Match-winner Liam looking in rude health now
FOR a player who has only recently returned after eight months out suffering from glandular fever, Liam Grimshaw picked the perfect time to reduce the heat on Motherwell. Winless in their first two league games and knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup against Dundee last week, the Englishman popped up with 11 minutes left to score his first career goal and seal three points for Graham Alexander’s men.
Livingston, who remain pointless, took the lead thanks to Alan Forrest’s first-half strike before Tony Watt equalised for the visitors three minutes after the interval.
But Grimshaw, who started playing at senior level six years ago, grabbed the winner with a close-range finish to ensure the scoreline finally had a healthier look about it for the Fir Park club.
‘The goal meant everything to us all,’ said Alexander. ‘You could see the way the boys celebrated with him. They are all over him in the dressing room. He’s a fantastic lad.
‘We thought it would be his type of game today. We needed his energy and bite in midfield. I’ll be honest, we didn’t expect him to come up with the winner.
‘But he made a great run into the box off the blindside of his opponent and he gets his luck. He is a fantastic lad and everyone loves him.
‘It’s a great day for him. If we can get him three inches from the goal week in, week out, he might have a chance to score more!’
Motherwell started brightly in the opening ten minutes, with Kaiyne Woolery seeing a close-range attempt diverted behind and Mark O’Hara firing a shot just wide from 15 yards.
Livvy suffered a setback on the half-hour mark when Craig Sibbald limped off. The midfielder, so often a spark for the hosts, had returned to the pitch from an earlier knock but soon suffered another blow and was replaced by Andrew Shinnie.
Play was stopped in the 34th minute as a mark of respect for Steven Carrie, a Livingston fan who passed away aged 34 in May.
Former Lions keeper Liam Kelly held onto the ball before taking a goal-kick to prompt the players to join all supporters in a period of applause.
The home crowd were on their feet again four minutes later as Forrest struck the opener. Motherwell allowed the attacker to shift the ball to his left foot on the edge of the box and he drilled an excellent finish into the far-right corner.
Motherwell made the perfect start to the second half when Watt nodded them level. A short corner from the right was met by Juhani Ojala, who headed the ball towards the six-yard box and the striker applied the finish.
Referee Craig Napier incensed Alexander’s men whey they appeared set to take the lead midway through the second half.
It was clear a calamity was about to occur as a long ball was played over the top. True enough, Livvy keeper Stryjek and Sean Kelly collided on the edge of the box.
Well striker Justin Amaluzor picked up the loose ball and was ready to slot into the net but Napier stopped play. Kelly received treatment for several minutes before he was able to continue.
‘I was disappointed at the time,’ said Alexander. ‘Player safety is really important but the referee had blown before the lad even landed. It was a great opportunity for us.
‘I spoke to the player afterwards and he is okay. I was frustrated but I can understand the referee making the decision. I’m saying this because we won the game... it could have been different.’
Motherwell’s goal did arrive, however, with 11 minutes left. Stryjek could only parry Watt’s shot and Grimshaw converted the rebound at the near post.
‘I’m out late — I made the boys watch the two goals,’ said Livvy boss David Martindale. ‘I wasn’t going home and waiting to Monday to show them it. It wasn’t good enough.’
LIVINGSTON (4-3-3): Stryjek; Devlin, Obileye (Hamilton 84), Fitzwater, Longridge; Pittman, Holt, Sibbald (Shinnie 30); Bailey (S Kelly 60), Anderson, Forrest. Subs (not used): Barden, Williamson, Panayiotou, Jacobs. Booked: Fitzwater.
MOTHERWELL (4-3-3): L Kelly; Mugabi, Ojala, Lamie, Carroll; Grimshaw, Slattery, O’Hara; Amaluzor (McGinley 84), Watt, Woolery (O’Connor 90).
Subs (not used): Fox, Van Veen, Lawless, Crawford, Shields. Booked: Grimshaw.
Referee: Craig Napier.
Attendance: 1,718.