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Motherwell B lost on penalties to Tranent in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Nathan McGinley and Barry Maguire started the match as our two ‘over age’ players. Luca Ross and Ewan Wilson were also in the starting 11 as Motherwell looked to go one step further in the competition last year.

The first chance of the game came after just five minutes. Euan Greig found the ball at his feet on the edge of the area, but he blasted over the bar.

Motherwell’s first chance came after eight minutes. Luca Ross worked the angle on the left wing, before cutting inside and his cross was drifting towards the back post before Mason palmed it away.

Connelly was called into action on a number of occasions.

The first of which came on 12 minutes when he tipped Ben Miller’s effort round the post. He then got behind Jones’ free-kick after 23 mins, which was from the edge of the box.

The big moment of the first half came on 40 minutes. Tranent worked the ball on the right hand side and the cross was sent towards Ben Miller at the back post. He connected and seemed to have all but scored, however Connelly spread his body well to prevent the opening.

Tranent’s right full-back Ross had a go with a driven shot on 49 minutes, however it was comfortably saved.

On the hour mark, Brannan McDermott’s cross caused all sorts of confusion after Mo Adam stole possession, however Tranent survived.

A couple of tame efforts came from Tranent with 10 minutes to go, as the game edged closer to a penalty shootout.

However, with 90 minutes played, neither side could find the breakthrough and the tie would be decided on penalties.

Nathan McGinley stepped up first and found the bet but Barry Maguire, Mo Adam and Luca Ross all failed to convert from 12 yards and Tranent progressed, winning 3-1 on penalties

Motherwell FC interim CEO Derek Weir will be the speaker at August’s Business Breakfast.

Tickets for the event, which takes place on Wednesday 16th August, are now on sale.

As well as being a Motherwell fan and former Vice Chairman of the football club, Derek has held leadership positions with some of the UK’s best-known banking institutions (Barclays Bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Cooperative Bank) and has a keen interest in urban regeneration. He has chaired a number of private companies and personally invested in seven start-ups. He has a wealth of business experience to share.

Derek will also give attendees a “behind the scenes” look at the challenges and joys of being in the hot-seat at Fir Park.

Doug Inglis of the Well Society said: “The Business Breakfast offers the opportunity for people to get together over a coffee and take away some knowledge or top tips to put into practice in their own line of work. We’re looking forward to learning from Derek’s rich business experience, and to seeing friends old and new on the 16^th August.”

Join us from 8.30am. Tickets are £10, are available on the website (please remember to sign in to your account if you have one).

Alternatively, please contact Sally Hall on 01698 338009 or email sally.hall@motherwellfc.co.uk to secure your place.

Theo Bair becomes the latest player to make the switch to ML1 on a two-year deal. 

Departing St Johnstone in the summer, Canadian international Bair made 38 appearances in Perth.

The 23-year-old came through the ranks at Vancouver Whitecaps.

Featuring for the reserves and the B team, Bair made the step up to the first-team in MLS. He made 34 appearances in the MLS, scoring three goals in the process.

During his time in Canada, he was loaned out to Hamarkameratene in the Norwegian second tier. Scoring on his debut for the Norwegians, he rounded off a successful spell in Norway by helping Hamarkameratene gain promotion to the top flight as champions. As a result, upon his return to Vancouver, the Whitecaps extended the striker’s contract for a further year.

He made the trip across the Atlantic in January 2022, joining St Johnstone for an undisclosed fee.

“Theo is someone who I feel will add to our project here,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He has experience of playing in the league but more importantly, he is only 23-years-old. I feel he has plenty room for development and that is something we should be excited about.

“I’ve been vocal about wanting to improve our options up top and Theo fits the bill for that.”

Bair has has represented his country at Under 18, 21 and 23 level before making his senior international debut in January 2020. He scored on his debut, in a 4-1 win over Barbados.

“It’s great to say I’m a Motherwell player,” Bair added.

“I’m looking forward to meeting up with my new teammates ahead of our season opener on Saturday.

“The manager wants me to do a job, so I will get to work straight away and try to hold up my end of the deal.”

The six-foot-four striker will wear the number 14 shirt this season.

Motherwell knew a win would see them finish top of Group G in the Viaplay Cup, however they also knew they needed to win, at least, by two goals to have a chance of being seeded for the next round. 

League Two East Fife were the visitors to Fir Park, also aiming for a place in the next round.

The Steelmen started the stronger, with Blair Spittal going close to opening the scoring.

Lennon Miller slotted home his second of the season, just after the half an hour mark, with Conor Wilkinson scoring his first for the club minutes later.

East Fife’s task was made more difficult when Jonathan Page seen red for a clear stamp on Spittal right before half time.

Callum Slattery netted a third in the second half and with Ross County getting beat on penalties by Kelty Hearts, Motherwell got the third and final seeded spot in the last 16 draw to end the group stage section in the best possible fashion.

We begin our 2023/24 cinch Premiership season this Saturday at Dens Park, when we face Dundee. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets can be purchased online.

Tickets are available via collection and post only. Ambulant and wheelchair users should call or come to ticket office to purchase.

If you want to have your ticket sent by the post, you will have to have this completed by Wednesday to guarantee it will arrive in time.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Team News

Harry Paton and Jon Obika are doubts for this game, with the former picking up a knock against East Fife.

Calum Butcher remains sidelined.

Motherwell’s fortunes

Motherwell rounded of their Viaplay Cup group-stage action with a convincing win over East Fife at Fir Park.

Lennon Miller got his second of the season, with Conor Wilkinson opening his account before Callum Slattery found the back of the net again.

The result meant Motherwell finished top of the group and were seeded for yesterday’s draw.

Opposition Report

Newly promoted Dundee have a new look team and dugout this season.

Tony Docherty was appointed manager over the summer and guided his side to second place in their respective group in the Viaplay Cup- although they missed out on qualification for the next round of the competition.

Dundee have brought in 11 new players in the summer, including former St Mirren man Joe Shaughnessy.

Zach Robinson has hit the ground running at Dens Park, having scored three goals so far this season.

We will face St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium in the last 16 stage of the Viaplay Cup.

The Steelmen qualified from Group G as a seeded team and face the Paisley side who topped their group on goal difference.

The tie will be played on August 19/20.

Full draw:

Hibernian v Raith Rovers

Stirling Albion v Aberdeen

Airdrie v Ross County

St Mirren v Motherwell

Rangers v Morton

Kilmarnock v Celtic

Hearts v Partick Thistle

Livingston v Ayr United

The manager reacts after his side top group G with a 3-0 win over East Fife.

• Conor Wilkinson update

• Holding up the expectation

• Start of the cinch Premiership season

Motherwell confirmed top spot in Group G and will now be seeded in tomorrow’s draw, thanks to a 3-0 win over East Fife. 

Two goals inside four minutes, just after the half hour mark, from Lennon Miller and Conor Wilkinson, ensured that Motherwell would progress with ease.

With East Fife reduced to 10 men for the second half, when ex-Fir Park defender Jonathan Page was issued with a red card just prior to the interval. Callum Slattery made it three in the second half.

A single point would be enough to see Motherwell finish top of group G and qualify for the last 16 of the Viaplay League Cup. However, Stuart Kettlewell’s men knew that they required all three points and a hefty goal difference to secure one of the three seeded places in the next round.

The ‘Well boss recalled Aston Oxborough between the sticks and Bevis Mugabi directly in front of him forming a back three. A five-man midfield, which included Harry Paton, was designed to support Conor Wilkinson, who in the absence of the injured Jon Obika was the only recognised striker.

The Fifer’s arrived at Fir Park undefeated in the group matches and also knowing that a win would take them into the last 16.

The heavy downpour just prior to kick-off didn’t dampen the expectations of the ‘Well supporters as the Steelmen immediately took the game to their Second Division opponents.

Although Blair Spittal, was deployed in a more attacking role just behind Wilkinson, it was young teenager Lennon Miller with another impressive performance who posed more of a goal threat.

However, it was the Fifer’s who were denied the opening goal after five minutes. Jack Heally latched on to a cut-back at edge of the six-yard box and only Paul McGinn sliding across to get a firm boot in front of the ball prevented the shot testing Oxborough.

Motherwell’s response was deep cross from Lennon Miller which Allan Fleming plucked out of the air with Spittal rising in hope of getting his head to the ball.

Two minutes the East Fife ‘keeper was forced into his first save. Spittal’s free kick found McGinn six yards from goal and his low shot was well blocked by Fleming’s legs.

With Dan Casey operating wide on the right the Steelmen continued to press down that side of the pitch seeking to prise open the visitor’s defence and find that crucial first goal.

The next threat came after 25 minutes when McGinn’s terrific long ball found Spittal free on the left but as he raced towards the visitor’s goal his path was blocked by two defenders.

A minute later Miller had two strikes in quick succession, with his right and left foot, blocked on their way to goal.

As the play around the visitor’s box continued Spittal fed the overlapping Pape Souare. Instead of playing the ball across a packed six yard box the defender elected to drive the ball towards goal with Fleming happy to beat the ball round his near post.

The Fifers, though, didn’t look overawed by the occasion and after 31 minutes a free kick into Oxborough’s six yard box found efforts from Page and then Alan Trouten blocked.

The visitor’s rued that chance to open the scoring as play immediately switched to the other where ‘Well produced the opening goal.

Slattery’s pass sent Miller into the box on the left and the 16 year-old held off his marker to cut the ball back across the ‘keeper and into the far corner of the net for his second goal of the campaign.

Before the Fifers could respond they found themselves 2-0 behind.

Wilkinson had options to either side as he gathered the ball 28 yards from goal but the striker elected to strike a low left drive into the same corner, for his first goal for the club, to give the Premiership side a comfortable advantage.

East Fife’s task was made even more difficult three minutes from the break when referee Kevin Clancy considered Page’s stamp on the grounded Spittal deliberate and showed the central defender a red card.

That act was almost compounded when Slattery curled the resultant free to within a metre of making it 3-0 at the interval.

Facing 10 men in the second half the Steelmen were set to increase their goals advantage and secure one of the seeded spots.

Stephen O’Donnell replaced McGinn at the break and five minutes into the second half Macedonian midfielder Davor Zdravkovski, made his debut at the expense of Harry Paton.

To its credit the depleted Second Division side restricted Kettlewell’s men to very few opening as the half progressed into the last 30 minutes.

In the 66th minute Slattery did well to keep possession at the edge of the box and after dragging the ball right of centre he sent his low drive beyond Fleming to make it 3-0.

The ‘Well boss made an immediate double substitution bringing on teenagers Ewan Wilson and Mark Ferrie.

Wilkinson then had a great opportunity to grab his second. Firstly, he raced through the middle only to fail in his attempt to nutmeg the advancing ‘keeper. The rebound found the ball working its way to O’Donnell and his firm cross was touched home by Wilkinson only to see the assistant’s flag raised for offside.

That was the ex-Walsall striker’s last chance to add to his tally as a nasty head injury saw him helped from the field after 76 minutes and replaced by Barry Maguire.

A quick throw-in from Miller gave Spittal a shooting chance from 20 yards but his effort flew a couple of metres wide of target as ‘Well chased a fourth goal.

Stuart Kettlewell speaks to the press prior to East Fife Viaplay Cup group stage match.

Victory over East Fife would secure our first step into the next round of the Viaplay Cup, and manager Stuart Kettlewell is keen for the players to earn ‘opportunities for success.’

“Every single game we have played, we have approached it with full focus and the intent to go and try to win the group”, said Kettlewell.

“I was watching East Fife on Tuesday and by no means will it be an easy game. They made things very tough for Queen of the South, I thought they grew in confidence in the second half, so I’ve got a pretty decent indication of what they are, but it doesn’t change the task for us.

“We know we have to go and try to win the game. We just have to make sure we are prepared and we look forward to the game and playing at home again.

“Winning the group is important, it makes you one of the seeded teams, but either way I think as a professional each week, every game you go into, whatever the competition, I always just see it as an opportunity for success.”

The prospect of clinching silverware is always at the centre of supporters expectations, but Kettlewell is determined to instil a resolved mentality into the squad.

“How many opportunities do you get in your career to get a proper cup run and have that opportunity of silverware.

“I remember a few seasons back, Motherwell under Stephen Robinson, two cup finals, and you look at the buzz and the real positivity that gives a football club.

“I was fortunate as a player to win silverware, win promotions, and you never forget them in your career.

“So, whether that is this cup competition, whether it is the league campaign, it is so important we get a group of players that have that mindset of always trying to add something to their playing record, and I think that is a driver in itself.”

Kettlewell will however have his options limited ahead of this weekends encounter, with a few injury concerns in the squad.

“Joe [Efford] has been struggling with another injury, he came off the park in one of the pre-season games, we’ve been trying to get him a bit of game time, trying to get him back up to speed, but that one has been really frustrating with Joe.

“Joe has an injury, we have doubts this weekend over Jon Obika, Stephen O’Donnell is a doubt, just little things they’ve picked up from last weekend. We’ll assess them, we’ll monitor them and we will see how they are this weekend.

With the opening weekend of the forthcoming Premiership campaign nearing, Kettlewell is still looking for new additions to the team.

“We know we still have to strengthen our squad, we still have to give ourselves more options within the group, there is no secret in that.

“I think a lot of clubs are sitting in the exact same position, with over four weeks to go in the window, so yeah there is still time, but you want to get there as quick as you possibly can.

“We have to start with that clarity of message, and have that understanding of what Plan A and Plan B looks like for us as a football club, but it is safe to say we have been working towards that right throughout pre-season.