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Pictures from the 2-0 defeat by Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Rugby Park.

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

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[tab:Match report]

 Andy Ross at Rugby Park

Motherwell’s hopes of moving into second place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League were dashed after falling to a 2-0 defeat against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Paul Heffernan blasted home at the second attempt after a good stop by Darren Randolph and the Dubliner added his second from the penalty spot to complete a miserable day for the Fir Park side.

Reduced ticket prices and recent good fortunes made for a big game atmosphere and the Steelmen were roared on by a large travelling support in the Chadwick Stand.

The Kilmarnock players were applauded on to the park by Stuart McCall’s men, following their League Cup triumph last Sunday.

A minute’s silence was perfectly observed in tribute of Kellie defender’s father, Jack Kelly, who tragically died after suffering a heart-attack just after the full-time whistle at Hampden.

The opening ten minutes of the game saw the play swing from end-to-end without either keeper being tested.

Only a good clearance from Michael Nelson prevented Michael Higdon profiting from good build up play between Henrik Ojamaa and Chris Humphrey.

Tom Hateley’s dangerous corner on 25 minutes was nodded on by Ojamaa but the Killie defence easily dealt with the danger.

Dieter Van Tornhout saw his effort deflected past the post by Steven Hammell as the hosts began to show some attacking intent.

The Belgian striker then forced Darren Randolph to race from his goal as he raced in on goal following a neat through ball by James Fowler.

Van Tornhout managed the first shot on target of the first-half when he rolled an effort at Randolph on 35 minutes.
 
Killie came agonisingly close to opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time when Paul Heffernan’s shot drifted just wide of Randolph’s right-hand post.

Kenny Shiels was forced into a change at half-time when he brought on Welsh keeper Kyle Letheren in place of Bell.

The home side made a bright start to the second half and they were rewarded four minutes after the restart when Heffernan bagged the opening goal.

Randolph initially managed to block from Killie’s top-scorer but he recovered well to slam home the rebound.

Gary Harkins twice went close as the hosts looked to extend their advantage and ‘Well looked clearly rocked after falling behind.

The task facing McCall’s men was increased when Hateley was adjudged to have to have handled Garry Hay’s shot and Crawford Allen quickly pointed to the spot.

Heffernan coolly converted the resulting spot-kick low beyond Randolph, leaving the Steelmen with a mountain to climb.

Ojamaa finally registered Motherwell’s first shot on target after 63 minutes, but it Killie who continued to control proceedings.

Harkins went close again before McCall made a triple switch.

Nicky Law, Ojamaa and Higdon all were withdrawn with Robert McHugh, Omar Daley and Jamie Murphy introduced to the action.

Hateley flashed an effort well over the bar as Motherwell as the visitors tried to find a way back into the match.

Substitute Chris Johnston saw his effort comfortably gathered by Randolph as the hosts looked to build on their lead and Harkins failed to hit the target with his powerful free-kick.

The closing stages of the game saw little in the way of goal-mouth action and the hosts held out for a comfortable three points.

It was a disappointing setback in what has been a fantastic season for the Fir Parkers, however the players have the perfect opportunity to recover from their disappointment when they meet Rangers at Fir Park next Saturday.

[tab:As it happened]

Alan Burrows at East End Park

Full Time – Kilmarnock 2-0 Motherwell

90mins – Almost time up here. Focus must move on to Rangers next week. Poor day at the office I am afraid.

86mins – Looks like it’s going to be Killie’s day. Hutchy is the latest Motherwell player to go into the book!

83mins – Motherwell’s best chance. Omar D and Humphrey combine. Ball across the face is missed by everyone! Humph has been ‘Well’s standout.

75mins – Results elsewhere make it a terrible day all round really. Killie almost score again but ‘Well defend it somehow…

74mins – Not long left on the clock. Motherwell have been poor. Nothing has really worked at all for McCall’s men.

70mins – Fowler and Jennings both booked. That’ll be the midfielder suspended now I think – 6th card of the campaign.

67mins – Three subs for the Steelmen. Off goes Nicky Law, Henrik Ojamaa and Michael Higdon. Daley, Murphy and McHugh all on!

66mins – Another penalty shout for Killie. That one looked clearer cut than the one that was given. That’s football I suppose?

63mins – Ojamaa shot from the edge of the box is Motherwell’s first on target I think? It’s been poor from the Fir Parkers…

61mins – Coolly slotted into the bottom corner by Heffernan. Is that game over now? It’s as poor as ‘Well have been for a while!

GOAL Kilmarnock!

Penalty Killie. Handball in the box by Hateley I think. Looked a wee bit harsh I think!

58mins – Motherwell haven’t really started this half truth be told. Nothing is sticking up top…

58mins – Motherwell give away a foul on the edge – Killie to have a strike at goal but it falls just wide.

55mins – Play is swinging from end to end. Harkins (I think) finds space on the left. His low shot is well saved by Randolph.

54mins – Humphrey shows great pace on the right flank but it breaks down at the final minute for the Jamaican.

50mins – Attendance here at Rugby Park is 6878

50mins – Motherwell apply a bit of pressure but Killie gets it clear.

49mins – Striker goes through. His first shot was blocked, his second deflected over the covering Hutchinson and in. Disaster….

GOAL Kilmarnock! Heffernan!

47mins – Just clocked a half-time change – Cammy Bell is off, Kyle Letheren replaces him. He was at FP on trial for ages!

46mins – Killie have an early chance but a free-kick from the edge is deflected wide for a corner. CK is headed over for another corner!

45mins – Motherwell will get us started again here at Rugby Park.

HT: Grub at Killie is decent I have to say. All set for the second half here at Rugby Park….

Half-Time: Kilmarnock 0 – 0 Motherwell. Not much between the sides at all. Killie had the better chance (singular)

45mins – Just before the break, Killie have a great chance. Heffernan drags the ball inches wide of the post. Let off their for ‘Well!

45mins – Killie burst clear – it looks dangerous but Tim Clancy gets back to mop up the dangerous. Top defending from the Irishman…

41mins – Hammell is booked for dissent after another call didn’t go Motherwell’s way. Steelmen feeling hard-done to at the minute…

39mins – Another hotly contested corner kick (it’s becoming a recent theme). Motherwell get it clear though but players upset at that call.

37mins – A slip on the edge of the ‘Well area allows Van Tornhout a dig at goal. Fairly decent effort, comfortable for Randolph.

32mins – Van Tornhout is almost through on goal but Randolph is off his line quick to smother the danger. Well done the big GK!

30mins – A turn and shot from Dieter van Tornhout is deflected wide for a corner. ‘Well players not happy with that call (de-ja-vu?)

30mins – ‘Well half a wee half-chance – Ojamaa fires a low shot that deflected wide of the post. Still 0-0 at Rugby Park.

27mins – Killie burst down the field and win a free-kick in a good area. Ball in is decent but Nelson fouls and it’s a FK for ‘Well!

26mins – Good ball from a corner presents Hutchy with a half chance but his header is cleared on route to goal.

13mins – Game has cooled as a contest. Lots of possession for both sides but nothing much in the way of guilt-edged chances…

8mins – Another brilliant Humphrey ball across the six-yard box but no takers again for Motherwell. Excellent wing play there from CH.

4mins – Good ball into the area from Humphrey – no takers for the Steelmen though and the home side belt it clear.

2mins – Free-kick from Killie forces Hutchy to knock it behind for the early corner. Motherwell force it clear though…

1min – Killie get us underway here at Rugby Park!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“They far and away deserved it. We started okay but without a doubt we were really poor throughout the team.

“Apologies to the big support we had down, we just didn’t turn up today. “It was a really disappointing performance, we didn’t even have a shot in anger.”

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels:

“I just asked them to show their respect for Motherwell and their respect for Liam because we have lost one of our family.

“It is a family club which bonds so closely with the community and that’s what we use as much as we can.

“Liam is very high in our thoughts today. You could say we did it for Liam.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Jamaican winger Chris Humphrey has spoke of his delighted at winning his spot back in the Motherwell starting eleven.

The former Shrewsbury’s man has had to be patient over the last few months with Omar Daley, Jamie Murphy, Nicky Law and even Henrik Ojamaa given the nod in the wide position.

However, some dynamic substitute appearances eventually led to his first SPL start since 26th November when a patched-up Steelmen side overcame Aberdeen last weekend.

[pullquote]I’ve been out for three months so to come back now and come back and have a good game last week was important for me; not just for starting, but for confidence.[/pullquote]

Asked if he was pleased to be back amongst the starts, the 23-year old said: “Yeah definitely, it’s always nice to be playing football and to get starts.

“We’ve got such a big squad now full of good players so it’s going to be hard to be playing every week. Everyone can’t play well every week and there’s always someone on the bench just ready to come on and take your position.

“That’s why I’ve been out for three months so to come back now and come back and have a good game last week was important for me; not just for starting, but for confidence. It’s up to my now to keep that spot.

“As a professional footballer you’ve got it in your head that you’re not going to play every game. It would be nice to, but it is how you prepare for the games you’re not playing and how you deal with it.

“Even in training you have to keep your head high and when you come off the bench, you have to do what you can do. Whether it is five minutes or twenty minutes, you’ve got to make a difference because that is football.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Stuart McCall insists his side will only be focused on events at Rugby Park and not what the outcome might mean for Sunday’s Old Firm clash.

A huge amount of media attention in the build-up to this weekend has been on the possibility of Celtic having the opportunity to win the league at Ibrox should ‘Well fail to take all three points at Rugby Park.

It’s not something McCall has given much thought; insisting his only focus is winning the match for Motherwell and further solidifying the Steelmen’s place at the top end of the table.

[pullquote]I don’t think any Motherwell supporter gives a monkey’s about what is happening on Sunday so we’ve got to go down there and put in a performance that will hopefully win us the three points.”[/pullquote]

He said: “I don’t think any Motherwell supporter gives a monkey’s about what is happening on Sunday so we’ve got to go down there and put in a performance that will hopefully win us the three points.

“Both games against Killie have been very tight. The last time we were at Rugby Park it was a really good game, they had a lot of possession but both goalkeepers on the day were outstanding.

“Likewise with the game here at Fir Park, Kilmarnock came and played an open brand of football and we matched them, going toe to toe with the only surprise being it ended 0-0 and again that came down to the quality of the goalkeepers.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

The Motherwell players were put through their paces at Fir Park ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

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Fans are reminded that Kilmarnock have reduced admission prices for tomorrow’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Rugby Park.

• Concessions are listed as Over 65s, U18s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION COACHES

CENTRAL BRANCH

The bus for Kilmarnock will leave the Bentley Hotel at 1.30pm. Phone Jim on (01698) 299650 or e-mail Christopher on christopher_hutton@btinternet.com.

WISHAW BRANCH

The Wishaw branch to Kilmarnock will leave Kenilworth Avenue at 1.15pm. To book seats call Anne on 01698 384050 or email andysim2@sky.com.

BELLSHILL & DISTRICT BRANCH

The Kilmarnock bus will pick up at the Carousel Bar, Bellshill at 12.20pm, then Holytown War Monument at 12.25pm and finally the Fir Park Club, Motherwell at 12.35pm. To book seats, contact Brian Worton on 07763 061821 or after 6pm on (01698) 747644.

TRAVEL

BY CAR

The stadium is located close to the town centre is well signposted for travelling fans.

Follow the A71 towards Kilmarnock and then take the A759 (Dundonald Road) into the town. You will eventually come to the stadium on the left.

If travelling from the North, follow the M77, which becomes the A77 on approach to Kilmarnock. Exit on to the B7802 (Grassyards Road) and head towards the town centre.

Continue forward on to High Street, turning right at the traffic lights on to Fowlds Street. Then turn left at St Marnock Street on to the A759 (Dundonald Road). The stadium will be clearly visible ahead.

Street parking is available on numerous streets around the ground.

BY BUS

Several operators run buses which will take you within a five to 10 minute walk of the ground, including First service X76.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.firstgroup.com/glasgow.

BY TRAIN

Kilmarnock station is served by trains from Glasgow and is within walking distance of the ground.

Upon leaving the station, walk down John Finnie Street and turn right at the traffic lights on to Portland Road. Then take the second left on to South Hamilton Street and the stadium will be clearly visible ahead.

Further information and timetables are available online at www.scotrail.co.uk.

MAP

[mappress]

Estonian Sharpshooter Henrik Ojamaa talks Pavel Neved’s curly hair, sibling rivalry and being kept awake by wedding night revelers… #askhenrik

-WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell Football Club is delighted to announce that SPL Music Box is now available at Fir Park every single Saturday.

The sessions are hosted in the Davie Cooper Stand every Saturday from 10.00am – 12.30pm, beginning this weekend (March 24th)

Local music provider Reeltime will deliver the sessions which are FREE!

SPL Music Box is a vibrant new youth music project being delivered at all 12 SPL clubs. Music Box is supported by Creative Scotland through the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative.

Music Box offers young people aged 12-18 years old the chance to take part in a wide range of music making activities at their local SPL club.

Held on a weekly basis, sessions allow young people to learn to play popular instruments such as drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals as well as the opportunity to make their own recordings, compose songs and learn about the music industry.

So come along on Saturday and join in the fun.