Motherwell ended the pre-season friendly series with a 3-0 win in Darlington. Goals last in the first half from Chris Long and Liam Donnelly and a late free kick from Jamie Semple delivered the victory.
The staring eleven may indicate the manager’s thoughts before next week’s first competitive match against Queen of the South in the group stage of the Betfred Cup.
The red and black opposition offered a stiff test despite this being their first warm-up game and the opener was delayed until the 41st minute. Declan Gallagher headed a corner kick goalward and Long was on hand to bundle the goal line block into the net.
In first half added time Donnelly found the top left corner with a handsome 25 yard effort to give a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.
The Quakers held out until the closing minutes before conceding the third. Semple lined up a free kick at the edge of the box against a ten man defensive wall but his low drive found space and beat the ‘keeper. MFC posted his comments after the match, “I just drilled the free kick hard and hoped it went in.” It did.
Next up is a trip to Dumfries on Saturday in the Betfred Cup. Our next opponents beat Clyde 3-1 in a closed doors friendly as we played in Darlington.
Darlington 0 Motherwell 3
Team (1st half): Gillespie, Tait, Gallagher, Hartley, Carroll, Polworth, Donnelly, Campbell, Hylton, Long, Cole
Saturday 6 July 2019