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Motherwell endured a difficult afternoon in the capital, as their top six hopes took a serious dent in defeat to Hibernian.

First half goals from Marc McNulty and David Gray did the damage, as the Steelmen failed to lift their game to claim a place in the top half of the table.

The visitors were again unchanged, as they went in search of the win that would see them leapfrog the Hibees into the top six.

Within 30 seconds, it looked like they were off to a dream start. Gboly Ariyibi’s cross from the left caused havoc and Lewis Stevenson turned the ball against his own post, before it dropped out of play.

At the other end, Mallan and McNulty caused concern for Mark Gillespie, but both sides were enjoying attacking freedom on a difficult and heavy pitch.

Then, midway through the first half, the hosts got their chance. Tom Aldred blocked McNulty’s goalbound shot with his hand, with the referee pointing to the spot and booking the defender.

In-form McNulty made no mistake from the spot, blasting home to give his side the lead.

Motherwell remained positive but the sucker punch would come soon after. From a corner, Gray got the run on his marker to powerfully head into the net.

The visitors struggled to get a proper foothold and, as the match wore on, threw four up top in an attempt to salvage something from the game.

Ultimately though they were denied, leaving them with a task to salvage top six with three more games to go.

Donald Jennow believes a draw was a fair reflection on proceedings, as he watched his Motherwell side play out a goalless draw with Celtic.

The Motherwell boss’ team battled valiantly at K-Park against former Well manager Eddie Black’s side. Chances were limited throughout, with the game largely being played in midfield.

It was a valuable point for the women of steel, moving them onto four points from four games.

Jennow was pleased with his team but identified areas where the side could make some improvements.

“I think a point was probably fair,” he said. “I thought we defended well and we caused them some real problems on the counter-attack.

“I thought our midfielders were excellent. I thought we kept the ball quite well and we were really competitive. Their energy throughout the game was top notch.”

Jennow’s side came into the game on the back of a disappointing 4-0 home defeat to Hibs.

The result was harsh on the team, who were punished by their clinical opponents in ruthless fashion.

Friday saw a massive improvement from their last scoreline, and Jennow has taken away some big positives from his side’s fruitful performance.

“In the last couple of league games, we have conceded a few goals, and a few poor ones at that. I think throughout the team defensively, not just the back four and the goalkeeper, but the midfield and the shape in front of them.

“I think the clean sheet was a real positive for us. The defensive performance is going to be the foundation for us. If we keep clean sheets, we don’t lose games. So that’s a good place to start on.”

Motherwell’s next fixture is an SWPL quarter-final against Spartans, a repeat of last year’s Scottish Women’ Cup semi-final.

Jennow believes there is plenty to come from his side and that his side won’t begin to rest on their laurels after an impressive performance.

“I am happy enough with the point,” he said. “I think with the quality of squad we’ve got though, we need to get ourselves into a position where we’re not content with a point. I want to get us in a situation where we expect a bit more from ourselves.

“What we will look to build on is what can we add to our game, particularly in the final third. We just have to add a bit more quality and precision so we can perhaps get a few goals.”

Motherwell took a richly deserved share of the spoils on Friday night, after battling out a 0-0 draw with Celtic at K-Park.

Caitlin Russell replaced the injured Maxine Welsh in the only change to the ‘Well side that lost to Hibs five days previously.

Chances were at a premium throughout what was a fiercely contested encounter in SWPL1.

Natalie Ross spurned the best chance of the game for the hosts, while Katie Rice fired over from range and Mhairi Fyfe had an effort blocked as ‘Well looked to clinch the win late on.

A point moves the women of steel on to four points from four games.

They return to action next Sunday, when they host Spartans in the last eight of the SWPL Cup.

Motherwell: Hunter, Knox, Rolph, Rafferty, Crilly, Russell (Fyfe), Montgomery, McEachran, Adams, Rice, Gardner.

Subs not used: Cunningham, Hutchison, Roberts, McManus.

Motherwell travel to face Hibernian in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday.

If you live outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch a live stream of the game direct from Easter Road. Kick off is at 3pm GMT.

To sign up for our service, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and choose your package. Subscriptions to see live games start at just £12 a month.

Every league game between now and the split will be broadcast live on our service.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland but can’t make the game, there’s also live audio commentary available on our service. Our domestic subscriptions cost £6 a month and also get you full game replays.

Stephen Robinson reflects on two years in charge at the club, and looks ahead to the top six showdown at Easter Road.

Motherwell head to Hibernian on Saturday looking to make it into the top six for the first time in the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Head to head

Both sides have picked up wins against the other on home turf this campaign.

Hibernian were 3-0 winners on the first day of the league season, while David Turnbull’s goal resulted in a deserved 1-0 win at Fir Park in January.

Ticket information

Tickets are available online now to collect from the Fir Park ticket office.

Alternatively, sales pods will be open at the south stand at Easter Road to purchase tickets before going to the turnstiles.

Prices are as follows:

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

The form guide

From Motherwell’s last 10 games, Stephen Robinson’s men have won seven.

Wins over Hamilton, Hibernian, Dundee, Livingston, St Mirren, Hearts and then Hamilton again last time out have contributed to a fantastic run.

Hibs, in contrast, have also picked up some wins. Five victories from 10 games, including a four-game winning run in February, have kept them in top six contention.

Team news

Motherwell remain without Trevor Carson, Craig Tanner, Christian Mbulu and Ross McCormack are also still sidelined. Chris Cadden is back in training but is not yet available.

Watch it live online

If you’re based outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch a live stream of the game direct from Easter Road.

To sign up for our service, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and choose your package. Subscriptions to see live games start at just £12 a month.

Every league game between now and the split will be broadcast live on our service.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland but can’t make the game, there’s also live audio commentary available on our service. Our domestic subscriptions cost £6 a month and also get you full game replays.

A huge weekend for Motherwell will be kicked off by the women of steel on Friday evening, when Donald Jennow’s side take on Celtic at K-Park.

On the back of successive league defeats, ‘Well will be keen to bounce back against a Hoops side buoyed by an impressive 5-1 victory over Spartans in their last outing.

Last weekend’s 4-0 reverse at home to Hibs was a harsh on ‘Well who, despite competing well for long spells of the game, were punished by their more clinical opponents.

With just five days between the fixtures, the game presents the ideal opportunity to get over that disappointment.

The game was initially moved to the Friday evening to be shown live on BBC Alba, however logistical issues mean this no longer will be the case.

Kick off at K-Park is 7:45pm. Adult entry will cost £5, concessions £3 and under 16s go for free.

The Opposition

The game will see Eddie Wolecki Black come up against Motherwell for the first time since departing the club for Celtic in the summer of 2018.

As well as a familiar face in the dugout, former ‘Well players Emma Black and Kirsty McLaughlin are both also likely to feature for the Hoops, with both players having played big roles in Motherwell’s SWPL2 success last season.

Celtic have enjoyed a good start to the new campaign, with two wins from their opening three fixtures.

In their last outing, they comfortably overcame Spartans 5-1 and will be aiming to push on in their bid to upset the dominance of Glasgow City and Hibernian at the top of the women’s game in Scotland.

Position

Celtic: SWPL1 – third – six points

Motherwell: SWPL1 – sixth – three points

What They Said

Motherwell keeper Morgan Hunter is aiming to eradicate the disappointment of last weekend’s defeat to Hibs.

“Last week was tough, but I think we held our own very well in the first half,” she said. “We need to take that confidence into the game on Friday.

“There have been lots of changes to most teams in SWPL 1 this season so it’s hard to predict how things will go.

“Celtic will definitely be a tough opposition but we are more than ready to show we are too.”

‘Well boss Donald Jennow says the rescheduling of the fixture has had no impact on his preparations.

Jennow was disappointed the game will no longer be broadcast live on television, but insists his focus is on a positive result against Celtic.

“Whilst we are disappointed the match won’t be shown on Alba, it hasn’t impacted on our preparations,” Jennow said.

“It’s a game we’re all looking forward to and as far as we’re concerned, it’s business as usual as we look to bounce back following Sunday’s defeat.”

Hibs host Motherwell on Saturday, as the two sides face each other in the chase to make the top six.

Here’s some things to note about our opponents.

All change

Since Motherwell ran out 1-0 winners at Fir Park in January, Neil Lennon has left and been replaced at the helm by Paul Heckingbottom.

His first three games brought him wins, picking up league victories over Hamilton, Dundee and St Johnstone.

A 2-0 Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic followed, before their 1-1 league draw with Rangers in their last outing.

Home form

From 22 home matches, the Hibees have had a mixed bag of results.

In all competitions, they’ve amassed 10 victories at Easter Road. But over 50% of their games haven’t resulted in a win, with seven draws and five defeats along the way.

The same goes in the league. From 14 home games, they’ve won five, drawn six and lost three.

Scotland call

Looking to bolster their forward options in January, Mark McNulty returned home after five years down south.

The striker, on loan from Reading, has wasted no time in making an impact.

In four starts and two sub appearances in the league, he’s netted five times, including doubles over Dundee and St Johnstone. He’s also scored one in two in the Scottish Cup.

The reward for his form has been a first call to the Scotland squad for the EURO 2020 double header with Kazakhstan and San Marino.

Morgan Hunter believes the women of steel are ready to show their mettle, when they travel to K-Park to face Celtic on Friday evening.

After opening their SWPL1 campaign with a win over Stirling University, ‘Well have suffered two successive league defeats.

Last weekend’s 4-0 loss at home to Hibs was harsh on Donald Jennow’s side, but Hunter says all their focus is on bouncing back in East Kilbride.

“Last week was tough, but I think we held our own very well in the first half,” the ‘Well keeper said. “We need to take that confidence into the game on Friday.

“There’s been lots of changes to most teams in SWPL 1 this season so it’s hard to predict how things will go.

“Celtic will definitely be a tough opposition but we are more than ready to show we are too.”

Friday evening’s clash will see Motherwell come up against Eddie Wolecki Black for the first time since the former ‘Well gaffer joined Celtic in the summer of 2018.

It’s another element that will add to the intrigue of an important league fixture, though Hunter insists all that matters is the end result.

“The only thing mentioned has been that we must fight to win and get three points,” she added. “There’s no personal feelings when that whistle goes on Friday.

“It’s always important to get points on the board early and build momentum.

“We won’t focus on the league table too early. It’s important that we take it game by game.”

Morgan has enjoyed a solid start to life at Fir Park.

She kept a clean sheet on her debut and in the SWPL Cup win over Hutchison Vale.

On Sunday, the 25-year-old made a number of good stops, before suffering the misfortune of seeing Kirsten Reilly’s free kick slip through her grasp for Hibernian’s fourth.

“That final goal was a massive disappointment and it’s a horrible feeling conceding a goal like that,” she admitted. ”It’s so important not to go into your own head after that happens.

“It can’t be changed, so you focus on the next one, which was a shot on target that I managed to push round the post.

“If I’d let my head drop, that would’ve been another goal.

“I’m really enjoying it here, as I said it’s my first taste of SWPL1 and it’s challenging but I’m learning everyday.

“The girls have made it so easy settling in and theres so much quality about this team. I’m excited to see how the season goes.”

Motherwell head to Hibernian on Saturday, as the race to finish in the top half of the Ladbrokes Premiership continues.

Here’s the game previewed in numbers.

Six

This weekend’s match is all about sixth spot, and the two sides slugging it out to finish in the top half of the table come the split.

Hibernian currently have the upper hand, sitting two points ahead of the ‘Well.

The Steelmen haven’t been higher than seventh all campaign, but can jump to sixth with a win at Easter Road.

Seven

From Motherwell’s last 10 games, Stephen Robinson’s men have won seven.

Wins over Hamilton, Hibernian, Dundee, Livingston, St Mirren, Hearts and then Hamilton again last time out have contributed to a fantastic run.

Hibs, in contrast, have also picked up some wins. Five victories from 10 games, including a four-game winning run in February, have kept them in top six contention.

224

It’s been over half a year since Motherwell last ventured through to Easter Road.

The 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership season was opened with an away game at Hibs, which the hosts won 3-0.