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Motherwell boss Stuart McCall was delighted with his side after they roared to a terrific 3-0 win over St Johnstone this afternoon.

Omar Daley netted the opener before a Jamie Murphy braced secured all three points for the Steelmen.

The win, Motherwell’s fifth consecutive away victory, puts the team on 33 points; twelve ahead of seventh placed Dundee United with a game in hand with Hibs still to play.

“I sensed a real desire amongst the players before the match and the way we set out the team, I was confident that if we could play to our capabilities, then we could win the game,” said McCall “It was a real professional performance.”

“We took our chances at the right times, we played with discipline and defended ever so well. We were clinical on the counter attack and it was nice to see Jamie Murphy get himself amongst the goals.

“We looked a good solid unit out there; I was thrilled with how we played.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 3-0 win over St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at McDiarmid Park.

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

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Kris Jack at McDiarmid Park

Two goals from Jamie Murphy helped Motherwell to a 0-3 away victory against St Johnstone on a freezing afternoon in Perth.

Omar Daley’s opener was augmented by two close range finishes from the young forward, in a result which gained revenge for the 3-0 drubbing in the previous encounter at Fir Park. 

It was arguably Daley’s best performance of the season, and Motherwell’s best effort since beating Dundee United at Tannadice.

It also strengthened The Well’s grip on third place in the SPL, as they went seven points clear of their hosts.

McDiarmid Park somehow escaped the effects of the week’s horrendous weather conditions for the third versus fourth showdown between the Saints and the ‘Well.

Stuart McCall had no fresh injuries to worry about as Keith Lasley returned to the starting line-up, having missed what was played of the Hibernian game with a thigh strain. He replaced Stephen Hughes in the middle of the park, who would have to settle for a place on the bench, alongside Chris Humphrey, who was rotated in favour of fellow Jamaican Omar Daley.

St Johnstone were without Cillian Sheridan and Francisco Sandaza, who tormented Motherwell in the Saints 3-0 victory at Fir Park earlier in the season.  Carl Finnigan and Marcus Haber were the fall back forwards, while Frazer Wright and Kevin Moon also missed out.

Saints came in to this game off the back of wins over Hibernian and Hearts, while Motherwell’s last outing had been cut short due to floodlight issues in the South Stand against Hibs. With ‘Well four points ahead of St Johnstone, a win for the away team would put some breathing space between them and their hosts in the quest for third place, and hoped the impressive away performances in the silver kit would continue in Perth.

Motherwell were first to attack, when Steve Jennings tenacity allowed Michael Higdon to play in Nicky Law. The little midfielder got in behind Dave Mackay, but his shot drifted well wide. Omar Daley then tested Peter Enckelman when he cut in from the right hand side and hit a daisycutter right at the former Aston Villa keeper.  St  Johnstone looked dangerous in attack, with Murray Davidson bringing out a fine stop from Darren Randolph, after getting in behind the Well defence.

On sixteen minutes, Motherwell took the lead thanks to Nicky Law’s ingenuity and St Johnstone’s calamitous defending. The former Rotherham man collected the ball just outside the box, ran around the outside of Dave Mackay and fizzed a cross along the six-yard line. Enckelman and Calum Davidson failed to lay claim to it, leaving Omar Daley with the simplest of tap ins.

It was just about a deserved lead, which could have been wiped out moments later. A deep cross from Liam Craig found the head of the diving Murray Davidson, but with Randolph at full stretch, his effort went inches wide.

Daley was looking dangerous after scoring and only a last ditch block stopped him from finishing a mazy run with another goal.  The Jamiacan was soon to be the instigator of Motherwell’s second goal of the game.

A lung bursting gallop down the right by Daley ended with a cross to Higdon. The striker played the ball back to Tom Hateley, whose first time cross was headed home from eight yards by Jamie Murphy. It was Murphy’s second headed goal of the season and was one which delighted the freezing  band of Motherwell fans who had travelled to Perth.

To their credit, the St Johnstone front line kept plugging away and Murray Davidson went close with a header after a cross from the left created a bout of head tennis around the penalty spot. The second goal galvanized Motherwell, who were now looking deadly on every attack.

With ‘Well running riot, they were unlucky not be given a penalty just before half time. Daley burst in to the box and seemed to be felled as he rounded Enckelman. However, referee Alan Muir awarded a corner kick instead of a spot kick, which was eventually cleared by Anderson. Hateley then tested the Saints keeper with an arrowed free kick from the left wing, which was comfortably taken by the home side’s stopper.

The second half began with the hosts trying to battle back in to the game. Craig and Finnigan combined in the box, but the latter’s touch deserted him at the vital moment. Stevie Hammell then conceded a soft free kick for a foul on Robertson on the right. As Craig’s delivery rebounded to the edge of the box, Jennings was penalised for barging in to Davidson. It was another soft free kick but Dave Mackay wasted the chance from the set piece, blasting high in to the empty stand.

Keith Lasley was shown a yellow card on 57 mins for a foul in the middle of the park, as the game sprung back to life. Mackay stung Randolph’s palms form the edge of the box, before another Daley dander in to the box forced Enckelman in to a sharp near post save. From the corner, Craigan headed over. Davidson then hit a half volley wide which had Randolph scrambling.

The work of Hateley and Law on the wings had caused St Johnstone problems all afternoon and a third Motherwell goal was the fruit of their labour. A training ground corner between the pair worked its way to Daley. His first time shot was on target but took a massive deflection off Jamie Murphy and flew past Enckelman, who’d dived the opposite way. It was now a reverse of the fixture at Fir Park, with Motherwell well on top.

Saints kept pushing and danger man Davidson had an effort just wide before a smart clearance at the back post by Hutchinson maintained the clean sheet. Parkin and Gibson were thrown on by Steve Lomas to salvage something from the game. Keith Lasley also left the park to a standing ovation from the travelling contingent, replaced by Stephen Hughes. Omar Daley was then serenaded off the park by the Well faithful, replaced by Humphrey for the final ten minutes.

A three man move almost produced a fourth goal for the rampant visitors, when Hammell and Law played in Steve Jennings, who strode on to the pass and fired a low shot goalward. Enckelman was equal to it and gathered the ex Tranmere man’s effort.

It was the last effort of a magnificent performance by Motherwell. It put to bed the 3-0 drubbing from earlier in the season and extended their lead in 3rd place over todays hosts. St Johnstone had a lot of possession, but Motherwell had the goals, running out 0-3 winners at McDiarmid Park.

[tab:As it happened]

Kris Jack at McDiarmid Park

Full Time: St Johnstone 0 Motherwell 3. Another great three points on the road for McCalls men, Daley, Jennings and Murphy outstanding.

89mins: Three man move with Hammell, Law and Jennings ends with Enckelman smothering Jenno’s shot from edge of box.

87mins: Davidson has another effort that dips over. Would be dangerous if he could get one on target.

80mins: Humphrey on for Daley, first involvement a cross for Higdon which is intercepted by McCracken.

78mins: Haber heads harmlessly wide from penalty spot.

77mins: Hughes for Lasley.

73mins: Parkin on fort Finnigan, Saints sub.

69mins: Davidson has a volley inside the box, which beats Randolph, but sails narrowly past. Clean sheet still on!

67mins: Law and Hateley corner laid back to Daley, whose shot takes a massive delelction off Murphy for his second of the game! 0-3!

GOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLL!!! 0-3! JAMIE MURPHY AT THE DOUBLE!

65mins: Murray Davidson smacks a half volley form 20 yards, which Randolph watches skid out. Law and Murphy break, latters cross cleared.

61mins: Saints sub, Gibson on for Robertson

59mins: Craigan heads over from corner. Is a 3rd Well goal on the cards?

58mins: Mackay shoots straight at Randolph from edge of box. Daley then brings out near post save from Enckelman at other end.

56mins: Dave Mackay blasts a free kick well over from 18 yards, from Jennings soft foul. Lasley booked for foul in middle of park.

51mins: Liam Craig plays a reverse pass to Finnigan inside the box, but pass is over hit.

49mins: Murphy does well to get to bye-line and cuts back for Hateley, however, ball kicks up just as Tom tries to control it.

Half Time: St Johnstone 0 – Motherwell 2. The best Well performance since Tannadice, Daley playing the best he has since joining. Thoughts?

44mins: Hateley free kick from left wing easily gathered by Enckelman,

41mins: Well unlucky not to get a penalty when Daley is felled going ropund Enckelman, Corner instead.

37mins: Robertson booked for scything down Law, as Well looked to break once more.

35mins: Craig gets in behind Craigan to create a half chance, despite the Saints man looking to foul the Well skipper. No foul given.

33mins: Davidson again gets a header in, but it drifts wide of Randolph’s left hand post.

27mins: Daley’s cross goes back to Hateley form Higdon, whose cross is headed past Enckelman by Murphy from 8 yards! 0-2!

GOOOOOAAAALLLLL! 0-2 MOTHERWELL, JAMIE MURPHY!

26mins: Randolph makes a cracking save from an Anderson header, but ref calls foul once again.

25mins: Daley goes on a mazy, but is blocked out as he strides in to box. Law then works a cross from the right, but is cleared.

20mins: Motherwell making most of the running since Daley’s goal, Saints defence seems a tad hesitant.

17mins: A diving header from Murray Davidson goes just wide as Saints look to respond.

16mins: Nicky Law ghosts past Dave Mackay on the left and drills a cross along the 6 yard box. Anderson can’t deal with it and Daley taps in

GOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLL!!!! 0-1 Motherwell, Omar Daley!

15mins: Craig heads goalward from Millar cross, but the Saints man is penalised for a shove on Hutchinson.

11mins: Lasley cracks one from 30 yards, which deflects up off a Saints defender, taking the sting out of his shot.

7mins: Murray Davidson is played in behind Jennings, but his shot is well smothered by Randolph.

3mins: Omar Daley fires straight at Enckelman after cutting in from the right. Saints then put a ball in the box, but Finnigan miscues.

1min: Nicky Law shoots well wide after being played in behind Dave Mackay.

[tab:Reaction]

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas:

“I just think the whole mindset of the players wasn’t the same as it was for the last three games. But the good thing about it is that we’ve got Aberdeen on Tuesday night to turn that around.

“Our performance was not what it usually is in terms of winning individual battles. Motherwell won most and that’s why they won the game.”

“The days when you’re lacking a bit of creativity, you’ve got to be sound at the back and hopefully keep it tight. Unfortunately, we did neither of the two today. You’ve got to earn the right to play and Motherwell did that better than us.

“We have a few injuries – not wanting to make that an excuse – and we’re hoping to get as many as we can back as soon as possible.

“That’s football. Three weeks ago we had a full squad, three weeks down the line you’re missing six or seven players, which does hurt you at times. That’s not taking anything away from the lads that have come in, because I think the team as a whole weren’t like they normally are.”

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“We took our chances and all-in-all it was a great team performance. It was a little bit of revenge after the 3-0 deficit against them at our own ground.

“That’s five wins on the bounce. Probably it was consistency that was lacking last season. Omar Daley gives us a spark at times,” said the manager. “We played Jamie Murphy and Omar out wide with Nicky Law just in behind Michael Higdon and I thought it worked a treat.

“There have been one or two voices saying that Motherwell were rocking a bit – I think we’ve lost once in nine.

“All right, the home performances sometimes haven’t been great, but it’s sometimes difficult to play the football we can play with a tight ground and if the conditions aren’t great. We’re third, we’ve got 33 points and the lads deserve every tribute, but we’re not even halfway through the season, so we’ve got to keep ploughing through it.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Stuart McCall is aiming to make it tough against the SPL’s form team St Johnstone when the teams meet in Perth tomorrow afternoon.

Steve Lomas’ side have being going great guns in recent weeks, drawing at Ibrox before picking up back-to-back wins over both Hibernian and Hearts.

But McCall is hoping to continue Motherwell’s excellent away run following consecutive wins at Tannadice, Easter Road, the Caledonian Stadium and Pittodrie in the last four outings.

“We know how tough it is going to be against St Johnstone but we aim to make things tough for them as well,” the former Scotland International said.

“We were both training at the same facility on Thursday (Ravenscraig) – we both had half a park. I think we were trying to watch them and they were trying to watch us but I told Steve Lomas not to bother as we don’t do tactics anyway!

“No, in all seriousness, it should be a good game. Both teams are playing well and are fairly evenly matches. We are similar in that we both have good experience in the team mixed with some talented youngsters. I am really looking forward to the game, as are the players.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Jamie Murphy hopes to replicate some of the form he showed against St Johnstone last season and secure ‘Well another vital away win.

The former Scotland U21 striker scored a terrific individual strike in the Scottish Cup Semi Final at Hampden last April.

He also scored in Perth back in September of last season, admittedly with the aid of Kevin Rutkiewicz deflection, and the 22-year old is aiming to grab another tomorrow against a talented St Johnstone side.

“Games against Saints are always difficult; you only need to look at the last time we played against them to see that,” said Murphy.

“But we are going to go there tomorrow and try and perform to the best of our ability and we hope to come away with the three points.

“We won at McDiarmid Park last season and obviously did well in the Scottish Cup Semi Final so we are looking to replicate some of that form. We have been working hard all week in training, preparing and shaping for this match so we are prepared and looking forward to it.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Carling, the official beer of the Scottish Cup, is offering you the chance to follow the Steelmen all the way to Hampden!

They have a pair of “golden tickets” up for grabs for each team in each round of the Scottish Cup, which gives you access to EVERY game your team play in this season’s competition, home and away.

If you’re over 18, all you need to do to enter is text CARLING followed by your team name to 81025. 

Winners for round 4 will be picked on Monday 2nd January 2012.  Texts are charged at your network’s standard rate, there is no fee to enter.

T&Cs apply, see www.carling.com/roadtothecup for more details.

Motherwell travel north to Perth on Saturday hoping to continue their good run of away form against Steve Lomas’ St Johnstone.

Stuart McCall’s men have already won on the road at St Mirren Park, Broadwood, East End Park, Tannadice, Easter Road, the Caledonian Stadium and Pittodrie this season but will face an extremely tough task against a Saints side on an incredible run of form.

Tickets for the match are available on the gate at McDiarmid Park with admission prices as follows:

• Concessions are listed as Over 65s.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745 494631 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION COACHES

WISHAW BRANCH

The Wishaw branch bus to Perth on Saturday 10th December will leave Kenilworth Ave. at 1pm. To book seats please call Anne on 01698 470601 or email andrew.sim48@btinternet.com as soon as possible.

CENTRAL BRANCH

The bus for the game v St Johnstone on Saturday 10 December will leave the Bentley Hotel at 1.15pm. To book a seat email christopher_hutton@btinternet.com or give Jim a call on 01698 299650.

BELLSHILL & DISTRICT BRANCH

The St Johnstone bus will pick up at the Fir Park Club, Motherwell at 12.15pm, then the Carousel Bar, Bellshill at 12.25pm and finally the Holytown War Monument at 12.30pm. To book your seat, contact Brian Worton on 07763 061821.

TRAVEL

BY CAR

The stadium is located close to the A9 and is relatively straightforward to get to.

Head towards Perth on the M9 and take the first exit at Broxden roundabaout (signposted Football traffic) on to the A9. Then take the fourth exit at Inveraimond roundabout so you have turned back on yourself.

Exit on to the slip road and turn left at the roundabout on to the A85 (Crieff road). The stadium will be clearly visible on the left.

Parking is available for visiting fans behind the Main Stand, priced at £2.00 per car. Street parking is also available on numerous streets around the ground.

BY BUS

Several operators run buses to Perth, departing every hour from Buchanan Station in Glasgow city centre.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.citylink.co.uk.

BY TRAIN

Perth station is over three miles away from the ground, although frequent bus services run throughout the city.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.scotrail.co.uk

MAP

[mappress]

After days of heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, Motherwell were forced to move indoors to train this morning.

Stuart McCall’s men were put through their paces at the plush Ravenscraig Sports Facility with Dalziel Park out of commission.

And the Motherwell gaffer was thankful his side were still able to have a good session, despite the treacherous conditions engulfing the country.

“We’ve got this great facility right on our doorstep and it is one we are very grateful for,” said McCall.

“You can see from the weather that training outdoors is almost impossible.

“If you are only using the synthetic two or three times per week then it is fine. Anything more and you run the risk of aggravating injuries and negatively affecting the joints.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-