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With the first international break of the season upon us, Motherwell knew a win would see them go joint top with Celtic in the cinch Premiership. 

Visiting a ground they hadn’t won on in four years, the Steelmen shaped up to face Hearts, with the Jambos being knocked out of the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.

Starting the brighter of the two sides, Motherwell had the majority of the chances in the opening exchanges. Bevis Mugabi went close with a header before Callum Slattery’s ball across goal was intercepted.

It would be Slattery who would finish an exquisite team goal on the half hour mark. Initially ruled out for offside, VAR intervened to show Slattery was well onside.

Motherwell finished the half strong however, it would be a test to the finish. Paul McGinn received his second yellow of the game with 20 minutes to go and Hearts threw everything at the ‘Well backline.

They held firm however and secured a massive three points that see them on 10 points out of a possible 12 so far this campaign.

It was back-to-back victories for the women of steel, as Motherwell built upon their Lanarkshire derby triumph with an assured performance against Montrose.

Katie Rice fired the hosts ahead early into the first-half with a composed finish from distance, with Louisa Boyes netting her first goal of the new campaign within the opening exchanges of the second half.

Montrose pulled one back against the run of play, but Kaela McDonald-Nguah continued her prolific run of form, netting her fourth goal of the new campaign to restore Motherwell’s two-goal advantage.

Head coach Paul Brownlie was forced into making slight alterations to his matchday squad, as latest addition Morgan Cross received a place on the bench following a midweek injury to Morgan Hay that ruled the midfielder out of action.

Buoyed in confidence following their recent run of form, Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, with Tara McGonigle almost adding her name onto the scoresheet. The wingers cutting run freed up space at the edge of the box to strike, but the wingers drilled effort narrowly evaded the crossbar.

The hosts continued to press and deservedly netted the opener moments later. Rice’s left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area sailed past the Montrose stopper before nestling comfortably into the bottom-right corner.

With the women of steel maintaining a narrow lead at the break, Brownlie’s side came out of the traps early into the second half and soon doubled their advantage. Boyes’ right-footed effort midway through the Montrose penalty area coasted through the visiting defence before picking out the centre of the goal.

Motherwell continued to control possession and almost added a third in quick succession, as McDonald-Nguah met Rice’s floated corner kick in the air, but the strikers headed attempt fell agonisingly over the crossbar.

The hosts control and composure in the game was soon threatened as Montrose netted a quickfire response. Aimee Ridgeway coolly converted Charlotte Gammie’s low delivery, picking out the bottom-corner with a smart finish.

Despite a sudden spell of attacking threat from the visitors, the hosts restored their two-goal advantage to maintain their place in the top-six of the SWPL. McDonald-Nguah’s threatening right-foot proved to be beneficial yet again, as the strikers close-range finish sailed into the bottom-right corner to secure a second consecutive victory for the women of steel.

Brownlie’s side will return to action next weekend, as a highly anticipated meeting with Partick Thistle awaits.

Motherwell went into the International break undefeated with a fine 0-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle, their first win at the venue in four years.

Callum Slattery’s strike on 29 minutes was enough to seal the three points for ten-man Motherwell after Paul McGinn saw two bookings.

Motherwell started brightly and went close after 20 minutes when Bevis Mugabi’s powerful header was tipped over the bar by Zander Clark from Blair Spittal’s corner.

Motherwell took a deserved lead shortly after. A move that started from a Hearts free kick, ended with Spittal and Callum Slattery combining excellently on the edge of the box and the Englishman fired past Clark.

There was a bit of drama as the linesman’s flag went up but after a short check, VAR awarded the goal. 0-1.

Slattery then almost doubled the lead with what would have been a goal of the season contender but his shot from inside his own half drifted inches over the bar.

Motherwell took a deserved lead into the break and nearly extended the lead shortly into the second 45.

More fine play between Slattery, Paton and Spittal set up the latter inside the box but his shot flew just past.

The game then took a turn as Paul McGinn was shown a second-yellow card with 20 minutes to go after a tussle with Liam Boyce as he was about to race through on goal.

What followed next was a superb gritty defensive display as Hearts pressed forward in search of an equaliser.

Lawrence Shankland had a shot on target saved comfortably by Liam Kelly.

Crosses were headed away or plucked to safety. Shots from the edge for the box were met with a claret and amber body being thrown in the way; it was a mammoth performance from the entire back line to secure a clean sheet and third win of the season.

The win means Motherwell remain undefeated on the road under Stuart Kettlewell’s reign since February and they also extend their top-flight undefeated streak to 10 games, their longest run since 2010.

The Steelmen now go into the International break sitting joint top of the cinch Premiership.

Stuart Kettlewell reacts to a fine win at Tynecastle.

• Fighting for each other

• Level of character shown

• Adapting our style of play

Georgie Gent has joined from Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old has arrived from Ewood Park as he looks to get his first minutes at senior level.

Gent was at Manchester City from a young age before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 2019.

Since then, he impressed at Under 18 level playing on 36 occasions, scoring four times and assisting eight.

He then moved up to Under 21 level, playing regularly in the Premier League 2. Making 35 appearances, he now joins up with Stuart Kettlewell’s squad in his first loan move of his career.

Gent predominately plays at left-back but has also featured at the left of the midfield also.

“Getting Georgie in provides us with strength and depth in a position that we needed,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“Georgie came through at Manchester City, which I think shows how impressive he was from a young age.

“He has since developed well at Blackburn and got plenty minutes for his age. This is his next step in development, playing first-team football.”

Gent will wear the number three shirt.

The women of steel have maintained a positive start to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, with back-to-back victories at K-Park preserving an 100% unbeaten home record, and goalkeeper Emily Mutch believes that high squad morale has been key to dusting off the opening weekend defeat to Aberdeen.

“The morale we’ve built in the dressing room has definitely had a part to play in getting results and performances on the pitch,” said Mutch.

“It’s always the same at the start of the season with new faces, it’s going to take time to get together as a squad.

“I think we were all disappointed with the result against Aberdeen. We didn’t do ourselves justice in that game, but I think since then we’ve bounced back and shown what we’re all about.”

Paul Brownlie’s side have since impressed on three successive displays, overcoming Spartans and local rivals Hamilton, with Motherwell cruising to a commanding 4-0 victory in the first Lanarkshire derby of the new campaign.

“Everyone’s buzzing with the result on Sunday,” Mutch explained.

“A derby is always a different game because I think both teams naturally step it up and anything can happen.

“We aimed for three points and I think the fact we got that along with four goals and a clean sheet has definitely given us confidence going forward.”

Motherwell face a sharp return to competitive action against newly-promoted SWPL2 champions Montrose. A somewhat unknown entity for Motherwell, with their only recent meeting with the Gable Endies coming in a 4-0 victory in last season’s Sky Sports Cup.

“We played Montrose last season in the cup, but since then they’ve added a lot of new faces to their squad, just like we have. I think it should be a competitive game of football, and we will definitely be looking to carry on where we left off last week and make it two wins in two.

“It’s the same every game we go into, we’re looking to go out and win. Our wins and performances against both Hamilton and Spartans demonstrated how organised we’ve looked as a unit and has set the standard. We’re just looking to build on that and continue it into this weekend’s game.”

Establishing K-Park as a fortress could be vital in achieving the squads ambitions of a top-six SWPL finish, with a home advantage already proving to be beneficial to the side.

“We all love playing at K-Park”, said the Motherwell stopper.

“I definitely think we’ve settled well and it feels like how a home pitch should feel. The last couple of weeks we’ve seen a good turnout of people coming to watch us and that’s been helped with the season tickets being made available.

“It creates a good atmosphere and on match days at K-Park, there’s a real buzz about the place. I think it’s really important we can keep that up and keep getting good numbers at our games to make it as difficult a place as possible for teams to come and play.

The Well Society this week invited its members to play their part in shaping the direction of the organisation, as it seeks to strengthen its Board.

As the majority shareholder of Motherwell FC, the Society has provision for nine elected members and three co-opted members. With three members currently in post and four members up for re-election or election, they’re hoping to attract a number of strong candidates for the elected spots.

A spokesperson for the Society said: “Our Rules of Association state that part of our role is to encourage and promote the principle of supporter representation on the board. This is an opportunity for all adult members to take an active role in the Society, either by putting themselves forward to serve on the Well Society Board, or casting their vote when the time comes.

“We have recently looked at what our priorities should be, considering what skills and perspectives are currently missing around the table, and placing a particular focus on the need to increase diversity of representation on the Board. We would therefore particularly encourage nominations from women, young people, disabled people and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.”

Paid up members of the Society aged 18 or over, are eligible to put themselves forward. For more information, or to note interest in serving on the board, please email: well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk by noon on Monday 18 September.

GOT A QUESTION?

For more information, or to discuss the role informally, please get in touch with us this week by email or by calling 01698 338009.

FURTHER INFORMATION

You can download the Well Society’s Rules of Association or check out the current Society Board set up.

Dan Casey is your G4 Claims player of the month. 

Winning the award for the first time since he arrived at the club in February, Casey had a month to remember.

He has played every match since his first appearance of the season against Queen’s Park.

Casey was part of the defensive line that limited Hibernian to one shot on target at Fir Park and also was involved in some last ditch defending against St Mirren.

Against Kilmarnock, he scored his first Motherwell goal, twisting and turning in the penalty area before blasting home from Brodie Spencer’s cutback.

He also won Motherwell a penalty as he found himself in the forward areas once again. His defensive solidity has meant he is now ranked 3rd highest in the league for interceptions.

On deadline day, manager Stuart Kettlewell says Motherwell have more signing to announce and that it is unlikely anymore business will be completed thereafter. 

Kettlewell is happy with his squad and insists that he likes to get his business done ahead of the deadline.

Assessing his teams’ start in the league, Kettlewell says he is happy with how they have performed but knows they can improve even further.

The manager provides and squad update ahead of the match on Sunday and says Hearts’ departure from Europe has no impact on his preparations for the match.

He may have only turned 17-years-old but Lennon Miller is taking everything in his stride. 

Recently called up to Scotland’s Under 19 squad, Miller talks about playing above his age group and the influence manager Stuart Kettlewell has had on his development thus far.