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Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s side return to action this midweek when they face Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Fir Park.

The youths have had to wait an extra week for a game after the proposed fixture against St Johnstone last Tuesday was shifted to protect the Fir Park pitch in the midst of a bleak weather.

Ironically, it’s the second attempt at playing the Highlanders after the original match earlier this month had to be moved due to the first-team’s match with Dundee Utd the day after.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 1pm with admission for this match free of charge.

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell and Hearts battle hard but draw 0-0.

-WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

‘Well boss Stuart McCall admitted a draw was fair after Motherwell and Hearts slugged out a 0-0 draw at Fir Park.

Neither team really got going in what was a pretty low key afternoon at Fir Park.

Chances were at a premium with only Ryan Stevenson, Michael Higdon and Chris Humphrey making goalkeepers Jamie MacDonald and Darren Randolph work for their money.

McCall was slightly frustrated at not breaking down a rigid Hearts rearguard but conceded the draw was a fair account.

[pullquote]When it’s tight you have to take the positives and the positive is we’ve kept a clean sheet for the first time since the opening game of the season.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “I said prior to the game that they probably have one of the strongest defences in the league.

“They started the game better, their one man up front gave them an extra man in midfield and they probably used that slightly better without really creating any great danger. We’ve had a good chance with Higgy’s header but in the first half we weren’t good enough.

“In the second half we started better and were the dominant side. Chris and Higgy have had good chances and there were some half chances.

“When it’s tight you have to take the positives and the positive is we’ve kept a clean sheet for the first time since the opening game of the season.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Liverpudlian defender Adam Cummins was pleased with his sides’ clean sheet – the first in fourteen SPL matches.

The Steelmen were resolute at the back and the former Everton defender, culminating in both centre backs picking up sponsors’ man of the match awards.

And the nineteen-year old celebrating the blank at the back but admitted the team were frustrated at not being able to break down a stubborn maroon defensive line.

[pullquote]Starting with the back five, but also from the front, we defended really well and deserved to keep them out.[/pullquote]

“We are pleased with a clean sheet; it is long overdue,” he told MFC TV after the match.

“Starting with the back five, but also from the front, we defended really well and deserved to keep them out.

“In terms of the game, we created a few chances but there was very little clean cut from either side that would merit them winning the game.

“They are a good defensively – the manager warned us about it before the match. They play two sitting in front of their back four and make it very difficult for teams.

“We couldn’t play our usual stuff and that is frustrating but we’ve taken four points from the last two games and that’s a good platform to work from going into this week.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 0-0 draw with Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

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Alan Burrows at the Fir Park

Motherwell and Hearts were both forced to accept a point after playing out a scrappy 0-0 draw at Fir Park this afternoon.

Neither side really took a foothold in the game albeit Ryan Stevenson brought out a decent save from Darren Randolph early in the first-half, whilst Michael Higdon’s header forced Jamie MacDonald into a good save low to his left.

The Steelmen upped the tempo and probably just about shaded the second half, Chris Humphrey having the best chance with a stinging low effort that was well saved by the Hearts number one.

It wasn’t a game that will live long in the memory and both sides would perhaps accept a share of the spoils.

McCall named the same starting eleven that tore strips off Inverness last weekend but it was the visitors Hearts who started brighter and Darren Randolph had to be on his toes inside the opening minute to deny one-time Motherwell signing target Ryan Stevenson.

Shaun Hutchinson was adjudged to have felled Jamie Walker on the edge, allowing the midfielder to hit. His curling effort looked goal bound but for the outstretched hand of the Irish International to turn it round for a corner.

Higdon replied for the Steelmen shortly after but his header from a teasing Chris Humphrey cross bounced wide of the post.

Shortly after referee Crawford Allan waved away Hearts protest after a clash between ‘Well keeper Darren Randolph and Hearts striker Callum Paterson. The Steelmen stopper appeared to catch the youngster when coming out to collect a deflected through ball. Referee Crawford Allan was only yards away and waved away the protests.

The hosts were coming more and more into it as an attacking threat, but it proved a tough task against a well-oiled and disciplined Hearts defence. Chris Humphrey did manage to penetrate the Maroon rearguard with a terrific cross into the area for Higdon, but he was denied by MacDonald who got a great hand to turn it away.

As the game moved towards the break, it was the Fir Parkers who looked most likely to get themselves in front but, in truth, neither side created much in the way of guilt-edged chances.

Hearts full-back Danny Grainger, the difference between the sides at Tynecastle last month, appeared to pick up a nasty knee knock before the break. He lasted no more than five minutes of the second half before being replaced by Moroccan Mehdi Taouil as John McGlynn switched his side around.

The majority of the second half was played in midfield with both teams working hard but not producing much in the way of quality.

The game’s only real moment of quality came with ten minutes to go when, after collecting a Keith Lasley pass, Jamaican international Humphrey got to the edge of the area, cut inside and smashed a low shot that forced MacDonald into another good block.

Both sides searched for the winner but it wasn’t forthcoming. Ryan McGowan could have nicked it for the visitors deep into injury time when he got on the end of a Novikovas corner but his header bounced narrowly wide of Randolph’s left-hand post.
[tab:As it happened]

Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FULL TIME: Motherwell 0 – 0 Hearts

93mins: Corner to Hearts…. Headed just past by McGowan!  Phew!

90mins: 4 minutes added on.

88mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol on for Hammell.

85mins: Uh-oh, Hammell and Paterson clash heads. Hammy looks hurt. Thankfully he is up and moving.

81mins: Hearts sub, Holt off for ex-Motherwell star John Sutton

80mins: From the resulting corner, the ball falls to Higdon whose half volley is blocked. Encouraging!

80mins: Humphrey cuts in off the right and drills at MacDonald who palms wide.

74mins: Corner to Hearts… Finds its way to Holt who cracks a shot off from the edge of the box. Blocked by Hutchinson.

68mins: Off the bar from Humphrey! Frightening pace down the right flank gets him past McGowan and his cross comes back off the top of bar.

67mins: Hearts sub, Novikovas for Walker

63mins: Dangerous ball in from Taouil headed by Stevenson from 8 yards. Didn’t quite connect and Randolph is untroubled.

56min: Frustration as Murphy slides Higdon in who is only just beaten to the ball by MacDonald. Murphy’s shot then deflected wide.

55mins: Danger as McGowan drives into the box and angles a shot towards goal. Good sliding block from Hateley clears for a throw in.

53mins: Lasley releases Murphy with a clipped ball over the top. Wrongly ruled offside though!

50mins: Hearts sub, Grainger’s game is over as he comes off for Taouil. Looked like he was carrying a knock.

47mins: And that pressure almost paid off when Murphy whipped in a sublime ball to the back post. No takers though.

47mins: Good early pressure from Motherwell. Camped in the Hearts half.

46mins: Midfield duo Lasley and Law kick-off the second half.

HT: Teams are back out!

HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 Hearts. Goalless at Fir Park after 45mins.

45mins: Two minutes added on to the first half.

39mins: Grainger down holding his knee Looked like an awkward landing.

37mins: Stevenson tries his luck from 30 yards. Shot flies harmlessly past the post.

30mins: And straight up the other end, Ojamaa sees his shot bobble just past the post.

30mins: Patient build up from Hearts allows Paterson some space to shoot. His effort from 20 yards is straight to Randolph though.

28mins: Murphy looking sharp on the counter-attack. He dribbled 50 yards before laying off to Humphrey who overcooks the cross.

25mins: Hammell booked for hauling down his man to prevent a breakaway.

24mins: best chance of the game! Another great ball in from Humphrey which Higdon directs goalward, Tipped past by MacDonald.

19mins: Dangerous ball across goal from Paterson almost found Walker lurking at the back post. Hateley on hand to clear.

16mins: Bit of a slow start from Motherwell. Jambos on top so far.

11mins: Bit of a let off there! McGowan burst through between Cummins and Hammell. His touch was a bit heavy and Randolph collected.

7mins: First good chance for ‘Well. Humphrey with a fantastic whipped cross which Higdon lept and met with his head. Just past.

3mins: Early chance for Hearts. Stevenson with a drilled free kick. Great save from Randolph to tip past.

1min: And we’re off. Come on!

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Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“It was typical of what we thought might happen, a stalemate. They were probably slightly better in the first half, but in the second half we upped the tempo a bit and early on we had a couple of opportunities.”

“Their keeper made a few decent saves. I think a draw is a fair outcome. I believed them to be strong defensively and so it proved.

“When it’s a tight game you are hoping for that one chance to fall. The pleasing thing is we got a clean sheet.

“We were better in the second half and a draw is probably a fair result. It was always going to be a tight game.

“We maybe could have nicked but it wasn’t to be. There will be no doom and gloom.”

Hearts manager John McGlynn:

“If you make sure your opponent’s scoreline reads zero then you’ve obviously got a chance of winning the game at the other end.

“It was a hard-earned point for us. We had to ensure we didn’t open up and give early ammunition to Motherwell.

“There wasn’t too much goalmouth action but defensively we were very good. I thought we stifled them very well.”

“We’ve got to take the positives from that and we’ve found it difficult here in the past. A point’s not a disaster.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Motherwell are back in SPL action when they take on Hearts at Fir Park today – kick-off is 12.45pm.
 
TEAMS:

The Teams will appear here just after 11.45am.

TICKETS:

Tickets are still available on the gate at Fir Park. Admission is priced at:

ADULTS: £22 / £18
CONCESSIONS: £15 / £14
JUVENILE: £12 / £9
FAMILY: £28 / £24

• Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
• Family tickets consist of 1x Adult and 1x Juvenile.
• The cheaper priced ticket is for the East Stand only.
• If you are new to Fir Park, check our handy ‘New Fans’ section that will detail everything you need to know about matchdays.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

PAYMENT OPTIONS: You can either pay cash at the turnstiles or, if you prefer, via credit or debit card at the Fir Park Ticket Office. Please note there is a 2.5% surcharge on any credit card purchase.

TRAVEL:

There are no anticipated travel problems between Edinburgh and Motherwell and the area in and around Fir Park is fairly clear.

WEATHER:

There is sunshine forecast until around lunchtime. It will be cloudy and will feel cold so wrap up warm. Temperature highs in Motherwell will be around 4 degrees Celsius (39 Fahrenheit).

FOLLOW THE MATCH:

Motherwell Media will bring you all the action from Fir Park. Graham Barnstaple and Alan Burrows will call every kick off the ball live on MFC TV.

You can also follow match updates on Twitter and join in the debate on our Facebook page.

If you are heading to tonight’s match, remember to check in and follow the Steelmen on Foursquare and listen out for Stuart McCall’s pre-match thoughts on Audioboo.

Motherwell FC are delighted to confirm dates for the next two events in celebration of Steven Hammell’s Testimonial year.

The Davie Cooper Suite will host a Race Night on Saturday 9th February 2013, at 7.30pm and that will be followed by the ‘Steven Hammell Testimonial Dinner’ at the Strathclyde Hilton Hotel on Saturday 23rd March.

You can be involved in the celebrating Steven’s wonderful service to the club, the left-back has played well over 400 games in Claret and Amber and this summer signed a two year extension on his deal at Fir Park.

Tickets for the Race Night are available on a first come first served basis, priced at just £5.

The first team players will be in attendance on the night, giving fans a a great opportunity to meet and chat to the squad in a social environment, whilst showing your support for our long-serving full-back.

You or your company can support Stevie’s Testimonial and get involved before the event by sponsoring a race and/or a horse, whilst getting exposure in the event programme, testimonial website and Facebook/Twitter pages. 

There are eight races in all to be sponsored, at £50 per-race, or you can be the named owner of a horse for only £10, with the winning horse owner in each race receiving a prize.

Tickets, sponsorship and horses will all be sold in advance. In the first instance you can reserve these by emailing hammelltestimonial@gmail.com

The ‘Steven Hammell Testimonial Dinner’ at the Strathclyde Hilton promises to be a star-studded affair with appearances from a number of well-known faces, two fantastic speakers and an excellent meal served in a fantastic venue.

Tickets are on sale now from Fir Park priced at £50, or a table of ten for £500

Tam Cowan will host what is sure to be a wonderful evening and you will also have the chance to bid on a range of unique football memorabilia and prizes in the auction.

CONTACTS:

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