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Stuart Kettlewell reacts to a late win over Kilmarnock.

• Poor first half not to be forgotten about
• A deserved special moment for Harry Paton
• Rewarding supporters’ loyalty

Motherwell scored with the last kick of the ball against Kilmarnock to make it nine Premiership wins on the bounce, with Harry Paton scoring at the death to make it 2-1. 

Marley Watkins early goal gave a confident Kilmarnock the upper hand which they largely maintained over a one sided first half. At that stage a weakened ‘Well side looked out of sorts but a thumping equaliser from Dan Casey just before the hour mark changed the game.

Fifteen minutes from time the Steelmen were denied the three points which looked most unlikely in the first half, when Callum Slattery’s penalty kick was well saved by Willie Dennis.

However, ‘Well continued to press for a winner and it duly arrived seven minutes into added on time when Harry Paton capped a fine second half performance steering his shot beyond Dennis to send the ‘Well fans into ecstasy as the dejected Kilmarnock players slumped to the Fir Park pitch.

On paper, Fir Park hopes of extending an unbeaten league run to nine games was hindered by a lengthening list of injuries.

Missing key players, especially in forward positions, Stuart Kettlewell gave on loan Huddersfield defender Brodie Spencer his debut. In the absence of Connor Wilkinson, Joe Efford made his first start of the season alongside Theo Bair in an impoverished home attack.

Kilmarnock seemed fully aware of the home side’s injury woes and went on the offensive from kick-off.

It took the Ayrshire side only 12 minutes to gain the advantage.

At a second attempt Danny Armstrong whipped his cross to the back post where Marley’s head guided the ball tight inside the post before Kelly’s outstretched hand could keep the ball out.

With ‘Well’s front two unable to keep the ball in Killie’s half the home defence was kept under constant pressure and after 22 minutes the visitors came close to doubling their lead when Kyle Vassell’s header flashed across Kelly’s goal.

The Killie striker was lucky six minutes later as he attempted to usher the ball over his own byeline. Slattery, though, nipped behind him to keep the ball in play before rolling it back for Blair Spittal whose powerful angled drive was parried by Willie Dennis.

Despite Killie having the bulk of the possession in ‘Well’s half, Kettlewell’s men made some threats on the visitor’s goal as half-time approached.

A couple of teasing crosses forced Dennis to leave his goal line and collect the ball as Bair waited for a slip.

Just before the break Stephen O’Donnell curled another cross into a packed box only to watch Lennon Miller, at full stretch, stooping to head the ball over the bar.

Despite that belated burst of action from the home side Kettlewell made a tactical switch at half-time bringing on Harry Paton for Efford.

And it almost paid off within five minutes. O’Donnell’s deep cross found Paton beyond the six-yard box and although the substitute did well to cut the ball back, Bair could only volley the bouncing ball over the cross bar.

Paton’s introduction in midfield provided ‘Well with greater width and the opportunity to push forward in greater numbers to support Bair and exert some pressure on the Killie defence.

And the change in approach paid off after 58 minutes when the Steelmen grabbed the equaliser.

O’Donnell and Slattery combined on the right and when the latter’s cross found Spencer on the opposite side the debutant quickly passed the ball into Casey, 12 yards from goal. The central defender, with the confidence of a striker, dragged the ball to his right before driving it low and hard beyond Dennis and raise hopes of an unexpected fightback.

Suddenly Kimarnock looked nervous as the Fir Park players fancied claiming all three points.

Another cross from O’Donnell in the 73rd minute found the overlapping Spence and although he kept his header on target it was straight into the ‘keeper’s gloves.

Four minutes later Casey was dumped at the edge of the opponent’s box by Armstrong’s challenge.

After a lengthy VAR check it was judged that the offence was inside the penalty area. But Slattery’s dreams of claiming a winner from the spot disappeared when his well struck shot was pushed away by Dennis low to his left.

When the fourth official’s board indicated eight additional minutes there was a roar of anticipation from the home fans that a sensational comeback could be achieved.

And with 97 minutes on the clock the winner finally arrived. Spittal did well to carry the ball to the byeline. And when his cut back rolled across the box, fittingly Paton stepped onto the pass before firing the ball past Dennis to cap an incredible fightback.

Theo Bair says the team love playing at Fir Park and are looking forward to being back home. 

The Canadian international speaks about his targets for this season and how big an impact he feels he can make in ML1 this campaign.

Brodie Spencer has joined the club on a season-long loan from Huddersfield Town, subject to international clearance. 

The Northern Irish international is a full-back and joins from the Championship side for the rest of the season, having penned a new contract with The Terriers until 2025 prior to the switch.

He joined Huddersfield from Cliftonville in 2020 and initially played in the under 17 side at the club. He made a quick impression at that level and the decision was taken to skip the Under 19s team and go straight into the B team.

In May 2022, the defender won the Antoni’s Memorial Academy Player of the Year trophy at Huddersfield for his impressive displays.

He the progressed to first-team level and has made six senior appearances in all competitions.

The 19-year-old made his international debut for the Northern Irish senior side 2022 against Kosovo, where he assisted one of the goals. He has three caps so far.

“Brodie is a real quality player with bags of potential” Stuart Kettlewell said.

“I think it says a lot when the parent club offer a player a new deal before loaning him out. It shows their real desire to see the player grow and I think Brodie will do just that.

“With international caps in the senior team at such a young age, it only shows how much quality he’s got.

“It’s been a busy couple of days but I’m buzzing to be here,” Spencer said.

“This is a great opportunity for me to get minutes and impress in a first-team environment.

“I feel like the club and the manager is a good fit for me and I can’t wait to get going.”

Spencer will wear the number 22 kit this season.

Stuart Kettlewell addresses the recent debate around Charles Dunne’s tackle on Mika Biereth against St Mirren last weekend.

The manager also provides an injury update on Biereth, Jon Obika and Pape Souare.

He goes into detail around how sore the defeat against St Mirren was and how the team were aware they could improve drastically on the performance and result.

With Kilmarnock beating both Rangers and Celtic this season, Kettlewell remains calm in his approach to the game.

Motherwell return to cinch Premiership action on Saturday when Kilmarnock visit Fir Park. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

– Concessions Tickets would be ages 65 and over and FT Students with a valid matric card.
– Young Adults tickets would ages 12 to 17.
– Juveniles would be 11 and under

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

Tickets can be purchased online.

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 home kit on Saturday.

Team News

Long-term absentee Calum Butcher remains missing for this game.

Jon Obika suffered an injury setback last week and will remain missing for a period of time.

Mika Biereth has joined the injury list, picking up a knee injury from a tackle against St Mirren. He will be missing for three months.

Pape Souare is a doubt for this match, having missed the trip to St Mirren and will be monitored this week.

Harry Paton is also a doubt as he continues his recovery from a groin strain and will be assessed for the remainder of the week.

Motherwell’s fortunes

Stuart Kettlewell suffered his first defeat on the road since he arrived in February, against St Mirren last time out.

The loss was Kettlewell’s third defeat in 21 games in charge.

A 1-0 defeat knocked Motherwell out of the Viaplay Cup. However, the Steelmen have made a strong start in the league.

Drawing against Dundee before beating Hibernian 2-1 means Motherwell are on four points out of six so far.

Opposition report

Kilmarnock come into this game having beaten Celtic 1-0 in the Viaplay Cup. Marley Watkins grabbed the only goal of the game.

They are also on four points from their first two games in the cinch Premiership, beating Rangers on the opening day at Rugby Park 1-0 and coming away with a point from Tynecastle in a 0-0 draw.

Danny Armstrong continues to be involved in most of the good at Kilmarnock. The tricky winger has one goal and three assists so far.

Stuart Findlay has adjusted well back to life in Scotland. The centre-back rejoined the Ayrshire side in the summer for his second spell at the club and has already got himself on the scoresheet twice.

There are two former Motherwell men within the Killie ranks. Liam Polworth and Liam Donnelly are currently applying their trade at Rugby Park, with both still looking for their first goal or assist of the season.

Mika Biereth is set to spend up to three months on the sidelines. 

The Arsenal loanee sustained a knee injury in our Viaplay Cup match against St Mirren on Saturday.

Scans have revealed a serious knee injury and means the striker will miss 12 weeks of the season.

Our loan agreement with Arsenal has not changed as a result of this injury.

We wish Mika all the best in his recovery and look forward to seeing him back playing soon.

Fir Park will be Scotland’s Under 21 venue for matches against Hungary and Malta in October. 

Kick-off times and tickets details have yet to be confirmed but will be communicated as soon as possible.

Scotland begin their UEFA Euro Under 21-Championship qualifiers. The Scots have three matches in October, kicking off the round of fixtures with a trip to Spain before a double header at Fir Park.

Scotland v Hungary

• Friday 13 October

Scotland v Malta

• Tuesday 17 October

Lennon Miller has been called up to Scotland’s Under 19 squad for the first time. 

The 16-year-old has started all but one game for Motherwell this season and makes the step up in grade for the first time.

Named Motherwell player of the month for July, Miller has two goals to his name already this season.

The Under 19 squad, coached by Billy Stark, have two friendlies lined up for September.

They will face Belgium before taking on Czech Republic, with both matches taking place in Belgium at the Stedelijk Sportstadion Hasselt stadium.

Wednesday 6 September

Belgium v Scotland – 4pm KO

Saturday 9 September

Czech Republic v Scotland – 2pm KO

With a spot in the quarter finals of the Viaplay Cup up for grabs, Motherwell travelled to St Mirren in what was always going to be a tightly contested match. 

Manager Stuart Kettlewell said in the lead up to the match that it was going to be close between the two matches and it would prove to be just that.

St Mirren took lead after nine minutes, through a wonder strike from Caolan Boyd-Munce from the edge of the box.

1400 Motherwell fans were in attendance in Paisley and they continued to bring the noise for the rest of the game. Theo Bair went close after half time, with Conor Wilkinson also going agonisingly close thereafter.

Still trailing, there were strong appeals from the ‘Well when former defender Charles Dunne smashed into Mika Biereth, subsequently injuring the striker. The referee seen it only worthy of a yellow and the game would end 1-0, with St Mirren advancing to the next round.