The manager made a couple of changes by introducing Reid at left back and Ainsworth instead of Francis-Angol and Vigurs. St Mirren kicked off facing almost 800 travelling fans and the teams settled into a midfield struggle. One of our few chances in the first period came early following an Ojamaa run across the pitch and a cross from Ainsworth. The ball broke to Lasley but his shot caused no problem for Ridgers.
The game came to life in 18 minutes when Thompson and O’Brien clashed near the centre spot. The big striker’s studs found the big centre half’s leg and the referee produced a red card to send the home captain for an early bath. As often happens it was the ten men that produced the best reaction and they had the balance of play until the break. O’Brien became a target for both the home crowd and the St Mirren players and his inevitable booking duly arrived.
The manager elected to make a double substitution for the resumption. O’Brien and Ferguson stayed in the dressing room giving Erwin and Kerr a chance to impress. It’ll take TV replays to determine whether St Mirren were robbed of a goal in 48 minutes. From a corner on our left the ball was headed against the bar before bouncing up from the vicinity of the goal line. The Buddies claimed the goal but the officials allowed play to continue and the danger was cleared. The referee was to win no praise from the Paisley public!
It gave our players fair warning that they had to up the pace if they were to make the breakthrough. Law delivered a decent cross that gave Sutton a half chance but we failed to take advantage of the extra man. Our play was for the most part too slow and deliberate and missing forward going guile. Goal chances simply failed to appear as the Saints’ defence coped easily with our weak threats – until the 73rd minute.
A fine sequence of passing between Lasley Ainsworth and Ojamaa set up the goal. Ojamaa passed forward inside the left back and Law raced on to the ball close to the by-line. He squared it to Sutton and the Striker deflected it into the net from close range. The players were able to celebrate in front of the Motherwell supporters and they did it in style.
Don Thomas made his first team debut in the closing munites when he replaced Ainsworth. We had a late scare following the concession of a free kick in added time but Twardzik managed to smother the ball at the second attempt.
Baraclough can be happy that the points were won but he’ll have plenty to think about as he sets about the job of moving s up the table.
St Mirren 0 Motherwell 1
Attendance 3,909 (765)
Team: Twardzik, Reid, Carswell, McManus, Ainsworth (Thomas 83), Sutton OBrien (Kerr 45), Law, Ojamaa, Ferguson (Erwin 45)