YES! A win has finally arrived and a great performance with it. There was not a single poor performance in the team and the heart, commitment AND skill displayed by everyone was a joy to behold. 1-0 flattered St Mirren but Billy Davies was delighted to find a win of any kind.
We started very well and for most of the first half there was only one team playing. Unfortunately John Spencer was taken off early on to protect a hamstring but Don Goodman came on to great effect. Within minutes The Don forced a good save from Roy before he blootered an effort over the bar from a corner.
Goodman was running rampant and a one-two with Big Lee set him clear. Ludovic Roy was beginning to become irritating and made another good save. St Mirren did venture out of their half occasionally and while McGarry looked dangerous, Jens Paesaleck made Derek Townsley look like a world class player! That man Roy did it again just before half time to deny Elliott after he broke into the box. St Mirren made it to the break all square and the 'Well fans were just waiting for the collapse in the second half.
But it never came. As soon as the second half started we had the ball and were attacking again. Don Goodman had a speculative overhead kick saved before Lee McCulloch struck. Scott Leitch sent a superb defence cutting pass through to Twaddle at the right wing near and the quality of the cross was such that Lee had an easy touch in from close in on goal. A well worked move which had the 'Well fans at the other end of the park on their feet.
Half an hour to go and the Saints never looked like recovering. We had a couple of half chances and The Don was booked for a dive in the box. Goram had one contribution yet to make. In the 89th minute a dangerous cross from his right found Yardley out-jumping Hammell to send a header towards the far post - but the Goalie produced a save at full stretch to guarantee us the points.
Expressions of joy and relief were shared equally between the players and fans at the end. The team acknowledged the support and the fans gave them a standing ovation. A good day's work.
Billy said "I thought the fans were magnificent they gave great backing to the players" - "We're just delighted to get this huge weight off our shoulders"
Let's hope for two away wins in a row at Easter Road next week.
Team: Goram, McMillan, Kemble, Brannan, Spencer (Goodman 4), McCulloch, Twaddle (Townsley 67), Hammell, Elliott, Oueifio, Leitch (Corrigan 72). Subs (unused): Woods, Wood
St Mirren 0 Motherwell 1
Attendance
9 September 2000