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‘Well boss Stephen Robinson hailed a true team performance as his side progressed to the quarter final of the Scottish Cup.

Goals from Craig Tanner and Curtis Main secured a 2-0 victory over Dundee at Dens Park, on an afternoon when ‘Well dominated the encounter.

And the manager was delighted with his teams performance from start to finish, all over the pitch.

“I think that was the complete away performance,” the Northern Irishman said.

“We played in their half of the pitch and we played some good football as well. We were well worth our win today.

“The three boys at the back and the two wing backs were excellent. I don’t think Charles Dunne gets the plaudits he deserves but over the past month or so he’s been terrific for us. As have the whole back line, they give you a base to play from.”

And on Trevor Carson’s crucial save, the manager added: “It’s only 1-0 at that point and Trevor makes a big save, that turns the game and the crowd get behind us. It shows the importance of keeping him here.”

Grant Russell at Dens Park

Motherwell booked their place in the last eight of the Scottish Cup with an assured win over Dundee.

Goals from Craig Tanner and Curtis Main did the job for the Steelmen, who now go into the draw for the quarter finals of the competition.

Manager Stephen Robinson made just one change to the team that defeated St Johnstone 2-0 in midweek. Injury saw Allan Campbell drop out of the squad completely, with Tanner taking his starting place.

Within three minutes of the start, Motherwell had the ball in the net.

From a corner kick, Cédric Kipré rose well to head the ball back across goal, where Tom Aldred was on hand to smash the ball into the net.

But his effort was ruled out for offside, with the far side linesman immediately lifting his flag to quell the celebrations.

Motherwell continued to dominate and Curtis Main was the next to test the reactions of the travelling support.

The striker found room 25 yards out from goal and, sensing his opportunity, fizzed a left-footed shot towards goal.

‘Keeper Elliott Parish was stranded and the supporters behind the goal were on their feet in expectation, but the ball just bulleted wide of the right post.

Just two minutes later, Nadir Çiftçi was the next to be presented with a golden chance. A cross from Chris Cadden from the right landed kindly to him six yards out, but his diverted header past Parish also dropped agonisingly wide of the left post.

Motherwell were the dominant team and they finally made that pay as the game hit the half hour work.

Great build-up play eventually led to the ball landing at the feet of Tanner 25 yards from goal. With Main screaming to be laid in to his left, the forward instead saw the opportunity to catch the ball on the half volley.

It turned out to be the right call. His left-footed shot dipped and bounced under the dive of Parish and nestled into the right hand corner of the net to give the Steelmen a deserved lead.

A battle ensued as the first half wore on. Çiftçi found himself in the book after clattering into Paul McGowan, who was also shown a yellow card as he responded by going in aggressively while the Motherwell man lay on the ground.

As half time approached, Motherwell then had a shout for a penalty waved away by referee Bobby Madden. Carl McHugh’s header from 12 yards was blocked, leading to big appeals from the players around him that a hand had been used to do so, but nothing was given.

Immediately up the other end, Dundee went close. A free kick from the right found Darren O’Dea’s run but his header dropped over the crossbar.

Straight after the restart, Dundee arguably should have levelled.

Sofien Moussa found himself with room at the front post but, with the cross from the right coming in low and with pace, he just failed to get it under control and it bobbled harmlessly away.

The Dark Blues continued to apply pressure. Mark O’Hara was next with a chance, his shot from 25 yards sending Trevor Carson stretching to tip it over the top.

Aurtenexte was the next to cause problems amongst the Motherwell backline. Finding himself one on one with Kipre, he cut inside to leave the defender trailing before bearing down on Carson.

In the blink of an eye, the Dundee man’s shot was heading for goal but the big goalkeeper was down quick and low to turn the ball away.

The sucker punch then arrived for the hosts. A long ball forward caused panic in the Dundee defence, with Parish rushing out of his area to try and clear.

Main’s presence alone turned the situation into a positive one for the visitors, and he beat Holt to the ball to nick it past the goalkeeper 18 yards out and into the empty net.

The 1447 travelling Motherwell fans continued to roar their team on as the game petered out without much more in the way of chances for either side.

A place in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup now awaits Robinson’s men, one game away from another potential trip to Hampden Park.

The journey to another trip to the national stadium continues in the Scottish Cup with a visit to face Dundee on Saturday.

And, just over two months after the Steelmen fell agonisingly short in the Betfred Cup final, the chance to reach another quarter final awaits.

“We are highly motivated to do that,” said the manager when asked about the team’s attempts to return to Mount Florida. “The last run raised the profile of the football club.

“It helps to attract players, which we saw in January, and it gives everything a lift around the place. Financially and for morale as well.

“It’s a big, big game for us. It will be a tough game for us away from home but we are confident, based on recent form.”

January signing Curtis Main has been in the goals since his arrival from Portsmouth, netting four in his first six matches.

The striker was visibly annoyed when he left the pitch after scoring one and setting up the other in the 2-0 midweek win over St Johnstone, later saying he was disappointed he hadn’t netted more from his other chances.

“Yeah, disappointed he’s only scored four goals in six,” joked the manager. “But I think that’s testament to him and the other players. We have created a lot of chances.

“Curtis has done great since he’s come up. He feels he can do even better and so do I.

“The fitter he gets and the stronger he gets, I think we will see more from both him and Nadir.”

As a squad overall, the winter break has re-energised the group and set the Steelmen up for an important second half of the season.

And for Andy Rose, cup football is an important factor in building momentum.

The Australian revealed the hard work going on ahead of Saturday’s big clash in Dundee.

[pullquote]It’s a really important match and we’ve been working hard in training making sure that we’re ready to go.[/pullquote]

“Cup competitions are certainly a way of building momentum,” the midfielder said. “Looking back, some of the cup matches we’ve played have been some of my favourite of the season.

“Across the squad there’s a really good feeling since the turn of the year and results have been pretty good. Performances have been very good too.

“Beating Hamilton in the last round was excellent. It was an important win for us in front of our fans. I’m looking forward to this one.”

	Dundee v Motherwell
	Saturday 10th February 2018
	3.00pm
	Dens Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

• There will be tickets on sale at the gate at the away stand
• There will be a three phase security check for tickets and checking for prohibited items
• Small flags will be checked before being allowed in
• Dens Park is a no smoking ground and Dundee do not offer pass outs
• Supporters should be advised that parking is on street but with parking restrictions.
• A large away support is expected so please get to the stadium early

If you can’t make it along, 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.

Andy Rose is looking forward to more knockout football as the Steelmen prepare to take on Dundee in the Scottish Cup.

And he believes that cup football can build momentum around the club, after the trip to Hampden back in November.

The Australian revealed the hard work going on ahead of Saturday’s big clash at Dens Park as he spoke to the broadcast press at Fir Park.

“Cup competitions are certainly a way of building momentum,” the midfielder said. “Looking back, some of the cup matches we’ve played have been some of my favourite of the season.

[pullquote]It’s a really important match and we’ve been working hard in training making sure that we’re ready to go.[/pullquote]

“Across the squad there’s a really good feeling since the turn of the year and results have been pretty good. Performances have been very good too.

“Beating Hamilton in the last round was excellent. It was an important win for us in front of our fans. I’m looking forward to this one.”

It’s little over two months since Motherwell took to the pitch at Hampden in the first major cup final this season.

While the Betfred Cup final didn’t end with the outcome hoped for the Steelmen, the journey to another trip to the national stadium continues in the Scottish Cup with a visit to face Dundee on Saturday.

“We are highly motivated to do that,” said the manager when asked about the team’s attempts to return to Mount Florida. “The last run raised the profile of the football club.

[pullquote]It helps to attract players, which we saw in January, and it gives everything a lift around the place. Financially and for morale as well.[/pullquote]

“It’s a big, big game for us. It will be a tough game for us away from home but we are confident, based on recent form.”

January signing Curtis Main has been in the goals since his arrival from Portsmouth, netting four in his first six matches.

The striker was visibly annoyed when he left the pitch after scoring one and setting up the other in the 2-0 midweek win over St Johnstone, later saying he was disappointed he hadn’t netted more from his other chances.

“Yeah, disappointed he’s only scored four goals in six,” joked the manager. “But I think that’s testament to him and the other players. We have created a lot of chances.

“Curtis has done great since he’s come up. He feels he can do even better and so do I.

“The fitter he gets and the stronger he gets, I think we will see more from both him and Nadir.”

Former Scotland youth international Lesley Condie is Eddie Wolecki Black’s 11th signing of pre season, as Motherwell Ladies prepare for the 2018 campaign.

Condie, 30, started her career with Queen’s Park Ladies and, whilst in her teens, was a regular for both the Scotland U17 and U19s teams.

She then moved across the pond to Boston to complete a football scholarship at Northeastern University before returning home to captain Rangers in 2011.

The left back spent three years with the Light Blues, captaining the side, before taking time out the game to have a family.

Wolecki Black has already added Kerry Montgomery, Emma Black, Stephanie Knox, Sammy Hare, Claire Johnstone, Ashley Nicolson, Kirsty McLaughlin, Suzanne Mulvey, Hayley Cunningham and Caitlin Russell to his squad.

Motherwell face Kilmarnock in the league this Sunday at Rugby Park.

The Fir Park boss said: “I am delighted to welcome Lesley to Motherwell and she’s another who will add significant top-level experience to our squad.

[pullquote]Having played with Rangers and Scotland youths, she knows what it takes and the I can see she has the bit between her teeth after several years out the game.[/pullquote]

“I’m really looking forward to working with her.”

Condie, who will wear number four this season, added: “I am delighted to be back playing football and I am excited to be at an ambitious club like Motherwell.

“I have played alongside a number of my teammates for Scotland so settling in has been easier. I can’t wait to get started this weekend.”

Motherwell’s match with Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Sunday, March 18 has been brought forward by 15 minutes.

The game at Fir Park, which will be broadcast on Sky Sports, will now kick off at 2.15pm.

Motherwell season ticket holders and Well Society members can get a special discount on ticket prices for our William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round tie against Dundee.

Ticket prices for the match, due to be played at Dens Park on Saturday, February 10, are set at £15 for adults, £5 for over 65s and students, and £4 for under 18s for season ticket holders and Well Society members, if bought from the Fir Park ticket office before 5pm on Friday, February 9.

Normal prices are £20 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for under 18s.

To buy, visit the Fir Park ticket office or call on 01698 333333. Please note a £2 admin charge will apply to telephone sales and phone sales will stop at 5pm on Wednesday, February 7. Tickets can be delivered if purchased before this time.

Tickets will also be on sale on Tuesday ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership match with St Johnstone.

Should the game at Dens Park go to a replay, the match will be played at Fir Park on Tuesday, February 20.