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Motherwell fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Barrow in the final pre-season friendly ahead of competitive football getting back underway this Saturday.

And it was a tough affair for the Steelmen, who fell behind from a set-piece inside ten minutes against a direct Barrow side.

The opening exchanges set the tone for the hosts, who pounded the ‘Well box with long throw-ins from full back Dan Jones – who was capable of dropping the ball inside the box from virtually anywhere in the Motherwell half.

Trevor Carson made his first appearance for the Steelmen behind a back four including new recruit Cédric Kipré.

Elliott Frear had a superb effort denied by the woodwork after five minutes and, despite his long throw, it was Jones’ left-foot which provided Richie Bennett with the opener inside ten minutes from a corner – as the midfielder lashed home beyond Carson from a bobbling delivery.

Chances were few and far between in the first half, with neither keeper being kept overly busy at the Furness Building Society Stadium.

Richard Tait’s inch perfect cross towards the rampant run of Gaël Bigirimana nearly produced the leveller, but Asa Hall managed to block the midfielders header and turn it wide.

Down the opposite end, Kipré produced a goal-saving header to deny Jordan White a simple finish towards the dying ends of the opening 45.

Seven substitutes filtered their way on to the park throughout the first ten minutes of the second period, with McManus, Tanner, Bowman, Campbell, McMillan, Gordon and Livingstone all entering the match.

It looked as though Bigirimana’s stunning 25-yard freekick was the route back in to the game for Motherwell, but the midfielder’s sumptuous effort was matched by a superb save to keep Barrow in front.

The final few minutes ended in frantic fashion, when Cadden was dragged to the deck by the Barrow trialist stopper after getting his toe to the ball – yet the referee somehow waved the claims away.

Immediately down the other end, Frear’s miscued, deflected back pass forced Carson to make a tremendous save and limit the deficit to one.

Motherwell: Carson, Tait, Hammell, Kipré, Heneghan, Bigirimana, McHugh, Rose, Cadden, Frear, Fisher

Subs: Griffiths, McManus, Bowman, Clay, Tanner, Campbell, McMillan, Livingstone

The 2017/18 Macron home kit goes on sale tomorrow from the Well Shop at Fir Park.

It will be Motherwell’s fourth campaign with Italian manufacturers Macron and the first with new principal sponsors McEwan Fraser Legal, the UK & Scotland’s award-winning solicitors & estate agents.

The home strip has a very traditional look and feel to it, with a return to claret shorts and the claret and amber hooped socks.

Adult shirts are priced at £45, with Junior’s coming in at £35.

The date of sale for the black and grey away kit is yet to be announced.

Extended highlights from Gateshead International Stadium where a late comeback is not enough to prevent defeat for the Steelmen.

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson insists that he will not focus too much on the result after his side lost 3-2 against Gateshead this afternoon. 

Late goals from Ryan Bowman and Andy Rose were mere consolations as the Steelmen battled back from 3-0 down.

But the Fir Park manager had his focus on fitness and individual performances as the club prepares for competitive football getting started in a weeks time.

[pullquote]We didn’t focus too much on winning two games in a row so we certainly won’t focus on this defeat too much either.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, the Northern Irishman said: “We didn’t focus too much on winning two games in a row so we certainly won’t focus on this defeat too much either.

“Today was a bit of a lesson and perhaps a bit of a wake up call for some people fitness wise, which is good, because if you play pre-season games and win 10-0 it tells you nothing.”

He added: “So we know that there’s a few people off the pace and a few need to buck up their ideas about being in the team – so it’s a good yardstick for me.”

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Motherwell suffered their first defeat of pre-season at the hands of Gateshead – slumping to a 3-2 defeat at the International Stadium.

Arriving on the back of consecutive 2-0 victories, Robinson’s side contained five summer recruits in the shape of Gaël Bigirimana, Craig Tanner, Alex Fisher, Charles Dunne and Cédric Kipré.

Goals from Andy Rose and Ryan Bowman, bagging against his former employers, were too little too late for the travelling ‘Well.

However, Robinson’s men cruised through the opening half hour, and much of the match, but somehow couldn’t find the breakthrough until the final few minutes thanks to a number of wonder-saves from Dan Hanford in the Tyneside goal.

Despite few opportunities, the hosts managed to snatch the lead five minutes before half time.

Macauley Langstaff capitalised on a moment of miscommunication in the ‘Well backline to strike a low effort on target. A fortunate deflection took the ball past Russell Griffiths and, despite Tait’s best efforts to scoop the ball away from the goalmouth, the referee awarded the goal.

The Fir Parkers got off on the front foot in the second period against an entirely different Tyneside eleven. Carl McHugh’s goal bound header was tipped over the bar by substitute stopper James Montgomery a minute after the restart.

A number of changes saw the introduction of Rose, Elliott Frear and Ross MacLean as the Steelmen searched for an equaliser.

However, Robinson’s men found themselves two behind when Kieran Green released a stunning effort beyond Griffiths in to the far corner.

Soon it was three when the hosts experienced another slice of luck – this time Tom White’s effort deflected wickedly beyond Griffiths with just 15 minutes remaining.

Bowman had a number of opportunities to respond for the visitors, with the creativity and delivery from substitute Frear proving too much for the Gateshead defence.

The striker eventually took his chance in the 90^th minute when he headed home Frear’s cross to bag his fourth goal in as many games.

New arrival Andy Rose made it 3-2 in the dying seconds when he tapped home from two yards, but it was too little, too late for the Lanarkshire outfit, who face Barrow on Tuesday night in their final friendly ahead of the Betfred Cup opener against Queen’s Park.

Motherwell: Griffiths, Tait, Hammell, Heneghan, Bigirimana, McHugh, Bowman, Fisher, Dunne, Kipré, Tanner

Subs: Morrison, Cadden, Frear, Rose, McMillan, MacLean, Turnbull

Motherwell FC is today pleased to announce the club’s first Supporter Liaison Officer as long time ‘Well fan Joanne McQue.

Joanne, a customer service assistant and Union Rep, will service the club and supporters in the build up to, on and after matchdays, to help improve the supporter experience at home and away games.

And the club’s first SLO admits she can’t wait to start helping the club she loves.

Joanne said: “I’m a Motherwell supporter, and I thought to myself ‘if there’s anything I can do to help the club, I’d do it’ and I’m delighted to be involved now.

“I’m really excited and I can’t wait to get stuck in and do my best in this role.”

[pullquote]Motherwell means everything to me, it’s right up there with my kids! But I have to say my granny is probably a bigger supporter than me![/pullquote]

Joanne, who couldn’t hide her excitement and optimism, added: “I work in customer services already and I can always get some banter going when needed too, so I think I can be a good, friendly face for the supporters whenever they need help.

“Motherwell means everything to me, it’s right up there with my kids! But I have to say my granny is probably a bigger supporter than me!”

Craig Hughes of the Well Society said: “With fan ownership it is vital that we are always looking to improve the communication between supporters and the club and we believe that appointing our first SLO is a massive step in the right direction.

“We have absolutely no doubts Jo will be an excellent SLO and a massive asset to both the club and more importantly the fans. We are looking forward to working with her throughout the upcoming season.”

Marketing and Fan Engagement manager Ryan Murrant added: “It’s great that Jo is joining us an SLO ready for the season. Her passion for this club and for customer services will help her and our supporters massively in this role.

“Jo is the first of our SLO’s in place this year and we look forward to her helping us help our supporters. Jo will join us and other SLO’s on Wednesday at the Supporters Direct conference, which is if you like, the beginning of her exciting journey with the football club.”

If you are interested in becoming an SLO or understanding more about the role please see the attached Job Description PDF.

To apply for one of the positions, please send your CV to us at supporter.services@motherwellfc.co.uk and tell us more about yourself, why you should be suited to the volunteer role of an SLO and what stand you would best represent.

Striker Jacob Blyth will miss the next four to six months after an operation to repair a foot injury.

The 24-year old, who joined from Leicester City last summer, had an injury-plagued campaign that restricted him to just one start and eight appearances from the substitute’s bench.

Towards the end of last season, he went off early in an Under 20s match against Falkirk at the Excelsior Stadium with a foot injury that eventually required surgery in late June.

[pullquote]It’s extremely frustrating for the lad as he’s only managed one start in his time at Fir Park and has not been able to show people why he was signed.[/pullquote]

The striker, who has had previous loan spells at Burton Albion, Notts County, Northampton Town, Cambridge Utd and Blackpool, will be likely be unavailable for the remainder of 2017.

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said: “It’s extremely frustrating for the lad as he’s only managed one start in his time at Fir Park and has not been able to show people why he was signed.

“It’s also very frustrating for the club as we’ll miss a player for almost half the season and with the constraints we work under, it’s not as simple as just going out and buying a replacement, so we have to readjust our plans.”

‘Well fans will have the chance to meet first team players and take part in fun activities at an upcoming open day.

Taking place on July 30th at Fir Park, the Claret and Amber faithful will be able to come along and collect their 2017/18 Season Tickets, meet the players and take part in some fun games.

There will be a Junior Season Ticket Holders vs MFC XI match, MFC Community Trust showcase, along with a Well Society 7-a-side tournament from 1pm.

Face painting and fun and games will also be included on the day, which all gets started from 10:00am and will run until 12.30pm before the Well Society event at 1pm.

[pullquote]It’s a great opportunity for our supporters to come and meet their heroes, enjoy some fun activities and to get down to Fir Park before a promising season starts the following week.[/pullquote]

There will also be a special visit from the Police and Fire Departments amongst other things.

According to Marketing and Fan Engagement Manager Ryan Murrant, it’s one not to be missed.

He said: We have had a lot of requests, either through our latest survey or through social media for the return of the open day and as a result we are genuinely excited to be bringing it back.

“It’s a great opportunity for our supporters to come and meet their heroes, enjoy some fun activities and to get down to Fir Park before a promising season starts the following week.”

He added: “We have seen a real positive reaction so far in our season ticket sales and with these still up by 19% year on year we hope the day will be a success as our supporters also come and collect their season ticket books.”

Motherwell FC is today delighted to announce the signing of central defender Cédric Kipré on a one-year deal.

The ex-Leicester City and Paris Saint Germain youngster has agreed terms with the Steelmen following a trial period with the club, where the 20-year-old impressed Fir Park boss Stephen Robinson.

Positive performances in the club’s pre-season friendlies and during training has resulted in the Frenchman being rewarded with a contract with the ‘Well.

And the 6ft 2in central defender, who was bought by the Foxes for an undisclosed fee before becoming a free agent this summer, boasts a number of impressive attributes.

Powerful, gifted with the ball at his feet and with an eye for a pass, the Frenchman is also strong in the air and has his best years ahead of him.

[pullquote]I’m feeling very good and I’m very happy to have signed here. I’ve been in for a couple of weeks now so I’ve had a chance to see everything, see the facilities and everything so yes, I’m very happy.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV after signing for the club, Cédric said: “I’m feeling very good and I’m very happy to have signed here. I’ve been in for a couple of weeks now so I’ve had a chance to see everything, see the facilities and everything so yes, I’m very happy.”

He added: “I’ve met everyone too and everyone is really nice. We got to know each other better when we went away to Ireland.”

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson added: “We’re very happy that Cédric has agreed to join us and becomes our eighth new arrival this summer.

“I managed to get a very good look at him over the past few weeks and it was never a doubt in my mind that we’d offer him a contract – so I’m delighted he’s agreed to sign.”

He added: “He’s only 20-years old but his development is staggering, he is incredibly strong and will complement the boys we’ve got at the back already.

“I very much look forward to working with Cédric this season. I’m also looking to bring in one more defender and another striker before the window shuts but I will have to ensure there are some outgoings first.”

Extended highlights from the Tony Macaroni Arena where Motherwell continue their pre-season preparations with a 0-2 win over Livingston.