| 3 | Rangers | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 23 |
| 4 | Dundee United | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 23 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 13 | 6 | 1 | 6 | -3 | 19 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | -6 | 18 |
| 7 | Dundee | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | -3 | 16 |
Manager Stuart Kettlewell reiterated his anger and frustration after Saturday’s William Hill Premiership result and performance against Hibernian. Kettlewell says the staff and himself are constantly striving for improvement and are trying to rectify the last two results in the league.
Kettlewell is preparing for the quick turnaround for Wednesday night’s game against Dundee.
Motherwell Football Club Community Trust’s men’s Walking Football teams celebrated the conclusion of their respective league campaigns, by hosting their annual player of the year awards.
The awards included the over-50s walking football teams who tasted league title success after clinching the Walking Football Scotland O50s West Premiership title over a month ago. The Steelmen finished three points ahead of nearest rivals Saint Anthony’s, and four clear of third-placed Pollok United in a closely-fought league campaign. Motherwell concluded the season with 10-wins from 16, scoring 28-times whilst encountering only two defeats.
Across the four respective age categories, each squad selected a players’ player of the year, a coaches player of the year, and a fun series of awards.
Coaches’ Player of the Year
Players’ Player of the Year
Fun Awards
Congratulations to all award recipients and the full squad for their enthusiasm and dedication.
Defender Liam Gordon is taking context from the last two league results, and is looking forward to seeing how teammates react to facing Wednesday’s challenge against Dundee.
Gordon was left disappointed with the goals conceded in recent matches, but insists that those individual errors can be fixed in the upcoming games.
With Hibernian travelling to North Lanarkshire in search of their second league win of the season, Stuart Kettlewell was looking for his side to bounce back from their poor trip to the Highlands last Saturday.
In a game that lacked chances, Hibernian got themselves two to the good at the break, before adding a third in the second half.
A performance that was below the standards expected, the Motherwell players were left angry at themselves and will have to go again on Wednesday night against Dundee.
Striker Laura Berry is the SWF SportScotland Young Player of the Year.
The 17-year-old forward was nominated alongside Rossvale’s Sophie Ambrosini, Hearts’ Jessica Husband and Ross County’s Keira Syrjanen. After being initially shortlisted by a supporters vote, Berry was awarded the ‘Young player of the year’ by a selected judging panel.
The striker burst onto the Scottish footballing scene, netting 8-goals in 12-appearances after joining the club on an initial season-long loan deal from Glasgow-outfit Rangers.
“I’m absolutely delighted to receive this award,” Berry emphasised.
“It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to be nominated alongside so many talented players, and I’m very proud to have been awarded the ‘Young Player of the Year.’
“I just want to continue the form that I showed last season in this campaign, and really support Motherwell to a positive position in the SWPL.
Berry has quickly rediscovered her form this campaign after re-joining the club on a second-consecutive loan deal, scoring seven-goals in six-appearances, including four against newly-promoted SWPL2 champions Queens Park in only her second game.
“I’m really proud of Laura,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.
“Laura works tirelessly both on and off the pitch to improve her game, and to be recognised alongside so many talented players is great to see.
“We’ve worked hard at the club to have a proven track record of developing young players, and to have Laura awarded the SWF Young Player of the Year, is an absolute privilege for the club and a reward for all the talented coaching staff who work behind the scenes.”
Hibernian came away with three points, defeating Motherwell 3-0 at Fir Park.
Junior Hoilett and Mykola Kukhareevych gave the Edinburgh men a two-goal advantage before Josh Campbell netted a third ten minutes from time.
Stuart Kettlewell restored Tawanda Maswanhise to the starting lineup after the Zimbabwe forward’s delayed return from international duty cost him his place against Ross County. Tom Sparrow’s ankle injury in the defeat at Dingwall forced the only other change, with Davor Zdravkovski coming into the midfield.
The Easter Road men had former Motherwell Academy graduates Chris and Nicky Cadden forming opposite wing backs as boss David Gray aimed to lift his side off the bottom of the league table.
Despite a bright and open start from both sides, there was little action in either box in the first 25 minutes.
A whipped cross from Maswanhise fell behind Kofi Balmer, and although his acrobatic bicycle kick sent the ball over the bar, at least it provided some encouragement for the home fans.
A minute later it was the travelling fans who were applauding as the visitors opened the scoring.
Aston Oxborough failed to cut out Nicky Cadden’s curling free kick, allowing Hoilett, at the back of the six-yard area, to nudge the ball over the goal line.
Ten minutes later, N.Cadden was presented with another free kick, this time 24 yards from goal. His low serving effort forced Oxborough across to palm the ball round his post, but the danger wasn’t over.
The resultant corner to the back post caused mayhem around the six-yard box, and although the ‘Well keeper blocked one effort, the ball bobbled in front of goal until eventually Kukharevych bundled it into the net and gave the Edinburgh men a two-goal lead.
The first half ended with ‘Well unable to mount a sustained pressure on the visitor’s goal with Jordon Smith completely untested.
A vast improvement was required in the second forty-five, particularly in the final third, and it was no surprise when the second half started with Tony Watt and Zach Robinson coming on at the expense of Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Andy Halliday.
And within five minutes, following good work on the left by Ewan Wilson, Robinson’s drive from 20 yards forced Smith into his first save.
But while ‘Well chased the game, a now confident Hibs looked threatening on the counter.
On the hour, Smith finally produced a decent save to push Robinson’s effort over his bar after Dan Casey nodded down Lennon Miller’s corner.
With 20 minutes remaining, the ‘Well boss went for broke, bringing on Moses Ebiye to go four up top with Harry Paton coming on to bolster the midfield.
Ten minutes from time, Campbell prodded the ball low past Oxborough from 12 yards.
Moses Ebiye then came within a ball’s width of reducing the leeway when his left-foot shot smacked off the face of the post, but it would have been little consolation to the Fir Park faithful.
Stuart Kettlewell reacts to defeat at home to Hibernian.
Clothing brand Bee Inspired visit Fir Park, where some of the playing squad dress each other to see who does best.
In the end, carnage ensues.
Tawanda Maswanhise became a hero for his country earlier this month, as his strike for Zimbabwe against Kenya sent his country to AFCON 2025. Now back in Motherwell colours after a difficult journey home, the winger is looking to continue his goal scoring form and good performances.
The former Leicester man is excited for this weekend against Hibernian.
