretch to palm away a snapshot from Tony Andreu. The ‘Well ‘keeper was again exposed two minutes later when he got down well to block another Andreu effort but Ali Crawford reacted first to hammer the ball over the grounded Twardzik and put Accies 2-0 up.

The visitors were forced into another change at half-time with Chris Cadden replacing Stevie Hammell and Law dropping to full back.

Within a minute it could have been 3-0 when Mickael Antoine Curier’s shot rebounded from the foot of the post.

Motherwell did look more threatening in attack and after 54 minutes Martin Canning stretched in front of Erwin to cut out Lionel Ainsworth’s ball across goal.

Erwin then had a great chance to pull one back but with Michael McGovern racing to the edge of his box the young ‘Well striker weakly lifted the ball into the ‘keeper’s hands.

Any faint thoughts of a fightback were erased after 65 minutes when Antoine Curier rode his luck and a few challenges inside the 6 yard box to walk the ball into the net to make it 3-0.

Ainsworth came within a couple of inches of pulling one back but with the ‘keeper advancing from his line the winger’s touch carried the ball on the wrong side of the post.

Accies were more ruthless in front of goal, although poor ‘Well defending allowed Imrie to tee up the unmarked Andreu who swept the ball home to make it 4-0

There were still chances for ‘Well and after replacing Ainsworth, Dom Thomas set up Ojamaa but in keeping with the ‘Well performance his effort was way off target.

Very few of the impressive travelling support of over 1500 were still in the stadium to see Danny Redmond adding a fifth goal to complete the scoring and a miserable afternoon for ‘Well.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at New Douglas Park

FT: Hamilton Accies 5 – 0 Motherwell #HAFCvMFC

2 minutes added on #HAFCvMFC

88mins: Goal – It’s 5-0 to Accies, Redmond capitilsing on yet more terrible defending #HAFCvMFC

83mins: Final Accies change of the afternoon, Andreu off for Redmond #HAFCvMFC

78mins: Good break forward from Thomas and he finds Ojamaa inside the box but his shot is best forgotten. Well wide. #HAFCvMFC

76mins: Accies sub, Brophy on for Antoine Curier #HAFCvMFC

75mins: Motherwell sub, Thomas on for Ainsworth #HAFCvMFC

69mins: Goal – Andreu makes it 4-0 from a Crawford cut back #HAFCvMFC

65mins: A chance for Ainswwrth to pull one back after he reads a slack backpass but pokes it inches wide of the post #HAFCvMFC

64mins: Goal – Antoine Curier gets all the time he needs and skips past Twardzik to make it 3-0 #HAFCvMFC

62mins: Another free-kick in a good area, this time Canning heads out for a corner #HAFCvMFC

60mins: Free-kick to Motherwell, wide on the right…but once again there is no threat to the Accies goal #HAFCvMFC

54mins: Accies sub, Routledge is on for Neil #HAFCvMFC

53mins: Decent bit of play down the right to get a cross in for Ewrin but Canning gets there first and clears for a corner #HAFCvMFC

46mins: Antoine Curier strikes the post. Cut open way too easily yet again #HAFCvMFC

Accies get the second half underway #HAFCvMFC

Half time sub, Cadden is on for Hammell. #HAFCvMFC

HT: Hamilton Accies 2 – 0 Motherwell #HAFCvMFC

41mins: Free-kick to Motherwell in a decent position. Ainsworth swings it in but Devlin is on hand to clear #HAFCvMFC

29mins: Goal – It’s 2-0 to Accies as Imrie cut it back to Andreu whose shot was parried into the path of Crawford who tapped home. #HAFCvMFC

26mins: Twardzik is forced into a fine diving save to deny Andreu who shot from 25 yards #HAFCvMFC

25mins: Accies work the forward and Andreu sets up Antione Curier just inside the box but he lacks composure and fires well over #HAFCvMFC

21mins: Good burst forward from Ojamaa wins another corner but again it’s too easy for Accies as McGovern gathers #HAFCvMFC

17mins: Quick turn in the box and shot from Erwin earns ‘Well a corner…from the delivery, Hamilton deal with it easily. #HAFCvMFC

10mins: Fair to say it has been a poor opening 10 from the Steelmen. Can’t seem to get any decent spell of possession #HAFCvMFC

8mins: Goal – Imrie breaks clear of the Motherwell defence and powers his shot past the helpless Twardzik. 1-0 Accies #HAFCvMFC

7mins: An early Motherwell sub, Ramsden is off for Erwin. #HAFCvMFC

3mins: Canning heads the delivery goalwards and it is hooked off the line, Not sure who by but desperate defending here #HAFCvMFC

3mins: An early corner for Accies…Neil has a free header and somehow it is scrambled away for another corner. #HAFCvMFC

Lasley and Law get the game underway. COYW! #HAFCvMFC

Out come the teams… #HAFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell  manager Ian Baraclough:

“It’s not nice being involved in that kind of result. We can’t go around feeling sorry for ourselves.

“It’s one way you see the character of a player when the chips go down.

“They outworked us. They didn’t outplay us as such. They got in about the midfield and won challenges, that should be a fundamental. We decided to play backwards and it put us in trouble and it gave us a mountain to climb.

“I know more about the players now. I need to get more from them.”

Hamilton Accies manager Alex Neil:

“It’s a magnificent result. I thought the performance merited the scoreline.

“We created a lot of chances. To score five goals at home against your local rivals and to keep a clean sheet is so pleasing for everyone involved with Hamilton. The lads work so hard. We know what we are doing, we are organised and we saw that today.

“Obviously, when the opposition are on the ball we want to get it back. When we get it, the front five or six players have got a free licence to attack and get at the opposition. I couldn’t be any happier with them. Their work ethic and everything it takes to be a good team and a good player, they’ve got.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Fir Park Stadium is the premier venue in Lanarkshire for private parties, functions and conferences.

From anniversaries to christenings, birthdays to baby showers, there are plenty of exciting excuses for a celebration, and the home of the Steelmen provides the perfect environment in which to do so.

We offer a choice of fantastic and flexible rooms and suites in the unique environment of a top-flight Scottish football stadium, mouth-watering menus, an array of drinks and an experienced team just waiting to create the event of your dreams and a host of wonderful memories for you and your guests.

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Remember, Season Ticket holders can book their party or function absolutely free of charge too.

For more information on our facilities, information on how to book please CLICK HERE.

Ian Baraclough says he and his squad continue to work hard on bettering their game despite two consecutive wins.

The Fir Park boss is trying to get his players to pass the ball with less anxiety than they did in the second half of their 1-0 win over Partick Thistle on Saturday.

Even against St Mirren, his side surrendered the ball all too easily at times but with improvement comes added confidence and the former Sligo boss can see a marked difference already.

“We spoke about the Partick Thistle game on Sunday morning after I had reviewed it,” he said.

“I get the players to discuss things at team meetings as well – they are the ones that are actually playing it – and there were good points that came out of that.”

[pullquote]I get the players to discuss things at team meetings as well – they are the ones that are actually playing it – and there were good points that came out of that.[/pullquote]

Motherwell will aim to take those ideas into the Lanarkshire derby as they bid to avenge a 4-0 Fir Park defeat against Accies, who sit 16 points above the Fir Parkers in the Scottish Premiership after a terrific first half of the 2014/15 campaign.

“They have set their stall out to be physical, to be quick around the park, to close you down and not give you the chance to get into your rhythm,” Baraclough said. “And it’s working for them.

“We have to be prepared for that and impose our style of play on them, and have the confidence to go and play that way. I saw flashes of it at the weekend, certainly not for 90 minutes, but for longer periods than the first week.

“So hopefully we can build on that and have sustained periods of possession and be creative when we have got that.”

Motherwell fans should note the following ticket information ahead of Thursday’s Lanarkshire Derby with Hamilton at New Douglas Park.

As of close of business on Tuesday, Motherwell have sold approximately 1,100 tickets from a 2,200 allocation in the Spice of Life North Stand, behind the goal.

Tickets are on sale (prices listed below) up until 1pm on Wednesday 31st December 2014. What is left, if any, will be returned to New Douglas Park and sold on the day of the match at the turnstiles.

Visiting supporters who buy on the day, and tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis, should enter via Turnstiles 7, 8 or 9 at the North Stand.

‘Well fans who have already pre-purchased tickets (or do so before 1pm on Wednesday) should enter via turnstiles 10, 11 or 12 at the North Stand.

There will be no overspill facility in the temporary stand, as was the case in the League Cup match back in September, as Accies are utilising this area for community ticketing initiatives.

TICKET PRICES

• Concessions are listed as Under 18s as Over 65s
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.