Moult makes Motherwell merry as they finally wake up to see off 10-man County
MOTHERWELL secured their first league victory of the season after they managed to turn around a dismal first-half display and defeat Ross County.
They ended up securing the three points through second-half goals from Richard Tait and a Louis Moult spot-kick.
County left-back Kenny van der Weg was redcarded in the 73rd minute.
In what was really a game of two halves, Stephen Robinson’s side were under the cosh for most of the opening period, but Jim McIntyre’s men could not make the most of their possession and the chances they created. County played some very attractive football.
That said, overall, the first half rather lacked goalmouth action.
Scott Fox was a spectator in the visitors’ goal. At the other end, Russell Griffiths pulled off two decent stops, one to deny sub Christopher Routis and another to thwart Michael Gardyne’s effort.
McIntyre would have been disappointed not to have had a lead after the Highlanders’ dominance.
The home team sat very deep and allowed County to come at them time after time.
Gardyne caused all sorts of problems for right-back Tait and Fir Park boss Robinson switched him to the opposite side of the defence for the second half.
Motherwell knew they were fortunate to be level after the opening 45 minutes and Robinson made two changes. Ryan Bowman came on for Craig Tanner, while Allan Campbell replaced Alex Fisher. He deserved credit for the change of personnel and shape.
Young Campbell impressed in the middle of the park and Bowman made a difference.
There was now more of a flow and purpose to Motherwell’s play.
Tait looked far happier in his new defensive role and popped up with the opening goal in the 53rd minute when his sweeping
shot from 14 yards whizzed past Fox and into the keeper’s bottom right-hand corner.
The opportunity came about after Andrew Davies made a mess of a routine clearance at the edge of his own box.
The Highlanders had a great opportunity to draw level moments later when Alex Schalk was clean through, but he lacked the necessary composure and blasted the ball high over the home crossbar.
But it wasn’t long before Motherwell took control of the game again and the points were wrapped up in the 74th minute when Moult scored from the spot.
County were reduced to 10 men in the process as Van der Weg was shown a straight red card for bringing down the in-demand striker.
Moult stepped up and kept his cool to stroke the ball past Fox and give his side a precious victory.
It also completed the double for the Steelmen after they knocked County out of the Betfred Cup earlier in the month.
Robinson said: ‘That was our poorest performance in a first half since I came to the club.
‘Some of my players forgot they had to try and win the battle before they win the match. We lacked a physical presence in the middle of the park.
‘We changed our mentality at half-time and that’s why we won the game. The players showed great character. That’s us now won six out of eight games this season.’
Robinson was delighted Moult scored but is well aware that could only increase the chances of the striker being sold before the conclusion of this transfer window.
The Englishman has one year left on his contract and Robinson said: ‘We have our valuation for Louis and, as far as I’m concerned, no club has met that. If a club does meet that valuation then, obviously, it will give the Motherwell board something to think about.’
McIntyre — who had no complaints about the penalty award or the decision to send off Van der Weg — knew that it was a lack of accuracy in front of goal that cost his team. The County boss lamented their lack of finishing prowess.
He said: ‘The first half is as good as we’ve played for a long time. Some of our stuff was fantastic. We dominated the game but you’ve got to take your chances and we were wasteful in front of goal.
‘It came back to bite us — big time. I’ve spoken on numerous occasions about how vital the first goal is at this level.
‘The main frustration is that all of our good play gets forgotten about because we didn’t score.’