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Stuart Kettlewell’s thoughts on the 0-0 opening day draw with Ross County.

Motherwell had to settle for their first point of the season as they fought out a stalemate with Ross County.

In a fixture which has served up a glut of goals over the season’s goalmouth action was scarce as both ‘keeper’s were asked to make only one remarkable save each.

And even the appearance of ‘Well’s new Australian striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos for the last 25 minutes failed to break the deadlock.

Despite last week’s disappointing performance against Partick Thistle, Stuart Kettlewell made only one change, with Moses Ebiye starting up front alongside Zach Robinson.

County boasting a perfect Premier Sports Cup record, made their first visit to Fir Park sine their 5-0 hammering in February. Don Cowie aimed to avenge that result which ironically cost his predecessor, Derek Adams, the manager’s job.

Aston Oxborough was handed the ‘keeper’s gloves for his first Premier League start. And after six minutes he got his first touch clutching Jordan’s White’s looping header under his crossbar.

Motherwell’s possession and build up play was steady but unable to penetrate County’s back four until 20 minutes.

Robinson nicked the ball off Will Nightingale 15 yards into the visitors half and headed for goal. Although he kept possession until he entered the County box, with Ross Laidlaw racing from his goal, the former Wimbledon striker slipped the ball past the ‘keeper and his right hand post.

Eight minutes later the Steelmen almost sneaked into the lead. Davor Zdravkovski’s terrific lofted pass found Ewan Wilson on the byeline. His cute but back into the six yard box gave Ebiye a chance for a snap shot which Laidlaw beat away.

Two minutes from half-time Ebiye, at the edge of the six yard area, threw himself at Stephen O’Donnell’s low tempting cross, but failed to make contact has the sides remained level at the break.

Within a minute Laidlaw had to palm Dan Casey’s inswinging cross over his bar as the Fir Park men pressed from the restart.

A couple of minutes later a long ball across the County box found Andy Halliday unmarked. Looking for Robinson at the opposite post his low ball was blocked and a chance to test Laidlaw gone.

The first real chance for County came after 57 minutes when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. And although Ronan Hale curled the ball low round the wall, Oxborough was his equal throwing his large frame across goal and palm the ball round his left hand post.

After 66 minutes and with the home attack still finding it difficult to find gaps in the County defence, Kettlewell made his first substitution, introducing Stamatelopoulos to Scottish football.

Eight minutes later former County man Ross Callachan made his first appearance in a ‘Well jersey as the home side chased a winner.

It might have come at the other end in the 74th minute when White, with plenty of space and time, rose 10 yards from goal only to nod the ball over Oxborough’s bar.

Ten minutes from time, from a free kick to the left of the penalty area, Halliday curled his effort over the bar as Motherwell’s frustrations to get an effort on goal continued.

Five minutes later they managed to hit the target only to be denied by a stunning save.

O’Donnell’s low cross was deflected beyond the box but only to the waiting Wilson and his thundering left foot drive seemed destined for the back of the net until Laidlaw stretched high to his right to repel the shot.

Paul McGinn and Dylan Wells were given final nine minutes to edge the game Motherwell’s way but ultimately two shot shy teams had to settle for a point.

Lennon Miller is your G4 Claims player of the month for July. 

The 17-year-old has remained a consistent performer during the month of July.

He came on as a second-half substitute against Edinburgh City in our opening competitive game, and since that introduction, he has played every minute of the next three games.

Controlling the game from the middle of the pitch against Montrose, he dispatched his penalty in the shootout to help his side earn a bonus point.

His strong performance against Clyde caught the eye of many, where he was involved in the build up to Moses Ebiye’s opener, before getting on the scoresheet from the spot in the second-half.

Stephen O’Donnell is looking forward to the new season getting started and he has said that Motherwell are looking for some consistency this season, in the hope that it doesn’t prevent the club from reaching it’s targets. 

The newly named Vice-Captain is pleased to have some added responsibility within the changing room and is also encouraged by the competition for places across the pitch.

Stuart Kettlewell is pleased with his business this summer and is excited for the William Hill Premiership curtain raiser against Ross County this Saturday. 

The Motherwell boss believes his side should have performed better during the cup competition but that desire to improve is there amongst the players and he is looking forward to seeing that response come Saturday.

Kettlewell discusses the recent arrival of Stamatelopoulos and the impact he can have in his time in ML1, his reaction to Sunday’s game and the expectations for the season ahead.

It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for July. 

Lennon Miller, Aston Oxborough and Liam Gordon are all up for nomination.

To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.

Games in July

• Motherwell 3-0 Edinburgh City
• Montrose 1-1 Motherwell
• Clyde 1-3 Motherwell
• Motherwell 0-0 Partick Thistle

Motherwell will get their William Hill Premiership season underway on Saturday 3 August, taking on Ross County at Fir Park. 

Kick off is 3pm.

Claret and Amber Day

As we kick off the new season, we want to see Fir Park looking as colourful as possible.

That’s why were asking everyone attending to wear claret and amber. It doesn’t have to be a kit, just anything that shows off our colours in the best form!

How to follow the game

Season Tickets are valid for the match and are still on sale here which could save over £60 for the season.

• Young Adults tickets would ages 14-17.
• Juveniles would be 13 and under
• Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

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

Ticket Office open from 9am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

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.

What else is happening?

Carluke Men’s Shed will be on hand collecting money for a bucket collection.

They are group who work to get men active, together and talking to improve mental health.

Our popular Beer Garden will be open to all from 1pm until kick off entry via the walkway to the right of the Phil O’Donnell Stand.

The Cooper Bar will be open from 12 noon serving food and drink. Come along and have a bite to eat and a drink before the match. The bar will also be open post-match for an hour for those wanting to avoid any traffic.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Injury Update

Callum Slattery, Harry Paton, Johnny Koutroumbis, Sam Nicholson and Ross Callachan remain out for this game.

Tom Sparrow was back on the bench on Sunday against Partick Thistle.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell secured their progression to the next round of the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday, despite only picking up a point against Partick Thistle.

It meant Stuart Kettlewell’s side finished on nine points in Group G, conceding two goals.

Now the focus turns to league action against Ross County, who the Steelmen have knocked ten goals past in their last two games, conceding only one goal in the process.

County’s last win in North Lanarkshire came back in March 2022, when a Hungbo goal separated the two sides.

Opposition Report

The Staggies maintained a perfect record in the group-stage of the Premier Sports Cup. They brushed aside Stranraer, Stirling, Hamilton and Raith Rovers to progress as a seeded team on 12 points.

Former Motherwell man Jordan White has got off to a flyer in the 2024/25 season, recording four goals during the group stage.

Ronan Hale is the new number nine in Dingwall, arriving from Cliftonville this summer, and the forward has hit the ground running. He’s scored three goals in his first two outings for County.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has signed for Motherwell from Newcastle Jets for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance and work permit formalities. 

The Australian international joins the club on a three-year-deal, with the club holding an option of a fourth year.

“We’ve been looking to bring someone in who is a goalscorer,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“Apostolos has qualities that we’re looking to add to the squad.

“Last season, he performed exceptionally. In the team of the season, the All Stars game and earning his first international cap is all things he got because of his performances.

“It’s a good bit of business for the club.”

Stamatelopoulos signed a scholarship deal with Adelaide United in 2017 and started his time there with a bang. In just his fourth appearance, he netted his first A-League goal to draw his side level against Western Sydney Wanderers in January 2018. Scoring four goals in 19 games, he departed the club after two years.

He then moved to Western United in 2019 where he made 11 appearances.

In 2021, he began his first spell with Newcastle Jets. He continued to find the back of the net in a short amount of minutes, scoring three times in 12 games. At the end of the 2021/22 season, the forward ventured overseas for the first time in his career, playing for Greek Clubs A. E. Rodos and PAS Giannina F.C.

He made 34 appearances between the two sides and returned to the Jets in 2023 where he really began to kick on.

Joining on a two-year deal, he went on to find the back of the net 17 times during the 2023/24 season, earning him a spot in the PFA A-League Team of the Season and in A-League All Stars match against Newcastle United. He continued to impress and scored a brace in the match.

He was rewarded for his excellent season by being named in Graham Arnold’s Australian World Cup Qualifying squad for matches against Bangladesh and Palestine in the summer. Stamatelopoulos received his first cap, coming on as a second-half substitute in the match against Palestine.

With 24 goals in 60 A-League matches, Stamatelopoulos will add a goalscoring threat to the Steelmen’s frontline.

“It’s great to finally say I’m a Motherwell player,” Stamatelopoulos added.

“I was at the game on Sunday and got a real feel for the place. Seeing all the fans together and the boys playing, I just wanted to get out there.

“It’s been a long journey to get here but I can now focus on making an impact. I’m here to score goals, that’s my job. I will do my best to fulfil that.

“The boys have been brilliant and it’s been great meeting all the staff. I can’t wait to see what’s in store ahead.”

It was a day of mixed emotions for the Steelmen as despite progressing to the next round of the Premier Sports Cup, their performance against Partick Thistle left a lot to be desired. 

Zach Robinson was unlucky not to find the back of the net in the first half, with Liam Gordon and Dan Casey also going close, but neither side could break the deadlock in 90 minutes and as a result, the game went to penalties with Motherwell’s progression already secured.

Aston Oxborough did his part, saving two stops and almost a third. However, with O’Donnell, Seddon and Wells all missing, the bonus point headed back to Glasgow.

A draw was enough for Motherwell to claim top spot in group G and progress into the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup.

For the second time in this competition the Fir Park men faced a penalty shoot-out. Thankfully, the group was decided before Thistle converted three penalties to collect the bonus point.

After converting all five against Montrose, ‘Well were less efficient from the spot this time, with only Ebiye hitting the back of the net, while Seddon, O’Donnell and Wells all missed, as Oxborough’s two saves proved pointless.

With the SPL kick-off next up Stuart Kettlewell possibly considered his line-up with the visit of Ross County next Saturday in mind.

While the ‘Well boss still debated on his first choice ‘keeper, Aston Oxborough was back in goal. And Harry Paton’s long term injury allowed Andy Halliday a midfield spot, while up front Filip Stuparevic was paired with Zach Robinson.

After a brief flurry around the home goal Mason McCready made his first routine save gathering a low shot from Lennon Miller.

The best chance of an opening gaol came at the other end.

From four yards Danny MacKay should have side footed Fitzpatrick’s cross beyond Oxborough. He almost made amends minutes later when his pass across the six yard box slid beyond the stretching Brian Graham.

After 27 minutes the Thistle ‘keeper made two superb save to keep the scores level.

A steady build up ended with Robinson collecting the ball at the edge of the box and his curled shot was heading for the top right-hand corner until McCready leapt to palm the ball against his crossbar before taking a thump from Miller as he tried to no home the rebound.

From Halliday’s corner the ‘keeper produced great reflexes this time palming Liam Gordon’s powerful header over the bar.

Just before half-time Aaron Muirhead’s challenge on Robinson at the edge of the box was ignored by referee David Dickenson, amidst loud claims for a penalty, as the half finished with ‘Well unable to find the opening goal.

The ‘Well boss was hoping that a half-time change would help break the deadlock, with Dylan Wells replacing Stuparevic.

First chance of the half came seven minutes later. Stephen O’Donnell’s cut back found Ewan Wilson but on his wrong foot as he blazed the ball wide of target.

A quick break from the visitor’s found MacKay cutting in from the right wing but Oxborough stood big to block the angled shot.

That gave the Firhill men a lift as they started to press towards the ‘Well goal in search of a goal that would take them to the top of the group.

On the hour mark Marvin Kaleta made his debut as Shane Blaney made way.

With 68 minutes played Wilson curled a tempting ball towards the six yard area. But having found its way to the unmarked Robinson his attempt at a diving header failed miserably. That was the striker’s last chance to find the net as Moses Ebiye was given the opportunity to add to his goal tally.

Best chance, though, came at the opposite end. Mackay opened up the home defence and his cut back to Graham eight yards in front of goal begged a finish and put the visitor’s in the driving seat but the Thistle captain scooped the ball over the bar.

With the prospect of penalties looming Kettlewell sent on Mark Ferrie and Steve Seddon.

And the former Oxford United full back made an immediate impact with a run and cross which found Ebiye in front of goal only to see his header pushed away by McCready.

With neither team able to find a winner the game headed for a penalty decider and earning Thistle a bonus point which was not enough to overtake Motherwell at the top of group G.