Ainsworth was recalled to the starting eleven and Grant dropped to the bench and the winger repaid the manager’s choice with two well taken goals to turn the game. Lyon was given a straight red card for a foul on Johnson before Sutton came on to finish the rout with a couple in the final ten minutes.
The second half gets underway
The first half was a more even affair and both sides had pops at goal. Law and McDonald tried their luck with long range free kicks and ainsworth showed he was up for the fight with a turn and sprint into the box before firing at McGovern. Straker showed some neat footwork before releasing Johnson away down the left wing but the winger’s dangerous low cross was flicked to safety by Tena with Erwin lurking.
Accies had their chances too with Gillespie first to show with a midfield run ending with a high shot. Crawford was given too much space and he had three speculative efforts that might have punished us. Imrie was inches away from a spectacular goal when his 25 yard volley grazed the outside of the post. Just before the break Law caused the support in the Cooper Stand to gasp as his attempted clearance almost curled into our goal.
The game turned a few minutes into the second period. Lasley rolled a quick free kick to Ainsworth and from almost 30 yards he unleashed a ferocious shot that flew into the net on the ‘keeper’s right. It was a lovely goal and the ground had hardly settled before the lead was doubled. A cross from Johnson was missed by all until it reached Ainsworth at the far post. He was at a tight angle by his shot was true and suddenly we were looking likely winners.
Lyon did his team no favour with his lunge on Johnson and his dismissal all but ended Hamilton’s participation in the contest. Hasslebaink came on and provided some threat but our back line held and was eventually rewarded with a clean sheet.
Ainsworth almost secured his hat-trick when his chipped cross was headed home at close range by Sutton. Erwin was then felled by Gordon deep in the box and referee Murray pointed to the penalty spot. Sutton converted with ease to finish the scoring at 4-0.
The players were warmly applauded at the end and they can enjoy the upcoming international break with the fillip of a win to see them through to the game at Rugby Park in a fortnight.
Motherwell 4 Hamilton 0
Attendance 4,250 (459)
Team: Long, McManus, Ainsworth (Moore 81), Lasley, Law, Erwin, Johnson (D Thomas 86), Straker, Laing, Pearson, McDonald (Sutton 77).