Motherwell dispatched East Stirlingshire with three second half goals from Johnson, McDonald and Cadden to keep up hopes of progress in the Betfred Cup.
In the end it was a comfortable victory but there was some disappointment that it took more than 50 minutes to breach the ‘Shire defence. The game started and finished in steady rain and the two and a half thousand spectators who braved the elements must have raised a smile at the notion of shirt sleeved summer football!
The new management team at work
There were four changes to the Motherwell line-up. Cadden, McDonald, Thomas and trialist Clay replaced Ainsworth, McHugh, Lucas and Moult.
The game could have been over inside the first two minutes. Johnson took on half a dozen defenders before firing a stinging shot that Currie did well to push for a corner. Next McDonald lobbed the ‘keeper to force a clearance off the line. But despite a host of chances we failed to score before half time.
Almost 15 minutes had passed before the visitors made a charge into Cooper end of the pitch but their confidence began to grow as the game progressed. Johnson stole the show with a fine night’s work and his reward came with a fine strike in 52 minutes to break the deadlock.
The goal was immediately followed by a double substitution. Thomas, not his best showing, was replaced by Ainsworth and Chalmers came on for Hammell.
Ping pong in the 'Shire area
The ‘Shire goal was besieged around the hour mark and the ball flew around their goal area but stout and desperate defending postponed the inevitable until the 76th minute when McDonald took advantage of a lovely chipped cross from Cadden to head home from a couple of yards.
Skippy elected not to shoot following a mini break but tempo was lost as he turned and although his cut back found Cadden the shot was blocked by the ‘keeper. Our number 12 got his goal with three minutes remaining as he swept home from the edge of the box.
The McGhee/McFadden partnership now has to figure a way past Stranraer on Saturday to clinch second place in Group F.
Motherwell 3 East Stirlingshire 0
Attendance 2,503 (82)
Team: Samson, Tait, Hammell (Chalmers 52), Heneghan, McManus, Cadden, Lasley, Clay (T), Thomas (Ainsworth 52), McDonald