Motherwell Well Beaten at Rugby Park

The unchanged starting eleven kicked off against a Killie team boasting ten Scots (we had nine) but we conceded two in the first twenty minutes.

Wewere 0-0 at this stage!

The first came after a Naismith cross fell just over Johnston’s head and on to the feet of a startled Kinniburgh. Unfortunately, he was facing his own goal and the ball shot into the corner.

Clarkson should have levelled a few minutes later when a slack back pass gave him the chance to round the keeper. He managed only a shot into the side net with plenty of the goal available. Boyd put the home side two up and we looked shaky. The defence looked uncomfortable and the strike-force seemed to lack confidence.

A 'Well attack

We had our chances though. Hamilton had a shot over the top and Paterson brought out a wonderful one handed save from Combe. But it was Clarkson who had the best of the opportunities. He fluffed another chance from close in after half an hour but he redeemed himself just before the break when he was on hand to tap in a well placed cut back from Jim Paterson.

Kinniburgh in particular would appreciate his half time break. He had been in thewars for much of the first forty five and had the game stopped twice so that he could receive attention for head knocks.

The resumption saw both sides raise the tempo and a few niggly tackles started to appear. Foran replaced McCormack (booked) and on the hour Terry decided that Scott McDonald was needed to freshed up our attack. Before he could make the change (replacing Hamilton) we lost a third goal when sloppy defending allowed Naismith to provide a tap in for Gary McDonald.

Worse was to come. Boyd scored his second with a well directed and unchallenged header from a corner in seventy two minutes. Four – one down.

Clarkson and McDonald conspired to get their legs in a fankle when presented with a good chance and the young striker was spared any more blushes when Andy Smith was given a run. To rub salt into our wounds Skippy blasted against the post in the last minute of injury time when it looked easier to score.

Kilmarnock deserved the win – they took their chances and we didn’t. At least McDonald survived twenty five minutes without any ill effect. Let’s hope he can play from the start against Dundee United next week.