Elliott responds to gaffer’s rocket with a hat-trick

ELLIOTT FREAR responded to stick from his manager in the best way possible by smashing in a first-half hat-trick.

The English winger was told to buck up his ideas this term following a tongue-lashing from Stephen Robinson at the end of last season.

And Frear stormed out of the blocks last night as Well made light work of their League Two Group G opponents.

Last season’s League Cup finalists got their campaign off to a flying start as Frear netted the first treble by a Motherwell player since Louis Moult notched all four goals against Hamilton in September 2016.

ANTHONY HAGGERTY AT FIR PARK

And delighted Fir Park boss Robinson said: “I had strong words with Elliott at the end of last season about what I expect from him.

“He has come back with the bit between his teeth and if I get that from him every week it will be hard to take him out the team.

“I have high expectations from him but I think there is more to come.

“In the first half we were dominant. We were very professional but there is more to come from this team.

“Trevor Carson’s partner has had a baby during the game so we took the decision to let him miss this one.”

Robinson gave competitive debuts to two of his six summer signings, keeper Mark Gillespie and Northern Irish defender Liam Donnelly, with Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, Conor Sammon and Danny Johnson on the bench.

The League Two club contained plenty of top-flight experience with ex-Partick Thistle defender Conrad Balatoni and former Hibs man Danny Handling in their ranks.

But they were unable to stop Motherwell taking the lead in the eighth minute. Chris Cadden slid an inviting low centre across the face of goal which was lashed high into the net from close range by Frear.

It was 2-0 after 18 minutes.