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Referee for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Dundee at Dens Park is Stephen Finnie.

It will be Stephen’s first ‘Well match of the 2014/15 campaign after officiating the Fir Parkers twice last term.

The first was at Rugby Park back in November 2013 when second-half goals from John Sutton and Henri Anier handed ‘Well a much needed three points.

The other was back last February and it was a thriller – a 4-3 victory over Partick Thistle at Fir Park. Goals from John Sutton, Keith Lasley, Lionel Ainsworth and Stephen McManus eventually handed the Steelmen all three points, despite Thistle leading twice.

He handled two matches the previous (2012/13) season too.

The first was also at Rugby Park as a Jamie Murphy double secured all three points in a 2-1 win.

The other was the rearranged match against Dundee United at Fir Park last February. Johnny Russell scored the game’s only goal in a 1-0 win for the Terrors.

Prior to that match at Rugby Park last season, Stephen had almost gone two years without a ‘Well fixture; you have to go all the way back to the Steelmen’s narrow defeat to Celtic in Glasgow the day before Stuart McCall took up the hot seat at the club in December 2010.

In the same season, he was also the man in the middle as ‘Well crashed 4-1 at Ibrox. Nick Blackman had actually put the Fir Parkers ahead but second half strikes from Steven Naismith, Steve Davies, Kenny Miller and Vladimir Weiss gave the home side a comfortable victory.

In actual fact, since taking matches in the top-flight of Scottish football, Stephen has only ever officiated nine Motherwell games.

Other than those Old Firm defeats, there was a 3-1 home win over Hearts in March of 2010 (Goals from Mark Reynolds, John Sutton and Jim O’Brien), a 1-0 defeat at Tannadice in October 2007 (Darren Dods heading home the games’ only goal) and a 2-0 win over Dunfermline in March 2007 courtesy of a Scott McDonald brace.

In those nine matches, he has dished out 42 cautions, 14 of which flashed at a player wearing Claret and Amber. Only one player has been sent for an early bath and that was Scott Brown for a second bookable offence in that match at Parkhead in 2010.

Stephen will be ably assisted on the day by Alasdair Ross and Andy Milne with Gavin Duncan assigned as fourth official.

Motherwell FC is pleased to confirm the appeal to overturn Stephen McManus’ red card has been successful.

The former Scotland International was shown a straight card against Aberdeen after match referee Willie Collum adjudged the defender to have handled a Jonny Hayes shot on the line.

Television replays proved conclusively that the match official had made an error and after a hearing of the Judicial Panel at a Fast Track Tribunal hearing at Hampden Park this morning, the card was rescinded

McManus said: “I was bitterly disappointed and frustrated to be red carded last week, but I do also accept that mistakes happen and are part of the game.

“I am obviously pleased the red card has been rescinded and I very much look forward to Saturday’s game against Dundee.”

General Manager Alan Burrows added: “I would like to thank the Compliance Officer, Tony McGlennan, for arranging the hearing so swiftly along with the members of the panel who sat and considered our appeal.

“It’s a satisfying conclusion and a good example of how the improved disciplinary procedure can work to ensure a fair and transparent outcome.”

Every month this season, Cash Converters will be giving you the opportunity to present your Motherwell Player of the Month with his trophy.

The Steelmen picked up seven points from twelve during December so who will you choose? All you need to do is vote for the Well player you think has been the stand-out performer for December and you could be chosen at random to congratulate our star man in person and win a pennant signed by the individual himself.

To cast your vote, simply visit our Cash Converters SPL Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

Competition closes at midnight on Sunday 11th January.

The player of the month presentation will take place on the week commencing 12th January.

Motherwell FC can today confirm the loan extension of Derby County defender Mark O’Brien until the end of the season.

The 22-year old has played fourteen times since his arrival from Pride Park back in August.

He will now spend the remaining five months of the 2014/15 campaign at Fir Park, attempting to help the Steelmen climb the table.

[pullquote]He’s a strong, aggressive centre half who gives absolutely everything for the cause. He attacks the ball well in both boxes and we feel he can help up us over the next few weeks and months.[/pullquote]

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “I am pleased that we have been able to extend Mark’s loan until the end of the season.

“He’s a strong, aggressive centre half who gives absolutely everything for the cause. He attacks the ball well in both boxes and we feel he can help up us over the next few weeks and months.

‘We want to add competition for places and alongside Stephen McManus, Fraser Kerr and Adam Cummins.

“January is likely to be a busy month. We’ve got to move some players on and get a more fresh faces in. I expect my phone will be very busy indeed.”

Motherwell Football Club can confirm that it has today (Monday) formally submitted an appeal to the Scottish FA in relation to Stephen McManus’ red card in yesterday’s SPFL Premiership match against Aberdeen at Fir Park.

The former Scotland International defender was shown a straight red card by the match official, Willie Collum, in the closing stages after being erroneously penalised for ‘handball’ as he blocked a Jonny Hayes shot on the line.

The club strongly believes this to be a case of wrongful dismissal and have therefore submitted an appeal this morning.

Manager Ian Baraclough said: “Stephen cannot get out the way of it, the shot has been struck with such velocity. He has not put his hand out, but the ball has hit him at the top of the arm, in line with the shoulder.

“To be sent off for that, and subsequently miss games further down the line for us, would be a travesty.

“To be fair, Willie has had to make a split-second decision. He doesn’t get the benefit of a replay and, at times, referees get it wrong and you have to accept that.

“We’re all human beings and we all make mistakes. It’s no different to me as a manager making a wrong decision or a player taking the wrong option; it’s part of the game.

“There were plenty of cameras at the match that show quite clearly what happened, so I would expect the appeal panel to look favourably on this one.

General Manager Alan Burrows added: “Our Football Administrator Karen Paterson has already submitted a Player Reference for Fast Tracking proceeding to the Compliance Officer, and will follow that with the evidence from our broadcast partners.

“We have already had feedback from the Association to confirm the hearing date of this Thursday, 8th January. We hope for and expect a positive outcome.”

 Extended highlights from Fir Park as an Adam Rooney double gives Aberdeen a 2-0 win over Motherwell

Action pictures from this afternoon’s 0-2 SPFL Premiership defeat to Aberdeen at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”aberdeen040115″]

Ian Baraclough lauded the impact his younger players made as ‘Well battled it out with Aberdeen today.

The Steelmen eventually lost, with Adam Rooney netting a double, but there were bright moments for the Fir Parkers in the shape of Luke Watt, who made his debut at left full-back, as well as Dom Thomas and Lee Erwin.

Watt had a very steady ninety minutes for his first ever game against the league leaders, whilst Thomas and Erwin both changed the flow of the match towards the Dons’ goal.

All three have given the new boss something to think about and Baraclough insists they’ve now very much played their way into contention.

[pullquote]I felt the younger players gave us a bit of an impact. Not just Luke Watt, who had a great debut at full-back as a 17-year old, he was fantastic, but the boys who came off the bench.[/pullquote]

“Despite the result, there were elements in our performance that have given me some cause for optimism,” he said.

“I said after the Hamilton game that there is ways to lose and that day certainly wasn’t it, but there was a bit more about us today. We competed for longer periods, we had spells where we might have got back into the game.

“I felt the younger players gave us a bit of an impact. Not just Luke Watt, who had a great debut at full-back as a 17-year old, he was fantastic, but the boys who came off the bench.

“Lee Erwin and Dom Thomas gave us a spark and gave us our second and third wind. These guys want a chance, they’ve got a hunger and they’ve backed it up today. We’ll manage them, they have potential, but they’re certainly knocking on the door now.”