7pm

Today's result: Motherwell 3, Gretna 0.

Motherwell cruised to victory this afternoon against one of the worst teams I have seen at Fir Park in recent years.  We could easily have won by a far more impressive margin but for a number of missed opportunities, even though we were far from our best today.

There was one change to the team which won at Kilmarnock last week, with Stephen Hughes replacing Lasley in midfield.

Motherwell controlled the match throughout, with McCormack testing the Gretna goalkeeper early on with a couple of free kicks.  There then followed a bizarre passage of play, when three successive Motherwell corners almost all resulted in goals.  Firstly, Porter's header was cleared before Clarkson was denied from close range, and then Porter hit the post with a header before Craigan's effort was cleared off the line.  At this point it seemed like it might not be our day, but thankfully the breakthrough came shortly the interval when Porter's knock-down was drilled home by Clarkson.

There was little change in the second half, with Motherwell continuing to dominate.  A Porter headed doubled our lead after 61 mins, then Clarkson sealed the win when his low shot went in off the post.  Further chances were passed up, including a glorious opportunity for Clarkson to complete his hat-trick, but in the end we had to settle for a three goal victory.

We didn't need to be at our best today to see off a Gretna side who look out of their depth in the SPL.  Our third successive win (and third successive clean sheet) sees us climb to joint third in the table, and dare I say it only 6 points off the top of the league!

Team (4-3-3): Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson (Lasley 70) McGarry ( Fitzpatrick 67), O'Donnell, Hughes, McCormack (Darren Smith 80), Porter, Clarkson. 
Subs not used: Meldrum, McLean, Grabban, Murphy.

Motherwell scorers: Clarkson (44, 74), Porter (61).

Booked: O'Donnell.

Attendance: 6,431.

Mark McGhee's post-match comments were as follows:
"I'm very pleased and a clean sheet too with a thoroughly mature and professional performance. Gretna made us work hard.  It took us a long time to get the second goal and feel as though we were comfortable.  We're still looking over our shoulder. We've just played Gretna, St Mirren and Inverness and have a hard spell ahead."

We've been handed a tough draw in the 4th Round of the Scottish Cup, with a trip to Tynecastle in store for January 12 or 13.  Oh dear.

David Clarkson and Mark Reynolds have both agreed new contracts tying them to Fir Park until 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Sounds like Keith Lasley is also keen to extend his contract at Fir Park:
"I'm talking with the club just now about extending it.  Since I have been back I have really enjoyed being here.  Hopefully in the next wee bit we can get that out the way."

Jim Paterson and Ross McCormack are also out of contract in the summer...

Simon Mensing and William Kinniburgh have both been allowed to leave Fir Park on a months' loan, with Mensing joining our Lanarkshire neighbours Hamilton Accies (and scoring two goals for them this afternoon!) and Kinninburgh heading for Partick Thistle.  Sounds like Mark McGhee is putting them in the shop window before trying to offload them in January.

The reserves went down 4-0 to their Inverness CT counterparts at the Caledonian Stadium in midweek.  Team:
Jones, Connolly, Corrigan, McLean, Kinniburgh, Fitzpatrick, Darren Smith, Mensing, Jamie Murphy, Grabban (Maguire 59), Archdeacon.
Subs not used: Meldrum, Forbes, Murray, Gupwell.

Mark McGhee is among the names being touted for the vacant Scotland manager's position.  His reaction?
"I'm flattered by it, but that's all, because at the moment the right word is speculation."