The thrill for the start of the new season was growing stronger, but just the day before the season began, Motherwell made a new addition to their forward line.Â
Theo Bair joined the ranks after departing St Johnstone in the summer and would be thrust straight into the starting 11 for the first match against Dundee.
Motherwell B exited the SPFL Trust Trophy at the first hurdle, after a penalty shootout defeat to Tranent.
Stuart Kettlewell added Mika Biereth to his growing list of attacking options, with the Danish Under 21 international joining on loan from Arsenal.
The first player of the month award of the season would go to young starlet Lennon Miller after his two goals, becoming the club’s youngest goalscorer in the process, and one assist in the four Viaplay Cup games.
Bair would get off to the best possible start for his new club, netting a first-half opener against Dundee, at a rain soaked Dundee. Lyall Cameron levelled proceedings in the second-half, holding the Steelmen to an opening day draw.
Seven days later, it was time for the other new striker to make an instant impact. Having been named on the bench, Mika Biereth came on just after the hour mark. It wouldn’t take him long to make his mark, beating Louis Stevenson in the tussle before setting up Conor Wilkinson for the opener against Hibernian. He was at it again with five minutes to go, giving chase to Lennon Miller’s ball through before finishing to seal the first three points of the season.
Barry Maguire went south, joining up with Kidderminster Harriers on loan until January.
Next up, the ‘Well brought a hefty following to Paisley as they faced St Mirren in the last 16 in the Viaplay Cup. Caolan Boyd-Munce’s first half strike seen the hosts advance to the next stage.
The game would be marred with controversy as Mika Biereth picked up a serious knee injury that seen the Dane return to Arsenal for recovery.
Lennon Miller and Bevis Mugabi were called up by their countries, with Miller being named in the Under 21 Scotland squad for the first time.
There was another new face in North Lanarkshire, as Brodie Spencer joined on loan from Huddersfield until the end of the season, providing international experience to the squad.
It didn’t get much later against Kilmarnock for Brodie Spencer and Motherwell, when Harry Paton won the game with the last kick of the ball in the 98th minute to make it nine Premiership wins on the bounce. Marley Watkins opened the scoring for Killie but Dan Casey’s first ‘Well goal levelled terms.
The Women of Steel got their first Lanarkshire Derby win of the season, defeating Accies 4-0 at K-Park thanks to a hat trick from Carla Boyce and a Kaitlyn Canavan strike.
Liam Kelly made the latest Scotland squad, as the Tartan Army closed in on EURO 2024 qualification. Brodie Spencer was named in the Under 21 Northern Ireland squad after his impressive debut display in the claret and amber.