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‘Well host Aberdeen in a crucial Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash this Saturday and if you are coming to the match, don’t forget to pick up a matchday programme.

What’s inside? Well, manager Stuart McCall talks in-depth about his views of last week’s match, his opinion on being sent to the stand and his hopes for the remainder of the season.

The cover interview is with midfielder maestro Nicky Law. The former Rotherham man talks to the Motherwell Matchday Magazine about the possibility of playing in Europe for the first time, gaining revenge for last week’s Scottish Cup defeat and the importance of the ‘Well support as we head towards the business end of the season.

Skipper Stephen Craigan makes a welcome return and rallies the troops ahead of the big match and talks about joining the ‘Well Society.

There is a special 10-page section dedicated to our visitors, Aberdeen. Not only is there a rundown of the current squad and a review of the season so far, we get the views of Don David Falconer, Peter Elder looks back at one of the more memorable matches between the sides and former Steelmen star Stephen Hughes takes part in our Q&A.

And that’s not all. As well as match report from last week’s match with the Dons, regular features such as On This Day with Graham Barnstaple and Gavin McCafferty in From the Press Box return.

Our Fanatics series also returns, David Fraser or Frazzle to the online Motherwell community, answers the questions and there’s a review of the U19s 5-2 defeat at the hands of Celtic on Tuesday afternoon.

But wait, there’s more! We take a look back at 1990/91 in our Golden Years feature and there’s an in-depth statistical look at referee Iain Brines. We have the latest from The Ticket Office and the Commercial Department and the latest stats, facts and figures for the 2011/2012 campaign.

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

Pictures from the 2-1 win over Dundee Utd in the Clydesdale Bank Under 19s League at Bathgate Thistle’s Creamery Park.

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Keiran McGachie netted a later winner as Motherwell U19s came from behind to beat Dundee Utd 2-1 at a sodden Creamery Park.

Stevie Campbell’s side had taken an early lead but were pegged back when French midfielder Hermann Mboa Mekongo equalised six minutes into the second half.

Former Spurs full-back Zaine Francis-Angol did brilliantly well down the left flank, beating the full-back before hanging up a lovely ball towards the back post. The former INF Clairefontaine student arrived with perfect timing and controlled a lovely volley into the back of the net for his fifth of the season.

The scores remained that way as both teams traded chances but it would be Motherwell who took all three points with a goal two minutes from time. The Steelmen won a corner off a Nicky Devlin cross, allowing Stevie Hetherington the chance to whip in one of his trademark corners.

His near post ball was begging to be headed home, Keiran McGachie duly obliged, bulleting a deserved winner into the net, sparking wild scenes.

Young’s men are back in action against title-chasing Hearts on Tuesday afternoon.

Motherwell: Stewart, Green (Lynch – 73mins), Francis-Angol, Devlin, Brownlie, Mboa Mekongo, Asghar, Hetherington, MacDonald (Leitch – 61mins), McGachie, Erwin

.TV – Gordon Young’s Reaction

.TV – Match Highlights

>> Match Pictures

‘Well boss Stuart McCall has been offered a one match suspension by the Compliance Officer following his ‘dismissal’ against Aberdeen last Sunday.

McCall is alleged to have breached Disciplinary Rule 203 (Misconduct at a match by dissent and the repeated use of abusive and insulting language) following referee Craig Thomson’s match report.

The club have until 1pm on Wednesday 21st March 2012 to appeal the decision should it be deemed appropriate to do so. Should the club reject the fixed suspension offered, a Disciplinary Tribunal will be convened on Thursday, 5th April 2012.

Assistant boss Kenny Black has called for a positive reaction from the squad after last Sunday’s disappointing Cup exit.

Tomorrow’s opponents Aberdeen were victorious last week at Fir Park, securing their spot in the William Hill Scottish Cup Semi Final against Hibs at Hampden.

However, their success wasn’t without controversy and Scotland coach Black is hoping his players can utilise that motivation whilst remaining focused on securing a spot in European football next term.

He told MFC.tv: “It’s not often we’ve had to pick up the players this season but everyone connected with the club was extremely disappointed with how last Sunday panned out.

“There were a lot of different things that contributed to the defeat, all of which have been well covered. But the lads came in and trained well on Monday and Tuesday and quickly got over that.

“We’ve now got nine games to go until the end of the season; nine games to secure European football and what a marvellous achievement that would be.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Midfielder Keith Lasley will be forced to sit out the next two SPL matches following his red card against Aberdeen last Sunday.

The veteran midfielder, who is enjoying a terrific season, was ordered off after a challenge on Fraser Fyvie left the Dons youngster grounded.

Stand-in skipper Lasley has since apologised to the player and was backed by former boss Craig Brown and former teammate Mark Reynolds.

However, referee Craig Thomson confirmed in his report that the 32-year old was dismissed for serious foul play, an offence that carries an automatic two-game ban in all competitions.

The former Plymouth Argyle man will now miss Saturday’s clash with Aberdeen and the trip to Rugby Park the following weekend.

For an updated suspension list, CLICK HERE.

Young defender Shaun Hutchinson is the fourth ‘Well player to test his golfing talent in the 10-yard Bucket Challenge.

Jamie Murphy kicked things off with a disappointing 101 and was quickly shown up by Irish defender, who did it in a solid 18. Former Scotland International Stevie Hammel shot a 41 over par, 42!

Now it’s the time of the Geordie to see if he can snatch top of the leaderboard and scoop a fourball at one of Scotland’s top courses as a prize?

-SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES HUTCHY TO CHIP IN-

Motherwell FC will again be offering young people between the ages of 6 and 12 the opportunity to experience life as a professional footballer.

The Academy Experience programme returns after a successful trial last October during the up-coming Easter Holiday period.

The Experience is a week long intensive programme which will replicate the coaching received by professional players, and will include training sessions with members of the first team squad and coaching staff and a training session on Fir Park.

Comprehensive coaching will include game awareness, technique development, balance, creativity, and nutrition. Academy Experience is designed to take young players to the next level of performance, and to instil in them the skills and confidence they require to develop their potential.
 
Coaching will be delivered by our highly-qualified SFA accredited coaches, and the young people will be rubbing shoulders with the first team professionals and youth squads. Participants will also be presented with a certificate signed by Motherwell Manager, and former Scotland star, Stuart McCall.
 
The five-day programme –  April 2nd to April 6 and April 9th to April 13th – costs just £55 which includes a healthy breakfast. Players should bring their own packed lunch, and appropriate footwear and clothing – and a change to allow for inclement weather.

Book by telephoning 01698 239 926 or online at www.motherwellsoccerschools.com.

Places are strictly limited so book now! Download the flyer here.

-CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PICS FROM OCTOBER’S COURSE-

Motherwell U19s crashed to a heavy 5-2 defeat at the hands of Celtic this afternoon, bringing to an end a five-month unbeaten run.

The Steelmen hadn’t lost a competitive game since crashing to a 3-1 defeat at Aberdeen in mid October and had won five out of their last six matches.

But it was Celtic, chasing table-toppers Hearts, who came flying out the blocks, netting three times in the opening sixteen minutes.

They took the lead after just four, Tony Watt heading home a Paul George cross. The same player grabbed his, and Celtic’s, second some seven minutes later before Callum McGregor added a decisive third, slotting home after Darnell Fisher’s shot was blocked by Ross Stewart.

Motherwell were on the ropes, Celtic rampant, and the visitors netted a fourth with Watt grabbing a hat-trick with a fine header.

It went from bad to worse on 34th minutes when John Kennedy’s side added their fifth. In what was becoming the story of the match, Watt was again the scorer and it again came from a header.

Half-time couldn’t come quick enough for Young’s side and to their credit, they came out and battled in the second half, making the score more respectable.

Craig Moore pulled one back after 58 minutes, Francis-Angol’s cutback ended up at the feet of the young striker via Lee Erwin and he slotted home.

Erwin and Josh Watt passed up decent chances to add a second before Moore eventually did with twelve minutes left to play. Substitute Adam Asghar threw over a terrific cross from the right and Moore found himself unmarked to head home from eight yards out.

The Steelmen battled on but couldn’t add any further goals. The youths have a chance to bounce back when they take on Dundee Utd in three days time.

Motherwell: Stewart, Devlin, Brownlie, Murray, Francis-Angol, Watt, Carswell (Asghar – 45mins), Hetherington, Moore, McGachie, Erwin

Subs: Murray, Lynch, Green, Leitch, MacDonald, Mboa Mekongo

.TV – Gordon Young’s Reaction

.TV – Match Highlights

Under 19s boss Gordon Young insists his young side can go into tomorrow’s clash with Celtic full of confidence after some terrific recent form.

The Steelmen are unbeaten since October and, since the turn of the year, have won five and drawn one of their six league matches.

Celtic are chasing Hearts for the title with every match vital if they are to retain the Championship they won last season.

The ingredients are there for an excellent game of football and Young is sure his side will relish the occasion.

“The kids are flying just now but because the games are coming thick and fast, we’ve had to adjust our programme slightly,” he admitted.

“But we’ll treat tomorrow as any other game but it certainly does provide a different test for our lads given the size and stature of the opponents.

“It’s great for us though. We’ve only lost one goal, a penalty, in the last four matches; we’ve really managed to tighten up at the back after conceding silly goals earlier in the campaign.

“It’s going to be a big test because some of the lads have been pulled out in preparation for first-team duties this coming weekend but we’ll go to Bathgate tomorrow full of confidence and aiming for a good performance.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell U19s vs Celtic U19s
Tuesday 13th March 2012
Creamery Park, Bathgate
Kick-Off: 1pm