We started the weekend with an away game at Peter's high flying Airdrie, a quality side with excellent players all across the park,they opted for a 4-3-3 normal as we went for a more defensive 5-3-2 normal, game on and they started with plenty of tempo and opened the scoring on 5 minutes when Henderson fired home 1-0,10 minutes and he drilled home his 2nd 2-0,12 minutes and some slick passing saw McKinnon slip through and slotted home 3-0,22 minutes and they tore through again and Mann fired home 4-0,and on 43 minutes McKinnon fired home his 2nd 5-0 in a very one sided 1st half,2nd half subs on and we were much more in the game as both sides exchanged possession, but on 74 minutes we were down to 10 men when Akil Wright saw red,a quick reshuffle and the defence stood firm but the forwards could not break down a stubborn defence as we were outshot 5 to 3,well played Peter,impressive side you have there.

So we had to pick ourselves up as we were home to David's Kilmarnock, another impressive side with quality throughout the side,we opted for a 4-3-3 normal as they went for a 4-2-4 longball,game on and nothing to choose between the sides as they kept exchanging possession but on 22 minutes we broke the deadlock when Fraser headed home 1-0 and right on the stroke of half time he fired home his 2nd 2-0,2nd half subs on and both sides kept pushing and they pulled one back on 59 minutes when Morrison fired home 2-1,from then on defence ruled as we just edged the shot count 9 to 8,Foster in our goal was in outstanding form with 6 saves which won us the game, well played David.

So a 3 point weekend sees us sit 7th.

Just four games to go and it feels good this week. 

Not because of the game against Inverness it has to be said - The red card for Render was an absolute disgrace. The ref was absolutely played. The ref lived what it means to be a 'homer' and ruined what could have been a great game. We had the stats, we had the best of the play and it was as a good as a 0-0 gets, at half time. The fact that Pepsi Max wasnt also shown red and VAR didnt intervene is not on. Credit to the team and to the travelling fans though - battled on and put in a brilliant performance having lost such a huge player, and managed to secure a point by seeing the game out to a 0-0 draw at the final whistle. 

But the second game, against EF was better and another hard batlle, but this time doing what wa sneeded to secure all 3 points. Just. Two big lineups but we did create far more chances in the game. 

Overall then a 4 point session and only 1 goal conceded in the last 4 games. Its fair to say our defence is what has kept us up the league this season. Currently scored the fewest goals in SESL this season. But i am starting to wonder how we build to compete again next season. Defence looks like it will go again next season, but our forward line needs a big injeciton and we have zero midfield presence. 

Good luck to our SESL Semi finalists this week! 

Falkirk looked doomed to life in division 3 next season after losing both matches yesterday. We started with an away game at Cove Rangers who are also struggling at the wrong end of the table. At halftime we found ourselves two nil behind but we got back into it on 77 minutes when Mills scored. Three minutes later though we conceded again, to lose three one. The second game was at home against leaders Celtic. We started well and took the lead on 20 minutes when McTominay scored. On 41 minutes it got better when Boam scored to make it two nil. We didn't make it to halftime though and conceded two minutes later. By the 66th minute we were behind three two but Craggs equalised on 85 minutes and it looked like a point won. It wasn't to be and Celtic scored from the kick off and we lost four three. With four matches left to play we have three away games and our away form is terrible. We need a miracle.

Having started off the latest session in 4th spot, EDI visited ALB where we were soundly thrashed 5-0.  In the second game EDI hosted DEV and we managed to run out 4-2 victors  mainly thanks to a FW Lee Wood brace of goals. The combined results saw EDI drop out of the automatic promotion places and now sit in 5th position with only four league games remaining.

Promotion still remains a possibility for EDI but some good results will be required for that to happen and with the games that EDI still have to face then that will be no straight forward task. But hopes still remain positive within the club and the next four games should prove interesting to say the least.

Another 2 games to the bitter end and relegation now confirmed. Not a surprise and we are just concerned about reaching the max 4,000k for a maximum impact at the new season start. We will have 12 new opponents :-)

Today we went to Dundee with no pressure and recent signing (to be retired next season) Ray Hubbard put us ahead in the 1st half. DEE were looking for safety points and they responded 2nd half with an equaliser on 67 minutes. However MOM Hanley pushed forward from defence to show the forwards how it was done and put us ahead again 2 minutes later. 2-1 is welcome and was deserved but didn't change anything.

Then we hosted Cowdenbeath also hovering around the relegation playoff spots - a game that both sets of supporters had written off as a boring 0-0 draw. That is, until the 81st minute when the linesman stooped down to slip his guide dog a treat and missed the offside Beath lad standing on his own having a burger. He promptly stuck the ball into the net and we were robbed, not for the 1st time this season. Glad to help Cowdenbeath's recovery drive, but the loss finally sealed our automatic relegation spot.

Now which which Bosman will I go fo.....

(And I noticed I had just as much luck with the prediction games - coming bottom with 3 points - can the season get any worse - I have a SW out for the last 8 matches of the season......)

Going into this weekends two Division 2 league games, EDI sit precariously in the fourth and final automatic promotion spot but only on goal difference from RAN and with both ROS and SM only a further three points behind the situation is open to change, especially as there will only be four more league games remaining after this weekend. AI and DUM sit in 2nd and 3rd places and are also on the same amount of points as EDI(42pts) but with far superior goal differences.

Results of all of the teams mentioned above will certainly be of interest but its the performances of EDI that will concern all at EDI this weekend.

First up is a tough away trip at ALB and that is followed by an awkard home fixture versus DEV. Both of those teams have thier own concerns regarding league positions so nothing can be taken for granted and EDI will have to be on top form to come away with the required points. The manager will be hopeful rather than confident.

I for one would like an audio of Gordon Ramseys
"Stranraer performance remains unsuitable for publication" comment in journal below.

The star * button can be heavily relied on if typing too!

Livingston finally returned to winning ways at Almondvale, although the squad made sure nobody enjoyed a relaxing finish.

After a difficult afternoon at Stranraer ended in a 5–1 defeat, the Lions needed a response against Inverness. They delivered one, creating twelve shots and forcing visiting goalkeeper Ross Munro into nine saves.

Tawanda Maswanhise opened the scoring after 32 minutes, but with chances coming and going, the home supporters had a familiar feeling that one goal might not be enough.

Unfortunately, they were correct. Inverness equalised in the 83rd minute, prompting several fans to begin conversations with the stadium roof.

This time, however, Livingston had the final word. Maswanhise supplied the ball and Jeremy Bokila headed home in the 87th minute to secure a much-needed 2–1 victory. Almondvale rediscovered its voice, and a few fingernails were lost in the remaining minutes.

The win does not erase the disappointment at Stranraer. Gordon Ramsay’s goal was a rare bright spot on an afternoon when the home side punished Livingston repeatedly. There are lessons to take from both matches: the Lions must defend more consistently and turn good spells into goals.

Marvin Bartley continues to progress, adding valuable match experience and further training to his growing contribution. His enthusiasm remains undimmed, even if the senior players have advised him that supporting Livingston is excellent preparation for coping with pressure.

Next up are East Fife away and Arbroath at home. East Fife arrive in excellent form, while Arbroath carry plenty of attacking threat. Joshua Brenet’s suspension adds another challenge, and the squad will need everyone ready to contribute.

Around the training ground, the mood is brighter, but nobody is confusing one victory with a finished job. There are important points still to fight for.

Gordon Ramsay has reportedly welcomed the improved service into the box. His review of the Stranraer performance remains unsuitable for publication.

One win on the board. Now the Lions need to build on it.

...because they are awful away these days. Of their past 5 away matches, they have lost 4 of them. Pretty dire! Fortunately for Motherwell, their last 7 to 9 matches will be 4 home, 2 away, and 1 to 3 neutral matches. If they can win all of their home and neutral matches, they will be league and SESL cup champions and nobody will remember the away struggles.  If they start to also falter at home and at neutral grounds...it may end up as a season where they will have underperformed compared to talent and expectations.

The big away loss to Raith Rovers was fairly typical for how MOT have performed lately. Weak goalkeeping and a defense that is giving up more shots than it would be expected to. Kevin Budinauckas' poor form is having fans question whether he is already over the hill. Can he hold on a couple seasons more and keep MOT in contention for more trophies in season 63? It's a tough question to answer.

Another question for the Well is finances. MOT are in a particularly tight spot when it comes to bank balance. It looks like they will end up well over the minimum required for 30 CP, but for a club of Motherwell's ambitions, not hitting 50 CP would be a bit of a disaster. How close are they to 50 CP? Well, with 678k to their name, MOT can expect 400k from sponsorship, 300k from press officer duties, 840kish from matches, and about 200k from participation. That would put us a bit under 600k shy of the 3000k needed for max CP. More if MOT have to spend on extra TP slots. That puts a lot of pressure on making the cup final and getting max payouts from betting. Repeated failures on the 3rd leg of MVP pushes has further hurt our hopes of reaching 3000k.

But, the news is still mainly good coming from Fir Park, even if expectations are sky high. A league trophy, which looks likely, will be MOT's 3rd ever, and would be all coming within a 4 season span. A large chunk of the squad will have been at Motherwell for all 3 and will be club legends forever. We have ELG coming up in the SESL cup quarterfinals, and making another semifinal in the quest for 3 SESL Cups would be huge for the club. Lots to play for, and lots of excitement around the ground. Management can worry about the finances and the future of some of our older players...for now everyone else can just enjoy the good times.

We are officially well in to the business end of the season and for a lot of teams this is where it really matters - massive cup games, relegation battles and title run-in's. Well not for STE. Really what are we playing for now? We are out of the cups, we are safe of relegation (arent we?) and we can't win the title! We are off the pace on the key player awards and we have already secured our sponsor payout. So now its just about eeking out every point we can, finishing as high as possible for our long term history records and planning for next season. No more spending, no more coaching. Hopefully no more suspensions. Hopefully no more injuries. 

Good luck to all that are fighting for more than we are in the final few weeks. 

Falkirk played a strong lineup against Stranraer in the last 16 of the SESL cup but were no match for the opponents and ended up losing three nil. This had a big effect on the squad's energy levels and this in turn our lineups for the next two matches. A two nil defeat at Queens Park was followed by a two nil home loss by Elgin City. It leaves us third bottom going into the relegation six pointer away at Cove Rangers next weekend. We need a big performance to get us out of trouble. 

We started the weekend with a  home game against Colin's Partick thistle, a strong side with quality players throughout the team,we opted for a 4-3-3 normal as they went for a 5-4-1 stall (I see a lot of teams use this tactic in their away games),Both sides started well and enjoyed lots of possession but defences on top up until 41 minutes when Fraser slipped through and slotted home 1-0,half time soon came and subs on,2nd half and it was a tale of defences as both stood firm, try as we did to increase the lead we could not find another way through the stubborn defence, we edged the shot count 4 to 0 and claimed a very valuable 3 points,well played Colin.

Next we travelled to Malcolm's St Mirren ,a very tough side who battle for every point,game on and both sides started well and enjoyed lots of possession but defences on top, 23 minutes and they were down to 10 men as Sugar saw red for a blatant handball,but they regrouped and went into half time goalless, 2nd half subs on and we pushed on and on 55 minutes a quick cross saw Fraser poer home his header 0-1,we then defended well and closed the game out as we edged the shot count 5 to 1,only downside was the injury to Lopata which could be a season ender,well played Malcolm. 

So a six point weekend sees us sit 6th

This weekends games were a little topsy turvy to say the least for EDI...  First up was a 0-4 away win at a weakened KIL but the three points were badly needed here in EDI. In the second match, which was at home to DUM, we were completely thrashed by the score 2-6 and worse still was the fact we were a poor second best for almost the entire match. The three points from the weeken meant EDI dropped to fourth place in what is becoming a very tight race for 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Divivion 2 league table.

Only six league games remain now and predictions on how many points may be required to gain automatic promotion seem to change on a weekly basis but EDI can only hope to continue what has been a decent run of form in the remaining few weeks if we are to hope to go up. Still too early to tell with any certainty at this stage with so many other teams in a similar siuation to EDI.

We march on to the end of the season 62, and today we had a small success and a big failure.

After going down to Elgin City midweek in the last 16 of the SESLM Cup by 4-3, we returned to league action (or in the case of my 1st match) inaction. Away at league champions to be Motherwell we tried to stifle the game till half time before we could replace our rookie keeper and bring in a couple of subs. Not to be as Andy's juggernaut squad chalked up 3 before the break, and why did I press after 70 minutes when the plan was only to shove forward if we were a goal down, not 3.

As it was a booking (costing Grieves a match next Saturday) was followed by a bad injury to sweeper Smith, one of our few highlights this season. This will put him out for the rest of the season - not going to waste money on a physio boost. So we got stuffed 5-0.

At home to Hearts in the 2nd game of the day, we managed a better squad on to the park, and proceeded to gift 3 goals before the break. Most of the spectators missed the highlights - 2 goals from the maroon's striker, Seat, after only 6 minutes, followed by his ignominous sending off after 13 minutes. Hickey made it 3-0 by the break.

SEcond half we opened up a bit and Mulligan pulled one back halfway through the half, and then 2 headed goals within the last 3 minutes from Boyle and MOM Watson gave us a deserved point. Too late for meaning anything but as we have managed to score 3 goals in 4 of our last 9 games there is hope. Defenders we need... :-)

Livingston emerged from another weekend unbeaten, although supporters could be forgiven for requesting a quieter route to the final whistle.

The trip to Alloa produced six goals, a three-goal lead and enough nervous pacing to wear a trench in the away technical area. Jeremy Bokila struck twice before Tawanda Maswanhise added a third, leaving the travelling support wondering whether they had accidentally boarded the bus to an entirely different season.

Unfortunately, Alloa had other ideas. Three goals later, the points were shared and the phrase “a comfortable afternoon” was formally banned from the return journey.

There was a different sort of tension against Stenhousemuir. Chances were scarce, the visitors went ahead late on, and Livingston needed Maswanhise’s 85th-minute equaliser to rescue a deservedly celebrated point. Whatever else this side may be accused of, leaving early is not recommended.

“We were disappointed to let the lead slip at Alloa, but pleased with the response against Stenhousemuir,” came the assessment from Almondvale. “We need to put together complete performances. There are points available, and we have to give ourselves every chance of taking them.”

Young Marvin Bartley continues to make steady progress, gaining valuable minutes in both fixtures. His development remains a bright spot, although the coaching staff have resisted suggestions that he should also be put in charge of calming everyone down.

Next come Stranraer away and Inverness at home. Both present serious challenges, and the squad will need contributions from across the dressing room as the league campaign enters its closing stages.

Gordon Ramsay has reportedly described the recent defending as “requiring attention.” The remainder of his assessment was unsuitable for the club newsletter.

Two draws, lessons to take forward, and plenty still to fight for.

The Lions march on. Preferably with fewer late shocks.

Cove manager has said that the team need to start winning games as the end of the season is fast approaching.

They sit bottom of the division 2 table 12 points from automatic survival and 8 points from the play off. The manager has said they really need to pick up at least six wins from there last 8 games. Thought this may still not be enough to save therm and the yo-yo form of the last few year will continue.

It is hard to see any other outcome but relegation for the team and the bookies seem to agree.

Ah well, dream is over - Away to Elgin and although we put out probably our best team we went down 4-3.

It would have been closer but we didn't start on "O" which tends to stiffen the defence. It was a rocky start and we got punished.

Never mind - midweeks are now free and having just had a new hip fitted on Monday last I am pretty sore at the moment.

8league games to get through and then relax. Good luck to City in the last 8 - they will need it, v MOT. If we had gone through not sure what line up we would have put out.

In what looked a tough match-up for EDI against Division 1 outfit COW in the SESL Cup, it came as something of a surprise and certainly against the run of play that EDI  spent most of the game leading although never by more than a single goal. Sadly EDI could not manage to hold to those advantages and the game went to penalties following a 4-4 draw. At that point COW showed their true class and sealed the victory and were worthy winners to be fair.

Back to the league campaign this coming weekend and first up is an away trip at KIL. That is followed by a home game versus DUM. Both promise to be tough games and EDI will need to show their best form to come away with anything this weekend thats for sure.

Just finished reading Andy's MOT journal. Very interesting and I like the way you are highlighting the various performances of some of your lads, and the important games to come. 
Must say I've probably never done a season journal in my lads performances-good or bad- so maybe I should. Even a bad season can throw up some individually good results.

i know a few clubs will be looking, dare I say hoping, your final honour tally falls short if a full house (doesn't every Fulham supporter want Man City/Liverpool/Arsenal etc to fall down to give them a chance, but not here Andy.
You have built up a fair squad - it won't last for ever but at least you can look forward to win far more than most, good on that.

ps if you have slip up, just check on your next SESL cup opponents - 25% chance it could be us!! 😂😂😂

Motherwell have started to struggle with away matches, losing 3 of their past 4 away matches. The good news? They only have 3 more on the schedule. The bad news? These struggles come with them about to face a very tough opponent in Fraserburgh at a neutral ground in the SESL Cup.

The 2-3 loss at Dundee United this weekend had a couple costs - it meant that FRA were back within 10 points in the league, so Motherwell can't completely bin off the final 8 matches and focus on the cup. But, often overlooked, that loss on the 3rd leg of an MVP push is also a financial hit for Motherwell, who are very finely poised on the edge of having an appropriate amount of cash in the bank for the offseason. Should Motherwell go out of the cup now, it could lead to difficulties getting the resources needed for next season.

The loss somewhat fell to bad luck with shot allocation - with the opposing side having 5 shots fall to their star striker while Motherwell's Bland got 0 out of 9 sent his way. But, these types of results are always going to happen when we are riding the fine edge of training up youth and rotating players for the cup. I think we will be able to turn it on in the home stretch when needed, but we will need to pick ourselves up from the disappointment and give the match against Fraserburgh our all.  We know what to expect from the opponent in terms of very high OFF numbers. Budinauckas will have to forget his struggles in the league (A 57% save percentage would make sense if he were facing an average ShSL of 32 [higher before MSA]. But, no GK is facing nearly that high of an average. He has had a flat out bad season in net), and he will need to actually make some big saves in this one. Let's hope he delivers the goods on the day.

Is this Motherwell's biggest match of the season? No, that probably goes to the quarterfinal second leg against Stranraer, but this is definitely the second biggest. Win and Motherwell will have optimism towards securing a double. Lose and supporters will wonder what could have been, given where they sat two months ago.

Feels like a long couple of weeks for STE. Or at least a bit of a yo-yo period anyway. 

After a long run of form following a difficult start to the season, we stalled in the league losing back to back games and then slipped out of the SESL cup. Looked like we had turned a corner - a bad one - in to a dark alley. 

But this weekends games showed the boys' ability to bounce back and its landed really well with the fans. When the going gets tough, these boys can dig in and perform. 

Tough games this week - 2nd in the table FRA didnt field their strongest lineup and tried to shut up shop - but this allowed us to play football and regain confidence - in the end a convincing 4-0 win got us back on track. LIV was tough - a real strong lineup and we needed to rotate keepers, perhaps we could have won this one if we had put everything out there, but a well deserved point for both teams seemed fair. 

Out of the cup, we simply need to concentrate on the remaining 8 league games now to secure as high a league finish as possible. Now 4th, but 3rd to 6th seems possible. Thats european football next season right? No? 

New Keeper Heston has settled well and next season we will have 1 keeper coming towards the ned of his career, but 1 absolutely ready to step in as lead over the coming seasons. Outside the GK it does look like we are approaching a difficult spell with some ageing talent. Ticket prices may have to go up next season!