Latest News

Saturday’s matchday magazine for Motherwell Colts’ clash with Sligo Rovers is now on sale in the ‘Well Shop.

And thanks to the generosity of our publishers Curtis Sport, all those who have purchased a ticket will receive a complimentary programme upon arrival at Fir Park.

There is plenty to be found in the 24-page issue, including exclusive interviews with David Turnbull and Barry Maguire, as well as a look back over the journey the Colts have gone on to reach the last-16.

Pick up your copy of the magazine, styled like an Irn-Bru can, now.

To get in the spirit for Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup clash, a few of the boys tried their hand at Bru Pong. 

The aim is simple: clear up the opponents cups of ginger by tossing a ball in to the cup.

Motherwell host SSE Airtricity League Premier Division side Sligo Rovers at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon.

Stephen Craigan’s side have beaten both East Stirlingshire and Dundee on their way to this stage as part of an impressive start to their domestic campaign.

The youngsters have also won both Reserve Cup matches and collected seven points from their first four league matches, including wins over both Hearts and Hibs.

They now face Sligo Rovers on Saturday, looking to create history by being the first Colts team to book a spot in the Irn-Bru Cup quarter-finals.

The ‘Baraclough Derby’

When the draw was first made, fans of both clubs took to social media to jokingly dub the tie – ‘the Baraclough Derby’.

Bara was in charge of the Bit ‘o Red between 2012 and 2014, culminating in one of the most successful periods in the history of the club. He won the Premier Division in his first season, the FAI Cup in his second and the Setanta Sports Cup in his last, before switching the Fir Park in the winter of 2014.

Although his time in Scotland was brief, he succeeded in keeping the club in the Premiership, famously beating Rangers home and away in the play-off final. He also brought Marvin Johnson and Louis Moult to ‘Well, both of whom combined netted the club over £1m in transfer fees.

A season almost complete

The League of Ireland operates a summer calendar, meaning the 2018 campaign is almost at an end. Indeed, Gerard Lyttle’s side have just three games left, but secured their top-league status following last weekend’s 2-1 win over bottom side Bray Wanderers – only their third home win of the season.

Currently sitting in eighth, they could still catch the three teams ahead of them when they wrap up the campaign with matches against champions Dundalk, Bohemians and third-placed Shamrock Rovers.

A familiar face or two

A handful of those likely to feature for Sligo on Saturday have plied their trade in the Scottish leagues.

The most notable is midfielder Rhys McCabe, who started his career at Rangers before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday back in 2012.

After three years at Hillsbrough, he was back north with Dunfermline before signing on at the Showgrounds in June 2017.

Others who have been in Scotland include Irvine-born Lewis Morrison (Kilmarnock & St Mirren), Lee Lynch (Hamilton Accies) and Caolan McAleer (East Fife, Airdrie & Morton)

Life on the road

Whilst Sligo’s form at home has been a disappointment for their fans, results on the road have been very impressive.

They have won at the home of almost every top-league team this campaign, with the exception of runaway leaders Dundalk, European contenders Shamrock Rovers and Waterford.

Rovers have collected 38 points so far this term, 26 of them on their travels. Only the teams that will finish first and second have amassed more away points, so Saturday’s trip to Fir Park won’t faze this Sligo squad.

We meet again…

Although this is the first time Motherwell and Sligo have locked horns in a competitive fixture, the teams faced each other in friendly action back in the summer of 2015.

Dom Thomas had put the Fir Parkers ahead after just eight minutes, however the home side were soon level through Keith Ward.

It stayed that way until virtually the last kick of the ball when Wes Fletcher slotted home what was his second goal of that particular pre-season campaign.

Barry Maguire is looking forward to the atmosphere of playing at Fir Park as Motherwell’s youngsters prepare to face Sligo Rovers.

The Colts take on the Irish side on Saturday, as they look to become the first young team to reach the quarter-finals of the IRN-BRU Cup.

Reserves manager Stephen Craigan sits down for a coffee and a chat ahead of Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup clash against Sligo Rovers. 

With a big week ahead for his players, Craigan talks about all the build-up around the fixture, as well as the demands on young players.

“You’re trying to point them in the right direction and guide them in the early stages of their career,” he said. “I don’t want any of them to leave the football club and think ‘I should have listened’, or have any regrets.”

Stephen Craigan says he expects his reserve side to step up and perform better when they face Sligo Rovers in the IRN-BRU Cup on Saturday.

The youngsters were 1-0 winners in the Reserve Cup at Queen of the South on Monday, with George Newell getting the only goal from the spot.

Jake Hastie was on the scoresheet for Alloa Athletic as they drew 3-3 with Queen of the South at the weekend.

The Motherwell loanee scored the second for the Wasps as they raced into a three-goal lead at Palmerston within 25 minutes, netting a header from a deep cross from the right.

But Stephen Dobbie went on to net a hat-trick to pull the game back for the Doonhamers, taking his tally for the season to 24.

Also in the Championship, Ross MacLean came on 10 minutes into the second half for Morton as they drew 1-1 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The Ton had taken the lead early on through Charlie Telfer, before Jordan White equalised on the stroke of half time.

In League Two, PJ Morrison was in goal for Albion Rovers as they lost 3-1 at Annan, while Neil McLaughlin was a second half substitute in Stirling Albion’s 1-0 defeat at Cowdenbeath.

Picture: David Glencross

Motherwell picked up all three points in their Reserve Cup group stage clash with Queen of the South at Palmerston.

George Newell’s penalty gave the Steelmen a 1-0 victory against the Doonhamers, edging what was a rather quiet encounter in Dumfries.

It was surprising that the game remained goalless for the opening half hour, with a whole host of chances falling for the travelling reserves.

James Scott went closest, sending a neat effort past the keeper from a narrow angle, but missing the target by inches.

It was a well spotted foul by the referee’s assistant which afforded Motherwell a glorious chance to break the deadlock.

Kyle MacDonald threaded a neat pass through for the run of Newell, who couldn’t get on the end of it due to Queen’s defender Dan Harvey dragging him to the deck just inside the 18 yard box.

Newell made no mistake from the spot, sending Jack Leighfield the wrong way to put ‘Well one up after 35 minutes.

In a game largely dominated by Craigan’s side, the hosts should have levelled and went extremely close to doing so.

With just three minutes remaining, David Norman sent in a terrific cross which right back Ewan Gourlay got his head to, but his effort flashed narrowly past the far post.

With two wins from two in the group stage, the reserves’ next group game is at home to Dunfermline Athletic on Monday, 15 October.

Stephen Craigan’s reserves side travel to face Queen of the South on Monday, 8 October.

The Reserve League Cup match against the Doonhamers at Palmerston Park in Dumfries will kick off at 2pm.

Motherwell won their opening match in the competition, defeating Dundee 3-1.

Three of Motherwell’s loan players were in action for their teams on Saturday.

In the Championship, Jake Hastie got the most minutes as he played the first hour of Alloa’s 2-0 defeat at home to Falkirk.

Former ‘Well player Deimantas Petravičius got an assist in the game, as the Bairns got their first league win of the campaign to pull level with the Wasps.

Ross MacLean came on as a substitute for Morton as they suffered a crushing home defeat to table toppers Ayr United.

The forward played the final 35 minutes as the Ton went for the kill at 1-1, only to lose four goals between the 73rd and 89th minutes to lose 5-1.

In League Two, it was set up to be a battle of Neil McLaughlin against PJ Morrison, as Stirling Albion faced Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill.

McLaughlin though didn’t feature, leaving it to Morrison to turn in an impressive showing as the Wee Rovers ran out 3-0 winners.