Ainsworth inspires Well to a win with swagger
good for the club and if we can keep producing performances like that they will be happy.”
This was a confident and convincing performance. Indeed, at times, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they played with a swagger.
Chris Cadden led the way. The young right-sided midfielder gave van der Weg a torrid time. In the eighth minute the Dutch defender brought down his pace with a sliding tackle.
Ainsworth’s free-kick was met by McDonald and he bulleted his header past Scott Fox from eight yards.
The Australian striker should have scored again moments later but he screwed his shot wide.
Well doubled their advantage on the half hour. Moult dribbled inside the box to get to the dead ball line. His cutback was intercepted by van der Wag and all he could do was put the ball past Fox.
County didn’t roll over. Paul Quinn came close with a header and a blistering drive from Ian McShane whistled past. They caused problems all afternoon but their defending let them down.
They were exposed again in the 53rd minute when Tait rampaged down the right and unleashed a shot from 14 yards. It looked as though Fox should have saved it.
The goal of the game came in the 63rd minute. Ainsworth received a pass from McDonald to gain possession in the area. He showed wonderful close control to dribble past two defenders and then round Fox to take the ball all the way to the goal line and slam it home.
But credit to County. They never gave up and scored a cracker in the 78th minute.
Sub Schalk caught a cross ball sweetly on the volley from 17 yards and his low, tasty drive sizzled past Samson.
County boss Jim McIntyre said: “We need to get back to basics.
“We can get out of this poor run of results.”
MARK McGHEE challenged his players to produce a performance and get a result after their midweek horror show against Inverness Caley Thistle – and they came up with a beautiful display.
In particular, the Motherwell manager wanted a display from Lionel Ainsworth and he came up with the goods, setting up the opener for Scott McDonald as well as scoring the fourth goal. A Kenny van der Weg own-goal and a Richard Tait strike gave them an emphatic victory before Alex Schalk replied late on for Ross County.
The Highlanders are now without a win in their last nine games.
McGhee smiled: “This was so far away from the second half in midweek. I sensed on Friday in training there was an appetite and desire. It was as good as we have played all season. I said to the players in the dressing room that we have bounce-back-ability.
“Lionel Ainsworth scored a good goal. It was a big game for Lionel.
“He trains brilliantly but sometimes doesn’t give the same in a game.
“If he plays like that then he would never be out of the team.”
Ainsworth agreed: “I know I need to show more consistency.”
The defeat to Inverness was their third on the trot and they left the field to a chorus of boos from the home fans.
Just 48 hours later the Well Society Supporters Group gained 76% ownership of the club.
Ainsworth added: “The fans taking control will be