A late goal from Allan Campbell gave Motherwell a 2-1 win over Livingston as the heavens opened at Fir Park. Chris Long had opened the scoring before Livi pulled one back from the spot but three home points keep the Mighty ’Well in third place.
It was not a classic. Motherwell had to work hard to counter the direct style of the visitors and they may feel that they were due a point but our number six popped up to snatch the win.
There was no surprise at Stephen Robinson’s selection and the eleven that beat Kilmarnock in midweek faced the white clad Livingston team.
The early scrappy exchanges gave a fair indication of what was to follow. The team in claret and amber tried to hold the ball and build forward with passes while Livingston wasted no time in launching the ball into our penalty area.
We were fortunate to escape a game of pinball in our area after seven minutes before Mark Gillespie blocked from close range. Scott Tiffoney also caused concern when he waltzed though our midfield to force Gillespie to concede a corner following a full stretch save.
Chris Long blasted a 20 yard effort that Matija Sarkic was happy to fist away but most of our thrust came via Jermaine Hylton. He bamboozled defenders and set up most of our threats in the first half.
The opener came a couple of minutes into the second period. Long drove low and hard from the right side of the goal at the ‘keeper’s near post. The ball squirmed through his arms and into the net.
The lead lasted barely ten minutes when Devante Cole made a needless challenge on Tiffoney inside our area. The penalty was awarded and Stephen Lawless came off the bench to dispatch the spot kick beyond Gillespie.
James Scott replaced Cole and Sherwin Seedorf replaced Hylton as we hoped to regain the lead. Livingston had other ideas and we had to withstand a series of long throws and high balls in our box.
Campbell benefited from Seedorf’s good work and buried the winner with seven minutes remaining. Bevis Mugabi immediately replaced Long as we attempted to shut up shop.
Gillespie had to produce an excellent close range stop to maintain our lead and we held on in the pouring rain.
Motherwell 2 Livingston 1
Attendance 4,433 (163)
Team: Gillespie Hartley, Galagher, Carroll, Grimshaw, Campbell, Polworth, Donnelly, Hylton (Seedorf 75), Long (Mugabi 84), Cole (Scott 64)
Saturday 2 November 2019