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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.

Keith Lasley has called on Motherwell to continue their blistering start to the SPL as they face Rangers at Fir Park on Sunday.

It’s a fixture which has not been kind to the Steelmen in recent years, having gone nine years – 34 games – without beating the Ibrox club.

But with ‘Well still unbeaten and still to concede a goal this season there is a feeling that the men in claret and amber may have the momentum and belief to put that nightmare sequence of results to bed.

[pullquote]Hopefully the start we have had will encourage a few more ‘Well fans along. The more hostile the atmosphere, the more it’s going to help us.[/pullquote]

And the 31-year old has called on the Motherwell fans to come out in their droves to create a raucous atmosphere at Fir Park.

“I didn’t know it was that many, to be honest,” the Motherwell stalwart reflected.  “Stats are there to be broken and hopefully we can do that on Sunday. Last year this wasn’t a great fixture for us in the league but hopefully we can change that this year. We’ve started well, confidence is up, it`s a home game and we want to make sure any game at Fir Park is tough for the opposition.

“The more fans, the better. I think it will be a good atmosphere, it always is here against the Old Firm, but the more fans the better. Hopefully the start we have had will encourage a few more ‘Well fans along. The more hostile the atmosphere, the more it’s going to help us.”

Lasley is bound to be fresh for the encounter against the Champions having missed out on last week’s win over St Mirren due to suspension.

It’s a vitality the Rangers players may not have the benefit of, after a long trip back from Slovenia following a last-gasp defeat in th 30-degree heat of Maribor.

But, according to Lasley, the Gers should have the experience to deal with the demands of European football.

He conituned: “Rangers are well experienced at going away in Europe and coming back to play; they do it year in, year out.

“They are coming off a good result in the league and they are experienced enough to come back from that game and not have any ill effects.”

The trip to Slovenia certainly didn’t reap any great rewards for Motherwell’s opponents on Sunday. A late defeat was a major blow for McCoist’s men, and indicative of a rather sombre night for Scottish clubs in Europe which saw Hearts thrashed and Celtic draw.

But while many others engage in the somewhat premature autopsy of Scottish football, Lasley – a veteran of ten seasons in the Scottish top flight and various European sojourns with ‘Well – is more circumspect about the state of our game, especially given the expansive nature of some of the football being played in the SPL this season.

“I would have liked to have seen the wage bill,” said the former Plymouth man, referring to Spurs, who hammered Hearts 5-0. “That just shows you the level they are operating at and what they’re trying to achieve. Tottenham should be coming up here and winning.
 
“There are more and more teams playing an open, attractive game. You look at Kilmarnock blazing a trail last year, St. Mirren, there are plenty of teams out there trying to play the right way. There have been plenty of good games and good goals scored in the SPL and I just hope it doesn’t get put down as much as it probably unfortunately will be.”

Pictures from the 3-1 win over Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Under 19s League at Kilwinning.

[svgallery name=”kilmarnocku19200811″]

A second half brace from Lee Erwin helped Motherwell U19s to a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at a blustery Kilwinning this morning.

‘Well took the lead midway through the first-half when Keiran McGachie raced clear of the Killie defence before coolly rounding Russell Cadwell and slotting home from an acute angle; the big striker’s second goal of the campaign.

The home side hit back before the break as Greg Thorburn met a neat near-post cross from the right to slot past Willie Muir from close range.

However, with the wind in their favour, Gordon Young’s men dominated the second period. Erwin restored the Steelmen’s advantage thirteen minutes after the restart when he latched on to a McGachie cross-cum-shot to tap home.

And the Fir Parkers put the icing on the cake two minutes from time when Keiran MacDonald won the ball deep in his own half and immediately sent Erwin on the attack. The former Scotland U17 star turned inside his marker before exquisitely dinking Cadwell to complete the scoring.

Young opted for the same starting eleven that lined up against Hearts seven days previous. However, with a strong wind blowing down the pitch, they found it difficult during the opening exchanges.

Killie set the early pace and Ross Davidson tested Muir in the visiting goal with a curling free-kick after just six minutes, but he found the ‘Well stopper in no mood to concede, superbly clutching the ball despite heavy pressure from the strikers.

It took ‘Well seventeen minutes to register an attempt and, although McGachie’s long range drive flew the wrong side of the post, it served as a reminder to the hosts that the Steelmen carried a significant threat up front.

Killie were having the bulk of the ball, which was to be expected given Motherwell’s battle against the elements, but shots were restricted to efforts from distance and nothing that unduly troubled Muir in goals.

Indeed, for all the Ayrshire side’s possession inside their own half, it was Motherwell who would take the lead. A lovely curling pass over the top of the home defence from Erwin allowed McGachie to race clear. His first touch took him round Cadwell and his second tucked the ball into the empty net from a difficult angle.

It was a hammer blow to the home side but, to their credit, they roared back into the game and came within inches of equalising just four minutes later, but they were denied by the crossbar. A well-worked corner from the right found Davidson at the edge of the area and his pile-driver cannoned back off the bar with Muir able to clutch the headed rebound from Rory McKenzie.

Kilmarnock wouldn’t be denied for long, as Greg Thorburn tucked home from a few yards out moments later. The left-back had made a terrific run across the box to meet the teasing near post cross from the Trialist right-back. His finish left the ‘keeper with no chance and Gordon Young with a very different half-time team talk to provide.

With the wind at their backs, Motherwell dominated the second half and were almost back in front just six minutes into the second half. McGachie met a Steve Hetherington cross from the left, but the big striker could only head over when a goal seemed certain.

‘Well continued to knock at the door and were eventually rewarded with a second goal just before the hour-mark, and it was Lee Erwin who grabbed it. A ball down the right channel had both McGachie and Josh Watt competing for the ball. The striker won the battle, and his low drive into the box was tapped home by Erwin from almost on the goal line. Kilmarnock defenders were screaming for offside but the officials waved away their protests and the goal stood.

Killie tried to hit back through McKenzie but his low shot, after a marauding run, was comfortably clutched by Muir.

Despite McKenzie’s effort ‘Well were the only team who looked likely to score again. Euan Murray almost obliged, heading a MacDonald corner inches wide of the post. But it was only a temporary reprieve, as Erwin soon did make it 3-1 with a piece of true individual brilliance.

MacDonald won the ball just outside his own area and was quick to send Erwin racing clear, the big striker lurking unmarked on the halfway line with Killie committing bodies forward. Bearing down on goal, he cut inside a despairing challenge from Lee Ashcroft before chipping the ball over a helpless Cadwell and into the net. Game, set and match.

There was still time though for Erwin to threaten again, but the striker was denied a hat-trick by another excellent block by Cadwell from point blank range. It summed up the dominance of the Steelmen in a good win for the visitors – who now face St Johnstone next Friday at Bathgate (1pm KO).

Kilmarnock: Cadwell, Trialist (Thomson – 77mins), Thorburn, Rankin (Brown – 71mins), Ashcroft, Fisher, Kennedy, Davidson, McKenzie, Lindsay (McKitrick – 83mins), Johnston

Subs Not Used: Trialist (GK)

Goals: Thorburn (44)

Motherwell: Muir, Francis-Angol, Murray, Brownlie, Devlin, MacDonald, Ashgar, Hetherington, Watt (Moore – 65mins), McGachie (Leitch – 72mins), Erwin

Subs Not Used: Stewart (GK), Green, Lynch

Goals: McGachie (35), Erwin (58, 89)

Referee: John Gilmour

Stuart McCall is hoping to take advantage of any lethargy in the Rangers side on Sunday as the Steelmen look to put a nine-year hoodoo to bed.

The Gers are arriving in North Lanarkshire on the back of a last-gasp defeat in Slovenia in the sweltering 30-degree heat of Maribor. It’s a result indicative of a miserable European campaign so far for Ally McCoist’s charges.

However, the Champions are still unbeaten in the league and Motherwell have failed to beat the Light Blues in 34 attempts.

[pullquote]We’re under no illusions about how difficult it will be. We’re going to have to be at our best and we know we’ve not had the best record against Rangers in the past.[/pullquote]

And Stuart McCall is reluctant to succumb to over-confidence, despite Motherwell’s own terrific start to the season.

“I’ll tell you after the match [whether there’s ever a good time to play Rangers],” the ‘Well gaffer joked. “There’s the heat that they played in and losing a last-minute goal which, psychologically, isn’t great.

“But they’ll be a wounded animal coming here, and I look back to when we had our worst performance and defeat at Ibrox; three days later we went up to Pittodrie, played brilliantly well and won the game.

“We’ll see, all I can do is focus on our lads; we’re all ready and we know our roles and responsibilities for Sunday.

“We’re under no illusions about how difficult it will be. We’re going to have to be at our best and we know we’ve not had the best record against Rangers in the past.”

There is certainly a feeling that, with the men in claret and amber sitting atop the SPL having yet to concede a goal, this could be a great chance to get the elusive victory over their visitors from down the M74.

“In anything, you need that little bit of Lady Luck,” he admitted. “And I think we’ve had luck, so far this season, what we’ve deserved but we’ve also had a little bit of help from fortune. We’ve just had little things go our way, and we need that – any team needs that.

“Certainly to beat either half of the Old Firm you need a little luck, you also need to play very well.”

McCall, a respected former Scotland international, also made a point of calming some of the more vociferous criticism Scottish football has received on the back of a disappointing showing last night.

Hearts were soundly thrashed by a superb Spurs side while Rangers and Celtic were both on the end of poor results, but the 47-year old doesn’t see any cause for doom-and-gloom on the back of a night which – in particular – illustrated the financial disparity between England and Scotland.

“You have to put things in context, Rangers and Celtic had disappointing results but I’d hope they will both still go through,” McCall said, positively. “Hearts is a different story. You have to look at the budget and the players you can call on. There’s Defoe and van der Vaart, Lennon on one side and Bale on the other side – it’s formidable.

“To be honest I think we have to relish what we’ve got and enjoy the young lads we’ve got playing now. The national team is doing OK, albeit a lot of them are playing down south. It all comes down to finances.

“We get outbid from non-league teams for players we are looking at, and that’s the reality of the finances in the Scottish game. That puts it in context and, as I say, I think we’ve just got to enjoy what we’ve got.”

The Steelmen boss also took a moment to confirm to the assembled press that he is still actively hunting for players.

McCall and Kenny Black are in the process of scouring the English leagues and other sources for potential loan players; specifically a versatile defender and a utility attacker.

He continued: “We’ll look new signings next week. We’re still looking for a defender that can play at right-back or in the centre because we only have Tom Hateley and young Nicky Devlin isn’t quite ready.

“We really need players that can play in a couple of positions because we can’t get the number of bodies in with our budget.

“I’d like to bring in a wide man too – that can play up front and score twenty goals for 200 quid a week! We’ve watched a couple of games. There’s nothing definite but we’ve looked at a few centre-halves. It will be from the loan market.”

It’s Round 2 of the Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” Challenge and you have a chance to win £100 against Rangers this coming Sunday.

It’s on STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELMEN!!

The Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge is here again. The event that pits home fan against away fan, confronted by the site of our very own gaffer Stuart McCall, is back for round 2.

Faced by a life-sized statue of Stuart McCall, fans must run round him 3 times, before composing themselves to score past our mascot, Claret, EITHER from the edge of the box (the £100 ball) or the penalty spot (the £50 ball).

Enter at the Cash Converters Motherwell Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

In addition, Cash Converters will also be donating £150 per challenge to their official charity for the 2011/2012 season, Dreams Come True.

For your chance to win £100 in the “Convert for Cash” challenge, enter your details at the Cash Converters Motherwell Facebook page now: CLICK HERE.

The Facebook page will also give you the chance to win a whole host of other prizes, including tickets and exclusive, money-can’t-buy experiences. Simply “Like” the page, and get entering.

The draw will close at 10.00am on Friday August 19th.

*Please note: You must be aged over 18 to take part, and proof of age will be required on the day. You must also already possess a match ticket.

The Motherwell U19s squad return to action this weekend against Kilmarnock hoping to bounce back from the opening day defeat to Hearts.

Gordon Young’s men crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Bathgate last Saturday despite a Keiran McGachie header midway through the first half.

Killie faced a tough opener themselves at Murray Park and crashed to a 2-0 defeat courtesy of an own goal and a Jack Werndly strike.

Saturday’s match will take place at the Kilwinning Sports Club; kick-off is at 11am.

• Under 19s League Table
• Under 19s Fixtures and Results
• Top Scorers

Looking further ahead, Motherwell will take on St Johnstone U19s at Bathgate’s Creamery Park on Friday 26th August (1pm KO).

Motherwell Supporters Trust is delighted to announce the return of its Fans Forum event for Season 2011/2012.

We will be hosting this exclusive Trust members event at Fir Park’s Centenary Suite on Thursday 1st September. This will be the first opportunity for Motherwell fans to quiz manager Stuart McCall and he will also be joined by club captain Stephen Craigan. 

The doors open at 7pm for what promises to be a lively and engaging night with the Annual General Meeting starting at 7.30pm. The bar will be open and a good night in the company of ‘Well fans is guaranteed.

Our guests will discuss a mixture of pre-selected questions (email them to fansforum@mstonline.net) on the burning football topics of the day, followed by an open forum where the audience will be able to pose their own questions directly.

Scottish Sun sports journalist and lifelong Motherwell fan Andy Devlin will return as our host for the evening.

The Fans Forum follows the Trust’s Annual General Meeting, as a result, this will be a Trust members only event. As ever you will be able to renew your membership on the night or sign up for the first time.

The Trust’s membership fee for this season is just £10, while young ‘Well fans under 16 can join the Trust for free. We continue to offer our members pack including a copy of An Evening with Tam Cowan DVD and Trust keyring but by joining you’ll by adding your voice to the largest Motherwell supporter’s organisation and supporting Motherwell’s youth development.

The Ticket Office at Fir Park will be open late night on Thursday and again on Saturday for fans wishing to purchase tickets for Sunday’s match with Rangers.

The office will be open until 7pm on Thursday (18th August) and from 9am to 4pm on Saturday (20th August) with tickets available for both home and away fans.

Fans should note that the cut-off point for positing tickets will be Thursday. All tickets posted will be, where possible, recorded delivery. If this is not suitable and tickets are requested to be sent first class, Motherwell Football Club cannot accept responsibility for tickets not arriving in the mail in time for the match.

Telephone bookings for collection at the ground will be open until 4pm on Saturday. Tickets can be collected on the day of the match but the club would urge fans to pick up prior to 12 noon to avoid long queues and delays. Unfortunately, the club cannot take telephone orders on the actual day of the match.

Tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 16s.
• Family tickets consist of 1x Adult and 1x Juvenile.
• The cheaper ticket is for the East Stand only.
• If you are new to Fir Park, check our handy ‘New Fans’ section that will detail everything you need to know about matchdays.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email sharon.mccaskie@sky.com.