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Motherwell travel to Hamilton on Saturday for the final Lanarkshire derby of the 2018/19 season.

Here’s the game previewed in numbers.

Four

Motherwell and Hamilton go head-to-head for the fourth time in the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership season.

Accies won the opening derby of the campaign at Fir Park, but the Steelmen responded with 2-1 and 3-0 victories in the following two victories.

Seven

Saturday’s hosts sit seven clear of bottom spot with five games to go, as they strive to pull themselves even further clear of the drop zone.

Brian Rice’s men are also four points ahead of the play-off position, which is currently occupied by St Mirren.

18

Eighteen points separate the two teams heading into Saturday’s derby.

For Motherwell, it’s a case of striving for seventh spot and finishing best of the rest in the top flight.

St Johnstone currently sit a point ahead, with the two teams due to meet at the start of May.

Nobody expected an easy transition for Motherwell in SWPL1, and it certainly hasn’t proved one so far.

Following on from getting the league campaign off to a winning start against Stirling University, Motherwell haven’t managed to add another victory in their subsequent four matches.

As the women of steel prepare to host Rangers at Ravenscraig on Wednesday evening, Steph Knox insists nobody is reaching for the panic button at this early stage.

With a two-and-a-half-week break without a game, the defender thinks that will have helped the side recover from painful successive defeats against Spartans in their last outings.

“The break has given us much needed time together on the pitch to work on things and regroup,” Knox said. “It’s important to challenge any issues and move past them to improve as a team.

“To suffer back-to-back defeats against Spartans was very disappointing, but we can’t deny that Spartans are a very good team with very good players.

“We know we need to really up our game to compete with teams like Spartans and we proved we can do that against Celtic – it’s just trying to find that consistency.”

With big challenges coming thick and fast, Knox knows that finding consistency won’t be a straightforward exercise.

After hosting Rangers, Donald Jennow’s side head to Petershill Park to face 12-in-a-row title winners Glasgow City.

Only five games into the season, Knox reckons the league table isn’t too significant at this early stage and stressed the importance that they the team don’t look beyond their next game.

“The Rangers game will be a massive challenge for us,” added Knox, who played for the Ibrox side between 2009 and 2015.

“They are an experienced top league side and have a lot of quality.

“We know we’ll have to work hard and really focus to take anything away from the game but we’re up for there challenge and are looking forward to the game.

“It’s important to be realists with our league position, we have seen some interesting results so far this season.

“You can’t take anything for granted and one game at a time is definitely our strategy right now.”

Having had a brief spell at ‘Well last season, Steph rejoined the ranks at Fir Park during the close season and has been an ever-present so far this term.

The defender is enjoying playing regular football and is excited about the heightened attention being placed on the women’s game.

Scotland’s brilliant 1-0 triumph over Brazil during the international break grabbed headlines across the country and Knox will be right behind Shelley Kerr and all of those in dark blue as they head to France for this summer’s World Cup.

“It’s been great coming back to Motherwell,” the 24-year-old said. “For me this season has been about getting back to enjoying playing football.

“The atmosphere at the club is one of the best I’ve been at from both the coaches and the players – I’m loving playing again.

“It’s brilliant to see our national side do so well they’ve really exceeded expectations.

“The result against Brazil was a real confidence boost going into the World Cup. It’s exciting for the country and I’m sure the girls will do us all proud over there.”

Motherwell went top of the SPFL Reserve League on Tuesday with a 3-1 win away to Dundee.

Winger Akeal Rehman bagged a first half double, and turned provider for Stuart McKinstry to give the young Steelmen victory.

Maurice Ross’ side turned in a controlled performance throughout, showing grit and determination in a second half which became a greater physical contest.

“Winning sometimes is about saying to your opponent to come ahead,” Ross said after the game.

“Dundee came out for the second half looking for a reaction and things got a little physical.

“Football then isn’t always about playing pretty. If you’re going to get to the Motherwell first team, you need to be able to show you can fight as well.

“So when that happens, it all helps with their development.”

Motherwell fell behind early in the match at Forfar’s Station Park, with a shot ricocheting off the post and off the unfortunate David Devine and into the net.

As has often been the case, Ross’ side rallied and didn’t take long to level things up, with Rehman getting on the end of a perfectly-weighted through ball from Reece McAlear, before slotting under the onrushing goalkeeper.

After 15 minutes, ‘Well were ahead. Trickery down the right from Rehman led to a short low cross to the front post, which McKinstry swept home.

As the first half wore on, Rehman charged down a back pass to the Dundee keeper, who could only fire the ball against the forward’s legs, with the ball ending up in the net.

“We never let our heads drop when we go a goal down,” added Ross.

“We keep working through our patterns and then, when we see an opportunity, we pounce.”

Motherwell face Celtic next week in their final game of the campaign. Should they win, they must then wait for Celtic and Rangers to play an outstanding match each before the destination of the league title is decided.

Motherwell are back in action following a 17-day break without a competitive fixture, when Rangers visit Ravenscraig on Wednesday evening in SWPL1.

Donald Jennow’s side went into the break with back to back defeats against Spartans and will be keen to bounce back against a Rangers side who are placed one place and two points above them in the table.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm.

THE OPPOSITION

Like Motherwell, Rangers have also suffered defeat in their last two outings.

They suffered a bruising 4-1 loss at home to Celtic ahead of the international break, before returning with a 5-1 hammering in the SWPL Cup semi final against Glasgow City at Broadwood on Sunday.

Despite their recent struggles, Amy McDonald’s side have shown their qualities as they swept aside Stirling University 4-1 and recording successes over Forfar Farmington in the league and SWPL Cup.

Six points from four games represents a mixed start to the campaign for the Light Blues, who will harbour ambitions to build on last season’s fourth place finish.

Meetings with ‘Well and Spartans within a five-day spell could prove very significant in how their season is to progress.

POSITIONS

Motherwell: SWPL1 – sixth – four points

Rangers: SWPL1 – fifth – six points

WHAT THEY SAID

‘Well defender Steph Knox insists nobody within the squad is reaching for the panic button after the disappointment of back-to-back defeats against Spartans.

“To suffer back to back defeats against Spartans was very disappointing,” she said

“We know we need to really up our game to compete with teams like Spartans and we proved we can do that against Celtic – it’s just trying to find that consistency.”

“The Rangers game will be a massive challenge for us.

“They are an experienced top league side and have a lot of quality.”

Head coach Donald Jennow is looking forward to returning to action and has urged his players to continue learning.

“We continue to learn as a squad and in recent weeks have had to count the cost of mistakes at this level,” Jennow said.

“What has been pleasing is the reaction to those mistakes. The players are supportive of each other and there is a resilience and commitment to looking forward.

“I always look at what’s next and that’s how I want the players to approach every action.”

The first post-split game sees Motherwell make the short trip to face Hamilton Academical on Saturday, 20 April.

Here’s an early look ahead to the match.

What’s at stake

For Motherwell, it’s all about seventh spot and finishing at the top of the group.

The Steelmen currently sit a point behind St Johnstone in eighth spot, with Livingston also sitting just a point behind Motherwell.

Hamilton meanwhile have put a bit of breathing space between themselves, Dundee and St Mirren in the fight against relegation, but they aren’t out of the woods yet.

Brian Rice’s men have 25 points, four more than St Mirren who occupy the play-off place. Dundee sit three points further behind the Buddies in bottom spot.

Tale of the tape

Hamilton have won two, drawn three and lost five of their last 10 matches. Their most recent match, at home to St Mirren, ended in a 1-1 draw.

At home, they’ve won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five. Wins over Hearts and St Johnstone went with draws against Dundee and St Mirren, and a loss to Rangers.

Motherwell meanwhile have won five, drawn one and lost four from the last 10.

On the road, Stephen Robinson will be looking to end a run of four games without a victory. Defeats to Aberdeen, Celtic and Hibernian went with a point gained at Kilmarnock.

Head to head

Motherwell have won the last two derbies, beating Accies 3-0 at Fir Park and 2-1 away.

Hamilton’s last win came earlier in the season at Fir Park, with Steven Boyd netting in a 1-0 win.

Get your tickets in advance

You can buy your tickets online now. Alternatively, you can visit the ticket office at Fir Park or call 01698 333333.

Tickets should be purchased in advance. Our ticket office at Fir Park will be open Monday to Thursday from 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4pm.

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

The reserves play their penultimate match of the league season on Tuesday, as they travel to face Dundee.

Kick off at Station Park in Forfar is at 2pm.

We head towards the 2019/20 campaign with an optimism over the direction our club is heading, both in terms of Stephen Robinson’s playing squad and matters off the park, as we continue to grow.

We end 2018/19 with the highest-ever number of season ticket holders. It demonstrates that this is a thriving club, with passionate supporters who believe in what we stand for and what we are trying to achieve. We’re determined to have every single one of you renewing and looking forward to coming back for the new campaign.

This coming season, we are also asking you all to dream a little bigger. What if we can convince our friends to renew? What if we can attract even more people to come along and see our games? What if we can turn up the noise that bit more inside the stadium? What if we can take our children to their first game this year and convert them to a lifetime supporting our club? I was taken to my first game at the age of five and that is why I’ve been in love with the club ever since.

We can all play our part, however big or small, to try and push things to the maximum. In turn, we can make our stadium the best possible place to push on our team to produce the magical moments that can define a season, and given even greater encouragement to emerging talent.

When you buy a season ticket, you are placing your faith in the team and also helping your club be in the best possible position it can be. Your continued support matters. It’s our club. We own it. It continues to thrive because of your incredible backing and enthusiasm for it. Buying helps us set our budgets for the year ahead, allowing the manager to shape his talented group and push for further success.

We head towards the new campaign with plenty to be optimistic about. Our team have again pushed hard for a top six place in 2018/19, shown great winning form particularly since the turn of the year, and there’s a conveyor of young talent which has got us on our feet throughout the campaign, as well as receiving international recognition.

We hope that you decide to commit to a Motherwell FC season ticket again for the forthcoming campaign. If we do that, and we can all show our support as much as we possibly can, then… what if?

You can buy or renew your 2019/20 season ticket at tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk now. Full and further information is available here.

Jim McMahon, chairman, Motherwell Football Club.

In the last two years, we’ve taken great strides on the pitch.

Two cup finals will live long in the memory, and we have pushed so close to becoming a top six team in both seasons, despite having one of the smallest budgets in the league.

I always make it clear that our objective is to finish 10th in the league. That might not seem ambitious on the surface, but the reality is that our primary goal will always be to remain a Scottish Premiership team.

But our aims and aspirations are always higher. Our league performance in 2019 has shown that we are capable of more. We’ve shown that emerging young talent, and hungry players coming in from elsewhere, can blend to give us a team we all identify with and can be excited by.

So what if 2019/20 can provide more memorable moments? What if we can build on what we have, continue to find that blend and see where it takes us?

If one thing is for certain, being at Motherwell means there’s always an element of unpredictability over what we might achieve. But we know that there will always be the maximum effort given to make us the best we possibly can be.

We count on your backing. You buying a season ticket helps us plan and budget for the campaign. It also boosts us to know that you’re putting your faith in us by making a significant investment of time and money to help us. Your contribution is hugely significant.

Where can all of that take us? Well, finding out is all part of the excitement that lies ahead of us.

But I know I’ll be challenging every player and every member of the coaching staff to ask what if? What if we can lift our effort levels, our performance levels and our belief? What sort of season could that lead to?

With experience already behind us of what is possible, we know more special moments are within our capabilities. We hope you decide to continue with us on that journey.

You can buy or renew your 2019/20 season ticket at tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk now. Full and further information is available here.