Motherwell had a comfortable 3-1 win at Rugby Park. Two up at the break set us up nicely.
The haul of ten points from the last four league games is a fitting reward for Jens Berthel Askou and the players who have taken to his philosophy. Not for the first time Motherwell had around seventy percent possession and they backed that up with three goals.
Callum Hendry and Ibrahim Said stepped up and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Eli Just rested on the bench.
Stama scores
Killie kicked off in the November gloom and were soon behind. Emmanuel Longelo provided the cross from the left and Tawanda Maswanhise did not hesitate when he got a second bite to score.
The early goal only served to add confidence Steelmen and they were able to control the game with lots of probing passes. A second was to follow ten minutes later following a corner kick. Maswanhise was on hand again at the far post and took advantage of some slack defending to prod home from close range.
A third might have arrived with a Slattery shot but the Kilmarnock ‘keeper stretched to tip the ball over the bar. As the break approached a careless loss of possession gave Watson an opportunity but his attempt flew high toward the 600 ‘Well fans behind Ward’s goal.
Stuart Kettlewell’s team talk had the desired effect and the home side took temporary charge after the interval. They pressed with speed and effect to knock Motherwell’s game off course. A quick reward came when Scott Tiffoney burst through between the cenre-backs. Paul McGinn raised a hopeful arm as Tiffoney ran through before slipping the ball into the net with Ward stranded.
This was the home side’s moment to come backmotr into contention. McGinn produced a great clearance of the line and the home crowd bayed for more. Askou responded with a three off the bench and the move paid off within five minutes.
Stamatelopoulos and Lewis Mayo competed for the ball in the box and it seemed that the defender had ended the threat. Play continued until VAR had a word in the referee’s ear. He was called to the screen and pointed to the spot. Oluwayemi had no chance as Stamatelopoulos powered into the net.
Kilmarnock hit the bar and at the other end Stamatelopoulos tested the ‘keeper with a fine effort. The game ended with the travelling fans in full voice Twisting and Shouting.
The win kicks of a busy run of fixtures in good style and we look forward to Hibs’ visit on Tuesday
Kilmarnock 1 Motherwell 3
Attendance 5,100 (617)
Team: Ward, Koutroumbis, Welsh, McGinn, Longelo (Gordon 63), Watt, Slattery (Just 63), Fadinger (Priestman 88), Said, Maswanhise (Sparrow 76), Hendry (Stamatelopoulos 63)
Saturday 22 November 2025
