MAN OF STEEL
Donnelly shows his mettle to sink Dons
AFTER captaining Fulham’s 2014 FA Youth Cupwinning team, a cruel pelvic injury meant Liam Donnelly was unable to follow future Celtic stars Moussa Dembele and Patrick Roberts into the first team at Craven Cottage.
But the Motherwell midfielder has since well and truly resurrected his career and is now following in that famous pair’s footsteps by tearing it up in the Scottish Premiership.
Last night’s winning goal against Aberdeen at Pittodrie settled this ‘best of the rest’ contest between third and fourth in the table in the favour of Stephen Robinson’s Steelmen. Remarkably, it was defensive midfielder Donnelly’s tenth goal of a prolific season.
The Northern Irish international popped up with the all-important winner in the Granite City just before half-time to stretch the Fir Park side’s lead over the Dons to four points.
Just four years ago, Donnelly was contemplating packing in football after losing his way at Hartlepool United in the bottom tier of English football.
But, at this rate, the 23-year-old will be showcasing his talents in the Europa League next season if Motherwell do qualify for Europe for the first time in six years.
For Aberdeen, this was a depressing return to action as the Scottish Premiership came out of cold storage following the winter break. Derek McInnes’ side had toiled against League One Dumbarton on Saturday before Sam Cosgrove scored a late penalty to progress to the last 16 of the Scottish Cup. And they lacked ideas and zest here in a sub-par performance that saw too many players off form.
McInnes had made two changes from the side that started against the Sons. Out dropped homegrown youngsters Bruce Anderson and Connor McLennan. In came Jon Gallagher and Lewis Ferguson, who was back after serving a one-game suspension in the cup.
Visiting manager Robinson made a couple of alterations to the side that won impressively 3-0 against Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday night, courtesy of a Christopher Long hat-trick.
Richard Tait was replaced at right-back by Liam Grimshaw, while Donnelly came in for Jermaine Hylton, who missed out through illness.
The first 15 minutes was a poor affair, with neither goalkeeper called into action. Then Grimshaw duly livened up proceedings with a superb ball up the line to Mark O’Hara. The midfielder cut the ball back for Long, who took a lovely touch past his marker Scott McKenna, but his shot was saved by Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis and quickly cleared to safety by Shay Logan.
That scare seemed to spark Aberdeen into life and the hosts nearly went ahead. Logan swung over a cross from the right, which was met by defender Andrew Considine. His low shot was saved by Mark Gillespie in unorthodox fashion, kicking the ball behind for a corner.
As the pressure continued Cosgrove narrowly failed to get on the end of a tantalising cross from Niall McGinn.
There was a real blow for the Steelmen just after the half-hour mark when the in-form Long picked up an injury and was replaced by Christian Ilic.
But who better to fill the goalscoring gap than Donnelly, whose fine form this season has helped the Steelmen soar up the table. It has also ensured the loss of last season’s midfield goals sensation, David Turnbull, has not been felt as keenly as the gifted youngster recovers from knee surgery.
On the stroke of half-time came the moment that decided this match. Ferguson fouled Liam
Polworth on the right flank and Polworth himself took the freekick. He swung over a delicious deep cross to the back post and as the Aberdeen defenders dozed, Donnelly stood unmarked. He stooped to direct a low header past the helpless Lewis from close range before running off to celebrate in front of the pocket of travelling Well fans.
Presumably with some harsh words from their manager ringing in their ears, Aberdeen came out of the blocks fast in the second half. But still they could not create much in the way of quality chances against a stubborn visiting defence.
The closest McInnes’ men came to a leveller was an Ash Taylor header from a McGinn corner kick that sailed comfortably over the bar.
Then Considine hooked a shot well over the top following a scramble at a corner.
In a bid to add attacking urgency to his side, McInnes sent on Ryan Hedges for Funso Ojo. Curtis Main and Anderson were to follow for Logan and Taylor.
But still the home side toiled, to the growing, audible, frustration of the home support.
Aberdeen did have a penalty claim waved aside by Willie Collum when Declan Gallagher and Considine clashed in the box.
Then as the clocked ticked down, McGinn threw over some hopeful balls into the Motherwell boss. But the Steelmen showed their mettle as they stood up to be counted and claimed a fine win courtesy of Donnelly’s goal.
As Aberdeen left the pitch to jeers, the Motherwell support joyously celebrated their side strengthening their grip on third by singing: ‘We’re all going on a European tour’.
McInnes will now be hoping his side get back to winning ways at St Mirren on Sunday, 24 hours after rivals Motherwell host Hibernian at Fir Park. ABERDEEN (4-2-3-1): Lewis 6; Logan 6 (Main 81), Taylor 6 (Anderson 81), McKenna 6, Considine 6; Ojo 5 (Hedges 68), Ferguson 6; Gallagher 5, McGeouch 6, McGinn 6; Cosgrove 5. Subs not used: Cerny, Devlin, Campbell, McLennan.
Booked: Consgrove. MOTHERWELL (4-3-3): Gillespie 7; Grimshaw 7, Hartley 7, Gallagher 7, Carroll 7; Campbell 6 (Mugabi 76), Donnelly 8, O’Hara 6; Scott 6 (MacIver 70), Long 3 (Ilic 32), Polworth 6. Subs not used: Carson, Seedorf, Ndjoli, Tait. Booked: Donnelly, Long, Carroll. Man of the match: Liam Donnelly. Referee: Willie Collum. Att: 12,365.