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Motherwell secured a big three points in Dundee with a 0-1 win over Dundee United.

Sondre Solholm’s header proved to be enough against ten-men United after Tony Watt saw red for a tackle on Sean Goss.

Steven Fletcher went close first, with his bicycle effort going inches wide of Liam Kelly’s post.

Dundee United stopper Birighitti made a smart save from Connor Shields’ effort before the striker blazed a golden opportunity over the bar from seven yards. 

The Australian wasn’t nearly as strong for the Motherwell goal, though. Solholm’s header was planted straight at him, but his palm wasn’t strong enough and the ball looped over his head and over the line.

United were reduced to ten when after consulting the VAR monitor, Watt was given his marching orders for a high tackle on Sean Goss.

With ten men, United had most of the ball in the second half.

The best chance fell to Ian Harkes, when the American got on the end of a flowing United move down the left, but Liam Kelly denied him with a superb reaction save.

As the game drew to a close, Motherwell grabbed all three points which ended their run of four straight defeats. 

“It wasn’t the perfect performance.

“I want us to be better than that but today was about getting the three points and I’m delighted we’ve done that.”

Manager Steven Hammell wants to see his side start at their very best from the get go tomorrow in the cinch Premiership against Dundee United.

With Joe Efford sidelined for months, attacking options are light up top but the boss remains confident in his sides’ ability and thinks the weeks preparation for this match, can only benefit the team.

Blair Spittal says the team have been analysing their recent matches closely, and despite what he described as not their best performances, feels a positive atmosphere is still present in the dressing room.

Joe Efford will miss several months after a scan revealed a tear in his quad that will require immediate surgery.

The American wide man was starting to hit a rich vein of form, but a training ground injury the day before the Rangers game at Fir Park has ruled him out.

The 26-year-old went under the knife on Tuesday (25 October) and he isn’t expected to return to first-team action until into the new year.

“It’s a big blow for Joe as his recent performances have been really impressive,” Steven Hammell said.

“We were just starting training and Joe felt something in his thigh after taking a shot. Sadly, it was worse than we feared, and he has now had surgery to correct it.

“We will support him as much as we can and look forward to getting him back in 2023.”

Meanwhile Louis Moult saw a specialist last week on a troublesome ankle issue. He has had a small procedure this week, with the hope it will allow him to play again within the next week to ten days.

Long-term absentees Nathan McGinley and Jake Carroll are making progress, but neither are expected back for the foreseeable future. Rolando Aarons is currently with his parent club.

Since arriving from Livingston in 2020, Ricki Lamie has gone on to make over 80 appearances for Motherwell. 

In his time at the club, there have been three different managers yet, all have seen Ricki as their first choice centre back in their respective teams. 

The 29-year-old has always aimed for consistency in his career, giving it his all in any match he plays. 

Although football is his job, golf is his hobby and being on the course allows him to reflect and unwind from the highs and lows of playing full time football. 

Dundee Utd v Motherwell

We are back on the road with a trip to the City of Discovery to take on Dundee United at Tannadice.

Kick off is 3pm, Saturday 29 October.

Tickets are available to purchase online now from Dundee United by clicking here.

Ticket prices:

Important Information

• Concession tickets are listed as 65 and over, full-time students, under 18s and Ambulant with PA
• Juveniles (listed at 11 and under), must be accompanied by an adult.
• For those who are unable to purchase online, Dundee United have confirmed they will sell from their ticket office at Tannadice up until kick-off.
• All ambulant supporters should be registered with the Motherwell FC DSA and tickets can be purchased online with a PA if required. This has been set up so the PA’s ticket cannot be purchased at zero cost without an accompanying Ambulant or Wheelchair supporter.
• There are limited wheelchair spaces available and those who require one should contact the Motherwell FC DSA.

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

The Steelmen go into this one looking to halt a run of three league defeats in a row and will take some confidence from the fact three of their four league wins this season have came away from home.

United picked up big wins at home against Aberdeen and Hibs recently but have failed to win in their last three games, losing to St Mirren then Kilmarnock in the Premier Sports cup and drawing with Ross County.

Match Officials

• Referee: John Beaton
• AR1: Jonathan Bell
• AR2: Steven Traynor
• Fourth Official: Graham Beaton
• VAR  David Munro
• AVAR Gavin Harris

With their third game in just six days, Motherwell rounded off a physically and mentally challenging week with a cinch Premiership match against Aberdeen. 

In it’s first week in the Scottish game, VAR was in operation and was called into action almost immediately when Miovski had the ball in the back of the net for the Dons after just four minutes. After a lengthy offside check, the Macedonian was declared onside and Aberdeen had an early lead. 

With a first half to forget for Steven Hammell’s men, the manager made personnel and tactical changes at the break, and it almost instantly made an impact. 

With 55 minutes on the clock, half time sub Connor Shields crossed the ball into the box, after a fine touch from Stuart McKinstry, the Lanarkshire boy finished lowly into the corner to get the steelmen on level terms.

Despite continuing to pile on the pressure on the Aberdeen defence, it would be the away side who claimed all three points with Luis Duk heading home an Aberdeen second with 20 minutes to go. 

VAR failed to spot a pull on Ricki Lamie and a Matty Kennedy handball at the death which would have gave Motherwell a chance of a point from the spot, but it would be a winless six days for Motherwell. 

We had three players in action over the weekend on loan.

Max Johnston

Max played the full 90 minutes in Cove Rangers’ 2-2 draw away to Ayr United.

The full-back played a part in the second goal as his cross fell to Connor Scully at the back post who fired home.

Robbie Mahon

With his side trailing 1-0 to Montrose,  James McPake brought on Mahon to chase the equaliser with 13 minutes to go but Dunfermline ended up losing 2-0, ending a run of three wins for the Pars.

David Devine

The big centre back got just over an hour in Alloa’s first away win of the season.

The Wasps won 0-2 away to bottom side Peterhead, with goals from Scott Taggart and a Jason Brown own goal.

Scott Fox

Following an illness a fortnight ago, Willie Gibson opted for Max Currie in goals again, which left Fox on the bench for his side’s 1-2 win over Clyde at Broadwood.

Ewan Wilson

The youngster was left out of the squad as Albion Rovers took on Glasgow Uni in the Scottish Cup second round.

The League Two side eventually came out 1-4 winners after extra time.

Logan Dunachie

Dunachie was not included in the squad as East Kilbride thrashed Caledonian Braves 5-0 at home in the Scottish Cup.

Daniel Hunter

Cumbernauld Colts had a weekend with no action, after exiting the Scottish Cup in the first round at the hands of Dalbeattie Star.

Motherwell lost 1-2 to Aberdeen at Fir Park.

Stuart McKinstry cancelled out Bojan Miovski’s opener before Luis Lopes netted the winner with twenty minutes left.

Steven Hammell made one change from the midweek defeat to Celtic, with Ross Tierney coming in for Connor Shields.

VAR made it’s debut and it only took four minutes to be called into action. Bojan Miovski found himself through on goal and cooly lifted the ball over Kelly and into the net. After a quick check he was found to be onside and the goal stood.

The Steelmen started the second half brightly and capitalised on their pressure in the 55th minute.

Connor Shields’ cross from the right was brought down by Stuart McKinstry and his low shot had enough power to beat Roos.

That goal looked to give ‘Well a lift but were hit by a suckerpunch when McKenzie broke and cross to Duk who headed home.

Motherwell had a certain penalty denied in the final minute when Matty Kennedy punched the ball away from Sean Goss but incredibly the referee and subsequent VAR check missed the incident and left Motherwell having to bounce back from another frustrating defeat.