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Motherwell FC is today delighted to announce that club captain Carl McHugh has signed a new two-year contract with the club.

The Irishman, who joined the Steelmen last summer, is now contracted to the club until July 2019 following his switch from Plymouth Argyle last summer.

And the 24-year-old, who was awarded the captain’s armband by manager Stephen Robinson this season, spoke of his delight at the deal: “I’m thrilled and it’s great for me to get this tied up before the season starts. We’ve been speaking about it for a few weeks now and it’s been pretty much agreed for a while now, so it’s good to get it over the line.

[pullquote]With the way the season started for me last season, missing the first six months, it’s been great since then and I’m delighted now – getting the captaincy was obviously a huge honour for me.[/pullquote]

“With the way the season started for me last season, missing the first six months, it’s been great since then and I’m delighted now – getting the captaincy was obviously a huge honour for me.

‘Well boss Robinson added: “We are absolutely delighted that Carl has extended his stay at the club as he’s at the centre of the type of team we’re trying to build.

“He’s a captain in every sense of the word, both on and off the park. He’s committed to what we’re trying to do here and I am just so pleased he has agreed to stay.

“We continue to discuss extended terms with other players in the squad and hopefully we’ll have some good news there too.”

Four Motherwell players played their part in Scotland Under 16s’ 7-0 demolition of Qatar at the Oriam yesterday.

Goalkeeper Robbie Hemfrey, midfielder Reece McAlear and striker Cole Starrs, who bagged a brace, all kicked-off for Brian McLaughlin’s side, more starting representatives than from any other club in the country.

In addition, midfielder Adam Kettings was introduced as a second half substitute as the young Scots ran riot in the first game of the International Tournament that also includes England and Uruguay.

[pullquote]We are extremely proud of our players, proud of our pathway and will continue to support them as much as possible in these environments.[/pullquote]

Motherwell’s Academy Director Scott Leitch said: “The fact we’ve got four players involved for Scotland in a Under 16s International is not only great recognition for the club and our staff, but also huge credit to our players and their families.

“In an era when we appear hell bent on wanting to grade individual Academies based on how much money a club has to spend on things like facilities, we have players playing, and scoring, at almost every International level, graduates breaking into and playing for our first-team and youth talent being courted by the very best clubs in the United Kingdom.

“We are extremely proud of our players, proud of our pathway and will continue to support them as much as possible in these environments. I personally am really looking forward to the other games to see how our own lads do against the likes of England and Uruguay.”

Extended highlights from Ainslie Park as Elliott Frear scored in the last minute to give ‘Well a 1-2 win over Edinburgh City.

Images from this evening’s 1-2 win over Edinburgh City in Betfred Cup.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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‘Well boss Stephen Robinson reflected on a “frustrating” evening as his side managed to come from behind a grab a late winner against Edinburgh City.

Elliott Frear’s 89th minute winner secured a 100% record in the Betfred Cup this season, but it was a performance that was in stark contrast from a dominant victory over Morton on Saturday.

However, the win means the Steelmen have secured top spot in Group F with a game remaining, which was the positive Robinson reflected on when he spoke to MFC TV.

He said: “In terms of the points and the three wins I’m very pleased but it’s still so early in pre-season so there’s a lot to go.

“It was a frustrating evening when you put 44 crosses in to the box and yet you’re 1-0 down with one shot on target but that goes to show if you don’t take your chances you’re going to be in trouble.”

He added: “We made life difficult for ourselves especially in the first half, I don’t think we did the simple things well enough.”

[tab:Match report]

Motherwell secured top spot in Group F of the Betfred Cup tonight with a 2-1 victory away to Edinburgh City.

But it was a difficult encounter for Stephen Robinson’s men, who had to battle from behind to grab a late winner and maintain a 100% record in the group.

Stephen Robinson made five changes to the side he fielded in the 4-0 victory over Morton on Saturday – calling on Stephen McManus, Jack McMillan, Alex Fisher and Ross MacLean, whilst handing summer signing Andy Rose his first start in claret and amber.

Richard Tait, Gaël Bigirimana, Chris Cadden and Craig Tanner were included in a strong substitutes bench as the Fir Parkers searched for the three points needed to finish top of the group.

And within the first 30 seconds it should have been 1-0 when a slack back header left Ryan Bowman with a glorious opportunity to grab his eighth goal in as many games.

But the forward fluffed his lines when he tried to pass the ball beyond the advancing City stopper first time, catching it with his studs and the ball trickled in to the keepers gloves.

Fisher missed the first of a series of headers just minutes later, heading over the crossbar from six-yards out before finding at least four other chances flash off target or straight at the grateful Callum Antell.

The Fir Parkers continued to push and press off the ball whilst creating chances in abundance throughout a frustrating first half, but could not find a way past Antell and, in truth, didn’t test him either.

Robinson acted fairly sharply when his side went in to the dressing room with the game goalless, brining on Craig Tanner and Chris Cadden and withdrawing Ryan Bowman and Ross MacLean.

And it was the latter of the two substitutes who looked the liveliest, bursting down the right hand side of the park before firing a dangerous, low cross across the Citizen’s six yard box but agonizingly beyond the lurching Fisher and Tanner.

Chances came and went but it remained a worrying feature through the clash that the Steelmen failed to truly test Antell.

However, that all changed in the 64^th minute when Alex Fisher got a strong head on Tanner’s cross, looping his effort over Antell who recovered superbly to scurry back and tip the effort over his cross bar and keep his side on level terms.

Just over five minutes later, Edinburgh City took the lead and silenced the large, travelling Motherwell support.

A long ball wasn’t dealt with at the back and Liam Grimes raced through one-on-one to slot cooly beyond Carson and the hosts took a shock lead with their first effort on target.

However, the Steelmen sparked in to life and it was substitute Cadden who proved to be the difference.

In the 75^th minute, a good ball in to the box fell for Cadden at the back post who struck home to grab his third goal in as many games.

The youngster then turned provider in the final minute of the 90 to avoid what looked like a certain penalty shootout.

Cadden’s low ball across the box was met by the clever run of Frear, who tucked in from the left to steer his left-footed effort over the line and secure a hard-fought three points for Stephen Robinson’s men.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Ainslie Park

And with that result, The Steelmen confirm their place as Group F winners.

FT: Edinburgh City 1 – 2 Motherwell

90′ | 1-2

Lovely flick by Bigirimana into the path of McHugh but Antell makes a good save to deny him the third

 89′ | 1-2

Cadden fires a fine ball across goal and Frear tucks in and is on hand to steer it into the empty net!

GOOAALL!!

85′ | 1-1

Tanner clips in a great little ball at the back post but McHugh’s header lands on the roof of the net.

75 | 1-1

Motherwell back on level terms! McMillan’s cross is headed only as far as Cadden who makes it 3 in 3 for the season.

GOAL!

71′ | 1-0

Motherwell sub, Bigirimana on for Rose

70′ | 1-0

Goal – Incredibly Edinburgh City take the lead. Long ball not dealt with and Grimes cooly finishes past Carson

64′ | 0-0

Fisher loops a header which looks to be going in but Antell makes a great save, tipping it over the bar

60′ | 0-0

Thomson booked for impeding Frear as he broke away

57′ | 0-0

Claims for a penalty as Cadden goes down in the box but ref sees nothing in it and waves play on.

56′ | 0-0

Frear with a powerful shot which Antell has to beat away to safety

49′ | 0-0

Cadden knocks it past two and drills in a great ball across goals but there are no takers!

Tanner gets the second half underway. COYW!!!

Out come two sides for the second half, two subs for the Steelmen: Bowman and MacLean off for Cadden and Tanner

HT: Edinburgh City 0 – 0 Motherwell

41′ | 0-0

Chance! Frear comes in off the left but his first shot is blocked and his second shot is blocked by Antell

34 | 0-0

Well worked move there from City but Laird drills his shot just past the post.

31′ | 0-0

Great chance again for Fisher, who got on the end of Bowman’s cross but nods wide of the target!

20′ | 0-0

Frear beats his man and swings in a ball which finds Rose but his left-footed volley is routine for Antell.

13′ | 0-0

Dunne fires in a great ball which again finds Fisher but his header loops over the bar onto the roof of the net

10′ | 0-0

Fisher is played in but from a narrow angle on his weaker foot, he produces a decent stop from Antell.

9′ | 0-0

Frear skips past his man down the clips and stands up a great ball to Fisher who this time hits the target but Antell saves

2′ | 0-0

Another decent chance! McMillan’s cross pick out Fisher but his header loops high and wide.

1′ | 0-0

‘Well should be one up! Bowman clean through but Antell makes the save with his foot!

City get the game underway. COYW!!!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:

Edinburgh City manager xx

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Motherwell travel to face Edinburgh City in the Betfred Cup tonight with the chance of securing top spot in Group F.

Following a convincing win over Greenock Morton, Stephen Robinson’s men will be keen to maintain their winning start to competitive football for the 2017/18 campaign.

And with tonight’s hosts hungry to find their first win of the competition, it will not be a simple task for the ‘Well tonight at Ainslie Park.

And for Fir Park boss Robinson, this evening presents an opportunity to give some players in his squad some valuable game time.

The Northern Irishman said: “First and foremost we want to get top spot in the group and it will make things easier if we do that, but we’ve also got boys who need games.

“They’re waiting on the side and I can assure you they’re seasoned professionals that have played at the top level for a very long time so that’s what we’ve tried to create here – competition.”

He added: “We want to have small squad with real competition where everybody feels like they’re not far from a starting position so three or four of them will get to prove that to me on Tuesday night.”

And following a scintillating start to the new campaign, one man who will be keen to carry on his fine form is Chris Cadden, who has two goals in two games.

The youngster himself admits that he wants to add more goals to his game and has so far started on the right tracks.

However, it is also a priority for Stephen Robinson to rotate his side during a busy schedule to ensure no one suffers an injury.

Cadden is enjoying himself though, and said: “I know pre-season games are always good for fitness and stuff but with this it’s competitive football straight away and the games mean something so it prepares you well for the first game of the season.

“You maybe shouldn’t but you do approach the games differently because you know it’s for three points and there’s a potential cup run at stake.”

He added: “Motherwell haven’t had a cup run in a while so I think it’s long overdue and the boys have been told that too so it’s important to all of us.”

With the chance to secure top spot in Group F tonight, Robinson’s side will be hungry to pick up another three points following a dominant start to the competition in which the Fir Parkers have scored nine goals in two games.

For tonight’s opponents though, they will be keen to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat against Queen’s Park.

Sitting fourth in the table on two points, the Citizen’s will use the thought of a second placed finish as motivation this evening, as they sit just three points behind Morton.

	Edinburgh City V Motherwell
	Tuesday 25th July 2017
	7.45pm
	Ainslie Park, Edinburgh
	Available on the gate

Admission prices are as follows: 

• Concessions are listed as Under 18s, over 60 and students
• Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Darren  on 07722 912666 or email darren@mfcdsa.com.

If you can’t make it to tonight, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

Motherwell FC has today signed young striker George Newell on a contract until the end of the season.

The 20-year old has joined on a Fir Park following his release from Bolton Wanderers in the summer.

Newell, son of former Blackburn and Everton striker Mike, came through the youth ranks at Everton and helped the Toffees Under 18s lift the Academy League title in 2013/14.

He moved to the Macron Stadium in 2015, eventually making his first-team debut in a EFL Championship win over Hull City in April 2016, when he was a 65th minute sub for Emile Heskey. He was also introduced the following week against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Newell will join fellow summer recruits Dylan King (Oldham) and Liam Brown (Queen’s Park) in Stephen Craigan’s youth squad, but Stephen Robinson hopes the Formby-born youngster can push for a place in the first-team.

“We are really excited with what we have seen from George already,” Robinson said.

“He’s played a couple of games for our Under 20s and has really shone, scoring a couple of goals. Although he’ll form part of that group initially, I fully expect to see him push for a spot.

“He’s young, hungry and is one of those busy, never-say-die strikers that football fans love.”

Newell himself added: “I’m really excited and I can’t wait to get started. All the lads here are really friendly and have taken me in well so far.

“For me this is the next step because Motherwell presented the best opportunity for me as a player – I hope to push myself as much as I can and hopefully contest for a place in the first team.”

Chris Cadden believes that a cup run is “long over-due” for Motherwell football club as they prepare for tomorrow night’s Betfred Cup encounter.

The Fir Parkers take on Edinburgh City and have the chance to secure top spot in Group F following two convincing victories in the competition.

And for young midfield star Cadden, who “loves” the format of the tournament, a potential run could do wonders for the squad of players at Fir Park.

[pullquote]Motherwell haven’t had a cup run in a while so I think it’s long overdue and the boys have been told that too so it’s important to all of us.[/pullquote]

He said: “I love it – I know pre-season games are always good for fitness and stuff but with this it’s competitive football straight away and the games mean something so it prepares you well for the first game of the season.

“You maybe shouldn’t but you do approach the games differently because you know it’s for three points and there’s a potential cup run at stake.”

He added: “Motherwell haven’t had a cup run in a while so I think it’s long overdue and the boys have been told that too so it’s important to all of us.”

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson has his sights set on clinching top spot in Group F tomorrow night as the Steelmen travel to take on Edinburgh City.

And with the same squad to choose from following his side’s 4-0 victory over Morton on Saturday, Robinson admits he could take the opportunity to give some players some important minutes.

Speaking to the press this morning, the manager previewed tomorrow nights Betfred encounter.

[pullquote]We want to have small squad with real competition where everybody feels like they’re not far from a starting position.[/pullquote]

He said: “First and foremost we want to get top spot in the group and it will make things easier if we do that, but we’ve also got boys who need games.

“They’re waiting on the side and I can assure you they’re seasoned professionals that have played at the top level for a very long time so that’s what we’ve tried to create here – competition.”

He added: “We want to have small squad with real competition where everybody feels like they’re not far from a starting position so three or four of them will get to prove that to me on Tuesday night.”