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On the road for the second time in four days, Motherwell went South this time around as they headed for Dumfries to face Queen of the South. 

With a sell out travelling Motherwell crowd behind them, the Steelmen were looking to make it two wins out of two in the Viaplay Cup group stage.

In a game that everything, it was Queen’s who struck first. Kieran McKechnie battered in a strike off the post from the edge of the box after 20 minutes.

Motherwell didn’t let this setback effect them and immediately set off to find an equaliser. Jon Obika would go close but it would be Blair Spittal who drew the sides level, after he finished off Callum Slattery’s cutback just before half time.

The game was turned on it’s head when Slattery raced through on goal to give his side the lead.

Missed chances would prove costly for Motherwell. Having hit the post, crossbar and forcing the hosts’ keeper into a number of saves, Gavin Reilly would convert at the back post from a cross on the counter attack.

An immediate response would see Motherwell back in front with 10 to go.

Craig Napier controversially pointed to the spot, adjudging Ricki Lamie to have fouled in the penalty area. Reilly made it two for the evening but the drama didn’t stop there.

Napier again at the centre of attention, blew up play when Lamie went sliding into to block a cross off the pitch. Napier subsequently sent Lamie off for his second bookable offence, causing mass confusion at Palmerston.

A penalty shootout would decide who got the bonus point on the evening. The first eight penalties were converted before debutant Aston Oxborough made the first penalty save in the shootout. Stephen O’Donnell stepped up to confirm a bonus point for the ‘Well, taking them to five points in the group.

The manager reacts to our frantic game against Queen of the South.

• Have to improve defensively
• Additions needed up top
• Held composure in shootout

Motherwell had to settle for a 4-5 win on penalties after a 3-3 draw with Queen of the South.

The Steelmen dominated the match but somehow couldn’t secure all three points after goals from Blair Spittal and Callum Slattery.

Stuart Kettlewell handed debuts to Aston Oxborough and new signing Pape Souaré and gave Mark Ferrie his first start in claret and amber.

The Steelmen controlled the opening exchanges with plenty of possession in the Queens half but looked vulnerable to a counter attack.

Kieran McKechnie broke forward, cut in on his right foot and dispatched a curling shot in off the post past the helpless Oxborough.

The same pattern then continued – plenty of Motherwell possession and shots in the final third but each time Botterill was equal to the shot.

It looked like it was going to be one of those nights when Obika spun his man in the box but somehow Botterill got his foot to the goalbound shot and it went out for a corner.

Motherwell finally found a way though just before half-time.

A nice bit of play from Slattery found Spittal inside the area and he did the rest from close range to net his first goal of the season.

The Steelmen almost took the lead minutes into the second half. A teasing ball from O’Donnell found Obika but his diving header came crashing back off the post.

Obika could have found himself on the scoresheet but ended up producing a fine assist as Motherwell took the lead.

A ball forward was expertly flicked into the path of Callum Slattery. The midfielder still had a lot to do as he raced past his man but kept his head down and rifled the ball into the back of the net

Incredibly Queens drew level with fifteen minutes to go. Obika’s shot came crashing back off the bar and from there the home team broke away and Gavin Reilly converted from a cross.

It was totally against the run of the play and it might have been easy for the wind to be sucked out of Motherwell’s sails.

However, almost instantly, Paul McGinn worked his way into the box and squared for Blair Spittal to cooly finish for his second of the night.

That looked to be the win secured but ‘Well passed up numerous other chances and were punished for their wastefulness.

Queens broke into the box and a midfielder went down under Spittal’s challenge. Craig Napier pointed to the spot and Gavin Reilly converted the spot-kick.

Defender Ricki Lamie was then sent off, shown his second yellow card for a foul that had taken place off the pitch.

A point was disappointing in the end although Motherwell did win the bonus point on penalties. Spittal, Wilkinson, Slattery, McGinn and O’Donnell all scored and Aston Oxborough saved McKechnie’s penalty.

Focus now turns to Queen’s Park on Saturday, with Motherwell sitting joint top of group G with East Fife.

Jon Obika got off to the perfect start on Saturday against Elgin City. The newly signed striker got his first goal of the season in the second half and discusses how important it was to start strong. 

The new number nine is asked about replacing the goals of Kevin van Veen this term and the expectation he has for himself.

Motherwell were tasked with a trip to Elgin City in their 2023/24 season opener in the Viaplay Cup.

With almost 1000 ‘Well fans making the journey, Stuart Kettlewell and his team wanted to ensure they seen a winning start to the campaign.

Debuts were handed to 18-year-old Ewan Wilson and 17-year-old Mark Ferrie, whilst 16-year-old Lennon Miller impressed and scored his first professional goal. Jon Obika, despite missing chances, kept his head up and banged in his first for the season in the second half to ensure the points were safe.

Motherwell back on the road for their second outing of the cup campaign, with a trip to Dumfries to take on Queen of the South on Tuesday night up next.

Left-back Pape Souaré has joined Motherwell on a six-month contract, subject to international clearance. 

Coming through the youth ranks at French side Lille OSC, Souaré broke through into the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France title winning side in 2010/11 before taking a season on loan to continue his development with Stade de Reims in 2012.

The Senegalese International went on to make his debut for his country that season in a goalless draw with South Africa.

Souaré has represented Senegal on 26 occasions across a six-year spell, including an incredible 2012 London Olympics campaign, which saw the then 22-year-old reach the Quarter-Finals stage against Mexico.

Souaré returned to his parent club the following season and quickly cemented his place as a mainstay in the squad, racking up 53 appearances across three-years at Les Dogues, including a Europa League group stage run against Everton, Wolfsburg & Krasnodar.

His stellar performances in France caught the eye of clubs around Europe, with Alan Pardew signing the full-back for Premier League side Crystal Palace in 2015.

Souaré went on to make 48 appearances in the Premier League across his four years at Selhurst Park, with the defender playing a vital role in Palace’s remarkable 2016 FA Cup run which saw the Eagles overcome Southampton, Stoke City, Spurs, Reading and Watford before suffering an extra-time defeat in the final against Manchester United.

“Pape has played at a really high level and with that, comes experience,” manager Stuart Kettlewell added.

“It’s no secret that we need cover in the wide areas, so when the opportunity arose to get Pape on board, we jumped at it.”

Injury problems cut short his final season in London, with Souaré moving to Ligue 2 side Troyes to regain his fitness in 2019. 17-appearances in the French second division followed before a return to English football, with spells at Charlton Athletic and Morecambe last year.

“It’s great to be here,” Pape Souaré said.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the group, who have been excellent with me so far.

“I want to impress from the off so I’m looking forward to getting my head down and getting started.”

Souaré will wear the 77 shirt.

With an opening day win against Elgin City in the Viaplay Cup, it’s a quick turnaround for Stuart Kettlewell and his side, as they head to Dumfries for a Tuesday night clash against Queen of the South. 

The manager is quizzed on his development of young players at the club, following on from giving to first-team debuts to Ewan Wilson and Mark Ferrie. Luca Ross was given his first start, with 16-year-old Lennon Miller grabbing his first professional goal.

Kettlewell answers questions on his trust in the youngsters at the club, as well as his transfer activities for the rest of the window.

We are back on the road again in the Viaplay Cup on Tuesday 18 July, when we travel to Palmerston Park to take on Queen of the South.

Kick-off is 7.45pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets can be purchased online.

Additional information

Disabled tickets are the concession price of £6 with carer going free. Please contact admin@qosfc.com directly to organise this.

Kit Watch

After it’s first outing in Elgin, we will be wearing our home kit for this fixture.

Team News

There are no new injury concerns following our first match of the season against Elgin City on Saturday.

Calum Butcher continues his recovery and will remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Ewan Wilson came off against Elgin City with a dead leg. The full-back remains a doubt for the match.

Motherwell’s fortunes

Thanks to Lennon Miller’s first half strike and Jon Obika’s first for the season, Motherwell started off their Viaplay Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Elgin.

With East Fife beating Queen’s Park on penalties, Motherwell are currently top of the table.

Opposition report

Appointed in January 2023, manager Marvin Bartley has been active in first summer window in charge of Queen’s.

With nine recruited already, 13 left for the exit door in a big summer turnaround for Queen of the South.

Bartley’s side have been involved in four pre-season matches, with Tuesday’s match against ourselves, being their first competitive match of the season.

They opened their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against East Kilbride. Following a 2-0 defeat to Livingston and a 3-0 win against Gretna, their last match ended in a 2-1 defeat to Dundee United.

The Doonhamers will be looking to replace Ruari Paton, who scored 25 goals in all competitions for Queen’s last campaign. Paton moved to Queen’s Park in the summer.

The manager reflects on our 2-0 win over Elgin City

•  Importance of starting strong
•  Young prospects impressing
• Turnaround for Queen of the South game

Motherwell began their 2023/24 Viaplay Cup campaign in the best possible way, with a 0-2 win over Elgin City.

Sixteen-year-old Lennon Miller netted his first goal for the club in what turned out to be a comfortable win at Borough Briggs.

Stuart Kettlewell started with three academy graduates – Ewan Wilson made his debut and Luca Ross earned his first start.

Motherwell dominated the early exchanges and took the lead in the 25th minute when the ball fell to Lennon Miller 25 yards from goal. The youngster took a touch on his chest and half-volleyed a fine strike low into the net.

It was a deserved lead as Obika and Wilkinson both had good chances to make the scoreline more convincing.

There were plenty of chances to extend the lead early in the second half.

Wilkinson, Mugabi and Slattery all went close but Motherwell were almost punished for passing up those chances on the hour mark.

First Liam Kelly was called into action, palming away Harvey’s effort after some slack defending.

From the resulting corner, Ross Draper saw his header cleared off the line by Spittal.

Nerves were jangled but it wasn’t long before ‘Well extended their lead.

Obika had been going close all afternoon and found the back of the net in the 75th minute after he converted Mugabi’s knockdown from close range.

The Steelmen now turn their attention to facin Queen of the South on Tuesday night.

Elsewhere in Group G, East Fife and Queen’s Park drew, with the home side gaining the bonus point.