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Our Betfred Cup campaign continues on Saturday as we make the trip to face Livingston in the second round.

It’s Motherwell’s first competitive outing against the Lions since 2013, when the Steelmen won 2-1 in the same competition.

The shock troops

Winners of League One in the 2016/17 season, nobody had Livingston among their pre-season favourites for promotion from the Championship. Livi had been absent from the top flight since 2006, beset by financial troubles ever since, but were slowly building a sustainable model and getting back on their feet.

The perfect storm ensued. Former manager David Hopkin put together a team of warriors, picking up results consistently against bigger teams and putting themselves in the play-off reckoning. Then, with history against the Championship’s play-off finalists, they relegated Partick Thistle to secure unlikely back-to-back promotions.

A new man at the helm… and in attack

With Hopkin leaving in the summer, the Livingston board looked to Kenny Miller to give him his first taste of management. Combining his coaching duties with leading the line, the striker has enjoyed a strong start at the helm.

Three wins and a bonus point in the group stage of the Betfred Cup put them through as seeds, before they kicked off the league campaign. They showed flashes in their 3-1 defeat at Celtic on the opening day, but a 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock at home in their second game suggests they are going to be tough opponents on home turf.

Talking about home turf…

Over the summer, Livingston moved away from a grass pitch to install a new artificial surface, meaning 25% of pitches in the top flight are now being played on 4G.

After delays in getting it installed, the pitch only got its first outing in the draw with Kilmarnock and it still remains to be seen how difficult it will prove to play on, or otherwise.

League Cup history

One of Livingston’s finest hours came in this competition, when they lifted the trophy against the odds by beating Hibernian in 2004.

With the club having gone into administration hours after their semi-final victory over Dundee, a dark cloud was hanging over a talented playing squad. Some took wage cuts, others were made redundant. But the team spirit remained, and their 2-0 win came against a talented Hibs team which included Scott Brown, Steven Whittaker, Derek Riordan and other talented youngsters.

We took Richard Tait for a coffee and a chat to talk about this weekend’s Betfred Cup clash with Livingston.

The defender also reflected on the frustrations of defeat in the Lanarkshire derby, and how the players respond as a team in the build up to an important fixture.

Our interview was filmed at the Windmills Cafe in Motherwell.

Windmills is a social enterprise cafe in the heart of Motherwell which is committed to ensuring young people with learning disabilities have equal access to meaningful work experience opportunities. For more information, visit Windmills Cafe’s website.

Motherwell lost out in the opening Lanarkshire derby of the 2018/19 season, with Steven Boyd’s wonder goal the difference as Hamilton Academical were victorious.

The hosts showed plenty of effort and endeavour but failed to take the chances that came their way, making it two defeats from two so far in the Ladbrokes Premiership in 2018/19.

The first Lanarkshire derby of the 2018/19 campaign ended in defeat for Motherwell, as Hamilton took the points in a 1-0 victory.

The hosts put in plenty and were left feeling like they had lost a game they had dominated, which you can watch back in our story of the match.

Allan Campbell, Peter Hartley and Gaël Bigirimana spoke after the disappointing defeat against Hamilton.

The trio spoke of the need for more of a cutting edge in front of goal and the importance of bouncing back in the cup at Livingston next weekend.

Stephen Robinson says he’ll waste no time in trying to get his team to bounce back from Motherwell’s derby defeat.

The manager says there’s work to do in the final third and improvements to make, as the Steelmen lost out to Hamilton Academical.

Motherwell slipped to a disappointing derby defeat in the first home game of the season. 

Steven Boyd’s second half screamer was the only thing to separate the sides in the opening Ladbrokes Premiership game at Fir Park.

Despite some sustained pressure on the Accies goal at the started each half, the Fir Park men failed to breach a stubborn visitor’s defence.

In the home defence, Tom Aldred, back on loan from Bury, was pitched straight into the the Lanarkshire derby alongside Peter Hartley and Carl McHugh. With Alan Campbell back from suspension, Gael Bigirimana joined him in midfield for his first start of the season.

The few highlights from the first half, came largely via Chris Cadden on the right. An early low cross had Gary Woods scrambling to gather with Curtis Main lurking for a slip.

After 16 minutes, Cadden’s cross led to the first attempt on the Accies goal, but Bigirimana’s downward header was palmed away by Woods. Another burst from Cadden and ball across the goal found Main closing in but from an offside position.

Ten minutes from the end of a rather uneventful first half the ‘Well front two finally clicked, when Hartley’s long ball was nodded on by Conor Sammon into Main’s path. But his shot was a yard wide of the post.

Motherwell began the second with a it more urgency and a couple of left foot efforts from Main posted their intent. Bigirimana, whose measured set pieces provided some threat then curled a free kick across his forwards forcing Woods into a smart reactive save.

Still to exert any sustained pressure on the Accies ‘keeper, ‘Well made a double substitution after 63 minutes, Danny Johnson and Elliot Frear hopefully bringing a fresh attacking option.

However, it was Hamilton’s subs who made the breakthrough four minutes later. Ross Cunningham’s first touch hammered a free kick off the defensive wall. And when the ball rebounded to Steven Boyd, his first touch was a stunning volley sending the ball into Trevor Carson’s top left hand corner.

With 13 minutes remaining, Stephen Robinson made his final change bringing on Alex Gorrin.

Despite Motherwell having the bulk of the possession, Accies held firm and even passed up the chance to double their lead in the closing minutes when Cunningham’s effort hit the base of the post.

Danny Johnson says the players have put in a shift this week as they aim to bounce back in the Lanarkshire derby.

After the disappointment of defeat at Hibernian on Sunday, the striker is looking to nab a second competitive goal against Hamilton Academical this weekend.

Hamilton Academical are the visitors on Saturday in the first Lanarkshire derby of the 2018/19 campaign.

Kick off at Fir Park is at 3pm.

The first game with your new season card

If you’ve bought your season ticket for the 2018/19 campaign, Saturday’s game is the first time you’ll get to use your new card to gain access to Fir Park.

You won’t notice too much of a difference. Just approach the turnstile as normal and the operator will scan your card to get you in, as opposed to the old system of taking the voucher from your book.

If you’re yet to collect your season ticket, there will be a collection point in operation at the Chapman Building office on Saturday before the game.

You can print a match ticket at home

If you haven’t got a season ticket, you’ve got options. You can turn up and pay at the gate as normal if you prefer, or you can buy your ticket online right now and print it off at home.

In the Phil O’Donnell, Davie Cooper and South stands, you can get in for £24 if you’re an adult, £17 for concessions, £3 for Under 15s and £28 for a combined ticket for one adult and two children.

If you want to watch the game from the John Hunter stand, it’s £20 for adults, £16 for concessions, £3 for Under 15s and £25 for a combined ticket for one adult and two children.

Concession prices apply to those aged 60 and over, 16-18 year olds and full-time students with a valid matriculation card.

Hamilton fans will be based in the lower tier of the south stand.

Team news

Charles Dunne, Ryan Bowman and Craig Tanner remain on the sidelines long term. Tom Aldred trained for the first time on Friday and will be in contention for the game.

Further reading

• Scene setter: 2018/19’s first Lanarkshire derby
• Get in early for Hamilton derby
• Need to Know: A look at Hamilton Accies
• Robinson expecting a response in derby

Hamilton Academical provide the first league opposition at Fir Park in the 2018/19 campaign.

Accies make the short trip across the River Clyde to Motherwell for the first Lanarkshire derby of the campaign, perhaps feeling a little hard done to with the result last weekend against Hearts, but knowing a win will kickstart their season.

A BUSY SUMMER

A lot of Scottish clubs are now all too familiar with a high turnover of players during the summer transfer window and Accies are no different. June, July and August has seen 11 players recruited so far, with more expected between now and the close of the window.

There is a mix of familiar faces with the return of Ziggy Gordon from the Polish league and some that are less well known, but arrive with a pedigree, such as Delphin Tshiembe, who joined after a successful spell in the Danish top league.

THE TOP END OF THE PITCH

Accies will rely on the pace and power they have in the forward areas to do damage on derby day. Rakish Bingham and Mickel Miller lead the line last weekend against Hearts at the Hope CBD Stadium and could do so again at Fir Park on Saturday.

Norwich City loanee Mason Broomfield could also be in contention for a starting berth in the visitor’s attack.

CONTINUITY IN MANAGEMENT

Whilst their playing squad changes as regularly as almost every other club, where Hamilton excel is unswerving loyalty to their management staff. Owner and chairman Ronnie McDonald and his board have never been trigger-happy when it comes to the head coach, with Martin Canning having been in post for just short of four years.

Indeed, Accies have only had three permanent managers in the last 13 years. By comparison, ‘Well have had nine.

THE ACCIES MODEL

Accies are proud of what they see is their model, which is the production and development of young players. Over the years, they have stayed true to that philosophy, even if has cost them their spot in the top league.

People often cite James McCarthy and James McArthur, both there are other more recent examples like Stephen Hendrie, Ali Crawford, Mikey Devlin, Lewis Ferguson and Greg Docherty have all made their mark.

DERBY DAY UNPREDICTABILITY

Historically Motherwell have had the upper hand when the teams meet, the Steelmen haven’t lost in 104 of the 145 games. But Hamilton’s impressive recent top flight run has also brought about far more unpredictability when it comes to the Lanarkshire derby.

In the 17 matches since promotion in 2014, ‘Well have won seven fixtures between the pair, with Accies victorious six times. There have been four draws.