Magic Johnson’s magnificent strike gives Well the edge
By Mark Guidi SPORT@SUNDAYPOST.COM
Stephen Robinson praised matchwinner Danny Johnson for his stunning goal and vowed the English striker is only going to get better. Johnson scored from 14 yards out in the 24th minute, getting on the end of a Curtis Main cross from the left. Johnson connected sweetly with the ball and his shot arrowed past Liam Kelly. It was a goal that was always coming in a match that provided plenty of entertainment. Both sides put in good performances. Quite how there was only one goal scored was remarkable, considering all of the attacking play in the game. Robinson was delighted to see his side take their place in today’s Betfred Cup quarter-final draw and would love to see the Fir Park men go all the way to the final, just like last season, when they lost to Celtic at Hampden Park. Robinson said: “We were really good in the first half and created lots of chances. Their keeper made two or three brilliant saves from Curtis Main and Alan McHugh to keep them in the game. Had we scored, we could have made life a lot easier for ourselves. “But we did get the goal that counted from Danny. I was delighted with his contribution. He is just a goalscorer and he knows what to do in front of goal. “He hit the crossbar and then had a super finish, especially on that surface. And I know he will get better and better. His fitness will improve and we are getting a good 60 or 70 minutes out of him at the moment. “In terms of the team performance, our passing could have been better in the second half and our decision making could also have been better. That will come, though. “But, overall, it was a super battling performance and we also had to defend deep when necessary. They got some long balls and we coped well. Credit to Livingston for making such a game of it.” Livvy boss Kenny Miller was dejected at going out of the competition, and rightly so. His team started very well and could have been two goals up inside five minutes. Stevie Lawless rattled the crossbar with a 25-yard shot and then Miller himself, from a similar distance, forced Trevor Carson into an excellent save. It was an end-to-end game and thoroughly enjoyable, both sets of players putting in some tasty tackles. Despite several naughty challenges, though, referee Willie Collum failed to produce a yellow card. Motherwell gradually took control and their experience proved vital. Their game management was impressive after they took the lead. Livvy tried to level and sub Nicky Cadden made an impact down the left wing. He helped to open up the visitors once or twice, but there was nothing to overly trouble Carson. The Lanarkshire club welcomed the victory after losing their opening two league games and Robinson will hope it can give them a wee spur. That said, their next SPFL game is at home to Steven Gerrard’s Rangers next Sunday. Robinson will be positive, though, after good performances yesterday from the likes of Elliot Frear, Richard Tait, Gael Bigirimana and Alan Campbell. Today they will see which side they are paired with in the last-eight draw. Given their run in cups in the past 12 months, most teams will hope to avoid them.