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Good evening folks, or should I say good morning as I type this in the early hours after getting back to my flat in Glasgow.
 
What a hugely frustrating night that was for everyone. Despite the wind and rain making things extremely difficult, I thought Motherwell played some decent stuff tonight. Particularly second half, we hemmed Kilmarnock in and created a number of good chances. The problem is, and it has been consistent since my arrival at the club, we are not taking enough.
 
Look, I know how much we need a striker. I can’t tell you how hard I tried to get someone in before the Transfer Deadline on Monday. I went down so many different avenues and hit so many brick walls; it was unbelievably frustrating.
 
However, that search isn’t dead and I continue to look for someone who can compete with Jamie Murphy, John Sutton, Esteban Casagolda, Robert McHugh and Gary Smith for a spot up top. We have some options open to us, in terms of guys without a club, so we’ll see where that takes us.
 
However, the positives are that we are playing decent football and creating chances. If I was writing this email and we had been outplayed by Kilmarnock then I am not too sure what I could’ve scribbled that would have cut the mustard with you. But I believe we’re on the right track.
 
The core of the squad is good. We have good young players coming through and making an impact on the team. We are still in a reasonably good position to fight it out for top six with so many teams bunched together; a run of four or five good results and we’re probably back toughing it out with Kilmarnock for fourth. Not only that, we have a vital Scottish Cup game to look forward to this weekend against Stranraer.
 
Your support for me since I arrived at Fir Park has been magnificent and I thank you for it. Hopefully as many of you as possible can make it down to the south west coast and cheer the lads on this Saturday. A win and we’re in the Quarter Finals and, with so many SPL teams either out, or potentially going out, then who knows what might happen.
 
Keep supporting us, keep persuading you friends and family to come along and together we’ll make a better Motherwell.
 
Forever Claret and Amber,

Stuart McCall
Manager

Stuart McCall was at a loss to explain how his Motherwell side managed to succumb to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kilmarnock.

The Steelmen had a host of clear chances, with Steve Jennings, Jamie Murphy and Stevie Saunders all forcing marvellous saves from the impeccable Cammy Bell.

Stevie Hammell also struck the crossbar with a free-kick in a match which was ultimately decided by a David Silva header nine minutes from time.

“It’s such a sore one to take,” McCall groaned after the match. “I thought Sunday was bad, but this is really painful.

“We’ve had two one-on-one chances, we’ve hit the bar, there’s been balls flying across the box; we’ve given our all. The football, given the conditions, was excellent and the desire of the lads was superb.

“But the bottom line is we’ve lost – and that’s a sore one to take. Anyone who was at that game will know we didn’t deserve to lose it; a draw would have been harsh on us, given the balance of play.”

In a match which was filled with missed opportunities and rotten luck, it was morbidly predictable that Killie’s match-winning goal would have a slice of misfortune about it.

Stevie Hammell was toiling with a groin strain – and was about to be replaced – as a through-ball was slipped beyond the ‘Well stalwart, and Tim Clancy was allowed the freedom of the flank to pick out Silva at the back post.

“Unfortunately Hammell’s done his hamstring,” the ‘Well gaffer confirmed. “We’ve not been able to get him off in time, and the goal comes down that side.

“The ball then drops between two of our younger defenders. We could, perhaps, have defended it better, but all-in-all we should have won the match and are just missing a killer instinct.”

After a hugely disappointing evening Motherwell must look to take the positives, according to the defeated boss – starting with a banana-skin trip to Stranraer in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

The 46-year old continued: “It would be worse if we were playing badly and getting beat deservedly. At least I can take lots of good points from the game tonight. We had some terrific individual performances from a lot of players.

“It’s a hugely disappointed dressing room in there, but if we are producing performances like that then I guarantee results will turn.”

Pictures from the 1-0 defeat by Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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[tab:Match report]

A late David Silva goal condemned Motherwell to a 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock in a blistering contest at a rain-soaked Fir Park.

The Portuguese winger managed to get his head on the end of a Tim Clancy cross late in the second half to secure all three points for Mixu Paatelainen’s side.

Yet Silva’s strike was preceded by an expansive display by the Steelmen, and Stuart McCall will rue a match-saving display from Scotland international Cammy Bell, who made a string of super saves from Saunders, Jennings and Murphy.

Garry Hay was also given his marching orders for a foul on Chris Humphrey in a thrilling conclusion to second period.

Motherwell made two changes to the side which narrowly lost out to Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup at the weekend, with Sutton and Hateley making way for Steve Jones and Esteban Casagolda as ‘Well reverted to a familiar 4-4-2 with the Spaniard and Murphy leading the line.

Meanwhile, young Gavin Gunning took his place on the Steelmen bench, with the impressive Shaun Hutchinson keeping the on-loan Blackburn defender out of the side.

Killie came to Fir Park on the back of five matches without a win, while they were also reeling from the deadline day departure of top scorer Conor Sammon. The Ayrshire side also had to make do without their next most prolific scorer, seven-goal midfielder Jamie Hamill, missing out through suspension.

Paatelainen replaced the prolific Irishman up front with Aubameyang, with inspirational Finn Eremenko replacing Hamill.

The home side started impressively, in torrential conditions at Fir Park. Keith Lasley found Jamie Murphy with a searching through-ball after five minutes and, after outpacing Sissoko, the Scotland under-21 star clipped the ball over the advancing Cammy Bell. However, the retreating Malian Sissoko managed to hook the looped effort clear.  

Chris Humphrey was in a lively mood in the early stages, and tormented experienced Garry Hay for the first ten minutes. The Jamaican winger jinked past Hay twice; firing across goal on one occasion and forcing Bell into a low save on the other.

Despite a promising opening from the Steelmen, Killie gave McCall’s side an almighty scare after ten minutes. The gifted playmaker Eremenko slipped an incisive pass through to Tim Clancy, whose low shot was saved by Randolph before Rui Miguel slipped the rebound into an empty net – but the linesman’s flag correctly cut the away fans’ celebrations short.

Indeed, the most noteworthy incident of the rest of the half was a saddening one, as Frazer Wright was stretchered off wearing a protective neck-brace following a seemingly innocuous collision with Stevie Saunders.

‘Well perked up in the latter stages of the half, with Bell being forced to parry a Humphrey cross away. That was immediately followed by Steve Jones dancing past three challenges before cutting the ball back towards Casagolda, but Killie scrambled clear.

Both sides exchanged half-chances in the opening stages of the second period. Firstly, James Fowler lashed over from 25 yards, which was followed by a scuffed effort from just inside the box by Jamie Murphy which Bell easily fielded.

Tim Clancy was being given plenty of license to roam by Mixu Paatelainen, and he fired narrowly wide after being played through on goal, at the angle of the box, by a delightful pass by Mehdi Taouil.

Cammy Bell, called in to the Scotland squad earlier this week, had to be on top form to deny ‘Well the lead ten minutes after the break. A low Chris Humphrey corner slithered to the near-post, where Stevie Saunders managed to get a toe to the ball, prompting a super stooping save from the Killie keeper.

Not to be outdone, Randolph parried a Rui Miguel volley wide moments later as both sides desperately chased an end to the stalemate.

A very watchable second half was becoming stretched, and Motherwell should have taken the lead with 25 minutes left. Sissoko slipped in defence, allowing Murphy a clear run on goal, but Cammy Bell stayed big to block the 21-year old’s effort.

From the resulting Stevie Hammell corner Shaun Hutchinson rose highest to head inches wide. 

A goal looked to be inevitable and Stevie Hammell came within a couple of inches of providing it, as the ‘Well stalwart stepped up to smash a 25-yard free-kick towards goal. The splendid effort had Bell beaten, but crashed against the top of the bar and bounced clear.

This end-to-end encounter was never likely to end 0-0, and Killie got the breakthrough with a little less than ten minutes left on the clock. The excellent, marauding Tim Clancy was played clear down the right flank and delivered a sumptuous cross to the back-post where David Silva was on hand to nod home.

Cruelly, the goal came moments after Cammy Bell had made yet another superb point-blank save, this time from Steve Jennings.

There was more drama to come as Garry Hay was sent off for a cynical foul on Chris Humphrey. It looked a little harsh, as the winger was out wide and nowhere near goal, but the trip was calculated from the experienced fullback but a yellow card looked a more reasonable punishment.

A Tom Hateley free-kick, which was deflected wide late on, and a Steve Jones strike, inches over the bar, would prove to be as close the Steelmen would come to salvaging a point on a night where they were left ruing missed chances – and Bell’s brilliance.

[tab:As it happened]

Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park

90+3mins – Full time Well 0 Killie 1 – out lack of goals is killing us, we made enough chances tonight to win this one

93mins – Jones fizzes one over from teh edge of the box – its all too late now

89mins – Hay shown red for pulling back Humphrey as he broke down the right – yellow would probably have done

88mins – We are still plugging away and a Hateley free is deflected for a corner

86mins – Taouil off replaced by Billy Berntsson as we line up a free kick at half way

82mins – Just after goal Gavin Gunning comes on for Hammell, and Miguel picks up a yellow for some reason

81mins – GOAL Kilmarnock! Spoke too soon about no goals as Killie take lead in 81 mins, a Clancy cross headed in at far post by sub Silva. Nightmare!

79mins – With just over ten minutes to go its hard to believe this game is still nil nil, particularly given the open nature of the second half

78mins – Lasley off with Tom Hateley replacing him

76mins – Piscali booked for handball at the edge of the box

73mins – A sub for each side, Sutton on for Casagolda for Well and Silva for Aubameyang (causes problems for PA announcer)

71mins – Thundering Hammell free kick leaves Bell helpless but crashes off the top of the bar and clear for a goal kick

69mins – Jennings booked for a second two footed tackle, then ref shows yellow to Aubameyang of Killie

65mins – Sissoko mis judgement allows Murphy clean through but shoots at keeper, Hutchinson heads corner just wide

63mins – More chances coming, Casagolda flicks on a Murphy cross and Humphrey can only blast wide from an acute angle,.

62mins – Eremenko cross finds Miguel at the front post and Randolph pulls off a great save from his flick, Casagolda heads wide for Well

60mins – The weather must be bad – the manager is not braving it with shorts tonight, he is back to tracky bottoms

59mins – 3640 brave souls have turned out on this wet and windy night – they all deserve a medal

56mins – Low Humphrey corner to near post shoots through some legs at near post but Bell reacts well to save

53mins – Killie corner to the edge of the box but Fowler’s shot is deflected into the arms of Randolph

51mins – Killie break and Taouil sets up Clancy but he only manages to hit a terrible shot wide as Randolph closes him down

50mins – Jennings lays in Murphy who hits a weak shot straight at Bell

46mins – Second half underway again – no changes for either side

45mins – Jones great run down left, his cross to the front post just misses Casagolda as the ref blows for half time.

43mins – Humphrey inswinging corner almost deceives Bell who eventually does well to get a hand on it to palm it away

39mins – Frazaer Wright flattened by a Saunders follow through and leaves on stretcher to be replaced by Fowler – he looks spark out!

35mins – First corner of game goes to Well but Killie clear Humphrey’s kick

33mins – Kelly shown yellow for foul on Lasley, after ref lectures Jennings for two footed challenge

19mins – Eremenko tries outrageous lob from 40 yards but flies harmlessly wide

12mins – Killie have the ball in the net through Rui Miguel but the lineo had already flagged – way before – for an offside Tim Clancy.

9mins – Another bursting run from Humphrey is followed by a low shot that is well held by Cammy Bell at his near post.

6mins – Humphrey roasts Garry Hay but smashes a cross-cum-shot just over the bar!

5mins – Lasley ball over the top has Murphy… The youngster dinks it over Bell but Sissoko is on hand to boot clear.

1mins – Motherwell burst through but the ball goes out – lineo had flagged anyway!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“It’s such a sore one to take. I thought Sunday was bad, but this is really painful.

“We’ve had two one-on-one chances, we’ve hit the bar, there’s been balls flying across the box; we’ve given our all. The football, given the conditions, was excellent and the desire of the lads was superb.

“But the bottom line is we’ve lost – and that’s a sore one to take. Anyone who was at that game will know we didn’t deserve to lose it; a draw would have been harsh on us, given the balance of play never mind a defeat.”

Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen:

“I must admit, we never really got our passing game going. All credit to Motherwell, they made it difficult for us. They’re a good team.

“I wasn’t too pleased with the way we passed the ball but we got three points and that’s the bottom line. Our performances are very important to us. We always want to be positive and it showed, we got a great cross in and we had plenty of bodies in the box and a good header from David Silva, so really pleased with three points.

“We started the second half better. We were on the front foot and played in their half of the pitch and had a couple of half chances but then they got a stronghold and they had a good spell where they troubled our defence. We did place a lot emphasis on defending because we knew that Motherwell have got plenty pace up front.

“They’ve got good wide players who can create chances, they’ve got strikers in the middle who can finish them off. So, we did realise that defending tonight was key.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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With the expected large crowd at Saturday’s Scottish Cup clash with Stranraer, fans can beat the queues by picking up a ticket from Fir Park.

The Stair Park club have allowed Motherwell to sell tickets from the Fir Park Ticket Office, on sale from lunchtime today. It is hoped that fans who pre-purchase tickets will find it much easier, and quicker, getting into the ground on Saturday.

Anyone who doesn’t pre-pay and intends to get their ticket on the day of the match should note that a ticket will have to be purchased from the Stair Park Ticket Office (open from 12 noon on matchday), adjacent to the turnstiles, before entry to the ground will be permitted (similar to St Mirren and Inverness CT). Please also be aware that this is cash only!

Motherwell have an allocation of 3120 tickets in total.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “Despite repeated assurances from Stranraer that they could cope with cash at the turnstiles, the club have today been informed you will now need a ticket before you can get into the ground.

“Stranraer will operate a booth on matchday, similar to St Mirren Park and the Caledonian Stadium, and that will obviously be busy if recent Motherwell crowds in the Scottish Cup are anything to go by. 

“We want to give fans the opportunity to beat the expected queues on Saturday by picking up a ticket from Fir Park before the match. We also have credit and debit card facilities which will not be available down at Stair Park.”

On a separate issue, after the success of the supporter’s buses that left Fir Park for Hampden on Sunday, the club were considering hiring more coaches in order to make the trip to Stranraer quicker and easier for travelling fans. 

We’ve had feedback though from the supporters associations on numbers / buses making the trip already and it would appear that there is still good availability on buses already booked. 

So with that in mind, we are pleased to publish contact info and departure details for the supporters association below so that we can encourage as many supporters to travel to the match as possible.

• Central Branch – The bus for Stranraer will leave the Bentley Hotel at 11am. Phone Jim on (01698) 299650 or e-mail Christopher on christopher_hutton@btinternet.com.
• Wishaw Branch – Leaving Kenilworth Avenue Wishaw at 10.30 am.  Costs £10 to non-members.  Contact Anne on 01698 470601 for info.
• Bellshill Branch – Leaving Carousel Bar Bellshill at 8.50am, Holytown Monument at 8.55am, Fir Park 9.00am.  Call Brian on 01698 747644 after 6pm.
• East of Scotland – No bus running for this game although they do normally run to most matches and can pick up via Livingston.

Shaun Hutchinson is determined to bounce back from Sunday’s Co-operative Cup disappointment with a win over Kilmarnock.

The Steelmen put up a fine display against the Scottish champions at Hampden, but ultimately succumbed to a late Steven Naismith goal.

[onlymembers]Now ‘Well must take their frustration out on Mixu Paatelainen’s side and the youngster insists spirit in the camp is high.

“I think everyone in the squad feels like we deserved a bit more from the game. We played very well, but that game has finished now,” the 20-year old insisted.
 
“Apart from the Hibs game, we haven’t been on a great run in the league. But we know that after a few wins in the league we could shoot up the table. There’s no better way to bounce back from defeat on Sunday than a win over Kilmarnock.
 
“We desperately want to climb up the table – we know we have a good enough squad to be higher in the league. Still, we have to be aware that Kilmarnock are doing well too. They have just lost Conor Sammon but regardless of his replacement it will be a tough test.”

While the transfer window has been cruel to Wednesday’s opponents, it has been fairly kind to the big Geordie defender.

Hutchinson has stepped up to the plate admirably following the departure of Mark Reynolds, and has shown no ill-effects of a nightmarish year-long battle with injuries.

He continued: “I’m able to get a run in the first team, and I’m really enjoying it at the moment. I’m looking forward to every game I get to play in.
 
“It’s been such a frustrating year for me and to be playing again is so big. I just hope it continues. I’ve had a lot of injuries and only played a few reserve games before this run, so it has been about getting back up to sharpness again.
 
“Against Inverness I tired a bit, and then against Hibs I felt a little bit of cramp, but I’m finding my legs again and my fitness is getting back up to what it was under Jim Gannon.”

Shaun was also full of praise for the January arrivals at the club. Although Stuart McCall admitted he found the transfer window frustrating, Hutchison believes the club have done some good business – despite not bringing in a striker.

Young defender Gavin Gunning arrived on loan from Blackburn while Northern Ireland international Steve Jones made the move to Fir Park from Walsall.

“No strikers came in, but we know that the strikers we have here are more than capable of scoring goals for us,” the 6’2 stopper praised.

“Some have gone out and a couple have come in, so there’s a few new faces. Jones and Gav (Gunning) have arrived and that adds something to the squad.

“I’ve seen them in training and they seem like good players, and they are good lads in the dressing room too, so the boys are happy with them coming in and they can make an impact.”[/onlymembers]

Stuart McCall described the last 48 hours as the most frustrating of his career, after losing to Rangers and missing out on a host of transfer targets.

The ‘Well gaffer made no secret of his desire to bring in another striker to bolster his squad before the end of the transfer window on Monday evening, but none transpired in what was a hectic evening’s negotiations.

[onlymembers]“I’ve got to say, the last 48 hours are probably the most frustrated I’ve been as a manager,” the 46-year old lamented.  “On the back of the defeat against Rangers, I put my phone back on after the game and the boy I thought I had got unfortunately had a bit of a family crisis and had to stay down south.

“We couldn’t match what he was being offered in England for another boy. The third target, which would have been a good one, couldn’t come because his club couldn’t get a couple of strikers which they thought they were absolutely certain to get.

“The fourth one got offered more money to go to America. The fifth one right up until eight o’clock last night was 50-50. He was still keen, and up to quarter to eight we were still hopeful of getting him. It was really, really frustrating. You try to get your top target in and I really thought we were going to get him.”

McCall’s candid description of the madness of transfer deadline gives everyone an idea just how tough it can be to bring the right player in on such a prohibitive timescale, but the gaffer hasn’t given up on the idea of strengthening the squad.

In the meantime the likes of Sutton and Murphy will have to carry the baton up front, while Esteban Casagolda, Bob McHugh and Gary Smith could come to the fore.

“I concentrated a lot of effort on trying to get people in because the lads deserve some help; they started in June,” the former Bradford boss acknowledged.

“We have the opportunity to get people in from Scottish clubs and free agents. We are still searching and I would be hopeful of bringing in one or two people before the end of the season. I’ve had a couple of names thrown at me, but I know of three or four other SPL clubs who are getting the same names put to them.

“I’d like to think a couple of young kids will come through and make their mark like they have done over the years here.

“The fans, like me, we haven`t seen enough of Casagolda. But he’s a good kid; I’ve looked at his clips when he has played and he scored a couple of goals in a bounce game last week. He is raring to go and I’m sure he will get his chance soon.

“Bob McHugh, unfortunately, has done his wrist and will be back in a month, and we have young Gary Smith, who has an excellent goal-scoring record in the under 19s. So we have players who can step up to the plate.”

The Motherwell boss was speaking ahead of a vital encounter with fourth-placed Kilmarnock on Fir Park on Wednesday evening.

Kilmarnock have their own transfer tale of woe to tell, losing top scorer Conor Sammon to Wigan a matter of hours before the deadline closed. Although McCall is happy not to be facing the big Irishman he admits Killie will still prove a real threat.

“I saw Kilmarnock at Hamilton on Saturday and was really impressed,” McCall continued. “I thought they played some terrific football.

“The two bonuses I got on Monday was that no-one came in for any of my young lads at the last minute – although my phone was off – and the big boy Sammon moving on because I thought he was excellent for Kilmarnock on Saturday, as a lot of the team were.”[/onlymembers]

Referee for Wednesday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Kilmarnock is the familiar face of Stevie O’Reilly.

O’Reilly will be handling his fourth Motherwell game of the current campaign after previously overseeing the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Fir Park back in September, the 1-2 home defeat by Hearts in December and the New Years Day draw with Hamilton at New Douglas Park.

[onlymembers]It’s been a busy old season for the 44-year-old, who was promoted to the Category 1 list some five years ago. Tonight will be his eleventh Scottish Premier League game of the current campaign. He was also the man in the middle for Aberdeen’s 2-1 Co-operative Insurance Cup Quarter Final win over Falkirk at Pittodrie and, more recently, Rangers’ 3-0 hammering of Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup 4th Round.

As a relative newcomer to top-flight officiating, O’Reilly has never handled a Motherwell versus Kilmarnock encounter. However, he is familiar with tonight’s opponents having handled four of their games in the last year.

O’Reilly’s overall record in charge of ‘Well games is a bit of a mixed bag. Of the five games has taken charge, Motherwell have won only won, drawn one and lost three. Eight goals have been scored whilst, coincidentally, eight have been conceded. Nine players have been cautioned in those five games; three were wearing Claret and Amber with just one sending off, Steve Jennings in that game with Hearts two months ago.

Stevie will be ably assisted by Andy Tait and Alastair Mather with Steven Nicholls on fourth official duties.[/onlymembers]

Motherwell Season Ticket holders should note that entry to Wednesday night’s game with Kilmarnock will be with ‘Special Voucher K’.

The original game with the Ayrshire side was postponed due to heavy snow at the start of December.

However, as opposed to using Match Voucher 9, the club has confirmed these alternative arrangements. As a result, anyone who has purchased a half-season ticket gets the bonus of an additional game.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “We’ve decided to reward fans who purchased Half Season Tickets with an additional game that they wouldn’t have otherwise had.

“We had an excellent support at Hampden and we are keen to see as many people as possible at Fir Park this week.”

Motherwell’s Hampden stars were united in disappointment after narrowly missing out in a place in the first major cup final of the season.

The Steelmen turned in a marvelous display at the national stadium and were only defeated thanks to a late Steven Naismith goal, following some super skill inside the area from Rangers’ £4M striker Nikica Jelavic.

[onlymembers]A particular high point of a fine contest came from the right foot of Keith Lasley, as the midfielder – who was returning after a recent injury-enforced hiatus – arrowed a splendid low drive past the despairing Neil Alexander to make it 1-1.

With the scores leveled up and ‘Well on the ascendancy it looked as though the men in claret-and-amber might go on to seal a famous win.

“I don’t get too many, and I have scored a couple this season now,” Lasley said, speaking about his equaliser. “It was a sweet strike and I knew as soon as I hit it that it was on target.

“There was definitely had a belief throughout the whole game. We hoped the goal would help us kick on and get what we deserved from the match.

“Sometimes you get back on level terms and then you go behind again there is a tendency to chuck it, but I thought we had a couple of chances late in the game that could have swung it back in our favour. We can take credit and belief from the game and hopefully kick on and take this into our League form.”

One of the ‘late chances’ Lasley referred to fell to young Stevie Saunders. The teenage Scotland international – who will be hoping for many more Hampden occasions, for club and country – rose highest at the back post to direct a Jamie Murphy cross towards goal.

It looked, all the way, like a second leveler for McCall’s troops, but somehow Neil Alexander managed to get his foot in the way, and the Gers defence smuggled clear.

“I thought that was going in but that is football,” Saunders said, looking back on the 85th minute chance. “In general I thought the lads were brilliant and we worked hard off the ball, which was important.

“The gaffer said as long as you win your battles in midfield and keep the ball then you will do well – and that is exactly what we did. Even from defence we passed the ball and didn’t rush things and created a few chances.

“Unfortunately it just wasn’t enough to get the win.”

Attention now turns from the glamour of a national cup semi-final to the weekly grind of the SPL, as fourth place Kilmarnock come to Fir Park on Wednesday evening.

Mixu Paatelainen’s men sit five points ahead of McCall’s side in the standings, and it will be vital that ‘Well do not linger on the disappointment of their Hampden heroic failure as they aim to make up ground on the pack of teams ahead of them.

“I thought the goal was coming and we were pushing and pushing and some of the possession play we had was terrific, and we are disappointed at how unlucky we are,” Jamaican winger, Chris Humphrey lamented after the full-time whistle on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s now vital that we get our heads up ahead of the game on Wednesday.”

Interviews: Graham Barnstaple [/onlymembers]