Latest News

Highlights from Almondvale as goals from Bob McHugh and James McFadden help ‘Well to a 2-1 over Livingston.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Stuart McCall was satisfied with his side after they comfortably eased past Livingston into the Quarter Finals of the League Cup.

Bob McHugh and James McFadden both got their first goals of the new season in a match where the visitors were rarely troubled.

John McGlynn’s men did add a late goal from a corner but it wasn’t enough as the Steelmen saw out the closing minutes.

McCall was happy with the attitude of his players in what was a potential banana skin tie against the Championship side.

[pullquote]I was pleased with how we defended though – we limited them to next to nothing all night and, overall, we deserved to go through.[/pullquote]

“I am pleased with a lot of aspects of the match although I was disappointed to lose the late goal,” he told MFC TV after the match.

“If I was being super critical, I would say we could have kept the ball a little better and perhaps used it better.

“That being said, their goalkeeper has made three or four really good saves throughout the match which would have made it more convincing.

“To their credit, Livingston played some nice football but when they player was sent off, it made it very difficult. I was pleased with how we defended though – we limited them to next to nothing all night and, overall, we deserved to go through.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Pictures from the 2-1 win over Livingston in the SPFL League Cup Third Round at the Energy Assets Arena.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Craig Foy Photography.

[svgallery name=”livingston250913″]

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee at the Energy Assets Arena

Although the scoreline might suggest otherwise, Motherwell comfortably overcame Livingston to make the draw for the League Cup Quarter Finals.

An early Bob McHugh goal should have removed thoughts of a another cup shock but it took a second goal from James McFadden, and after Livi were reduced to 10 men, to kill off the well organised Championship side.

And although Danny Denholm pulled a goal back for the home team in the final minute, it was literally their first attempt on target and too late to unsettle ‘Well.

While it was patchy performance, the Fir Park side will be happy to notch up a cup win after failed attempts at the first hurdle last season.

Stuart McCall took the opportunity to rest five players from Sunday’s starting eleven at Tannadice. Gunnar Neilson took over in goal in an otherwise unchanged defence. Paul Lawson and Bob McHugh also made a start with James McFadden and Lionel Ainsworth retaining their places after coming on as substitutes against Dundee United.

After what would have been a quiet opening first 15 minutes, had it not been for the huge and noisy travelling support, ‘Well opened the scoring. Ainsworth curled in a corner which Simon Ramsden headed towards the back post where Bob McHugh gladly nodded home his first goal of the season.

The early goal settled the Steelmen, but while the rearranged side tried to develop a patient passing game, there was little to worry Darren Jamieson in the home goal.

Ainsworth, after his stunning goal on Sunday, tried to emulate that strike with a run and shot from 25 yards which had the ‘keeper at full stretch as the ball whizzed past the post.

Three minutes from the break ‘Well had strong appeals for a penalty when Coll Donaldson came through McFadden leaving him grounded and the referee thinking long and hard before waving play on.

Neilson, untroubled for 45 minutes, faced his first shot just before half-time interval but Marc McNulty’s wild effort posed more of a threat to the ‘Well fans in the corner of the Energy Assets Arena.
Despite some periods of untidy play from Motherwell, a second goal would have killed the tie and it was almost gifted six minutes after the break.

Some erratic defending from Donaldson in front of his own goal presented the ball to McHugh, but his cut back to McFadden was smothered by the ‘keeper.

McHugh then tried the direct route with a drive from the edge of the box but his effort drifted a couple of yards wide of goal.

McNulty then did likewise at the other end as John McGlynn’s men tried to get themselves back into the tie. A glancing header from Andy Barrowman came even closer to forcing a first save from Neilsen.

However, just as the home side looked to be gaining some confidence and posing a threat, they were reduced to 10 men when Jason Talbot was shown a straight red card after a two-footed tackle on Stevie Hammell.

After 70 minutes John Sutton replaced McHugh and the impact was immediate.

Ainsworth drilled a ball across the six-yard box and McFadden with a cheeky back-healer directed it past Jamieson to make it 2-0.

The ‘keeper then produced a stunning triple save to block shots from Sutton, Ramsden and McFadden.

Ainsworth almost made it three with a low left foot drive but Jamieson at full stretch palmed the ball away to retrict the lead to two goals.

And in the final minute that lead was reduced when Denholm scrambled home Martin Scott’s corner, as Neilsen without a single save, passed up the chance to claim a clean sheet.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at the Energy Assets Arena

FT: Livingston 1 – 2 Motherwell. Comfortable night for the Steelmen.

90mins: That’s Livi’s first and only shot on target all night and it leads to a goal. That will disappoint Stuart McCall…

GOAL Livingston! Danny Denholm. Hopeful corner bounced through, hit the sub before bouncing in. Goal from nothing there…

87mins: Lovely interplay between Ainsworth and Sutton. Little winger fires a half-volley wayyyy over the bar. Still 2-0 ‘Well..

85mins: Offft, almost gets another belter. Poor kick from the GK – incredible touch but 25 yard shot goes inches over.

84mins: Lovely cut back from Moore lands at Ainsworth. His shot is well saved by Jamieson.

81mins: Last sub for Livi – Barrowman off, replaced by Burchill.

80mins: Hammell comes off and us replaced by Moore. Big Gunnar gets the armband!

79mins: How on earth did that not go in. Sutton just missed shot, Ramsden’s rebound palmed away, McFadden’s attempt deflected over. Crazy!

76mins: Scougall off, replaced by Denholm as Livi make their second sub of the match.

75mins: Carswell booked for a cynical trip.

70mins: 2-0 for the ‘Well… Majestic back-heel flick by the Scotland International. Almost like Paulinho’s for Spurs last Saturday! Magnificent!

GOAL FADDY!!!!!!

69mins: Livi sub… Jacobs off, replaced by McDonald. Well also change… Sutton on for goalscorer McHugh.

65mins: Livi down to 10 men after Jason Talbot is sent off for a bad lunge on Stevie Hammell who is left in a heap! Ouch!

61mins: Livi’s best chance… Barrowman heads inches wide of target at the near post. Close from the hosts. Still 1-0 ‘Well

58mins: Livi’s McNulty winds up a shot from the edge of the box but it zips way wide of post. Ohhhh from the home fans, but it was well wide

55mims: ‘Well collect loose ball. Lawson to McHugh. Faddy wanted the slide ball but McHigh took shot on, blasting over the bar.

52mins: Livi all over the place at the back. Donaldson gets into all sorts of trouble. McHugh pulls back for Faddy but he can’t convert.

46mins: Motherwell get the second half going

HT: Livingston 0 – 1 Motherwell (McHugh)

41mins: Wee penalty shout there. McFadden downed in the box by Donaldson but nothing doing from referee Colvin.

31mins: Offtt! Another Ainsworth screamer. This one is just tipped wide of the post by Jamieson. Still 1-0 ‘Well.

29mins: There has been precious little to talk about folks. Few corners either side but that’s about it.

15mins: Corner from Lionel Ainsworth flicked on by Ramsden for Bob who heads home from a yard out. 1-0 ‘Well!

GOAL!! Bob McHugh

13mins: Still nothing major to report at all folks. ‘Well Bois in great voice again. Good to have them back after a quieter Tannadice!

4mins: Bob McHugh has the first effort of the game which is comfortably held by Jamieson.

3mins gone so far… Nothing much happening, including a decent wifi or 3G connection…

Livingston are going to kick-off…!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I have to say, I thought Livingston were terrific and it was only really when they went down to 10 men that we had chances to kill it off.

“I think we did enough to win the game. I’m disappointed to lose the goal but overall we’re in the next round and that’s the main thing.

“The park was really wet and it was skidding off and things weren’t coming off in the final third for both teams, but I’m pleased James got on the scoresheet and got a full 90 minutes.

“He is desperate to do well, he puts everything into training and games.

“Both strikers scored so that was great.”

Livingston manager John McGlynn:

“I would need to see it again but I don’t think you need to go in as aggressively in that position on the pitch. Away up there, what danger is anyone doing to you?

“It cost us because we were well in the game.

“I thought we played some really good football and controlled large chunks of the game. Credit to the lads, we even got a goal back at the end.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”159″]

Defender Simon Ramsden has set his sights on Cup glory after early exits last season.

In contrast to excellent league form, Motherwell went out at the first hurdle to both Rangers and Aberdeen in the 2012/13 season.

And the former Bradford full-back has spoke of the determination amongst the squad to put that right this time around.

[pullquote]Last season we let ourselves down in the cup competitions so we’re determined to put that right.[/pullquote]

“It’s a break from the league but a very big game for us,” he said.

“Last season we let ourselves down in the cup competitions so we’re determined to put that right.

“The manager described the performance at Ibrox as the most disappointing performance of the season; I don’t know if the atmosphere got to a few players.

“The league side of things last season was tremendous this is definitely something we want to put right and we’re under no illusions it’s going to be a tough game, but we’ll go there determined to do well.

“There’s always upsets in the Cup and all you need is a little bit of luck to get through the first few rounds. It’s a case of taking each game as it comes and although it is a tough game if we can get through hopefully we can put a good run together.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Stuart McCall has warned his squad they mustn’t underestimate Livingston in tomorrow’s SPFL League Cup tie.

The Steelmen take on the Scottish Championship basement boys at the Energy Assets Arena in the third round of the competition.

And McCall has cautioned his troops to approach the match in a professional manner, particularly as the Lions have a new manager in John McGlynn and are unbeaten since his appointment.

Speaking to the gathered press at Motherwell’s pre-match news conference, the Scotland coach said: “I was at the Dumbarton versus Livingston game on Saturday and at half-time, Livingston had just lost a goal and didn’t look as though they could turn it around.

[pullquote]We are all in no doubts that if we’re not fully focused and treat this 100%, it could be a banana skin. With the result they got on Saturday, and the lift they got from playing so well, their spirit will be good.[/pullquote]

“However, in fairness to John [McGlynn], he made some changes and they were terrific in the second half.

“We are all in no doubts that if we’re not fully focused and treat this 100%, it could be a banana skin. With the result they got on Saturday, and the lift they got from playing so well, their spirit will be good.

“They have good players down the spine of the team; Mensing and O’Brien and Barrowman up front as well as good youngsters like Scougall so we will be treating this game as serious as any league game.

“We’ll make a few changes but in no way will we be taking it lightly. The players who will come in are desperate to get a game and if they play at the level they can, we are capable of going through.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Highlights from  this afternoon’s game at Tannadice as Motherwell and Dundee Utd battle out an entertaining 2-2 draw.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

‘Well boss Stuart McCall couldn’t help but wonder what might have been as his side were held to a 2-2 draw at Tannadice this afternoon.

Motherwell deservedly took the lead when Henri Anier smashed home his fourth of the campaign in a first-half dominated by the Steelmen.

To their credit, United came out swinging at the start of the second half and scored twice in a three-minute period, Nadir Çiftçi and Andrew Robertson doing the damage.

Keith Lasley smashed the post with an exquisite free-kick before Lionel Ainsworth brought Motherwell level with a rocket buster of a strike with about fifteen minutes left to play.

Both teams went for it and John Sutton came within an inch of winning it, but his bundled effort bounced agonisingly wide of the post.

Looking back over the ninety minutes, McCall was a little frustrated his side only had the single point to show for their efforts.

[pullquote]It was a bit more end-to-end in the second half whereas we dominated the first. With that in mind, we have to be a little disappointed not to have come away with a win.[/pullquote]

“Later tonight or tomorrow I might see the match as a well-earned point, but my first thought after the match is two points thrown away,” McCall told MFC TV after the match.

“I felt we were in complete control at half-time, we got a terrific goal and kept their danger men quiet for long periods of the game.

“We needed to make sure we came out on the front foot in the second half but we didn’t unfortunately. We lost two good goals from their point of view, but it’s poor defending from ours; we can’t let the boy run for sixty yards unopposed and get a free shot at goal.

“I am pleased with the character we showed to get back into the match through a wonderful Lionel Ainsworth goal.

“It was a bit more end-to-end in the second half whereas we dominated the first. With that in mind, we have to be a little disappointed not to have come away with a win but it was a good game to be involved in.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–