Motherwell Crush Pathetic Livingston

Let it be said at the start that this was not a thrilling game. We converted a couple of chances while Livi were awful. No, they were worse than that. How they delivered last week’s win for their new manager is a mystery.

But the quality of the opposition is not under the control of Terry Butcher and his boys set about winning the game. Hammell’s hamstring tweak and the resultant shuffle meant that Fitzpatrick filled the left back slot. Clarkson and Leitch shook off last week’s injuries to join the returning O’Donnell.

We attacked the South Stand end in the first half and it took just over fifteen minutes for the small away crowd (placed in the upper tier) to be rewarded by the sight of O’Donnell launching a beauty into the postage stamp corner. Foran’s efforts earned a free kick which resulted in the ball landing at Uncle Phil some twenty yards out. He does not score scrappy goals and this belter gave us the perfect start.

There was no reaction from the visitors. In fact their best chance in the first half came when Marshall was a mite careless with a clearance. The ball struck an on rushing defender and, to the keeper’s relief, it trickled a yard wide of the post.

A 'Well attack in the first half

The game was dead as a contest within a couple of minutes of the restart. Clarkson supplied Foran and he unleashed a fierce attempt from the edge of the box.

McKenzie did very well to get his hands to the ball but the striker claimed the loose ball and slid it home from a tight angle. Foran was a threat all afternoon and thoroughly deserved the ovation he got when he was substituted in the last few minutes.

Manager Gough threw on a couple of subs in a vain attempt to change the flow of the game. Livi’s best hope of recovery lay in the mist which began to lurk menacingly over the stands.

We almost scored a third in seventy minutes when Partridge found himself with a chance fourteen yards out. He struck well and on target and only a fine save thwarted him. The look of disbelief on his face spoke volumes.

Marshall had to be sharp in the last couple of minutes to prevent a shot low to his left but the big man’s current form held up and the danger was snuffed out.

Marvelous work from Corrigan set up Clarkson about two yards from the goal line but the chance was scooped over. The young striker’s lack of goals does not reflect the contribution he makes to our attack. He deserves a couple of hat tricks before the season ends!

We have Inverness at Fir Park next week. Another win would be a perfect Christmas present!