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Referee for the Steelmen’s trip to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock is Euan Anderson.

The 34-year-old will be handling his second Motherwell match of the season as Stephen Robinson’s men aim to bounce back from the 3-2 loss against Partick Thistle.

His first appointment involving the Fir Parkers was a trip to Dingwall, in which the hosts edged 3-2 back in November.

The official took charge of three ‘Well matches last term, including the 1-0 loss away to Aberdeen in March, the 2-1 loss against St Johnstone at Fir Park back in August and the dramatic Lanarkshire derby draw on Hogmanay.

A solitary, late strike from Niall McGinn was enough to snatch all three points for Derek McInnes’ men at Pittodrie in the last ‘Well outing for Euan Anderson. 

Prior to that, a last minute Louis Moult header snatched a point for the ten-man Fir Parkers at the SuperSeal stadium.

A goal from Chris Cadden gave the Steelmen the lead in Anderson’s first ‘Well fixture of the 2016/17 campaign, but just after half time St Johnstone responded through Danny Swanson to draw level before Steven McLean snatched the win with 15 minutes remaining.

The Dumbarton-based whistler was promoted to category one in the summer of 2011 and has taken charge of a number of Motherwell matches in the past, his first coming in the Scottish Cup fourth round defeat to Albion Rovers at New Douglas Park on November 2013 where a first goal of the season for Albion’s Gary Phillips ensured the Coatbridge outfit’s qualification to the next round of the cup.

He was also in charge of Motherwell’s 2-1 win away to Kilmarnock in 2014/15 season where goals from Stephen Pearson and Lee Erwin secured three points for Well’ on this occasion with an Anthony Straker own-goal being the only blotch to the copybook on that day.

The win was part of a three match win streak that Well’ put together on the backend of the 14/15 season, commencing with a 4-0 victory over Hamilton and a 5-0 victory over St Mirren to bookend the Kilmarnock fixture.

Euan will be assisted by Sean Carr and Paul O’Neill on fourth official duties.  

Supporters heading to Rugby Park for the match against Kilmarnock this weekend are encouraged to contribute to the club’s Bring a Gift appeal.

The Ayrshire side have joined up with the East Ayrshire Churches Homelessness Action (EACHa), the Salvation Army, KFCSA and the Killie Trust.

The Christmas gift programme will take place ahead of the match on Saturday, with fans encouraged to donate a present to less fortunate children throughout East Ayrshire.

A collection centre will be set up around the Moffat Stand area on the day. Any gifts would be greatly appreciated with presents for children under seven or over 12 especially welcome.

Anyone taking part is asked to indicate whether the gift is intended for a boy or girl, as well as the age group. Gift wrapped presents would also be greatly appreciated.

Janice Grant, EACHa secretary, said: “Many young people, who may have very little in their Christmas stocking, will enjoy a brighter Christmas Day thanks to the generosity of football supporters. Your kindness really makes a difference.”

Highlights from Firhill as a second half fightback proves not to be enough with ‘Well leaving Firhill with no points.

Images from tonight’s 3-2 loss to Partick Thistle in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”partickthistle131217″]

A frustrated Stephen Robinson admitted his side left themselves with too much to do after surrendering three first half goals against league strugglers Partick Thistle.

The Northern Irishman singled out individual mistakes as the hosts stormed in to an early lead at Firhill before ‘Well came close to salvaging a point.

Speaking to MFC TV at full-time, Robinson took positives from a far better second half showing in the Premiership encounter.

[pullquote]It’s three individual mistakes and credit to Partick they’ve punished us and it gives us an uphill task in the second half.[/pullquote]

He said: “If you make those individual errors you’ve got no chance by giving a team a three-goal lead.

“The errors were really poor and I’m not sure what else I can say because it’s three individual mistakes and credit to Partick they’ve punished us and it gives us an uphill task in the second half.”

He added: “The positives are the second half response. We didn’t lie down and die and that’s what we’re used to and we showed more quality and better decision making.”

[tab:Match report]

Grant Russell at Firhill

Four goals in 12 first-half minutes ultimately consigned Motherwell to another defeat as bottom club Partick Thistle took all three points in Glasgow.

Strikes from Blair Spittal, Ryan Edwards and Connor Sammon inflicted the damage, despite a spirited comeback in the second half which yielded two goals – and one strike disallowed amidst scenes of controversy.

Both of the visitors’ changes were forced through injury. Chris Cadden and Alex Fisher dropped out, with Liam Grimshaw and Deimantas Petravicius coming in. Russell Griffiths continued in goals with Trevor Carson absent, while Louis Moult and Peter Hartley continued to miss out through injury.

After a tame opening, the game exploded to life as Thistle took the lead with 15 minutes on the clock. Carl McHugh’s challenge on the edge of the area on Sammon gave Spittal the chance to take a shot at goal on the far left side of the box.

From the resulting free kick, the forward curled the ball over the wall and beyond Griffiths into the top right corner of the net.

Thistle then almost immediately carved out a second. A counter attack from a Motherwell free kick saw Miles Storey burst down the right hand side. His cross into the middle was met by the run of Martin Woods on the penalty spot, but his header dropped wide of the left hand post.

The hosts didn’t have to wait too long to double their advantage. A hopeful ball to Storey on the right flank eluded Charles Dunne, allowing the forward space on the right.

Edwards surged in behind McHugh, with Storey’s weighted pass finding him with precision, before the Australian fired past Griffiths to make it two with just 22 minutes on the clock.

It got worse for the ‘Well. Five minutes later, it was 3-0. The hosts overwhelmed the backline with numbers, with the ball slipped through to Sammon, who took the opportunity one on one with Griffiths to make it a third.

With eight minutes left in the half, Motherwell should have pulled one back. Elliott Frear’s cross from the left was perfectly floated to meet the run of the onrushing Charles Dunne. But the defender’s header was into the ground, and then bounced wide of the post.

Andy Rose then had half a chance as the Steelmen looked more positive in their attacking play. His shot from just inside the area fizzed through the legs of several players, but Tomas Cerny got down low quickly to keep it out.

Frear had been the more positive of the attacking players in the first half and, after another surge into the box, bent a dipping shot just over the bar.

Manager Stephen Robinson rang the changes at half time to try and salvage something from the match. Andrew Rose and Liam Grimshaw were withdrawn, with Craig Tanner and Gael Bigirimana the replacements.

Within eight minutes of the restart, Motherwell were awarded a goal. Tanner’s free kick from 25 yards to the back post was met by Cedric Kipre, whose header found the net.

Dunne was in close proximity to Cerny as it went in. But with the goal awarded, the goalkeeper furiously protested to the officials that offside had been committed.

After deliberation between the referee and his assistant, the goal was chalked off.

A minute later, ‘Well got a goal which stood. Another high ball into the box was met by Ryan Bowman. His effort crossed the line, despite the desperate attempts of the keeper to claw it out.

Motherwell piled on the pressure. Bowman was just kept out at the near post unmarked by Cerny amidst a succession of corner kicks midway through the half. Kipre also came close from a header, as Robinson’s men laid siege.

With 12 minutes to go, it was game on. Tanner danced his way through several defenders in the Thistle box, before unleashing a ferocious effort past a diving Cerny into the bottom right corner.

The visitors pressed and pressed for the equaliser, dominating the possession and trying to carve out opportunities.

But just as at Ross County several weeks ago, they couldn’t snatch the equaliser.

The golden chance came just as the first of four added minutes started. Tait’s cross to the penalty spot was met by the head of Frear, but he could only steer it into the grateful arms of Cerny.

Motherwell: Griffiths; Tait, Kipre, McHugh, Dunne, Frear; Rose (Bigirimana 45), Campbell, Grimshaw (Tanner 45); Petravicius (MacLean 64), Bowman.

Subs not used: Hammell, Newell, Livingstone, Turnbull.

Partick Thistle: Cerny, Turnbull, Keown, Spittal (Lawless 82), Barton, Devine, McGinn, Sammon, Edwards, Woods (Fraser 64), Storey (Doolan 85).

Subs not used: Scully, Erskine, Nitriansky, McCarthy.

Attendance: 2452 (568 Motherwell fans)

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Firhill

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[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:

Russell Griffiths is eyeing a return to winning ways as the Steelmen prepare for a clash with Partick Thistle on Wednesday night.

The ‘Well stopper came back in to the side following Trevor Carson’s knock and hopes to take positives from Saturday’s defeat against Hearts in to the trip to Firhill.

Speaking to the broadcast press this morning, the Englishman said: “I think we can take positives from the game on Saturday, but obviously we weren’t happy with the result because we felt like we could have gone there and beaten them.

[pullquote]They’ll be ready for tomorrow after their defeat at the weekend so it’s going to be a tough game but we know what we need to do to beat them.[/pullquote]

“It was a chance for a few of the boys coming in to the team, including myself, but I feel like there were some positives we can take in to Wednesday night’s game.”

He added: “We can’t go [to Firhill] and think we’ll get a result like Kilmarnock did, it’s going to be a tough game, they’re down there and they’re trying to get out of there.

“They’ll be ready for tomorrow after their defeat at the weekend so it’s going to be a tough game but we know what we need to do to beat them.”

Motherwell return to Premiership action with a trip to face Partick Thistle on Wednesday night.

Following Saturday’s 1-0 loss against Hearts, the Steelmen are on the road again for a third consecutive match and this time face bottom-placed Thistle.

‘Well head in to this one on the back of consecutive defeats, and Robinson’s side will be eager to get back to winning ways with a run of important games ahead.

The Fir Park men currently sit 12 points ahead of the Jags but face a side who have won two of their last three home games after enduring a rocky start to the 2017/18 campaign.

And for manager Stephen Robinson, it is imperative his side prepare well for an historically difficult trip to a ground where the Steelmen have won just once in the league since 1996.

“I’ve watched Partick numerous times and they’re a good side so it surprises me where they are,” the Northern Irishman admitted.

“We definitely have to be on our guard tomorrow night and make sure there isn’t a backlash from that result.

“I have total respect for Alan Archibald and Scott Paterson and I’m sure they’ll turn it around, we just have to make sure it’s not against us.”

With a number of key players missing through injury, Robinson will be relying on incoming players to see his side through an important spell ahead of Christmas.

One such player who will have a big role to play is Russell Griffiths, who has been thrown back in to action following an injury to Trevor Carson.

And the stopper, who is eyeing a return to winning ways for the club, is hungry to pull on the jersey and seize his opportunity in between the sticks.

The Englishman said: “I think we can take positives from the game on Saturday, but obviously we weren’t happy with the result because we felt like we could have gone there and beaten them.

“It was a chance for a few of the boys coming in to the team, including myself, but I feel like there were some positives we can take in to Wednesday night’s game.

[pullquote]We can’t go [to Firhill] and think we’ll get a result like Kilmarnock did, it’s going to be a tough game, they’re down there and they’re trying to get out of there.[/pullquote]

“They’ll be ready for tomorrow after their defeat at the weekend so it’s going to be a tough game but we know what we need to do to beat them.”

Alan Archibald’s side will be keen to pick up some crucial points as the season rumbles towards the winter break.

And with the Steelmen heading in to the second game of three in the space of a week, it’s going to be an interesting encounter in Glasgow tomorrow night.

	Partick Thistle V Motherwell
	Wednesday 13th December 2017
	7.45pm
	Firhill Stadium, Glasgow
	Cash turnstiles only

Admission prices are as follows:

• Concessions are over 65s or students with a valid matriculation card.
• Motherwell 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.