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Jamie Murphy has hailed the camaraderie in the Motherwell squad after the Steelmen carried on their marvelous start to the campaign.
 
Murphy’s eighth minute goal secured a 1-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road, with the Hibees’ goal leading a charmed life throughout an encounter dominated by the visitors.
 
Had it not been for a combination of the woodwork and the brilliance of Graham Stack, Stuart McCall’s men could have won by four or five goals.
 
It means ‘Well retain second spot in the SPL, three points ahead of Celtic, as they enjoy one of their best ever starts to a top-flight season.
 
“It comes from friendship,” the prodigious 22-year old lauded.
 
“We are all good friends and we socialise together. There is also a bit of banter and it is a good club to be at.
 
“The manager has been great. Him and Kenny Black are great in training throughout the week. There is a great atmosphere about the club.
 
“The manager has confidence in the players at the moment, and we have options on the bench but I think we are doing well at the moment.”

[pullquote]The manager has been great. Him and Kenny Black are great in training throughout the week. There is a great atmosphere about the club.[/pullquote]
 
Motherwell’s all-time European top scorer admitted he was delighted to nod home the winner, and prove that his impressive all-round game is still improving.
 
Although Murphy insists he was never as bad with his head as the gaffer makes out:
 
“I’ve scored four or five headed goals in my career although the gaffer seems to think I haven’t scored any,” he laughed.
 
“It’s always good to get a goal, as the gaffer has been giving me a bit of stick for not scoring many headers.
 
“He stopped training on Thursday because I scored with a header, but it was a good one! It does show I am trying to improve and getting headers in the game.
 
“It was a good game to play in I thought we did well in the first half, kept the ball well, and we had a few chances in the second half as well. I think we deserved to win and could have got a couple more.”
 
While the attacking talents of Murphy, Chris Humphrey and Michael Higdon are always likely to garner headlines with their eye-catching cut and thrust, the young striker was keen to shift the focus onto the midfield.
 
‘Well’s talented trio or Keith Lasley, Steve Jennings and Nicky Law proved irresistible on the ball in the Capital, playing some lovely passing football.
 
There was also no shortage of industry when Hibs were in possession.

And that gives the attackers a platform to build upon, according to the match-winner.
 
He continued: “The three of them are good on the ball, and are happy to take the ball under pressure.
 
“They also work really hard and help press quickly. I think they give us a great platform to play with, but that is the same throughout the team, and you can see we have a great team spirit.”

Good afternoon ‘Well fans,

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend after what was another excellent performance and victory at Easter Road yesterday. It marks the end of the first round of games and it’s fair to say that the players deserve every amount of credit going for how well they have performed; they are a joy to work with and a credit to the club.

However, I wanted to use this email as an opportunity to thank you; our fans. Do not underestimate your role in the progress we have made so far. In just about every game, you have sang, drummed and chanted your way through games and both the players and the coaching staff get a huge boost from it. Yesterday, all you could hear throughout the ninety minutes was constant singing, support and positivity and it’s little wonder the players go that extra yard. The support we are getting from you at this moment in time is certainly the best I’ve experienced in my ten months in charge and, from speaking to those at the club who have been here longer, the best in a long, long time.

[pullquote]That all said, and it’s an old cliché but in this instance, it is appropriate, we’re taking it one game at a time just now. Next up we face Kilmarnock at Fir Park and that’s going to be exceedingly difficult.[/pullquote]

Please keep it up! This is an exciting time to be a Motherwell fan. Not only are the players performing off it, we are creating our own revolution off it. I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Fir Park and the ethos of the place. The same goes for Kenny Black, Gordon Marshall and the other members of the coaching staff. It’s a special club and one that is very much on the up!

There is too much talk decrying Scottish Football. Too many tales of woe and prophets of doom. Commentators ought to have a good look at what is going on here at Motherwell and I don’t just mean on the park.

At the same time, you will have heard and read my interviews on the club website and in the press trying to temper expectations. Don’t see that as a lack of ambition on my park, purely trying to make sure people stay realistic. We have a relatively small budget in SPL terms, although I must pay tribute to the Board who managed to keep ours on a par with last season despite the economic difficulties we are all facing. Taking the budgetary restrictions we are under, and the choices we made in terms of squad size – quality over quantity – then we must stick to our target of top six and not get too far ahead of ourselves. Doing that will only lead to a fall.

That all said, and it’s an old cliché but in this instance, it is appropriate, we’re taking it one game at a time just now. Next up we face Kilmarnock at Fir Park and that’s going to be exceedingly difficult. They are an excellent footballing side, you need only look at how they played against Celtic yesterday, and we will need to be at our best to win the game. People ask me why we play better away than we do at Fir Park. It’s probably because of the mentality of the opposition club – having to come at us and leaving space for us to exploit – whereas at Fir Park clubs tend sit in and frustrate us (like Aberdeen for example).

However, with your help, we can do it. We need as many people to come along to Fir Park as possible this weekend and roar the boys on. We need to recreate the ‘away game’ atmosphere at home to help the boys do it. Get at your friends, get at your family and get at your colleagues. Tell them of the great things that are happening at Motherwell and who knows where we can go!

Thanks again for everything and all the best,

Stuart

Stuart McCall was thrilled after watching his Motherwell side dominate Hibernian on the way to a 1-0 victory at Easter Road.

An eighth minute Jamie Murphy goal was enough to secure the points, as the diminutive front man stole in to covert a splendid, albeit rare, header.

But the scoreline only tells half the story. ‘Well also smashed the bar, saw a Keith Lasley effort hit the upright and looked on as Graham Stack turned in a man-of-the-match winning display between the sticks for the hosts.

Indeed, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to suggest it was a comfortable afternoon for an industrious and classy Steelmen side.

McCall couldn’t hide his joy at the standard of performance his charges turned in, a matter of weeks after an equally superb win at Tannadice.

“We created all the chances,” the Motherwell boss praised. “Stack has made some tremendous saves and we’ve hit the post and bar.

“I thought it was an all-round good performance. We were creative and we defended well, Darren’s not had a lot to do. All in all a good days work.

“We said at half time that as much as we dominated the game, they would come at us, but not to get anxious. We knew we wouldn’t need another goal as long as we kept a clean sheet and it worked; we defended very well.”

The result means the Fir Parkers retain their lofty position of second spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

[pullquote]I thought it was an all-round good performance. We were creative and we defended well, Darren’s not had a lot to do. All in all a good days work.[/pullquote]

In fact, after Celtic’s dramatic draw at Kilmarnock, ‘Well have actually increased the gap between themselves and the Hoops.

The gaffer admits that even he has been surprised with the quality and consistency of his troops this campaign – but he isn’t getting carried away.

He continued: “We knew we had to go to Tannadice and go to Easter Road. And if you’d said we could go to these places and pick up a point at each then we would have been happy. But to pick up six points and to deserve to do it is wonderful.

“We’ve deserved the points that we’ve got, and expectations grow from outwith.

“They are such a good group to work with. They give you everything. We’ll get beat in games, but as long as they show commitment and desire and work from the first minute to the last, that’s all we can ask.”

The ‘Well boss reserved special praise for Jamie Murphy, for whom a headed goal is quite literally a show stopper: “We stopped the training this week because he’d scored a header.”

Judging by Murphy’s superb headed finish against the Hibees it seems that the fabled headed goal in training was a sign of things to come.

Indeed, while McCall was effusive in his plaudits for his whole team, he did single out Jamie Murphy and Michael Higdon after the pair gave Colin Calderwood’s side a torrid time in the Capital.

“He just doesn’t score with his head,” the ‘Well boss continued, clearly still in shock. “You could see by the celebrations that it was incredible. He normally heads them out from under the bar.

“I thought he was a threat when he got on the ball.

“Without singling anyone out, Higdon led the line very well too. Their keeper has made a number of good saves. It was pleasing and it was a great team effort.”

Pictures from the 1-0 win over Hibernian in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Easter Road.

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

[svgallery name=”hibs151011″]

[tab:Match report]

Kris Jack at Easter Road

An early Jamie Murphy header was enough to secure another fine away win for Motherwell, as they ran out comfortable 1-0 winners over Hibernian at Easter Road.

Murphy’s eighth minute header was the least the Steelmen deserved for a dominant display against the lacklustre Leithers.

Remarkably, the ‘Well have extended their lead over Celtic to three point as Stuart McCall’s men continue to overachieve in 2nd spot.

Motherwell’s first trip of the season to the capital saw McCall stick with the same team that dispensed with Dundee united on their last outing. The only difference was the omission of Gary Smith for Jordan Halsman on the bench.

Colin Calderwood also kept with the same team that lost 1-0 to Rangers in Hibernian’s last game before the international break.

The teams had met earlier in the season in the Scottish Communities League Cup, Hibs running out winners on penalties after an entertaining 2-2 draw. The cup victory for the Edinburgh side had been the catalyst for a recent resurgence in their form, spearheaded by the striking prowess of Garry O’Connor.

Michael Higdon was also hoping to add to his tally, after his double at Tannadice a fortnight ago.

Both teams enjoyed some good spells of possession in the opening exchanges, with Motherwell the first to threaten. Chris Humphrey won a corner on the far right side, and from Tom Hateley’s delivery Higdon could only head wide.

Motherwell took the lead on eighth minutes through a rare Jamie Murphy header – and what a header it was.

Some neat play on the right between Hateley and Humphrey allowed the Jamaican to arrow a cross deep in to the box. The ball evaded the leaping Higdon as the unmarked Murphy ghosted in and bulleted beyond Stack.

Stevie Hammell was next to set his sights on goal in a bright opening for the visitors. A one-two with Murphy created space for the left back, whose thunderous strike stung Stack’s palms.

‘Well looked a threat from set-pieces as well as in open play. And from a sweetly delivered corner, Tim Clancy flicked a header that forced the Hibee’s goalie to claw the ball out from under the bar.

HIbs seemed sluggish and bereft of any ideas in midfield, with Lasley and Jennings picking up loose balls and misplaced passes. The isolated pairing of Junior Agogo and O’Connor were trying to create but couldn’t muster an equaliser.

Hibs’ top scorer O’Connor should have done better with their first real chance. An Agogo effort was deflected back to the big frontman but he blazed wide.

Immediately at the other end a searching cross from Nicky Law was met by Keith Lasley at the back post, but his header spun back off the upright and to safety. 

Darren Randolph was having a quiet afternoon, but he was alive enough to stoop and save a low Agogo drive as the hosts tried to fashion a way back into the encounter.

Hibs rather predictably made half-time changes. Danny Galbraith and David Wotherspoon came on for Victor Palsson and Martin Scott in a bid to turn the tide for Calderwood’s men.

Indeed the home side started the second period far sprightlier than they had been in the first and with more urgency – but the Hibees still lacked the quality to make anything count.

Randolph then had to look lively to gather at Agogo’s feet when Ivan Sproule’s low cross posed a danger to the Motherwell goal. 

Similarly, Stack then had to be sharp to thwart Higdon after Murphy robbed O’Hanlon and played the big striker in. His effort was too close to the onrushing keeper who gathered at the second attempt.

The game was beginning to liven up now that Hibs’ had decided to make a game of it. Murphy again sent Humphrey on his way after slipping and regaining his composure, but the winger’s shot was deflected over and out.

Michael Higdon had a great chance to double ‘Well’s lead – something which would not have been undeserved. A knockdown by the big Scouser to Humphrey allowed to speedy Jamiacan to find space. Humphrey subsequently found Higdon with time on the edge of the box, but he dragged his shot wide when a goal looked more likely.

Graham Stack would ultimately claim man of the match, and he illustrated his qualities by magnificently keeping Craigan’s goalbound header. Higdon’s follow up was somehow cleared for a corner.

From that next set piece Higdon hit the bar with a bullet header as Motherwell threatened to bury Calderwood’s charges.

A Hammell free kick picked out Higdon at the back post but his towering header went just over, before Leigh Griffiths replaced Isaiah Osbourne for the hosts.

Substitute Wotherspoon’s rasper of a free-kick was almost slam-dunked over the bar by ex-Basketball star Randolph, preserving the clean sheet.

Griffiths, having entered the fray as a sub was looking the liveliest in purple and should have done better when he spooned a shot well wide from just inside the box. 

Higdon almost finished the match with ten minutes to go, when Murphy’s probing run in to the box allowed for a cutback. However, the ball was just too long for Higdon to reach and evaded him at the crucial moment.

Junior Agogo spurned a great chance for a leveller on 83 minutes, when his half volley from inside the box zipped just wide of Randolph’s right hand post.

Super-sub Omar Daley’s pace caused no end of problems for the Hibs backline when he came on and he almost used it to score the clincher. His persistence in closing down paid off when he found himself through on Stack, but the home keeper thwarted him as he strode in to the box.

[tab:As it happened]

Alan Burrows at Easter Road

Full Time: Ya beauty! Motherwell pick up an excellent three points.

90mins – Two minutes to play. Motherwell are doing well to see the game out.

87mins – Mouth is so drive. Hibs are pushing for an equaliser. ‘Well are holding on. Few mins left. Please hold on Steelmen…

85mins – Cleared and so is the second ball. Five mins to go – I could cry. Can hardly bloody type! C’mmoonnn ‘Well – push out!

84mins – Aww! Great tackle! Chance gone. Hibs break right up the park and Crags gives away a foul in a dangerous area. FK Hibs 🙁

84mins – Ball deep in the Motherwell area. I am so nervous! WAIT, Omar goes rushing through….. 1 on 1

83mins – OOOOOOOHHHH MMMYYY GOOOODDD! Agogo goes sooo close. Low shot is a whisker wide. Thought that was in. Heart canny take this!

80mins – Awwww God! Great ball across the face of goal. Higdon is inches away from winning it. So, so frustrating (and bloody nervous).

78mins – Great chance for Galbraith there. Finds so much space but he blasts wide and high. Should have done better. Long 10mins ahead…

77mins – Sub for the Steelmen. Off is coming Chris Humphrey to be replaced by fellow Jamaican Omar Daley!

76mins – Hibs win a corner that should never have been. Justice is done as Agogo fires wayyy over the bar!

75mins – Great free-kick from Hibs, equally excellent save from Randolph tipped over the bar. Corner Hibs which is headed over. Phew!

74mins – Hibs have a free-kick twenty-five yards from goal right in the middle of the goal. Big chance for the home side…

73mins – Free-kick is floated towards the back post. Higdon meets but his header drops over the bar. Griffiths comes on for Osbourne.

72mins – Griffiths is going to come on for Hibs. He’ll have to wait though as ‘Well have a free-kick in a decent position.

70mins – Twenty to go! Still 1-0 ‘Well and goodness knows how that is the case. ‘Well “should” be out of sight. Will we live to regret?

68mins – Corner is met by Higdon – his header comes back off the bar, How it’s still only 1-0 I do not know!

68mins -What a double save from Stack. First a header from Craigan then the rebound from Higdon turned round. Incredible!

65mins – You still think there is more goals in this game. Think ‘Well will need another to secure the win. Hibs look capable on counter!

63mins – Hammell is booked. His first foul of the game and it was nothing more than a shove. Unreal!

61mins – Another wee half chance for Higgy. Opportunity to dink the GK but hesitates and Hibs clear.

60mins – Great counter attack from Motherwell. Humphrey bursts away and tees up Higdon. Left foot shot drops an inch wide. Great chance…

59mins – Hibs fans find their voice trying to back their team. Still 1-0 for ‘Well at the minute. C’mon the Steelmen…

58mins – Great sweeping move. Humphrey cuts inside and blasts a shot that is deflected over the bar. Corner kick is the result..

57mins – Far more even half this one! Hibs subs have made a difference. Griffiths will be on soon I’d have thought.

55mins – Motherwell break – Murphy tries to play in Higgy but slightly over hits the pass. Big man gets a shot away but Stack saves.

52mins – Low shot from Murphy lacked venom. In fact, that’s being kind; it was a ‘tiddler’ in every sense of the word.

48mins – Hibs have most of the ball in the opening few minutes. This is the response that was almost certain. ‘Well need to weather storm.

46mins – One minute gone and Hibs already look more up for it!

45mins – Motherwell kick-off!

HT: Double sub for Hibs – Palsson and Scott off. Galbraith and Wotherspoon on! Hibs will go for it, no doubt!

Half-Time – Hibernian 0 – 1 Motherwell. Boos ring round Easter Road…

42mins – O’Hanlon booked for a shove on Murphy just outside the box. Free-kick for the Steelmen!

40mins – Attention turns away from the game to the spider making a web on my laptop :-s. #robertbrucemoment?

39mins – Nicky Law finds loads of space on the left flank. Cuts inside and flashes a shot miles over. Goal would’ve been great there…

38mins – Headed away by Higdon! Still 1-0 Motherwell with seven minutes left to half-time!

37mins – Motherwell on the attack and give it away cheaply. Hibs break and win their first corner of the match. Defend lads!

32mins – Hibs break up about 4,560 touch passing move from ‘Well. Agogo burst forward but low shot is comfortable for Rands.

30mins – Hibs starting to come a little more into things. Passing a little more which suits them as opposed to long balls.

26mins – Great ball into the area from Humphrey but Higdon is pulled up for pulling in the box. Looked fairly even that one? Then, I’m biased

25mins – ‘Well fans singing “We’re gonna win the league” – Settle guys. Hard enough job winning this game. #excitement

22mins – Awwwwww – Keith Lasley hits the post with a header. Hammell’s cross from the left finds the #goalmachine. Post denies him a goal!

21mins – Hibs have their first real chance. Worked down the left for Hibs. Shot deflects into the path of O’Connor but he lashes well wide.

19mins – Motherwell continue to retain possession very well. Home fans getting a bit restless as the Fir Parkers play keep ball.

15mins – Stuart McCall will be delighted with the start. Hopefully ‘Well can keep it up.

13mins – Offft, Clancy almost makes it 2-0. Header from a Hateley corner brings out another excellent save from Stack. Wow!

11mins – Great shot from Stevie Hammell forces Stack into a two-handed save. Corner causes chaos but Hibs clear their lines.

8mins – Great cross from the right by Hateley (I think) flies over the head of Higdon and Murphy heads home! Ya belter…

GOOOOALLLLLLLL – Jamie Murphy!

7mins – Good corner kick from Hateley finds Higdon on the penalty spot but his header bounces just wide.

6mins – Steve Jennings getting a lot of vocal backing from the ‘Well support. Excellent to hear! Things pretty even on the pitch.

3mins – Great to hear the return of the drums in the away end. Boys are back making a lot of noise. Were missed at Tannadice two weeks ago.

1min – Hibs will kick-off! O’Connor and Agogo will get us underway…Home side shooting towards the ‘Well fans. Early burst forward is mopped up by Craigan and Randolph.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“Before the split, we knew we had to go to Tannadice and come to Easter Road,” McCall said. “To pick up six points and to deservedly do it is great.

“I’m delighted with the win. We said at half-time that, as much as we dominated the game, we had not killed them off and they would come at us second half.

“Hibs produced better, but we still had all the chances and goalkeeper Graham Stack has been outstanding. We’ve hit the post and bar.

“It can get a bit edgy in the last 10 minutes when it’s still 1-0 and the game should have been out of sight, but I thought all round it was a good performance.”

Hibernian manager Colin Calderwood:

“You can be termed a professional footballer, but unless you actually do something on a Saturday it is a loose term.

“I’m as disappointed as I’ve been since I joined the club. We made everything difficult.

“We didn’t play, because we were scared of playing. We didn’t get anywhere near putting any pressure on them.

“It looked lacklustre, we didn’t have any impetus or oomph. The desire is there, but they didn’t show it.

“They were on the pitch, but they weren’t doing anything.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”73″]

Under 19s boss Gordon Young couldn’t hide his disappointment after his side crashed to a disappointing home defeat this afternoon.

An unusually off-colour Motherwell never really got into top gear despite dominating possession and creating a number of good chances.

A frustrating afternoon was epitomised by Stevie Hetherington’s 43rd minute penalty miss and two Keiran McGachie efforts that were denied by the frame of the goal.

A poor day at the office then and Young was visibly agitated by the sides’ first defeat in almost two months.

“If I had hair I would pull it out”, joked Young.

“No, in all seriousness, I get so frustrated. I told them in the dressing room after the match that they are a great team to watch. Individually and collectively, we keep the ball very well and our patterns of play are excellent but we are only one mistake away from losing.

“We have got to capitalise on the amount of possession we have; we have got to be more cutting, more ruthless and we have got to have more self belief.”

Young watched on from the sidelines as ‘Well passed up a number of chances, much like last week’s Scottish FA Youth Cup clash with Arbtoath.

[pullquote]We have got to capitalise on the amount of possession we have; we have got to be more cutting, more ruthless and we have got to have more self-belief.”[/pullquote]

And the lack of a finish was punished when the Steelmen conceded a sloppy goal after twelve minutes much to the anger of the home bench.

Young continued: “We started very well and had three early chances, including hitting the post, a great ball across the face and a back post header.

“At that point, I felt it was only a matter of time before we got ourselves in front. We lost our way slightly and I can’t hide my disappointment at the manner in which we lost our goal. It was extremely uncharacteristic.

“Yes, there was some bad luck involved too but we have got to look deeper than that, we are much better than what we showed there. If we stop the attack at source, if we act more professionally and more maturely, and those responsible know who I am talking about, then we don’t lose that goal.

“I get down when we underperform, particularly when the manager is watching. It’s like they’ve let an opportunity go. Everyone is probably getting bored with me saying it but, win, lose or draw, individual performances and progression towards the first-team is the most important thing.

“There is a fine line; on another day things may have been completely different. We dominated and they proved little threat, particularly in the second half.  But we spoke before hand about consistency over complacency; the top sports men and woman are at their best all the time and we have to strive for that.”

Pictures from the 1-0 defeat by Dunfermline U19s in the Clydesdale Bank Under 19s League at the Excelsior Stadium.

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Motherwell U19s lost for the first time in almost two months as a first-half Blair Henderson strike separated the sides.

The Steelmen dominated possession throughout the ninety minutes and spurned a number of chances, including a 43rd minute penalty where Stevie Hetherington’s low effort was beaten away by goalkeeper Ryan Goodfellow.

Keiran McGachie twice hit the woodwork as the young Motherwell side battled hard but the Pars held firm for the three points much to the disappointment of Gordon Young and the watching Stuart McCall.

Motherwell went into the game on the back of some excellent form and opted for the same starting eleven for third successive game.

And the Fir Parkers carried that form into the early part of the match; taking the game to their opponents. As early as the opening two minutes, Lee Erwin created space for himself on the left flank before delivering a tantalising low ball across the face of goal. It was a yard or so ahead of Keiran McGachie though and it rolled out harmlessly for a goal kick.

That was a sign of things to come and sixty seconds later; McGachie came within an inch of netting his sixth of the season. The former Stenny man burst clear of the Pars’ defensive line and rounded goalkeeper Goodfellow. Unfortunately for the big striker, the angle was tight and his low shot came off the outside of the left hand post.

Incredibly, despite having the lion-share of possession and the best of the chances, Dunfermline took the lead with their first attack and the ‘Well rearguard will have nightmares when they watch a re-run of the goal. Darren Brownlie’s pass-back put Willie Muir in trouble and the ‘keeper could only slice the ball high into the air. It looked to be heading into touch but Brownlie kept it in, allowing Allan Smith to collect. His cross was cut out by Adam Cummins but the Liverpudlian could only watch on in horror as his attempted clearance deflected fortuitously into the path of Blair Henderson who tucked home from close range.

‘Well went quickly in search of a leveller and a McGachie header from a Francis-Angol cross forced keeper Goodfellow into the save. Down the other end, Dunfermline were getting most joy out of pressing Motherwell high up the pitch and they did so again, midfielder Millen finding unlikely space just inside the area but his effort was turned blocked by the sliding challenge of Adam Cummins.

If that was close, the same player came closer ten minutes before the interval when he rounded off an excellent passing move with a low shot that came back off the post. Motherwell’s reply was a low shot from Mboa Mekongo that was pounced upon and held by Goodfellow.

At that point, Gordon Young probably would’ve settled for a 1-0 deficit at the interval but his team had a great chance to get level from the penalty spot. McGachie, Motherwell’s most potent attacking weapon, was the architect, dancing round a few challenges inside the area before eventually being tripped by Jack Brice. Stevie Hetherington quickly grabbed the ball but his low effort was expertly saved by Goodfellow low to his right.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall joined his colleague Young in the dressing room at half-time but it took a while for either side to really stamp their authority. Motherwell dominated in terms of possession and had a number of cross balls flash across the face, but keeper Goodfellow was rarely troubled.

The first noteworthy chance came on the 69th minute mark when McGachie flashed a twelve yard header just wide of the post. The same player burst through again a minute later but his low shot on the diagonal was watched wide by the Dunfermline goalkeeper.

‘Well introduced Adam Ashgar in place of Josh Watt and the substitute almost brought his side with the best chance of the half. A neat move involving Darren Brownlie, Mboa Mekongo led to the young midfielder with an opening at goal. He lost his footing on the now greasy surface and his effort was blocked.

Motherwell were dominating possession but were lacking the luck and composure in front of goal. Less than a minute after Ashgar’s effort, McGachie sent another looping header goalwards but, incredibly, it hit the outside of the post and dropped wide.

It would sum up a frustrating afternoon for Motherwell who now face the long journey north to Aberdeen next week hoping to return to winning ways.

Motherwell: Muir, Brownlie, Francis-Angol (Lynch – 89mins), Cummins, Murray, Mboa Mekongo, Hetherington, MacDonald, Watt (Ashgar – 66mins), McGachie, Erwin (Moore – 29mins)

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Green

Tom Hateley is hoping to continue quietly racking up the points with another away-day scalp, this time with victory against Hibernian on Saturday afternoon.
 
Without fanfare, the Steelmen have crept into second spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, sitting a point ahead of Glasgow giants Celtic.

‘The ‘Well have already racked up six wins from ten SPL outings, including notable away wins at Rugby Park, St. Mirren Park and, most recently, Tannadice.

[pullquote]We’ve got massive belief in our squad that we can win games. It may be a bit of a surprise to see ourselves sitting in second but it’s something we’re relishing.[/pullquote]

And Hateley admits that all the players are thriving under the relative lack of media focus and expectation at Fir Park – something which has allowed the men in claret and amber to produce some of the most entertaining football in the country.

“We haven’t had much of the limelight and I’m happy about that,” the 22-year old considered. “A lot of the press has been about the Old Firm as it probably should be. That has worked well for us. We have just gone under the radar and done what we had to do to get three points.

“We’ve got massive belief in our squad that we can win games. It may be a bit of a surprise to see ourselves sitting in second but it’s something we’re relishing.

“It’s always nice to prove people wrong that don’t think we can do something as a team or individuals. It’s quite a good feeling to do something you’re not expected to do. All the boys love to play football and that’s the most important thing. You try not to focus too much on what’s going on around you or what people think you should be doing. We’ve got players who can win games for us and as long as they keep doing what they’re doing, I’m sure we’ll all be smiling.

“We have got players at this club that can win you games and are quick and good on the counter attack, and we’ve done well away from home so far due to that. Hopefully that can continue.”

Motherwell’s current success is made all the more notable given the relative lack of depth in the ‘Well pool – something exascerbated by the recent absence of Shaun Hutchinson and the long-term injury of Stevie Saunders.

Hateley even concedes that you could pretty much name the Motherwell XI ahead of time, such is the consistency borne out of a lack of experienced repacements. Yet the results keep on coming.

He continued: “We enjoy playing games, I’m young and I’m not getting tired or sore from playing games. It’s something we’re all enjoying.

It will be interesting to see in a couple of months if we get some injuries or suspensions, what will happen. That could be a problem but until something like that happens, and touch wood it doesn’t, then hopefully we can keep doing well.”

The former Motherwell Young Player of the Year also took the time to praise the foresight of many of the upcoming talents at the club.

It was mooted that there was interest in the likes of Jamie Murphy, Chris Humphrey and Hateley himself over the summer.

But the versatile youngster believes the club – and the players – are reaping the benefits from staying on in North Lanarkshire.

“Murph probably had the best opportunity to go elsewhere in the window just gone but he stayed and that’s great for us.” Hateley lauded.

“As young players, all we want to do is focus on playing games. You don’t want to be sitting on the bench or sitting in the stand somewhere. As long as you’re playing games and enjoying your football, and it always helps to be doing well like we’re doing at the moment.”

Stuart McCall insists his side will not dwell on what has been a marvelous start to the Steelmen’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign.

Instead, the ‘Well boss has already targeted putting more points on the board with a tough trip to face Hibs on Saturday.

Motherwell currently sit in 2nd place in the SPL after ten matches, providing one of the most memorable opening to a campaign in the club’s history. The only black mark, ironically, came at the hands of Colin Calderwood’s side, as they knocked ‘Well out of the Scottish Communities League Cup partly due to an erroneously disallowed Bob McHugh ‘goal’.

[pullquote]Both sides have a lot of attacking players on the park. Agogo has got his fitness now, and with him and O’Connor up top there is attacking threat.[/pullquote]

But McCall says he isn’t concerned with the past – whether it’s his own sides great league form or the recent defeat to Hibs – choosing, instead, to focus on the future.

“It’s been a great start to the season,” the gaffer praised. “But we won’t be looking back; you’ve always got to look forward in this game. The next game is a difficult trip to a rejuvenated Hibs side.

“It’s possible [to replicating the form of the first quarter of the season in the next set of games] but I would say it’s unlikely. If you were to take this total for every quarter then you’d be up there with about 80 points, challenging for the title. We just need to take every game as it comes and we always try to win them all.

“The lads have played really, really well in most of the games this season. We’ve got a good amount of wins on the board and we’ve deserved that.

“We won’t look back on that either [the defeat on penalties and disallowed goal in the cup] but we will look at the game overall. There was a part of the game when Hibs had a lot of chances, but throughout the game it was their keeper who was tested regularly. And in extra-time we had five outstanding opportunities to win the game.

“Everyone knows the goal should have stood but it’s water under the bridge now. It was a terrific game of football. We have to defend better, but hopefully our attack can be just as potent.

“We can [win anywhere] if we’re at it. Everyone played well against Dundee United and that’s what you need.”

The Motherwell gaffer has admitted that he is wary of the “rejuvenated” Leith side’s attacking potency, which was ably demonstrated as the SPL’s second-top marksman Garry O’Connor fired two goals past the Steelmen in the Scottish Communities League Cup.

O’Connor has been aided in recent weeks by Junior Agogo, who is finding a degree of form and fitness at Easter Road following his summer move. Indeed, the Hibees have only lost one of their last five domestic outings.

With that dangerous pairing, and a supporting cast of the likes of Ivan Sproule and Leigh Griffiths, McCall has no doubts about the task awaiting his defensive unit in the Capital on Saturday.

“The match in the cup was a very open game,” the former Bradford boss recalled. “Both sides have a lot of attacking players on the park. Agogo has got his fitness now, and with him and O’Connor up top there is attacking threat.

“Likewise, we have players in our team who can create chances – I think it’s probably the team that defends best on the day that will come away with three points.

“They’ve picked up some decent results of late and we had a terrific game here against them in the cup which could have finished five-all. I’m sure myself and Colin [Calderwood] will be hoping both defences are on better form this time.

“I’ve been pleased with the defending in our last two games. The home game against Aberdeen was very good and then we went to Tannadice and defended really well as a unit. That’s the whole team; the goalie, the midfield, the wide men and attackers. We need to do that again.”

Despite the initial prognosis suggesting he could be back for the upcoming trip to Edinburgh, Shaun Hutchinson will miss out on the match.

The towering defender has recovered from his ankle knock, but picked up a slight hamstring strain in training which rules him out of contention for the weekend.

McCall continued: “Unfortunately Hutch won’t be ready. His ankle is OK now, but he’s pushed himself a little too hard and has tweaked his hamstring and it’s set him back a couple of days.

“If it was a cup final then maybe we’d risk him, but we’re not in a position where we need to be rushing him back.”