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Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the 2-1 defeat that meant his side crashed out the Scottish Cup.

• Didn’t stand up to the challenge
• Let a lot of people down
• Lost our discipline and structure

Motherwell Football Club’s recent ‘Hollywood-style’ investment campaign has certainly had an impact.

With Well Society membership now through the 3800 barrier – and climbing – new members are joining all the way from Motherwell to Michigan.

To date the cheeky film – in which players invited Hollywood A-listers to support the club – has gone viral, with more than 2.4million views on X, and a whopping 92,000 views on YouTube.

Well Society members had a starring role in the film, with Junior Steel member Ruairidh McAtamney inviting singer Taylor Swift to “gie’s some dosh” at the end of the 90-second piece.

“We may not have signed Taylor Swift up yet, but it certainly galvanised fans into action,” said Douglas Dickie, co-chair of the Well Society.

“Since the campaign launched on Wednesday 10 January we’ve welcomed almost 100 new members. The vast majority of these are taking out adult membership, and we’ve also seen existing members increase their monthly contribution or restart lapsed memberships.”

Ann and Drew Duncan (pictured) are amongst the new members joining. Drew said: “I’ve been talking about doing this for a long time. The recent promo video was just the push I needed to stop procrastinating and just get it done.”

Dean Russell from Seattle said his boys George and Henry love watching and playing football and joining was a great way to expand their passion for the game.

“They can be excited to be owners of a club – that’s pretty cool,” said Dean. “We also talk about supporting the sport in different ways and keeping clubs local. That is not how clubs are here in the US. When I saw the chance to get them involved in understanding how a local club works in this model, I wanted the chance to get involved.”

Join the Well Society from as little as £5 per month and support the club on and off the pitch.

Call 01698 338009 for more information or email: well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Jack Vale introduced himself in stylish fashion to the Motherwell support on Tuesday night, when he scored on his debut having come off the bench against Ross County.

Now, he is looking to continue that positive start into the next games as he looks for another special cup run in his career.

Stuart Kettlewell says that Friday night’s match against Morton has all the makings of a proper cup tie. He believes Morton are a better side than people say and that his side will need to be a full tilt to get through to the next round.

The manager was pleased with Tuesday’s performance against Ross County but knows it’s only one game and that he wants his team to replicate that level to the 1800 travelling ‘Well fans in Greenock.

From Springburn to the Spanish coast, January acquisition Sophia Martin has already had a unique experience to start her time in Lanarkshire, since joining the club from Glasgow City on a loan deal till the end of the season.

The 17-year-old striker joined fellow January addition Laura Berry on the plane to Murcia, as the pair travelled to the Pinatar Arena ahead of a Semi-Final encounter with Sweden, with Berry captaining and scoring in a 3-2 victory and Martin also featuring throughout. The pair have since faced a second test with England in the final of the U17 International MIMA Cup, with the squad finishing runners-up.

“Representing your country is always a dream,” Martin said.

“I’ve represented Scotland at 15’s, 16’s and 17’s and I am really excited with the opportunity of the friendlies in Spain that will prepare myself for the upcoming Euro’s.

“Laura and myself have played together at previous clubs and also at international level, its not always easy joining a new club, but having someone you know is always a positive. We link up really well, so it will be good to get in together at Motherwell.”

The Cambuslang-born forward makes the switch to K-Park, after making her debut for Glasgow City in last season’s title-deciding year, with Martin since netting three times for the Petershill Park outfit in 17-appearances.

The forward has moved to North Lanarkshire in search of regular game-time, with her goalscoring threat providing an exciting addition for the K-Park faithful.

“I first heard of the move at the start of January and for me it was a no brainer,” Martin explained.

“I’ve worked under Paul before, so I know his intentions at the club. His expectations are high and that has meant he’s been a great coach to work under.

“Glasgow City has been brilliant for me and my development, but I was one if the younger players and unfortunate to not get the game time I wanted. The loan move came at the perfect time and now it is time to get my head down, get back playing and hopefully add goals to the squad.”

A product of the Hamilton youth academy, Martin signed her first professional contract in Springburn only days after her 16th birthday, and is believed to be the youngest ever female player to do so.

Confident to feature in an array of positions and a keen eye for goal, the versatile forward will add a vital new element to the Motherwell forward line.

“I would say I am a strong powerful player,” Martin noted.

“I can play anywhere in the front three, am capable of using both feet even though I am more dominant with my left and I like to score goals and hopefully I can add that to the team”

Composure in the final third and capitalising on key goalscoring opportunities has been a frustrating component to the women of steel this season, with positive performances not accurately reflected in the scoreline or SWPL league table.

Despite the top-six no longer within reach, as the final pre-split fixtures approach, Martin is keen to finish the season on a high.

“The aim for the rest of the season is to finish top of the bottom-six,” Martin said.

“My own personal aim is to get as much game time as possible, be consistent in my performances and score goals. I had my first session on Tuesday and got to meet the team, they were very welcoming and I can’t wait to play alongside them.

“I can’t wait to get started, I am really excited to see the fans at the next game and hopefully I can show them what they want.”

Oli Shaw has returned to the club following a successful rehabilitation period with his parent club Barnsley. 

He returns on loan until the end of the season.

The striker went back down South to undergo treatment on a hamstring injury but Barnsley have now informed us he should be eligible for selection in the coming weeks.

Shaw has made 16 appearances in his time at Motherwell thus far, recording two assists.

“There was always the possibility of Oli coming back here,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He returned to Barnsley as both clubs agreed there would be a chance he could reduce his recovery time down there.

“Oli will now enter the final stages of his recovery at Motherwell and will join up with the group when ready.”

A valiant display from the women of steel almost ensured an historic result in East Kilbride, but title-chasers Celtic narrowly edged to victory at a frost-covered K-Park on Wednesday evening.

Desperate to atone for their comprehensive 6-0 defeat to the Glasgow-side in October, Motherwell tactically nullified Celtic across both halves, with countless goalscoring opportunities evading the visiting goal. However, the breakthrough failed to materialise, as Celtic capitalised upon Motherwell’s attacking complacency, netting twice against the run of play, with Caitlin Hayes and Amy Gallacher both adding their name to the scoresheet.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie made three changes to the side who suffered defeat to Hibs in the capital last weekend, with Jo Addie returning to partner Chelsie Watson in the Heart of the Motherwell backline and Sarah Gibb featuring alongside Amy Anderson and Katie Rice in the midfield.

Goalkeeper Rebecca Cameron made her competitive Motherwell debut after last featuring for the women of steel ironically against Celtic in a pre-season friendly in the summer.

The shot stopper was immediately called into action, as Gallacher escaped the offside trap before drilling a close-range effort across the six-yard box, but Cameron reacted sharply to produce an exceptional late block.

Moments later, Motherwell almost found the breakthrough. Katie Rice’s whipped free-kick midway through the Celtic half accurately picked out Murron Cunningham at the back post, with the defender’s looping header teeing up Addie within the six-yard-box, but before the centre-half could react, Daugherty’s forceful challenge left the defender on the frozen surface.

Optimistic penalty pleas were soon dismissed, with Cunningham’s close-range rebounded effort also denied by the Celtic stopper.

Despite a positive opening to the game, Celtic soon broke the deadlock against the run of play. A floated corner kick from the right sailed invitingly across the Motherwell penalty area, with Hayes bulleting home a direct header.

As the second half resumed, the hosts quickly regained their rhythm, with Gill Inglis almost netting an equaliser. The Motherwell skipper and Kayla Jardine combined on the right-hand side, with the experienced defender chipping a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, but once again the women of steel were unable to capitalise on a vital moment in the game.

Motherwell continued to threaten the Celtic penalty area, with their consistent attacking patterns of play, as Morgan Cross’ chipped through ball narrowly evaded the lurking forwards in the Celtic six-yard-box.

The pacey forward soon sliced through the Celtic backline, capitalising upon the high defensive line to race through on goal, but a perfectly-timed tackle from Hayes salvaged a crucial moment in the game for the Glasgow-side.

With the women of steel continuing to flood the Celtic half in search of an equaliser, Celtic caught the hosts on the counter-attack, netting a decisive second to secure all three points in a closely-fought evening in Lanarkshire.

Paul Brownlie’s side will face a sharp return to action when they travel across the River Clyde to local rivals Hamilton, with the second Lanarkshire Derby of the season on the horizon.

With Motherwell coming into the game five games unbeaten, the performances had been encouraging but the result had been missing. 

Prior to the Tuesday night match against Ross County, the Highlanders were 11th with the Steelmen directly above them in 10th. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

If there were any pre match nerves in the stands, that wasn’t reflected on the pitch.

Andy Halliday, Blair Spittal and Theo Bair had Motherwell leading 3-0 by the break, despite missing a number of chances. They continued to blow County away in the second half, with Spittal and debutant Jack Vale adding to the tally.

A 5-0 win ahead of a Friday night trip to Greenock in the Scottish Cup fills everyone associated with the club with optimism and encouragement.

Kayla Jardine, Sophia Martin and Laura Berry have been called up to Scotland’s Under 19 squad ahead of a double-header of friendlies against Wales.

Jardine, who has competed internationally for Scotland at U15, U17 and U19 level, has retained her place in the squad, with Martin and Berry both returning to international action following the U17 MIMA cup in Murcia, Spain.

Scotland will travel to Wales ahead of the opening matchday on the 21st of February, with the second following on the 23rd at Colliers Park, Wrexham.

Scotland U19 v Wales U19

• KO: 15:00PM
• Wednesday 21 February
• Colliers Park

Scotland U19 v Wales U19

• KO: 12PM
• Saturday 24 February
• Colliers Park

Motherwell take on Greenock Morton in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup at Cappielow Park on Friday 9 February. 

Kick off is 7.30pm.

How to follow the game

You can buy tickets online.

We have an allocation of approximately 3,000 and will be accommodated in the ‘Wee Dublin’ end and sections F and G of the main stand, on a first come basis.

The Wee Dublin end is uncovered.

The Cooper Bar will open from 3pm for drinks only. Buses have now sold out. Online tickets will be available until kick-off on Friday.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Injury Update

Barry Maguire and Jon Obika remain doubts for this match.

Callum Slattery has underwent surgery for his knee injury but will remain missing for the rest of the season.

Stephen O’Donnell is preparing for the birth of his child so his situation will be monitored day-by-day.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It would seem Motherwell have turned a corner in the run of form.

Their last defeat came on Christmas Eve against Rangers. Since then, they have went six games unbeaten with a resounding 5-0 win over Ross County in their last match on Tuesday night. The result moved the Steelmen up to eighth in the table and only a point off Dundee.

Theo Bair has scored in his last five league games, firing home on six occasions.

A 3-1 win over Alloa Athletic seen Motherwell progress to this stage of the Scottish Cup. Blair Spittal scored a double with Georgie Gent also opening his account for the club.

Opposition Report

Morton have won two matches in the Scottish Cup to get to the fifth round. A comfortable 4-0 win in third round over Bo’ness United was followed by a 2-0 win over Montrose in the previous round.

Morton had also been on a poor run of form but have since hit a hot streak, starting back in November. Six wins in their last nine league matches has catapulted Morton up the cinch Championship table. They are now in the promotion playoffs as Dougie Imrie’s side continue to look up the table.

Robbie Muirhead has been leading the line for January manager of the month Imrie and has already recored 14 goals this season. He has four goals and one assist in January.

George Oakley remains a goal threat also, he has 10 goals for the campaign. Oakley has just won the cinch Championship player of the month for January having netted four goals, including a hat trick, during the month.

There are a couple of familiar faces within the Morton ranks, with former Motherwell men Robbie Crawford and Darragh O’Connor applying their trade in Greenock.