Much-needed boost for the Steelmen

Oct 1 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL 2 ST MIRREN 1

HOW significant Saturday’s home win over St Mirren was may well not be known until tomorrow evening.

But what’s not in doubt is the fact that the result kept the Fir Parkers from plummeting to the bottom of the SPL.

Falkirk’s demolition of Hamilton at the weekend meant Motherwell needed points against The Buddies to prevent them going into the biggest match of the season against Nancy with confidence at its lowest since Mark McGhee took charge of the club last summer.

And after the first 45 minutes of this contest, that is exactly what looked like happening as St Mirren deservedly took a one-goal lead into the half time break thanks to a well-constructed Billy Mehmet strike.

But former Saints striker John Sutton equalised just after the interval and then Robert Malcolm bundled the ball into the net to give the Fir Parkers a scarcely deserved victory.

Their task was made easier on 72 minutes when visiting defender Franco Miranda was harshly sent off ten minutes later after an altercation with John Sutton – handbags at worst.

But ‘that’ll do nicely thanks very much’ was the message emanating from Fir Park after the game, with McGhee in fine fettle during his post match press conference – the sense of relief etched all over his face.

St Mirren had the first opportunity of the match within five minutes when Andy Dorman played in the impressive Billy Mehmet but his shot was saved by the legs of Graeme Smith.

The home side immediately responded through a John Sutton header but Mark Howard was on hand to pull off a brilliant point-blank save.

Clever work by teenager Jamie Murphy down the right flank then gave Steven McGarry an opportunity but he failed to connect properly with a right footed effort from inside the box.

In a hectic start Buddies striker Dennis Wyness tested Smith with a powerful left-footed drive that the ’keeper punched away before the same player went close with a deft flick from seven yards out that just went past Smith’s right hand post.

The first 20 minutes saw the visitors knock the ball around superbly as ’Well looked like a team who had won just one game in eight this season.

In the 28th minute David Clarkson shot tamely wide for Motherwell but it came as no surprise when powerful striker Billy Mehmet gave St Mirren the lead on the half hour mark.

Former Dundee United midfielder Steven Robb who had been causing The Steelmen all sorts of problems down the left flank again found space to feed Mehmet inside the area. He then made room for himself before finishing expertly past the diving Graeme Smith with a curling right footed effort.

Five minutes later Robert Malcolm almost restored parity with a thumping 20 yards free-kick that clattered off the bar.

But it was the Paisley side that deservedly went in at the interval with the advantage.

Within two minutes of the restart Motherwell were level when John Sutton headed into the net unchallenged from a Steven Hammell corner kick.

Having very much dominated the first 45 minutes, the start of the second half was a much more even affair with much of the contest being played out in the middle of the park.

But the game burst back into life just after the hour mark.

Jamie Murphy forced a fine save out of Saints stopper Mark Howard before the home side took the lead from another corner.

Hammell was the provider for Bob Malcolm from a short corner routine that surprised the home defence and the burly midfielder somehow bundled the ball into the net from close range.

The Buddies responded well through long-range efforts from Steven Robb and Franco Miranda and then at the other end Murphy went close with a deflected effort from outside the area.

Hammell then tried his luck from the left touchline with a superb left footed shot that smacked off the cross bar.

Controversy ensued after 72 minutes when Miranda was shown a straight red card after his altercation with Sutton before David Clarkson had a late penalty appeal turned down when John Potter appeared to haul the Scotland striker to the ground.

But it did not matter as ’Well held on for a nervy but vital win that sets them up nicely for tomorrow’s crunch encounter.

Motherwell: G Smith, Lasley, Quinn, Reynolds, Hammell, McGarry, Malcolm, Fitzpatrick, Clarkson (Darren Smith 89), Sutton, Murphy.

Subs Not Used: Nielsen, O'Brien, Connolly, Forbes, Archdeacon, Hutchinson. Booked: Fitzpatrick. Goals: Sutton 47, Malcolm 62.

St Mirren: Howard, Ross (McAusland 57), Potter, Cuthbert, Miranda, Dorman, Mason (Brighton 70), Brady, Robb, Mehmet, Wyness (Hamilton 83).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Murray, Tonet, McGinn. Sent Off: Miranda (72). Booked: Mehmet, Potter, McAusland. Goals: Mehmet 30.

Att: 4786

OFF THE BAR: Bob Malcolm clattered the bar with a first half strike on Saturday.JDWSH300908motherwell-04

GOAL MACHINE: John Sutton scores his fourth league goal of the campaign. JDWSH300908motherwell06

READY TO POUNCE: Clarkson waits for a mistake from a Saints defender. JDWSH300908motherwell-09

OPENER: Saints Billy Mehmet scores the first goal of the afternoon. JDWSH300908stmirrengoal-1

TAME EFFORT: David Clarkson shoots wide in the first half. JDWSH300908motherwell-02