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Motherwell leapfrogged Dundee United into fourth place in the William Hill Premiership with a battling 1-2 win at Tannadice.

Zimbabwean midfielder Tawanda Maswanhise proved to be the hero as his two goals either side of half-time earned the Steelmen a confidence inspiring win ahead of Sunday’s semi-final.

Stuart Kettlewell made three changes to the side that lost to Dundee with Steve Seddon, Tawanda Maswanhise and Dan Casey replacing Andy Halliday, Davor Zdravkovski and the suspended Liam Gordon.

After an even opening 20 minutes, the visitors took the lead as Maswanhise claimed his first in claret and amber.

Lennon Miller’s deep free-kick was headed across goal by Dan Casey and the Zimbabwean cooly picked his spot past Walton. There were question marks over Apostolos Stamatelopoulos’ involvement in the as the Aussie possibly strayed into an offside position as he ushered the ball into the net but VAR found no fault and the goal stood.

Motherwell were dealt a blow as captain Stephen O’Donnell hobbled off on the half-hour mark after an innocuous looking clearance. The defender left the pitch, clearly in pain and was replaced by Shane Blaney who made his first appearance since the first league game of the season back in August.

The reshuffle of the defence perhaps played a part in the equaliser as Kristjian Trapanovski found plenty of space down the Motherwell right and his pinpoint cross found Sam Dalby who rose unmarked and headed past Oxborough.

There wasn’t much between the sides as the game grew deeper into the second half with a feeling of the next goal would be the winner, such was the lack of clear cut chances.

Thankfully it was the Steelmen who took their chance as a mistake from Adegboyega presented the busy Maswanhise with a great chance. Bearing down on the goal the winger kept his cool and dinked the ball over Jack Walton and into the United net.

Motherwell’s defence largely held firm, limiting the hosts to very little, and eventually securing a vital three points to end a run of two defeats and tee up a big game on Sunday at Hampden.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts as his side leapfrog Dundee United into fourth place.

A Tawanda Maswanhise double was enough to earn a 1-2 win for the Steelmen at Tannadice.

Ewan Wilson is feeling great after his dedication to fitness and nutrition in the summer. The young full-back has cemented his spot in the side and is looking to continue what he has started. 

Wilson remains level-headed ahead of a massive week in his career.

• Wednesday- 9-5pm
• Thursday – 9-5pm
• Friday – 9-4pm

Assistant manager Stephen Frail says there are no new fresh injury concerns ahead of Wednesday night’s match against Dundee United. 

The Well number two insists the full focus is on this game, despite a mouthwatering semi-final match against Rangers on Sunday in the Premier Sports Cup.

When Celtic come to Fir Park, Motherwell know they need to have their clinical edge should the chances come. And after striking the woodwork twice within the first ten minutes of the game, that statement became true. 

Having not failed to take their chances, Celtic would break the deadlock through Luke McCowan midway through the first-half. From then on, Celtic didn’t look back.

Using their star studded bench, they grew stronger and stronger in the second-half. Alistair Johnston would deliver the critical blow on the hour mark as the Canadian headed in a second.

Adam Idah made it three before Liam Gordon seen red for a challenge on the former. It’s a quick turnaround for Motherwell now, with a trip to Tannadice looming on Wednesday night.

Motherwell will make their way to the City of Discovery on Wednesday 30 October to face Dundee United in the William Hill Premiership. 

Kick off is 7:45pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets are available to buy online here.

Any wheelchair Users requiring tickets please contact the Ticket Office directly tickets@dundeeunitedfc.co.uk 01382 833 166 option 1. The seats available are in the Carling / West.

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 third kit for this match.

Squad Update

Paul McGinn, Callum Slattery, Harry Paton, Jack Vale, Ross Callachan and Sam Nicholson remain out for this game.

Liam Gordon is suspended. Tony Watt is ineligible against his parent club.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell were beaten by reigning champions Celtic on Sunday afternoon at Fir Park. It’s five wins and three defeats in the Steelmen’s last eight games.

The Steelmen have won four of the last five meetings between the two sides, with the latest coming in the quarter-final of the Premier Sports Cup last month.

Opposition Report

Dundee United travelled to unbeaten Aberdeen on Saturday night in search of a third win on the spin. Following on from a win against St Mirren, and a dramatic turnaround against Hibernian, the Dons came away with a narrow 1-0 victory.

In their first season back in the top-flight, Jim Goodwin’s side have made a strong start in the league. They are fourth in the table on 15 points after nine games, two points ahead of Motherwell.

Kristijan Trapanovski is United’s top scorer this season, with four goals to his name.

Celtic came away with the three points on Sunday afternoon, defeating Motherwell 3-0 at Fir Park thanks to goals from Luke McCowan, Alistair Johnston, and Adam Idah. 

Facing three tough games in the next week, Kettlewell made a couple of changes to his lineup. Marvin Kaleta made his first start, with Tom Sparrow also earning his first start.

Despite making changes after their spirited performance in Italy in midweek and missing captain Callum McGregor, Brendan Rodgers was still able to kick off with a formidable starting eleven.

It was the Steelmen, though, who made an impressive opening. And twice inside a couple of minutes, the home side came within a few centimetres of opening the scoring.

With only eight minutes played, Liam Scales’ pass back put Kasper Schmeichel under pressure. The keeper’s rushed clearance was snapped up by Stamatelopoulos. He laid the ball back for Lennon Miller, who watched his drilled effort from 20 yards rebound from the right hand post.

Two minutes later, the Well teenager was unlucky once again. His quick feet 25 yards from goal earned him a free kick. And after curling the ball over the Celtic wall, it seemed destined for the top right-hand corner of the goal until it rattled off the face of the crossbar.

A glancing header from Daizen Maeda momentarily brought Aston Oxborough into action, diving across his goal to push the ball behind, but the bulk of the early action was at the other end.

A deep corner from Andy Halliday found Miller at the rear of the six-yard box, and his downward header caused a bit of chaos in front of the keeper’s post, followed by a check of handball.

Miller was at the centre of everything, and after 22 minutes, his cute backheeler fell for Sparrow at the edge of the box, but his shot on the half-volley went straight into Schmeichel’s arms.

Then, four minutes later, Celtic grabbed the lead.

Former Dundee midfielder McCowan waltzed through the centre of the home defence before sliding a low left foot drive beyond Oxborough.

The Parkhead side looked more comfortable after that, and for a minute it looked as if they had added a bizarre second goal.

Alistair Johnston’s low ball in behind the Well rearguard had play racing towards Oxborough, but as Maeda fell, he nudged the ball beyond the advancing keeper with the ball rolling against the past and over the line. A VAR check would take place into the investigation of a hand ball from Celtic. After careful consideration, a handball was given keeping the score 0-1.

In stark contrast, the league champions began the second half with a greater tempo.

And within minutes, it took a smart diving save from Oxborough to repel Kyogo Furuhashi’s snap shot.

Kaleta’s cross into the visitor’s box begged a finish, but Stamatelopoulos had a fresh air shot before Ewan Wilson’s left foot swerved the ball wide of goal.

What followed would create disappointment for Stuart Kettlewell in the 55th minute.

Alex Valle’s cross towards the six-yard area was met by Johnston, who powerfully planted his header behind a helpless Oxborough.

With 18 minutes remaining, Oxborough produced a quick double save and gave the Fir Park men continued hope that they could get back into the game.

Moses Ebiye’s header and another from Miller forced a couple of saves from Schmeichel, before Idah closed the deal with a skilful goal after an strong performance from Celtic during the second-half.

It got worse for Motherwell in injury time, when after VAR intervention, Liam Gordon’s challenge on Idah was upgraded from a yellow to a red card.

Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the 0-3 defeat to Celtic at Fir Park.

Summer signing Apostolos Stamatelopoulos says he has fully settled into life in Scotland, having made the switch from Australia in the summer. The Australian international now has family by his side and is ready to get stuck right into things here in ML1. 

The striker explains the reason for his early departure against Dundee last Saturday as well as discussing his recent trip away on international duty.