Fantastic four bags Ann-other cup win
‘Well seal four wins from four to book Hearts test
MOTHERWELL 4 - 0 ANNAN Stephen Robinson reckons Liam Donnelly will be a smash hit for the Steelmen this season after the converted centre-half kept up his Betfred Cup scoring blitz.
The former Fulham and Hartlepool defender rattled a double as Motherwell cruised through the 90 minutes to top Group E with a comfortable stroll.
Liam Polworth and James Scott also found the net as Robinson’s side made the knockout stages with 13 goals in four games – including four shutouts along the way.
The reward for their sensational start to the season is a home tie against Hearts - who they toppled in the quarters on the way to the Scottish Cup final in 2018 - on Saturday August 18.
Donnelly has blasted four goals in three appearances and Robinson insists his fellow Northern Irish international will flourish in his new midfield role.
He said: “I have worked with Liam since he was 16 and there were lots of high hopes for him at Fulham.
“They thought he would go and be a top footballer but he lost his way a little bit, like most of the players we pick up.
“We have galvanised him again. He’ll get better in that role.
“I didn’t think we’d gel as quickly. We’ve brought a lot of players in.
“Workrate wise we need to get them up to speed but there’s lots to be positive about.”
The Steelmen have battered their way through Group E and it was Annan’s turn to be put to the sword on Saturday.
Robinson included Jamie Semple and Jake Carroll from the start amongst six changes, with striker Christopher Long making his home debut.
Annan ‘keeper Lyle Avci was called into action almost immediately happy to beat away Jake Carroll’s curling free kick after only two minutes.
The Galabank side solidly lined up with two banks of four, but having defended stoutly for the first 20 minutes their rearguard failed to deal with Long’s low cross.
As the ball rolled around the six yard mark, Donnelly lashed it high into the net for his third goal of the campaign.
That failed to change the pattern of the game with Annan sticking to their game plan.
Five minutes from the interval Mark Gillespie got his first taste of the action when he held an angled drive from Scott Mclean.
A couple of half chances came the way of Liam Grimshaw and Jamie Semple before ‘Well doubled the lead a minute from the break.
Long was again involved racing through the centre of the Athletic defence. Although his shot was blocked by the ‘keeper at the edge of the box, the ball broke for Liam Polworth who guided it inside the post for his first goal in claret and amber.
The goal scorer didn’t reappear for the second half with another summer recruit Casper Sloth coming on for his debut.
Sherwin Seedorf, eager to cut in from the left, fired a couple of shots towards Avci’s goal without testing the ‘keeper. The Dutch winger finally hit the target after 58 minutes when, after a terrific run and exchange with Ilic, Grimshaw’s incisive pass played in Seedorf but his firm shot was brilliantly blocked.
With his first touch from 20 yards, substitute Scott’s powerful drive forced a diving save from Avci and when Hylton rifled the rebound towards goal the ‘keeper produced a great reflex save to palm the ball over his crossbar.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes the visitors came close to breaking Gillespie’s run of clean sheets, with Lewis Mclear passing up a great chance from eight yards.
In the dying minutes Donnelly, thumped the ball home from 12 yards before Scott added the gloss with a fourth.