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Motherwell ran out comfortable 2-0 victors over Ayr United in the cinch Reserve League at K-Park on Tuesday afternoon. 

Shane Blaney scored a spectacular free kick with Mark Ferrie adding a second to give Motherwell the three points.

It was an experienced development team with notable first team players Ricki Lamie, Stephen O’Donnell, Shane Blaney, Riku Danzaki and Jack Aitchison all starting. Joe Efford also made his first appearance back on the pitch since his injury in November.

With experienced players within their ranks, Motherwell controlled most of the ball in the first half. Lennon Miller had the first shot on target with a free kick from 25 yards after eight minutes but his strike was comfortably saved.

Aitchison had a go on 20 minutes, with his shot spilled by the Ayr United keeper and the ball trickled agonisingly past the post. From the subsequent corner, Blaney seen his header saved from close range at the back post.

Efford cut the ball back for Aitchison on 38 minutes, with his shot, that was going into the bottom corner, cleared by the defender.

There were no changes at half time and Motherwell looked to continue on the front foot.

Luca Ross found his opposite full back Robbie Garcia with a left footed cross but the youngster effort was gathered by the keeper.

The breakthrough would come on 63 minutes, in world class fashion. Blaney stepped up to a free kick on the left edge of the box and with an effort Motherwell fans will be well aware of, found the top corner with a laced shot curling away from the keeper. 1-0.

Miller had a go to double the ‘Well’s advantage with a half volley effort on 72 minutes, it was saved but the keeper couldn’t hold and substitute Ferrie followed in but his shot was blocked once again.

Goalkeeper Kyle Aitken was called into action for the first time with ten minutes remaining, he made a save to his left hand side before getting up quickly to block the follow up strike.

Ferrie would make sure of the points on 84 minutes. Dylan Wells burst onto Ross’ through ball, got across the defender before squaring the ball to an on rushing Ferrie who finished into the bottom corner to make it two nil and end the game as a contest.

“The more experienced players asked to play and they showed an excellent attitude towards the game.

“The young boys that came on showed energy and desire.”

Stuart Kettlewell experienced his first defeat in the Motherwell dugout last time out, against Rangers.

With the international break behind us, Motherwell were in the capital to take on a Hibernian side chasing European football.

Sean Goss got the Steelmen off to the perfect start with an inch perfect free kick that found the top corner after just seven minutes.

From there, Motherwell continued to stay on top of Hibs and made it two from the penalty spot when Kevin van Veen dispatched his 19th goal of the season after Blair Spittal was wiped out by David Marshall.

Kevin Nisbet was able to pull one back to increase the pressure on Kettlewell’s side but that pressure was eased when Van Veen scored from 25 yards with a free kick that deceived the keeper.

With four wins and a draw in his first six games, Kettlewell has turned Motherwell’s fortunes around ahead of a crucial double header at Fir Park next against Livingston and Dundee United.

Tickets for our semi final match at Hampden against Rangers are now on sale. 

Kick off is 12.30pm on Saturday 22 April.

You can buy tickets online or supporters can visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Adult tickets cost £10.

Concession tickets, which are over 65s or under 16s, are £5.

Accessible tickets are £5 with Accessible concession going for £3.

Please note, there is no option for online tickets for this match.

All tickets must be physical, so if you are buying online, you must get them posted to your home address or alternatively, you can pick up from the Fir Park ticket office.

One to reflect on, as Motherwell failed to capitalise when it mattered and were forced to settle for a point at K-Park.

Tiree Burchill continued to add to her recent goalscoring form after converting prior to the half-time break, but the women of steel’s misfortunes saw United level in the second half.

Manager, Paul Brownlie made three changes from the side that secured their third Lanarkshire Derby victory over local rivals Hamilton at New Douglas Park last weekend.

Jo Addie, Niamh Noble and captain Gill Inglis all returned to the starting XI, whilst Kodie Hay, Katie Rice and Lori Gardner settled for a place on the bench.

Looking for their fifth straight victory, Motherwell quickly picked up where they left off, pinning the visitors deep into their own half.

Burchill skilfully evaded the offside trap as she narrowed in on goal before squaring it to the awaiting Carla Boyce in the box, but the striker lost her footing and couldn’t apply the finishing touches.

The hosts continued to cause the United defence problems in the early exchanges, and moments later, Boyce was through again, but this time her effort ricocheted off the woodwork.

The women of Steel struggled to find the consistency and rhythm that had been instrumental in recent games, but midway through the first half; the deadlock was broken.

Lucy Ronald was bundled over on the halfway line, but the referee’s advantage caught the United defence off guard, leaving Burchill racing through on goal and the striker coolly dispatched her strike into the bottom-left corner.

As the half-time whistle drew closer, Motherwell hit the woodwork for the third time.

Ronald’s floated delivery fell kindly to the feet of Georgie Rafferty who connected perfectly on the half-volley, but the defender’s effort cracked off the crossbar.

As the second half resumed, the visitors found an equaliser against the run of play.

A mix-up at the back gifted United possession deep into the Motherwell penalty area, and McGinley accurately placed her strike under Emily Mutch to pull her side level.

Motherwell flooded the United box in search of a late winner, with chances from Kayla Jardine and Lori Gardner hitting the woodwork, but they were unable to find the breakthrough and were forced to settle for a point.

Paul Brownlie’s side will face a short international break before returning to league action against Spartans in two weeks’ time.

Motherwell made it four wins and a draw in six games under Stuart Kettlewell with a resounding 3-1 win over Hibernian at Easter Road. 

Sean Goss got Motherwell ahead with a postage stamp free kick before Kevin van Veen made it 20 goals this season with two goals either side of a Kevin Nisbet header in the second half.

Van Veen had the first big chance of the game on five minutes, when the Dutchman went 1v1 with David Marshall but the Scotland keeper was there to block.

However, Dean Cornelius would be fouled outside the area following Marshall’s save and Sean Goss stepped up to curl a beautiful free kick into top corner, leaving Marshall with no chance.

Liam Kelly was called into action on 12 minutes when he had to tip Hoppe’s header over the bar.

Van Veen was again presented with a golden chance to double the Steelmen’s lead when Dan Casey’s long ball forward found the Dutchman in behind the Hibernian defence but he couldn’t turn his touch on target.

With Motherwell on top in the first half, they started the second half in similar fashion.

Casey with an audacious overhead kick found Blair Spittal lurking at the back post, who chased the ball down and got there ahead of Marshall who clattered into the former County man and the referee pointed to the spot.

Van Veen converted from the spot with his penalty crawling underneath the keeper. 0-2.

Nisbet pulled one back for the hosts when Chris Cadden crossed into the area and Nisbet was on hand to nod past Kelly.

With Hibernian seemingly looking back in the game, Van Veen made sure of the points with a curling right footed free kick with nine minutes to go, which he whipped past the wall and the keeper.

The result moved Motherwell above St Johnstone in the table and into eighth place.

“The players poured everything they had onto that pitch today.

“Getting the simple parts of the game right, has been beneficial for us.”

Harry Paton has joined on a deal running until the end of the season. 

The 24-year-old has been a free agent since the summer of 2022 when he left Ross County, declining the option of a new contract.

A centre midfielder by trade, Paton made over 100 appearances for Ross County from 2018 to 2022, playing under manager Stuart Kettlewell in the process, who signed him initially.

However, his career really got started when he joined Fulham before signing for Hearts. With loan spells with Stenhousemuir mixed into his tenure in the Highlands, the Canadian established himself as a first-team regular at County.

He was called up to the senior Canadian squad in 2021 for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, having turned out for the under 17s and under 21s.

“The option arose to get Harry in and it was something we were looking to do quickly,”manager Stuart Kettlewell added.

“He’s someone who I know very well and has impressed since he came in.

“Harry has excellent ability and displayed real quality when I last worked with him and that is something I’m looking for him to replicate once again.

“This is a crucial part of our season and adding Harry gives us more options in the middle of the pitch in what will be a busy schedule from now until the end of the season.”

“It’s great to get this deal over the line,” Harry Paton said.

“I’m excited to get back playing and help the team finish the season strongly.

“My goal is to show the Motherwell fans what I’m capable of.”

Paton is eligible for selection for today’s match against Hibernian.

Motherwell will face Glasgow Women at Fir Park on Tuesday 18 April. 

Kick-off will be 7:45pm.

It will be the second time in two seasons that the women of steel will take to the Fir Park turf.

The match comes in an important week in the ‘Well calendar, as they build up to their Scottish Cup semi-final clash at Hampden against Rangers.

There will be free to entry to the stadium for the match. However, if you are able to, there will be buckets available for fans to place donations.

All profits will go towards the girls academy.

Fans will be located in the John Hunter stand for the match.

James Furlong has returned from international duty and is looking forward to the next part of the season.

The Ireland Under 21 player is enjoying his time at Motherwell and looks to continue playing football as he looks to impress his employers Brighton.