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Motherwell came away from Edinburgh empty-handed after a 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle.

Second-half goals from Lawrence Shankland and Kenneth Vargas gave the home side all three points despite a promising first hald

Motherwell started brightly and had a great chance within three minutes. Some good play down the right led to Lennon Miller slicing open the Hearts defence to find Jack Vale but his shot didn’t have the power or accuracy to trouble Clark in the Hearts goal.

Hearts almost took the lead moments later as Cochrane’s deep ball in was headed towards his own goal by Paul McGinn. Thankfully Liam Kelly was on hand to tip over.

Dan Casey, making his first appearance since December, tried his luck from 40 yards, It was speculative but turned out to be a fine effort as it loope just under the bar but Clark made a good save to deny a goal-of-the-season contender.

Motherwell continued to look the more likely and arguably should have been ahead in the 35th minute. A good counter-attack led to Paton sliding in Lennon Miller but it almost seemed like he had too much time and couldn’t find the target with his shot.

After going into the break all square, Motherwell came out brightly again forcing multiple corners with some good attacking play although there were few tests for Zander Clark.

Motherwell were left to rue their missed chances as the home side began to create more efforts on goal and eventually break the deadlock.

After hitting the post moments earlier the league’s top scorer Lawrence Shankland rose highest to head in a Forrest free-kick.

That goal rallied the home support and ‘Well failed to create any further chances.

The points were secured in stoppage time as Vargas pulled the ball out the air and blasted past Liam Kelly. Claims for a foul on Stephen O’Donnell were waved away and after a quick VAR check the goal was given.

Focus now turns to next Sunday’s game against Celtic at Fir Park.

Stuart Kettlewell reflects on Hearts defeat.

• Carved out really good chances
• Conceding similar goals
• Players missing

Adam Devine scored his first professional goal on Wednesday night against Aberdeen and say he can take a great deal of confidence from doing so. 

The Rangers loanee made the most of his first start and is excited to see what the rest of his stay in ML1 has to offer. He says that looking at previous full back’s including Max Johnston and Brodie Spencer highlight the platform here at Motherwell and he wants to make the most of that.

Stuart Kettlewell says he was left disappointed that his side gave up a three goal lead against Aberdeen, that led them to only picking up a point at Pittodrie. Despite this, there were positives from the match that he can take into Saturday’s cinch Premiership match against Hearts. 

The Motherwell boss discusses VAR reviews, Theo Bair and takes note of Hearts’ impressive form.

Motherwell travel to the capital to take on Hearts on Saturday 17 February. 

Kick off is 3pm.

Ticket Prices

Tickets are available online.

There will be no cash turnstiles on the day, tickets need to be purchased in the advance.

Season Ticket holders will have until 5pm on Monday 5th February to purchase and secure tickets. Thereafter, remaining tickets will go on general sale.

Singing section is in the lower stand.

Postage available until 14th February.

Ambulant Disabled supporters who have further enquiries, please contact Keith Ferguson, the Hearts Disability Liaison Officer on Keith Ferguson at keithferguson@homplc.co.uk

How to follow the game

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 home 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.

Andy Halliday is ineligible to face his parent club.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

The Steelmen haven’t lost in the league since Christmas Eve, with two league wins and four draws since then.

They have only lost one of their last seven away league games but on the flip side, haven’t won away from home since a 0-1 win at Tynecastle back in September.

Theo Bair has been in electric form, with eight goals in his last six league games.

Opposition Report

Hearts have been in formidable form with ten wins and a draw from their last eleven games which has propelled them to twelve points clear in third place.

Lawrence Shankland continues his own excellent form. The league’s top scorer has netted 24 times this season, scoring 13 in his last 11 games.

It may have been a cold, rainy Wednesday night trip to Aberdeen on Valentines Day, but the supporters who made the long journey were certainly rewarded with a crazy game of football. 

Motherwell got off to the perfect start when Georgie Gent was fouled in the box within the first five minutes and Theo Bair lashed into the roof of the net to give his side an early lead.

That dominance continued when after Jack Vale’s effort from the six-yard box was somehow kept out, Bair helped himself to another from Gent’s cross.

Adam Devine piled on the misery for Neil Warnock’s side when he scored minutes later to make it 3-0 after a quarter of an hour.

However, a change of shape and personnel swung the game back in Aberdeen’s favour as they pulled two goals back before the break. They continued their ascendency in the game after the interval and made it count when Duk got his brace shortly after half time.

At the point, the game was in the balance. Bojan Miovski had the ball in the back of the net for the hosts but was in an offside position before Harry Paton knocked home with ten minutes to go, seemingly securing three points in the process. A VAR intervention later seen the goal ruled out for a supposed foul by Calum Butcher.

VAR was highly influential in the match however after six goals and plenty controversy, the points were shared to extend Motherwell’s unbeaten run to six games as they will feel aggrieved to have gave up a three goal advantage.

Doug Inglis and grandson Josh Bell were invited to the boardroom at Fir Park ahead of the recent Ross County match. Board member Maureen Downie praised Doug’s contribution to Society and handed over some gifts from colleagues.

Doug then watched as his predicted 5-0 win came to pass, the Steelmen putting the visitors to the sword. The icing on the cake for Doug was a visit from Player of the Match Blair Spittal, his favourite player.

“Meeting Blair on the night he scored two goals, had one assist (arguably two!) and was man of the match can’t be topped,” said Doug.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts after his side came away from Pittodrie with a point despite taking an early three goal lead.

• Fast start
• Team got spooked
• Thank you to the travelling fans

Motherwell came away from Pittodrie with a point despite being three goals ahead after half an hour.

A Theo Bair brace and Adam Devine’s first goal has the Steelmen firmly in the driving seat but the home side rallied and completed a comeback with goals from Duk and Gartemann.

‘Well got off to a great start when Georgie Gent won a penalty after just two minutes. The full-back burst forward and went down under a foul from Shayden Morris.

Referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot and Theo Bair confidently dispatched from twelve yards.

Motherwell continued their impressive start, with Jack Vale’s volley being parried onto the post but they didn’t have to wait much longer for a second. Georgie Gent was again involved as he got in down the left and whipped in a perfect cross for Theo Bair to tap in his tenth goal of the seaason.

Adam Devine the put the away fans into dreamland, adding a third just minutes later.

A great team move set up Blair Spittal who initially saw his shot deflected but it landed at the feet of the on-loan Rangers youngster and he dispatched past Roos for his first professional goal.

Neil Warnock sensed something wasn’t working and instantly made two changes, bringing on Duk and MacDonald in place of Morris and Polvara.

He saw an immediate response from his replacements as Duk pulled a goal back a minute later.

Bojan Miovski stole the ball down the right and slid in his strike partner who prodded it past Kelly.

With that goal, the mood in the stadium had changed and six minutes later the Dons had a second.

Connor Barron whipped in a cross that was flicked on at the front post.  Liam Kelly made a save, but it came straight to Gartenmann, who tucked home at the back post.

The home side completed their comeback just five minutes into the second half when Shinnie’s deep cross was headed in off the post by Duk.

That disappointment was then almost further compounded as Miovski found the net but fortunately the linesman’s flag went up and VAR agreed it was offside, albeit tight.

The ship was steadied slightly as Stuart Kettlewell introduced Stephen O’Donnell and Sam Nicholson. There was some really nice football being played but no cutting edge.

However, the Steelmen almost too all three points as Harry Paton fired home after a stramash in the box but VAR ruled there was a push by Butcher on McGrath and both teams had to settle for a point.

A disappointing and frustrating defeat to local rivals Hamilton in the second Lanarkshire derby of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign left the women of steel dejected after a confidence-boosting performance over title-chasers Celtic earlier in the week.

Paul Brownlie’s side will face a swift return to action, with an opportunity for redemption over defending champions Glasgow City, who left K-Park with all three points in the previous home meeting, after a decisive 97^th-minute Jenna Clark winner.

As the final pre-split fixture in East Kilbride awaits the women of steel, the squad will be prepared to conclude the regular campaign on a high, ahead of a highly-anticipated encounter with Spartans in the capital next month.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The women of steel’s goalscoring woes persisted in ML3, as a commanding performance over local rivals Hamilton, which had Motherwell testing the Accies goal on 23-occasions – 19 more than the hosts, was ultimately left unrewarded. Hamilton 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.

The 90-minutes at New Douglas Park perfectly encapsulated the frustrations of the women of steel this season, as positive performances and impressive displays have not been accurately reflected in the SWPL league table.

Glasgow City

The defending champions remain firmly in the chase to defend their SWPL crown, with the Springburn side six-points adrift of league leaders Rangers, maintaining an impressive eight-game winning run in the league.

Talisman Lauren Davidson will be a formidable opponent for the Motherwell backline, with the experienced striker netting 10-times across the season.

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.