A great performance by a supposedly weakened 'Well team earned a valuable victory against a poor St Johnstone in the autumn sunshine at Fir Park. 'Well fans left smiling as we move up the League.
As the teams kicked off and we started to attack the Fir Park School end there was the surprising sight of the majority of photographers congregating behind Stevie Woods in the 'Well goal - how wrong they were.
The game started with lots of scrappy play from both teams - misplaced passes and little fluency - though we had most of the play.
In ten minutes we had our first opportunity when a good downward header from Lee McCulloch forced a good save from Alan Main. Shortly after, Spencer had a chance kicked away by the goalie after a volley from an Elliott pass.
Then the breakthrough, twenty minutes on the clock and Brannan sent Elliott away clear on the left. He homed on goal and was tackled as he shot. The ball broke to the defender Dods whose botched clearance ended up in the net. Elliott was carried off but soon recovered. We never looked back and they looked beaten.
A Corrigan shot from the right resulted in a corner and from Spenny's kick Main failed to collect. Dods headed high into the air and when it returned to ground, McCulloch lashed it into the net with an overhead kick from around six yards.
The second half started slowly with limited attempts by St Johnstone to redress the balance. Woods had still not been troubled in goal when we got the third after an hour.
A Bannan free kick found McCulloch close in on goal - he should have scored but again Main parried for a corner. Brannan got on the score sheet by heading in the corner.
In seventy minutes Main rushed out to the corner of his box to collect a long ball which was being chased by Elliott. The ball squirted through the goalie's legs and the winger calmly stroked the ball home for the fourth.
McClen was given a run out and looked useful. He looks like Simo!
Kemble blotted his copybook be seeing red (correctly) for a second yellow. He should be fined heavily for his indiscretion.
Comment must be made about the performance of Elliott and Woods.
Elliott was hugely impressive. His position sense opened up many opportunities and his ability to win balls in the air was a revelation. He had an outstanding game.
Stevie Woods' distribution of the ball was excellent. Though he had only one save to make, from a high, swerving free kick, he frequently found Elliott on the wing and had several excellent throws. Maybe this could be the start of a run of games for Stevie.
Overall we had no failures. Townsley again looked awkward but I suspect the opposition are as baffled as the home support as to what his next move is likely to be.
The defence was rarely troubled and both young full backs got forward whenever appropriate. Spencer kept their defence occupied and deserved the ovation he got when subbed.
Happy days.
Team: Woods, Corrigan, Kemble, Strong, Hammell, Townsley, Brannan(73 McClen), Adams, Elliott, Spencer (63 Goodman), McCulloch (77 Nicholas)
Subs unused: Connolly, Ramsay
Motherwell 4 St Johnstone 0
Attendance 4483
14 October 2000