We started with just the one change in wet and windy conditions. Kerr was preferred to O’Brien for the artificial surface and Motherwell kicked off with their backs to the 1,500 ‘Well fans in the north stand.
Accies had two corners inside the first five minutes and it took a goal-line clearance from Law to prevent an early loss. Ramsden was subbed after 7 minutes, presumably a suspected injury failed, and Erwin replaced him. Before we had adjusted to the change we conceded. Imrie collected in the inside left position and he had time to make inroads to the box before driving hard and low to Twardzik’s left. Not the start we needed!
A decent 'Well support were given nothing to cheer
We had to wait almost 15 minutes for the first action in front of McGovern’s goal. Ojamaa made progress on the left and his cross gave Erwin a shot that was deflected for a corner.
Crawford was presented with an easy goal when Andreu’s powerful shot was stopped by Twardzik. The ‘keeper couldn’t hold and it the ball fell perfectly as we fell two behind. It should have been 3-0 at the break as Antoine-Curier blasted over when he had the goal at his mercy but the referee’s whistle gave the visitors a 15 minute respite.
Cadden started the second half as Hammell was kept in the dressing room. We had the strong wind helping but the immediate action was at Twardzik’s end and Crawford was unlucky to see his effort come off the post.
Ainsworth made ground on the right and Sutton earned a corner at the near post. There was a bit more urgency from us but our inability to hold the ball and poor distribution kept handing the initiative to the home team.
Another run from Crawford set up the third goal. He sauntered through the midfield, passed to Antoine-Courier and the big striker dribbled the ball into the net. The flow of the game toward our goal was embarrassing. Chance after chance fell for the hooped forwards and a fourth goal arrived when Andreu piled a cut back into the net.
Thomas replaced Ainsworth with 15 minutes remaining. The away support (by now considerably diminished) thought some cheer was coming their way when Thomas set up Ojamaa but the shot flew five yards wide and summed up Motherwell’s poor performance.
Another goal arrived in the dying minutes from substitute Redmond to complete a thoroughly miserable afternoon.
Hamilton 5 Motherwell 0
Attendance 3,926
Team: Twardzik, Reid, Hammell(Cadden46), Ramsden(Erwin 7), McManus, Ainsworth(Thomas 76), Sutton, Lasley, Kerr, Law, Ojamaa