Flying start sees off Bradford

Jul 30 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

Flying start sees off Bradford

MOTHERWELL .......................4 BRADFORD CITY ...................0

MOTHERWELL finally cranked up the gears at the weekend to record a comfortable victory over Bradford City at Fir Park

A David Clarkson goal after just 16 seconds started the 4-0 rout of the Coca-Cola League Two side on Saturday in a performance that was more akin to the kind of free-flowing football enjoyed by the Fir Park denizens last season.

And the match was effectively over as a contest after Chris Porter (penalty), Darren Smith and Bob Malcolm followed up Clarkson’s early effort by getting on the scoresheet before the break.

It was the familiar faces of last season who contributed to the fine first 45 minutes before McGhee turned his attention to a number of trialists hoping to secure a contract for the new season.

With McGhee having missed out on securing the services of Celtic defender John Kennedy – the former Scotland international completed a loan deal with Norwich City at the weekend – Gambian Seyfo Soley joined the fray against Bradford cutting an imposing figure in the centre of defence.

Togo midfielder Souleymane Mamam made his second appearance in claret and amber as he bids to earn a move from Royal Antwerp and Celtic’s Jim O’Brien also played a part in the match.

But it was youngster Paul Slane, 16, who stole the limelight in the second period with a lively performance which the Fir Park faithful hope to see more of in the forthcoming campaign.

Gaffer McGhee will cast an eye over as many as five trialists again tonight (Wednesday) when his side take on Championship side Preston at Fir Park, but has re-iterated his stance of not signing players for the sake of it despite accepting currently having a limited pool of talent at his disposal.

After Saturday’s match he said: “Any player we bring in will have to be better than the boys already at the club or it’s a waste of time.”

“I absolutely refuse to waste the clubs’ money on that front.

“Obviously I am not satisfied with the strength in depth that we currently have.

“I was very, very disappointed not being able to add John Kennedy to the pool but we’ve had a couple on trial today and they’ve done well I thought.

He added: “We’ll continue to look at them and others before we make any decisions.”