Fir Park loss fails to spoil the occasion for Lasley
WITH more than 400 appearances for Motherwell and 16 years of service, Keith Lasley got his deserved testimonial match and 2,352 fans turned out to pay tribute.
He played the full 90 minutes in his favoured role in the heart of the midfield.
It was not the result he wanted against Neil Lennon’s Bolton side, but that would not have diluted from the occasion. And he was delighted the final act of the afternoon went to his son, Alfie.
He managed to sneak on to be the Fir Park side’s 12th man. Carried on his dad’s shoulders into the penalty box, the three-year-old was let loose to tap the ball home past Wanderers keeper Paul Rachubka from two yards to round off a memorable day for the family.
Lasley smiled: ‘Hopefully we have a star of the future. He enjoyed it but was also bawling his eyes out — took a bit of stage fright!
‘We’ve all had a great day and there is a special affinity between my family and this football club. I thank every supporter for turning up and creating an atmosphere. I’ve had a lot of emotions this week and it has been a whirlwind day.’
In the first half, both sides served up a typically tame testimonial with little to excite the crowd.
That said, Marvin Johnson had some decent runs down the left wing for Motherwell. Bolton’s Wellington Silva had a shot saved by Dan Twardzik in the 15th minute. And Jake Taylor’s curling shot from the edge of the box was not far off target for the home team.
Thankfully, the second half was livelier. As the visitors took the initiative, Stephen Dobbie’s volley from close range flew a yard past Twardzik’s left-hand post in the 50th minute.
Lennon’s team then made the breakthrough 60 seconds later. Silva’s cross from the right provided an easy tap-in for Emile Heskey three yards out.
James McFadden received an excellent welcome from the home fans when he came on as a guest substitute in the 61st minute.
Still a free agent, he loved being on the ball and thrived on the opportunity.
He set up Scott McDonald — on as a half-time replacement — but the striker’s shot was just off target.
The Motherwell fans gave a special ovation to 1991 Scottish Cup Final hero, Steve Kirk, when he came on with three minutes to go.
But it was Bolton who had the last word when Dobbie volleyed home from 20 yards out.
Lennon was pleased to have provided the opposition and said: ‘Keith has been a great servant and he deserved his day. He has been involved in Scottish football for many years and he left his mark on me when we played against each other a few years back!
‘But it was a good occasion and it also gave my players a run out. We have a couple of new players trying to settle in and I don’t think we are too far off catching fire. We have the makings of a decent team.’