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Motherwell travel to take on Stranraer in the first away trip of the 2018/19 season on Saturday.

It is the second game of the Betfred Cup group stage for Stephen Robinson’s side, and after a convincing 5-0 victory over Edinburgh City, the Steelmen have the chance to go top of Group G ahead of the visit of current table toppers Queen of the South on Tuesday.

Players vying for places

There were two high profile absentees for the opening fixture against Edinburgh City, but Stephen Robinson is set to be bolstered by the return of Peter Hartley and Cédric Kipré for the trip to Stair Park.

Add to that the fact that Aaron Taylor-Sinclair is still to make his debut, and the likes of Liam Grimshaw, Gaël Bigirimana and youngster David Turnbull haven’t featured competitively yet, and the ‘Well boss has a number of players fighting for a spot in the starting XI.

New season, new skipper

Peter Hartley could be set to make his first appearance of the season, and his first as club captain, having missed out through suspension in the opening game.

The centre back, who scored three goals last season in his first as a ‘Well player, was on the sidelines for seven months with a foot injury, but could be set to make his long awaited return on Saturday.

Stranraer hungry for victory

The hosts started their cup campaign with a thrilling clash against Queen of the South, but were ultimately on the wrong side of the eight-goal encounter as the Doonhamers won 5-3.

With just one game played so far, the League One outfit will be keen to keep their cup hopes alive as the Steelmen arrive for Saturday’s showdown.

Having bagged three goals in their first game, the Blues are just one short of matching their entire haul in last season’s Betfred Cup, when they scored four.

Same stage, same opposition

James Farrell’s Stranraer side are no strangers for ‘Well, who faced the Blues in Group F of this competition in 2016.

On that day, Mark McGhee’s men ran out 3-0 winners at a sunny Stair Park in the final fixture of the group.

The Fir Parkers qualified for the knockout rounds as a result, with goals from Chris Cadden, Marvin Johnson and Scott McDonald securing second spot in the table behind Rangers.

If you are taking the train to Stranraer on Saturday, make sure you don’t pay more than you need to.

If you choose Motherwell as your origin station when purchasing, and Stranraer as your destination, you will be charged £47.50 for an adult return.

Alternatively, you can currently purchase a return ticket online from Motherwell to Glasgow Central, which will cost £4.90, and then separately buy a return from Glasgow Central to Stranraer, which will cost £21.80.

In total, at the time of writing, you will save £20.80 if you purchase your tickets this way. You will experience no difference in terms of your travel if you purchase at the cheaper cost.

Scotrail have told us that differences on fares on certain routes is responsible for the higher price. By booking two separate journeys, you can avoid it.

Only Cedric Kipre and Richard Tait clocked up more minutes in claret and amber in the 2017/18 campaign than Charles Dunne.

But as the 25-year-old prepares for his second season at Fir Park, the ever-present defender doesn’t take his playing time for granted.

Liam Donnelly and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair arrived during the summer to bolster Stephen Robinson’s defensive options, but the competition for places has only served as motivation for the London-born Irishman.

“It’s something that we all relish, to be honest,” Dunne said. “As a group you have to expect competition and we’ve all said it countless times but it really is true, it spurs us on to do better.

“Without that, you don’t demand more from yourself as a professional and that’s never a good thing. The manager makes sure that’s the way we operate as a side, and by strengthening in the summer, I think that will improve what was already here too.”

Dunne was part of the record-breaking side who registered 20 clean sheets last season, and with a 5-0 start to the new campaign, Motherwell’s number 18 is eyeing more of the same this term.

“Five goals, a clean sheet and an all round good team performance, you couldn’t have asked for much more than that to start the season,” Dunne beamed.

“But it’s just the start and now we face Stranraer on Saturday and we know that’s going to be a difficult game.

“We won’t even pay attention to the group table at the moment because regardless of their position, we know it’s going to be tough going to Stair Park and going up against a side that put in a strong performance against Queen of the South.”

He added: “We’ll focus on our own game. With the cup games coming so early it’s important to use them to our advantage as much as we can.

“One way of doing that is to get a run of games and minutes under your belt, but hopefully it also can be an opportunity to get some winning momentum for the opening league game.”

After opening the 2018/19 campaign with a resounding 5-0 win over Edinburgh City, Motherwell head to Stranraer for the second match in the Betfred Cup group stage.

Here are some key numbers and statistics you need to know ahead of the game.

669

That’s the number of days we waited for another Motherwell player to score a hat-trick, before Elliott Frear bagged three in the first half against Edinburgh City on Tuesday night.

Louis Moult was the last to do it on 17 September, 2016, when he netted four against Hamilton Academical at Fir Park.

921

Extending that theme, ‘Well fans waited 921 days to see the team record a victory again by five clear goals. The last time that happened was at home to Cove Rangers in the Scottish Cup in January 2016.

11

The amount of goals scored by Motherwell in the four games they’ve taken part in so far since reporting back for the 2018/19 campaign. Edinburgh City were the first competitive opponents, but Stephen Robinson’s men also put five past Darlington, and one past Crusaders, while keeping three clean sheets along the way.

In just a matter of a few months, a number of young people in North Lanarkshire have taken their own lives.

Last year, 40 people in North Lanarkshire were lost to suicide. Young men in particular are affected, with the suicide rate for males three times more than females.

Nobody wants to talk about suicide. But we need to change that.

If you’re reading this and feel low, we want you to know that everybody feels low sometimes. We all face difficult situations in our lives. That applies to everyone, whether they are our friends and family, supporters and even footballers.

Suicide is not the answer. There is always another way. Help is available. You are not alone. We know it is not always easy to talk but you are contemplating this, please open up to someone.

Our players, our manager Stephen Robinson and everyone at Motherwell Football Club are determined to play a part in preventing any more lives being lost. Everyone in our community is important to us. We want you to be able to talk and find another way.

If you’re feeling like this, please pick up the phone. You will not be judged. People can help you see there is another option.

Call the Samaritans on 116123, Breathing Space on 0800 838587 or Childline on 0800 1111.

Motherwell Football Club have extended their back-of-shirt partnership with North Lanarkshire Suicide Prevention. The logo will continue to be prominently displayed on shirts and around Fir Park Stadium.

Motherwell Football Club are backing efforts to tackle suicide and the dreadful consequences it can have for families and communities.

In season 2018/19, we will continue to display the the Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire logo on the back of our first team jerseys. Our reserve team will also follow suit.

In partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, the club will also be displaying prominent suicide prevention messages and helpline information around Fir Park during matches.

Almost one person every week dies by suicide in North Lanarkshire. As a club, we pledge to support Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire to help raise awareness that help is available for those who need it.

“We work with Motherwell FC on a number of local initiatives and this partnership is vital in helping raise awareness around this sensitive area,” council deputy leader Paul Kelly said.

“Suicide devastates lives across Scotland every day of every week. It is vital that if people are feeling suicidal or down that they know help is available. We need to let people know it helps to talk if you are feeling worried or concerned.

“By working together we can have a greater impact in preventing suicide.”

Lynne MacDonald, senior social work officer with North Lanarkshire Council, added: “This partnership with Motherwell FC means we can use football as a means to reach out to more people to reduce suicide.

“We want to make people aware that there is lots of help available if they are concerned about suicide or are worried about friends or family members.

“By raising awareness of how to recognise the signs sometimes associated with suicide, people will be in a better position to offer support and perhaps save lives.”

Alan Burrows, chief executive at Motherwell FC said: “Suicide has sadly impacted our club and our community on many different levels.

“Former players, staff and their families and, most recently, friends and supporters have been affected in someway over the years.

“We’ve always tried to raise awareness. We need to – and will – double our efforts going forward.”

Suzanne Reid, head of commercial and marketing at Motherwell FC added: “It is important to us as a club, and a central part of this community, to continue our support for this initiative.

“Suicide affects so many families in this area, and has had a direct impact on young supporters’ families in recent months. We want everyone to know that support is out there, and the first step towards it is to talk to someone.”

For more information go to www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/safer or call 0800 073 0918.

If you’re feeling low, please pick up the phone. You will not be judged. People can help you see there is another option. Call the Samaritans on 116123, Breathing Space on 0800 838587 or Childline on 0800 1111.

Motherwell got their 2018/19 campaign off to the perfect start as they ran out 5-0 winners over Edinburgh City.

Elliott Frear bagged a hat-trick in the first half, while Andy Rose and Richard Tait also netted early on to claim all three points in the Betfred Cup group stage match.

Motherwell got their season off to an emphatic start with a 5-0 win over Edinburgh City.

Hat-trick hero Elliott Frear, Andy Rose and Mark Gillespie, who kept a clean sheet on his debut, spoke after the match.

Manager Stephen Robinson hailed his players after they kicked off the 2018/19 campaign with a 5-0 win over Edinburgh City.

Elliott Frear grabbed a first-half hat-trick, with goals also coming in the opening 45 minutes from Curtis Main and Richard Tait.

Motherwell kicked off the new season with an emphatic win over Edinburgh City. Five first half goals, including a hat-trick for Elliot Frear, ensured the Steelmen made the perfect start in their opening Betfred Cup tie.

It was Frear’s winner at Ainslie Park that led to ‘Well’s narrow victory over the side from the capital at the same stage of the competition last year. However, there was no chance of a cup upset on City’s visit to Fir Park as Calum Antwell’s goal was put under constant pressure in the first half.

The new score board was still displaying the seventh minute when Frear latched on to Chris Cadden’s low ball across the face of the goal, to smash home the first goal of the season.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0 when Richard Tait collected the ball just outside the box before drilling a sweet drive inside the ‘keeper’s post on his left foot.

Curtis Main looked keen to add his name to the scoresheet and after he hammered a free kick into the wall, Frear reacted to hammer the loose ball high into the top corner.

Chris Cadden came close to extending the lead when his 20 yard effort clipped the top of the bar. However, having earned his full Scotland cap, Cadden was again the provider for Frear, slipping the ball into his path for the ‘Well winger to bag his hat-trick after only 28 minutes.

Six minutes from the break, Antell did well to block a thunderous drive from Main. The ‘Well striker was not to be denied his first goal of the campaign when another long range effort swerved beyond the ‘keeper and made it 5-0 at the break.

The second 45 was always going to struggle to live up to the first, however, there were debuts for midfielder Alex Gorrin and the twin strike force of Danny Johnson and Conor Sammon.