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Stephen Robinson was full of praise for his Motherwell side as they came from behind to win the derby at Hamilton. 

“We thoroughly deserved it today,” he said. “The fans gave every player out on the park the confidence to get three points.”

A fabulous double from Tom Aldred provided ‘Well with the perfect end to the year and put some distance between themselves and the three sides at the foot of Ladbrokes Premiership.

The Fir Park men recovered terrifically from a Dougie Imrie 17th minute goal, Aldred equalizing four minutes later before striking the winner 13 minutes from time.

Faced with a horrendous list of injuries Stephen Robinson was able to field a side with the players at least starting in their recognised positions.

Peter Hartley was deemed fit enough to pair up with Tom Aldred at the heart of a defensive back four. Canada-bound Andy Rose made his final appearance in the middle of the park, while Conor Sammon took over the striking role from the suspended Curtis Main.

Motherwell were more direct in the early stages and forced a couple of corners. With Frear swinging them in from either side Andy Rose was first to make most of them powering his header narrowly wide.

Three minutes later and out of nothing Accies opened the scoring. Steven Boyd hoisted a pass down the middle and after latching on to the ball Dougie Imrie calmly steered it past the advancing Mark Gillespie and just inside the ‘keeper’s left hand post to put the home side ahead.

The lead lasted only three minutes. After getting his head to a couple of corners Tom Aldred finally made it count with his right foot. Frear’s corner found Hartley but when the ball broke back toward Aldred he steered his volley through a packed penalty box and inside the post.

Motherwell, with Frear providing a real threat on the left wing, held the upper hand until 12 minutes from the interval when they were forced into a substation after Richard Tait suffered from Lenny Sowah’s late challenge.

Accies then came within a foot of regaining the lead. James Keating’s curled free kick from 22 yards was on target but a wicked deflection wrong footed Gillespie who was relieved to watch the ball bounce just beyond his right hand post.

Although it was a fairly level first half, the Fir Park men completely dominated the second 45 minutes. Frear’s pace and crossing from the left wing continued to threaten the Accies defence but despite a series of inviting balls into the box Gary Woods was rarely threatened.

Everything was towards the Accies goal except from a header from Ziggy Gordon which provided Gillespie with a routine save. That gave the overworked home defence a breather before they were broken for a second time 13 minutes from time.

David Turnbull floated a free kick to the edge of the six yard box where Hartley challenged the Accies ‘keeper. The ball was cleared towards the edge of the box it was met by Aldred who again showed great control, this time with his right foot to drive the ball high into the net for a thoroughly deserved winner and send ‘Well seven points ahead of Accies and 11 above bottom placed Dundee.

Stephen Robinson knows the importance of Saturday’s trip to New Douglas Park.

The ‘Well boss has been hit with a host of injuries, but is determined to see his side put in a big performance in the Lanarkshire derby.

“We go in to a derby match of this magnitude determined to come away with something,” he said. :There are no excuses.”

Motherwell face Hamilton in the second Lanarkshire Derby of the season, and the final fixture of 2018.

The trip to New Douglas Park has added importance given the four point gap between the Steelmen in 9th and Accies in 10th.

Here, we take a look at Saturday’s opposition.

Reducing the gap

The chance to reduce the deficit between themselves and Stephen Robinson’s Fir Parkers to just one point will be huge motivation for Hamilton.

Equally, Motherwell could open the gap up to seven points with a win on Saturday.

There’s a lot at stake for both clubs ahead of another eagerly anticipated derby clash.

The search for a must-needed win

A run of just one win in eight games has seen league strugglers St Mirren and Dundee gradually catch up with Hamilton, who have lost six of their last eight league matches.

However, a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock before Christmas is the sort of result that is capable of giving the hosts a boost before the derby.

The chance to go in to the winter break on the back of a win will further add to the home side’s incentive.

Form out the window?

As the cliché goes, all form goes out the window on derby day.

And with both sides heading in to Saturday’s match on the back of a poor run of form, the stage is set for one team to turn it around.

It’s a big weekend in store for both sides, and an intriguing way to bring 2018 to a close.

Motherwell make the trip to take on local rivals Hamilton Academical on Saturday.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match. Kick off is at 3pm.

Team news

Trevor Carson, Craig Tanner and Chris Cadden are out long term. Liam Donnelly, Charles Dunne, Carl McHugh and Christian Mbulu are sidelined, while Curtis Main is suspended.

Peter Hartley and David Turnbull are doubts but could be fit in time to feature.

Head to head

Motherwell have won three of their last 10, beating Aberdeen, Dundee and St Johnstone.

The Steelmen have lost four of their last five, with the win at McDiarmid Park coming amongst defeats to Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren.

Accies have won two of their last 10, defeating Livingston and St Mirren. They’ve also lost four of their last five, with a draw against Kilmarnock breaking the run.

Pay at the gate

Due to demand, a cash gate will be in operation. There will be no more sales of tickets at Fir Park, and the offices are now closed until 3 January.

Supporters who have ordered tickets for collection will be contacted by the ticket office. These will be available for collection outside of turnstiles 10, 11 and 12 at Hamilton from 2.15pm until 2.45pm.

Turnstiles seven, eight and nine are in operation for Motherwell fans wishing to purchase tickets.

Supporters with pre-purchased tickets can access the ground via turnstiles 10,11 and 12, next to the Morrisons car park.

Cash gate prices are as follows:

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

The year ends with a trip to face Hamilton Academical in the Lanarkshire derby.

Here, we take a look at Saturday’s fixture in numbers.

Four

With Motherwell and Hamilton in ninth and 10th respectively in the league, four points separate them in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Both teams have played 20 games so far in the 2018/19 campaign. Motherwell have won a game more, having claimed five victories to Accies’ four.

10

With injuries mounting up, a potential of 10 players could be absent for the trip across the M74.

Trevor Carson, Craig Tanner and Chris Cadden are out long term. Liam Donnelly, Charles Dunne, Carl McHugh and Christian Mbulu are sidelined, while Curtis Main is suspended.

Peter Hartley and David Turnbull are doubts but could be fit in time to feature.

11

Saturday will mark 11 years to the day since we lost our captain Phil O’Donnell.

Our fans plan to mark his passing with a minute’s applause in the 10th minute of the game, which we encourage you all to join.

104

Both sets of fans have seen a combined 104 goals on league business so far in the 2018/19 campaign.

Motherwell supporters have witnessed 50, with the Steelmen netting 18 and conceding 32.

Accies have a worse-off goal difference, having netted 13 and conceded 41.

Aaron Taylor-Sinclair is hoping for a big performance against Hamilton Academical on Saturday as the Steelmen look to end 2018 on a high. 

The defender is eager to put the disappointments of the last two matches to bed in the final match of the year at New Douglas Park.

“Hopefully we can put the two results behind us and end the year on a high in the derby,” he said.

When you’re facing a Kilmarnock team high on confidence, you need fortune to be on your side.

This is the Story of the Match from the visit of Steve Clarke’s men.

It’s the second Lanarkshire derby of the 2018/19 campaign on Saturday, as Motherwell make the short trip to face Hamilton Academical.

Here’s an early look ahead to the match.

Second meeting

Hamilton took the spoils in the first derby of the season at Fir Park, with Steven Boyd netting a spectacular volley off a rebound from a free kick to secure a 1-0 victory.

Form guide

Both sides have similar form going into Saturday’s game.

Hamilton have won two, drawn one and lost seven of their last 10 games, with their wins coming against Livingston and St Mirren.

Motherwell have won a game more, having defeated St Mirren, Dundee and St Johnstone.

The Steelmen sit four points ahead of the Accies with 20 games played in the Ladbrokes Premiership table.

Pay at the gate

Due to demand, a cash gate will be in operation. There will be no more sales of tickets at Fir Park, and the offices are now closed until 3 January.

Supporters who have ordered tickets for collection will be contacted by the ticket office. These will be available for collection outside of turnstiles 10, 11 and 12 at Hamilton from 2.15pm until 2.45pm.

Turnstiles seven, eight and nine are in operation for Motherwell fans wishing to purchase tickets.

Supporters with pre-purchased tickets can access the ground via turnstiles 10,11 and 12, next to the Morrisons car park.

Cash gate prices are as follows:

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Jordan Jones scored the only goal as Kilmarnock took all three points from the Boxing Day clash.

Motherwell suffered three losses through injuries in the first 25 minutes, and saw Curtis Main sent off, as they fought hard but came up short.