Motherwell 3 Falkirk 2

Last updated : 05 October 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Motherwell rebounded from their UEFA Cup defeat with an excellent three points against on-form Falkirk.

The fans were treated to an exciting match which certainly did not see defences on top.

The home side made a lively start with Jimmy Murphy testing Robert Olejnik in the seventh minute, then three minutes later Steven McGarry headed wide at the back post.

It was, therefore, no surprise when the Steelmen took the lead in the 12th minute. A Keith Lasley long ball was misjudged by Jackie McNamara allowing Murphy time to pick his spot from 12 yards out.

The lead only lasted nine minutes before Falkirk fashioned an equaliser. a long clearance from Lee Bullen was headed into the path of Stevie Lovell by Michael Higdon, leaving the former Aberdeen man plenty of time to slide the ball past Graeme Smith.

Motherwell went back into the lead only two minutes later in bizarre fashion.

A Paul Quinn through ball looked to have been gathered easily by Olejnik, but as he was sliding out of his box he was forced to drop the ball and this allowed Chris Porter to slide the ball into the net from an acute angle.

Motherwell could have tied it up before the break, but Olejnik denied McGarry before Bullen cleared a Porter header off the line.

The home side were made to pay for these misses only three minutes after the re-start. The Bairns played some nice football at the edge of the Motherwell box before Scott Arfield played in Graham Barrett, who spun his marker before leaving Smith helpless.

Once again, the Bairns weren't level for long as Well went ahead for the third time only six minutes later. A McGarry cross from the left was met by an unmarked John Sutton to head into the net.

The major surprise for the rest of the game was there were no further goals, despite decent efforts at both ends, with Falkirk coming closest when Smith was forced to keep out a Higdon header.