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Skipper Carl McHugh is determined to see the Steelmen pick up another impressive victory over the Dons, as he closes in on 50 league games for the ‘Well.

Wednesday night’s game also has the chance to springboard ‘Well in to a crucial Scottish Cup quarter-final on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s a big week for us in the league and the cup, but we’re just focussing on Aberdeen first,” Carl said, as he spoke to the broadcast press.

[pullquote]It’s going to be a tough game for us and we’re very hopeful of pushing on in the next few games to push for that top six spot.[/pullquote]

“On the main, performances and results have been good since the winter break and as a squad we’re confident.

“We were disappointed with the result against Kilmarnock but thought our performance was good, then against Dundee we probably didn’t play all that well but we dug in, defended well and got a result.

“We’ll be aiming for the complete performance against Aberdeen and we’ll need to be ready and at our best on Wednesday night.”

Stephen Robinson reflected on his first full year as Motherwell manager when he spoke to the broadcast press.

And the Northern Irishman, who has enjoyed a hugely successful spell at the helm of the Steelmen, admitted he has enjoyed the challenges on a day-to-day basis at Fir Park.

“It’s a great football club and there are super people involved in it,” he said. “It’s probably as enjoyable as management gets – we’ve been reasonably successful in terms of the size of the football club and the budget.

“I’m enjoying it, it’s a challenge and there’s new challenges everyday but that’s something you know you have to meet when you take the job.”

He added: “It’s going to be a tough, tough game against Aberdeen. There was nothing in our games against them earlier this season, although people raved about our performance in the 3-0 win.

“There wasn’t a lot in it and we scored at the right times, but goals changed games and we took advantage in that particular game.”

Watch the highlights as Motherwell Under 20s win 3-2 against Hamilton Academical Under 20s at the Excelsior Stadium.

Under 20s manager Stephen Craigan praised his side going forward but admitted there was more they could do defensively. 

The Northern Irishman kept his unbeaten record against local rivals Hamilton with a 3-2 victory at the Excelsior Stadium.

But overall, the manager called for more defensively from his youngsters.

[pullquote]We certainly looked a threat going forward and we looked as if we would score goals, but we also looked susceptible at times on the counter attack.[/pullquote]

“It’s always nice to beat your rivals, first and foremost,” he said. “But I would’ve liked us to do it with a little more finesse.

“But I’m talking largely about a team that haven’t really played together. Barry Maguire stepped up to the first team, Davie Turnbull is away with Scotland which is a great achievement for him.”

He added: “When you lose players like that from your side and you try to shoehorn players in to positions, you lose a bit of your continuity.

“At times we played well, but the fact we looked a little bit suspect defensively is a little bit concerning.”

Motherwell under 20s maintained their near four-year unbeaten record against local rivals Hamilton under Stephen Craigan.

A James Scott brace and neat finish from Alfredo Agyeman secured a 3-2 victory at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie for the Fir Park youngsters.

Stephen Craigan made seven changes from the disappointing defeat to Ross County at Stirling five days ago.

Out went Jason Krones, Barry Maguire, Stephen Hendrie, David Turnbull, George Newell, Deimantas Petravičius and Ryan Bowman. They were replaced by Luke Watt, Kyle MacDonald, Adam Livingstone, Ross MacLean, Jamie Semple, James Scott and Alfredo Agyeman.

And in a controlling first half, Adam Livingstone caused all sorts of problems for the visitors down the left flank, comfortably beating his man on a number of occasions and producing pin-point crosses in to the box.

In the 18^th minute, ‘Well deservedly took the lead when the left wing back crossed for the head of Jamie Semple, who nodded down for James Scott to thunder home from seven yards.

Nine minutes later though, the game was levelled and in truth it was a composed goal for the visitors.

Pulling down a neat clipped ball over the top, Ryan Tierney took his time before squaring for Lewis Smith, who finished with aplomb beyond PJ Morrison.

Livingstone was at the heart of things again when his cross, this time from the right flank after taking a corner, was met by the head of Scott. The big striker nodded his effort on to the bar, but Agyeman was on hand to coolly side foot home.

Accies were awarded a rather cheap freekick right on the edge of the box and capitalised on it in the 59^th minute.

Ross Cunningham’s freekick clipped the top of the wall, crashing on to the crossbar and, unfortunately, crashing off the helpless Morrison’s back before crossing the line.

Scott had his second of the game in the 67^th minute, racing on to substitute Jason Krones ball over the top, controlling excellently before finishing past Fulton in to the far corner to put ‘Well in front for the third time.

With just stoppage time remaining, Morrison was adjudged to have handled the ball outside of the box to afford Accies a decent chance to snatch a point. From the freekick, the visitors squared the ball for Marc Kelly, but he scooped his effort over the bar and ultimately squandered a half-decent chance.

It’s a big week for Motherwell on both league and cup fronts as Stephen Robinson’s men take on Aberdeen and Hearts at Fir Park.

The Dons are the first visitors on Wednesday, February 28. Kick off in the Ladbrokes Premiership match is at 7.45pm.

The Steelmen are still in the race for a top six spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership and, with five games to go before the split, are just one point behind Kilmarnock in sixth and three behind Hearts in fifth spot.

A win against the Dons would go a long way towards trying to leapfrog either side, with our team having already claimed victories in two of the three encounters against Derek McInnes’ side this season.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from the office at Fir Park or you can pay at the gate on the night. Get yourself along and let’s try and recapture the atmosphere of our 3-o Betfred Cup win against Aberdeen last year.

Admission prices are as follows:

The cheaper price is for the John Hunter stand. Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card. Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

Away fans will be housed in the McEwan Fraser Legal South Stand. Cash gates are in operation.

Then on Sunday, it’s another huge fixture as Hearts come calling in the quarter finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Motherwell are just one game away from yet another trip to Hampden Park this season and a place in the last four of the competition.

Having reached one cup final this season, your support could help push us a step closer towards another as we strive for new cup heroes.

Tickets can be purchased in advance and, if you’re a season ticket holder, your seat has been reserved for you to purchase. Just pop by the Fir Park ticket office to secure yours. Cash gates will also be in operation but we encourage all fans to try and buy in advance to minimise delays on the day.

Hearts supporters should contact their club for ticket information.

Kick off at Fir Park on Sunday is at 2.15pm.

Admission prices are as follows:

Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card. Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

Motherwell fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07428 225254 or tickets@mfcdsa.com. Fans must contact Brian by Wednesday night before the match.

Motherwell suffered SWPL Cup heartache as Rangers scored eight minutes from time to claim a 1-0 victory at New Tinto Park.

Eddie Wolecki Black’s side more than held their own in a fiercely contested affair, that saw the hosts reduced to ten when Chelsie Watson was shown a red card for bundling over Suzanne Mulvey as the striker raced clear on goal.

‘Well made a bright start and could have been ahead in the opening minute. Sophie Gallagher forced Rangers keeper Khym Ramsay into an excellent low stop.

The hosts grew into the game after a quiet start, however chances were at a premium, with the ‘Well defence coping brilliantly throughout periods of sustained pressure.

Three minutes before the break there was controversy when Carla Boyce hit the deck inside the box. Instead of awarding a penalty the referee adjudged the striker to have taken a dive and showed her a yellow card.

The second half began with two half chances for Mulvey, before Lauren Davidson sent a shot sailing over the bar as Rangers began to threaten.

Both sides were showing they were more than happy to get stuck in and there were bookings for Emma Black and Kerry Montgomery as the game became increasingly scrappy.

Boyce brought out a good save from Johnstone with 19 minutes remaining and a magnificent sliding challenge from Stephanie Knox denied Hannah Coakley an excellent scoring opportunity.

With very little to separate the two sides, extra time was looking increasingly likely, but it was the home side who would strike late to clinch the game.

With Motherwell temporarily down to 10 due to a knock to Montgomery, Rangers seized on their numerical advantage. A quickly taken short corner caught the ‘Well defence off guard and Chantelle Brown’s low drive evaded all in the penalty box and found the far corner.

Mulvey tested Ramsay as Black’s side tried desperately to find a way back into the game. And with two minutes remaining it looked like the striker was just about to do so before being cynically pulled to the ground on the edge of the box, resulting in a red card for a Rangers defender.

From the free kick, Cunningham was denied by an excellent save from Ramsay and the resulting corner was scrambled clear.

The late defeat was harsh on Motherwell who had performed superbly against their opponents from the league above. Their attentions will now turn to league matters, with their next fixture taking place after the international break,  a home fixture against Central Girls on March 11.

| @edblack65, @share000 and @lesleyjc4 preview this Sunday’s SWPL Cup tie with Rangers.

Kick off at New Tinto Park in Govan is at 2pm. pic.twitter.com/GJRObCFN5t

— Motherwell LFC (@MotherwellLFC) February 23, 2018

Motherwell’s women’s team continue the start to the new season with a trip to face Rangers in the SWPL Cup on Sunday.

Eddie Wolecki Black’s side are looking to build on last week’s emphatic 8-0 victory over Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale in the league by aiming to take a top flight scalp.

Kick off at New Tinto Park in Govan is at 2pm.