fbpx
News

Latest News

  • First team

    Motherwell 4-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

  • First team

    Sondre Solholm: “It’s a chance to bounce straight back”

  • First team

    Steven Hammell previews Inverness cup clash

  • First team

    Next up: Inverness CT

  • First team

    Rolando Aarons joins on loan

  • First team

    Defensive errors cost us dearly // Kilmarnock 2-1 Motherwell

  • First team

    cinch Premiership fixture changes

  • First team

    Steven Hammell reacts to Kilmarnock loss

  • First team

    Kilmarnock 2 – 1 Motherwell

  • First team

    Callum Slattery: ‘We have a positive mindset’

  • First team

    Motherwell 4-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

    Motherwell 4-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

    Motherwell cruised into the quarter finals of the Premier Sports Cup after blowing Inverness Caley Thistle away in a blistering first half.

    Inverness, having narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership last season and finishing top of their League Cup group, came south to North Lanarkshire intent on producing a cup shock.

    Any such thoughts evaporated after only nine minutes when Kevin van Veen claimed his fifth goal of the season. ‘Well were ruthless in the first half and after Daniel Devine turned the ball over his own goal line, van Veen converted a penalty to make it 3-0 before the interval.

    The Steelmen continued to dominate the game after the break but despite carving out numerous chances to extend their lead, it was left to van Veen to claim his hat-trick from the penalty spot and round off a superb evening’s work for the home side.

    Steven Hammell made three changes to the side which disappointingly lost at Kilmarnock. On loan left back Matt Penny made his debut, Ross Tierney replaced Dean Cornelius and Joe Efford was preferred to Connor Shields up front.

    That gave ‘Well a more attacking looking formation. And it didn’t take long for Efford to impose himself on the hard pressed visitor’s defence.

    With four minutes played the American winger’s pace and quick feet carried him to the byeline but with three team-mates waiting in the six-yard box Efford inexplicably rolled the ball into the side netting.

    Five minutes later he made amends. Callum Slattery’s low through ball sent Efford towards the penalty area. After cutting inside Cameron Harper he squared the ball to van Veen who calmly steered it into the net from 10 yards and make it four goals from his last four games.

    Before the Highlanders could recover it was almost two nil. Van Veen turned provider cutting the ball back for Blair Spittal whose drive from the edge of the box was blocked on its way to goal.

    The Motherwell attacks were swift and incessant and Spittal repaid the favour when he laid the ball back for van Veen but form the ‘D’ the Dutchman drove his shot wide of Mark Ridgers’ goal.

    A second goal was on the cards but when it arrived in the 25th minute it was via the Inverness captain.

    Penney, who had a fine debut on the left flank, worked his way to the visitor’s byeline before whipping a low cross into the six yard box where Devine’s outstretched leg diverted the ball past his own ‘keeper.

    There was no sense of the Fir Park side being content with a two goal lead, though, and eight minutes from the break it was 3-0 to effectively kill the tie. A quick exchange between Slattery and Goss sent the latter into the box and sprawling as David Carson’s foot caught the ‘Well midfield man.

    There was never a doubt about the penalty award or its conversion, with van Veen hammering the ball high over the diving Ridgers and into the ‘keeper’s top left hand corner.

    Thistle’s half time substitute Steven Boyd almost made an immediate impact and reduce the leeway but his 20 yard drive was palmed away by Liam Kelly at full stretch.

    ‘Well’s response was a couple of shots from Efford and Ross Tierney which were comfortably taken by Ridgers.

    The Inverness ‘keeper had to then thanks his defenders who cleared cut backs from Spittal and Efford with van Veen lurking in front of goal for his hat-trick.

    The Fir Park striker was not to be denied though and after 66 minutes he claimed his third goal and the match ball.

    This time the penalty award was rather harsh on Carson as van Veen’s attempt to play the ball into the six yard box saw it bounce up striking the Inverness man’s hand.

    Van Veen showed little sympathy driving the ball low under Ridgers to take his total to seven for the season.

    With 20 minutes remaining Hammell made a double substitution giving on loan players Rolando Aarons and Stuart McKinstry their first taste of action.

    It was almost a dream return for the former youth player McKinstry when he set up van Veen inside the six yard box but from the tightest of angles his cute effort slipped past the far post and his chances of grabbing a fourth goal.

    Five minutes later van Veen left the field to a standing ovation as he made way for Connor Shields looking to bag his first goal of the season.

    More changes followed the most notable being the introduction of Lennon Miller who only celebrated his 16th birthday last week to become the youngest player to make his first team debut.

    Ross Tierney should have been celebrating goal number five but his downward header from Shields’ perfect cross was blocked on the line by Ridgers’ feet.

    However, by then ‘Well fans weren’t complaining as Steven Hammell’s men produced their best 90 minutes of the season to set up a glamour home quarter final tie with Celtic.

  • First team

    Sondre Solholm: “It’s a chance to bounce straight back”

    Sondre Solholm is dreaming of a first trip to Hampden with Motherwell.

    However, as much as the prospect of playing in the national stadium is a special one, the centre half is only focused on overcoming a tricky Inverness side at Fir Park.

  • First team

    Steven Hammell previews Inverness cup clash

    Steven Hammell is looking for a reaction from his Motherwell side after a disappointing result against Kilmarnock.

    The manager has been part of Motherwell squads that have reached the final of cup competitions, therefore is fully aware of how difficult the task is ahead.

  • First team

    Next up: Inverness CT

    Next up: Inverness CT

    We kick-off our Premier Sports Cup campaign on Wednesday night against Inverness CT at Fir Park.

    Kick-off is 7.45pm.

    Click here to buy your tickets online or visit the ticket office at Fir Park in person.

    Ticket office opening times

    On matchday, the ticket office is open from 9am until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

    Away supporters can purchase tickets from the Tommy McLean stand from 6.30pm from the ticket booth up until kick-off (cash and card available).

    Ticket prices:

    All Stands
    Adults £15
    Concessions £10
    Young Adults £5
    Juniors £5

    Important Information

    • Concession prices apply to those aged 60 and over and full-time students with a valid matriculation card.
    • Young adults are 12 to 17 year olds and Juniors are for children aged 11 and under.
    The Story of the Match

    Inverness CT have had a sticky start to the league season but came through their Premier Sports Cup group undefeated, beating Livingston away from home in the process.

    The Steelmen will be looking to bounce back quickly from defeat to Kilmarnock at the weekend. Steven Hammell’s men won their last home game and will be looking for more of the same under the floodlights on Wednesday.

    The tournament reverts to a traditional knock-out format from this onwards, with ties decided by extra time and penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.

    Match Officials
    • Referee: Kevin Clancy
    • AR1: Dougie Potter
    • AR2: Stuart Stevenson
    • Fourth Official: Euan Anderson
    Hospitality

    The Centenary Suite and Cooper Suite are both open and welcoming all fans to enjoy the pre-match atmosphere from 5pm on a first come first serve basis.

    Fans and families of both clubs are encouraged to come along and enjoy pre-match food and drinks at the stadium bars.

    No reservation required.

  • First team

    Rolando Aarons joins on loan

    Rolando Aarons joins on loan

    Jamaican international winger Rolando Aarons has joined Motherwell on loan from Championship side Huddersfield Town.

    The 26-year-old will be familiar face to ‘Well fans after a brief spell at Fir Park in the months before the Covid-19 pandemic closed down football, where he featured 8 times, scoring once.

    “Rolando is a target I had earmarked even before I got the job as I saw first-hand his qualities and potential when he was last here,” boss Steven Hammell said.

    “When I spoke with him, you could tell he was very keen to join us. He’s a player with so much to offer. He has pace, he’s direct with a lot of energy and will give us more options on either the left or right flank.

    “He’s had a frustrating time with injuries in the last year or so and just needs to get back playing regularly again. We think Motherwell is the perfect platform for him to do that.”

    Aarons, who has joined on a season long loan, came through the youth ranks at Bristol City before joining Newcastle United, playing 27 times for the Magpies in both the Premier League and the EFL Championship, scoring four.

    During his seven years at St. James Park, he also enjoyed several loan spells including at Hellas Verona in Serie A, Slovan Liberec in the Czech First League and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.

    After his curtailed stint in North Lanarkshire back in early 2020, he would join Huddersfield Town but is now back in the SPFL Premiership.

  • First team

    Defensive errors cost us dearly // Kilmarnock 2-1 Motherwell

    Steven Hammell and Motherwell travelled to Ayrshire to take on Kilmarnock in the cinch Premiership, looking to make it four wins out of five in the league.

    After a positive start, Motherwell made their dominance count when Kevin van Veen netted once again to give the Steelmen a vital lead after 14 minutes.

    With chances to make it 2-0, Motherwell would go on to regret missed opportunities when Armstrong levelled the game for Kilmarnock before Ash Taylor headed home the winner just minutes later.

    After conceding two poor goals, Hammell has urged his side to pick themselves up ahead of a vital Premier Sports cup clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Wednesday night at Fir Park.

  • First team

    cinch Premiership fixture changes

    cinch Premiership fixture changes

    Due to Heart of Midlothian’s participation in the Europa Conference League, there have been two fixture alterations. 

    Motherwell were due to face Hearts at Fir Park on Saturday 17 September, this fixture will now take place on Sunday 18 September.

    Kick-off is 3pm.

    Our fixture with Hearts on Saturday 5 November at Tynecastle has now been moved back 24 hours to Sunday 6 November.

    Kick-off is 3pm.

    Fixture details are subject to TV selections.

     

  • First team

    Steven Hammell reacts to Kilmarnock loss

  • First team

    Kilmarnock 2 – 1 Motherwell

    Kilmarnock 2 – 1 Motherwell

    Motherwell slumped to an unlikely defeat as a quick double from Kilmarnock midway through the second half, clinched the Ayrshire side’s first cinch Premiership win of the season – and left Steven Hammell and his players scratching their heads. 

    Motherwell looked to be heading for a third consecutive away win, thanks to Kevin van Veen’s 14th minute goal. However, two goals from Danny Armstrong and Ash Taylor inside five minutes, turned the game on its head. 

    Until then the Steelmen were comfortable in possession and threatened to extend their lead, although Killie were guilty of passing up a glut of chances. 

    After a delay to the kick-off, while Rugby Park officials attended to their artificial surface after a section of the 1,000 strong travelling support behind Liam Kelly’s goal lobbed a flare onto the plastic pitch 

    On the back of two successive away wins the Steelmen made a confident start and within two minutes Van Veen juggled the ball away from Lewis Mayo before his left foot shot forced Sam Walker into an early save.  

    Paul McGinn then used the slippy surface, sliding across to guide the ball away from Oli Shaw as the Killie striker raced into the box. 

    Motherwell were on the front foot, though, and Callum Slattery’s pass sent Connor Shields down the right. Although his cross was possibly intended for Van Veen, it found Dean Cornelius, who took a first touch before volleying the ball just beyond Walker’s right-hand post.  

    It was not really a surprise when the Fir Park men opened the scoring after 14 minutes but it was a shocker from a Kilmarnock point of view. 

    Spittal’s low measured ball sent Van Veen and Moyo racing towards the home goal. As the Killie defender relaxed thinking his ‘keeper was collecting the ball, ‘Well’s Dutch striker stuck in a foot to stab the ball past Walker and claim his fourth goal of the season. 

    Two minutes later it was almost a carbon copy as Spittal’s low pass again sent both van Veen and Mayo racing towards the home goal but this time the defender guided the ball safely back to his ‘keeper. 

    At the other end Ricki Lamie was having a real physical tussle with Kyle Lafferty as the Northern Ireland striker used his gangly frame to contest every high ball. 

    Lafferty should have done better after 27 minutes when Ben Chrisene’s cross found the former Rangers’ man eight yards from goal but he hooked the ball high over Kelly. 

    Motherwell continued to show the more composure on the ball and an attacking flair with Shields on the right and Spittal on the opposite side stretching Kilmarnock’s back four. 

    In the 32nd minute Spittal’s cross found O’Donnell racing into the box and his glancing header forced Walker to stretch to catch the ball under his bar. 

    Five minutes later Motherwell had a lucky escape when the Rugby Park side came within a few centimetres of an equaliser. Kerr McInroy played the ball in front of the inrushing Chrisene who hammered his left foot drive high past Kelly only to see it rebound down from the crossbar before Lafferty, once again, lashed the loose ball high over the goal. 

    Despite that narrow escape the Motherwell players probably thought that their first half display earned them the right to hold a one goal lead as the teams headed up the tunnel at the interval. 

    Within minutes of the restart, Killie fans thought their side had found the equaliser but Danny Armstrong’s fierce drive from the edge of the box flashed past Kelly’s right hand post. 

    Four minutes later Spittal and Van Veen combined once again to open up the home defence but this time Mayo got it right nipping the ball off  the ‘Well striker as he cut into the penalty area. 

    On the other side Shields burst down the wing before cutting into the box but his low shot was easily taken by Walker. 

    As the hour mark approached and the ‘Well boss prepared for the double introduction of Joe Efford and Josh Morris, Shaw squandered a great chance to level the scores. 

    In a substitution identical to last week, Hammell was hoping for an immediate impact.  

    And it nearly arrived when Van Veen set up Slattery 30 yards from goal but his low bouncing shot produced a solid diving save from Walker. 

    Despite both sets of players finding it difficult to stay on their feet, Motherwell maintained their tight passing game as Killie, having passed up a string of chances desperately strived to test Kelly. 

    With 19 minutes remaining the Rugby Park men finally found the target, thanks to the bit of luck that deserted them in the first half.  

    Rory McKenizie’s ball into the six-yard box found Armstrong and O’Donnell tussling in front of Kelly. As the Killie man fell to the ground the ball rebounded from O’Donnell, allowing Armstrong to get up and squeeze the ball past the ‘Well ‘keeper for an equaliser they probably deserved.  

    Hammell immediately sent on Ross Tierney and Barry Maguire and only a brilliant save prevented ‘Well from regaining their lead. 

    Breaking from the half-way line Van Veen had both subs in support before electing to play in Tierney 15 yards from goal. The Irishman’s sidefoot shot across the ‘keeper was heading just inside his post until Walker, at full length, palmed the ball just wide of his goal. 

    That proved to be the turning point as four minutes later Kilmarnock stunned the Fir Park side with the winner. 

    There was also a touch of irony as former Steelman Liam Polworth floated a free kick beyond the back post, where Taylor’s thumping header sent the ball back across Kelly and into the net, and floor Motherwell. 

  • First team

    Callum Slattery: ‘We have a positive mindset’

    Callum Slattery is enjoying life under Steven Hammell.

    The Motherwell playmaker says the new manager has given all the players a freedom on the football pitch and insists that this is a good thing.