Two fine first half goals were enough for Motherwell to enjoy a 2-0 win over Aberdeen’s ten men at Fir Park.
It was a first win in five attempts for the Steelmen who were able to welcome back a number of long term absentees to the pitch. The visitors fought hard in the second half but rarely threatened to dent the two goal deficit.
Tawanda Maswanhise - man of the match
The home fans were able to welcome returning heroes as Paul McGinn, Calum Slattery, Sam Nicholson and Jack Vale were able to say farewell to the treatment table and enjoy some game time.
Tawanda Maswanhise easily claimed the man of the match title after another sparkling performance in claret and amber. After a bright showing he killed off Aberdeen with a wonderful first touch to control a long ball from Liam Gordon(captain for the day). One touch then a drive beyond Doohan gave the ‘Well a winning two goal lead at the break.
That goal came as a fatal blow to the Dons as it followed the 44th minute dismissal of Slobodan Rubezic. He had tangled with Tony Watt in front of the dugouts and earned a red card for his part in the rumble. Before they could adjust the second goal was concede.
The opening goal will be long remembered by Ewan Wilson, it was his first for the club. It came ten minutes before the break and followed a spell of Motherwell pressure. Tony Watt squared to Moses Ebiye and the ball flew loose to give the oncoming left wing back a chance. The youngster made no mistake as he lashed the ball into the net.
After a fairly even start that had Maswanhise with a shot on target and a Dan Casey header off target, Aberdeen countered with a header from a corner that was foiled by a instinctive reaction from Aston Oxborough.
The second half had Motherwell containing the visitors as they tried to get back into contention. Oxborough tipped Leighton Clarkson’s goal bound shot off the bar but a few chances came on the break for Motherwell.
Stuart Kettlewell was able to turn to his bench and give the crowd a chance to welcome the returnees and offer Maswanhise a standing ovation.
There will be no time to rest for the hard worked squad as a trip to Rugby Park comes on Wednesday.
Motherwell 2 Aberdeen 0
Attendance 5,389 (1,482)
Team: Oxborough, Kaleta, Casey, Gordon, Balmer (McGinn 86), Wilson, Halliday, Zdravkovski (Sparrow 76), Watt (Slattery 86), Ebiye (Vale 64), Maswanhise (Nicholson 76)
Sunday 5 January 2025