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Watch extended highlights of the Steelmen’s 2-0 William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round victory over Hamilton Accies, as Stephen Robinson’s side bring an end to their losing run.

Stephen Robinson was delighted to see his side get back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies.

The Northern Irishman’s recuperated side controlled their fourth round Scottish Cup encounter in the first fixture of the year.

In particular, the manager praised his team’s efficiency – admitting they were back to doing what they’re good at.

[pullquote]We got back to what we’re very good at, we were physical and we were aggressive. We got balls into the box and we had quality up top.[/pullquote]

“We needed the rest, we needed it to recuperate and to recharge our batteries,” the ‘Well boss admitted, “but I thought the performance today was very comprehensive.

“I thought we were efficient and did the simple things really well. We got back to what we’re very good at, we were physical and we were aggressive. We got balls into the box and we had quality up top.”

He added: “Nadir will get better and fitter with every game, Curtis is a big handful and we haven’t seen the best of him yet and Craig Tanner is coming to the fore too.”

[tab:Match report]

Lewis Irons at Fir Park

Motherwell ended their losing run with a convincing 2-0 win over local rivals Hamilton Accies.

A bizarre Scott McMann own-goal gave Stephen Robinson’s side a perfect start to their Scottish Cup campaign, before Craig Tanner coolly converted from the penalty spot to send the Fir Parker side through to the fifth round.

There were three new faces in claret and amber as Curtis Main, Nadir Çiftçi and Tom Aldred made their debuts in the opening game of 2018.

And things got off to the perfect start when Scott McMann’s back-pass evaded goalkeeper Gary Woods and rolled in to the net after just four minutes.

Aldred nearly marked his debut with a goal when the ball broke to the centre-back from a corner, but the defender’s effort on the spin flashed wide of the mark.

Two minutes later, Tanner was bundled to the deck in the Accies box and it seemed a certain penalty, but Craig Thomson waved play on despite protests around the ground.

Curtis nearly became the main man of the afternoon when Allan Campbell’s surging run and neat through ball picked out ‘Well’s new number nine, but his prodded effort flew narrowly over Woods’ crossbar.

Ten minutes before the break though, Tanner doubled the hosts advantage with a well-taken penalty.

But it was the build-up that made it, with a glorious Çiftçi flick freeing Main in the box. The striker was tripped and Thomson pointed straight to the spot, before Tanner sent Woods the wrong way to bag his seventh goal of the season.

Aldred’s impressive start to life in Lanark was marred slightly when the defender pulled up with injury in the 37^th minute. Robinson took no risks and replaced the new recruit with the soon-to-retire Stevie Hammell.

Just minutes in to the second half, Charles Dunne produced a crucial block to deny Accies a route back in to the game – but the home side quickly regained focus.

Cédric Kipré nodded Tait’s clever cross inches over the bar, before skipper Carl McHugh nearly produced a stunning goal with a half-volley from the edge of the area which was narrowly wide.

Çiftçi couldn’t bag his first Motherwell goal before being replaced by Gaël Bigirimana in the 66^th minute, but his curled effort minutes before tested keeper Woods, who produced a good stop.

Main made way for Alex Fisher in the 78^th minute of the match, and a minute later McHugh crashed a header against the bar from Tanner’s delivery, before sending an audacious over-head kick wide of the mark – which would have sent the home crowd wild had it found the top corner.

Fisher nearly found the back of the net to wrap up a fine afternoon for the Steelmen but his effort from Tanner’s neat cut-back was straight at Woods.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

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Motherwell return to action on Saturday after the winter break, with Hamilton visiting Fir Park for the second time in quick succession.

The Accies triumphed in the Lanarshire derby between the two sides in December. But the Steelmen go into the Scottish Cup fourth round tie refreshed after an intensive training camp in Tenerife and with new faces on board.

Manager Stephen Robinson is targeting another cup run, after the experience of the Betfred Cup final in the first half of the campaign.

[pullquote]We aim to go on another cup run, and you need to go out and beat teams like Hamilton if you expect to get there.[/pullquote]

“Our cup run raised the players profiles and it raised the club’s profile and what that does is it helps you attract footballers.

“When we’re going and speaking to Nadir, Curtis and Tom, we can say that we’ve just been in a cup final and that we’ve been in the top six for the vast majority of the season.”

Potentially making his debut for the ‘Well in the match is January loan signing Nadir Ciftci.

The forward has endured a difficult last few years but believes he can again hit the heights he did at Dundee United several years ago.

“I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well,” the 25-year-old said.

“I’ll do my best to get back to that sort of form. It was the most enjoyable time of my career so far but I can feel the enjoyment here already.

[pullquote]There is the same kind of feeling here, I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well.”[/pullquote]

The Steelmen will be missing Elliott Frear through injury, whilst Peter Hartley is suspended.

	Motherwell v Hamilton Academical
	Saturday January 20, 2018
	3.00pm
	Fir Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

• Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

If you can’t make it on Saturday, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

The Cooper Bar is open for both sets of supporters to enjoy pre-match food and drink from 11am. Children are welcome.

Peter Hartley and Steven Hammell will also be in the bar from 12.45pm in the Signing Zone. Come along and get your photograph taken and get an autograph.

Stephen Robinson hopes his side’s recent run to Hampden can inspire similar success in the Scottish Cup.

The Steelmen face local rivals Hamilton Academical in the fourth round on Saturday in the first game of 2018, and for the second derby clash in just three weeks.

Following the memorable run to the Betfred Cup final, Robinson is optimistic and hungry to lead his players to further success in cup football.

[pullquote]We aim to go on another cup run, and you need to go out and beat teams like Hamilton if you expect to get there.[/pullquote]

“Our cup run raised the players profiles and it raised the club’s profile and what that does is it helps you attract footballers.

“When we’re going and speaking to Nadir, Curtis and Tom, we can say that we’ve just been in a cup final and that we’ve been in the top six for the vast majority of the season.”

He’s only been at Motherwell for less than a fortnight but Nadir Çiftçi already feels at home.

The centre forward arrived this month from Celtic on loan, as he looks to recapture the form that earned him the move to Glasgow from Dundee United.

As he prepares to face Hamilton Academcial this weekend, Çiftçi believes he’s in the right place to do exactly that.

“I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well,” the 25-year-old said.

“I’ll do my best to get back to that sort of form. It was the most enjoyable time of my career so far but I can feel the enjoyment here already.

[pullquote]There is the same kind of feeling here, I have the same sort of happiness as I did at Dundee United and hopefully I can recreate that form here at Fir Park as well.”[/pullquote]

Çiftçi spent the first half of the season on loan at Plymouth Argyle and, having found game time difficult to come by, jumped at the chance to return to Scotland.

“Football is not just going out there on a Saturday and playing the game, it’s much more than that,” he added.

“Things off the park, in the dressing room and around the club all play a part and I feel at home here.”

Tom Aldred has long had his eye on another crack at top flight football in Scotland.

The central defender, who has signed on loan at Motherwell until the end of the 2017/18 season, had a short spell in the Scottish Premiership earlier in his career with Inverness CT.

Having also represented the country at youth level, the 27-year-old wasn’t going to pass up the chance to move to Fir Park when the chance arose.

“Playing in the Scottish Premiership was something I was really interested in,” he said on his arrival. “I’m looking forward to getting going.

“I am familiar with Scotland. My mum’s side of the family are Scottish and I’ve visited up here a few times.

[pullquote]I keep an eye on Scottish football and I’m aware Motherwell have had a good season so far.[/pullquote]

“Obviously with them doing well in the cup as well. I know a few of the boys as well I’ve played with, and against, in England.”

Aldred moves from Bury, where he joined from Blackpool in the summer, having taken the Seasiders to League One via the play-offs.

The towering defender adds to Stephen Robinson’s options in the centre back positions

“Wherever you go now, there’s competition for places,” he said. “Anywhere you go at any team, at any level. The more competition, the best it brings out in yourself.

“I am really looking forward to it, to getting my head down, working hard and being the best I can be for the football club.”

Motherwell Football Club are delighted to announce the loan signing of Tom Aldred from Bury.

The central defender has joined until the end of the 2017/18 campaign and will boost the defensive options available to manager Stephen Robinson.

Aldred has previous experience of playing in the Scottish top flight with Inverness CT and has also been capped at youth level in this country.

“I am really looking forward to it, to getting my head down, working hard and being the best I can be for the football club,” he said on his arrival.

[pullquote]Playing in the Scottish Premiership was something I was really interested in. I’m looking forward to getting going.[/pullquote]

The 27-year-old started his career with Carlisle United in 2008, before a move to Watford two years later.

After loan spells with Stockport County and Inverness CT, Aldred moved on to Colchester United, with further temporary stints at Torquay United and Barrow.

Regular games followed in 2012 after a move to Accrington Stanley, where he made 94 appearances before a move to the English Championship with Blackpool.

A regular with the Seasiders over the course of three seasons, the towering defender was their captain as they won the League Two play-off final last campaign.

A move to Bury followed in the summer under former Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark, where he made 23 appearances this season before the switch to Fir Park.

“We were clear from the start of the January window we were looking to increase our options in central defence.” manager Robinson said of his signing.

“Tom ticks that box and arrives at the club with plenty experience under his belt.

“We tried to get him in the summer, so we are delighted to finally have him at Motherwell.”

Motherwell return to action after the winter break when they face Hamilton Academical on Saturday, January 20.

The Lanarkshire rivals go head to head in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup as they play for a place in the last 16.

After agreement with the Accies, we’re offering reduced price entry for the big derby match here at Fir Park.

Adult entry costs just £15 for the game, while concessions go for £10 and those aged 15 and under will pay just £5.

Come and support the team as the Steelmen start their bid to reach a second cup final this campaign.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the ticket office or you can pay on the gate.

	Motherwell v Hamilton Academical
	Saturday, January 20 2018
	3pm
	Fir Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park ticket office or pay at the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card. Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

Motherwell fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725 917161. Fans must contact Brian by Wednesday night before the match.

Stephen Robinson was clear in his message to his Motherwell players before they headed for Tenerife.

The visit to the Canary Islands was an opportunity for the squad to work hard and rediscover the spirit and form that launched the team high up the Scottish Premiership, and to the Betfred Cup final, in the first half of the season.

As the team prepare to head home to Scotland, the manager says it is clear that the trip has done the trick.

“I think it’s been a really beneficial trip and it’s brought a lot of people together,” said the manager.

“It’s gone really well. We couldn’t have asked for better facilities and we’ve been well looked after.

“The new boys that have come in have settled in really well. You can start seeing the buzz we had in Dublin starting to come back again.

“Credit to the board. They backed us to come away and hopefully it benefits us in the coming months.”