| 3 | Rangers | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 22 |
| 4 | Dundee United | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 19 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 19 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | -5 | 15 |
| 7 | Dundee | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -6 | 12 |
Jon Obika is chuffed to be back playing once again after his long injury lay off.
The striker got his first start against Dundee at the weekend and although on a personal level their was positives, he says the team are really striving for that victory against Ross County on Tuesday night.
It was another late comeback for Motherwell in their last outing against Dundee, and despite showing strong character once again, the manager would rather see his side manage the game far better than they did.
A trip to Dingwall is next in the cinch Premiership and Kettlewell wants to see his team’s game management improve as they aim to bounce back with a win.
Motherwell travel to the Highlands on Tuesday night to face Ross County.
Kick off is 7.45pm.
| Away section | |
| Adults | £28 |
| Concession (Over 65’s & 18-21) | £12 |
| Under 18s | £5 |
| Ambulant and Carer | £12 |
| Wheelchair and Carer | £12 |
All wheelchair and ambulant supporters should contact the ticket office to purchase.
Tickets are on sale from the ticket office and online. We have been sent physical tickets so no e-tickets are available for this match, postage and collection only. Postage will be available until Thursday 30th November.
If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.
Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.
We will be wearing our home kit for this match.
Pape Souare and Lennon Miller remain sidelined.
Paul McGinn will be assessed today (Monday) to see whether he can be in contention for his return from a cheekbone injury.
Callum Slattery returns having been suspended for the Dundee match.
Harry Paton will serve the first of his two match suspension for his red card against Dundee.
It was the late, late show for Motherwell once again on Saturday, as Conor Wilkinson rescued ten men ‘Well a point against Dundee.
Mika Biereth netted his fifth of the season in the early stages of the match.
It’s now 11 games without a win for the Steelmen however back-to-back draws in the last two have moved them up to eighth in the table.
Derek Adams returned for his third spell in charge after Malky Mackay vacated the manager’s role. This will be Adams’ third match in charge of the Staggies, with a draw and a win already under his belt.
Simon Murray has found his goalscoring touch once again this season, the striker currently has ten in all competitions.
It was a lively 3-3 draw last time out between the two sides, with Wilkinson and Luca Ross scoring two goals in stoppage time to get a point in the match.
High on confidence and feeling re-energised after taking a point from Celtic Park, Motherwell returned to North Lanarkshire looking to follow up on their recent positive result.
It all looked to be going well when Mika Biereth fired his side in front with just six minutes on the clock. It was the first time Motherwell had lead a game since September.
However, Dundee netted a four minute double to turn the game on it’s head before the interval.
With the second-half underway and the Steelmen probing, Bevis Mugabi leaped the highest to head home from a Blair Spittal cross just after the hour mark.
Back on level terms, and Fir Park rocking, Motherwell looked to take control of the game until VAR had a second look at a Harry Paton challenge, where the Canadian subsequently seen a red card awarded.
Dundee looked to have won the match with minutes remaining when Robinson fired home.
With ten men and time running out, Oli Shaw and Georgie Gent combined to setup Conor Wilkinson to score in the 97th minute for a worthy point in ML1.
A never say die ten-man Motherwell conjured up another injury time goal for a share of the points in a six goal thriller.
It looked like a disappointing defeat until the sixth minute of added on time.
As ‘Well chased a long overdue winning goal, the Tayside men snatched what looked like the winner two minutes from time when Zach Robinson was given time to pick his spot beyond Liam Kelly from 12 yards.
However, with almost the last kick of the game, Conor Wilkinson slammed a left foot drive high past Trevor Carson, allowing the Fir Fans to celebrate a hard fought point that looked beyond them
When Mika Biereth claimed his fifth goal of the season after only six minutes, the Steelmen looked on course to end their winless run.
However, they only held the advantage for 20 minutes or so, when a quickly taken double from Lyle Cameron and Owen Beck had Dundee ahead at the interval, as the Fir Park fans aired their disapproval.
When Bevis Mugabi nodded home the equaliser in the 67th minute, ‘Well seemed set for another grandstand finish until Harry Paton’s red card reduced them to ten men for the final 20 minutes.
Calum Slattery’s one match suspension was an easy fix for Stuart Kettlewell. After coming off the bench and grabbing the equaliser at Celtic Park last week, Jon Obika made his first league start supporting Mika Biereth in the home attack.
The Fir Park pitch was a green oasis in a snow covered town, encouraging both sets of players to quickly warm to the perfect playing surface, which produced end to end action.
And after both defences were given an early test with curling free kicks, ‘Well made the breakthrough.
Blair Spittal tried to play a 1-2 at the edge of the Dundee box. But when his path was blocked the ball broke to Biereth, who immediately smacked it low and in off Trevor Carson’s right-hand post.
Incredibly, that strike provided Motherwell with the opening goal for the first time since September.
With Callum Butcher and Obika offering an assured first touch, Motherwell players looked to have restored some confidence in possession.
A quick exchange between Biereth and Spittal sent the Arsenal loanee racing down the right touchline. With Obika waiting beyond the six-yard box, though, his cross was easily cut-out by former ‘Well ‘keeper Carson.
As the half progressed, though, Dundee pressed the home side deep into their own half and two quick goals from the Taysider’s around the half hour mark, changed the game.
After 29 minutes the Fir Park men had two attempts to clear Beck’s corner. When the visitor’s fired a third ball towards goal it deflected high into the air, sailing over the defensive line leaving Cameron a simple task of heading the ball down and beyond the helpless Liam Kelly.
Worse was to follow five minutes later. Zak Rudden chased a long ball to the byeline before cutting it back to Beck, allowing the Liverpool loanee time to switch the ball to his left foot before smashing it past Kelly from eight yards.
From then until half-time the Fir Park men looked increasingly nervous as the Dens Park side threatened to extend its lead, as the ‘Well fans loudly aired their disapproval.
The interval allowed the ‘Well boss time to instil some much needed confidence and organisation into his players.
However, Dundee remained the livelier and after Dan Casey was booked for holding back Cameron, Kelly was asked to produce the first save of the game, getting his body firmly behind |Luke McCowan’s 20 yard drive.
In the 59th minute and out of nowhere Motherwell had a great chance to level. Paton and Spittal combined at the edge of the box to send Obika through on goal but from an angle he dragged his left foot shot beyond Carson and a foot outside his far post.
A couple of corners from Spittal kept some pressure on the Dundee defence and in a packed goalmouth Carson was grateful to grab a deflected effort on his line.
Conor Wilkinson was then given the last half hour to make his presence felt in the home attack.
But it was Bevis Mugabi who almost levelled the game. Striding forward unchallenged the Uganda international unleashed a terrific drive from 35 yards which Carson palmed over his cross bar.
The central defender was not to be denied and when Spittal slung a cross towards the six-yard area Mugabi’s header powered the ball beyond the ‘keeper to make it 2-2.
Motherwell had no sooner sent on Theo Bair and Georgie Gent when they were reduced to 10 men for the closing 20 minutes.
Harry Paton was initially shown a yellow card for a tackle McCowan, but after a VAR review, referee Iain Sneddon decided it was worthy of a red card.
After that Motherwell seemed more determined to find a winner.
A poor clearance gave Wilkinson a half chance but his effort sailed high and wide of goal.
The ‘Well substitute was much closer four minutes later when his measured low drive from 20 yards sped just beyond Carson’s left hand post with the ‘keeper sliding across his goal to make sure it wouldn’t sneak inside the post.
With five minutes of regulation time remaining Oli Shaw replaced Biereth as Kettlewell made one final push for a winner.
A minute later, though, it was Dundee who found the decisive third goal.
Robinson found himself unmarked 12 yards from goal and he calmly stroked the ball into Kelly’s left hand corner to leave the home side staring at another home defeat.
But in the sixth minute of additional time, Motherwell fought back once again. Oli Shaw brilliantly leaped and subsequently flicked on a Liam Kelly goal kick, Georgie Gent knocked the ball back to Shaw who dipped eloquently past the onrushing defender before finding Wilkinson with a inch perfect pass, the number 99 rattled the ball into the near post to earn a vital point.
Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the 3-3 draw with Dundee.
It’s December and the countdown to Christmas has already begun. If you’re struggling to think what to get for the Motherwell fan in your life, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Gift membership of the Well Society is back!
Adult membership is available at the discounted price of £50, whilst Junior Steel membership is £25.
Sign up your wee one and they’ll receive:
All this plus a chance to be a mascot on matchday!
You can purchase a Junior Steel membership online.
Adult members also receive goodies, as well as the knowledge that they’re helping represent the interests of the community in the running of the club. Members are entitled to:
Adult membership is available to purchase online.
If you have any queries drop us a line, give us a call on 01698 338009 or contact the Well Society using our contact form.
Gift membership entitles the recipient to one year’s membership of the Well Society, after which they will be invited to renew.
November player of the month Shane Blaney is pleased to back in the team and playing regularly.
The Irish centre-back has started the last four games and has been instrumental in the backline. Blaney says the game time has allowed him to get match sharp and feels like he is reaping the rewards as a result.
Stuart Kettlewell is more than pleased with the result at Celtic Park last weekend, however believes it’s only a good result in isolation.
The Motherwell manager wants his time to capitalise on that result and kick on ahead of a busy month.
Kettlewell goes into detail around the feeling in Fir Park, amongst players and staff, to detail that the club is still fully together.
Shane Blaney is your G4 Claims player of the month for November.
The Irish centre-back has played four games this month, and hasn’t missed a minute since coming into the starting 11 against Kilmarnock.
Arriving in December 2022, Blaney got off the mark with a smart header against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, that subsequently sparked a second-half comeback that earned the Steelmen a point in Perth.
Blaney was instrumental in Motherwell earning a point at Celtic Park, with the Irishman forming part of the back three alongside Bevis Mugabi and Dan Casey.
