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Extended highlights from Ochilview where a Jordan Armstrong header and a Shea Gordon double give the young Steelmen a 3-0 win against Hearts.

Under-20s boss Stephen Craigan was happy to see his side return to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Hearts tonight.

The Northern Irishman described the comfortable win as an example of the up and down nature of football.

Speaking to MFC TV at full-time, Craigan insisted his side can still do better.

He said: “That’s the up and down nature of under-20s football.

“Hearts were young tonight as well and I must say that, I’m not going to stand here and say we were amazing against a really good side or a really experienced side – they were quite young.”

[pullquote]First and foremost we handled the game well, I thought we were comfortable at spells in the game.[/pullquote]

He added: “First and foremost we handled the game well, I thought we were comfortable at spells in the game.

“But sometimes when we were a little bit comfortable we became a little bit sloppy in possession.”

You can watch Craigan’s full post-match interview on MFC TV’s YouTube channel.

Motherwell under-20s returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 win over Hearts tonight.

An early Jordan Armstrong header was followed up by a second half brace from Shea Gordon as the Steelmen dominated and deserved their win in the Development League fixture against the Edinburgh outfit.

Manager Stephen Craigan called on senior players Jacob Blyth, Lionel Ainsworth and Russell Griffiths for the clash at Ochilview Park – whilst giving the ever-present Barry Maguire and Tom Fry a rest.

And it was nearly Blyth who made the difference in the 12^th minute – leaping high to get his head on Jake Hastie’s looping cross, only to be denied by a superb save from Hearts stopper Paul Gallacher.

The keeper could only push it over the bar though and from the corner that followed, Hearts were punished.

Ainsworth delivered a pinpoint cross to the free head of Jordan Armstrong who made no mistake from six yards to give the Steelmen an early lead.

Despite dropping to the bench, Maguire didn’t get the rest he might have been expecting. The young centre-back was thrown in to the action in the 20^th minute when Craigan was forced to bring off Luke Watt due to a tight hamstring.

It took the hosts 35 minutes to register their first attempt on goal, and in truth the Steelmen were never in trouble.

Callumn Morrison, 25 yards out, struck a powerful effort on goal but it soared comfortably over Griffiths’ crossbar.

It summed up the first half for the home side, who barely troubled Motherwell and were lucky to be only one down going in to the break.

The visiting ‘Well youngsters looked set to double their lead just five minutes in to the second half after Gallacher spilled Turnbull’s powerful low effort to the feet of the advancing Shea Gordon, but the linesman’s flag denied the midfielder from tapping home.

Zidan Akers cut inside from the left flank just before the hour mark, but the Hearts man dragged his effort wide of the near post and Griffiths remained untested.

Shortly after the hour mark, Motherwell doubled their advantage and it was a terrific goal too. A long ball was flicked on brilliantly by Blyth in to the run of Hastie and the winger, unselfishly, cut back for Gordon who stepped on to the pass to slide home and double the Fir Parkers lead.

Just over five minutes later, Motherwell had three and it was a terrific goal too.

Adam Livingstone’s deep cross was tucked away superbly by Gordon for his second goal of the night. The midfielder struck a side-footed volley back across goal and beyond the helpless Gallacher.

Substitute James Scott, who replaced Blyth, skipped past his marker down the right flank but but overcooked his cross under little pressure as the game wound down.

Craigan’s men held on to their clean sheet on a night when they were dominant and well worth all three points at a rain soaked Ochilview Park.

Motherwell U20s: Griffiths, McMillan, Livingstone, Watt (Maguire ’20), Armstrong, Campbell, Ainsworth (Fry ’67), Turnbull, Blyth (Scott ’74), Hastie, Gordon

Unused subs: Pain, Agyeman

Motherwell FC has completely revamped its Commercial & Hospitality Department with three recent recruits.

Heading the new department is Suzanne Reid, who joined the club back in mid January after twelve years at Celtic FC. Suzie, a life-long ‘Well fan, was Sponsorships Manager for the Hoops for a decade, but joins on at ‘Well to lead the club’s entire commercial operation.

Also joining is Peter Gemmell, who has taken the role of Business Development Manager. Peter has spent several years at the Scottish FA and was a focal part of the successful Business Club ran by the Association. Peter has also worked in sales for Camelot.

Finally, Bernadette Brannan is the clubs’ new Hospitality & Events Manager. Bernadette, who has also worked for Celtic FC as well as roles in both the public and private sector, will oversee all aspects of the club’s matchday hospitality offering, as well as all MFC club events, both internal and external, as well as day delegates and conferences.

[pullquote]I hope current, lapsed and new commercial partners, sponsors, advertisers, as well as supporters, will start to see and feel a difference.[/pullquote]

Head of Commercial & Marketing Suzanne said: “I am delighted with the Commercial team we’re putting together at Motherwell, one focused on making significant improvements to what we offer.

“I have spent the first six to eight weeks reviewing what we do as a club and will make positive changes wherever required. I hope current, lapsed and new commercial partners, sponsors, advertisers, as well as supporters, will start to see and feel a difference.”

Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows added: “I am thrilled to have attracted three members of staff with the knowledge, experience and talent that Suzanne, Peter and Bernadette possess.

“On top of these three appointments, over the last eight months we’ve added a brilliant Fan Engagement Manager in Ryan Murrant, who has been making great progress on a number of fronts.

“In addition, journalist Lewis Irons also joined our media team from the Galloway Gazette and Stuart Harker joined Paul Matthew in the Pitchcare Team from the gWest course in Perthshire. We’ve also made significant improvements to the Ground Maintenance and Accounts & Finance teams too, but will always look to improve in all areas.”

To get in touch with our Commercial Team, email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk or call 01698 338008

Supporters Direct Scotland has launched its Scottish Football Supporters Survey for 2017 – with a clear message to ‘Well fans: your voice is heard.

Officially recognised as the lead supporters group in Scotland by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and the Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA), Supporters Direct Scotland has established a formal means to engage with the game’s key decision makers and represent fans’ views.

Outcomes from 2016 were formally presented to the Scottish FA’s Professional Game Board and the Scottish FA Congress, the latter of which includes representatives from all areas of football in Scotland.

You can read more about the results of the 2016 survey, and the resulting “asks” by visiting www.scottishsupporters.net.

This year’s survey covers issues that affect the national game, how football is governed and now also includes more specific club-related questions following a new consultation with supporters and clubs themselves.

Supporters who participate can enter a free draw to win tickets to Scotland’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against England on 10 June.

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2017 SCOTTISH FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS SURVEY

The survey is open until 2 April 2017.

Extended highlights from Fir Park as despite plenty of chances, Motherwell lose 1-2 to St Johnstone.

Images from today’s 1-2 defeat to St Johnstone in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”stjohnstone180317″]

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson was bitterly disappointed after his side lost a game which they largely dominated this afternoon.

In his first home game in charge of the Steelmen, the Northern Irishman watched on as his side were denied a penalty and hit the post in the final minute.

And in an interview with MFC TV post-match, the manager expressed his disappointment.

He said: “I’m not sure we can create many more chances. There were around five or six clear, clear chances that on another day we would’ve scored and will score from.

“Ryan Bowman’s header that runs across the line and a stonewall penalty on Chris Cadden which I find incredible that it wasn’t given.

[pullquote]I’m not sure we can create many more chances. There were around five or six clear, clear chances that on another day we would’ve scored and will score from.[/pullquote]

“It’s people’s livelihood and the clubs livelihood – that’s how serious it is.”

He added: “I understand though because I know the referee’s have a massive job with the speed of the game the decisions can be so difficult for them and they need help with them.

“If you look back on that again – it’s a penalty. Can he make the mistake? Well we can’t afford people to make mistakes.

“But we had chances after that and we had good desire and commitment levels from the players so I can’t ask for much more.”

You can watch Robinson’s full post-match interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.