Faddy Steals the Show

Last updated : 24 May 2003 By Firparkcorner

Twenty-four hours after being spared relegation by an SPL vote Motherwell produced a performance worthy of the party atmosphere at Fir Park.

Despite losing all three of their previous meetings with Livingston this season - including a 5-1 hammering in October - Motherwell twice came from behind to win 6-2 with James McFadden's sensational hat-trick prompting a good natured pitch invasion at the end.

Youngsters Steven Craig and David Clarkson might have fired Motherwell ahead in a bright opening spell only for Livingston to stun them in the 16th minute when midfielder Lee Makel claimed a goal out of nothing with a blistering first time shot from 25 yards.

It then required a reflex save from Francois Dubourdeau and a vital block by full back Steven Hammell to deny the visitors a second goal before Motherwell drew level after half an hour, when Craig's deep cross was nodded home at the back post by Keith Lasley.

Makel and Barry Wilson went close for Livingston in pouring rain at the start of the second half before the West Lothian side made it 2-1 when from Juan Jose Camacho's corner Colin McMenamin rifled a low drive through a ruck of legs.

This time the lead lasted only three minutes as McFadden and Clarkson set up Craig who rounded Alan Main and squeezed the ball into the net from an acute angle on the left.

The rest of the afternoon belong to one team and one player - McFadden's first goal was a simple tap in after Clarkson had struck the post and his second came from the penalty spot when Julian Maidana brought down Clarkson.

There was nothing routine about McFadden's impertinent chip over Main, but even better was to follow with 15 minutes left as he rounded off a fantastic solo run with a vicious left-foot finish to complete his hat-trick.

Lasley grabbed his second and Motherwell's sixth as the game moved into injury time.