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Gordon Young’s U19s side were left frustrated after being pegged back three times by Hibernian at a rain-soaked Hibs Training Centre yesterday.

The young Steelmen side took the lead on three separate occasions but were unable to pick up all three points in treacherous conditions.

‘Well made the best possible start when they took the lead inside the opening three minutes.

Keiran MacDonald started the move, sending a lovely channelled ball to the on-rushing Darren Brownlie who had made a great run up the right flank. His cut-back found Euan Murray who whipped a dangerous ball into the area. Craig Moore was quickly closed down but just about bundled it to Lee Erwin who took a great touch with his right foot before curling an excellent shot past the goalkeeper and into the net.

Hibs equalised ten minutes later through Jack Verth but Motherwell regained the lead shortly after and that man Lee Erwin grabbed his second of the match.

Winning the ball deep inside their own half, ‘Well immediately set out on the attack. Josh Watt picked up on the wing and his driving run and near post cross was met by the returning Erwin who had peeled off his markers before finishing with an impressive volley.

It looked as if the Steelmen would go into the interval ahead but the home side got themselves level once again just minutes before the break, midfielder Sam Stanton grabbing the goal.

Motherwell came out the traps as the second half got underway and deservedly regained the lead. Josh Watt, who had an excellent game, travelled with the ball, cut inside onto his right foot before smashing a low shot that took the faintest of touches off Craig Moore and into the net.

Despite going behind for the third time in the game, Hibs, to their credit, fought back and amazingly levelled things up again. An inviting corner from left flew towards the back post where defender Jordan Forster met it with a powerful header. A combination of Willie Muir and Adam Cummins did their upmost to keep the ball out on the goal line, but the assistant, who was directly in line, gave the goal! 3-3.

It was a very open finish to the match, both teams traded chances, but no one was able to grab the decisive winner.

Head of Youth Development Gordon Young told MFC TV, “I thought our young lads were excellent today, particularly as the majority of Hibs’ side is made up of second year players and are just off a 6-game winning run, including beating Rangers last Saturday.

“It was a very open match – it was actually touch and go whether or not the game would actually go start. The pitch was very wet, but playable, but it quickly deteriorated as the overhead conditions got worse.

“But I have to give great credit to both teams, I thought they were exceptional and a great credit to themselves, their club and the U19s league. There wasn’t a bad tackle; there was no dissent, just two teams keen to play football and it so it proved.”

Motherwell: Muir, Brownlie, Murray, Cummins, Lynch, Watt, MacDonald, Leitch (Francis-Angol – 73mins), Carswell, Erwin, Moore (McGachie – 62mins)

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Asghar, Green

NOTE: Saturday’s (3rd December) U19s clash with Celtic has been postponed. The match has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 6, 2012, with kick-off and venue still to be confirmed.

• GORDON YOUNG’S FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV
• FIXTURES, RESULTS AND MATCH REPORTS
• U19s LEAGUE TABLE

Motherwell FC will be one of the first to test Friday Night Football this week and we want to make it a night to remember.

Not only is the club offering Season Ticket Holders a chance to introduce a friend for free and reducing gate prices, we’re also running a fabulous Curry Night offer too.

We’ll start with a delicious Chicken noodle soup followed by your choice of either a Chicken or Beef Curry. To cool you down, finish the meal with a scrumptious white chocolate and raspberry desert. As always, a tasty vegetarian option will also be available.

Adult prices start from as low as just £40!

PRICING:

• Centenary Meal Package (includes half-time tea)
  ADULTS – £40
  16 OR UNDER: £20
• Millennium Meal Package
  ALL – £75
• South Stand Meal Package
  ALL – £99

Remember that Season Ticket holders can eat for just £25 and return to your own seat to watch the match…

* A relaxed dress cold (smart casual, but no jeans or trainers)
* For ticket only (no meals but does include half-time tea) – Centenary: £25/£12 ¦ Millennium: £50

The Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge returns this Friday night when Hibs visit Fir Park and you can win £100.

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 gaffa Stuart McCall, is back again when we take on Pat Fenlon’s side.

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 against Hibernian, 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 Noon on Friday 2nd December.

*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.

Willie Collum will take charge of Friday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hibs at Fir Park.

Regarded as one of Scotland’s best officials, it will be Willie’s second Motherwell game of the current campaign. His other match, ironically, was Motherwell’s last home meeting with Hibs; Colin Calderwood’s men progressing through to the Quarter Final of the Scottish Communities League Cup on penalty kicks.

He will be a very familiar face to Motherwell fans having taken charge of three games last year.

He was in charge of the Co-operative Insurance Cup Quarter Final clash with Dundee United at Fir Park; Alan Gow’s late goal booking ‘Well’s spot in the Semi Final. He was the man in the middle for the Semi Final too as Rangers scraped past a brave ‘Well side 2-1; Keith Lasley grabbed the goal for the Fir Parkers.

Latterly, he took charge of the 3-3 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle in late April as ‘Well roared back from 3-0 down to secure a point.

In between times, Collum had another excellent season with highlights including three Champions League games in Greece, Germany and Romania, two Europa League games in Germany and Holland as well as the Euro 2012 qualifiers between France and Belarus in Paris and Bulgaria and Switzerland in Sofia.

The season before last, Collum took charge of three Motherwell matches. Jim Gannon’s side crashed to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at St Mirren in the Co-operative Cup and followed that with another defeat; by the same score line, at Tannadice some five months later.

However, the most memorable, by far was the 6-6 draw with Hibs at the end of that season.

Incredibly, Motherwell have never won a league game with Collum in charge. The only victories recorded whilst the Bellshill based whistler has been the man in the middle was the then CIS Cup win against Raith Rovers at the start of the 2007/08 season,  a Scottish Cup success at Inverurie the following season and the aforementioned win over Dundee Utd last October.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads three wins, eight defeats and three draws from fourteen matches. In those games, Motherwell have scored 23 and conceded 29. 27 players have gone into the book, 14 wearing claret and amber, while two players have been dismissed – Ian Murray of Hibs at Easter Road a few years back and Jerard Aafjes at Falkirk two seasons ago.

Derek Rose and John Gilmour will run the lines with Brian Colvin on fourth official duties. Gerry Evans will be the Referee Observer and Alan Dick will be the SPL delegate.

Motherwell FC are today delighted to confirm ticketing information for the Friday night game with Hibs on December 2nd.

Very little beats the atmosphere under the floodlights at Fir Park and the Hibs match promises to be exciting as the SPL tries out the Friday night experiment.

FREE TICKET FOR SEASON BOOK HOLDERS

Following the fantastic support shown by Season Book holders this season, the Club wants to reward members and widen the Motherwell family.

Our goal is to increase the noise, encouragement and support behind manager Stuart McCall and the team – the importance of the 12th man at Fir Park cannot be underestimated, and we all want as big a crowd as possible in the Phil O’Donnell, Cooper and East Stands – we can all play our part.

This match has been designated a ‘Fir Park Football Friday’, and every Season Book holder has the chance to donate a FREE ticket to the game to a supporter of their choosing.

In order to qualify, Season Book holders should provide the following information in an email (or come to the ticket office if easier) to ticketing@motherwellfc.co.uk before 5pm on Monday 28th November 2011:

Season Ticket Member Name:
4-Digit Season Ticket Book Number:

Nominated supporter name:
Nominated supporter address including postcode:
Nominated supporter date of birth:
Nominated supporter email address:
Nominated supporter contact telephone number:

The Club will then send a ticket for the Hibernian match on 2nd December 2011 direct to the supporter nominated.

GATE PRICES REDUCED ACROSS THE GROUND

In addition to the above offer, the club have also reduced ticket prices at the turnstile.

*Concessions are listed as Over 60s and a Full Time Students
*Juveniles are listed as Under 16s

WE ARE MOTHERWELL FC. TOGETHER WE WILL BE STRONGER. PLAY YOUR PART AND FILL THE STADIUM – NOMINATE A NEW FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER NOW!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

This offer is open to 2011/12 Season Book holders only. Season Book holders can only nominate one supporter each. All nominated supporters will be added to the Motherwell ticketing database. The Season Book holders will be responsible for the conduct and actions of the nominated supporters. Unfortunately due to the numbers involved, it will not be possible for the Ticket Office to move Season Book holders’ seats for this game. Seats will be allocated to nominated supporters on a first come, first served basis. The Club reserves the right to refuse a free ticket to any nominated supporters. Free ticket offer closes at 5pm Monday 28th 2011. Motherwell FC is not responsible for any mail once it has left the Ticket Office.

Stuart McCall told MFC TV after today’s match that a draw was a fair reflection on how the afternoon had gone.

A gale-force wind blew round Fir Park for the whole ninety minutes making it practically impossible for either side to play anything like good football.

In the end, it was defences that came out on top as the game ended in stalemate.

“We like playing football, but today we weren’t just playing Dundee United, we were playing the conditions, so you have to use your head a little bit,” he said.

“The second half we played better and started putting balls in the box, but I genuinely thought it was going to be a mistake by either defence that would win it.

“Hutchinson had one where Daly’s got a shot in, that’s hung up in the wind. But today was either going to be 0-0 or a mistake, and we’re thankful it was 0-0.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 0-0 draw with Dundee Utd in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

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

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[tab:Match report]

Kris Jack at Fir Park

Motherwell remain in third place in the SPL after drawing a blank against Dundee United at Fir Park.

Neither side could break the deadlock, in a game which was dictated by the swirling wind and rain which engulfed the stadium.

Michael Higdon and Omar Daley had the best chances for Motherwell, while Jon Daly and John Rankin could have won it for Dundee United. However it wasn’t to be and a draw was perhaps a fair result.

Having gone so many games without changing his starting XI, Stuart McCall made a second consecutive rotational change, leaving Jamie Murphy on the bench, in favour of Chris Humphrey, in order to keep the game winning pairing of Michael Higdon and Omar Daley from last week’s victory in Aberdeen. Stephen Hughes had to make do with a place on the bench, on his return to Fir Park.

Peter Houston’s Dundee United side, fresh from a win over Hearts in their last outing, were looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat ‘Well inflicted upon them earlier in the season. Jon Daly took his usual dangerous place up front, with former Steelman Gavin Gunning returning to Fir Park in Tangerine instead of Claret and Amber.

The opening period of the game didn’t produce much in the way of free flowing football as the conditions played havoc with both teams passing and movement. Jon Daly headed wide from a Johnny Russell cross before Michael Higdon’s turn and shot from the edge of the box up the other end had Pernis scrambling to push it wide.

Mackay-Steven was fortunate not to be booked for a challenge from behind on Shaun Hutchinson, after the big defender had got the better of a tussle with the United wide man. Shortly later, he shot straight at Darren Randolph after being played in by Gavin Gunning.

Dundee United earned two quick-fire corners, the second creating a glorious chance for Motherwell to take the lead. Flood’s cleared cross found its way to an unmarked Chris Humphrey, who strode from halfway in to the opposition box. His cross failed to land on Daley’s head, with Lasley volleying well over when the ball landed at his feet.

Michael Higdon thought he had given ‘Well the lead when he poked the ball in from about an inch out, but the ball had gone out off Daley’s back before Humphrey’s cross found the striker via the post.

At the Cooper end, Randolph had to look lively to palm away a point blank Daly volley inside the box. He then had to repeat the action when a slip by Hutchinson allowed the United skipper the same chance. The first half had not quite been end to end, but both sides created chances to have gone in at the break with the lead.

As the second half got underway, Motherwell were using the wind to their advantage and won an early corner. Hammell’s inswinger found the head of Hutchinson, but Pernis got his full body behind it to keep it out. Down the other end, Willo Flood pinged a free kick in to the Well box, which was cleared to John Rankin, but the former Hibs man’s effort was straight at Randolph.

The game had opened up as both teams upped the tempo in search of an opener. United were looking dangerous on their few forward forays, but pressure from the ‘Well midfield mainly kept them hemmed in.

Jamie Murphy entered the fray for Chris Humphrey, as well looked to bolster their attack in the final 15 minutes. A wind assisted throw form Randolph almost played the former Scotland U21 star in, but Dixon got back to knock the ball out. Dalle Valle came on for Mackay-Steven and with his first touch, he almost set up Jon Daly, but a magnificent sliding challenge from Jennings thwarted him just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Jonathan Page replaced Shaun Hutchinson with eight minutes to go, as a draw seemed likely. John Rankin could have altered that with three minutes remaining when Dalle Valle’s slide rule pass played in Flood, but Rankin couldn’t put the former Celtic and Middlesbrough man’s ball on target.

Two minutes later, he once more, tested Randolph with a dipping drive from distance.

It was to be the last real effort of the game, as the match finished all square. The draw keeps the Steelmen in third place, but sees them fall five points behind Celtic in the quest for second place.

[tab:As it happened]

Kris Jack at Fir Park

90mins – Three mins added on time: Carswell on for Lasley.

87mins – Steve Jennings gets the sponsors Man of The Match award. He, Law and Lasley have bossed the midfield again today.

83mins – Hateley’s whipped cross is gathered on the line by Pernis. Will we see a winner?

82mins – Page on for Hutchinson. Nicky Law volleys off defender after good Lasley cross, corner amounts to nothing.

76mins– United Sub: Dalle Valle on, Mackay-Steven off.

74mins – Jamie Murphy on, Chris Humphrey off.

73mins – A Mackay Steven run in to the box is eventually headed back to Randolph by Craigan.

70mins– Hateley sends Daley sprinting down the left, he beats his man, but his cross is too close to Dusan Pernis.

67mins – Hateley’s near post corner is headed out, 2nd corner sails just over Daley’s head at back post.

66mins – Hammell free kick finds Hutchinson, whose header is palmed out by Pernis, ball rebounds off Kenneth for corner.

Attendance: 4487, as always cheers for coming folks!

63mins – Hutchinson booked for foul on Mackay-Steven.

61mins – Daley lays off For Higdon at edge of the box, but they get in one anothers way.

60mins – Dundee United sub: Russell off, Dillon on

52mins – Flood free kick from east Stand side cleared, Rankin works space, shoots straight at Randolph

51mins– chances for Law and Hutchisnon have seen Well dominate proceedings. Well have wind behind them and it shows.

45mins – Second half underway

Half Time – Motherwell 0 Dundee United 0 : Both sides have battled with the elements and had chances, but no goals as yet.

43mins – Humphrey hot foots it to the bye-line, but his cross is cut out and cleared.

40mins – 2-0 Queen’s Park, looks like Hampden is coming to Fir Park…

39mins – Randolph forced in to 2 diving saves from Daly to keep game level, makes a 3rd, clawing Kenneth’s header out from under bar.

35mins – Well have ball in net, but disallowed for either offside or the ball being out of play. Higdon poked it in on line. No goal.

31mins – Well break through Humphrey, run delayed, crosses for Daley, falls for Lasley who blasts high in to South Stand.

30mins – United corner. Flood drives ball to Kenneth, Mackay-Steven jinks past 2 Well men for another corner.

26mins – Nicky Law cuts in form the left and opts to pass rather than shoot, Omar Daley goes down under Kenneth challenge, Brines says no.

21mins– Omar Daley wins a foul, as his trickery leads to him being the meat in a United sandwich. Free kick taken short, Well win corner.

20mins – Queen’s Park currently 1-0 up on Elgin as they compete for a crack at The Well in the next round of the Scottish Cup…

10mins – The Well fans choose the 10th minute to ring out a chorus of “One Phil O’Donnell”.

9mins – A Higdon turn and shot on the edge of the box has Pernis scrambling to palm the ball wide. Good effort from Higgy.

9mins – Mackay-Steven drives wide form 18 yards but is penalised for hand ball.

7mins – Paul Dixon throws a throw in straight out the park. No doubt the conditions are to blame…

3mins – Daly flashes a header wide from Johnny Russell’s cross.Never troubling Randolph.

1min – The wind and rain are driving in to the Well players faces in the first half, glad I’m in the stands.

KO: The teams emerge in to the tempestuous Saturday afternoon wind and rain, shake hands and get ready for kick off.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“If it had been cancelled at one o’clock I would have been delighted. It was just what I expected. You can play in rain, the pitch is in great nick, but when you get wind over so many miles an hour it just makes it a lottery.

“It can’t have been great for the punters and it certainly wasn’t great for the players. If we had come in and had won 4-0 I would have said the same. I wasn’t looking forward to the game to start with.

“Sometimes you can end up with an exciting game just through mistakes. We certainly haven’t entertained the punters and that’s not the fault of the players.

“It’s easier for us to sit in the stand but when you’re down there, one minute the ball will carry on, then it will swirl, the next minute it will stop. You lose a little bit of confidence on the ball because things aren’t going right. There were some decent passages of play but not enough to merit what it costs to get in.”

Dundee Utd manager Peter Houston:

“We’re asking people to travel from Dundee and leave their homes in Motherwell and pay good money in a time when football is desperate to get as many punters through the door, we’re asking them to watch football in that.

“We had two teams who worked their socks off and tried their hardest, not to play football, because when it came near our box I told our boys to get rid of it and let a mistake happen at the other end.

“But should we be sitting down with the powers-that-be and discussing summer football? Years ago I wasn’t an advocate of summer football but I look at the Irish league from March to November, and the weather for the past two seasons, the snow.

“I’m not for a winter break – I would rather change the season similar to what the Irish do. You are going to play in the summer where people might see a better game than we’ve seen today. We’re asking people to pay a lot of money and the entertainment value, let’s be honest, was fairly rank.

“The wind is the biggest problem. Players love playing in the rain when the surface is slick but as soon as it becomes as windy as that, it’s not conducive to any type of football.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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