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Manager Stuart Kettlewell says on Friday night, his team were collectively poor and they will be working hard to try and get a reaction against Aberdeen on Wednesday night in the cinch Premiership. 

Kettlewell believes they were dragged into a game against Morton that wasn’t what they wanted to play and paid the result for it. Now, it’s about preparing as best they can for a trip to Pittodrie.

Motherwell travel to Aberdeen on Wednesday 14 February. 

Kick off is 7.45pm.

How to follow the game

ALL TICKETS PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL FIXTURE REMAIN VALID FOR THIS MATCH. 

If you wish to receive a refund, you need come into the Ticket Office at Fir Park before 5pm on Wednesday. Refunds won’t be possible after this time.

Tickets available online.

Ambulant supporters pay the age-appropriate price with carer free of charge. 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 etickets are available for this match, so collection only at Fir Park

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.

Kit watch

We will be wearing our away kit for this match.

Injury News

Callum Slattery remains missing for this match. Oli Shaw will be missing through a hamstring injury.

Barry Maguire is a doubt. Jon Obika made his return against Morton.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It was a disappointing Friday night in Greenock for Motherwell, when they exited the Scottish Cup at the hand of Morton. A 2-1 defeat seen Jack Vale get his second goal in two matches since arriving on loan.

In the last league match, it was a resounding 5-0 win over Ross County, with Theo Bair continuing his hot run of form in the league. The Canadian has scored in each of his last five league outings.

Motherwell’s last defeat in the league came on Christmas Eve against Rangers.

Opposition Report

There’s been a lot happening at Pittodrie in recent weeks. Following a 1-1 draw with Dundee, Barry Robson left his post as manager. Neil Warnock was brought in until the end of the season, with his first match being a trip to Ibrox.

It would be narrow 2-1 defeat in Glasgow for Warnock’s side but they progressed to the next round of the Scottish Cup in their last match, sweeping aside Bonnyrigg Rose 2-0.

Bojan Miovski continues to be the main man for the Dons, netting 22 goals in 36 games this season. He has five in his last four, scoring two in Aberdeen’s last match.

The women of steel’s goalscoring woes persisted in ML3, as a commanding performance over local rivals Hamilton was left unrewarded, as the hosts struck twice against the run of play to secure victory on a disappointing and frustrating derby day in Lanarkshire.

Hamilton forward Josephine Giard and teammate Chloe Muir both added their name to the scoresheet across both halves to give the hosts a comfortable advantage, with debutant Laura Berry netting a late consolation for her first goal in claret and amber.

It’s a sore one to take,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie said.

“We’ve got to take chances and do much better with our decision-making in the final third . We had so many opportunities where we broke the lines, but it’s just that last part we’re missing just now. The players are working hard on it to try and rectify it and get it right.

“I think if we had scored the early goal, it would’ve been completely different, but we never, and at the end of the day if we don’t score goals, we can’t win games.”

Brownlie made two changes from the narrow midweek defeat to title-chasers Celtic, with Emily Mutch returning in the Motherwell goal, as Laura McCartney also returned to the starting XI. January acquisitions Sophia Martin and Laura Berry both secured a place on the bench following international appearances for Scotland at the MIMA cup.

As both sides emerged under the floodlights, Motherwell immediately tested the Hamilton stopper, with the visitors firmly in control of the opening exchanges. Morgan Cross’ driving run on the left sliced through the Accies backline, with the forward teeing up Sarah Gibb at the edge of the penalty area, but the midfielder couldn’t apply the finishing touches.

Less than a minute later, Amy Anderson’s pinpoint cross-field pass accurately picked out Bailley Collins, who found Murron Cunningham midway through the Hamilton penalty area, but the experienced defender couldn’t beat Emma Thomson in the Accies goal.

Motherwell continued to flood the Hamilton penalty area in search of a breakthrough, with Collins’ threading a perfectly-weighted through ball to Cross, who was left one-on-one with the keeper, but Thomson again produced an exceptional reaction save.

Motherwell’s frustrations in the final third continued, as Kayla Jardine’s drilled effort from distance narrowly evaded the Hamilton crossbar, with Cunningham and Chelsie Watson also denied from close-range.

Motherwell’s dominant first-half display was eventually undermined moments before the half-time whistle, with Giard coasting through to the edge of the Motherwell penalty area before firing an unstoppable strike past Emily Mutch, which rattled off of the crossbar before nestling into the back of the visiting net.

10-minutes after the restart, Hamilton doubled their advantage, with Muir drilling an incredible left-footed half-volley from over 30-yards out past Mutch, leaving the women of steel stunned after their assured start to the derby.

The visitors route back into the game came shortly after the hour mark, with debutant Laura Berry latching onto fellow Rangers loanee Kayla Jardine’s floated delivery, before dispatching an accurate right-footed volley past Thomson to give the women of steel some confidence and optimism, as the final half hour approached.

The women of steel toiled in search of a deserved equaliser, with Berry forcing a stop from the Hamilton keeper, after powering a low header from Collins’ whipped through ball. Chances from Collins and Martin followed, but the women of steel couldn’t break through the resolute Hamilton backline and were consigned to a disappointing and frustrating derby day defeat at New Douglas Park on Sunday.

Buoyed by an exceptional display against title-chasers Celtic, Motherwell’s optimism was confidently restored, as the women of steel return to action this weekend in the second Lanarkshire Derby of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

Paul Brownlie’s side will travel across the River Clyde to New Douglas Park, aiming to replicate the preceding derby day result at K-Park, with Motherwell cruising to a comfortable four-goal advantage.

As the final pre-split fixtures near, Motherwell will be preparing to retain their 100-percent Lanarkshire  derby record over Hamilton.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

Despite leaving East Kilbride without points to reflect their efforts in a closely-fought encounter with Celtic, Paul Brownlie’s side will be encouraged with their attacking and defensively-improved performances in recent weeks.

The women of steel recorded their first derby day victory over Accies this season in August, with a Carla Boyce hat-trick and Kaitlyn Canavan strike being the difference on that day.

The Lanarkshire Derby test will be the first of a triple-header of fixtures, with encounters with Glasgow City and Spartans to conclude the final pre-split fixtures of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

January acquisitions Laura Berry and Sophia Martin will both be available for contention within the matchday squad for the first time since signing on-loan from Rangers and Glasgow City.

Hamilton

The Accies aided their SWPL relegation-survival efforts after an impressive 4-1 victory over Dundee United in the City of Discovery to achieve their first league victory this season, but a disappointing Scottish Cup exit to Celtic and a 6-0 defeat to Glasgow City in the league have resulted since.

Hamilton sit on six-points, three adrift from nearest rivals Spartans, with Montrose and Dundee United both one-point ahead of the Edinburgh side.

Ticket information

Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.

• Adult – £8
• Concession – £5
• Under 16s – Free to enter.

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.

Motherwell’s hopes of an extended Scottish Cup run were ended as Greenock Morton comfortably progressed to the quarter finals.

Start Kettlewell had warned that the trip to Greenock would prove a difficult cup tie and the ‘Well boss was proved correct as a goal in each half was enough to send an under performing ‘Well out of the Cup

There was nothing between the teams until ten minutes from the break when Liam Kelly’s disastrous attempts to deal with a corner ended with the ‘keeper tamely pushing the ball against the luckless Harry Paton and over his own goal line. Ten minutes into the second half Goerge Oakley doubled Morton’s lead and put he home side in the driving seat.

The ‘Well boss committed five subs in an attempt to prevent a shock exit to a Championship side for the second consecutive season. And six minutes from time Jack Vale pulled one back to set up a dramatic end to the game.

Overall, though, the Steelmen failed to match Morton’s desire and determination and can have no complaints about being on the wrong end of a Scottish Cup shock.

Incredibly this was the fifth time the teams had been paired in the Scottish Cup in seven seasons. And with Motherwell having emerged as winners in the previous four, Morton fans were convinced they were due a cup win over the Fir Park side.

Although both teams arrived at Cappielow full of confidence on the back of resounding 5-0 wins, ‘Well faced a Morton side on an excellent run of form, Dougie Imrie’s men boasting a 12 game unbeaten run, and quite rightly fancied to cause a cup upset.

Motherwell made one change from the from the emphatic win over Ross County, Lennon Miller coming in to the midfield as a straight replacement for Andy Halliday.

The Fir Park fans packed behind Liam Kelly’s goal watched Morton make a positive opening as the home side looked to go direct and test the ‘Well defence at every opportunity.

An early fumble from Kelly when he dropped an easy ball towards his goal, gave Morton encouragement to swing every ball onto the ‘keeper.

Although Motherwell settled into their passing game the Premiership side had a huge let off after 19 minutes.

A high ball into the box was nodded into the path of George Oakley, who got behind Calum Butcher before lifting his shot beyond Kelly’s stretch, only to watch the ball rebound from the face of the crossbar.

While the Steelmen were comfortable in possession, they lacked composure in the final third of the pitch, with Theo Bair too often isolated up front.

The game was highly competitive but needed a spark and it arrived in 35th minute when Morton took the lead.

It was a goal which Kelly will want to forget. Robbie Muirhead’s inswinging corner posed a real threat on the visitor’s goal but the ‘Well ‘keeper made a complete mess of things palming the ball against Paton and over his line and reinforce Morton’s belief that an upset was on the cards.

Conversely, while the Fir Park men ended the half around Ryan Mullen’s box, their play lacked a belief and conviction.

Although Motherwell aimed to regain possession and composure in the opening spell of the second half, they were dealt a killer blow ten minutes after the break.

Paul McGinn lost out in the middle of the park and as the ball was immediately sent forward to Oakley who surged into the box before firing the ball low across Butcher and Kelly and into the ‘keeper’s right-hand post for a solid finish and put the home side firmly in control of the cup tie.

Kettlewell immediately made a triple substation sending on full backs Adam Devine and Jili Buyabu, with Jack Vale joining Bair in attack.

That did fire some much needed life into the Steelmen and Buyabu’s low drive into the six box forced a first save from Mullen.

Andy Halliday and Jon Obika were then given 23 minutes to try and get ‘Well back into the tie.

And after passing up a few half chances which gave Mullen a couple of comfortable saves, ‘Well reduced the leeway with six minutes remaining.

Two of the subs combined with Devine firing the ball into the box before Vale’s touch directed it towards goal with a slight deflection carrying the ball beyond Mullen.

Although the Fir Park men pressed for an equaliser and caused some uncertainty in the home box, they never looked like finding an equaliser and sending the game into extra-time.

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.”