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It’s time to pick your Paycare Motherwell FC player of the month for September.

Sean Goss, Blair Spittal, Matt Penney and Paul McGinn are all in contention.

To vote, head over to our Facebook page.

Games played in September:

• Motherwell 0-0 Dundee United
• Motherwell 0-3 Hearts

Sean Goss

Having another impressive month in the middle of the pitch, Sean Goss has been providing plenty chances for the attackers in his side.

Creating nine opportunities for his teammates, Goss also played 90 minutes in both games.

Blair Spittal

Spittal has settled in nicely to his new surroundings and is nominated for the second month running.

Unlucky not to have netted against Hearts, with his header coming off the post, has been pinpoint with his passing and proven to be handful for opposition defences.

Matt Penney

Another summer signing, Matt Penney is somehow still yet to score his first Motherwell goal.

The Ipswich loanee, saw the first of his long range efforts against Hearts saved by Craig Gordon with the second agonisingly hitting the bar moments later.

The attack minded full back has enjoyed having the freedom of attacking thus far and his accuracy of his crosses have seen strikers able to have numerous efforts on goal.

Paul McGinn

His second month in the claret and amber and his second nomination for player of the month.

Paul McGinn is yet to miss a minute this season and has quickly established himself a reliable full back for Steven Hammell.

Strong defensively, making eight interceptions in the two games, and providing an attacking option, McGinn came close to scoring his first Motherwell goal with his efforts narrowly going off target.

Motherwell welcome Dundee United to K-Park in round two of the SWPL Cup on Sunday 2 October. 

Kick off is 4pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the game cost £8 for adults, with kids and concessions costing £3.

It will be pay-at-the-gate only, card or cash is accepted.

The Story of the Match

This will not be the first encounter between Motherwell and United this season.

On the opening day of the SWPL1 season, the ‘Well travelled to Dundee. The game would finish 1-1, with Kaela McDonald-Nguah scoring Motherwell’s only goal.

Motherwell have now faced the top four from last season in the opening six games of the season and sit on seven points.

Dundee United are also on seven points, beating Hamilton Accies 3-2 in their last outing. Prior to that, they were beaten 2-0 by Hearts.

Motherwell and 10-man Ayr United played out a competitive 3-3 draw in the first match of the new cinch Reserve Cup.

Ayr took an early lead before Mark Ferrie levelled midway through the first-half.

An own goal had the Steelmen ahead early in the second half before two defensive blunders had the Honest Men 3-2 up with 15 left to play. Ferrie levelled again before a number of spurned chances cost David Clarkson’s side.

In complete contrast to the 4-0 Reserve League win over Queen’s Park, it was a very young and inexperienced side in claret and amber. Dean Cornelius was the only inclusion with meaningful first-team experience, but David Devine, Robbie Mahon and Lennon Miller could count on some game time at senior level.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start as Ayr took the lead after just 70 seconds. Breaking quickly from a Motherwell free-kick, the hosts burst down the right flank and sent a testing ball into the area. Moffat’s glancing header sent it straight to Jayden Lawson Mitchell who took a nice touch before slotting into the corner.

Motherwell quickly recovered from that early blow to get themselves back into the match. Lennon Miller had a shot sail over the bar and Robbie Mahon fired high and wide of target.

They did eventually draw level after 25 minutes. Dean Cornelius’ neat through pass was perfect for the supporting Danny Hunter, who took a touch and blasted it across goal where Ferrie was on hand to finish neatly from close range.

Although the direction of the game was being played much more towards the Ayr goal, ‘Well would need Matty Connolly to make a dramatic double save to keep the scores level. The first was a David Bangala shot from close range that the young keeper turned around the post. The second, from the resulting corner, was a sliding effort from Michael Hewitt at the back post that he was able to tip away, before comfortably collecting Moffat’s hooked on effort on the rebound.

As the first-half was coming to a close, Ayr were reduced to ten men when young full-back Alex Jeanes was sent off for a second bookable offence after a crunching tackle on Miller.

With a man advantage, ‘Well started the second half on the front foot and a Ewan Wilson shot from distance set the early intentions for David Clarkson’s side. It was quickly followed by the second goal. Wilson was again involved, this time sending a nice ball down the left channel for Hunter, who had again made a supporting run from midfield. He again fired the ball across goal which cannoned off Hewitt and flew past McAdams for 1-2.

It was almost three just minutes later when Luca Ross cannoned a shot off the post. Cornelius, Miller and Ferrie all combined in the area, before the ball fell fortuitously to the winger, but his first-time effort bounced off McAdams’ right hand upright with the keeper stranded. Shortly after, McAdams did react well to a Hunter shot that he tipped over the bar for a corner.

Motherwell’s lack of a killer instinct to grab a decisive third goal was to prove crucial. It gave Ayr encouragement to get back into the match and with their next meaningful attack, the Honest men equalised. A simple near post corner wasn’t dealt with and it bounced off a defender and into the net for the second own goal of the afternoon.

Incredibly, Ayr got themselves back in front just five minutes later, and it was another defensive disappointment for the Steelmen. A loose pass across the back four was gifted to Lawson Mitchell who marched in on goal, rounded Connolly and slotted home.

To be fair to the visitors, they quickly regrouped and got themselves back on level terms just three minutes later. Hunter’s raking pass to the wide left position found Wilson in an advanced area. His first-time cross wasn’t properly dealt with by Hewitt, allowing Ferrie to pounce and fire a low shot into the far corner.

Motherwell went all out to find a fourth and winning goal. They were gift-wrapped the perfect opportunity to do so when they were awarded a penalty with ten minutes left on the clock when Ross was bundled to the ground by Kinlay Bilham. Ferrie had the chance to grab a hat-trick, but his low shot cannoned back off the left hand post and cleared.

‘Well continued to push and Ferrie stung the palms of McAdams with a firm shot from distance before Miller missed a close range header in the dying seconds after sub Dylan Wells had twisted the full-back up and hung up a cross into the six-yard box. Sadly, they couldn’t get it and had to be content with a point. The match went to spot kicks to determine who took a bonus point, and Ayr shaded it 5-3 when Wilson’s effort coming back off the cross bar.

Motherwell: Connolly, M.Ross, Wilson, Devine (Bone – 61 mins), Gould, Cornelius (MacDonald – 61mins (Dylan Wells – 81 mins)), Hunter, Miller, Mahon (Nevans – 70 mins), Ross, Ferrie

Subs Not Used: Aitken

Motherwell return from the international break with a short journey down the M74 to the east end of Glasgow to face Celtic at Celtic Park.

Kick off is 3pm, Saturday 1 October.

Tickets are available to purchase online now by clicking here.

Ticket prices:

Important Information

• Concession tickets are listed as 65 and over, under 16s and wheelchair users (carer ticket is FOC).
• Juveniles (listed at under 13s), must be accompanied by an adult.
• There are a limited number of restricted view tickets available, £3 cheaper than the listed price for adults and concessions, but will only be available when unrestricted view tickets are sold out.

How to Follow the Game Online

PPV and virtual season tickets options are not available for cinch Premiership matches this season. This is the case for all cinch Premiership clubs.

There will be live commentary for those in the UK, available at live.motherwellfc.co.uk

The story of the match

Celtic will be looking to avenge their first league defeat of the season against St Mirren, which was their last outing prior to the international break.

The Hoops lost 2-0 however remain top of the table.

Motherwell went into the international break with a 3-0 defeat at home to Hearts. However, Steven Hammell will be more than encouraged with his side’s performance in the game.

The steelmen have made an encouraging start to Hammell’s reign as they look for their third away win of the season.

Motherwell last picked up points at Celtic Park back in 2015, when a Louis Moult double secured all three points in a 2-1 victory for the ‘Well.

Match officials

We had two players on international duty across Europe.

Liam Kelly was once again called up to the Scotland squad, for a vital triple header in the Nations League.

Scotland started their international camp with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ukraine at Hampden, where Kelly was on the bench.

He would also be named amongst the substitutes in their second Nations League clash against Ireland.

The dark blues then travelled to Poland to take on Ukraine and look to advance to League A, a place in pot two for the Euro 2024 qualifiers and book a spot in the play off for Euro 2024.

Liam Kelly was named on the bench, with Scotland earning a 1-1 draw.

Ross Tierney was named in Ireland’s Under 21 squad as they looked to make history by qualifying for 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

The Irish took on Israel in a two legged final, with the first leg taking place in Dublin.

Ross Tierney was an unused sub as the match finished 1-1 with it all to play for in Israel.

In the return leg a week later, Tierney was in the starting 11.

Playing 59 minutes, the game went to extra time and penalties with neither side breaking the deadlock.

It would be Israel who would prevail on penalties with Israeli goalkeeper Peretz saving three Irish spot kicks as Ireland narrowly miss out on qualification.

Motherwell goalscoring machine Willie MacFadyen is the second inductee in the 2022 Hall of Fame.

MacFadyen will be a familiar name to most Motherwell fans given his goalscoring exploits during the 1920s and 1930s.

A local lad from Overton, a seventeen-year-old Willie signed for the Steelmen in 1921 from Wishaw YMCA. However, despite his obvious talent and eye for goal, he didn’t make his debut for another two years, albeit enjoyed a couple of loans at Bo’ness and Clyde.

It was an unenviable task for any young striker who wore the claret and amber in the 1920s as the team boasted a forward line which included another Scottish football goalscoring icon in Hughie Ferguson, as well as Willie Tennant, John Cameron and George Banks all vying for a position in John Hunter’s ever-improving side.

MacFadyen found himself in various areas of the park, including right-half for a spell, before returning him to the front line for 1929/30.

However, it would be the following season which would set off the truck load of goals which would flow throughout the years as the Fir Parkers went on to dominate most of Scottish football.

Willie was a strong and pacy forward, ideal for a central striking berth in the 1930s. With the mercurial talents of fellow Hall of Famers Bobby Ferrier and George Stevenson, together with Johnny Murdoch and John McMenemy beside him, Motherwell and their “famous five” would on many occasions hammer teams by five, six, seven, or even sometimes more goals.

In that unforgettable 1931/32 championship winning season, Willie managed to score an amazing 52 goals in 34 games, including a double against Clyde on the last day of the campaign that edged him just ahead of the previous all-time league scoring record for a season set by Celtic’s Jimmy McGrory.

Over 90 years have passed since that achievement and the record for league goals in one season still has not been beaten.

Incredibly, despite scoring 235 goals in 378 league games for Motherwell, supporters, teammates, and anyone who was fortunate enough to see him play often mused that Willie would somehow miss more chances than he scored!  Hard to believe given he is comfortably in the top ten all-time leading Scottish marksmen.

As the season’s progressed, and that league winning team was slowly broken up, Willie became more of a bit part and midway through the 1936/37 campaign, he was allowed to leave, but at least by then he had rattled in thirteen goals for the ‘Well as a departing gift.

Willie joined English outfit Huddersfield Town; he was exchanged for the recently departed Duncan Ogilvie. MacFadyen returned to Fir Park with Huddersfield to play in a Ben Ellis benefit match in Motherwell, the final score was 2-2 and of course, Willie got the Huddersfield goals.

He managed to help them get to the FA Cup final but sadly, his side were defeated 1-0 in extra time by Preston North End in 1938. He’d also go on to feature for Clapton Orient (now Leyton Orient) who’s luck in Cup competition was no better than his former clubs, this was his last playing venue before the outbreak of World War II.

Willie was in the RAF as a PT Instructor and played for the RAF alongside the legendary Stanley Matthews. On his return to Scotland, he became manager of then Second Division Dundee United.

Willie sadly died aged 68 in Birmingham in 1972. Although fifty years have elapsed since his passing, and over 85 since he last pulled on the claret and amber, he is still fondly remembered by everyone at Motherwell FC.

His contribution to our club is unquestionably amongst the most significant in our 136-year history. He rightfully joins other legends, and some of his former teammates, already inducted in the Motherwell FC’s Hall of Fame.

Words inspired by the brilliant MotherwellNet.

Our highly-anticipated Hall of Fame dinner will welcome its fourth batch of inductees this November.

The event, launched in 2019, has already paid special tribute to the legendary names of the club’s long and distinguished history.

For the first time, the dinner will take place at Dalziel Park Hotel on Friday 18 November, with host Tam Cowan inducted five new names, with Willie MacFadyen joining the already-announced Keith Lasley.

The event is priced at £64 for adults and £30 for children aged under 12.

You can buy tickets for the dinner online here now or contact the commercial department on 01698 338 011.

The final three legends of the 2022 class of inductees will be revealed shortly, joining:

* Please note that some of the colourful language on the night may not be appropriate for young children or those easily offended.

Rangers kept their undefeated streak alive after capitalising on four clinical strikes to condemn Motherwell to defeat at a windswept Broadwood Stadium.

Lizzie Arnot prodded home the opener midway through the first half, before Kirsty Howat doubled Rangers’ advantage minutes after half time. Brogan Hay tucked home the third seven minutes later before Kayla McCoy secured all three points with the final kick of the game.

Motherwell looked to frustrate the hosts from the off, narrowing the play and making it difficult for Rangers to break through the resolute Motherwell backline.

Rangers were certainly the likelier of the two sides to find the opener after controlling much of the early exchanges. Tessel Middag’s low enticing delivery was superbly controlled by Kerr deep into the Motherwell penalty area, but the midfielder couldn’t apply the finishing touches.

The hosts continued to threaten and almost netted the opener soon after. A magnificent piece of skill from Brogan Hay allowed her to effortlessly break through the Motherwell defence before picking out Kirsty Howat lurking at the back post, but the forward couldn’t convert what was a gilt-edged opportunity.

Motherwell continued to deflect wave after wave of attacking threat in the opening 30 minutes, but the hosts quality eventually prevailed as they found the breakthrough midway through the first half.

Debutant Maddie Nolf was left in acres of space on the right of the Motherwell penalty area before curling an excellent delivery across the face of goal, and Arnot was on hand to prod her effort beyond the reach of Emily Mutch.

As the second half resumed, Rangers added a second. A quick interchange of play at the edge of the box somehow found its way through to the feet of Howat, who looked as if she had strayed into a clear offside position, but the referee waved play on and the forward calmly dispatched her strike into the bottom left corner.

Seven minutes later, Rangers had their third. An exceptional piece of individual skill from Hay allowed her to skip past several Motherwell players, before shifting the ball onto her right foot and curling a precise effort into the bottom corner.

Motherwell toiled late on in search of a late consolation. Substitute Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s long-range attempt had Jenna Fife scrambling in the Rangers goal, but the experienced stopper got enough of a hand to divert around the post.

Rangers sealed victory with the final kick of the game and in the strangest of circumstances. McCoy was flagged for offside as she raced through on goal, and whilst Mutch prepared to take the resulting free kick, the striker nipped in and passed the ball into the empty net.

Despite the Motherwell protests, the referee overruled his assistant and granted the goal much to the bemusement of the Motherwell players

Paul Brownlie will certainly have several positives to take from today’s contest, as the women of steel limited Rangers throughout much of the afternoon. Motherwell will now move on to face Dundee United in the SWPL Cup next month.

Motherwell take on Rangers in their latest SWPL outing on Sunday 25 September at Broadwood Stadium. 

Kick off is 4pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the game can be bought online.

Adult tickets cost £5 while Concession and Juvenile tickets cost £3.

Story of the match

Rangers were in Champions League action on Tuesday night against Benfica, losing 3-2 at Ibrox.

The Gers are flying high at the top of the SWPL table, winning five out of their five games so far.

Motherwell picked up three points in their most recent match against Glasgow Women at K-Park, with a 4-0 win.

Carla Boyce netted twice, with Lori Gardner and Amy Anderson also scoring.

Motherwell ran eventual league champions Rangers close in their two meetings, with Rangers coming away with 2-1 and 1-0 wins against the women of steel.