Motherwell suffered a 2-1 defeat to Falkirk at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon.
In an action-packed but largely impressive first-half for the Steelmen, Motherwell held the lead at the break following a wonderful strike by Tawanda Maswanhise. However, Falkirk grew into the match, and goals from Calvin Miller and substitute Scott Arfield secured the win for the visitors.
Callum Hendry was handed his first Motherwell start after the forward returned to the team following a spell on the sidelines. Elijah Just was also brought in from the start, with the New Zealand international involved for the first time since the start of September. Stephen Welsh replaced Liam Gordon in defence, with Welsh missing out last time against his parent club, Celtic.
Tom Sparrow was fit enough for the bench, following the Welshmen’s absence for over six weeks.
Full of confidence and intent, Motherwell started on the front foot and looked to get off to the best possible start. Just looked bright from the off and fed the ball into Hendry, who could only fire well over the bar on the swivel inside five minutes.
After continued pressure on the Falkirk backline, Motherwell thought they had the opener on 17 minutes. A magnificent goal from Ibrahim Said, who received the ball from Just and jinked through numerous defenders before slotting it into the net past Scott Bain.
The Nigerian celebrated, but VAR would have its say, controversially ruling out the goal for a foul from Said on the Falkirk defender who had dropped to the floor, having failed to intercept the original pass.
But Jens Berthel Askou’s side remained positive and did get the breakthrough on 22 minutes. Lukas Fadinger found Maswanhise at the back post, and he curled an inch-perfect ball into the top corner with VAR unable to intervene this time.
On the half-hour mark, Falkirk had their best chance of the afternoon. Miller put in a teasing cross from the left-hand side and found Kyrell Wilson unmarked in the area; thankfully, the Falkirk man couldn’t make a clean connection with the ball and scuffed his chance wide.
On his return to action, Just continued to pull the strings but could’ve had a goal himself on 40 minutes. The New Zealand internationalist sent his effort just inches past the post with the keeper beaten.
After a scintillating performance in the first-half, Falkirk made changes at the interval as they looked to work their way back into the match. Miller had a big chance just minutes into the second period at the back post following a cross into the box, but Emmanuel Longelo did enough to clear the danger.
Falkirk found the equaliser on 57 minutes, and it was Miller who was the source. A series of long balls eventually found their way to Miller, who could slip the ball past an onrushing Calum Ward. 1-1.
Miller almost had a second just minutes later. Having pressed high, the Falkirk attackers stole possession, and Miller would be denied by Ward one-on-one.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was introduced and saw his effort from a Stephen O’Donnell cross, as Motherwell continued to push.
And it was the Aussie who thought he may have got Motherwell back in front. A controlled pass by O’Donnell up to Maswanhise was controlled by the Zimbabwean; he brought the ball down and blasted goalwards, with Bain forced into a good stop, but the number nine was on hand to tap home. However, referee Stevie McLean ruled it out for handball.
But on 80 minutes, Arfield would stick his side in front. A looping ball into the box was headed only partially clear by Paul McGinn; the ball landed conveniently at the feet of the former Rangers man, who drilled it home.
Motherwell players appealed for what seemed like an obvious pull by Brian Graham on McGinn as he went to clear the ball, but on this occasion VAR decided to not get involved, and the goal was given.
The hosts pushed for a late leveller in the dying stages of the match. Elliot Watt’s free kick went over the bar, and various crosses into the box caused tension in the Falkirk defence, but ultimately, the danger would be cleared each time, and they would hang on for the three points.
Motherwell Team: Ward, Koutroumbis, Welsh, McGinn, Longelo, Fadinger, Watt, Said, Just, Maswanhise, Hendry.
Motherwell Bench: Oxborough, O’Donnell, Gordon, Halliday, Priestman, Sparrow, Charles-Cook, Stamatelopoulos, Osong.
