Vital win for Motherwell

Mar 18 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

THE importance of this match was underlined by two contrasting but equally telling incidents.

During the early exchanges, United’s Lee Wilkie was afforded too much room in the Motherwell penalty area but headed his effort over the top.

Clearly not happy with his defenders, Graeme Smith exchanged pleasantries with Brian McLean before shunting the right-back in the chest. He got the message.

At 4.50pm the same two players were seen embracing, celebrating a vital victory. Suddenly, all was forgiven.

This was a nervy occasion, especially given Hibernian’s victory over Edinburgh rivals Hearts at Easter Road in Saturday’s lunchtime kick off, and the tension was etched on the faces of the Fir Park faithful right from the off.

Despite a run of just one defeat from their last 10 league outings, a poor start to the campaign meant that there could be no slip-up here by Motherwell as they look to squeeze into the top six before aiming for a top-four finish that would mean another European adventure for Mark McGhee’s charges.

It now looks like a straight shoot-out between Hibs and Motherwell for that sixth place with four games to go before the split, although any mistakes by Dundee United or Aberdeen could see them fall through the trapdoor.

Thankfully, McGhee didn’t suffer the plight of so many Manager of the Month winners at the weekend.

The ’Well boss accepted the SPL accolade for February last Friday, confidently claiming again that his side were the best outside the Old Firm.

Judging by their first-half performance in this match, it was hard to argue otherwise.

Deploying Cillian Sheridan and John Sutton upfront and Paul Quinn in midfield was a clear sign that the home side were now admitting their need to adapt to the much maligned underfoot conditions – offering up a more physical, direct approach to their play.

However, this did not detract from their willingness to play attractive football when possible on Saturday and the efficient way they managed to adapt to the conditions could prove vital in their two remaining home fixtures.

Motherwell started quicker than Craig Levein’s side, with Quinn, Sheridan and Sutton going close early on sandwiched between Wilkie’s effort and United striker Jon Daly ballooning the ball over when in space inside the box.

The opener in 27 minutes from Sutton, who eased Jim O’Brien’s cross into the net from six yards, showed that the striker had taken heed of McGhee’s advice during a heart-to-heart talk last month.

The Englishman’s overall contribution during games has increased tenfold recently and he is another example of McGhee’s ability to get the best out of players as well as significantly improve them as footballers. The provider of Sutton’s opener is another who fits into this category.

Motherwell should have doubled their advantage six minutes before the interval when Sheridan was put through by the ever-impressive Stephen Hughes. The on-loan Celt dinked the ball over Zaluska, but central defender Garry Kenneth cleared off the line.

This kept the visitors in the match and they were on level terms soon after the interval when substitute Francisco Sandaza tucked away a Paul Caddis corner in a manner reminiscent to Sutton’s first-half strike.

McLean missed an easy opportunity for Motherwell and then Graeme Smith showed his class by blocking efforts from Danny Swanson and Caddis.

The pivotal moment of the match came in the 75th minute. Maros Klimpl appeared to haul down the lively Danny Swanson inside the area but referee Iain Brines waved away the penalty claims.

If Levein was livid at that decision, his anger reached epic proportions seconds later when substitute David Clarkson took full advantage of a hesitant United defence by sending a looping header over Zaluska for the winner.

Sutton nearly scored a third goal late on, stabbing an effort wide after being played through by Paul Quinn.

On the day, that miss mattered very little but with just two goals currently separating Motherwell and Hibernian in sixth place, such profligacy in the next few weeks could well puncture the side’s aspirations of joining Scotland’s elite for the final five matches of the season.

Motherwell: Smith, Quinn, Brian McLean (Fitzpatrick 85), Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, O'Brien, Klimpl, Hughes, Sheridan (Clarkson 69), Sutton.