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Motherwell knew that a win against St Johnstone would guarantee Scottish Premiership football for next season. 

Travelling north to a sun-soaked Perth, 750 ‘Well fans also made the journey, as Stuart Kettlewell’s men looked to take a step closer to securing seventh place and the ‘best of the rest’ tag in the bottom half of the table.

Apart from Kevin van Veen netting in the first half, only for it to be ruled out by VAR as offside, the half remained largely quiet and the Motherwell manager wanted to see more in the second period.

Van Veen was looking to break a post-war record, scoring in eight consecutive Motherwell matches, and he was presented with the perfect chance after Stephen O’Donnell was brought down in the box on his 100th appearance.

The Dutchman stepped up but was denied by Remi Matthews in the St Johnstone net.

However, VAR intervened and a retake was awarded as the goalkeeper was off his line. With even more pressure heaped on Van Veen, he had the audacity to Panenka the penalty down the middle to make it 26 goals for the season.

Mikael Mandron made sure of the points with his first league goal since joining in January to round off a good day’s work in Perthshire as Motherwell climbed to seventh in the table above Livingston with three games to go.

It was an afternoon to forget for the Women of Steel, as a clinical Rebecca Galbraith dashed Motherwell’s faint hopes of sustaining a challenge for seventh place.

A quickfire first-half hat-trick had Spartans firmly in the ascendency, despite Tiree Burchill narrowing the deficit before the break.

Following a serious injury to Amelie Birse, the game was temporarily suspended as the midfielder received treatment.

Upon the restart, Kayla Jardine pulled a second goal back with a composed finish, but this proved to be a consolation, as Spartans held out to ensure all three points returned to the Capital.

Manager, Paul Brownlie made four changes from the side that ended their recent winless run with a commanding 3-0 victory away to Glasgow Women midweek. Lauren Doran-Barr, Chelsie Watson, Katie Rice, and Kodie Hay all returned to action, replacing Emma Lawton, Niamh Noble, Kayla Jardine, and Lori Gardner.

Motherwell’s recent run of conceding early unfortunately persisted, as the visitors netted the breakthrough after nine minutes.

Julianne Ross’ dangerous through ball was shifted by Galbraith onto her stronger right-foot, and the striker drilled a powerful strike beyond the reach of Katie Andrews.

Seven minutes later, Spartans had their second. Lurking in the box, Galbraith escaped her marker with relative ease before connecting with Mya Bates’ floated delivery, dispatching it into the bottom-left corner.

Less than two minutes later, Motherwell narrowed the deficit. A hopeful cross from the right sailed accurately into the path of Louisa Boyes, who was initially denied by the Spartans keeper, but Burchill was the quickest to react, prodding home the rebound.

The hosts momentum proved to be short-lived, as Spartans regained their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Galbraith again capitalised on the hosts defensive indecision, lifting a cool effort over the head over Andrews.

The game was temporarily suspended for a lengthy period of time in the latter stages of the second half, as Spartans’ Birse received medical treatment following a serious injury.

Play resumed over 20-minutes later, with Motherwell chasing a route back into the game.

Moments after the restart, substitute Kayla Jardine netted after volleying Gill Inglis’ floated delivery into the bottom-right corner.

However, it proved to only be a late consolation, as Spartans stood resolute to leave K-Park with the three points.

This result confirms an eight-placed finish for the women of Steel, with only one remaining fixture against Aberdeen at K-Park next Saturday.

Motherwell secured their top flight status for a 38th consecutive season with a 0-2 win over St Johnstone.

Goals from Kevin van Veen and Mikael Mandron earned Motherwell their first win at McDiarmid Park since 2019.

The match had a stuffy start with neither side able to create any real chances until the 26th minute.

In-form Kevin Van Veen was played forward and fashioned a chance for himself but his left-footed shot flew just over the bar.

Motherwell looked like they had taken the lead in the 32nd minute. A ball over the top from O’Donnell found Van Veen and with work to do the striker stuck the ball in the net but the linesman’s flag went up and VAR confirmed the decision to rule the goal out.

The Steelmen took the lead five minutes into the second half.

Stephen O’Donnell was fouled in the box and although Van Veen’s first penalty was saved, VAR stepped in and ordered a retake due to encroachment which the Dutchman chipped in for his 26th goal of the season.

St Johnstone tried their best to reply but couldn’t test Liam Kelly in the Motherwell goals.

‘Well were largely comfortable and Mikael Mandron secured the three points in injury time.

Blair Spittal was played in down the left and his cross was poked in by the Frenchman for his first league goal of the season.

The win means with three games to play the Steelmen sit 10 points above 11th place.

“We didn’t impose ourselves in the first half the way we wanted to.

“But we stood up in the second half and dug out the result.”

Motherwell are looking to follow up on their midweek win against Glasgow Women, when they face Spartans on Sunday 14 May. 

Kick-off is 1pm 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 got back to winning ways on Tuesday night, winning 3-0 against Glasgow Women.

Carla Boyce got on the scoresheet, with Louisa Boyes also getting in on the goals.

Spartans and Motherwell both missed out on a top-six spot on the final day and now the two sides have been jostling for seventh place.

Spartans currently hold the advantage, but a Motherwell win could see the women of steel close the gap to just a point.

The visitors come into the game on the back of five straight wins.

Harry Paton may have only joined Motherwell a few weeks ago, but he is already feeling at home.

Paton described the lure that Stuart Kettlewell had on him making the switch as the Canadian international looks to push his way into the team.

A midfielder by trade, Paton would be interested in staying beyond his current deal which runs out in the summer.

Coming up against St Johnstone for the first time in his tenure, Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell discusses the potential threats the Perth outfit pose and how recent changes of management could effect the game. 

Kettlewell also talks about Kevin van Veen’s recent PFA player of the year nomination which was announced this week, as he goes up against Kyogo, Calum McGregor and Reo Hatate for the award.

Last week’s win against Kilmarnock means Motherwell are firmly in the hunt for seventh place and the manager is well aware of the extra prize money that comes with finishing higher in the table as he looks ahead to summer recruitment.

Motherwell signed off the Reserve League campaign with a 1-2 win over Livingston.

The win at Tony Macaroni Stadium means the Steelmen finish second in the cinch Reserve League.

Jack Aitchison scored last week and was first on the scoresheet this week after half an hour. A ball into the box wasn’t properly cleared and the striker was on hand to apply the finish.

Daniel Hunter doubled the lead five minutes into the second half with a fine strike from 25 yards.

Livi pulled a goal back just moments later but Motherwell held on to claim all three points.

Motherwell:  Oxborough, Garcia, Blaney, Dunachie, Mugabi, Speirs, Wells, McKinstry, Aithchison, Hunter, O’Donnell

Motherwell subs: Bogan, McDermott, Ferrie, Gould, L. Ross, Adam, Tambwe

Kevin van Veen has been nominated for the PFA cinch Premiership player of the year. 

Voted by the players in the league, the Dutchman was the first Motherwell player in ten years to be named in the PFA team of the year.

Van Veen is one of four players nominated for the prestigious award, with the awards night taking place this coming Sunday.

Reo Hatate, Kyogo and Calum McGregor of Celtic are also up for the award.

Darren Randolph, Shaun Hutchinson, Nicky Law and Michael Higdon were all named in the 2012/13 team of the year however it would be only the latter who was nominated for the player of year.

Higdon scooped the award, having scored 27 goals throughout the course of the season.

Kevin van Veen has bolstered a similarly impressive tally this season, with the Dutchman sitting on 25 goals in all competitions with four games left to play.

Scoring in the last seven consecutive games, Van Veen has equalled Dixie Deans’ seven game consecutive goalscoring record in the 1968/69 season, however this was set in the second division.

The last player to score in seven consecutive games in the top flight, was Ian St John in 1959/60 campaign.

“To be nominated for the award is an incredible achievement in itself,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“Since my arrival, Kevin has shown determination, enthusiasm and 100% focus to everything that we have tried to do.

“We are lucky to have him leading the line up front but he is also an excellent team mate.

“When you look at the players who are also up for nomination, they are some of the best in the league.

“With the season that Kevin has had, he has every right to be in that illustrious group.

“I want to personally congratulate Kevin on this magnificent achievement.”

Van Veen’s prolific goalscoring form this season has seen him move into the top ten, all-time goalscorers at the club, just two goals behind James McFadden, despite playing 31 games fewer.

“It’s a real privilege to be up for the award,” Van Veen added.

“I said at the end of last season that I knew I could score more than I did in 2021/22 and I wanted to follow through on that.

“This season has been tricky for a number of reasons and the full team has had to really stick together throughout it all.

“There is a real togetherness at the club and that’s why I thank all my teammates, staff and fans, all of whom have helped me reach my targets this year. The support I have had this season has been incredible.

“I wouldn’t be nominated if it wasn’t for them.”

We travel to Perth to take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday 13 May.

Kick-off is 3pm.

Tickets

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here.

Ticket Office open from 9am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility

Travel information

Due to the ongoing roadworks outside Tesco on the A85 Crieff Road, all Motherwell supporters are encouraged to take the following route to McDiarmid Park on Saturday:

Visiting Buses, coaches and cars are to head north from Broxden Roundabout to Inveralmond Roundabout.

Take the 4th exit signposted ’football traffic”

Take the first slip road signposted “Crieff/Crianlarich (A85) & Perth A85”

At the traffic lights, turn left and take the filter lane turning right through the blue North Gate at McDiarmid Park where stewards will direct you to the West side of the artificial pitch.

Ticket Prices

• • Ticket sales are online only (with the exception of the wheelchair & PA tickets – see attached).
  • Disabled/ambulant supporters must be in receipt of PIP/DLA and will be asked to verify this when purchasing online.
  • Personal assistant tickets cannot be added to an order without the age appropriate ambulant disabled ticket being added first.
  • U12 tickets cannot be purchased without an adult/concession ticket (max 2 x U12 per order), the adult/concession ticket must be added first.

How to follow game online

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

The Story of the Match

Saturday’s fine win over Kilmarnock gives Motherwell a nine point cushion over the relegation play-off place but work remains to be done to guarantee safety.

Saturday’s opponents are five points from safety after their crucial win over Dundee United last weekend.

The Perth side sacked Calum Davidson mid April and have shown signs of life under Steven MacLean with four points from their last two games.

The last game at McDiarmid ended as a draw after Blair Spittal’s free-kick cancelled out Drey Wright’s opener.

McDiarmid Park has proven to not be a happy hunting ground for the Steelmen, with their last win coming in September 2019.

Match Officials

• • Referee: Grant Irvine
  • AR1: Calum Spence
  • AR2: Michael Banks
  • Fourth Official: Scott Lambie
  • VAR: Gavin Duncan
  • AVAR: Dougie Potter