A NEW HERO
Van Veen drives the Steelmen to victory
THE drum sounded and the Dutchman delivered. There is a catchy beat emanating from Fir Park which is certainly music to the ears of Motherwell supporters and, in particular, Kevin van Veen.
Inside a boisterous and bouncing stadium, the striker helped to dump an Aberdeen side who were a little more than off key. In fact, they were woeful.
But let’s focus on Graham Alexander’s men, who have now won three Premiership matches in a row and handed a first league loss of the season to the Dons.
Van Veen headed the hosts ahead in the first half before he assisted Juhani Ojala’s second-half header. Motherwell — and especially Van Veen — could have scored more but he had to settle for one goal here to add to the strike he earned against Hibernian on the opening day of the season.
As the Steelmen jigged and jumped at full-time, Stephen Glass’s side were left searching for answers, with the Dons boss yellow carded and assistant Allan Russell sent off after the final whistle.
For Alexander, however, there was praise for Van Veen and smiles all round after his team leapfrogged their opponents into fourth spot.
‘It was a brilliant win and I am delighted for everyone connected with the club,’ said the Fir Park manager. ‘You could see the quality Aberdeen have but we showed really good discipline.
‘We competed and we showed our quality to get the goals. Kevin deserved the reaction of the crowd but everyone in a Motherwell jersey deserved an ovation.
‘We know Kev’s quality in possession and we are working hard with him on pressing and shape out of possession.
‘In terms of on the ball, we can’t give him anything — his ability is great to see. He produces on big occasions but we also want to see work off the ball and we are.
‘Kev will get the plaudits because it was a great header and a great cross for the second.’
Norwegian defender Sondre Solholm Johansen made his debut for Motherwell after joining on a three-year deal.
New Aberdeen signing David Bates found a place on the bench following his arrival from Hamburg, while Jack MacKenzie and Marley Watkins were restored to the starting line-up.
Motherwell wasted a great chance to take the lead on 25 minutes when Ojala headed the ball down into the turf from a corner and it bounced behind.
No matter. The hosts only had to wait a minute to make the breakthrough. Kaiyne Woolery’s cross from the right was perfect for Van Veen to head home. Mind you, the marking from the Dons was non-existent.
Aberdeen needed a response and almost levelled within five minutes when Lewis Ferguson’s shot was saved by Liam Kelly and the ball landed on the roof of the net.
Within nine minutes of the restart, Aberdeen captain Scott Brown won the ball back midway inside Motherwell’s half. Watkins picked it up, ran with it into the box and attempted to lift it over Kelly but Motherwell survived.
Two minutes later and the Welshman went for power this time as his fizzing shot from 18 yards was parried.
But soon it was a tale of another cross, another woefully marked Motherwell player. Van Veen turned provider on this occasion. The Dutchman’s delivery from the left was met by Ojala, whose header found the net via the underside of the bar.
Aberdeen were all over the shop and the hosts sensed blood. Within a minute of doubling their lead, Tony Watt fed Van Veen on the left. His cross caught out Joe Lewis and it seemed destined to drop into the far corner but the Dons goalkeeper managed to scoop the ball away.
Glass decided now was the time to introduce Bates, with Calvin Ramsay being replaced as he appeared to suffer a knock. Something had to change. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Connor McLennan soon joined the action, too.
Van Veen was enjoying himself. A nifty flick and reverse turn to escape red shirts prompted the home fans to cheer louder, even if possession was soon lost.
Time was running out for the visitors. Ferguson cut in from left with 16 minutes remaining and his effort was blocked. The ball fell kindly for Brown, whose shot from the edge of the box was hard, low but straight into the hands of Kelly.
Van Veen received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Sean Goss with 11 minutes to go. At the same time, referee John Beaton flashed a yellow card at Glass.