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Match highlights from the Global Energy Stadium as Ross County and Motherwell played out a battling 0-0 draw.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

Skipper Keith Lasley insists ‘Well failed to capitalise on their first half superiority as Ross County held firm for a 0-0 draw this afternoon.

The Steelmen had much the better of the opening exchanges but failed to really test former Fir Park stopper Mikey Fraser.

The hosts came back into it in the second but never really put Darren Randolph under much pressure in a fairly timid opening game to the new SPL season.

[pullquote]We had a couple of opportunities where we just didn’t pick the right pass or the weight of pass was wrong.[/pullquote]

Lasley told MFC TV: “In the first half we’ve had the bulk of the possession without creating as many chances as we’d have liked. I thought we moved the ball pretty well at times and had half chances in terms of getting down the sides but they were compact and well organised as we knew they would be.

“In the second half county came back into it a bit more and put some pressure on us as you’d expect as they are at home for their first game in the SPL.

“We never quite got into our stride in the second half. We had a couple of opportunities where we just didn’t pick the right pass or the weight of pass was wrong. We never tested the keeper enough and that is the most disappointing aspect of today.”

-WATCH KEITH LASLEY INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was left frustrated after his side failed to properly test SPL newboys Ross County at Dingwall this afternoon.

The Steelmen got into good positions on more than one occasion but a lack of final product stopped any real chance of a goal as ‘Well were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw.

And McCall wants more from his side in the attacking third, “There were very few chances created by either side and I thought we had long spells of possession but didn’t really have the killer final pass.

[pullquote]There were very few chances created by either side and I thought we had long spells of possession but didn’t really have the killer final pass.[/pullquote]

“A couple of times in the first half we got in areas where I thought we could have done better but they’ve defended well and got blocks in. I just felt if we upped it we could have taken all three points. We didn’t and I think a nil-nil was probably fair.

“Overall you take the positives; a point and a clean sheet away from home which was always going to be tough coming here for the first game of the season. It wasn’t for a lack of effort, it was just a bit of magic or spark that was missing.”

-WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH STUART McCALL ONLY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 0-0 draw with Ross County in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Global Energy Stadium.

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

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[tab:Match report]

 Andy Ross at The Global Energy Stadium

Motherwell opened their Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign with a 0-0 stalemate against Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium.

Chances were at a premium throughout what was a closely-fought affair.

Stuart McCall made one change to the side that fell to a 2-0 defeat to Panathinaikos on Tuesday evening, Omar Daley replacing Henrik Ojamaa.

County were presented with the Division One championship flag prior to kick-off and the Motherwell players applauded their opponents on to the park for their first ever SPL encounter.

Motherwell enjoyed the bulk of the opening possession without creating a clear-cut chance.

They did however create the first chance of the match – Michael Higdon failing to trouble Michael Fraser from distance.

The hosts created their first real chance of the match on 33 minutes when Darren Randolph did well to tip the ball over the bar after Grant Munro had risen to meet Richard Brittain’s free-kick.

It was the Steelmen who continued to look the more likely of the two sides though and they finished the opening 45 minutes with three half chances.

Higdon headed over from Tom Hateley’s corner, Simon Ramsden sent a 25-yard effort wide of the target and on the stroke of half-time Higdon diverted Hateley’s goal-bound cross over the crossbar.

The noisy ‘Well support were hoping for more to cheer about during the second half, however it was to follow a similar pattern to the opening half.

Steven Hammell fired well over the top of Fraser’s goal before Chris Humphrey saw his low cross gathered well by the County keeper.

Derek Adams’ men responded with chances with Richard Brittain and Paul Lawson both heading over the top.

Stuart McCall looked to introduce some attacking spark to his side as he replaced Humphrey with Henrik Ojamaa.

The Estonian international played his part in setting up Daley to fizz a low effort which troubled Fraser.

With six minutes remaining Robert McHugh replaced Daley, as Motherwell looked to claim all three points.

They did end with a flurry of corners but the home defence comfortably held out, ensuring they marked their SPL debut with a point.

The Steelmen now can focus on trying to overturn a two goal deficit in Athens on Wednesday evening, but may have to do so without the services of winger Chris Humphrey, who sustained a hamstring injury during today’s clash.

[tab:As it happened]

Alan Burrows at The Global Energy Stadium

FT: Ross County 0-0 Well

90mins – Few corners come to nothing for ‘Well. Brittain flashes a shot just wide at the other end. Still 0-0!

84mins – Omar Daley comes off replaced by Bob McHugh!

78mins – Sam Morrow comes on for County – replacing Martin Scott.

76mins – Left foot shot from Daley has Fraser scrambling but he gets down well low to his left to make the save.

70mins – Ojamaa on for Humphrey now too!

70mins – County sub. Corcoran on for Russell Duncan!

63mins – Attendance today is 4828! Sorry for the lack of updates… Nothing much is really happening to be honest.

60mins – Decent ball across the face from Humphrey but its well held by Fraser low at his near post.

52mins – Long-range effort from Stevie Hammell goes flying over the bar. No real threat to the County goal…

45mins – Teams are back out on the park – no changes I think – the home side to get us underway…

HT: Ross County 0 – 0 Motherwell

45mins – Hateley’s corner looks to be flying into the net but it hits the unlucky Higdon and bounces over the bar…

43mins – Ramsden flashes a long-range shot not too far wide of Fraser’s post. Good to see him getting up the park,

41mins – A Hateley corner finds Higdon in the area but his header gives Mikey Fraser no bother at all!

40mins – Still waiting for a breakthrough here… It’s not been great to be honest. Neither side really getting a firm grip on things.

34mins – Richie Britton free-kick is headed towards goal by Munro. Randolph makes a good save to tip over. Bit of climbing I thought…

33mins – Some of the chants to Bob McHugh from the ‘Well fans, whilst crude, are brilliant.

27mins – Shot from Lawson that blazes just wide of the post… It’s been a low-key opening to the match!

24mins – Henrik Ojamaa goes out to warm up and the ‘Well fans give him a great reception.

18mins – Nothing too much going on up here at the moment. Both teams a little slack in possession…

15mins – Higdon flashes a low shot at Mikey Fraser but the former ‘Well stopper was more than equal to it.

8mins – Great run by Murphy but it breaks down just at the last part and the ball goes out for a goal kick…

3mins – Chris Humphrey fires back at the other end but his shot from the edge of the box curls way over the bar….

2mins – Colin McMenamin has the first half chance as he flicks a header towards goal. No trouble for Randolph though…

2min – Motherwell fans in great voice. Great backing for the lads in the middle of a Euro campaign.

1min – Motherwell get us underway here in Dingwall.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I was disappointed with the fact that we didn’t make more use of the ball that we had.

“We dominated the possession for a long time and we didn’t make any real clear-cut chances.

“They defended solidly but we can play better. We’ve got to take the positives, a clean sheet and the first point on the board.

“It was obviously going to be a tough first game against a newly-promoted side but I’m slightly disappointed in our own performance when we had the ball.

“But we’ll settle for a point because neither side deserved to win or lose.”

Ross County manager Derek Adams:

“I thought we coped with Motherwell very well, a team that came off a Champions League game with Panathinaikos.”

“They are quick on the wings and direct. I’m delighted to keep our 35-game unbeaten run going. We are happy.

“Motherwell started well and kept good possession. They didn’t open us up and that was important.

“It was a difficult occasion for us, our first game in the SPL, but we coped well and we are delighted to get the day over and done with and a point on the board.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Stevie Hammell says ‘Well must be wary of some of their former charges when the teams meet in Dingwall tomorrow.

The Staggies are managed by former Steelmen midfielder Derek Adams whilst Mikey Fraser and Marc Fitzpatrick form back of the Highlanders rearguard.

And Hammell, facing County for the first time, reckons his former colleagues will be right up for their first season in the new league, starting at the weekend.

[pullquote]Having played alongside Derek for a few years, it’s no surprise to see him doing well there.[/pullquote]

He told members of the press at ‘Well’s weekly press conference: “It will be a tough game, definitely.

“I think it’s one of the toughest fixtures we could have got for the first tie. With them being promoted, they’ll probably have a full house and knowing Derek Adams, he’ll have them well up for the game.

“Having played alongside Derek for a few years, it’s no surprise to see him doing well there. They were struggling until he went back and he’s taken them to promotion with a crazy unbeaten run which is still going I think.

“If the team play as well as Derek did, they will be a hard team to beat.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV-

‘Well boss Stuart McCall reckons his side couldn’t have landed a tougher match than facing newly-promoted Ross County on their own turf for the SPL opener.

The Highlanders romped to the First Division title last year and start their first ever season in the top-flight full of confidence.

Their manager, former Motherwell midfielder Derek Adams, is joined by familiar faces such as Mikey Fraser and Marc Fitzpatrick for the clash at the Global Energy Stadium.

[pullquote]They have been terrific and have had a great last few seasons. I saw them last season against St Mirren and I thought they were outstanding.[/pullquote]

And McCall is wary of the threat they pose: “We couldn’t have been given a tougher start,” he admitted.

“You don’t want to go to the side that has just been promoted, especially when it up at Ross County.

“They have been terrific and have had a great last few seasons. I saw them last season against St Mirren and I thought they were outstanding.

“I saw Derek Adams’ comments in the paper this morning about how it could be an open game as we’ll go up there and try to win and that is the case. We’re best going forward and we actually won nine SPL games away from home last season,

“We’ll be going up there knowing it will be a difficult opener especially after the exertions on Tuesday but the lads are in good form after not only the Panathinaikos game but the Everton game as well.”

-WATCH THE FULL BROADCAST PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV-

Referee for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener with Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium tomorrow is Alan Muir.

Muir will be a familiar face to Fir Park fans after taking charge of five matches last term. It started with Celtic’s 4-0 win in early September, then a 1-0 win over Aberdeen, Bob McHugh scoring the winning goal, some fourteen days later.

The third was a resounding 3-0 victory of St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park before Dunfermline were swept aside 3-1 at Fir Park in a re-arranged game from Boxing Day. Most recently, back in February, he was the man in the middle when Motherwell memorably beat Hearts 3-0 on their way to securing third in the SPL.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell is fairly decent. The Steelmen have won seven, draw three and lost five from fifteen games. ‘Well have netted 21 times whilst conceding 25.

In all those games he has produced 46 yellow cards, 24 of which were shown to a player in claret and amber, and four red cards.

The first given to former defender Paul Quinn for a professional foul on David Fernandez in a 1-0 defeat to Killie in 2008, another to Michael Higdon, then an opposition player, in a game with St Mirren in November 2010, to Stephen Craigan for an off-the-ball incident in the match with Dunfermline earlier this year and, most recently, to Keith Lasley for a second bookable offence in his last match in charge.

Alan will be ably assisted on the day by Willie Conquer and David Watt with Craig Charleston on fourth official duties.