Well, Well, Well!
Fir Parkers go on the rampage against County
Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson hailed Tony Watt’s return to action.
The striker made a massive contribution to the Steelmen, thumping Ross County in their first game for a month.
A combination of the international break and postponements because of Covid outbreaks had kept the Fir Parkers in cold storage.
Watt made the difference for Robinson’s men with a goal, two assists and a goal-line clearance.
He even won the corner that led to Motherwell’s third goal.
Robinson said: “Tony was unplayable. If he stays as fit as we’ve got him now, he’s a very good player.
“That’s the best all round performance we’ve had from him.
“When he came here he wasn’t fit enough, although he told me he was.
“He told me he was fit enough pre-season, he wasn’t and now we’ve finally got him to the levels that allow his talent to shine. Now it’s about keeping him fit and keeping him pushing himself.”
The Steelmen looked slightly rusty in the early exchanges, but quickly got into their stride and kept County pushed back for large periods of the first half.
Well were dealt a blow when goalie Trevor Carson was forced to leave the field after only 27 minutes.
The Northern Ireland internationalist had raced from his box to head away a long ball and immediately signalled a problem with his left leg.
He stayed on for a short time after receiving treatment but was forced to admit defeat.
Aaron Chapman, a 30-year-old former Peterborough keeper, came on to make his debut just 17 days after joining the club.
There had been little for either stopper – Carson’s clearance aside – before Motherwell took the lead.
Nathan Mcginley sent a teasing cross right into the centre of the box and Tony Watt was on hand to guide the ball past Laidlaw.
It looked like the home side would comfortably retain the lead at the break, but they only kept their lead thanks to a goal-line clearance from Declan Gallagher.
Regan Charles-cook showed some nifty footwork in added-on time and prodded the ball past Chapman.
It might have crossed the line if his effort had a little more pace.
This was an eventful 90 minutes for Tony Watt. He made a vital contribution in his own goalmouth by nodding away a net-bound Stewart header.
Next he was taken down by Iacovitti early in the second period and Mark O’hara coolly converted the resultant penalty.
County weren’t impressed by the award and Iain Vigurs had his name taken for a bit of cheek in the direction of the referee.
Stuart Kettlewell tried to change his team’s fortunes with a triple substitution but hopes of a comeback by County evaporated when Callum Lang scored just two minutes after coming off the bench.
Gallagher headed down a Polworth corner kick and the Englishman stabbed it home from close range.
It was four when Devante Cole, making his second debut for the club, raced through a sluggish Highland defence and came up with a confident finish.
County were well beaten by that stage and looked a dispirited bunch as they trudged off.
Motherwell, already without seven defenders, now have another goalkeeping problem to deal with.
Scott Fox is already out for a lengthy spell with knee injury.