[tab:Match report]
Phil McGhee Fir Park
Stephen Craigan made the perfect start as interim manager as Motherwell held on for the narrowest of wins over struggling Thistle.
A first-half own goal from Freddy Frans and a second half strike from Scott McDonald set the Fir Park side on their way to a much needed win.
However, when David Agoo pulled one back for Partick with twelve minutes remaining, it required stout defensive qualities from the home side to secure all three points and take some pressure off the ‘Well players.
Craigan’s first team selection saw five changes from Ian Baraclough’s last starting eleven against Morton. Back came Keith Lasley, Scott McDonald, Louis Moult and Lionel Ainsworth. There was also a surprise return for Stephen Pearson missing for nine games after being injured in the opening game of the season at Inverness.
The buzz of anticipation from the home support at the kick off almost led to an opening goal inside the first five minutes.
A series of passes ended with the ball finding Johnson but from 12 yards and with a decent angle on goal he rattled the ball against Tomas Cerny’s legs.
Partick replied with a 20-yard drive from Stuart Bannigan, which was comfortably held by Connor Ripley.
The visitors appeared more composed and as ‘Well carelessly conceded possession Thistle had a few chances around the home goal with Robbie Muirhead heading narrowly over.
Out of nothing ‘Well took the lead after 21 minutes courtesy of an own goal.
Ainsworth darted into the box on the right before sliding a pass across the face of the goal and with Moult lurking behind him Freddy Frans lashed the ball high into his own net.
It was a lucky break for the Fir Park men and they had another slice of good fortune five minutes later. After watching his header palmed over the bar by Ripley, former ‘Well striker Steven Lawless was again denied an equaliser when his low shot from the edge of the box rebounded off the post.
The first half started positively for ‘Well when Ainsworth set off on a long mazy run which carried him fifty yards before he thumped his parting shot off Cerny.
Ainsworth was involved in the thick off the action and five minutes later his free kick picked out Moult and his back header bounced past the ‘keeper but on the wrong side of the post.
Motherwell chased a second goal to kill off Thistle and it arrived after 68 minutes with Ainsworth again the provider. His cross found McDonald unmarked six yards in front of goal and although Cerny managed to palm out his initial header the Ausie striker coolly steered the rebound beyond the grounded ‘keeper to make it 2-0.
That should have put the Steelmen comfortably on course for three points but Partick pulled one back to leave a nervous closing 12 minutes.
A Thistle corner was directed towards a packed goalmouth and substitute Amoo nodded the ball inside the post and give the visitors a lift.
In the final minutes Motherwell’s defence, with Stephen McManus and Kieran Kennedy solid in the air, withstood Thistle’s pressure for the narrowest of victories and a welcome three points, which lifts them to ninth in the league table.
[tab:As it happened]
Ally Reilly at Fir Park
An own goal and a McDonald strike are enough to give ‘Well all three points!!
95′ | 2-1
Full time!!
90′ | 2-1
5 minutes added on!
88′ | 2-1
Both players booked.
88′ | 2-1
Ouch. Seabourne clatters into Ripley and the big man is not happy, with the pair exchanging heated words.
84′ | 2-1
Muirhead turns and hits a volley from a Thistle throw-in which thankfully hits the outside of the post.
78′ | 2-1
Goal – Amoo pulls a goalback for Thistle from a corner….
76′ | 2-0
And a Motherwell change, Wes Fletcher makes a return to action, coming on for Scott McDonald.
76′ | 2-0
Final Thistle change, Amoo on for Bannigan
71′ | 2-0
Lasley booked for a heavy tackle on Osman.
69′ | 2-0
IT’S 2-0!! Ainsworth curls in a delightful ball which is fired home by McDonald!!!
GGOOOAALLLL!!!
65′ | 1-0
And a Motherwell change, Johnson limps off for Thomas
65′ | 1-0
Thistle sub, Muirhead off for Pogba
63′ | 1-0
Motherwell sub, Leitch on for Moult
61′ | 1-0
Lovely little jinking run again from Ainsworth but as he gets into the box, he is robbed by Booth.
58′ | 1-0
Welsh booked after he lost the ball and hacked down Pearson.
57′ | 1-0
Thistle sub, Doolan off for Nisbet
52′ | 1-0
From that free-kick, McManus flicks Ainsworth’s delivery inches past the post!
50′ | 1-0
Johnson hits the ground hard after Dumbuya gets himself underneath him as he rose to head the ball. Free-kick to ‘Well.
48′ | 1-0
Great run by Ainsworth which takes him all the way into the box. You’d bet on him scoring from there but Cerny makes the save!!!
Both teams are back out and the second half gets underway. COYW!!!!
HT: Motherwell 1 – 0 Partick Thistle
44′ | 1-0
Frans booked for being overly aggressive in an aerial duel with McDonald, then Moult is booked for dissent.
36′ | 1-0
Osman enters the ref’s book for pulling Moult to the ground as he broke away
26′ | 1-0
Great save by Ripley, tipping Lawless’ header over the bar!! Seconds later, Lawless strikes the base of the post from 18 yards!
22′ | 1-0
Ainsworth gets past his man his cross/shot is put into his own net by what looked like Frans. 1-0 ‘Well!!
GGGOOOAALLLL!!!
19′ | 0-0
Good ball in from the left finds the head of Muirhead who flicks it just over the bar.
10′ | 0-0
Bannigan picks the ball up in an advanced position and opts for the shot. Easy save for Ripley though.
5′ | 0-0
Great chance for Johnson! Gets a second bite at the cherry from his first shot but fires straight at Cerny from 12 yards!
And we’re off! COYW!!!!!!!
Motherwell in the claret and amber home colours, Thistle in their baby blue away kit.
Out come the teams from the tunnel……
[tab:Reaction]
Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:
Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald:
[tab:Man-of-the-match]
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