Team news

Black looks for players to respond Motherwell assistant manager Kenny Black is looking for the right response from the Fir Park players following a rare setback when they meet Aberdeen for the second time in a week.

Well are third in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and on course for a European spot but the chance of a second successive Scottish Cup final appearance was scuppered last week when they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by the Dons at Fir Park.

Ahead of their SPL clash with Aberdeen at Fir Park the Scotland coach admitted the players will have to show their mettle.

He said: "Everybody at the club was very down when we came in on Monday because we felt it was a great opportunity, a home tie in the quarter-final to try to progress.

"We've had that disappointment so it's now about how we cope with that.

"There have not been not many times this season when we have had to come in and pick the players up but I'm sure they will get back to winning ways, hopefully." Aberdeen still expect to be without Stephen Hughes.

Hughes has failed to overcome a hamstring injury and remains on the sidelines with fellow midfielders Isaac Osbourne, Rob Milsom and Yoann Folly, while Fraser Fyvie joins them with an ankle injury.

Gavin Rae returns after being cup-tied for last weekend's win over Motherwell but Russell Anderson is still not ready for match action. Boss Craig Brown wants his side to remain focused.

"We have to be totally focused, totally concentrated on the job and not for a second thinking that because we won last week that we just have to turn up to win this week.

"They are not nearly as depleted as we are; we still have Stephen Hughes, who I hoped would have make it, doesn't look likely he will. Isaac Osbourne is still out, so that is two main players and obviously Milsom won't play, Folly won't play, Anderson won't play and Fyvie won't play.

"Russell Anderson's aim is to be in contention for the semi-final. We will have some friendly games between now and then for players "The priority is the league points. We have a mathematical chance, a fairly solid mathematical chance of the top six. We have only got four games left and we are six points behind the team in sixth; Hearts.

Motherwell vs Aberdeen

Last modified 17:47 17/03/12

Hammell heroics for Well Steven Hammell's wonderful long-range effort earned Motherwell a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

Hammell netted his second goal of the season after 22 minutes when he rocketed the ball beyond Jason Brown after collecting Tom Hateley's pass.

Victory for the Fir Park side moves them level on points with second-placed Rangers, however the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions currently have a better goal difference.

Aberdeen began the match hoping to record their second win at Fir Park in six days and they created the first chance of the match in the opening minute. Scott Vernon cut the ball back to Gavin Rae, who fired high over the bar.

Vernon blazed an effort over in the 13th minute, before the hosts created their first chance as Michael Higdon rose to meet Hammell's cross but the striker was adjudged to have fouled Andrew Considine.

Considine became the first player to be booked in the 15th minute when he clumsily brought down Henrik Ojamaa as the Estonian raced through on goal.

Motherwell grabbed the only goal midway through the first half when Hammell collected Hateley's pass and blasted a wonderful 30-yard strike beyond Brown in the Aberdeen goal.

Buoyed by their opener, Motherwell looked for a second goal and Considine had to be alert to head clear Chris Humphrey's dangerous cross.

Stuart Carswell forced Brown into an excellent stop with his feet as Motherwell looked to double their lead.

Humphrey was proving to be a constant threat to the Aberdeen defence and only an excellent clearing header by Rory Fallon prevented Ojamaa seizing on the winger's excellent delivery.

Steve Jennings passed up an excellent opportunity to extend the hosts' advantage four minutes before the break when he connected with Humphrey's cross, but his header was comfortably gathered by Brown.

Considine fired well over after meeting Clark Robertson's corner on the stroke of half-time as the visitors created their best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes.

Carswell forced Brown into an excellent save in the opening minute of the second half after some neat build-up play between Ojamaa and Nicky Law.

A wonderful Darren Randolph stop denied Vernon an equaliser just before the hour mark at the other end. Robertson's cross was well controlled by the striker, but his close-range effort was somehow parried away by the Well goalkeeper.

The hosts came close to adding to their lead when Brown parried Humphrey's stinging effort and only an excellent block by Considine prevented Higdon netting the rebound.

Substitute Mitchel Megginson fired well wide as Aberdeen looked to find a way back into the match, but the Dons were struggling to trouble the Motherwell rearguard.

Humphrey sliced a shot wide of the target as Motherwell continued to press for a crucial second goal in the closing stages.

The Jamaican winger should have done better with two minutes left in the match when he fired a shot straight at Brown despite Law being well placed for a cutback.

Deep into injury-time Rory McArdle was booked for a poor challenge on Robert McHugh and the Fir Park side played out the remaining minute of injury time to gain a crucial three points.