COLE TURNS TO GOLD FOR WELL
Devante double helps set the benchmark
Graham Alexander says Motherwell have set the benchmark for the rest of their season with a win which takes them 10 points clear of bottom spot.
Devante Cole’s double and a Chris Long strike secured a much-needed victory.
Jack Fitzwater headed a consolation for Livi as Well eased their drop worries.
The Fir Park boss believes his side have set the standard for challenges ahead and said: “We started the game with a right good tempo and deservedly took the lead.
“We scored a second at a time when they were sniff ing an equaliser.
“Then we unfortunately conceded soon after to make it difficult for ourselves.
“Once we scored a third we were reasonably safe and that was only because of the way we approached the game. I’m delighted for the players.
“St Johnstone was a real low for us, we hit rock bottom after
that performance. St Mirren was an improved performance, I talk about levels and how we approach games.
“That followed on against Hibs and now against Livi. The cha l lenge we’ve had is consistency, we are capable of picking up good results but it’s not prolonged over a period.
“This is the first time for over a year we’ve gone three games undefeated. That needs addressing.
“We have six games to go but we can never come away from the energy and commitment we’ve shown in the last three.”
A poignant one minute’s applause preceded kick- off in tribute to Motherwell legend Ian St John. Livi keeper Robby McCrorie had to make two early saves to beat away an effort from Jordan Roberts and push Steven O’Donnell’s strike wide as Well started strongly.
The impressive opening saw Tony Watt drift in from the left to drag a shot past as Livi made a sluggish start, much to the displeasure of boss David Martindale who bellowed out orders from the sidelines.
Watt had another chance in 15 minutes as he glanced a corner from the left off target.
It was the last impression the striker made. He limped off shortly after as Long came on.
Motherwell were then gifted an opener in the 32nd minute when Matej Poplatnik clipped the heels of Robbie Crawford as the midfielder dribbled away from goal and referee Colin Steven pointed to the spot.
Cole didn’t need to be asked twice to drive his penalty powerfully past McCrorie.
Livi almost levelled four minutes from the break as Poplatnik looked to make amends for his mistake by heading low to Liam Kelly’s right-handnd corner. But the on- loann QPR keeper brilliantlytly turned his effort wide.de. Josh Mullin then rattledtled the upright secondss before the intervall as the Lions lookedokedtoto get backk on level terms. ms.
We l l kept up p their dominance and Long’s strike was gathered well by McCrorie eight minutes after the restart. But No. 2 arrived on the hour.
Livi failed to clear their lines and Cole swivelled inside the box before burying a low shot past McCrorie.
The Lions replied within seconds as Fitzwater’s diving header from Mullin’sMu freekickkick beat KeKelly to get them back in the game. But theitheir hopes faded in 69 minutesm as Long col llected a through ball from Cole and fired a lowlo finish past McCMcCrorie. PoplaPoplatnik then somehsomehow failed to fifind the net frfrom just a ffew yards oout as he s c l a f fed hishi attempt to cap a miserable day for the SloSlovenian.