Motherwell rounded off the 2024/25 campaign with a point against Ross County in Dingwall.
Motherwell fought tirelessly to secure victory on the final day of the 2024/25 Premiership campaign, but had to settle for a point, as the Staggies were consigned to the relegation playoffs for a third consecutive season.
Ronan Hale drilled home a lifeline midway through the first-half, as the Highland side sought to avert the final dreaded relegation place, with victory and favourable results elsewhere enough to preserve their Premiership status.
Despite a frustrating first-half display, Motherwell dominated the second-half, with substitute Moses Ebiye sending the travelling supporters into raptures after bulleting home a magnificent header.
The Nigerian forward could’ve had a hat-trick in a memorable 20-minute cameo, but Motherwell couldn’t capitalise on their intense pressure in the County final third.
Manager Michael Wimmer made six changes from the side that comfortably defeated Kilmarnock at Fir park on Wednesday evening.
Ellery Balcombe bidded farewell to the Fir Park faithful, starting between the sticks, with Steve Seddon, Davor Zdravkovski, Ewan Wilson, Will Dickson, and midweek goalscorer Luke Armstrong named in the starting XI. Academy starlets Campbell Forrest and Scott Williamson both earned a place on the bench.
County were first to threaten as Alex Samuel broke forward and looked to thread in Hale but Johnny Koutroumbis was alert to the danger, using his pace to recover and slide the ball out for a corner.
Nightingale rose highest to nod goalwards but Balcombe showed safe hands to deny the defender.
A pass out from defence to midfield was pounced upon and top-scorer Ronan Hale’s powerful shot was enough to beat Balcombe.
The Steelmen had a couple of chances to level before the break but firstly Andy Halliday’s curling shot was straight at Jordan Amissah and then Luke Armstrong’s claimed for a penalty were waved away with VAR agreeing there was nothing in it.
Michael Wimmer dipped into his bench at the break, bringing on Dom Thompsn and Tom Sparrow.
A sweeping move up the park started by Kai Andrews who played Sparrow in down the right flank and although hi cross found Lennon Miller, his tame shot didn’t really trouble the County keeper.
Koutroumbis’ inviting cross looked destined for Andy Halliday at the back post but it proved to be slightly too heavy.
Ebiye kept a deep cross alive and teed up Callum Slattery whose shot stung the palms of Amissah.
The second half was all Motherwell and they eventually got a deserved equaliser with ten to play. Tom Sparrow clipped in a great ball which Moses Ebiye duly dispatched, with a precise header.
Ebiye almost instantly had a second, latching onto a hopeful long ball, but the forward couldn’t apply the finishing touches despite leaving himself one-on-one, with Jordan Amissah in the County goal.
A goalline scramble soon followed, as Motherwell piled on the pressure, but they couldn’t find the eventual winner under the highland sunshine.
