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Motherwell exited the Scottish Cup after a poor 3-1 defeat to Raith Rovers.

Jamie Gullan and Sam Stanton had the home side two goals up before Kevin van Veen pulled a goal back to give some hope but debutant Esmael Goncalves killed off any chance of a comeback with minutes to go.

Raith went into the game the form side and took an early lead after Callum Slattery was ruled to have handled in the box. Jamie Gullan stepped and made no mistake from twelve yards.

Shortly before half-time Raith doubled their lead.

A deflected shot towards goal wasn’t gathered by Kelly and Stanton was on hand to head home from close range.

Stevie Hammell made three changes at half-time and within five minutes his side had pulled a goal back.

A loose ball fell to Kevin van Veen and he fired the ball into the net through a crowd of bodies.

Spirits were raised and despite plenty of pressure, crosses into the box and even Tom Lang hitting his own crossbar, there was no way through.

With minutes to go, any hopes of a comeback were crushed when Goncalves raced through on goal and finished past Kelly.

Steven Hammell can understand the Motherwell fans’ frustration and says they are well within their rights to be annoyed as the team have been underperforming.

He is grateful for the backing the supporters have shown during this testing time and says he highlighted to his players the importance of representing this club.

Stuart McKinstry is a Motherwell himself and he knows the expectations of the supporters are way higher than what they are producing.

The wingers wants to give something back to the supporters, with 2000 of them expected at Starks Park for their Scottish Cup match against Raith Rovers.

Motherwell are two steps away from Hampden in the Scottish and they will to overcome Montrose in the fifth round of the cup on Sunday 12 February. 

Kick-off is 4pm at K-Park.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the match cost £8 for adults, with concessions and kids costing £3.

Cash and card are accepted at the turnstiles. There is no facility to buy tickets online before the match.

Story of the match

Motherwell were in midweek action when they beat Glasgow Women comfortably on Tuesday night.

It was two draws in the SWPL prior to Glasgow Women making it three unbeaten for Motherwell.

Montrose are currently top of SWPL2, three points ahead of Gartcairn.

The visiting side have won their last four matches, scoring 17 in the process.

Motherwell advanced to the next round after seeing off Gartcairn 3-0 in the previous round.

Montrose put 12 past Bonnyrigg Rose in round four to make the hat for the fifth round.

We are looking to add coaches within our girls academy. 

The ideal candidates would have coaching experience and are working towards their C-Licence, but this is not essential.

If you are interested and require further details, please contact academy coordinator Craig Slater at Craig.Slater@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Chairman Jim McMahon offers the following update. 

Following the announcement of Alan’s departure as CEO last month, several clubs made contact with him about a potential new role.

Alan entered into discussions with a number of those, but ultimately decided to take up an offer from Aberdeen FC.

We all very much wish him well with that. However, in order to be fair to all parties, including Motherwell FC, and to stop any potential awkwardness or issues, it was agreed to expedite that exit process.

The board had already commissioned a recruitment agent to lead on the identification of a suitable replacement, and we intend to conclude that process as soon as possible.

In the meantime, Alan will continue to work as hard as he always does, alongside the experienced and talented senior management team across the various departments. My fellow Directors and I stand ready and will, if required, be on hand to assist in any aspect during this transition period.

It has been a tough time of late for the club, of that there is no doubt and I want to thank you all for your patience, understanding and backing.

We will get through this and back to better days, particularly if we all stick together.

Please give Steven and the players as much support as you normally do and let’s roar the team on to a strong finish to the 22/23 season.

Jim McMahon

It was a case of job done for Motherwell as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over Glasgow Women on Tuesday night at the John Cumming stadium. 

A Carla Boyce double was enough to see the women of steel climb into the top six, albeit playing a game more than the other teams in the league.

Kayla Jardine and Louisa Boyes were handed their first starts with new signing Tiree Burchill named on the bench after signing just two hours prior to kick off.

It would only take 13 minutes for Motherwell to break the deadlock. Georgie Rafferty played a high ball into the danger area, Boyce controlled on her chest before finishing into the bottom left hand corner.

15 minutes later, it was nearly two. Kodie Hay this time with some neat work on the wing before firing a cross into the box, her cross would come off the woodwork and Boyce fired over from the rebound.

Motherwell frustrations would grow as they were unable to extend their lead but their patience would pay off on 56 minutes. Jardine with some quick feet to cut inside and drive a cross into the box, the ball eventually fell to Boyce who could tap home to make it 2.

Birthday girl Chelsie Watson nearly made it a day to remember as her header went just wide of the post from a Leanne Crichton corner.

It would be Crichton who would go close on 78 minutes. Emma Lawton beat the defender to the byline and crossed into the former Scotland international, who managed to keep her shot down and on target but the effort was well saved.

In the end, 2-0 would be how it would finish with the women of the steel climbing the table into the top six.

Motherwell have made another addition with the signing of Tiree Burchill on loan from Celtic. 

The former Hamilton midfielder joins until the end of the season.

Making her debut for the Celtic first-team in June 2021 and has made the step into Fran Alonso’s first team this season after a successful loan spell with Accies last season.

Scoring in her most recent Scotland Under 17s match last year against Azerbaijan, Burchill has represented her country from Under 15 to Under 17 level.

“I’m delighted to be joining Motherwell for the rest of the season,” Burchill said.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for me to play games and develop as a player. I’m looking forward to learning from Paul, Leanne and the rest of the staff and with hard work hopefully we can have a successful end to the season.”

Burchill will wear the number 20 shirt.

“I’m extremely pleased to get Tiree to Motherwell, another fantastic addition to the squad to add more quality middle to front,” head coach Paul Brownlie added. 

“Our recruitment during the window has been excellent and I’m delighted Tiree has chosen Motherwell to further aid her development.”

We return to Scottish Cup action this weekend, taking on Raith Rovers at Starks Park.

Kick-off is 3pm on Saturday 11th February.

Tickets

Supporters will be in the North Stand with Motherwell fans able to purchase their tickets online.

Tickets can be purchased online ONLY. There is no pay-at-the-gate facility at Starks Park.

Prices

• • Under 12 tickets can only be purchased with an Adult or Senior Citizen ticket, limited to a maximum of 3 per Adult
  • Tickets can be purchased right up until kick-off (3pm on Saturday 11th February 2023) – subject to availability – online via the “Buy Now” button, and scanned at the turnstiles either from your smartphone screen or by printing off the pdf ticket emailed to you.
  • Disabled tickets (with carer free of charge subject to eligibility) are priced as per age group above, and can be purchased by calling the Main Ticket Office on 01592 263514.
  • These tickets must then be collected on the day from the Main Ticket Office at Stark’s Park once proof of eligibility has been provided.

The Story of the Match

Last month’s 0-2 win over Arbroath sets up this fifth round clash with Raith Rovers.

Championship side Raith reached the fifth round with wins over Auchinleck Talbot and Linlithgow Rose and have yet to concede in the competition.

Saturday’s opponents are in good form and have only tasted defeat once in eleven games.

You’d have to go back to August of 1999 to find the last time Motherwell played competitively at Starks Park.

Goals from Paul Browne and Stephen Halliday had Motherwell two-up with 15 minutes to play but Alex Burns and Craig Dargo forced extra-time and eventually penalties where the Steelmen came out on top 5-4.

Match Officials

• Referee: Nick Walsh
• AR1: Alan Mulvanny
• AR2: David Doig
• AR2: Calum Scott

Kerri Halpin has joined Kilmarnock on loan until the end of the season.

Kilmarnock are currently third in the SWPL2 table and Halpin joins as she continues her development towards a regular first-team player.

Halpin made her debut this season from the bench for Motherwell.

“Kerri has been going from strength to strength this season,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“We have a number of players who play in Kerri’s position so we can’t guarantee that she gets the game time that we would like in the first team at the moment.

“This move should provide her those minutes and hopefully she comes back all the better for it.”