Motherwell FC

[LAF]

Motherwell defender Stephen Craigan's joy at signing a new contract quickly turned to despair as his own goal handed Hearts victory at Fir Park.
Hearts dealt better with a strong wind as Motherwell suffered a blow to their hopes of Uefa Cup qualification.

But Well were enraged that Eggert Jonsson's 11th-minute drive, deflected in by Craigan, took place as David Clarkson was down with a head knock.

Craigan was denied an equaliser by a fine save from goalkeeper Steve Banks.


Interview: Motherwell manager Mark McGhee
Media conference: Hearts caretaker manager Stevie Frail

Motherwell had gone into the game four points clear of fourth-top Dundee United.

Stephen Hughes returned to the midfield - replacing Darren Smith - after being ruled out of the midweek victory over Inverness with a knee injury.

Hearts were missing top scorer Andrius Velicka, who is expected to sign for Norwegian side Viking FK next week, with a pelvic injury.

MY SPORT: DEBATE
Give your reaction to the result at Fir Park

Andrew Driver failed to recover from a groin injury, while fellow midfielder Audrius Ksanavicius dropped to the bench.

And Christian Nade, Calum Elliot and Lee Wallace came into a starting line-up that immediately threatened the home goal.

But goalkeeper Graeme Smith beat away Nade's shot from 12 yards after Deividas Cesnauskis' driven corner was missed by Motherwell midfielder Marc Fitzpatrick.

Wallace flashed an effort wildly over the crossbar from the edge of the box after being set up by Cesnauskis.

However, the visitors soon took the lead in controversial circumstances.

Motherwell striker David Clarkson lay in the Hearts penalty area with a head knock following a clash with Tynecastle defender Jose Goncalves.


Hearts were the better side for much of the match

But referee Craig Thomson refused to stop play as Hearts sprung a counter-attack.

The move finished with midfielder Jonsson's wayward drive from 25 yards being deflected past Smith by Fir Park skipper Craigan.

A groggy Clarkson had to be replaced with Simon Lappin on the half-hour mark.

And Hearts looked the more steady side despite playing against the breeze.

The Motherwell fans showed their frustration by chastising referee Thomson over every decision as their side failed to threaten Hearts' goal.

And home manager Mark McGhee directed his own strong words at the official during the half-time break.

Hearts continued to threaten and Craigan was fortunate that another deflection did not lead to a second own goal.

Craigan's nightmare continued as he was shown a yellow card for a foul on Wallace.

Motherwell threatened from their first corner of the match, but Marc Fitzpatrick headed wide from Ross McCormack's dangerous cross.

And Craigan was denied by Banks after meeting a McCormack free-kick with a flashing header.

The goalkeeper parried the resulting corner straight at the feet of two Motherwell players but recovered to save and win a free-kick in the resulting goalmouth melee.

Craigan was replaced with Danny Murphy with six minutes remaining as the home side pressed for an equaliser, but Banks was on hand again to deny Lappin.



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Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan (Jamie Murphy 84), Reynolds, Hammell, Hughes (Darren Smith 55), Lasley, Fitzpatrick, Clarkson (Lappin 30), Porter, McCormack.
Subs Not Used: Daniels, Brian McLean, Danny Murphy, Archdeacon.

Booked: McCormack, Craigan.

Hearts: Banks, Neilson, Berra, Goncalves, Wallace, Cesnauskis (Mikoliunas 73), Jonsson, Palazuelos, Karipidis, Nade (Beniusis 83), Elliot (Zaliukas 89).
Subs Not Used: Basso, Thomson, Ivaskevicius, Ksanavicius.

Booked: Elliot, Jonsson, Mikoliunas.

Goal: Craigan 12 og.

Att: 5,925

Ref: C Thomson

BBC SPORT | Football | Scottish Premier | Motherwell 0-1 Hearts

[DavidMc]

Motherwell have signed former Rangers and Derby County defender Bob Malcolm until the end of the season.
Malcolm, 27, has been searching for a club since being released by the English Premier League side last month.

The Scot, who can also play in midfield, failed to settle at Derby and spent a loan spell at Queen's Park Rangers last November.

Malcolm left Ibrox in September 2006 after falling out of favour under the then Rangers manager Paul Le Guen.

He made 14 appearances for Derby after moving to Pride Park, including one in the Barclays Premier League in this season's 6-0 defeat at Liverpool.

But he was then loaned to QPR in November and played 11 times for the Coca-Cola Championship side.

Motherwell said the club was delighted to sign Malcolm after he showed a willingness to return to Scotland.

Malcolm has been added to Mark McGhee's squad for Wednesday's SPL match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Surprised at this. He wasnt a bad player for Rangers although was maybe out his depth a bit. Think he will do a job with Motherwell and will probably be looking to secure a permanent move to Fir Park.

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen v Motherwell
Scottish Premier League
Wednesday 27th February 08
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

Aberdeen defender Stuart Duff will miss the visit of Motherwell with a hamstring injury.
Jamie Smith, Richie Byrne and Jackie McNamara are out with similar injuries while Derek Young is sidelined with a knee problem.

Well's David Clarkson suffered an eye injury during Saturday's loss to Hearts but may still feature at Pittodrie.

However, left-back Danny Murphy has returned to Cork City following a lack of opportunities since joining Well.




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Aberdeen (from): Langfield, Mair, Maybury, Diamond, Considine, Bus, Foster, Walker, Nicholson, Severin, Aluko, Miller, Lovell, Mackie, Maguire, De Visscher, Touzani, D Smith, Soutar.

Motherwell (from): G Smith, Quinn, Hammell, Craigan, Reynolds, Hughes, Lasley, Fitzpatrick, Clarkson, McCormack, Porter, McGarry, J Murphy, Archdeacon, McLean, Lappin, D Smith, Daniels.

[DavidMc]

Falkirk 0-0 Motherwell
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 1st March
Brockeville Stadium, Falkirk

Falkirk and Motherwell had to settle for a point each in a lukewarm encounter at the Falkirk Stadium.
Bairns goalkeeper Robert Olejnik saved David Clarkson's early header, with Falkirk opportunities at a premium.

Ross McCormack clipped the ball just over the bar as the Steelmen dominated throughout the first half.

Pedro Mouthinho went close for the Bairns just after the break but, despite a second half improvement, they struggled to threaten the visitors.

The Steelmen remain in third place, while Falkirk stay in the hunt for a top six spot, despite a disappointing performance.

Falkirk boss John Hughes made three changes from the team which lost 2-0 at home to Hibernian.

Strikers Moutinho and Carl Finnigan were recalled, while defender Gerard Aafjes also came in after replacing the injured Jack Ross during the Hibs defeat.

Motherwell made only one switch from the team which grabbed a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen on Wednesday.

Manager Mark McGhee brought in Marc Fitzpatrick for Simon Lappin, but former Rangers midfielder Bob Malcolm was forced to wait for his debut.

The Lanarkshire outfit started brightly, with Steven Hammell's free-kick swerving just wide.

In the eighth minute Clarkson almost made an early breakthrough with a header only to be denied by an excellent save by Olejnik.

Eventually the Bairns threatened the Motherwell goal in the 24th minute.

Full-back Aafjes found space on the right, but his low cross spun up off Patrick Cregg, and goalkeeper Graeme Smith managed to grab the loose ball.

McCormack spurned Well's best chance of the half, spooning the ball over the bar after a lovely turn in the box, and the chance for the visitors to go ahead before half time was gone.

With the onus on both teams to be more assertive in the second half, they tried to oblige.

Moutinho went close for the Bairns with a right foot shot, but he was thwarted by Smith.

At the other end in the 57th minute, Clarkson made space for a shot but the Well striker pulled his effort wide, much to his frustration.

Stephen Hughes failed to direct Clarkson's near-post cross on target as the game swung from end to end, with Motherwell nonetheless, still possessing the edge.

Wasteful Well, in particular, will be the more aggrieved in what was an instantly forgettable encounter, which does neither side any real favours.



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Falkirk: Olejnik, Aafjes, Scobbie, Milne, Barr, McBride, Arfield, Cregg, Moutinho, Barrett, Finnigan. Subs Not Used: Supple, Clarke, Latapy, Bradley, Mitchell, Stewart, Robertson. Booked: Milne.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Lasley, Fitzpatrick, Hughes, Clarkson, McCormack, Porter. Subs Not Used: Daniels, Brian McLean, Lappin, Malcolm, McGarry, Darren Smith, Jamie Murphy.

[DavidMc]

Motherwell v Celtic (Match Postponed)

Referee Dougie McDonald inspects the unplayable pitch under cover
Saturday's Scottish Premier League encounter between Motherwell and Celtic has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

The match was scheduled to kick off at 1230 GMT but has failed a 0900 GMT pitch inspection.

Motherwell's Fir Park pitch, which is also being used by Gretna, has been much-criticised this season and the club have had several postponements.

Celtic are three points behind leaders Rangers, who also have a game in hand.

A new date for the fixture is yet to be announced.

A Celtic spokesperson said: "This is extremely disappointing news and once again has caused massive inconvenience for those supporters who travel long distances to matches.

"There is clearly a fundamental issue with this pitch and we would have obvious concerns about future matches taking place at Fir Park including next Sunday's scheduled league tie with Gretna.

"Once again we sincerely sympathise with our supporters given the difficulties this postponement has caused."

[DavidMc]

Dundee United v Motherwell
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 22nd March 08
Tannadice Stadium, Dundee

Dundee United manager Craig Levein has no fitness or suspension worries as the race intensifies for a Uefa Cup place.

Danny Grainger, Danny Swanson and Jim O'Brien are back in contention after being ineligible for last weekend's CIS Insurance Cup final defeat.

Motherwell captain Paul Quinn is suspended for the trip to Tannadice.

But manager Mark McGhee otherwise has a full squad to choose from as the visitors look to arrest a run of four matches without a win.

[DavidMc]

Dundee United 2-0 Motherwell

Danny Swanson scored within a minute of coming on as a substitute as Dundee United moved into third in the Scottish Premier League by beating Motherwell.

The midfielder, signed in January from Berwick Rangers, jinked between two defenders before stroking the ball home off the far post from 15 yards.

Until that 76th-minute spark of class, the game looked to be petering out into a lacklustre draw.

But Mark De Vries broke clear to add a second with two minutes remaining.

The two sides had started equal on points, one behind Hibernian.

Jim O'Brien returned to the United midfield, replacing Prince Buaben, after being cup-tied for last weekend's CIS Insurance Cup final defeat.

Keith Lasley came in for Steven McGarry in a Motherwell side playing their first game in 10 days.

United had this week named a stand after chairman Eddie Thompson, while the match was played with ball's paying tribute to Phil O'Donnell, the Motherwell midfielder who died the last time the two sides had met.

But it was not a match fit to commemorate the two men high in the affections of their respective clubs.

Close-range efforts from De Vries and Well's Bob Malcolm failed to trouble either goalkeeper.

And Motherwell boss Mark McGhee made an early substitution by withdrawing left-back Steven Hammell and replacing him with midfielder Simon Lappin.

But it was United who had the better chances of a scrappy first half.

Noel Hunt beat Smith to a Christian Kalvenes cross, but the striker's header struck Steve Craigan's head and flew well over the bar for a corner.

Motherwell's Ross McCormack lacked composure and accuracy as he sent a snap shot from the edge of the box high into the crowd as the first half drew to a disappointing end.

United were the more dangerous as the second half began, Gary Kenneth being the one to beat Smith to a Kalvenes cross only to head wide from 10 yards.

A De Vries shot squirmed wide from the edge of the box.

Zaluska did well to clear on the edge of his box after McCormack beat United's offside trap by slipping the ball through to strike partner Chris Porter.

And a Craigen header powered just wide from a McCormack corner as Well began to become more of a threat.

But, moments after replacing O'Brien, Swanson produced the one piece of quality that deserved to win the game.

Hunt squandered a chance to make it 2-0, driving the ball wide after being set up by cleverly Swanson.

But De Vries made no mistake when he broke clear with two minutes left, rounding Smith before slotting home with the outside of his boot.



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Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Kovacevic, Wilkie (Grainger 71), Kenneth, Kalvenes, Flood, Kerr, Gomis, O'Brien (Swanson 75), Hunt, De Vries.
Subs Not Used: McLean, Dillon, Daly, Conway, Odhiambo.

Goals: Swanson 76, De Vries 89.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Malcolm, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell (Lappin 27), Fitzpatrick, Hughes, Lasley (McGarry 56), McCormack, Porter, Clarkson, McGarry (Murphy 83).
Subs Not Used: Daniels, Brian McLean, Darren Smith, Archdeacon.

Booked: Porter, Lappin, Craigan, McCormack, Clarkson.

Att: 6,779

[DavidMc]

Celtic v Motherwell
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 5th April 08
Celtic Park, Glasgow

Celtic midfielder Scott Brown will play his last match before beginning a three-game suspension.

Neil Lennon is back in the dugout at Parkhead after the former Hoops skipper left Wycombe in midweek to join Gordon Strachan's coaching staff.

Motherwell will be without striker David Clarkson who serves the first of a two-match ban.

Well manager Mark McGhee has no injury worries and is boosted by the return of defender Steven Hammell.



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Celtic: (from) Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, S Brown, Hartley, Robson, McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink, McDonald, Samaras, M Brown, Wilson, Sno, Donati, O'Dea, Riordan, Killen.

Motherwell: (from) G Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Lappin, Hughes, Lasley, McGarry, Malcolm, Fitzpatrick, McCormack, Porter, Daniels, McLean, D Smith, Murphy, Archdeacon, Hammell.

[DavidMc]

Motherwell v Celtic
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 13th April 08
Fir Park, Motherwell

Motherwell pair David Clarkson and Bob Malcolm are suspended but the home team have no injury worries.

Clarkson completes a two-match ban and Malcolm is out for one game following his red card in the 1-0 win at Celtic Park last weekend.

Celtic midfielder Scott Brown begins a three-match ban at Fir Park.

Striker Derek Riordan, who is at loggerheads with the club over a £1,000 fine, is unlikely to be included in the visitors' squad.



Victory for the defending SPL champions would move them four points behind leaders Rangers, although the Ibrox side will have two games in hand.



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Motherwell (from): G Smith, Quinn, Hammell, Craigan, Reynolds, Lasley, Hughes, Fitzpatrick, Lappin, Porter, McCormack, D Smith, Murphy, Archdeacon, Daniels, McGarry, McLean, Maguire.

Celtic (from): Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Donati, Robson, McGeady, McDonald, Samaras, Vennegoor of Hesselink, M Brown, Wilson, Sno, Hartley, Hutchinson, Killen.

[DavidMc]

Motherwell 2-2 Dundee United
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 25th April 08
Fir Park, Motherwell

Lee Wilkie's late header secured a draw for Dundee United as Motherwell closed in on third place in the SPL and a Uefa Cup place for next season.

Chris Porter headed the opener in 16 minutes from David Clarkson's flick on.

The visitors got a deserved equaliser when Stephen Craigan headed past his own keeper Graeme Smith.

Porter headed his and Well's second five minutes after the break. But United equalised again when Wilkie seized on poor defending to score.

Motherwell pair David Clarkson and Bob Malcolm returned from suspension, with Brian McLean and Marc Fitzpatrick dropping to the bench.

Victory for Well would move them four points clear of United in third place, the division's only guaranteed UEFA Cup spot.

Dundee United striker Jon Daly made his first start since November as he replaced Mark de Vries.

Danny Grainger came in at left-back for the injured Christian Kalvenes.

Flood almost broke the deadlock in the third minute when his rasping 20-yard drive was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Graeme Smith.

The midfielder was proving a thorn in Motherwell's side and again went close five minutes later when his shot was blocked on the edge of the box.

Flood blazed over in the 16th minute and Motherwell made United pay for their profligacy when they took the lead moments later.


Stephen Craigan headed into his own net to gift United an equaliser


Stephen Hughes' cross was flicked on by Clarkson and Porter headed home from close range, with United claiming in vain for offside.

Motherwell went close to doubling their lead 10 minutes before half-time when Bob Malcolm's free-kick slid just wide of Smith's right-hand post.

United got a deserved equaliser when Gomis' deep cross was headed back across goal by Noel Hunt, and Craigan's attempted headed clearance looped into his own net.

Porter put Motherwell back in front five minutes after the break when he rose unchallenged to head home Ross McCormack's free-kick.

The home side were warming to the task and began to dominate the midfield.

Both sides had half-chances to score, before Wilkie got United's second equaliser when he headed home with four minutes remaining to ensure a share of the spoils.




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Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Clarkson, Hughes, Malcolm, Lappin, Porter, McCormack. Subs: Daniels, Brian McLean, Lasley, Fitzpatrick, McGarry, Darren Smith, Murphy.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Robertson, Gomis, Flood, Kerr, Daly, Hunt. Subs: McLean, O'Brien, Conway, Kenneth, De Vries, Kovacevic, McCord.

[DavidMc]

Motherwell v Celtic
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 3rd May 08
Fir Park Stadium

Brian McLean will fill in at right-back for Motherwell against Celtic after captain Paul Quinn was ruled out for the season with a broken jaw.

Motherwell otherwise have a full squad, with midfielder Stephen Hughes fit to return following illness.

Celtic skipper Stephen McManus will face a fitness test on a calf injury.

Manager Gordon Strachan has no other injury worries as he hopes to extend his side's lead over Rangers at the top of the SPL to eight points.



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Motherwell (from): G Smith, McLean, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Lappin, Malcolm, Lasley, Hughes, Clarkson, Porter, McCormack, D Smith, Fitzpatrick, McGarry, Murphy, Archdeacon, Daniels.

Celtic (from): Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, O'Dea, Naylor, Nakamura, Hartley, Scott Brown, Robson, McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Samaras, McDonald, Mark Brown, Caddis, Donati, Wilson.

[DavidMc]

Motherwell 2-1 Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 10th May 08
Fir Park Stadium

Motherwell all but clinched third spot in the SPL with a deserved victory over Aberdeen at Fir Park.

The hosts took the lead after 61 minutes when Darren Smith stabbed the ball home from close range.
But Motherwell's lead lasted only six minutes as Sone Aluko volleyed a superb equaliser past goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

Both sides attacked in a pulsating second-half and Chris Porter swept home the winner in 80 minutes after a quick counter-attack to floor the Dons.

Well and Dons were looking for victory to boost their hopes of securing third place and a Uefa Cup spot for next season.


Motherwell started the game in third place, three points ahead of the Dons with a game in hand.

After Dundee United's defeat by Rangers, the home side knew victory coupled with a Celtic win over Hibernian on Sunday would put them in the Uefa Cup for the first time in 13 years.

Motherwell went close to breaking the deadlock after 12 minutes following good link-up play between David Clarkson and Porter.

Clarkson headed on Mark Reynolds' pass and confidently controlled Porter's instant return, but the striker volleyed over from 12 yards.

Aberdeen had to shuffle their defence when centre-back Andrew Considine limped off to be replaced by Dave Bus.
Walker looked the most threatening player for the Dons in the first-half and Smith had to look lively to save his flashing drive.

Smith gave Motherwell a deserved lead in the 61st minute when he stabbed the ball home from close range for his fourth goal of the season.

Porter headed down a dangerous cross by Hughes and the teenager poked the ball into the bottom corner at the second attempt.

But the Dons restored parity six minutes later when substitute Aluko volleyed home Darren Mackie's cross.

Aberdeen looked far more dangerous after carving out an equaliser, with Barry Nicholson's shot adjudged not to have crossed the line and Aluko going close for the Dons.

Porter put Well back in front when the frontman finished a superb counter-attack to sweep Stephen Hughes' cross past the stranded Jamie Langfield.



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Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Brian McLean, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Hughes, McGarry (McCormack 66), Malcolm, Fitzpatrick (Darren Smith 46), Porter, Clarkson, McCormack (Lappin 85). Subs Not Used: Daniels, Lasley, Murphy, Meechan.

Booked: Lappin.

Goals: Darren Smith 61, Porter 81.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Maybury, Touzani, Considine (Bus 17), Foster, Duff, Nicholson, Walker (Aluko 64), Severin, Mackie (Maguire 81), Miller. Subs Not Used: Soutar, Lovell, De Visscher, Ross.

Booked: Touzani.

Goals: Aluko 67.