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Stuart Kettlewelll gives his reaction to the 1-1 draw with Montrose.

Motherwell had taken the lead in the first-half but passed up numerous chances before Montrose equalised late on.

All five Motherwell players held their nerve and converted from the spot and Aston Oxborough produced a big save.

Motherwell had to settle for a penalty shootout bonus point after a 1-1 draw with Montrose at Links Park

Shane Blaney’s header had given the Steelmen the lead but a late squaliser from Ally Shrive forced a shootout which all five Motherwell takers cooly finished with Aston Oxborough again being the hero with a save.

The first chance of the game came in the tenth minute. Motherwell had most of the ball and a neatly worked  move down the left created a shooting opportunity for Halliday but he hooked his shot well over the bar.

Halliday had another chance ten minutes later, this time with his head as he nodded Stephen O’Donnell’s cross towards goal but couldn’t get enough on it to test Gill in the Montrose goal.

With Montrose sitting so deep there became  a need for one of the Motherwell centre backs to step into the game. Dan Casey did exactly that and combined well with Paton but the defender’s shot was well blocked by Dillon.

The opening half hour had a similar feel to the Edinburgh City game – Motherwell with all the ball but struggling to create many chances. That air of familiarity also came as the Steelmen took the lead.

Just like against Edinburgh City, from a corner, an Irish centre back rose highest and bulleted a header past the goalkeeper. This time it was Shane Blaney who netted past Gill from Paton’s delivery.

It could easily have been two, ten minutes into the second half as Harry Paton chased down a lost cause and got in ahead of Gill but his ball across goal was inches away from Robinson who would certainly have scored.

Motherwell continued to dominate the game and Lennon Miller had two opportunities to extend the lead but couldn’t find the target with either shot from the outside of the box.

Fellow academy graduate Ewan Wilson also went close as he drove forward and got a powerful shot away but it was well beaten away by Gill.

Another chance fell to substitute Moses Ebiye as he latched onto Zdravkovski’s ball but he fired wide of the mark.

With just under ten minutes to go, Montrose almost snatched an equaliser.  A long throw into the box was met by a looper header which Oxborough just got enough on to keep the ball from crossing the line.

As time ticked away Montrose pulled themselves level. A ball into the box found Alasdair Shrive and he turned his man and finished past Oxborough.

The Steelmen then had to compose themselves as a penalty shootout loomed for the bonus point.

Thankfully Stuparevic, Blaney, Miller, O’Donnell and Ebiye cooly dispatched from 12 yards and Aston Oxbrough saved Steeves’ penalty.

The bonus point means Motherwell siit top on five points with a clash against Clyde at the weekend.

Theo Bair has joined Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre for an undisclosed fee.

Arriving at the club 12 months ago from St Johnstone, Bair scored on his debut for the Steelmen on the opening day of the season against Dundee.

Leading the line as the only fit striker at the club, the Canadian began to work harder than ever before behind the scenes to improve.

That work began to pay off when his season sparked into life after he scored a double against Livingston at Fir Park in December.

From then on, Bair never looked back and helped Motherwell’s push for top-six by scoring 15 goals in the Premiership, including six assists. Scoring at Ibrox in the ‘Well’s first win over Rangers in Glasgow since 1997, Bair earned a call-up to the Canadian national side for the first time in four years.

His achievements seen him named Motherwell’s Player of the Year, Motherwell Top Goalscorer and in the PFA Team of the Year.

Bair was named in Canada’s Copa America squad, where they subsequently reached the semi-finals. The forward earned his third cap, and first in four years, in the 3rd place playoff match against Uruguay.

“My time at the club has been unbelievable,” Theo Bair said.

“These have been some of the most enjoyable moments of my career. I love this club and I will always be a supporter. I wish everyone nothing but the best!”

We’re immensely grateful for Theo’s efforts last season and wish him well in this next step. Thanks for everything, Theo.

Dan Casey reckons the competition for places in the Motherwell defence this season will be good for everyone involved. The Irishman has been impressed with the new players thinks they will all benefit the team.

Casey also tells us how pleased he is to be settled and under contract for this season, as this time last year, there was doubt as to where he would be playing.

Erik Barmack (Wild Sheep Sports) has had further discussions with the club Board over the past few days. As a result, Erik has decided to withdraw his offer of investment into Motherwell FC.

Consequently, the club shareholder ballot will cease with immediate effect and with no counting of the votes cast to date.

Erik’s intention from the outset has been to play a part in moving the club forward. That can only be achieved with a unified fanbase.

However, it has become increasingly clear that the discussions around his proposal are creating significant divisions within the fanbase.  Such divisions cannot be in the best interests of the club.

The club Board have informed the Well Society Board of Erik’s decision, and both parties are fully committed to working together for a positive future for Motherwell FC.

Marvin Kaleta has joined the club on loan from Wolves, subject to international clearance. 

The 19-year-old right-back has arrived in North Lanarkshire for the rest of the season.

Kaleta came through at Manchester City before joining Wolves in 2020. A prominent feature for their Under 18s and Under 21s, he has gathered plenty minutes of action in the Premier League 2 and Under 18 Premier League.

“With the injuries we have sustained to this point, we thought it was important to bring Marvin in,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“But when seeking a new face, you don’t want to recruit just for another number. We need the quality and character to be correct.

“With Marvin, I feel like we’re getting a young player who has raw ability and room for growth. He has played plenty minutes down in England so we feel this is a good move for him.

“We’ve seen previously with the likes of James Furlong and Georgie Gent, that these loan moves can be a platform for the player to succeed. We’ll be in constant contact with Wolves to keep them informed of Marvin’s progression.”

Kaleta will wear the number 21 jersey.

“The manager told me about how good this loan move could be for my development,” Marvin Kaleta added.

“At this stage in my career, I want to learn and progress. I feel I can do that most by playing first-team football here at Motherwell.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the fan, who I’m told are great with the players. It’s good the team got off to a good start on Saturday and hopefully we can continue that going forward.”

Stuart Kettlewell was pleased his side got the three points on Saturday against Edinburgh City, but insists his team must go up to the next level if they are beat Montrose on Tuesday night. 

The manager drilled home his admiration for Montrose who “punch above their weight” and Kettlewell reckons the task could be trickier than normal.

Theo Bair’s move away from Motherwell is discussed with Kettlewell confirming the transfer has moved to an advanced stage, whilst the appointment of Paul McGinn as captain and Stephen O’Donnell as his vice.

Our match against Rangers on Saturday 10 August will take place at Hampden Park. 

Kick off remains at 3pm.

The change comes as a result of stadium work that is ongoing at Ibrox.