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On the back of a hard fought win against Dundee United, Motherwell were back on their travels, this time to take on Hearts in Edinburgh. 

In a jam packed 90 minutes, it would be Hearts who would start the better in front of the lively home crowd. Andy Halliday seen his effort tipped over by Liam Kelly.

But halfway in to the first period, the game would have it’s first big moment when Jorge Grant seen red for a rash tackle on Callum Slattery.

Despite being down to ten men, a goal on either side of half time for the Jambos seen them lead by two goals.

Steven Hammell made his second change of the game, bringing on Louis Moult who was involved in the action straight away. The striker got on the end of the ball through and went round Craig Gordon with the Hearts goalkeeper bringing him down.

Moult stepped up and slotted the ball home to get his side back in the game.

Blair Spittal managed to get the equaliser to send the 700 ‘Well fans into celebration.

However, the celebrations were short lived with Lawrence Shankland scoring the winner from the penalty spot in the 89th minute which meant all three points stayed in the capital.

Plenty minutes in the bag for our loan boys this week on loan, as they were in action midweek and at the weekend.

Max Johnston

Keeping his place in the side, Max Johnston played the full 90 minutes when Queen’s Park were the visitors to The Balmoral Stadium.

Cove would run out 2-0 winners, with Johnston helping his side keep a clean sheet.

Scott Fox

Scott Fox was an unused sub as Queen of the South beat FC Edinburgh 3-0 away from home.

Robbie Mahon

Over 7000 were in attendance as Falkirk faced Dunfermline in League one.

Robbie Mahon was an unused sub as he watched his Dunfermline teammates win 1-0 at the Falkirk Stadium.

Ewan Wilson

Ewan Wilson wasn’t involved in the action on Saturday when Albion Rovers took on Stirling Albion.

The left back was serving a suspension after he seen red for a handball the weekend prior. Albion drew 1-1 with high flying Stirling.

Corey O’Donnell

After 45 minutes in the reserves, it was a return to first team action for Corey O’Donnell after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The forward came on in the 73rd minute for Bonnyrigg against Elgin at New Dundas Park. Despite a late comeback, Elgin hung on for a 3-2 win away from home.

Logan Dunachie

East Kilbride took on Stirling Uni on Saturday away from home.

Dunachie was an unused sub with Stirling claiming all three points with a 2-0 win.

Daniel Hunter

Daniel Hunter was on the bench for Cumbernauld Colts on Wednesday night, when they were beaten 4-2 by Gala Fairydean. Hunter played the last 27 minutes in the game.

He was an unused sub on Saturday against Cowdenbeath.

“I don’t want to talk about refereeing decisions because we can’t make excuses.

“We had enough of this game to come away with at least a point.”

Motherwell failed to make an extra man advantage count in a 3-2 defeat to Hearts

The Steelmen had managed to fight back to level terms after being two goals down but Lawrence Shankland’s late penalty secured three points for the Edinburgh side.

PRE-MATCH

Steven Hammell made no changes to the side that beat Dundee United last weekend. Robbie Neilson freshened up his side with five changes from their Europa Conference League defeat in Turkey on Thursday

The goals

Hearts took the lead just before half-time. Kevin Clancy wrongly awarded a corner from which Andy Halliday was left unmarked and sent a header looping over Callum Slattery and into the net.

Moments after the break, Halliday got his second of the game. This time he got on the end of a cut back and fired low and hard past Kelly.

On the hour Motherwell were. handed a lifeline as Louis Moult was brought down in the box by Gordon, who somehow avoided a second yellow card, and he dispatched confidently from the spot.

With ten minutes left ‘Well were back level with a nicely worked goal. Moult played in McKinstry whose ball across goal was turned in by Spittal for his second of the season.

In the final minutes, Hearts took all three points as Shankland converted from the spot after Solholm was ruled to have handled in the box.

talking points

• Liam Kelly. The Scotland international produced two fine saves in the first half. Firstly from Shankland who looked certain to score but Kelly somehow managed to claw the ball to safety. He also produced a fine save from McKay, tipping over from close range before having a quiet second half
• The red card. Jorge Grant saw red for a foul on Callum Slattery in then 38th minute. It was a careless and dangerous challenge and was the correct decision but Motherwell will be frustrated they didn’t make the extra man advantage count
• Positives for Moult. Although it was from the spot, Louis Moult will be pleased to be back on the scoresheet for the first time in his second spell at the club. He also played a part in the second goal, setting up McKinstry to cross for Spittal.
• VAR involvement. The video referee, David Munro, was a busy man although all the VAR decisions confirmed the on-field decisions. Van Veen had the ball in the net with a spectacular volley into the top corner but unfortunately the linesman’s flag went up. Questions will be asked about why Craig Gordon never received a second yellow for his foul on Moult inside the box.

What they said

Steven Hammell: “It’s not a hard luck story for me. At the very, very least, we need to be coming away with a point.”

Robbie Neilson: “I thought the players were outstanding. We had to really fight and show the spirit.“

Teams

Heart of Midlothian: Gordon, M Smith, Sibbick, Cochrane, Grant, Devlin, Halliday, Snodgrass, McKay, Ginnelly, Shankland.

Substitutes: Clark, Kiomourtzoglou, Atkinson, Rowles, Forrest, Neilson, Henderson, C Smith, Pollock.

Motherwell: Kelly, McGinn, Solholm, Lamie, Penney, Goss, Slattery, Spittal, McKinstry, Shields, Van Veen.

Substitutes: Oxbourgh, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Maguire, Cornelius, Moult, Morris, Tierney, Miller.

Attendance: 18,806

With the world cup fast approaching, Steven Hammell is looking for a good run of form to push his Motherwell side up the table before the break arrives. 

Starting with a trip to Tynecastle on Sunday in the cinch Premiership, the Motherwell gaffer knows the strength and depth that Hearts have within their ranks and any personnel changes will not weaken their side in the slightest.

Stuart McKinstry is still ‘buzzing’ to be playing for the club he grew up supporting.

The winger scored his first two goals and scooped the player of the month award for October but is keeping his two feet firmly on the ground and is looking forward to the tricky test that Hearts pose in their next cinch Premiership match.

Stuart McKinstry has been called up to the Scotland Under-21s squad, who will take on Iceland at Fir Park.

The on-loan winger caps off a fine October with another call-up to Scott Gemmill’s side for preparation match ahead of the start of the next set of European Championship qualifiers which get underway in the new year.

The match will take place on Thursday 17 November with a kick off time to be confirmed in due course.

Entry to the match will be free for everyone, with this match being a no ticket event.

Stuart McKinstry is your October player of the month.

The Leeds loanee bagged two goals, against Rangers and Aberdeen as he pipped Matt Penney by one vote to win the award.

Rolando Aarons’ loan from Huddersfield Town has been terminated.

The club had agreed with the Terriers that should the winger sustain a longer-term injury during his stay at Fir Park, the agreement could be brought to a premature end.

Regretfully, following his injury against Hearts last month, it is unlikely the Jamaican international would feature for the first team again until the end of the year.

“We are gutted for Rolando more than anything as he’s a very talented player who really wanted to be with us and help us,” Steven Hammell said.

“However, he has had such an unfortunate time with injuries throughout his career. One of his most consistent runs was when he was last with us, and we had hoped we could replicate that.

“Sadly, that hasn’t been the case. We wish Rolando all the very best in his recovery and his career and thank him for his efforts both back in early 2020 and now.”

It’s time to pick your Paycare Motherwell FC player of the month for October.

Matt Penney, Blair Spittal, Stuart McKinstry and Sondre Solholm are all in contention.

To vote, head over to our Facebook page.

Games played in October:

• Celtic 2 – 1 Motherwell
• Ross County 0 – 5 Motherwell
• Hibernian 1 – 0 Motherwell
• Motherwell 1 – 2 Rangers
• Motherwell 0 – 4 Celtic
• Motherwell 1 – 2 Aberdeen
• Dundee Utd 0 – 1 Motherwell

Matt Penney

Our September player of the month, is up once again for nomination after another impressive month.

The Ipswich loanee has continued his fine run of form in October, playing a part in helping his side keep two clean sheets on the road. He also set Kevin van Veen up for his third goal against Ross County, while also playing Joe Efford in for his goal against the Highland side.

Penney has played every minute of every game in a hectic schedule.

Blair Spittal

Despite coming off in the first half against Hibernian and missing the subsequent match through injury, Blair Spittal is once again up for player of the month.

Spittal played the ball back into the danger area, which led to our goal against Celtic at the start of the month.

He also got an assist against Dundee United, setting up Sondre Solholm with an inch perfect cross into the box for the defender to power into the net.

Stuart McKinstry

The on-loan winger notched up two goals in four starts this month, including his first ever goal in claret in amber.

The boyhood Motherwell fan has worked his way into the starting eleven this month, scoring his first goal for the club with a perfectly placed free kick against Rangers.

He made is two goals in two league games when he controlled and drilled the ball into the net against Aberdeen.

Sondre Solholm

After building up a formidable partnership with Ricki Lamie at the heart of the defence, Sondre Solholm get his first player of the month nomination this season.

With 70% of his ariel duals throughout the month, he has proven to be tough to get past for attackers.

Keeping two clean sheets in the month, the Norwegian got his first Motherwell goal with a powerful header against Dundee United in his last outing.