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Kenny Black hopes that Wednesday’s tie against Clyde proves to be the catalyst for another magnificent cup adventure for the Steelmen.

The trip to Broadwood may not possess quite the same glamour as Motherwell’s recent visits to Hampden, but the ‘Well assistant manager has challenged the players to deal with the match professionally as they look to navigate their way to the national stadium again this campaign.

“We enjoyed our run in the cup competitions last year,” said Black, looking back on three visits to Mount Florida for the men in Claret and Amber. “I know the players and everyone connected with the club is desperate to get back into major Semi-Final and Finals again. It’s something which is very important to the club and hopefully this can be the first step to that.

“You have that mentality and to know that anything is possible. If you get the luck of the draw and refereeing decisions go your way then you can be part of these big games come the end of the season.

[pullquote]The players get to know that there are pitfalls out there, particularly in these early rounds. It’s about how you approach these games, and not being slack in any way.[/pullquote]

“The feel-good factor from last year – although the 90 minutes in the final against Celtic wasn’t very good – is something that we want to bring back as soon as possible.”

Despite the great expectations of another positive cup run, Black has warned against complacency as Motherwell travel to Broadwood to face Clyde on Tuesday evening.

The League Cup tie against the Bully Wee is the very definition of a banana-skin encounter, with Jim Duffy’s side having made a splendid start to their Irn-Bru Third Division campaign this season.

‘Well also must recover from a heavy 3-0 defeat to Rangers on Sunday afternoon, the Fir Parkers’ first defeat this season.

And the former Steelmen midfielder is well aware all of these factors will add up to a tough showdown in Cumbernauld: “The players get to know that there are pitfalls out there, particularly in these early rounds.

“It’s about how you approach these games, and not being slack in any way. We’ve had Clyde watched two or three times so we know exactly what they are capable of.

“We’re very disappointed with the result on Sunday, and with this match so early it gives us a great opportunity to bounce back very quickly.

“There’s no way we will be underestimating the opposition. Clyde are doing really well in Division Three this year, I know Jim [Duffy] will have them well organised. We have to make sure we treat them with due respect and hopefully get the right result to take us through.”

Referee for Wednesday’s Scottish Communities League Cup clash with Clyde at Broadwood will be the experienced Charlie Richmond.

Somewhat surprisingly (and unfortunately as Charlie is regarded in football circles as one of the best and most popular around), it will only be the 43-year old whistler’s second Motherwell match in the last eighteen months following his hiatus from SPL action.

That one encounter was a Scottish Cup clash with Stranraer at Stair Park last February; Motherwell running out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Steve Jones and Gavin Gunning.

Previous to that, you have to go all the way back to February of 2010 to find the last time Charlie took charge of a ‘Well game. That was at the home of local rivals Hamilton Accies, when ‘Well were held to a largely uninspiring 0-0 draw by Billy Reid’s men.

He oversaw another 0-0 draw some seventeen days previous to that Accies game when Motherwell and Falkirk drew a blank. The only real point of note from an otherwise uneventful game was the red card shown to Giles Coke for serious foul play.

He has been a busy man in the lower leagues this season though, taking charge of five matches already. He was the man in the middle for Livingston’s 5-0 win over Airdrie Utd, Dunfermline’s 2-1 over Annan in this competition, Raith’s 1-0 home win over Falkirk, Stirling’s 5-1 success at Dumbarton and, most recently, the 1-1 draw between Raith Rovers and Morton last Saturdya.

His overall record whilst taking charge of ‘Well games is a bit of a mixed bag. In the eleven seasons he has been officiating at the top level, Charlie has taken charge of 27 Motherwell games. The Steelmen have won seven, drawn six and lost fourteen.

30 goals have been scored whilst 24 have been conceded. 101 players have been cautioned, 52 shown to a player wearing Claret and Amber whilst two have been ordered off; the aforementioned Giles Coke versus Falkirk and Filipe Morais in a game against Hibs back in October 2007.

Charlie will be ably assisted by George Drummond and Stuart Macaulay with Greg Aitken on fourth official duties.

‘Well fans travelling to Dunfermline this Saturday may be interested in some of the excellent hospitality packages available.

The Pars will open their Gallery Suite Bar, situated at East End Park, to both home and away supporters for pre match drinks (cash bar) on Saturday 27th, opening from 12pm until the match.  We wanted to make you aware of this, and to welcome all away supporters.

We also have got a few Hospitality places left and would like to give Motherwell supporters the opportunity to take up on our Match Hospitality.

Premium Hospitality Package – £85 per person inc VAT

• Private Parking
• Sparkling Wine Reception from 12.30pm
• Delicious 4 Course Fine Dining Meal with Wine
• Full Complementary Bar pre and post match
• Pre-Match Talks with our very own Jim Leishman MBE
• Complimentary Match Day Programme & Team Sheets
• In-House Betting Facility
• Exclusive Centre Stand Seating
• Half Time Savouries and Teas or Coffees
• Listen to Post Match Man of the Match and Match Ball Presentations
• Cash Bar Table Services continues after 5.30pm

Standard Hospitality Package – £40 per person inc VAT 

• Cash Bar from 12pm
• Superb 3 Course Meal
• Official Team Sheets
• In-House Betting Facility
• Exclusive Centre Stand Seating
• Half Time Savouries and Teas or Coffees
• Drinks order taken for post match drinks, ready for your arrival back to the Suite

If you would like to make a booking or would like further information please contact a member of the sales team on 01383 724295/745901 or email sales@dafc.co.uk.

Good evening ‘Well fans,

It is disappointing to email you after our first defeat of the season but I don’t suppose, realistically and in all honesty, anyone expected that run to last forever. However, it’s frustrating though that it has come at the hands of Rangers who have proved a thorn in the side of our club for best (or worst) part of ten years.

I said in my programme notes today that we needed three things to click into place if we were going to win against Rangers.

We needed them to have an off day – they didn’t! We needed to play at the very top of our game – we didn’t! And we needed the rub of the green from the match officials and even that didn’t happen. Not that I am having a go at Craig Thomson, he actually did very well to spot the handball in the lead up to our “goal”. If only there were a few more bodies blocking his line of vision.

Rangers too still have a fair bit of talent going forward with Davis, Lafferty, Jelavic and Naismith, all International players, they caused us problems. From our point of view, we didn’t threaten nearly enough and sometimes our final ball let us down.

The second goal was the killer. That was the one which really changed the complexion of the match. To have success against the Old Firm, as well as the three things I mentioned previously, you really have got to try and score first so you have something to go on. We didn’t make McGregor work as much as we should have and that’ll be the focus of our training in the coming weeks.

What is good is that we have a match almost straight away to get today’s result out of our system. We play Clyde in the League Cup this Wednesday and we’ll do our very best to make sure we progress into the next round against a team who have started well.

We are still second and it has still been an excellent start so it’s not all doom and gloom. Clyde this Wednesday then Dunfermline next Saturday; these are the games we will be judged on!

Thanks again for your support – it was great to see a 10,000+ crowd inside Fir Park today – I am just sorry we couldn’t get the result you wanted.

Enjoy what is left of your weekend.

All the best,

Stuart McCall was disappointed to lose to Rangers but conceded the better team won on the day.

Hopes were high pre-match that Motherwell could end their almost nine-year wait for a victory over the Ibrox side but goals from Naismith, Lafferty and Wilde continued the unwanted run.

McCall admitted his side were second best, “We were up against a good side today; when you play either of the Old Firm it is important to get the first goal and then you have a chance to win the game.

“To lose a goal from a set-piece is disappointing with a corner and Jelavic losing his marker.

“We huffed and puffed and had a goal disallowed, probably rightly so, and the second goal came from a corner to us, this was similar to last season as the majority of the goals we lost to Rangers were on the break.

“Second half we had a lot of possession without really threatening McGregor enough, and they were always dangerous on the counter attack. Before the game, what with the way we had defended, we thought we wouldn’t have a better chance than that, but they still had players on the park like Jelavic, Davis, Lafferty and Naismith; they still have good quality players in the team.”

Rangers had several top-team stars missing through injury and ineligibility with as many as thirteen players unavailable.

McCall admitted that he had hoped to capitalise on their inexperienced but conceded the visitors were always going to be strong in attack.

He said: “We knew they maybe weren’t that experienced at the back but they still carried the same threat up front and are very good on the counter attack, and when you are at home you have to have go.

“We didn’t move the ball quickly enough and I am really disappointed we didn’t threaten them more. It all goes down to the second goal at the end of the first half, and I don’t think we deserved to be two down at half time.

“At half time we were still in it if we got the second goal, but we got a lot of ball round the 18 yard box and never created enough.”

Motherwell have the perfect opportunity to bounce back with a game this Wednesday night against Clyde in the Scottish Communities League Cup.

The former Scotland International midfielder reckons his side can get back to winning ways and choose to focus on winning games against teams who ‘Well will compete against for the top-six.

“Nobody like losing, we though today we could take out form into it,” he said.

“We were under no illusions before the game what we were up against, but we won’t be judged on the games with the Old Firm, we will be judged in the games against Dunfermline next week, and St Mirren last week.

“It’s a sore one! I am really disappointed with the way things went and (as I said) you’ve really got to score first to have a chance.”

Pictures from the 3-0 defeat by Rangers 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]

Kris Jack at Fir Park

Motherwell relinquished their stay at the top of the SPL and their unbeaten start to the season, as Rangers left Fir Park with three goals and all three points.

Goals from Steven Naismith, Kyle Lafferty and Greg Wylde hindered The Well’s opportunity to stretch their lead at the top, the first that they had lost this season.

With Rangers disappointing result in Europe in midweek and having a threadbare squad, by their standards at least, the signs were there that they were there for the taking. Alas, it was not to be and Motherwell’s nine-year wait for a victory over Rangers goes on.

‘Well started the match with Lasley returning from his suspension for the St Mirren win, replacing Ross Forbes in the middle of the park. Higdon and Murphy were charged with the attacking role, supported by the familiar pairing of Law and Humphrey on either side.

In contrast, Rangers were without a few regular starters, Ally McCoist forced to blood youngsters Jordan McMillan, Ross Perry and Greg Wylde. Saša Papac, Lee McCulloch, Weir, Whittaker and Bartley all missed out through injury, while Carlos Bocanegra, Alejandro Bedoya and Matt Mackay could not gain international clearance in time. The ever dangerous Steven Naismith and Nikica Jelavić were set out as their main attacking threat, with Lafferty in the mix as well.

Both teams emerged from the tunnel to thunderous applause, The Well faithful greeting their top of the league heroes, the Rangers fans more so in encouragement to kick start their so far poor start to the season. ‘Well kicked off shooting towards a large travelling support and earned a corner straight away; Hateley’s kick put Allan McGregor under pressure, but Hammell’s volley went wide.

Rangers then had a free kick 30 yards out which Steve Davis floated in for Jelavić. His header however, sailed over from 8 yards. It was a spritely start to what would be an entertaining first half. Both teams were confident in keeping the ball and spreading their passes about. Motherwell tried to build each attack, while Rangers were keen to hit on the break.

This was exemplified when some patient build up play saw a cross-field pass from Lasley find Murphy. His dart in to the box brought a shot and a decent save from McGregor. Rangers’ response was immediate, a break ending with Lafferty forcing Randolph to make a great stop to keep the game level.

Rangers won a number of corners early on, most of which found Jelavić unmarked but off target. The warnings went unheeded though as the visitors took the lead after 19th minute. A soft free kick fell to Naismith, whose shot was deflected for a corner. Davis took the resulting kick, which found the net via Jelavić and a deft Naismith flick.

Motherwell were down but far from out and all that was missing from a good spell of possession was an equaliser. A decent penalty shout went unnoticed as Higdon went down under a Dorin Goian challenge, but nothing came of it. Jamie Murphy then had a goal chalked off for handball, after a well-worked corner. Replays suggested it was harsh on the striker, as it was ball to hand. Nonetheless, no goal given!

Going in 1-0 down at half time would have been fair enough, but Rangers hit their second just before the interval which effectively killed the game. Juan Manuel Ortiz broke down the middle before feeding Lafferty who struck a sweet shot low and beyond Randolph that cannoned in off the post. It was perhaps a bit harsh on the hosts, whose pretty play was not reaping it reward.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Rangers were content to soak up the Claret and Amber pressure and crowd them out at the edge of the box. Again, their breaks posted the biggest threat to the ‘Well rearguard.

Naismith and Lafferty could have added to the scoreline, but for inaccuracy. Motherwell’s best efforts looked to come from Tom Hateley’s set pieces. The former Reading youngster had McGregor scrambling to claw the ball from under his bar twice from corners, with a few free kicks just off target. Humphrey also had a shot-cum cross cannon off the bar before being cleared.

Davis then ran through the midfield before cracking a thunderous shot off the bar form all of 30 yards. Any hope of a miraculous comeback was killed off by Ranger’s third. With five minutes left, Davis’ lofted ball found Wylde with the whole of the East Stand side to himself, where he ran unchallenged before finishing with aplomb.

Motherwell will now look to Wednesday night’s cup game at Clyde to get back to winning ways.

[tab:As it happened]

Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park

Full time: 3-0 to Rangers, hugely disappointing after the start to the season we had made, better side won on the day, no complaints

90mins – Two minutes being added on – two too many for me….

88mins – The sponsors Motherwell Man of the Match has been announced as Stevie Hammell – tough choice.

85mins – Sub Rangers make a second change with Kerkar on for goalscorer Wylde…

85mins – GOAL! Wylde makes it three on the break after a long ball form Davis sent him clear.

80mins – Another inswinging corner has to be punched over by McGregor – that’s been our only real threat this afternoon.

76mins – Rangers sub, Lafferty off and Fleck on.

74mins – McGregor forced to palm away a Hateley corner as it looks as though it will drop in at the back post.

72mins -Rangers on the break again and Naismith ends the move by heading on to the cross bar – Lafferty booked for foul on Hammell.

70mins – At the moment Rangers are prepared to sit back and let us play in front of them and then break quickly – certainly working well I’m afraid

65mins – A minute later Davis hits a stunning 25 yarder which beats Randolph and bounces off the top of the bar.

64mins – A Humphrey cross from the right has McGregor back peddling as it crashes off the face of the cross bar.

61mins – Law dispossessed by Davis who releases Naismith but his shot sails wide of the far post – we are struggling to get behind Rangers.

48mins – Scrappy start to second half with Rangers still looking dangerous on the break despite all our possession.

46mins – Today’s crowd announced as 10092.

45mins – Teams back out – no changes for either side, and Rangers are set to kick off.

Half time – disappointing to be two down – mountain to climb now!

45mins – GOAL! In stoppage time Rangers make it 2-0 with Ortiz releasing Lafferty who smashes an angled shot in off the post – against the run of play.

43mins – McMillan shown a yellow for late tackle on Murphy.

42mins – Hutchinson shown a yellow for a foul on Lafferty.

40mins – Stuart McCall trying to urge his troops on, even running 30 yards up the touchline to retrieve the ball for a throw in.

38mins – Murphy had ball in the net but disallowed for a handball earlier in the move – ball to hand??

36mins – Wylde corner headed over by Jelavic.

33mins – Nicky Law shot from 18 yards fires straight into the hands of McGregor.

30mins – A bit better we have had some possession in Rangers half and Higdon hit a shot that was an easy save – progress.

25mins – We’ve not got into our stride yet, we need to find a way of getting supply out to Humphrey to test Wallace and get crosses in.

21mins – Naismith now being given as the goal scorer, hard to tell with the number of bodies in the 6 yard box – that’s my excuse!

20mins – GOAL! 1-0 Rangers, simple goal, corner from right by Davis headed in at close range – 380mins and we finally lose a goal this season 🙁

10mins – 2 great chances – Murphy shot saved by McGregor, at other end Randolph denies Lafferty – good tempo to the game so far.

1min – Good bit of banter from the boys in the East Stand with a banner saying “We Welcome the Chase”….

1min – ‘Well kick off and we are shooting towards the South Stand in the first 45.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“We were up against a good side today, and I think when you play either of the Old Firm it is important to get the first goal and then you have a chance to win the game. To lose a goal from a set piece is disappointing with a corner with Jelavic losing his marker.

“We huffed and puffed and had a goal disallowed, probably rightly so, and the second goal came from a corner to us, this was similar to last season as the majority of the goals we lost to Rangers were on the break.

“Second half we had a lot of possession without really threatening McGregor enough, and they were always dangerous on the counter attack.”

Rangers manager Ally McCoist:

“I was really, really pleased with the game overall. There were some terrific individual performances but what pleased me the most was our team ethic.

“We were really solid and there was a real desire there to do well and work hard for each other. I’m thrilled with that. I felt we started very well. It was important we did that and we came out the traps looking a lot more confident than we did in the first couple of games of the season.

“We were also a lot sharper getting to balls than before and we were worthy of our lead when it came. We feel we’ve got players who can hit on the counter and that was the case with our second. I can’t wait to see that one back again tonight.

“It looked like a heck of a strike from Kyle and I was really pleased for him as he’s only been back for a couple of games yet he gave us all he had.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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The new-look Motherwell Official Matchday Programme is on sale today as Rangers visit Fir Park.

With a new editorial team and a new producer in Curtis Sport, the 64-page magazine has been a hit with fans in our first two home games and this edition is definitely one to collect.

What’s inside? Well, manager Stuart McCall gives an in-depth and frank view on the challenges of beating Rangers, talks about Steven Saunders’ horrendous injury and welcomes Gordon Marshall back to Fir Park.

Skipper Stephen Craigan returns with his view from the dressing room and there is a superb feature interview from Alan Temple with veteran left-back Stevie Hammell as the former Scotland International approaches 400 games for the club.

There is a special 12-page section dedicated to our visitors, Rangers. Not only is there a rundown of the current squad and a review of the season so far, we get the views of Gers fan Jamie Muir, there is an excellent Q&A with former ‘Well favourite Lee McCulloch and Peter Elder remembers that 3-0 game twenty years ago. Oh for a repeat today?

And that’s not all. As well as match reports from both Hearts and St Mirren (makes for pleasant reading), regular features such as From the Press Box with Gavin McCafferty, The Travelling Fan with Peter Elder, On This Day with Graham Barnstaple and the Motherwell in Numbers make welcome returns.

Wait, there’s more! Andy Ross catches up with former Steelmen stalwart John Philliben in the Remember Him? feature and we have the latest from the Under 19s, The Ticket Office, the Commercial Department and the latest stats, facts and figures for the 2011/2012 campaign.

Phew!

The programme is available for £3 and is currently on sale from the Club Shop and Jack Daniels as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.