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Motherwell knew a win would secure seventh place in the cinch Premiership when they faced Livingston in their final away match of the season. 

Livingston were a point behind the Steelmen going into the game and Kevin van Veen also knew he was on the brink of history.

The Dutchman wasted no time in levelling Hughie Ferguson’s all-time Motherwell club record set back in 1920, scoring in ten consecutive games and taking his goal tally to 28 in all competitions. He fired home Mikael Mandron’s layback after just three minutes and gave his team the early advantage.

Van Veen was involved again in the action when Livi keeper Shamal George came rushing out his box with his foot raised and clattered into the striker. Var would intervene and eventually sent the stopper off. Livi down to ten just before the break.

However, despite the man advantage, Stuart Kettlewell’s men weren’t able to make the extra player count and would concede with seven minutes to go and the match ended 1-1.

A point a piece, taking the race for seventh place, down the last day.

“I thought we were excellent in the first half.

“I’d be worried if the players were delighted with a draw but they are not. They knew they came off their levels in the second half and when you have that mentality it gives you a chance to correct it.”

Motherwell took a point from their final away game of the season with a 1-1 draw at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

The Steelmen got off to a quick start with Van Veen scoring his 28th goal of the season after just three minutes.

Blair Spittal’s ball into the box from the left was cushioned by Mandron into the feet of the in-form striker and he slotted home from close range.

Despite the early goal, there weren’t many other chances on what proved to be a tricky surface.

Livi were reduced to ten men just before the break.

Shamal George came racing off his line and kicked Van Veen on the head. Incredibly it was only given as a yellow until VAR intervened and sent the goalkeeper off.

The second forty-five produced virtually no chances at all for either side until Nicky Devlin got in down the right and saw his cross poked in by substitute Shinnie.

‘Well extended their unbeaten run to five games but will be disappointed not to have seen the game out and secure seventh place.

Kevin van Veen has been capturing the headlines for all the right reasons recently, scoring in the last nine consecutive games and taking his season tally to 27 goals, the Dutchman is only focused on ending the season strongly at Motherwell. 

He has been impressed by Stuart Kettlewell and Stephen Frail’s impact since they joined the club and was full of praise for the duo.

With only two matches remaining in the season, manager Stuart Kettlewell was pleased to see his team reward the amazing support the team received on Saturday against Ross County. 

Now looking ahead to the cinch Premiership match against Livingston, Kettlewell is expecting another stiff test.

With Livingston picking up their first win in four, Kettlewell knows that despite claims in the media, The Lions are very much still alive and kicking and are not on ‘holiday mode.’

Addressing questions on Louis Moult’s rumoured return in the papers, the manager also gives us a squad update on Harry Paton, Dan Casey and James Furlong, who all went off injured in their last match.

With the feel-good factor brimming at Fir Park, fans turned out in their numbers for the family fun that was taking place pre match. 

With the players and staff taking pictures and saying hello, the focus turned to the cinch Premiership match against Ross County.

The Highland side travelled to ML1, fighting for their lives to remain in the top flight.

Motherwell had the better of the chances in the first half but failed to get the breakthrough.

The second-half started as it would go on, with controversy from the off. Alex Samuel and Connor Randall looked to be brought down in the Motherwell penalty area, with Euan Anderson showing no hesitation to point from the spot.

However after four minutes of VAR assessing the incident, Anderson was ordered to go to the monitor where he would revert his decision.

Chances came and went for the ‘Well and it looked as though the game would finish goalless. However, in the 97th minute, after another VAR check, Motherwell would be awarded a penalty for a handball against Keith Watson which presented Kevin van Veen the opportunity to break the Motherwell post-war record for goals in consecutive games.

With the pressure heaped on the number nine, he made no mistake as Motherwell stay in 7th spot in the table.

Our last game of the 2022/23 season against Dundee United will be shown live via our pay-per-view streaming service for £10.

Kick off is 3pm on Sunday 28 May at Fir Park.

You are able to watch the match online.

The final away game of the season is on Wednesday 24 May at Tony Macaroni Arena.

Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Tickets

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here.

Ticket Prices

How to follow game 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.

The Story of the Match

Motherwell can secure seventh place with three points. A win would send the Steelmen onto 49 points, four points above Wednesday’s opponents.

The hosts will be eyeing up seventh place themselves though. A Livi win would send them to the top of the bottom six group.

Stuart Kettlewell’s side have the best form in the league over the last six games, going into the game on the back of three wins and three clean sheets.

Livi’s form varies depending on how you look at it. On one hand they have only scored in two games in their last seven, losing five games in the process but at home they are unbeaten in their last four.

Match Officials

• • Referee: Chris Graham
  • AR1: Jonathan Bell
  • AR2: David Dunne
  • Fourth Official: Dan McFarlane
  • VAR: Matthew MacDermid
  • AVAR: Andrew McWilliam

Max Johnston has won the 2022/23 SFWA young player of the year award. 

Up against Lyall Cameron of Dundee, Charlie Reilly of Albion Rovers and St Johnstone’s Adam Montgomery, Johnston has prevailed after scoring twice and assisting three times in 15 appearances for Motherwell this season.

The 19-year-old becomes only the third player in Motherwell FC history to win the award, with David Turnbull and James McFadden coming out on top in 2019 and 2002 respectively.

He will be presented with his award on Sunday 28 May.

“My team talk was to remind the players of the levels of performance they’ve shown so far and that they needed to continue to show that for the people who turn up in their numbers.”