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[tab:Match report]

 Gavin McCafferty at Firhill

Motherwell signed off 2013 in style with a clinical 5-1 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill this afternoon.

Former Steelmen winger Steven Lawless opened the scoring, but any hope Thistle had of claiming their first Premiership win at Firhill was extinguished before an end-to-end first half finished.

Keith Lasley quickly equalised before Zaine Francis-Angol scored an excellent solo goal and McFadden lobbed home before the break. Lionel Ainsworth and substitute John Sutton added to the scoring to secure an impressive victory for Stuart McCall’s side.

The recalled McFadden also hit the bar as Motherwell again showed they have put their William Hill Scottish Cup defeat by Albion firmly behind them.

With Shaun Hutchinson suspended and Fraser Kerr missing with a tight hamstring, McCall had to reshuffle his back four with Stuart Carswell at right-back.

And the makeshift defence was cut open in the eighth minute as Thistle worked their way forward after Gabriel Piccolo had cut out Simon Ramsden’s ball forward.

Kris Doolan played in James Craigen in the left channel and he cut the ball back for Lawless to steer into the bottom corner.

Both sets of fans joined in applause for Phil O’Donnell, who died exactly six years ago while playing for Motherwell against Dundee United.

Thistle kept up the pressure and Lawless almost doubled his tally with a 25-yard strike that Dan Twardzik pushed wide before Piccolo headed not far away from the corner.

But Motherwell were level in the 15th minute. McFadden took the ball in from a throw-in, turned his man and slipped the ball into the path of Lasley, who placed the ball inside the far corner.

The goalmouth action was relentless. Lawless played in Kallum Higginbotham but Twardzik raced off his line to block, and seconds later a Francis-Angol cross fell for Iain Vigurs but the midfielder could not head on target.

Francis-Angol soon caused even more damage in the 21st minute after some sharp build-up play down the left with Steven Hammell at its heart. The former Tottenham trainee cut inside Stephen O’Donnell and squeezed a right-footed shot inside the near post – his first senior goal.

Thistle made a change in the 27th minute when another former Motherwell player, Ross Forbes, came on for Christie Elliott with Higginbotham moving to the right.

Doolan came close with a curler but Motherwell extended their lead in the 36th minute.

There appeared little danger but Henri Anier pounced on a loose ball midway inside the Thistle half and lofted a pass forward for McFadden. The Scotland hero beat Piccolo for strength and skill and lobbed the ball over Scott Fox and into the corner of the net.

McFadden and Forbes had spectacular volleys tipped over at either end as the second half started in similarly action-packed fashion.

Thistle pressed but Motherwell moved further ahead in the 56th minute. Aaron Taylor-Sinclair appeared to have thwarted a Motherwell attack but he gifted possession to Lasley, who played in Ainsworth to slot the ball into the corner for his third goal in three games.

McFadden powered a header against the bar following a Vigurs cross just before Sutton netted in the 65th minute when he ran on to a long ball from Vigurs and steered the ball home.

McFadden played Ainsworth through two minutes later but Fox came off his line to block the shot and the former Everton player curled just wide from 25 yards as Motherwell threatened to embarrass the Jags.

Thistle came closer to a seventh goal though but Twardzik slid to clear to deny Doolan a consolation after Hammell’s short backpass.

It was an excellent day’s work for McCall’s men who now face a St Johnstone side full of confidence after a thumping win over Dundee United.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Firhill

FT: A superb 3 points and a great team performance. Hard to pick a man of the match from that! #ptfcvmfc

FT: Partick Thistle 1 – 5 Motherwell

90mins: Lawson fires a shot away with his left foot from 25yards straught at Fox #ptfcvmfc

89mins: Late corner for The Jags….wasteful again #ptfcvmfc

86mins: Bannigan booked for a foul on Lawson #ptfcvmfc

83mins: Strange moment as Twardzik gets caught out but manages to slide in on Higginbotham to clear off the line #ptfcvmfc

81mins: Corner to Thistle….Ramsden deals with it. #ptfcvmfc

79mins: Motherwell sub, McFadden off for McHugh. Another great performer today! #ptfcvmfc

77mins: McManus with a Cruyff turn inside the Thistle box. Fires just past too! #ptfcvmfc

74mins: Motherwell sub, Carswell off for Lawson. Carswell absolutely outstanding at right back today! #ptfcvmfc

71mins: Just wide from McFadden! Did well to cut in from the right and his curling effort goes just past #ptfcvmfc

67mins: Should have been 6! Ainsworth through 1 on 1 but Fox does well to deny #ptfcvmfc

65mins: SUTTON makes it 5! Comical defending from Piccolo as the ball hits off him and Sutty finishes with style 1-5 #ptfcvmfc

GGGOOOOAAALLLL!!

64mins: Faddy see’s his header from Vigur’s ball in crash off the bar! #ptfcvmfc

63mins: Higginbotham booked for clattering down Lasley #ptfcvmfc

60mins: Partick sub, Lawless off for Baird #ptfcvmfc

57mins: Motherwell sub, Anier off for Sutton #ptfcvmfc

56mins: Ainsworth slots home from a narrow angle after Lasley slid him in! 1-4 #ptfcvmfc

56mins: GGGOOOAAAALLL!

54mins: Great chance for Anier as he raced onto a slack backpass. Not direct enough and Thistle get back to clear #ptfcvmfc

52mins: Twardzik has to react quickly to tip over a great Forbes effort from 30 yards #ptfcvmfc

48mins: Good defending from Hammell to deny Forbes at the back post. From the corner, Twardzik gathers with ease #ptfcvmfc

46mins: McFadden almost bursts the net with a volley from 20 yards. Good save from Fox #ptfcvmfc

46mins: Partick get the second half underway #ptfcvmfc

HT: Teams are back out for the second half #ptfcvmfc

HT: Partick Thistle 1 – 3 Motherwell

41mins: Great chance for Craigen as he gets on the end of Lawless’ superb ball in. Heads wide though! #ptfcvmfc

35mins: A moment of magic from McFadden as he latches on to Anier’s pass and clips it over Fox from just inside the box! 1-3 #ptfcvmfc

35mins: GGOOOAAALLLL!

34mins: Corner to Thistle now…headed well wide by Balatoni #ptfcvmfc

32mins: Forbes fires it straight off Lasley #ptfcvmfc

32mins: Free-kick in a dangerous position just 18 yards out for Thistle. #ptfcvmfc

31mins: Corner to Motherwell after Fox very nearly claws it into his own net. Thistle clear the danger #ptfcvmfc

30mins: Decent effort from Doolan as Jags hunt for an equaliser. His effort always looked like going over though #ptfcvmfc

26mins: Partick sub, Elliot off for Forbes #ptfcvmfc

21mins: Francis-Angol does well to cut inside on the left and when he finds himself inside the box, he cooly slots past Fox. 1-2 #ptfcvmfc

21mins: GGOOAAALLL!!!

19mins: Twardzik with another fine save to deny Higginbotham, ‘Well counter and from Francis-Angol’s cross, Vigs heads wide #ptfcvmfc

15mins: Lovely reverse ball from McFadden to find LASLEY inside the box and he fires it below Fox to make it 1-1 #ptfcvmfc

15mins: GGOOOAAALLLLL!

14mins: Another corner to ‘Well….finds the head of McFadden but his header is blocked #ptfcvmfc

11mins: Stunning save from Twardzik to deny Lawless a second from all of 25 yards #ptfcvmfc

10mins: “One Phil O’Donnell”

7mins: GOAL – Lawless opens the scoring from 10 yards from a cutback. #ptfcvmfc

6mins: Ainsworth wins ‘Well a corner which Balatoni heads clear. #ptfcvmfc

3mins: Vigurs booked already for a wild challenge on Higginbotham. Piccolo heads wide from the free-kick #ptfcvmfc

1min: Early corner for Thistle….acrobatics inside the box from Piccolo but misses the ball. #ptfcvmfc

1min: Lasley and McFadden kick off #ptfcvmfc

The teams emerge from the tunnel…. Handshakes over, it’s time for the action!#ptfcvmfc

[tab:Reaction]

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald:

“The second-half performance was unacceptable. We had a go in the second half and left ourselves wide open.

“We started the game very well, made a number of chances and got the goal, but I thought Motherwell were more professional and precise, and individual errors cost us.

“It’s probably naivety, after we scored the one we kept on trying to get more. We probably should have got another one but Motherwell went up the park and capitalised on our mistakes.

“They didn’t have to work hard for their goals whereas we had to cut them open to get our chances.”

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I thought we were a bit fortunate to go in at half-time 3-1. Thistle started the game really well, wee Lawless got a terrific goal for them and I thought he was coming back to haunt us.

“But we got some really good footballing goals. It’s a big park, they like to play, so I thought it would be an open game, which it was. And we were just clinical.

“The second half was difficult for Thistle, they had to come at us and we defended strongly and picked them off on the break. We could have had more after that but they certainly played their part in the first half.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”174″]

Motherwell Football Club remembers our captain, Phil O’Donnell, who sadly and so tragically passed away six years ago today.

A Motherwell Cup-winning legend, Phil died on the 29th December 2007 during a match with Dundee United at Fir Park.

His untimely and tragic death had a massive impact on the club and he is still fondly remembered and much missed by everyone, including our supporters, who are once again planning a tribute by applauding during the tenth minute of today’s match with Partick Thistle to celebrate his life.

Today, the thoughts and prayers of everyone at Motherwell Football Club are with Eileen, Megan, Christopher, Olivia and Luc and the rest of Phil’s family and friends, as we cherish a true gentleman and family man taken way before his time.

Phil O’Donnell, brave as a lion, may you forever rest in peace.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall expects an extremely tough test against Partick Thistle tomorrow.

The Steelmen will travel to the Glasgow’s west end for the first time in ten years on the back of three consecutive away wins in the SPFL Premiership [at Kilmarnock, Ross County and Aberdeen].

However, the Jags have shown they’re a match for just about everyone in the league, particularly on their own patch, and the Fir Park boss is well aware of their capabilities.

[pullquote]Our main focus is on how we play. We’ve had a variety of different performances on the road, even in recent weeks, and we will go there trying as hard as we can to keep our decent run of form going.[/pullquote]

In a wide-ranging interview on MFC TV, the Fir Park boss said of tomorrow’s opponents: “I’ve seen their last few games; they certainly should have won at Kilmarnock and against Inverness on Boxing Day, on chances created, they will certainly feel disappointed not to have picked up all three points.

“They are playing well even though the results they’ve had and where they are in the table don’t quite marry up.

“They have a number of really talented players who we will need to keep an eye on including three in particular that we know well [Forbes, Lawless and Higginbotham].

“But, as always, our main focus is on how we play. We’ve had a variety of different performances on the road, even in recent weeks, and we will go there trying as hard as we can to keep our decent run of form going.”

-WATCH STUART’S FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV–

Referee for this Sunday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Partick Thistle will be Steven McLean.

McLean, the brother of former ‘Well defender Brian, is handling his third Motherwell game of the current campaign – his other two won’t live long in the memory.

The first was back in November when a depleted Steelmen crashed 4-0 at home to Dundee United.

One month later, as ‘Well were hurting from a Scottish Cup exit, he was the man in the middle for Celtic’s 5-0 win at Fir Park.

He is a very familiar face to most Motherwell fans having taken charge of six matches last term too.

His first was the exceptional 5-1 success over Inverness CT back 12 months ago. Henrik Ojamaa, Adam Cummins, Omar Daley and a Jamie Murphy double completed the rout.

His second was perhaps even more memorable as Motherwell came back from 2-0 down at Easter Road to win 3-2. A Doyle double had the home side in a commanding position but a Murphy brace and a late Bob McHugh winner handed the Steelmen all three points.

Third was the New Year fixture against today’s opponents Celtic when a brave ‘Well went down 1-0 after Tom Hateley had missed a second half penalty.

Fourth was the instantly forgettable 2-0 defeat at Rugby Park in February whereas the fifth was a comfortable 3-0 win at Dens Park – Michael Higdon heading home before a Nicky Law double sealed the three points.

His last was the season finale at McDiarmid Park as the Steelmen went down 2-0 to a Saints side that won the race for Europe ahead of Inverness and Ross County.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads nine wins, five defeats and zero draws from fourteen matches. In those games, ‘Well have scored 29 and conceded 24. 37 cautions have been dished out, 23 flashed at those wearing Claret and Amber. Four people have been sent off, two for ‘Well (Fraser Kerr and Keith Lasley in the same match against Killie last year).

He has had an extremely busy start to the season already – handling thirteen SPFL Premiership matches in the first twelve weeks.

He has also had two League Cup matches, both at the Falkirk Stadium, and two Europa League Qualifiers – Omonia Nikosia’s 1-2 defeat by Romania’s Astra Giurgiu and Serbian side FK Vojvodina’s 2-2 draw with Bursaspor.

Recently, he also handled the Europa League Group game between Standard Liège and IF Elfsborg Boras.

McLean will be ably assisted by Alan Mulvanny and Raymond Whyte with John Beaton on fourth official duties.

Tickets for Sunday’s match against Partick Thistle will be available on the turnstiles at Firhill.

Admission is priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Over 65s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

The club is urging ‘Well fans to guarantee their seat for the remainder of the season by buying a 2013/14 Half Season Ticket.

By purchasing a Half Season Ticket, fans can ensure they will definitely play a part in this season’s story, as the Steelemn look to consolidate their top-six and battle for the European places against some of the best teams the Scottish Premiership has to offer – starting with the Inverness CT match on 4th January.

There are some great value prices in all areas of the stadium and none more so than for a Juvenile half season ticket, which works out at just £4 per game.

Whether it is for an adult or child a half year season ticket makes a great Christmas present for any ‘Well fan and as with 2013/14 season tickets; remember, up to two under 16s go free with a full paying adult or OAP in the Cooper Stand.

You can save almost 64% on what you would pay on a similar ticket by paying at the gate each week.

As a Season Ticket holder, you can use it to earn a host of discounts in a number of well-known businesses throughout Lanarkshire has also been extended.

The likes of M&D’s, Tony Macaroni, Hamilton Palace, Knockhill Racing and Esporta all return and join a 35 strong list which already contained the likes of McDonalds, KFC, Pizzahut, LivingWell Health Club, Evans Halshaw and many, many more.

What better time of the year to save some money than now with Christmas not far away. Take advantage of these great offers in the knowledge that the seat is yours for what promises to be an exciting finish to the campaign.

There are three easy ways to book your seat and enjoy all the fun in 2014.

1. Phone our Box Office enquiry line on 01698 333333

2. Pop into the Fir Park Ticket Office

3. Buy online at motherwellbuyonline.co.uk

2013/14 Half Season Ticket Prices:

*Please note, concessions are applicable to over 60s and full-time students with a valid matric card.

Extended highlights from Pittodrie as Lionel Ainsworth’s 49th minute goal gives ‘Well a 1-0 win.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Action pictures from the 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the SPFL Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”aberdeen261213″]

Stuart McCall praised the character of his team after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The only goal of the game had come on the break; Henri Anier raced forward as the Dons were caught short following a corner, and he squared for Lionel Ainsworth to stroke home at the back post.

The home side saw most of the ball, but only really made Dan Twardzik work twice in the ninety minutes, blocking twice from McGinn.

The win maintains Motherwell’s five-year unbeaten run at Pittodrie and the former Scotland midfielder was quick to pile praise on his side.

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “We had a hard couple of weeks after going out of the cup and lesser teams would have crumbled after what had happened.

[pullquote]”It’s a good boost to come and take three points from what is a difficult place to come to.[/pullquote]

“But I said at the time that we have some good strong characters in the dressing room and those are the times you have to stand up and be counted.

“We were getting flak, which was rightly deserved at the time, but those are the times you have to show a bit of steel and character. It gets a monkey off our back in terms of having not beaten a side in the top six this season.

“It’s a good boost to come and take three points from what is a difficult place to come to.

“Aberdeen started well and we were forced to dig in a bit but, the longer we went on, the better we started to play and we started to get on the ball a bit.

“It was a hard-earned three points and I’m not saying we didn’t deserve them but we’re certainly thankful for them.”

-WATCH STUART’S FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV–

[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee at Pittodrie

A Lionel Ainsworth goal saw ‘Well leapfrog Aberdeen as they climbed into second spot in the Scottish Premiership with a 1-0 win.

The on-loan Rotherham winger netted early in the second half of a game and although the home side had a lot of possession for long stages, they found a ‘Well defence in mean form.

The Dons had been forced into a change of formation in the absence of a recognised left-back, lining up 3-4-3 with Johnny Hayes coming in on the left of midfield to replace Mark Reynolds, who had started in the full-back position in the 4-3 win at Inverness.

Motherwell continued with on-loan goalkeeper Dan Twardzik in goal, the Dundee man having moved to Fir Park after injuries to regular keepers Gunnar Nielsen and Lee Hollis.

McCall made two changes to the side that beat St Mirren 3-0. Stephen McManus missed out with an ankle injury and was replaced by Fraser Kerr, while Paul Lawson took the place of Iain Vigurs in midfield.

After an even opening period, the Dons could have taken the lead when Niall McGinn popped up on the right to send in a cross for Hayes, who threw himself at the ball but who could only head wide of the target.

John Sutton was forced from the field twice in the opening quarter after a clash of heads with Joe Shaughnessy, the initial treatment the big striker received not quite having stemmed the flow of blood, with stitches eventually required.

That allowed the Dons an advantage, but Stuart McCall’s side did a fine job of containing them and forcing them into shots from distance.

Indeed, it was nearly the half-hour mark before Twardzik was forced into serious action, and even then it was a comfortable hold from McGinn’s 20-yard effort.

The Steelmen were always a threat, though, and when Michael Hector’s burst up the pitch left Aberdeen short at the back, Jamie Langfield did well to hold onto Lawson’s long-range effort.

The best chance of the half fell to McGinn in injury time, the striker sent clear by Peter Pawlett and rounding Twardzik, only to see the Czech react well to save his effort.

But just four minutes after the restart, it was the visitors who took the lead following an incisive counter-attack.

Estonian striker Henri Anier broke following a Dons corner, and with the equally pacy Ainsworth providing support, they had the Dons caught two-on-one.

The sole man back, Hayes, did not know whether to stick or twist, eventually moving to block off Anier who calmly squared for Ainsworth to stroke home for the second time in as many games.

Aberdeen responded, and when Ryan Jack slipped in Pawlett, the midfielder went down after a coming together with Kerr. It looked rather innocuous, but it led to furious claims, all of which were waved away by the referee, though, and Russell Anderson picked up a booking for dissent in the aftermath.

It also sparked a reaction from the home support who were suddenly loudly behind their team, roaring for every decision and urging their side forward.

And their support was almost rewarded when Shaughnessy popped up on the edge of the area to send a left-foot volley off the outside of the post from 20 yards.

The home side changed formation, but were almost caught by another counter, Twardzik’s clearance finding Anier who was denied only by a desperate block from Shaughnessy.

That would be the striker’s last involvement, as he was replaced in attack by Craig Moore.

Trading changes, the Dons brought on Josh Magennis for Shaughnessy, before Motherwell’s Zaine Fracis-Angol took the place of Ainsworth.

Aberdeen’s last throw of the dice saw them replace Scott Vernon and the injured Barry Robson with Craig Murray and Calvin Zola after 84 minutes.

The visitors battled for every scrap, but they had a scare deep into injury time when the crowd thought McGinn had levelled matters with a free-kick which had in fact only hit the side-netting.

It’s a super three points for the Steelmen who now face another tough test against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Sunday.

[tab:As it happened]

Ally Reilly at Pittodrie

FULL TIME!! Aberdeen 0 – 1 Motherwell #afcvmfc

92mins: Corner to Aberdeen….’Well clear but again when Moore is fouled, Aberdeen get the free-kick! #afcvmfc

91mins: Moore booked for being pushed over. Ref says he dived…. #afcvmfc

90mins: 4 minutes added on..#afcvmfc

89mins: Close! Pawlett heads inches past in the dying minutes #afcvmfc

84mins: Aberdeen subs, Murray and Zola on for Robson and Vernon #afcvmfc

83mins: Pawlett slices well wide from inside the box with only Twardzik to beat. Lawson booked in the process. #afcvmfc

82mins: Corner to Aberdeen…..gathered by Twardzik #afcvmfc

75mins: Into the last fifteen and McGinn has just passed up another good chance at the back post. Blasts over from 12 yards #afcvmfc

70mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol on for the goalscorer, Lionel Ainsworth #afcvmfc

69mins: Aberdeen sub, Magennis on for Shaughnessy #afcvmfc

65mins: Motherwell sub, Anier off for Moore #afcvmfc

63mins: Excellent chance for Anier again on the counter. Just can’t quite get his shot away and the Dons sweep clear #afcvmfc

58mins: Shaughnessy strikes one off the post! #afcvmfc

56mins: Free-kick right on the edge of the ‘Well box….Lawson sweeps clear #afcvmfc

54mins: Withstanding a wee bit of pressure here. Half hearted penalty claims waved away by the ref #afcvmfc

48mins: ‘Well counter from a Dons corner and AINSWORTH pokes home Anier’s cutback! 0-1 #afcvmfc

GGGOOOOAAALLLL!

Second half underway #afcvmfc

Teams are back out. #afcvmfc

HT: Aberdeen 0 – 0 Motherwell #afcvmfc

43mins: Corner to Motherwell….Lawson’s delivery flashes across goal and Hutchy is inches away from connecting #afcvmfc

37mins: Lawson stings Langfield’s palms with an ambitious 28 yards strike. #afcvmfc

33mins: Dangerous free-kick for Aberdeen…McGinn bends it just wide. Dons fans though it was in. #afcvmfc

30mins: Great chance for a counter attack there but Anier seems a bit impatient and needlessly strays well offside #afcvmfc

26mins: Sutton loses his footing at the vital second as he latched onto Lasley’s reverse pass. Wee half chance #afcvmfc

23mins: Robson finds a bit of space in midfield and gets a shot away from 25 yards. Well wide though #afcvmfc

17mins: Corner to ‘Well…….cleared by The Dons. Sutton heads down the tunnel for treatment on a cut #afcvmfc

13mins: Hayes passes up a glorious opportunity! McGinn swung it and from 8 yards his diving header goes wide #afcvmfc

3mins: Corner to Aberdeen….Twardzik has to be sharp and punch clear at his front post #afcvmfc

2mins: Aberdeen have a FK out wide but Robson’s inswinger has no takers. #afcvmfc

McGinn and Vernon kick-off #afcvmfc

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“We had a hard couple of weeks after going out of the cup and lesser teams would have crumbled after what had happened.

“But I said at the time that we have some good strong characters in the dressing room and those are the times you have to stand up and be counted.

“We were getting flak, which was rightly deserved at the time, but those are the times you have to show a bit of steel and character.

“It gets a monkey off our back in terms of having not beaten a side in the top six this season. It’s a good boost to come and take three points from what is a difficult place to come to.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes:

“There’s no shame in losing to Motherwell. They’re a good team and you don’t always get what you deserve.

“We lost a really untidy goal which gave Motherwell something to hold on to and, from that perspective, it feels a bit smash-and-grab.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”173″]