Motherwell brushed Hamilton aside with a blistering first half performance that delivered a 3-0 win. David Turnbull (2) and Jake Hastie got the goals but every player played their part in moving us up to seventh place in the table.
Turnbull scores from the spot
The win keeps the fight for a top six finish alive and increases the importance of next week’s trip to Easter Road. Playing with flair and confidence we dismantled our Lanarkshire neighbours. Although Turnbull was awarded the man of the match award it could have gone to many of his colleagues.
Hamilton won the toss and did fans in the Cooper Stand a favour. With the clock showing two minutes Curtis Main headed to the magician Gboly Ariyibi and the ball was presented to Turnbull for a simple finish on the six yard line.
Ariyibi proceeded to give a wonderful display of control and he turned the visiting defenders in circles. He waltzed in from the left wing with the ball tied to his boots. Gogic fouled him and Turnbull slotted the spot kick to Woods’ right hand corner to give us a two goal lead after 12 minutes.
The stuffing had been drained from the Accies and they caused no discomfort to our goal for the rest of the first half. Jake Hastie cut in from the right and tested Woods then Ariyibi produced another sparkling run that ended with a weak shot at the ‘keeper.
Hastie added the third ten minutes before the break when he pounced on Turnbull’s deflected effort. No doubt his suitors were paying close attention.
The contest was over and the second half never came close to providing the entertainment of the first period. Gorrin excelled again and Campbell was, as ever, a tireless grafter in midfield. The defence and be proud of another clean sheet.
We hopped St Johnstone and now lie two points adrift of sixth place. The team deserve the support of a big travelling crowd in Leith next Saturday.
Motherwell 3 Hamilton 0
Attendance 5,248 (515)
Team: Gillespie, Tait, Aldred, Campbell, Main (Johnson 74), Ariyibi, Grimshaw, Dunne, Gorrin (McHugh 68), Turnbull, Hastie (Frear 66)
Saturday 9 March 2019