Motherwell beat Falkirk in Sunday thriller

Oct 8 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

BACK-TO-BACK league victories for Motherwell despite last Thursday’s UEFA Cup disappointment sandwiched in-between have given fans genuine optimism that their club can once again compete in the upper echelons of the SPL this season.

The general consensus is that the Fir Parkers have had a less than impressive start to the new campaign but they still go into this weekend’s international break just three points off third placed Kilmarnock – with the Ayrshire club next up for ’Well at Rugby Park on October 18.

Sunday’s performance was much more like it. It was the Motherwell of old, or at least of last season.

They were a bit ropey at the back but were clinical going forward.

From middle to front, Motherwell seem to be a match for anyone outside the Old Firm, with John Sutton a revelation in claret and amber since joining the club in the summer. Five goals in five SPL games is no mean feat.

Motherwell can even afford to leave international strikers on the bench (David Clarkson) and still hit the back of the net three times.

The one caveat amidst this renewed optimism is something that cannot be accounted for – injuries.

An injury list that gets beyond four or five first-team regulars will see McGhee struggle to maintain a challenge at the correct end of the table.

In teenager Jamie Murphy, McGhee has a real gem on his hands.

Against Falkirk, he put the home side ahead within 15 minutes before Steve Lovell eased the ball past Graeme Smith for the equaliser.

Chris Porter bagged his first of the season a minute later after a clanger by Falkirk keeper Robert Olejnik and then Graham Barrett got Falkirk’s second early in the second half.

But in-form striker John Sutton rose to head home the winner shortly afterwards.

The Steelmen made two changes from Thursday’s match against Nancy, with Jamie Murphy and John Sutton starting in place of Bob Malcolm and Clarkson.

And it was the home side who had the first shot on goal after six minutes when Paul Quinn fed Jamie Murphy down the right flank and his shot from inside the box was well saved by Olejnik.

Moments later, teenager Murphy again did well down the right and he sent a teasing ball into the box which striker Steven McGarry headed wide.

Murphy, Motherwell’s hottest property, scored the opener in 12 minutes when Keith Lasley sent the ball over the Falkirk back four to the striker, who composed himself and rolled the ball past Olejnik.

Despite Motherwell’s confidence growing, the Bairns equalised against the run of play when former Aberdeen striker Steve Lovell latched onto a Michael Higdon flick and coolly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

No sooner had Falkirk equalised than the Fir Parkers were back in front.

Within a minute of the restart, a seemingly innocuous ball found its way to Olejnik on the right edge of the box.

But the Austrian keeper panicked over whether to gather the ball ,fearing he may slide out his box and therefore let go of it, despite being well inside his area. Chris Porter took possession and simply slid the ball into the unguarded nets.

Lovell had a chance to restore parity with a header from a McNamara cross but he failed to test the keeper.

In an entertaining period of the match, Porter then skied the ball over the bar when in a good position.

Just before the interval, brilliant build-up play by Motherwell gave McGarry room in the box to shoot low to Olejnik’s right but this time the keeper was up to the challenge.

A superb goal-line clearance by Lee Bullen from a Porter header kept the visitors in the match at the break.

And three minutes into the second half, Falkirk were back on level terms. Michael Higdon played a delicate ball to Graham Barrett, who turned well in the box, giving him space to drill a powerful shot past Smith from 12 yards.

The match was being played at a thrilling tempo, with both sides showing their natural attacking instincts.

And once again in 55 minutes ’Well took the lead when McGarry delivered an inch-perfect cross into the box. which found the head of a leaping John Sutton, who directed the ball past Olejnik.

Lovell left Smith in the home goal motionless with a rasping long-range shot on the hour mark as Falkirk pressed for another equaliser.

Higdon then had a header cleared off the line following a Neil McCann corner.

Both sides continued to look for more goals, with Sutton and Darren Barr both going close

But it was Motherwell who took the three points going into this weekend’s international break and some welcome respite, after seven games in 23 days.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Lasley, Hughes, McGarry (Fitzpatrick 70), Murphy (Clarkson 77), Porter, Sutton.

Goals: Murphy 12, Porter 23, Sutton 55.

Falkirk: Olejnik, McNamara (Aafjes 64), Barr, Bullen, Scobbie, Arfield, O'Brien (McCann 67), McBride, Barrett (Latapy 79), Lovell, Higdon.

Booked: Scobbie, Higdon.

Goals: Lovell 22, Barrett 48.

Attendance: 4509.