Motherwell halt losing run as Dons are denied
FOR Motherwell, t here was s ome solace in ending a f our- match l osing streak with a hard-fought point. Otherwise, though, this was 90 minutes that yielded little of merit. A midfield slug-fest short on style and incision ended with an outcome that had seemed predictable long before referee Greg Aitken sounded his final whistle.
Neither side could be faulted for effort, but that battery-power was rarely converted into actual chances. While the defending was diligent throughout, attacking quality was absent. As a result, both teams drop a place in the Premiership standings. Aberdeen are down to f ourth behind Hibernian, with Motherwell now sixth after being leapfrogged by Dundee United.
Pittodrie boss Derek McInnes wasn’t too downhearted by the result, but warned his players it will only be regarded as a positive i f they f ollow up with home success over the festive period. Aberdeen host St Johnstone on Boxing Day.
‘I thought the energy and effort of the team was good from the outset,’ argued McInnes.
‘We came out of the traps quickly and had a number of decent opportunities. But after that Motherwell tightened up.
‘It was our third clean sheet in a row so it is not the worst result in the world. It is a point away from home but it will only be a good point if we win our next two home games.’
McInnes was right to say Aberdeen looked the more sprightly at the start. Curtis Main and Matty Kennedy both offered early threats before the frame of the goal spared Motherwell in the 13th minute.
A Ryan Hedges corner was delivered with real pace. Main got up smartly to connect and was unfortunate to see his header thump against the face of the bar. After a double against Ross County earlier this month, the striker would have loved to notch against his former club and extend his scoring revival.
Main didn’t exactly endear himself to old friends with his next involvement. A tumble under a soft challenge won a free-kick from referee Aitken, but the call incensed the ever-agitated Stephen Robinson in his technical area.
The Motherwell manager had good cause for concern. Hedges touched the free-kick inside, with Lewis Ferguson letting it run for the on-rushing Jonny Hayes in a well-rehearsed routine. Hayes’ strike, low and firm through a crowded penalty area, was only denied by a fine stop from Jordan Archer.
It would be wrong, however, to portray it as real dominance by Aberdeen.
Again, set-pieces appeared the likeliest path to a breakthrough. Mark O’Hara sent a free-kick straight at Joe Lewis before a tantalising delivery from Liam Polworth forced Kennedy into a vital clearance amid static colleagues.
Both sides needed a spark of inspiration. McInnes moved first in terms of changes, as Sam Cosgrove was introduced in place of Connor McLennan for the second half.
The striker was starved of any chances, though. With O’Hara and Declan Gallagher defending strongly for the hosts, Aberdeen’s early slickness had gone.
An attritional game became all the more so. As it was, the best chance to find a winner came for Motherwell with 11 minutes remaining. Tony Watt burrowed his way into the area and pulled the ball back for Polworth. He connected with a low shot that was blocked near the goal-line by Andy Considine.
The Fir Park side are now without a win in seven games but assistant manager Keith Lasley is optimistic this will aid them in eventually turning the corner.
‘It was pleasing to take a point off a good team and there were plenty of positives for us to take after being in a tricky run,’ said Lasley.
‘The boys turned in a dogged, hungry display and that’s what we need during this busy period. They have players who can hurt you in the forward areas and they do that to most teams, including the Old Firm, and we need to show that kind of solidity.’
Motherwell will have to rejig their forward options when the transfer window opens af t er Lasley confirmed Callum Lang — scorer of five goals this term — was being recalled from loan by Wigan.
‘ It’s unfortunate but that’s Wigan’s call and there’s nothing we can do about that,’ added Lasley. MOTHERWELL (3-5-2): Archer 7; O’Donnell 6, O’Hara 7, Gallagher 7; Lamie 7, Grimshaw 6, Campbell 6, Crawford 6 (Maguire 84), Polworth 6; Watt 6 (White 90), Lang 6 (Cole 68). Subs not used: Chapman, Carroll, Hastie, Mugabi, Seedorf, Cornelius. Booked: None. ABERDEEN (3-4-3): Lewis 7; Hoban 7, Taylor 7, Considine 7; Kennedy 6, McCrorie 6, Ferguson 6, Hayes 6; Hedges 6, Main 6 (Edmondson 87), McLennan 5 (Cosgrove 46). Subs not used: Woods, Logan, Ojo, McGinn, Campbell, Ngwenya, Ramsay. Booked: Kennedy. Man of the match: Mark O’Hara. Referee: Greg Aitken.