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Motherwell have a number of players out on loan at present. Below, we take a look at how they got on in the last four weeks. 

Matty Connelly

Matty Connelly has made a further seven appearances for East Kilbride since our last update, taking him up to 17 games for the season.

Throughout the month of October, and November so far, East Kilbride haven’t lost a game. Connelly hasn’t missed a minute of action. They are top of the Lowland League and have reached the semi-final of the SPFL Trust Trophy, after they knocked out Championship opposition in the form of Ayr United on Tuesday night.

Their run to the semi-final has been littered with success against teams in the divisions above, including Cove Rangers and Airdrie.

Max Ross

Max Ross has now made seven appearances for Albion Rovers. He has started in the last seven games for Rovers.

Winning four, drawing two and losing one, Ross and Albion Rovers are up to seventh in the Lowland League table, as they look to close the gap on those above.

Brannan McDermott

At Cowdenbeath, Brannan McDermott has started all five games since our last loan report. He’s now up to seven appearances.

He scored his first goal in a 2-2 draw with Albion Rovers. He is yet to miss a minute of action this season.

Olly Whyte

Since the last update, Olly Whyte has started all five games. Although they haven’t won a game in the league since the start of October, Cowdenbeath produced a remarkable Scottish Cup upset in late October.

They knocked out League Two Spartans at Ainslie Park, winning 2-1.

Dylan Wells

Dylan Wells hasn’t featured for Edinburgh City as yet. He picked up a knock but will return this weekend.

Filip Stuparevic

Filip Stuparevic is up to nine appearances for Morton this season. Now an established starter for Morton, Stuparevic’s side picked up a big point against Ayr United last weekend.

In their most recent match, Morton were defeated 2-1 by Livingston in the quarter-final of the SPFL Trust Trophy, where the Serbian played 64 minutes.

Luca Ross

Luca Ross has made one further appearance since the October report for Annan Athletic.

He was named on the bench for Annan against Queen of the South at the end of October.

Mark Ferrie

Mark Ferrie is up to five appearances for Bonnyrigg Rose. He has started the last four matches for Rose.

In their last match against Elgin City, Ferrie’s dink in the second-half got him off the mark for the season, helping his side on the way to three points. He picked up the man of the match award in the process.

Bonnyrigg are fifth in the League Two table, they are on 17 points as they close down on the playoff spots.

Three Motherwell players are away on international duty for the next seven days.

Kofi Balmer

After returning to the Northern Ireland squad last month, Kofi Balmer has been named in Michael O’Neill’s initial squad in November.

Northern Ireland are in Nations League action this month, against Belarus and Luxembourg. They are looking to confirm their promotion back to League B.

A win in their home match against Belarus would all but secure top spot in the group.

• Northern Ireland v Belarus 
• Friday 15 November 
• 7:45pm Kick Off
• Windsor Park, Northern Ireland 

• Luxembourg v Northern Ireland 
• Monday 18 November 
• 7:45pm Kick Off
• Luxembourg Stadium, Luxembourg

Lennon Miller

Lennon Miller will be turning out for the Scotland Under 19 side, in a triple header.

The 18-year-old has been an integral part of Stuart Kettlewell’s side as well as Scotland’s Under 21s, however with no games for Scott Gemmill’s youngsters, Neil McFarlane has called upon the midfielder’s services.

Scotland play three Under-19 European Championship qualifiers, taking on Wales, Liechtenstein and France, with the aim of progressing to the Elite Round in March.

• Scotland v Wales 
• Wednesday 11 November 
• Forthbank Stadium, Stirling

• Scotland v Liechtenstein 
• Saturday 16 November 
• Cappielow Park, Greenock

• Scotland v France 
• Tuesday 19 November 
• Forthbank Stadium, Stirling

Tawanda Maswanhise

It’s a huge couple of games for Zimbabwe and Tawanda Maswanhise this month, with the Warriors in touching distance of qualifying for AFCON.

Their two strong results last month have ensured Zimbabwe are in pole position to grab second spot in Group J.

They are on eight points and currently in second place in Group J. They will take on third placed Kenya, before playing already qualified Cameroon.

A point against Kenya would be enough to qualify.

• Zimbabwe v Kenya 
• Friday 15 November 
• 4pm Kick Off 
• Orlando Stadium, South Africa 

• Cameroon v Zimbabwe 
• Tuesday 19 November 
• 1pm Kick Off 
• Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Cameroon

Stuart Kettlewell had set his team the task of reaching 19 points by the November international break. To do this, they would have to overcome St Johnstone at Fir Park in their final match before the break. 

With the Perthshire side under the new guidance of former Motherwell player Simo Valakari, the Steelmen needed a fast start. Showing energy and a clinical edge, Motherwell blew the visitors away in the first half and held a 2-0 lead going into the interval thanks to goals from Tawanda Maswanhise and Tom Sparrow.

St Johnstone were aided by a VAR intervention to give a handball against Andy Halliday, which saw Nicky Clark convert to halve the deficit.

They thought they got the game level in stoppage time from a corner, but VAR spotted a handball in the area to rule the goal out. That meant 19 points have been achieved in 11 league outings for the Steelmen, with a trip to Ross County waiting for when they return to domestic action.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts as Motherwell defeat St Johnstone at Fir Park.

First half goals from Tawanda Maswanhise and Tom Sparrow gave the Fir Park side all three points ahead of the November international break.

Motherwell secured a 2-1 win over St Johnstone on Saturday afternoon, as the Steelmen moved joint fourth in table. 

After taking a two goal lead through first-half goals from Tawanda Maswanhise and Tom Sparrow Nicky Clark’s penalty sparked St Johnstone into life for the second-half.

Stuart Kettlewell had urged his players to use last week’s disappointing semi-final defeat as a motivation going into this important league fixture.

The ‘Well boss made one change from the Hampden starting eleven, Tom Sparrow replacing the suspended Liam Gordon. That meant a reshuffle in the defence with Steve Seddon forming the back three alongside Kofi Balmer and Dan Casey.

It was 15 minutes before Maswanhise made the first of many mazy runes towards the Saint’s goal followed by Andy Halliday’s left foot curler, which forced the first save of the afternoon from Joshua Rae.

Motherwell eventually opened the scoring after 20 minutes.

Seddon’s lofted ball sent Marvin Kaleta down the right channel. The Wolves loanee switched the ball to his left foot before finding Maswanhise at the back of the six-yard box, who nodded the ball between the keeper and his right-hand post for his third goal in two league games.

After that though, the bulk of the play was towards the visitor’s goal.

Lennon Miller, still wearing the captain’s armband, was at the centre of most moves and his reverse pass sent Ewan Wilson haring down the left. His inviting cross was met by Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, but he could only watch his header palmed away by Rae.

Miller was instrumental in the next move and when the ball found its way to Tom Sparrow at the edge of the box, he arrowed a drive beyond the stretching keeper and inside his right-hand post.

At this point, Saints looked rattled and Maswanhise curled a shot just beyond the same post.

The Fir Park men carved out one more chance to extend their lead before the interval, when the impressive Sparrow fired the ball low across the six-yard box but it flew past the lunging Stamatelopoulos.

Sparrow would however double the Steelmen’s advantage. Maswanhise would nudge the ball to the Englishman, who blazed a driven effort towards goal, which Rae couldn’t keep out. 2-0.

And although Motherwell started the second-half chasing a third goal to kill off the Perth side, Saints were given a lifeline after 56 minutes.

Graham Carey’s shot at the edge of the box cannoned off Halliday’s outstretched arm and after VAR’s intervention, referee Ross Hardie pointed to the penalty spot.

Nicky Clark showed all his experience as he calmly sent Oxborough the wrong way, reducing the advantage.

That forced a double substitution after 67 minutes with Tony Watt and Davor Zdravkovski given the task of lifting the home side. Shortly after that Moses Ebiye replaced the understandably tiring legs of Maswanhise.

Ten minutes from time, Motherwell passed up a great chance to wrap up the points. Kaleta’s mazy run carried him to the byline, before rolling the ball back to Watt but he skied his shot over the bar and set up a nail biting finish.

And just as the four minutes additional time was announced, Saints seemed to have rescued a point when Jack Sanders bundled a corner into the net.

However, on this occasion VAR benefitted the Steelmen, as the goal was rightly ruled out for handball.

With the home side camped in their own half and the Well fans anxiously waiting for the final whistle, another chance for a third goal was passed up.

Harry Paton’s ball sent Miller through on goal and having enticed the keeper from his line his square ball should have been netted by Zdravkovski, who could only find the side netting with the goal begging.

There will be an auction for a match worn shirt from Saturday’s match against St Johnstone. 

The proceeds from Saturday’s MatchWornShirt auction will go towards Poppy Scotland.

We’re proud to once again join clubs across the country in remembrance and support of our armed forces community. 

The auction will commence at 3pm on Saturday 9 November and will be available online.

Closing date for the auction is Sunday 24 November at 3pm.

Aston Oxborough has won the G4 claims October player of the month. 

The Motherwell number one collects back-t0-back awards.

Earning a new contract last month, Oxborough has continued his fine run of form. Pulling off a string of magnificent saves in each match, he still heads the charts in the SPFL Premiership for saves made, making 40 in ten games.

Motherwell FC and The Well Society officially opened the club’s Memorial Garden, after months of hard work by volunteers and the assistance of local businesses.

Nestling in the shadow of Fir Park, the garden will provide a quiet space for reflection and an area for Well fans to remember loved ones. Fans also have the option to inter ashes and hold short services to mark a loved one’s passing.

Work began in 2023 to transform the previously named “Reading Garden”, after The Well Society were contacted by a relative of a Well fan whose ashes were scattered there. She asked that some attention be given to the garden, which had become overgrown.

Thanks to a grant from North Lanarkshire Council’s RecoverNL fund, and support from local building and gardening suppliers, the garden has bloomed from an untidy scrap of land to a well-defined and restful Memorial Garden of which Motherwell fans can be rightly proud.

“Football provides so many memorable moments, often in the company of family and friends,” Well Society development manager Sally Hall said.

“When they’ve passed it’s nice to remember the good times, and we’re are proud to be able to restore this space so fans can do just that.

“We are indebted not only to NLC, local businesses and the ground staff here at the club, but to a large number of Well Society members who gave up their time to help. Special mention must go to Jim Wright and John Lowry for their time, advice and building expertise and to Tom, John and Billy from Carluke Men’s Shed, who were also integral to the project.”

“We know how much the club means to our fans,” chief executive Brian Caldwell said.

“This combined effort ensures we can provide our community with a space where they can feel connected to the club and to their loved ones. It has been great to see so many people work together to deliver the project and the creation of what is now a fitting Memorial Garden for our local community.”

“It is wonderful to see the memorial garden at Fir Park revitalised using the RecoverNL grant and for it to become a peaceful community space where people can spend time for remembrance and reflection,” Provost Kenneth Duffy added.

“The club is truly a part of the local community and this is a meaningful way of connecting people to their loved ones, the club and their community.”

Provost Duffy cut the ribbon to officially open the Memorial Garden. The club are planning a re-dedication event for families next spring when the garden will be in full bloom. Anyone whose loved one’s ashes are scattered at Fir Park should get in touch: well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk. Details on funerals and remembrance services can be found here.

As well as NLC and The Well Society, support was received from Thornbridge Timber, Origin Amenity Solutions, JW Grant, Paterson’s Memorials, Avia Signs and Rosebank Garden Centre.

Midfielder Tom Sparrow has enjoyed getting more minutes on the pitch recently, and is looking forward to getting back to the action this weekend against St Johnstone. 

The former Stoke City player believes Lennon Miller to be a ground individual, and Sparrow says the group are raring to impress the home crowd on Saturday.

Tawanda Maswanhise has earned his place in the Zimbabwe squad. 

The Warriors will round off their Africa Cup of Nation qualifying campaign. With two good results last month, their qualification fate is in their own hands.

They are on eight points and currently in second place in Group J. They will take on third placed Kenya first on Friday 15 November, before playing already qualified Cameroon on Tuesday 19 November.

Zimbabwe go into this round of games knowing a point against Kenya would be enough to qualify.

• Zimbabwe v Kenya 
• Friday 15 November 
• 4pm Kick Off 
• Orlando Stadium, South Africa 

• Cameroon v Zimbabwe 
• Tuesday 19 November 
• 1pm Kick Off 
• Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Cameroon