[tab:Match report]
Kris Jack at Fir Park
A Keith Lasley thunderbolt thirteen minutes from time put the icing on the cake as Motherwell secure all three points in style against Inverness this afternoon.
Stuart McCall’s pre-match wish for entertaining football was granted in the glorious Motherwell sunshine. The debut of the new home kit, alongside new boys Law and Higdon, reaped their rewards as Steven Hammell, Jamie Murphy and Keith Lasley emphatically helped ‘Well to their first win of the 2011/12 campaign.
The score line suggests a complete whitewash by Motherwell, but the early going did not show signs of what was to come. Chances for both teams came and went early on, with Murphy pulling his shot wide after a good link up with Higdon. The impressive Law then had a shot blocked after a tight passing move between Higdon and Murphy.
Down the other end, Foran cracked the post from 20 odd yards. Indeed the former ‘Well favourite and his strike partners of Tade and Shinnie made some decent movement, but could not find the killer edge. Johnny Hayes also looked lively, going at Hateley time after time, but found the ‘Well defender in a stubborn mood.
Despite trading opportunities, it was the home side who took the lead. A three man move between Hateley, Murphy and Humphrey found the Jamaican winger hitting a first time ball across goal. The ball evaded Higdon, before being smashed home on the half volley by Steven Hammell . His third goal in over 380 games was definitely one that he and the fans savoured.
Soon after, ‘Well hit a sucker punch second. A lengthy series of passes proved it’s worth when Murphy played a neat 1-2 with Law and sped clear of Tokely before rolling the ball under the oncoming Esson. 2-0 Motherwell, and the complexion of the game had changed.
Thistle came close to pulling one back when Tansey’s 30 yard free kick cannoned back of the upright, with Randolph beaten.
Randolph’s only action of the game came just before half time, when Tade’s cross form the right was poked goalward by Tansey. A point blank save by the Republic of Ireland International maintained the clean sheet going in to half time.
The second half was a much scrappier affair, littered by some niggly tackles and, at times, odd officiating. Higdon and Tokely, Jennings and Tansey, and Craigan and Foran all had a bit of handbags and crunching tackles. Jennings, Hutchinson, and Lasley were booked for ‘Well, as was Foran for Inverness.
Tokely was leading a charmed life as three fouls on Murphy went unnoticed, much to the ire of the fans. The game threatened to boil over after a clear hand ball by Aldred was missed by referee McLean. A foul by Lasley in the aftermath lead to fervent remonstrations by all in claret and amber as referee Steven McLean struggled to keep a lid on tempers.
Fortunately for Lasley, the booking wasn’t to be the only thing for him to take from this game. Inverness had wasted three consecutive corners, before Humphrey was sent racing clear. His hold up play led to a corner, which Hateley swung to Murphy at the back post. His knockdown found Lasley, who looked up and smashed a rip-snorter in to Esson’s top right corner.
The scouts in the stand from Tottenham, Wolves, Stoke and west Brom would have had enjoyed the openness of the game, showcasing the talent in the SPL. Humphrey and Murphy may have been the main reason for their visit, but Hutchinson, Hayes and Shinnie all impressed in the Lanarkshire sunshine.
A game which was much closer than the score suggests, would have delighted the majority of the 4190 in attendance, and sent those in Claret and Amber home happy with three great goals and three SPL table-topping points.
[tab:As it happened]
Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park
Full time: 3-0, excellent start to the season, top of the League for a few hours!
90mins – Two minutes being added on.
88mins – Man of the Match has just been announced as Steven Hammell, plenty of candidates this afternoon.
83mins – Well sub Higdon off, replaced by Gary Smith – good reception for Higdon as he goes off.
81mins – ICT sub Graeme Shinnie on for Gregory Tade.
77mins – GOOOAALLL – 3-0 A Hateley corner is headed out by Craigan to Lasley who hits an unstoppable shot from 20 yards into top corner.
74mins – Higdon sends Murphy away on right and his angled drive flies just wide.
72mins – Foran shown yellow for late challenge on Craigan, four bookings is ridiculous in this game!
71mins – Another chance for ICT, Foran knocks down to Sutherland but he side foots over from close range.
63mins – Jennings yellow, after ref misses blatant hand ball at the edge of ICT box by Tansey. Third soft booking, Lasley and Hutchinson.
62mins – Crowd today is 4190.
62mins – ICT sub, Andrew Shinnie off, Shane Sutherland on.
60mins – Humphrey on the break, cross picks out Murphy but his shot is blocked on its way to Esson for an easy save.
56mins – ICT come close again, Hayes cross is headed wide by Richie Foran – game not over yet.
48mins – First yellow sees Hutchnson in the book for a foul on Tade.
48mins – Two minute later a Higdon knock down picks out Law and his volley dips just over the bar from 18 yards out.
46mins – Law cuts on off the left and shoots from 18 yards out but he is denied by diving save from Esson.
45mins – Teams back out and no changes for either side, as Well kick off.
Half time: Shots on target – Motherwell 6, ICT 2, off target Well 2, ICT 5, fouls committted – Well 5 ICT 10, corners Well 1 ICT 2
Half Time: Hammell’s first goal since Feb 2004 when he scored against Partick Thistle.
Half time: 2-0 Well, playing some nice stuff, but ICT are still looking dangerous up front. Key is wide men Law and Humphrey.
44mins – Hammell almost scores again, denied by Esson after combining with Murphy at the edge of the box.
41mins – ICT hit the post again, this time a Tansey free kick from 25 yards out bounces clear.
33mins – Another Humphrey cross into the box, picks out Higdon but he can only head straight at Esson.
28mins – GOOOALLLL – 2-0 Well, Law slides a great ball through for Murphy who slides the ball under Esson.
26mins – Only Hammell’s third goal of his Well career in his 386th game for the club – prolific.
25mins – GOOALLLLLL – Humphrey cross to the back post is met on the volley by Hammelll who scores off the inside of the post.
22mins – Tade knock down in box blasted over by Foran from about 12 yards out – should’ve hit the target at least.
18mins – Richie Foran hits post with a 20 yard shot – narrow escape from corner with Craigan heading clear from under own bar.
15mins – Game has started at good pace with both sides trying to get ball down and play. Two decent chances made so far – good game.
2mins – Higdon flick sends Murphy clear and he can only manage to slide a shot just wide of the post. Good lick up between to two strikers.
Kick-Off: Game underway with the visitors kicking off and we are shooting towards an empty South Stand with away fans in POD.
[tab:Reaction]
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:
“I thought it was a terrific game and all credit to Inverness, they could’ve had a couple of goals, they hit the woodwork a couple of times.
“It was a good, open game, especially first half when we played some terrific stuff. The quality of the goals, all three of them were outstanding. Overall, I’m really pleased with the start.
“Three points, three goals, you can’t ask for any more.”
Inverness CT manager Terry Butcher:
“Three-nil looks like a bit of a hammering but it certainly wasn’t that. It didn’t look like a 3-0 game to me.
“We know the areas that we want to fill and we are making progress in those areas so hopefully we can do that.”
[tab:Man-of-the-match]
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