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Extended highlights from Fir Park as a Hartley, Tanner and Bowman score in a convincing 3-0 win over Partick Thistle.

Images from this afternoon’s win over Partick Thistle at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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Stephen Robinson admitted that this afternoon’s victory over Partick Thistle is all the more important ahead of the upcoming international break.

And the ‘Well boss hailed his side’s second half performance as they controlled proceedings at Fir Park from the first whistle.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, Robinson reflected on his sides fourth win in the last five homes games.

[pullquote]It’s always important to go in to the international break with three points because it leaves the club on a high.[/pullquote]

“It’s always important to go in to the international break with three points because it leaves the club on a high,” the Northern Irishman said.

“I thought we started the game really well and after 20 minutes we should have been two or three up and then we just took our foot off the gas slightly.

He added: “We gave them a wee rattle at half time, got them going again and I thought the second half performance was excellent.”

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Motherwell rounded off an impressive spell of five home league games with a fourth and emphatic victory over Partick Thistle. While the three goal margin just about reflects ‘Well’s dominance, as they pressed and harried the Maryhill men from the start, significantly the result also signalled the home side’s third clean sheet from the sequence. 

Undoubtedly, Peter Hartley’s presence and organisation has strengthened a resolute defence, but at the other end his threat earned him a goal after only six minutes. From there, Motherwell completely controlled a rather tame Thistle although it took second half goals from Craig Tanner and Ryan Bowman to emphasise their superiority.

Stephen Robinson stood by the line-up which was involved in the Aberdeen double header. With Andy Rose still recovering from a thigh strain, Craig Tanner got a starting place ahead of Gaël Bigirimana.

Having won four of their last five home games the Fir Parkers were confident of extending that impressive form against a Thistle side still to record a win this season.

On a sunny afternoon, ‘Well made a bright start and after Moult had tested Tomas Cerny from 20 yards, the Jags’ ‘keeper was at the centre of controversy after only five minutes.

Moult’s lobbed pass sent Ryan Bowman towards goal but as the striker nodded the ball over Cerny, as he advanced from his box, the ‘keeper grounded the ‘Well striker.

While Cerny was lucky to escape with only a yellow card, he was fully punished from the resultant free kick. Moult’s curled effort sneaked beyond the diving ‘keeper only to rebound from the inside of the post into the path of Hartley who scooped it over the line for the perfect start.

Thistle appeared shell-shocked and could have been two down in the 10^th minute. Moult latched onto a loose ball and from 12 yards Cerny did well to parry his effort but the ‘keeper had to rely on Danny Devine, who blocked Chris Cadden’s follow up on the goal line, and keep Thistle in the game.

As the tempo of ‘Well’s play dropped and Thistle started to find their feet, the game entered a phase of less activity around goal.

Tanner, though, keen to make an impression set off on mazy run from his own half but his final shot on goal was blocked. Then the winger’s clever pass With the outside of his boot just evaded Bowman as the ball bounced towards Cerny.

The half finished with a couple of teasing balls across the Thistle goal – the best being Moult’s which Bowman failed to get above.

Motherwell resumed on the front foot and a quick free kick allowed Cadden to fire a low ball across a packed box but found no takers in claret and amber.

In the 50^th minute, Thistle were given the first and only chance to test Trevor Carson but from a good position Blair Spittal rattled his free kick off ‘Well’s defensive wall.

Having been outplayed for most of the first half, the Maryhill men began to play as if they might take something from the game.

However, they had no sooner sent on striker Conor Sammon when ‘Well bagged a second goal and killed the game.

Richard Tait, now revelling in his role on the left side, jinked past a couple of defenders before squaring a great ball to Tanner whose side foot shot squirmed under Cerny and over the line to make it 2-0.

That rocked Thistle who could have been further behind within minutes. Bowman was almost rewarded for closing down Adam Barton, when his clearance rebounded off the striker over the stranded Cerny and just over the bar. The Thistle ‘keeper was then relieved when Bowman laid the ball off to Moult and his measured effort was on target until a deflection carried it on the wrong side of the post.

With the points safe, ‘Well’s possession and strong running opened up Partick’s defence with ease. A smart exchange with Cadden finished with a great cut back for Allan Campbell but his thumping drive was blocked in front of Cerny.

With 13 minutes remaining, Elliot Frear replaced Moult but the attempts on the visitor’s goal continued to come from all quarters.

Cedric Kipre almost capped another impressive afternoon with a goal, but his net bound shot was blocked by his teammate.

From wide on the left, Frear tried to catch out Cerny at his near post. But the ‘keeper reacted well to palm the ball round his post.

Thistle failed to clear the resultant corner and some clever footwork from Hartley on the bye-line set up McHugh before the ball broke to Bowman who curled it high into the net to round off the scoring and another highly satisfactory afternoon’s work from the Steelmen. 

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 Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 3 – 0 Partick Thistle

A convincing win for ‘Well. Great, dominating performance from the whole team!

90′ | 3-0
Three minutes added on

86′ | 3-0
Close! Tait with a half-volley from the edge of the box but it flashes inches wide of the post!

84′ | 3-0
Lawless booked for hacking down Cadden as he broke away

83′ | 3-0
Motherwell sub, Grimshaw on for McHugh.

82′ | 3-0
BOWMAN makes it 3! Hartley turns the Thistle defence inside out with a Cryuff turn and squares to Bowman who fires in top corner!

GGOOOAALLL!!!!

79′ | 2-0
Close! Ball breaks to Kipré but his low shot is deflected wide for a corner.

76′ | 2-0
Motherwell sub, Moult makes way for Frear

73′ | 2-0
Cadden chops inside the left back and sets up Campbell but it’s a brave block from Barton who then clears the danger

72′ | 2-0
Superb ball played across the face of goal by Rose but there are no takers!
66′ | 2-0
Moult puts the ball through Barton’s legs but his shot from 25 yards is easily stopped by Cerny

66′ | 2-0
Couple of subs, Tanner makes way for Rose and Spittal comes off for Lawless

61′ | 2-0
Close! Bowman and Moult combine inside the box but the top scorer’s shot is deflected wide for a corner.

59′ | 2-0
Half a chance there as Bowman closes down Barton and sees his deflection float just over the bar.

57′ | 2-0
Thistle sub, Erskine on for Devine.

56′ | 2-0
Tait drills a superb low ball in to TANNER who makes no mistake from 8 yards. COYW!!!

GGGOOAALLL!!

53′ | 1-0
Thistle sub, Sammon on for Doolan

49′ | 1-0
Campbell judged to have fouled Edwards on the edge of the Motherwell box….Spittal’s shot is blocked by the wall.

Tanner gets the second half underway. COYW!!

Both teams are back out, no changes for either side.

HT: Motherwell 1 – 0 Partick Thistle

‘Well take a narrow lead into the break.
36′ | 1-0
Tanner dispossesses Edwards in the middle of the park and drives forward but his shot from the edge of the box is blocked

32′ | 1-0
Yellow card for Barton after a very high boot into McHugh’s stomach.

28′ | 1-0
Campbell swings in a great ball to the back post area but it’s a fraction too high for Moult. Still 1-0.

21′ | 1-0
Tanner attempts a cross but it is knocked out for a corner. From Cadden’s inswinger Cerny has to tip the ball out again

11′ | 1-0
What a chance! Ball falls to Moult 8 yards out but Cerny makes a great save and Cadden’s follow-up is cleared off the line!

7′ | 1-0
The Steelmen are 1 up! Moult’s free-kick strikes the post and falls to HARTLEY who taps into the empty net

GGGOOOOOAAALLL!!!

2′ | 0-0
Bit of drama as Bowman is played through and is clattered by Cerny just outside the box. Booking for the ‘keeper.

2′ | 0-0
Moult has a shot from the edge of the box but Devine’s touch takes the sting out it and Cerny gathers safely.

Thistle get the action underway. COYW!!

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Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald

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Ryan Murrant has today left his role as Marketing and Fan Engagement Manager at Motherwell FC.

Ryan took up his post in September 2016 and was instrumental in driving the changes engineered from the supporter survey and also in raising the awareness of the 2017/18 “Made in Motherwell” season ticket campaign, which saw sales increase by 20% on 2016/17.

Ryan said “I would like to thank the club for this opportunity and also the supporters who have been great to work with.

“There is so much potential for the club and the wider community through the Well Society and also the Community Trust.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish the club and its supporters all the very best for the future”

Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows added: “I’d like to thank Ryan for all his efforts during his time at Motherwell FC.

“We’ve seen some positive changes, in particular the successful season ticket campaign and the introduction of the new mascots, Steelman and RavenSteel, and the strategy behind those two characters.

“Ryan leaves with our best wishes for the future and is always welcome back at Fir Park.”

‘Well fans with any queries can continue to email supporter.services@motherwellfc.co.uk or call 01698 333333 as and when required.

The ninth issue of ‘Steelmen’ matchday magazine is on sale ahead of Motherwell’s clash with Partick Thistle in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

And the programme, with a new fan-orientated approach for the 2017/18 campaign, is packed full of historic features, updates and six pages of kids content!

Issue number nine also includes an exclusive interview with summer signing Craig Tanner, who talks about his time at Fir Park so far, his hunger to impress manager Stephen Robinson and he looks at opponents Partick Thistle.

Feature writer Eddie Ferguson looks at the career of Davie Cooper in his latest historic piece, ‘Davie Cooper: An Almost Unique Talent’.

An in depth look at opponents Partick includes another edition of ‘Scouting Report’ – where some of Archibald’s key men are profiled.

This week’s ‘Goal Zone’ features Peter Hartley, whilst there are also updates from manager Stephen Robinson and captain Carl McHugh.

A flashback to the Steelmen’s game against the Jags back in 2014 is included in the latest instalment ‘From the Vault’.

The interesting feature piece ‘Made in Motherwell’ returns, looking at local band ‘The Kimberley Steaks’.

You can also order back editions or take a season-long subscription to the magazine by visiting the website of our publishers – Curtis-Sports – CLICK HERE.

The ‘Signing Zone’ returns this weekend prior to tomorrow’s fixture against Partick Thistle at Fir Park.

So why not come along a little earlier tomorrow afternoon and meet first-team stars Andy Rose and Ellis Plummer, who will be in the Cooper bar’s ‘Signing Zone’ from 12:45pm until 1:15pm to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for selfies.

But don’t worry, because there’s still plenty to do around Fir Park before kick off, including free face painting and great food and drinks deals to have some lunch and enjoy yourself in the Cooper Bar.

Each week, two different players take their seats as the season progresses as part of the developing fan engagement programme here at Fir Park, and tomorrow you can meet the two summer signings.

Share your pics on twitter @motherwellfc using #MFCSigningZone or facebook.com/motherwellfc

The Cooper Bar is situated in the Cooper Stand and is open from 11.00am

Motherwell host Partick Thistle in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday afternoon in what is the third home game in just over a week for the Steelmen.

And following Sunday’s 1-0 loss against Aberdeen, this weekend offers an opportunity for the Fir Parkers to return to winning ways.

It is the first meeting with the Jags this season, who are searching for their first league victory of the 2017/18 campaign after a difficult run of fixtures.

And ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson, who expects a tough encounter tomorrow,

believes his side have “come back refreshed” following Sunday’s defeat against Aberdeen.

“The boys have come back refreshed and trained well yesterday, now we’re looking forward to the game,” the Fir Park manager said.

“We’re disappointed by the result on Sunday because we want to win every game and we believe that we can.”

He added: “I think Partick have had a tough start to the season because they’ve played a lot of the top opposition in the league.

“I’ve watched them three times already this season live and they’re a good side with good players and Alan Archibald has done very well there consistently, so I’m not expecting them to be down the bottom of the table, I know that.”

[pullquote]We’re disappointed by the result on Sunday because we want to win every game and we believe that we can.[/pullquote]

Robinson will have a near full-strength squad for his sides eighth league game of the season, but there may be a couple of late tests – including Andy Rose and Trevor Carson.

The ‘Well boss said: “Trevor Carson’s got a slight knock so we’re just waiting on him. Fingers crossed he’ll be fit but other than that I’ve got a fully fit squad.”

Thistle, on the other hand, will be without Christie Elliott who has suffered a broken ankle.

But for the Steelmen, Louis Moult is not only fit and ready, but he is raring to go this weekend.

The in-form forward, who has nine goals already this season, is concentrated on the “here and now” and is relishing Saturday’s clash with Partick Thistle.

He said: “We’re confident at the minute as a group and as a football club so we need to deliver on Saturday now.

“I’m just concentrating on the here and now and scoring goals, at the moment I’m doing that and that’s the way my mind-set is and I want that to carry on.”

He added: “That’s probably why you’ve seen me play with so much passion and with a smile on my face, and that’s probably why you’ve seen the best of me – because I’m happy.”

	Motherwell V Partick Thistle
	Saturday 30th September 2017
	3.00pm
	Fir Park, Motherwell
	On sale now from the Fir Park ticket office. Also available on the gate

Admission prices are as follows: 

ADULTS	£23/£19
CONCESSIONS	£16/£15
JUNIOR	£12/£9
FAMILY	£29/£24

• Cheaper price is for John Hunter Stand
• Juniors are 15 and under
• Concessions are listed as over 60, 16-18 and over and full time students
• Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725 917161

If you can’t make it tomorrow, 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.