Stuttering Motherwell fail to make breakthrough
M0 1
OTHERWELL left themselves with it all to do in Sligo to keep their Europa Conference League hopes alive after a narrow defeat in a fierce first-leg in Lanarkshire.
Graham Alexander’s side were welcomed to the pitch with an impressive fullstand display inside Fir Park hailing the Motherwell side as “11 stalwart warriors” – unfortunately for the expectant crowd inside the stadium, Sligo Rovers were more than up for the battle themselves.
The hosts were sent out with a clear goal, to turn the Bit O’ Red black and blue in a slobber-knocker of a contest before the return leg in Ireland. But in the end it was Motherwell left bloodied – albeit their opposition not landing a knockout blow.
It was one moment of indecision, a slip in concentration from Bevis Mugabi, which allowed Sligo Rovers a moment to strike. The visitors didn’t waste it.
Towering defender Mugabi allowed a long ball to bounce before a dreadful slack headed back-pass allowed Aidan
Keena to lob over the stranded Liam Kelly.
Fortunately for Alexander’s men it wouldn’t get any worse; however, they’d be denied a leveller in a tough night back on the European stage.
In the build-up to kick-off there was a buzz around Fir Park with supporters around the stadium offering huge vocal backing with a booming welcome to the pitch.
Sligo Rovers – who sit fifth in the SSE Airtricity League – were backed by a hearty 458-strong crowd housed in the Fir Park away end – but much like many predictions, the visitors were expected to be dominated by the Motherwell with the home advantage.
However, with just 30 seconds on the clock the away side offered an instant warning that they were in Scotland to take a lead back to Ireland for the second leg. Karl O’Sullivan burst clear down the right hand side to cross low into the box where William Fitzgerald ghosted to the front post but could only divert his effort over the bar.
One minute later and Motherwell had a sighter of their own. Connor Shields played a deft chipped ball over the Sligo backline where Josh Morris controlled well before unleashing a powerful strike which slammed into the side netting courtesy of a deflection.
With nine minutes played it was again the visitors going close. This time Garry Buckley fired across goal for Lewis Banks who bundled towards goal but the scrambling Liam Kelly did brilliantly to smother the effort. Just like in the opening exchanges, Motherwell hit back with a rapid response as Kevin Van Veen met a Morris cross but his header was easy for Luke McNicholas to deal with.
The Sligo keeper would then be busy again just six minutes later as he elected to punch a dangerous cross clear to the edge of the box where Barry Maguire tried for a spectacular volley but sent his shot wide of the margin.
On 22 minutes Motherwell could, and should, have been in front as Van Veen was presented a golden chance from a Patrick Kirk sloppy back pass. The Motherwell striker surged into the box and slid across the face to Morris, but the pass was just to heavy as a huge moment passed the hosts by.
When Sligo were offered a similar chance, they didn’t waste it. With 27 minutes gone Mugabi was indecisive, then slack with his back-pass to give Keena an opportunity which he finished with aplomb.
Ten minutes from the break Maguire would again try his luck from range but McNicholas parried clear. The Sligo keeper was beaten on the stroke of half-time as Shields slid in at close range, but his effort also slid past the post.
Motherwell were on top in the second half – much like in the first – but just couldn’t force a leveller.
For all their dominance, Motherwell could’ve ended the night at an increased deficit. With six minutes left Sligo sub Max Mata was left free in the box only to see his header blocked on the line by Jake Carroll. Referee Kari Joannesarson a Hovdanum waved play on despite ferocious appeals for a handball decision to set up a crucial second-leg at The Showgrounds.