Motherwell deliver a real knockout blow and delight the boss
MOTHERWELL clinched a place in the knockout stage of the tournament with this comprehensive victory.
The Steelmen now have six points and nine goals from their two fixtures and top Group F.
Their new-look side produced a performance full of confidence and flair, and they were applauded off the pitch by their fans at full time.
‘The most pleasing aspect for me was our work-rate and our energy,’ said Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson.
‘Morton are not a bad team but we made them look worse than they are with the way we played.
‘We were aggressive, created a lot of chances and played some superb football.’
It didn’t take long for the hosts to take advantage of a Morton side missing their first-choice back three due to injury.
A long clearance from goalkeeper Trevor Carson was allowed to bounce and Craig Tanner’s low drive was deflected behind by visiting goalkeeper Derek Gaston.
Tanner took the corner and his outswinger was headed back in by Gael Bigirimana for debutant Charles Dunne to nod home his first goal for his new club after only three minutes.
Motherwell were in the driving seat from then on and Chris Cadden, set up by Ryan Bowman and Tanner, swept the ball behind Gaston from 15 yards to make it 2-0 in 25 minutes.
The visitors, already up against it, saw their faint hopes of a comeback disappear seven minutes from the interval when midfielder Gary Harkins was foolishly sent off for a dangerous, over-the-top lunge at Tanner.
‘Even in the modern game, I don’t think that’s a red card,’ said Morton boss Jim Duffy.
‘The ball bounced high but there was no aggression from Gary. He was just trying to win the challenge.’
Motherwell attacks came in waves and Gaston produced superb saves to keep out efforts from Bowman and Cadden.
However, the keeper could not prevent a third goal for the hosts in 67 minutes, Richard Tait firing home after Carl McHugh’s shot had come back off the bar.
For the second Saturday in succession Louis Moult came off the bench to score, his free-kick from 18 yards leaving the gallant Gaston helpless.