The old description that ‘it was a game of two halves’ fitted the game perfectly. Motherwell snuffed out the home team’s early threats and settled into the game with growing confidence. Hammell was back in his usual left back position and Hateley mirrored him on the right with the injured Saunders injured.
Randolph was untroubled by the few long range shots that flew high and wide and we began to exert some control on proceedings. Blackman looked confident and his ability to hold and turn caused defenders problems. Murphy’s runs and Humphrey’s speed on the wing back up the on loan striker.
The small support in the away corner got its reward two minutes before the break. Murphy got to the dead ball line on the left and delivered a lobbed cross to the back post. Blackman pounced and headed in off the bar despite the attentions of Alexander. So far, so good.
The collapse started only ninety seconds after the resumption and within twenty minutes we had conceded four goals. The first came from a scramble in our box. Naismith managed a final touch beyond Randolph and the referee ignored claims for offside. The goal gave the home team (and their fans) a huge lift and it was clear that the game had turned.
We held on for around 15 minutes before a three goal deluge in four minutes. A rocket from Davis, a diving header from Miller and a tap in on the run from Weiss left us shell-shocked. At that stage, with 25 minutes still to be played it looked like a cricket score was possible.
We withdrew Sutton and Blackman and sent on Gow and Forbes in an attempt to stop the rot. The switch worked to the extent that no more goals were lost. We even managed to salvage a corner late in the game!
The result will be added to the woeful record that we have in Govan but the focus for the upcoming week will be on the double header with Dundee United. The unbeaten away run has ended but we remain in third place.