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[tab:Match report]

 Andy Ross at Pittodrie

Josh Magennis’ last-gasp equaliser ensured Motherwell had to settle for a 3-3 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Michael Higdon slid in a leveller three minutes before half-time to cancel out Gavin Rae’s early opener and Shaun Hutchinson rose to head home Tom Hateley’s corner three minutes after the break.

With eight minutes remaining Nicky Law prodded home at the back-post to seemingly clinch all three points but Aberdeen came roaring back.

Niall McGinn met Ryan Fraser’s cross to set up a tense finish and Magennis converted Andrew Considine’s shot in the dying seconds meaning Motherwell left the Granite City with just a point despite dominating proceedings for much of the game.

Stuart McCall made one change to the side that recorded a 2-1 victory over Dundee at Dens Park last Saturday – Henrik Ojamaa replacing Jamie Murphy.

The opening stages saw both teams struggling to retain possession but the hosts were to open the scoring with their first opportunity of the match.

Fraser and Stephen Hughes linked from a short corner and the former ‘Well midfielder fed Jonny Hayes to flight a pin-point delivery for Rae to head beyond Darren Randolph.

Law shot just over then wide of the target as Motherwell looked to find a way back into the match and after grabbing an early the Dons looked quite content to sit deep and soak up the pressure.

Jamie Langfield made his first save of the opening 25 minutes when he gathered Ojamaa’s low shot at the second attempt.

Langfield in the home goal was enjoying a comfortable start to his afternoon despite Motherwell enjoying the majority of the possession and Higdon’s low shot 10 minutes before the break did little to increase his workload.

Magennis blazed a shot harmlessly over the crossbar before the visitors grabbed a deserved equaliser.

Steven Hammell’s free-kick wasn’t dealt with by the Aberdeen defence and Kerr’s prodded effort was only parried by Langfield, allowing Higdon to slide home his seventh goal of the season.

After the boost of scoring just before the break Motherwell made a dream start to the second half as Hutchinson rose under little pressure to bullet a header beyond Langfield.

Stuart McCall’s men were clearly in the mood to put the game beyond the reach of their hosts and Ojamaa fired just wide and then stung the palms of the keeper two minutes later.

Having found themselves on the back-foot for much of the game, Aberdeen had to find an attacking spark and Fraser ended a direct run with a shot just wide of the right-hand post.

Craig Brown introduced Isaac Osbourne and McGinn in place of Scott Vernon and Rae on 63 minutes in an attempt to add some spark in the Dons midfield.

It was Motherwell who continued to look the more likely of the two sides though and only Considine’s brave block prevented Chris Humphrey from troubling Langfield with a fizzing right-footed effort.

McCall made his first change of the afternoon when he introduced Murphy in place of Ojamaa and Brown made his final change as Cameron Smith came on for Ryan Jack.

The game looked to be have been put out of sight on 82 minutes when Kerr nodded on Hateley’s corner and Law prodded the ball home at the back-post.

The Aberdeen fans headed for the exit’s but their side were to find themselves right back in the game two minutes later.

Fraser’s excellent delivery was met by McGinn who headed home to set up a nervous finish.

It looked like Motherwell had weathered the late Aberdeen pressure until a poorly defended free-kick in the final minute of injury-time was eventually turned in by Megennis.

It was a tough one to take for McCall’s men who had been the better side for the majority of the match, however the Claret and Amber faithful can be consoled by the fact that their side still sit top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League one point clear of Hibs.

[tab:As it happened]

Alastair Reilly at Pittodrie

FULL TIME: Aberdeen 3 – 3 Motherwell.

GOAL. Magennis equalises for Aberdeen – Cannot believe it!

90mins: 3 minutes added on.

87mins: Hammell booked for foul on Hayes. Dangerous position for free-kick. Cummins and Lasley combine to clear the danger.

85mins: GOAL: Aberdeen pull one back through McGinn to set-up a nervy finish.

83mins: Nicky Law makes it 3 after he taps in from Hateley’s corner.

GOAL MOTHERWELL!

81mins: Aberdeen sub: Jack off for Smith.

80mins: Motherwell sub- Ojamaa makes way for Murphy.

78mins: That looked like a decent shout for a penalty there. Law and Ojamaa played a one-two and as he broke he looked to have shirt pulled

76mins: And straight up the other end Law wins a corner…which Langfield does well to punch clear under pressure from Hutchinson.

75mins: McGinn wins a free-kick in a dangerous position. Randolph gets across his goal and makes the save.

68mins: Free-kick to Motherwell in Hateley territory. Bent over the wall and bar. Still 2-1 to ‘Well.

66mins: Humphrey gets past Considine but can’t quite find the angle to get a shot away quickly. When he does shoot, it’s saved by Langfield.

64mins: Aberdeen subs: Rae off for Osbourne and Vernon off for McGinn

62mins: Rae goes in search of his second as he ghosts into the box unnoticed and meets Hayes cross but heads wide.

57mins: Game is so open now. ‘Well go straight up the other end and Lasley is unlucky with a 20 yard curler which goes just over.

55mins: Fraser has Randolph sprawling across his goals with a great curled effort from 20 yards. Just past.

52mins: Motherwell flying out the traps in this half! Ojamaa and Hateley both testing Langfield, from close range as they search for a third,

50mins: Ojamaa strikes the outside of the post from 18 yards.

48mins: Hutchinson sends the Steelmen in front at Pittodrie with a front post header from a corner.

48mins: Corner to Motherwell……GOOOAAALLLL

45mins: Second half underway. Having some 3g/internet issues here. Apologies.

HALF TIME: Aberdeen 1 – 1 Motherwell

45mins: 1 minute added on.

41mins: Look out for the debut of his celebration “The Carsy” later tonight on MFCTV.

41mins: Kerr tried to prod it home from close range but Langfield managed to clear but only to Higgy who slid home.

41mins: GOOOAAAALLLLLL – Higdon with an equaliser after the ball seemed to bounce around the box for an eternity.

36mins: Hateley shoots from a corner but his effort can only find the side netting.

31mins: Another counter from ‘Well. This time it ends with Higdon trying his luck with a left footed effort. Langfield saves with ease.

28mins: Motherwell counter attack and Ojamaa slides in Humphrey. He’s 20 yards out and tries his luck with a shot which sails well over.

27mins: Hutchinson booked for a foul on Fraser.

24mins: Ojamaa can count himself unlucky there… He did well to break clear of Rae and his shot on the turn troubled Langfield at near post.

20mins: Corner to Motherwell….Kerr meets it at the front post but heads over.

18mins: Kerr booked for a wild challenge on Fraser.

16mins: Law goes close again. This time he tries to curl the ball into the far corner but shoots just past,

15mins: Humphrey wins a free-kick in a dangerous position out wide. Hateley’s delivery was brilliant but Anderson rises highest to head clear

7mins: ALMOST an equaliser from Law! Great link up play with Ojamaa creates some space in the box. Fires marginally over.

5mins: GOAL: Rae opens the scoring after he nods home from a quickly taken corner,

1min: Breakaway from Hayes see’s his attempted cross land safely in Randolph’s hands.

1min: Just started…Higdon wins the first foul of the day, Just inside the Dons half.

1min: Hughes and Hayes kick-off.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“There’s no doom or gloom as we have come up to Pittodrie, scored three goals and drew against a strong Aberdeen side.

“We know what we are aiming for this season and what we are after so we will move on, but we will take a lot of positives from the game.

“I’m really pleased with how we went about our business but I’m disappointed to lose the two late goals in the manner we did.

“We should have run the clock down better. Would we have taken the point before we came up? Possibly but we always come to win games.

“I will analyse the game and will look at what we should have done better defensively, but I was really encouraged with some of the stuff we played going forward.”

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown:

“Anyone can finish near the top and Motherwell are deservedly where they are. They are the best team we’ve played this season and they proved that today.

“Motherwell were the better team and we were fortunate to get a home draw. 

“At least we’ve scored. There was a monkey on our back there saying you can’t score at home, but we’ve scored three today and could have scored more.

“But, in previous matches against Ross County, Hearts and St Mirren, we were dominant in all three games and had more chances than we had today.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”115″]

Estonian International Henrik Ojamaa says he will settle for setting up goals as opposed to scoring if it means ‘Well take all three points.

The six-time capped striker has yet to find the back of the net this campaign but is racking up the assists, including being the man for Motherwell’s equaliser at Pittodrie.

Looking ahead to the Steelmen’s trip north to play Aberdeen at Pittodrie, the 20-year old former Derby County player is all too aware of the responsibilities of the attacking players in what is sure to be a tightly fought encounter.

[pullquote]There is more to my game than just goals. It gives me great satisfaction to do what I did last week and go past a player and set someone up for a goal.[/pullquote]

“It will be a tough game and defensively they are one of the best in the league,” he said.

“Space in the attacking third will be very hard to come by so it’s a challenge for us attacking players to be very clinical and be technically spot on.

“There is more to my game than just goals. It gives me great satisfaction to do what I did last week and go past a player and set someone up for a goal.

“It’s the bigger part of my game and hopefully I can repeat that on Sunday at Pittodrie.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Two days ahead of the teams meeting at Pittodrie, ‘Well boss Stuart McCall says he expects Aberdeen to be amongst the challengers come the end of the campaign.

The Dons are managed by ex ‘Well duo Craig Brown and Archie Knox and have added well in the summer, giving the squad a strong look and feel.

McCall is sure that will turn but is hopeful his side can replicate some of the excellent form which has seen the Steelmen take seven points from nine on the road already.

[pullquote]I’m sure Craig and Archie, without wanting to put pressure on their own squad, will be hoping and expecting a push for that second place.[/pullquote]

He told the media at his weekly press conference: “Aberdeen’s performances this season have been excellent and they’ve probably not go the results they have merited, especially at home where they have had three nil-nil’s which is unusual.

“They are strong defensively and have added well to the squad. I’m sure Craig and Archie, without wanting to put pressure on their own squad, will be hoping and expecting a push for that second place.

“I think with the players they brought in last Christmas and in the summer, like Anderson, Rae, Hughes and Naismith, they’ve added a lot of experience. McGinn and Hayes have added a bit of fair up front too.

“They have a really strong squad so no doubt it will be the toughest test of the season so far.

“We’ve been up to Aberdeen in the last two seasons and won the games playing a different shape than we normally do so we’ll have to have a look at that.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ONLY ON MFC TV-

The Ticket Office at Fir Park will open this Saturday between 10am and 2pm for fans wishing to pick up tickets for the Rangers and Celtic matches.

The Steelmen face Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday (26th Septemeber) with tickets priced at:

• The match will be strictly all-ticket.
• Concessions are listed as 65 and over and teenagers aged between 16 and 17.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
• A family ticket consists of x2 Adult and x2 Juvenile.
• If you are planning heading to Glasgow – check out our handy “Guide to Ibrox”
• ‘Well have been given an initial 953 allocation but have the option for a further 700 should they be required.

The following Saturday (29th September), Celtic come to Fir Park with prices set at:

• Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
• Family tickets consist of 1x Adult and 1x Juvenile.
• The cheaper priced ticket is for the East Stand only.
• If you are new to Fir Park, check our handy ‘New Fans’ section that will detail everything you need to know about matchdays.
• Celtic fans coming to the match can buy online ‘CLICK HERE’
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Lee Erwin has been named in the Scotland Under 19s squad for their training camp in Falkirk at the end of the month.

The eighteen-year old striker came on as a second half substitute for the Under 19s side in their international challenge match against The Netherlands earlier this month and started against Germany last month.

The Under 19s Training Camp will be held at the MacDonald Inchyra Grange Hotel in Falkirk between 26th and 28th September.

The full squad:

Goalkeepers

Philip Anderson (Dundee United), Jack Hamilton (Heart of Midlothian)

Defenders

Joseph Chalmers (Celtic), Alex Davey (Chelsea), Stuart Findlay (Celtic), Marcus Fraser (Celtic), Jack Grimmer (Fulham), Stephen Kingsley (Falkirk), Michael Miller (Celtic), Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian)

Midfielders

John Herron (Celtic), Jamie Lindsay (Celtic), Lewis McLeod (Rangers), Darren Petrie (Dundee United)

Forwards

Lee Erwin (Motherwell), Islam Feruz (Chelsea), Ryan Fraser (Aberdeen), Matthew Kennedy (Everton), Barrie McKay (Rangers), Declan McManus (Aberdeen), Thomas Reilly (St Mirren)

Man of the moment Michael Higdon is the first ‘Well player of the season to test his golfing talent in the MFC TV 10-yard Bucket Challenge.

We’ve carried over the results from last year and Geordie Shaun Hutchinson is still in the lead when he shot an incredible 6 – a full ahead of fellow stopper Clancy.

Stevie Hammell is second with 42 whilst Jamie Murphy is struggling to make the cut with a whopping 101.

Now it’s time to see if the SPL’s top scorer can snatch top of the leaderboard and scoop a fourball at one of Scotland’s top courses as a prize.

-WATCH HIGGY CHIP IN ONLY ON MFC TV-

Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s will face an away trip to Bayview to take on East Fife in the 2nd Round of the SFA Youth Cup.

Motherwell’s recent record in the competition has been poor and the Finn will be desperate for his side to progress into the latter stages but face a tricky opener against the Third Division side.

Although it will be the Under 20s squad, in a change from the SPL, no over-age players will turnout.

The match will take place on Sunday 30th September 2012 with a 1pm kick-off.

Johansson told motherwellfc.co.uk: “It will be a tough away tie for the boys but it’s one we are looking forward too.

“The free week we’ve enjoyed this week has allowed us to work extensively on the training pitch and I can see the boys getting sharper every day.

Motherwell Under 20s next match at Fir Park is on Tuesday 2nd October when they face local neighbours Hamilton Accies (7pm KO).

Motherwell FC have teamed up with NHS Lanarkshire to give you a chance to win VIP hospitality for four people at the last home game of the 2012/13 season.

Second-hand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the smoke exhaled by smokers.

For a chance to win the prize please answer the six survey questions (which should take no longer than one minute to fill in).

The winner will be selected at random and announced on Thursday 27th September.

-CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY-

Referee for Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie will be Bobby Madden.

It will only be Bobby’s third ever Motherwell game. His first was back in January of last season as the Steelmen slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Inverness; Grégory Tadé grabbing the game’s only goal.

The most recent was the thrilling 5-1 win over St Johnstone as Motherwell reaffirmed their grip on third spot in the SPL. Goals that day from Higdon, Law, Murphy and a Ojamaa double all but ended Saints’ hopes of nicking the best of the rest gong.

The 33-year old has been fourth official on a number of occasions, including Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last month and the Semi Final with St Johnstone at Hampden.

The whistler busy already this campaign, with domestic duties topped up with games in the Europa League with FK Vojvodina vs FK Suduva and Elfsborg Boras vs AC Horsens.

He was also the man in the middle for the World Cup Qualifier between Germany and the Faroe Islands; the home side running out 3-0 winners.

His most recent SPL appointment was back in August as Hearts and Inverness CT shared a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle.

Bobby will be ably assisted by Alan Mulvanny and Stuart Stevenson with Calum Murray on fourth official duties.

There’s still time to be our Match Ball Sponsor for the match against Dundee Utd on Saturday 6th October or Hibs on Friday 26th October.

Combine fantastic Motherwell hospitality with a substantial one match advertising package all for only £650+vat (party of 4 guests).

Enjoy a three-course pre-match meal in our Centenary Suite with a fully inclusive drinks package.  You and your guests will receive a complimentary match day magazine and team sheets before taking your seat in the Centre Stand to enjoy the match. 

You will re-fuel at half-time with tea/coffee served at your table.

Choose your Young Man of the Match before the final whistle when we’ll announce your choice over the PA before moving back to the Millennium Suite to make the presentation. 

Your chosen player will present you with the signed match ball in a glass presentation case. 

In addition to hospitality, you can also take full advantage of a half page advertisement in the match magazine.  PA and Scoreboard announcements will be made during the ‘warm-up’, at half time, and just before the final whistle.

Photographs of the presentations will appear in the next edition of the match programme extending your coverage for another week.

For more information please contact 01698 338008 or email (including your contact telephone number) diane.harvey@motherwellfc.co.uk.