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Stuart Kettlewell’s thoughts on the 0-0 opening day draw with Ross County.

Motherwell had to settle for their first point of the season as they fought out a stalemate with Ross County.

In a fixture which has served up a glut of goals over the season’s goalmouth action was scarce as both ‘keeper’s were asked to make only one remarkable save each.

And even the appearance of ‘Well’s new Australian striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos for the last 25 minutes failed to break the deadlock.

Despite last week’s disappointing performance against Partick Thistle, Stuart Kettlewell made only one change, with Moses Ebiye starting up front alongside Zach Robinson.

County boasting a perfect Premier Sports Cup record, made their first visit to Fir Park sine their 5-0 hammering in February. Don Cowie aimed to avenge that result which ironically cost his predecessor, Derek Adams, the manager’s job.

Aston Oxborough was handed the ‘keeper’s gloves for his first Premier League start. And after six minutes he got his first touch clutching Jordan’s White’s looping header under his crossbar.

Motherwell’s possession and build up play was steady but unable to penetrate County’s back four until 20 minutes.

Robinson nicked the ball off Will Nightingale 15 yards into the visitors half and headed for goal. Although he kept possession until he entered the County box, with Ross Laidlaw racing from his goal, the former Wimbledon striker slipped the ball past the ‘keeper and his right hand post.

Eight minutes later the Steelmen almost sneaked into the lead. Davor Zdravkovski’s terrific lofted pass found Ewan Wilson on the byeline. His cute but back into the six yard box gave Ebiye a chance for a snap shot which Laidlaw beat away.

Two minutes from half-time Ebiye, at the edge of the six yard area, threw himself at Stephen O’Donnell’s low tempting cross, but failed to make contact has the sides remained level at the break.

Within a minute Laidlaw had to palm Dan Casey’s inswinging cross over his bar as the Fir Park men pressed from the restart.

A couple of minutes later a long ball across the County box found Andy Halliday unmarked. Looking for Robinson at the opposite post his low ball was blocked and a chance to test Laidlaw gone.

The first real chance for County came after 57 minutes when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. And although Ronan Hale curled the ball low round the wall, Oxborough was his equal throwing his large frame across goal and palm the ball round his left hand post.

After 66 minutes and with the home attack still finding it difficult to find gaps in the County defence, Kettlewell made his first substitution, introducing Stamatelopoulos to Scottish football.

Eight minutes later former County man Ross Callachan made his first appearance in a ‘Well jersey as the home side chased a winner.

It might have come at the other end in the 74th minute when White, with plenty of space and time, rose 10 yards from goal only to nod the ball over Oxborough’s bar.

Ten minutes from time, from a free kick to the left of the penalty area, Halliday curled his effort over the bar as Motherwell’s frustrations to get an effort on goal continued.

Five minutes later they managed to hit the target only to be denied by a stunning save.

O’Donnell’s low cross was deflected beyond the box but only to the waiting Wilson and his thundering left foot drive seemed destined for the back of the net until Laidlaw stretched high to his right to repel the shot.

Paul McGinn and Dylan Wells were given final nine minutes to edge the game Motherwell’s way but ultimately two shot shy teams had to settle for a point.

Motherwell FC is delighted to unveil a new partnership with DX Home Improvements who become the men’s sleeve partner for a minimum of two years.

The DX Home Improvements logo will proudly feature on the sleeve of both the home and away shirts.

The company is a leading name in the construction industry, known for delivering high-quality home improvement services and putting customers at the forefront of everything they do. Established with a strong commitment to excellence, they serve the community with dedication and passion.

Locally, DX Home Improvements has a solid presence in Motherwell, contributing to the community by providing top-notch construction services and creating numerous job opportunities. Their team consists of highly skilled professionals, from builders to architects, who work tirelessly to deliver best results.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Motherwell Football Club,” David Stephen and Shaun Brown, managing directors of DX Home Improvements, said.

“This collaboration aligns perfectly with our values of community, excellence, and growth. We are proud of our history and experience, which we will use to support the team’s future success and pave the way for further development.

“At DX Home Improvements, we are committed to fostering a strong, supportive community and building a better future for all. Partnering with the men’s team is a significant step in this direction, and we look forward to achieving great success together.

“We wish the team a fantastic season ahead.”

“The club is delighted to welcome DX Home Improvements to our partnership portfolio, and I thank David and Shaun for their support and commitment to the club,” Suzanne Reid commercial director at Motherwell FC added.

“It is fantastic to be working with another local business who are truly invested in the club’s success and share our community values. I look forward to growing the partnership and an exciting season ahead.”

Lennon Miller is your G4 Claims player of the month for July. 

The 17-year-old has remained a consistent performer during the month of July.

He came on as a second-half substitute against Edinburgh City in our opening competitive game, and since that introduction, he has played every minute of the next three games.

Controlling the game from the middle of the pitch against Montrose, he dispatched his penalty in the shootout to help his side earn a bonus point.

His strong performance against Clyde caught the eye of many, where he was involved in the build up to Moses Ebiye’s opener, before getting on the scoresheet from the spot in the second-half.

Stephen O’Donnell is looking forward to the new season getting started and he has said that Motherwell are looking for some consistency this season, in the hope that it doesn’t prevent the club from reaching it’s targets. 

The newly named Vice-Captain is pleased to have some added responsibility within the changing room and is also encouraged by the competition for places across the pitch.

Stuart Kettlewell is pleased with his business this summer and is excited for the William Hill Premiership curtain raiser against Ross County this Saturday. 

The Motherwell boss believes his side should have performed better during the cup competition but that desire to improve is there amongst the players and he is looking forward to seeing that response come Saturday.

Kettlewell discusses the recent arrival of Stamatelopoulos and the impact he can have in his time in ML1, his reaction to Sunday’s game and the expectations for the season ahead.

Jim McMahon has formally resigned from his role as Chairman of Motherwell Football Club at the board meeting held last night (Wednesday 31 July).

Jim has been on the Club Board for over 23 years, serving as Chairman for the last eight of those years, making him the second longest continuous serving Chairman in the Club’s history.

During this time, Jim initiated the discussions with John Boyle about how to move to fan ownership and led the work involved in framing the legal and financial structure of the Society. He was also the first 1886 member.

Being aware of Jim’s impending departure, the Club received many heartfelt messages from current and former players, staff and board members over the period of Jim’s tenure. One common theme from all the messages was the invaluable professional and personal support he gave to so many individuals. He was also commended for never having sought the limelight and the countless hours he dedicated over so many years to help everyone involved with his boyhood Club.

We would like to thank Jim sincerely for his long service and commitment to the Club and know he will enjoy more time with his family, especially the grandchildren.

Jim said:

“Having attended my first Motherwell match in the 1950’s and supported the Club ever since, I am immensely proud to have served as the Club Chair for the last eight years. But as I announced at our AGM it is time for me to stand down from that role.

I have been Chair since the Club moved into fan ownership and have a number of people to thank for their unstinting efforts on behalf of MFC during that period.

My fellow Board members who have operated as a unified group over that time.

Three excellent Chief Executives – Alan, Derek and now Brian who has brought enormous experience and enthusiasm to the role.

I was also fortunate to have marvellous Heads of Department in three key areas – David, Suzanne and Bob are best in class.

And finally, Graham Keys who has been an outstanding Company Secretary.

Thank you all.

Their work has meant that:

• The Club has, in real terms, broken even during fan ownership, which has allowed the Well Society to build up its reserves to over £800k.
• We have made very significant improvements to our pitch, stadium and importantly our training facilities.
• We have retained our Scottish Premiership status, extending that run to 40 years. There was huge pressure to change our manager and back-room staff last season. However, we believed in Stuart and backed that judgement. Lennon Miller extended his contract, and we have just sold Theo Bair for a very significant transfer fee. These have and will bring enormous benefits to the Club, and neither would have happened without Stuart.
• The overall effect of this operational and managerial professionalism has left the Club in a very stable financial position. The combination of income from future player sales and the additional growth and investment promised in the Well Society’s business plan, means the Club has never been in a better place.

 I wish the new Club Chair and Board every success in what will be an exciting next chapter for the Club.

My thanks again to all the people I have been proud to work with and who have contributed so much during my time on the Board.”

Jim McMahon

Motherwell B were looking to go one step better than they did at last year’s SPFL Trust Trophy and were drawn to face Lowland League side East Stirlingshire.

With Paul McGinn and Tom Sparrow providing the experience, the rest of the team was made up of our young academy graduates.

Dominating most of the ball and creating enough chances to win the game, the young ‘Well side couldn’t get over the line in 90 minutes and were forced to penalties.

Missing two penalties to win the game, East Stirlingshire snatched victory from under Motherwell’s noses, meaning it was a night of lessons and harsh treatment for the young team.

It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for July. 

Lennon Miller, Aston Oxborough and Liam Gordon are all up for nomination.

To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.

Games in July

• Motherwell 3-0 Edinburgh City
• Montrose 1-1 Motherwell
• Clyde 1-3 Motherwell
• Motherwell 0-0 Partick Thistle

Motherwell exited the SPFL Trust Trophy at the first hurdle on Tuesday night, losing out on penalties to East Stirlingshire at Fir Park. 

With the tie level at 0-0 after 90 minutes, it was the Lowland League side who won the shootout 8-7, with 18 penalties taken.

It didn’t take long for the first chance of the match to arrive. In the opening minute, Mikey Booth dinked a lovely ball over the top for Luca Ross, he squared for Mark Ferrie who scored however the linesman adjudged L.Ross to be offside.

From then on, Motherwell controlled most of the possession. Ferrie went closest next on seven minutes when, on the swivel, he volleyed wide of the mark. In the build up to the chance, L.Ross clashed heads with the East Stirlingshire defender. As a result, he had to come off for treatment and was subsequently substituted ten minutes later for Nathan Lawson.

Lawson, who sprung straight into the action, was involved with Dylan Wells who got in behind the backline and played back to Lawson who seen his shot from the tight angle saved.

Only minutes later, defender Zack Flatman turned defence into attack. He tracked his runner all the way back before playing a flighted ball up the line for Ferrie, he cut the ball back for Booth whose shot flashed wide from the right-edge of the box.

Just 60 seconds later, Wells registered a shot on target after he beat his man on the edge of the box. Exrepont was equal to the effort and it remained goalless.

Skipper Paul McGinn connected well with a corner but his header landed on the roof of the net on 39 minutes.

Four minutes later, East Stirlingshire had their first chance of the night, when Spence picked up the ball 20 yards out and had a go, but his effort was curling away from the goal and Jack McConnell seen the ball wide.

With neither side making any changes at the halfway stage, Motherwell started brightly in the second period. Wells picked up the ball and drove into the box before finding Tom Sparrow who seen his low effort tipped away, Lawson got in on the follow up but was offside.

Three minutes later, East Stirlingshire had their best chance of the match when Ynry Liddell blazed over the bar from a well worked cutback. A let off for the ‘Well.

However, with that scare behind them, Motherwell got back on the front foot. Max Ross chipped a perfect ball over the top of the East Stirlingshire defence to find a sprinting Lawson, who beat the offside trap, but he could only stab the ball marginally past the post.

McGinn went close again on 52 minutes when defender Flatman found himself playing on the wing from the second phase of a corner, he delivered and McGinn could only force the keeper into a save.

Four youngsters were introduced into the action by Richard Foster as they began to settle into the game on the hour mark.

On 70 minutes, some good work from Ferrie on the halfway line seen him get away from his marker, he drove to the byline and squared to Lawson who again, couldn’t find the target.

It was the same combination three minutes later that setup the next chance, but Lawson’s ball across to Booth was intercepted before he could get a shot away.

Another ball in behind caused the visitors problems, this time from Scott Williamson. Ferrie got on the end of it and got a powerful shot away but the keeper was a match. Flatman got on the end of the resulting corner as he was left free at the back post, but his header was guided over the bar.

The chances kept coming for the hosts, with Ross Nelson next to go agonisingly close. He curled one from the edge of the ‘D’, his shot beat the keeper but not the crossbar and the ‘Well were denied once again.

Continuing to knock on the door until the end, Nelson got on the end of a cross into the area, he knocked it down to Lawson who showed perfect technique to side foot the ball towards goal, but it was just wide of the mark. No goals after 90 minutes and the match would be decided on penalties.

Shooting towards the Davie Cooper stand, it was Greig Spence for East Stirlingshire who stepped up first. And it was a horror start as McConnell got a strong hand to the penalty and made the save.

Mikey Booth went next and made no mistake to give his side the early advantage.

Ferrie, M.Ross and Nelson all scored the next three, as did East Stirlingshire meaning at 3-4, Lawson had the first match point. Ecrepont guessed the right way and the shootout continued.

Tomany and Flatman dispatched their efforts having watched their opponents do the same. With the shootout at 6-6, former Motherwell player Sam Campbell’s penalty was beaten away by McConnell and it would be a second match point for Motherwell.

Brannan McDermott stepped up, he went bottom left but so did the keeper and it still wasn’t to be for Motherwell.

Derin Marshall squeezed his penalty past the keeper, with Liddel also scoring just prior.

At 7-7, East Stirlingshire’s Shaun Brown beat the keeper and Williamson knew he had to score. In the cruelest way, he seen his penalty saved and East Stirlingshire confirmed their place in round two of the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Motherwell B: McConnell (GK), McGinn (62), Flatman, M.Ross, Kaleta (62), Sparrow (62), Booth, McDermott, L.Ross (17), Wells (62), Ferrie. 

Substitutes: Marshall (62), Gillies, Williamson (62), Arnott, Nelson (62), McAllister, Lawson (17), Tomany (62), McLean.