Latest News

The youth team came from behind to beat Hibs 4-3 in an unbelievable opening game of the U19 season.

Trailing 3-1 with less than 20 minutes remaining, Gordon Young’s side produced a magnificent comeback to stun the Edinburgh hosts.

It was a terrific turnaround from the young Steelmen who had been the victims of what appeared to be some very questionable decisions from the match officials throughout the game.

And it was doubly pleasing for the manager, given seven players were making their first ever start at this level, with the majority of the squad made up of players still eligible for the U17s.

It was a windy afternoon at the Hibernian training centre and the home side certainly adapted better in the opening exchanges.

However, despite all their possession and balls across the face of goal, the Motherwell defence held firm and goalkeeper Tom Bradley didn’t look in any way troubled.

That was until the 12th minute when Hibs took the lead in controversial circumstances. Some neat build-up play on the right flank led to a neat ball over the head of Liam Sloan for Philip Addison, who appeared to be at least a yard offside.

The assistant referee’s flag wasn’t forthcoming though and the striker kept his composure to knock it past Bradley.

Whether it was a sense of injustice is anyone’s guess, but Young’s men went on to dominate the rest of the half and should have drawn level eleven minutes later.

Ross McKinnon’s corner from the right was met at the back post by Josh Watt who turned it back into the middle with a neat header. It dropped kindly for defender Michael Lynch but he failed to connect properly with the shot, allowing a grateful Calum Antell to gather.

‘Well continued to push but were being restricted to chances from set-pieces. Ten minutes from the break it was another set-piece that almost led to an equaliser. Taking it short, McKinnon combined with Watt with a neat one-two before curling a beautiful curling effort at goal. It looked net-bound all the way but McKinnon was denied by a fantastic save from Antell who threw up a last ditch hand to turn it over the bar for another corner.

The second-half kicked off in similar fashion to the first as Hibs burst out the traps. Inside the opening five minutes they tested Bradley’s awareness with a bouncing low shot that forced the Welshman to tip round the post.

It was a sign of things to come as the home side doubled their lead but once again there was major controversy surrounding the goal.

With ‘Well on the attack a neat ball into the left channel allowed the hardworking Keiran McGachie to get in behind the home defence. In a straight race with keeper Antell the striker won the ball and tipped it past the Hibs goalkeeper only to be taken out.

Incredibly, the referee waved play on as the home side broke up the park. A long ball over the top allowed David Crawford to outpace Lynch. He eventually squared it inside for Daniel Handling who tucked it into an empty net.

The Motherwell players surrounded the referee and Bradley was booked for his protests. It was an incredible decision and the visitors were rightly aggrieved.

But they didn’t allow their heads to drop and within a minute were back in the game courtesy of a debut goal for McGachie. The big striker, who put in a great shift up-top, quickly latched onto a mistake in the home defence and rounded Antell before coolly tucking it home.

Yet within five minutes, Hibs restored their two-goal advantage. The excellent Stuart Carswell was a penalised for a trip on the edge of the box. It looked more of a coming together but that does not excuse the very poor marking as the free-kick bounced across the box eventually landing at the feet of Forster, allowing him to poke home from close range.

At that point it looked as if ‘Well were on the road to an opening day defeat but they gave themselves a lifeline with 18 minutes remaining. Good build-up play from another debutant Stephen Howarth opened space for McGachie. He managed to turn Smith before being scythed down inside the box.

This time the referee had no option but to point to the spot. McKinnon stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, sending Antell the wrong way.

The goal put Hibs on the back foot and they started to look nervous. Young’s men went for the jugular almost straight from the restart and eventually equalised three minutes later.

Fantastic work down the left by McDonald and substitute Lee Erwin created space for Howarth. The youngster took a touch round his marker before lashing a low drive under Antell and into the net.

And the comeback was completed four minutes from time when Keiran MacDonald struck an incredible winner, smashing home an unstoppable volley from the edge of the area that flew past Antell into the top left-hand corner.

Motherwell: Bradley, Brown, Sloan, Lynch, McKinnon, Carswell, Watt (Erwin), Scanlan (Halsman), Howarth, McDonald (McLean), McGachie. Subs not used: Muir, Griffin, Connor, Murray.

Pictures from the 2-1 defeat to Odense in the Europa League Play-Off Round first-leg. These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

[svgallery name=”odense190810″]

[tab:Match report]

An injury-time free-kick from Tom Hateley helped Motherwell salvage something from the first-leg of the Europa League play-off with Odense.

The Steelmen trailed to goals from Chris Sorensen and Peter Utaka before Steve Jennings was sent-off for a second-bookable offence.

But Hateley found the net in style with the last kick of the game to keep the tie alive.

It was no more than ‘Well deserved after a dominant performance in Denmark.

Jamie Murphy was given the task of leading the line for Motherwell and the striker had the chance to give his side a dream start when he latched on to a loose pass back from Espen Ruud inside the first minute.

Murphy advanced towards goal but he was unable to find the target, dragging his shot wide from just inside the box.

It was a let off for the home side and they immediately went on the attack, with Atle Haland heading a Sorensen cross narrowly over the bar.

But the Steelmen soon took control and Murphy saw a shot deflected behind after being played in by Chris Humphrey.

Humphrey then embarked on a lung-busting run down the left but his cross was just too long for his team-mates.

Motherwell continued to take the game to the hosts and John Sutton pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area before shooting over.

Odense responded to the early pressure with a couple of shots on goal. Sorensen was first to threaten with a powerful angled drive then Johan Absalonsen tested Darren Randolph in similar fashion.

Play raged up the other end and Hateley went close to breaking the deadlock with a curling free-kick which drifted just inches wide of the left-post.

But it was the Danes who took the lead from a set-piece on 31 minutes when Sorensen’s inswinging free-kick evaded everyone inside the box, including Randolph.

The keeper appeared to be caught in two minds whether to come for the ball or not and it ended up in the back of the net.

It was a soft goal to concede and Craig Brown’s frustration was clear for all to see.

However, his side responded well to falling behind and they had a strong claim for penalty turned down when Christensen handled inside the box.

Replays showed the ball clearly struck the defender’s arm but referee Zsolt Szabo waved play on.

With Motherwell dominating possession, Odense made a change at half-time, replacing Caca with Hansen.

And they almost doubled their lead moments after the restart when Gislason drove a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

But it wasn’t a sign of things to come and Motherwell regained control of the match, pressing for an equaliser.

Humphrey, who switched sides for the second-half, picked out Sutton with a deep cross but his far-post header was blocked by Roy Carroll. The winger then saw a low shot of his own saved from outside the box.

But with the Steelmen pressing for an equaliser, Odense broke on the counter attack and doubled their lead.

Utaka outstripped Stephen Craigan on the edge of the area before rounding Randolph and firing high into the net.

It was a devastating blow for Motherwell and things went from bad to worse when Jennings was sent off for a second-bookable offence.

They kept plugging away though and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when Hateley grabbed an all-important away goal.

His curling free-kick from 25 yards flew past Carroll into the top left-hand corner, breathing life into the tie ahead of the second-leg.

[tab:As it happened]

90+4′ FULL-TIME The referee blows the full-time whistle.

90+4′ GOAL Hateley (Motherwell) scores with a curling free-kick from 25 yards.

90+4′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

90+3′ Andreasen (Odense) is cautioned by the referee.

90+3′ Andreasen (Odense) commits a foul after challenging Blackman (Motherwell).

90+1′ Humphrey (Motherwell) misses the target.

90+1′ Hansen (Odense) commits a foul after challenging Hateley (Motherwell).

88′ RED CARD Jennings (Motherwell) is dismissed for a second-bookable offence.

88′ BOOKING Jennings (Motherwell) is cautioned by the referee.

88′ Jennings (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Ruud (Odense).

87′ Carroll (Odense) makes a save.

87′ Forbes (Motherwell) has an effort on goal.

87′ Forbes (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

86′ Christensen (Odense) commits a foul after challenging Blackman (Motherwell).

85′ SUB McHugh (in) – Sutton (out) (Motherwell)

84′ Hammell (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Djemba-Djemba (Odense).

82′ Hansen (Odense) misses the target.

80′ BOOKING Saunders (Motherwell) is cautioned by the referee.

80′ Saunders (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Absalonsen (Odense).

78′ GOAL Utaka (Odense) scores from inside the penalty area.

76′ Ruud (Odense) has a shot blocked.

75′ Hansen (Odense) misses the target.

74′ SUB Johansson (in) – Gislason (out) (Odense)

74′ Blackman (Motherwell) misses the target.

73′ SUB Blackman (in) – Murphy (out) (Motherwell)

72′ SUB Forbes (in) – Lasley (out) (Motherwell)

72′ Gislason (Odense) misses the target.

71′ Carroll (Odense) makes a save.

71′ Saunders (Motherwell) has an effort on goal.

70′ Gislason (Odense) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Jennings (Motherwell).

68′ Hammell (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Andreasen (Odense).

67′ Carroll (Odense) makes a save.

67′ Humphrey (Motherwell) has an effort on goal.

66′ Carroll (Odense) makes a save.

66′ Sutton (Motherwell) has an effort on goal.

65′ C. Sorensen (Odense) delivers the corner.

63′ Humphrey (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Hansen (Odense).

58′ Sutton (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Christensen (Odense).

58′ Hammell (Motherwell) takes the corner.

56′ Hateley (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Gislason (Odense).

54′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the corner.

52′ Djemba-Djemba (Odense) commits a foul after challenging Lasley (Motherwell).

50′ Jennings (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Hansen (Odense).

50′ BOOKING Jennings (Motherwell) is shown a yellow card.

48‘ Gislason (Odense) misses the target.

47′ Hansen (Odense) takes the corner.

46′ Andreasen (Odense) commits a foul after challenging Hammell (Motherwell).

46′ SUB Hansen (in) – Caca (out) (Odense)

46′ KICK-OFF The second half begins.

45+1′ HALF-TIME The referee blows for half-time.

45+1′ Sutton (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Djemba-Djemba (Odense).

45′ Haland (Odense) commits a foul after challenging Randolph (Motherwell).

44′ Caca (Odense) takes the corner.

42′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the corner.

40′ Utaka (Odense) misses the target.

37′ Jennings (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Gislason (Odense).

34′ Hateley (Motherwell) delivers the corner.

32′ Murphy (Motherwell) is adjudged to be in an offside position.

31′ GOAL C. Sorensen (Odense) scores with a curling free-kick from the right-side of the box.

31′ C. Sorensen (Odense) takes the free-kick.

31′ Hammell (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Caca (Odense).

30′ Gislason (Odense) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Hammell (Motherwell).

29′ Absalonsen (Odense) misses the target.

28′ C. Sorensen (Odense) delivers the corner.

27′ Hateley (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Utaka (Odense).

26′ Sutton (Motherwell) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Djemba-Djemba (Odense).

26′ Utaka (Odense) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Craigan (Motherwell).

25′ Hateley (Motherwell) misses the target.

25′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

24′ Absalonsen (Odense) fouls.

23′ Randolph (Motherwell) makes a save.

23′ Absalonsen (Odense) has an effort on goal.

23′ Absalonsen (Odense) has an effort on goal.

22′ Lasley (Motherwell) fouls.

20′ Utaka (Odense) commits a foul after challenging Reynolds (Motherwell).

19′ Sutton (Motherwell) misses the target.

15′ Hateley (Motherwell) misses the target.

15′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the free-kick.

15′ Djemba-Djemba (Odense) commits a foul after challenging Murphy (Motherwell).

14′ Saunders (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Christensen (Odense).

13′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the corner.

13′ Murphy (Motherwell) misses the target.

12′ Utaka (Odense) commits a foul after challenging Lasley (Motherwell).

12′ Humphrey (Motherwell) takes the corner.

9′ Hateley (Motherwell) takes the corner.

8′ Murphy (Motherwell) has a shot blocked.

6′ BOOKING Reynolds (Motherwell) is cautioned by the referee.

6′ Reynolds (Motherwell) commits a foul after challenging Ruud (Odense).

3′ Haland (Odense) misses the target.

3′ Caca (Odense) delivers the corner.

1′ Murphy (Motherwell) misses the target.

1′ KICK-OFF The match is under way.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell boss Craig Brown:

“I don’t think we deserved to lose the game, quite honestly.

“To go 2-0 down was very harsh and I thought the red card was very soft – two soft yellow cards and of course the Danish players made the most of it.

“Jenno feels very aggrieved. He thought they were hardly fouls never mind yellow cards, but we’re losing him for the next game.

“We had two very good penalty claims too, I’ve seen them on television. The handling is blatant and Murphy was pushed off the ball. It knocked him right off balance. So we could have had two penalty kicks as well.

“We showed we are as good a team as they are and if we play properly in the home game we have a good chance.

“It’s only half-time but that goal is invaluable because a 2-1 defeat is better than a 1-0 defeat. But they are a good side and it’s far from over.”

Motherwell goalscorer Tom Hateley:

“I was going to cross the ball at the end but Archie Knox said if I did and the goalkeeper caught it then it would be all over.

“I didn’t actually hear him but the bench were shouting at me and so Hammy just told me to shoot. The goalkeeper then took a couple of steps to the left so I went for it.

“It was a great feeling to see it go in because over the course of the 90 minutes we deserved to take something from the game.

“We had some good chances early on and we were disappointed in the dressing room to be 1-0 down at half-time. But the tie is very much alive now and hopefully we can do the business in the second-leg.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”6″]

The Motherwell squad trained at TRE-FOR Park in Denmark this evening ahead of the Europa League tie with Odense. As always, our friends at SNS were there to capture all the action.

[svgallery name=”odense180810″]

Craig Brown hopes that his vast experience as Scotland boss will stand his Motherwell side in good stead for the Europa league clash with Odense.

In his eight years as the national manager, Brown qualified for two major tournaments, including France ’98.

Along the way, he created a Scotland side which was notoriously hard to break down and grinded out some fine results.

So it is easy to see why Thursday’s trip to Denmark holds no fear for the Motherwell boss.

“This is what I have been used to for 16 years,” he said. “I was with the Scottish team for four qualifying campaigns and took the team to two major tournaments – and just lost out in a playoff for another.

“That meant that we had to create a team organised enough to play in Europe and we did that successfully. Even when we failed to qualify in my last qualifying campaign we only lost one match out of ten.

“My philosophy has always been: minimise the risk of failure. That means be well organised and know the opposition, because knowledge is power.

“So I certainly do not intend to go over to Denmark and lose.”

Brown hopes his side can repeat their performance from the last round against Aalesund, when the Steelmen managed to score away from home.

This gave them the upper hand in the second-leg and they finished the job in style at Fir Park, winning 4-1 on aggregate.

“The away goal could be vital in Denmark,” he said. “We will certainly try to score over there.

“I believe we have players in our team like Sutton, Humphrey and Murphy who are good on the break and capable of getting an away goal.

“We will be careful and cautious, but when we get the chance to break we will be offensive.”

Motherwell have impressed thus far in their European campaign and after two seasons in which they missed out on the lucrative group stages their experienced boss believes the squad may now be ready to take the step up.

“The players are revelling in the European challenge.” said Brown.

“It’s a bonus to be playing in Europe and I think to have merely survived the first two rounds is a fairly good achievement. To survive this round would be an excellent achievement – and that is our immediate objective.

“We would be arguably the smallest team in the Europa League group stages in terms of attendances and budget if we do get through.

“We have worked very hard, even before the European campaign started. We were ready for the match against Breidablik, and we did very well against Aalesund. This is another challenge that we will prepare well for.”

Despite the air of confidence which exudes from the ‘Well gaffer he is experienced and wise enough not to underestimate the threat of the team who currently sit in fifth position in the Danish Superliga.

In a recent spying mission to the Danish capital Motherwell’s management duo of Knox and Brown took in the league leaders FC Copenhagen’s encounter against Odense – and they came back to North Lanarkshire under no illusions about how tough the task will be for the club to progress.

“We were left in no doubt about the calibre of the opposition – they are very good! Much better than the Norwegian and Icelandic team we have already faced.

“Myself and Archie went over to watch them against FC Copenhagen. We couldn’t have picked a better fixture to judge them because Copenhagen are Denmark’s Champions League representatives – and Copenhagen only won 3-2 with a stoppage time goal.

“The Odense salaries are bigger than ours, as are their attendances. They have a bigger budget and good sponsorship deals. In every respect they are a bigger club than Motherwell but we play Celtic and Rangers, who are far bigger clubs than Odense – and we often compete well and get results against them.

“We know all about the opposition. We know their players and how they are likely to play, so there are no excuses regarding preparation.”

The club have today issued the following press release relating to the transfer of Paul Quinn to Cardiff City.

Cardiff owe Motherwell £175,000 plus interest and costs for the transfer of Paul Quinn which took place in June 2009, almost 14 months ago.

Fully understanding their difficulties, the board of Motherwell have pursued this claim firmly but courteously. 

Having failed to receive a proper business like response, the club eventually had no option but to pursue the matter in Hamilton Sheriff Court.  The petition was considered on Friday yet Cardiff did not even turn up or submit a defence to our petition.

Commenting, Motherwell Chief Executive, Leeann Dempster, said:  “It is critical that clubs work constructively with each other to ensure we can manage a very difficult financial climate for the game.  We have given Cardiff every chance to do the right thing.

“The board now believe that Cardiff’s position is untenable given their activity in the transfer market acquiring Jason Koumas, Tom Heaton, Danny Drinkwater, Seyi Olofinjana, Martin John and today, the loan signing of Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy.

“Given all these circumstances and with legal and moral weight behind us, Motherwell have no option but to immediately pursue all legal routes to ensure this significant sum is paid to us as quickly as possible. 

“These may include issuing a winding up order, arresting assets or physically sending bailiffs to their ground on match day to take possession of cash.  Every option will be fully considered and implemented as soon as possible.

“We want Cardiff fans to know that we appreciate the concerns this will give them.  We can only urge them to look to how they would feel in our position and urge them to put pressure on their own Board to ensure the excellent long-term reputation of their club is not diminished by the leadership of one board.

“We have a job to promote and protect the interests of our own employees, fans and shareholders and we will.  We would also suggest to the Championship and the English FA that they look with great care at the conduct of Cardiff in handling this matter. 

“Even at this very late stage, I would urge Gethin Jenkins of Cardiff to pay this money plus costs and interest by return in order to save his club acute embarrassment and the football community in general unwarranted bad publicity”.

The first-team squad were all gathered at Fir Park today for the annual team photocall. As always our friends at SNS were there to capture all the action.

[svgallery name=”photocall160810″]

Midfielder Keith Lasley could not hide his frustration after Motherwell lost out to Hibs in the opening game of the new season.

Referee Craig Thomson was the centre of attention after denying the Steelmen two penalties in an incident-packed game at Fir Park.

Lasley was reluctant to lambast the official but conceded that his decisions had a large bearing on the result.

“Out of the three penalty claims we had the one that we got was the one we didn’t really claim for! I was surprised to get the penalty,” he said, reflecting on the award ‘Well did receive when Nick Blackman was pulled back by Colin Nish inside the box.

“For me the other two claims were stone wall penalties – certainly more so than the one we got.”

The first denied claim came as John Sutton was barged over in the box by Chris Hogg and the frustration was compounded seconds later as Hibs went up the other end and extended their lead through Liam Miller.

Lasley, who was just yards away from the incident, had no doubt that the official should have pointed to the spot.

“I was close to the John Sutton barge and thought that was a penalty.” he said. “But we got the one that we got and unfortunately we could not build on that and get back into the game.”

The Steelmen had another denied claim to ruefully look back on when Sol Bamba seemed to clearly flick the ball out for a corner with his hand following a Lasley cross. A penalty at that point would have given ‘Well a great chance to make it 3-3, but it wasn’t to be.

“If your arm is away from the body then that is deemed a penalty. It seems as though they bring out new directives regarding handball every year, but to me it seemed a penalty kick.” Lasley insisted.

“I certainly thought Bamba’s arm was in an unnatural position, so it was a penalty, but these things happen.”

Between penalty claims Bamba made another contribution towards the outcome of match when he impeded Darren Randolph as he challenged for a Derek Riordan cross.

This allowed the ball to travel to the back post where Paul Hanlon bundled the ball into the net with his arm.

“We didn’t get the breaks,” said the 30-year-old. “At the time I couldn’t tell what had happened, but Stevie (Hammell) claimed for a handball and so did a couple of the other boys. Perhaps the linesman didn’t have a great view of it.

“It’s another aspect of the game that we will look at and think it is another bit of luck which has gone against us.

“The bottom line is we have lost the game; that’s it. The outcome is we have gained no points, and it’s already in the past – we now have to take it on with the chin and get on with preparing for the next match.”

Craig Brown was disappointed his side had nothing to show for their efforts in the opening league game of the season.

The Steelmen lost 3-2 to Hibs in another entertaining game between the two sides at Fir Park.

Motherwell dominated the first-half but went in level after Anthony Stokes cancelled out John Sutton’s opener.

Further chances went begging in a more even second forty-five and Hibs capitalised with goals from Paul Hanlon and Liam Miller.

Jamie Murphy pulled one back from the penalty spot but the visitors held on for all three points.

“We had enough chances in the first-half to get a fairly secure lead but when you do not take your chances there is always likelihood that you will pay the penalty and unfortunately that happened to us,” said Brown.

“I think we should have got something from the match, I think everyone who saw the game will agree with that, but I give credit to Hibs.

“They battled back well and got into the game after going behind. Nevertheless we are disappointed to get nothing from the game.
 
“We were the better team in the first-half and I don’t think there was much in it in the second-half either. We had as many good moves and scoring chances as Hibs did, although they are always dangerous on the break.”

As well as his side’s poor finishing, Brown was also unhappy with the performance of referee Craig Thomson.

The Motherwell boss claimed the goal that put Hibs 2-1 ahead should not have been allowed and that his own side should have had more than the one penalty given.

“I have seen the pictures of it and there were two reasons why it should not have been allowed,” he said.

“The penalty that was least like a penalty was the one we got. We had a better claim before and after that.

“The clear one was when John Sutton was barged off the ball. I saw one yesterday when referee Collum gave one correctly for Kilmarnock against Rangers for the same thing.

“I don’t want to be a moaner. I want to give the referee the respect he is due. He is a very good referee, but I have got to be honest and say that I felt the decisions were not kind to us today. I think that is putting it euphemistically.”

Despite conceding three goals on the day, goalkeeper Darren Randolph turned in a dazzling display between the sticks. The big stopper could do very little about any of Hibs’ goals and he made a series of great saves from Riordan, Stokes and Kevin McBride.

The manager was full of praise for the man with the unenviable task of replacing John Ruddy: “Darren is a good goalkeeper, and he will be a terrific asset without a doubt. I would rather he didn’t have to make too many saves, but he made the saves today – and he made them well.”

Another player who caught the eye was debutant loan signing Nick Blackman. The 20-year old showed some nice touches after coming on as a substitute and won the penalty from which Murphy made it 3-2.

“Nick didn’t get much time on the pitch today but I think everyone can see that we have got a guy that can be very good for us this season because he has good great attributes for a striker.

“His pace and his shooting are excellent and he has the stature to be a fine striker.”

Pictures from the 3-2 defeat to Hibs in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park. These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

[svgallery name=”hibs150810″]