Motherwell 1-2 Saints

After a goalless first half, former Saints player Tony Watt gave Motherwell the lead on 61 minutes as he latched onto a Ricki Lamie header before steering the ball past Zander Clark.

However, Saints levelled the match 7 minutes later as Callum Hendry converted from close range. Callum Davidson’s side then went on to win the cup tie with 14 minutes remaining as Michael O’Halloran went on a brilliant run down the right to the byline being sending a low ball into the box which was knocked home by David Wotherspoon.

Saints now go into tomorrow’s quarter-final draw which will take place after the Falkirk vs. Rangers match.

Next up for Saints is a league game against Celtic at Celtic Park next Sunday, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints were in Betfred Cup action this afternoon as they made the trip to North Lanarkshire for a last-sixteen tie against Motherwell. Saints got a deserved point at Easter Road on Tuesday evening and Callum Davidson made three changes to his starting eleven for this afternoon’s cup tie. Callum Booth, David Wotherspoon and Callum Hendry came in to the team to replace Danny McNamara, Scott Tanser and Guy Melamed. Motherwell drew 1-1 with Saints last weekend and manager Stephen Robinson made one change to the side that had started at McDiarmid Park last Saturday as Ricki Lamie came in to replace Nathan McGinley.

Motherwell got the match underway at a sunny Fir Park and it was Saints who created the first opportunity of the match after 5 minutes. Michael O’Halloran went on a mazy run past a couple of Well players and broke into the box however, he lost his footing and the hosts cleared the danger.

The first booking of the game came on 10 minutes as Motherwell captain Declan Gallagher was shown a yellow card for a foul on Stevie May. From the resultant free kick the ball was played out wide to O’Halloran who then drove to the byline before sending over a ball into the box which was headed back across goal. The ball then broke to David Wotherspoon but his effort from just inside the box went wide.

The Steelmen came close to the break through on 18 minutes as a Liam Polworth corner picked out Gallagher but the header from the defender flew over the bar.

As the first half approached the halfway point Saints got another free kick after Liam Craig had been fouled by Robbie Crawford. Callum Booth sent the free kick into the Motherwell box and Shaun Rooney rose to meet the ball but unfortunately the defender couldn’t direct his header on target. Then shortly after Rooney turned provider as he went on a surging run down the right before picking out Wotherspoon with his cross into the box however, the Canadian internationalist put his effort wide under pressure from Mark O’Hara.

On 34 minutes the hosts got a great chance to take the lead as Callum Lang played a through ball to former Saints player Tony Watt however, the right-footed effort from the forward was straight at Zander Clark.

Just before half time some great play by Saints involving O’Halloran and Hendry saw the later pick out May in the box with a good cross and the forward played a neat flick back to Ali McCann to send the midfielder in on goal but his effort was saved by the feet of Aaron Chapman. Then shortly after Saints created another chance as Wotherspoon played a neat step over before having a shot at goal which was blocked by the Motherwell defence.

Before the second half got underway Motherwell made a change as Sherwin Seedorf came on for Devante Cole.

Saints started the second half brightly and May did well to force Bevis Mugabi to concede a corner on 48 minutes. Wotherspoon took the corner and his low delivery into the box broke to Craig, who was captaining Saints this afternoon in the absence of Jason Kerr, but the effort from the midfielder didn’t trouble Chapman.

3 minutes later the visitors created another chance as Wotherspoon cut inside to have a shot at goal which was parried behind for a corner by Chapman.

Despite Saints positive start to the second half it was Motherwell who would take the lead just after the hour mark. Polworth’s flighted free kick was headed down by Lamie and it fell to Watt who took a great touch to control the ball before despatching it low past Clark to put the hosts a goal up.

Looking to get a quick response to going behind Saints tried to quickly get back on level terms and on 66 minutes Hendry saw his shot from a tight angle turned behind for a corner by Chapman. Then 2 minutes later Hendry got Saints equaliser. O’Halloran went on a great run down the right before seeing his cross cut out by Chapman’s right foot however, the ball broke perfectly to Hendry who tapped home from close range.

Well had a chance to regain the lead with 20 minutes remaining but Lamie’s header from a Polworth corner didn’t trouble Clark.

Saints though completed their comeback on 76 minutes. O’Halloran, who was having a great game playing down the right, went on another driving run to the byline as he sprinted away from Robbie Crawford before sending a low cross into the Motherwell box and Wotherspoon was on hand to turn the ball into the net to give Saints the lead.

Motherwell then made a double change as they introduced Jordan White and Liam Grimshaw into the action and it was the later who almost had an immediate impact but Clark was equal to his effort.

Saints were looking confident going forward and with 10 minutes remaining Booth played a great ball into the path of substitute Chris Kane but the strike from the forward went inches wide. Then a minute later Wotherspoon saw his effort saved by Chapman.

As the match entered 2 minutes of additional time Saints created one final chance but Craig’s strike from distance didn’t trouble Chapman. Overall, it was a great afternoon for Callum Davidson’s side who can now look forward to tomorrow’s quarter-final draw.

Motherwell: Chapman, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Gallagher, Lamie (Grimshaw 77), O’Hara, Crawford, Polworth (White 77), Lang, Watt, Cole (Seedorf 45)

Unused Substitutes: Archer (GK), McGinley, Hastie, Devine, Cornelius, Long

Booked: Gallagher

Scorer: Watt (61)

Saints: Clark, Rooney, Gordon, McCart, Wotherspoon, Craig, McCann, Booth, Hendry (Kane 77), O’Halloran, May

Unused Substitutes: Parish (GK), Tanser, Bryson, Melamed, Ferguson, McFarlane

Booked: O’Halloran, Gordon

Scorers: Hendry (68), Wotherspoon (76)

Referee: Alan Muir

Attendance: BCD

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: David Wotherspoon scores Saints second goal