10.30pm

Ricky's report of the Aberdeen game is now available.

Terry Butcher's post match comments were as follows:
"I'm angry at my team for not winning the match. We're on 30 points after 21 games, we're fifth in the table so I wasn't happy about that result.  But at the end of the day we could have won it, we could have lost it so perhaps a draw was a fair result.  But I'm angry at the team because we had chances although I'm sure Jimmy Calderwood will say the same about his team.  Perhaps I'm being over-critical of my players but that's how far we've come this season."

Meanwhile, former Motherwell player Derek Adams had a good greet about being booed whenever he touched the ball after coming on as a substitute:
"People have short memories.  I was here long enough, had good times and made many friends but you expect that.  I was at the club through troubled times and along with a number of senior professionals we helped to get Motherwell back together again.  It's sad when supporters do that to you but that's just the way it goes and you get on with it.  I worked hard for the club when I was here but now I ply my trade with another team."

5.45pm

Today's result: Motherwell 0, Aberdeen 0.

We had to settle for a draw in an exciting game against Aberdeen this afternoon.  The visitors had the better of the first half while Motherwell dominated after the break, so perhaps a point apiece was about right.

Scott Leitch returned to the side after illness and David Clarkson was back after suspension, which meant Quinn and Fitzpatrick dropped to the bench.

Motherwell struggled to get going in the first half, and we had to rely on a few excellent saves from Barry John Corr to keep us in the game.  In fact, probably our only opportunity in the opening 45 mins came via a Kevin McBride free kick which was touched just past the post by Scott McDonald.

The second half was all Motherwell though, and the best two chances of the match fell to sub Marc Fitzpatrick.  Firstly he was put clear by Clarkson but finished weakly, then not long afterwards McDonald put him through on goal but he hesitated when attempting to square the ball and the chance was lost.  McDonald himself had a couple of decent opportunities, but sadly we drew a blank and had to settle for out first home 0-0 draw in several seasons.

For a goalless draw it wasn't bad entertainment, and there were certainly a fair few tackles flying in - mostly from Aberdeen players it has to be said.  This was certainly a big improvement over our last two performances, and it was perhaps a tad unfortunate that our best two chances fell to young Fitzpatrick rather than Foran or McDonald.  Man of the Match for me was probably Kevin McBride, who looks a whole lot more comfortable playing in the middle of the park rather than out wide.  Both Adams and Craig came on as second half Aberdeen substitutes and contributed absolutely nothing to the game.  No change there then.

Team (4-4-2): Corr, Corrigan, Hammell, Partridge (Kinniburgh 48), Craigan, Paterson (Fitzpatrick 21), McBride, Leitch, Foran, McDonald, Clarkson. 
Subs Not Used: Ewings, Burns, Quinn, Wright, Fagan.

Booked: Leitch.

Attendance: 7,948.

Stevie Hammell was watched today by representatives from Portsmouth.

One of this morning's papers reported that Terry Butcher was at the recent Clyde v Airdrie match to watch Airdrie striker Alan Gow.

I have a feeling that tickets for the League Cup semi final at Easter Road will go on sale on Monday January 10 to season ticket holders only, before going on general sale the following week (Mon 17th).  More details to follow.

According to this Daily Record article, today was Martyn Corrigan's 110th consecutive game in a Motherwell jersey.

Where would YOU like to see the League Cup Semi Final taking place?  Vote now!