Motherwell made a positive opening in the Conference League
campaign with a comfortable 2-0 home win against Havnar Boltfelag.
Martin Moorman and Lukas Fadinger got the goals, one in each
half and more than enough chances were made to create a bigger winning margin.
It was a much changed side in claret and amber. Only four regulars from last season were in
the starting eleven and they were complemented by some fresh imports and a call
to the academy ranks. They all played
their part.
It was a very young team and a pair of 25 year olds topped
the age range. Any of the 8,000 who had concerns as they read the team lines were
soon to be assured that the style that brought success under the former manager
was in safe hands with Alfred Johansson.
Willy Vogt on the wing
The ‘old hands’ Fadinger, Oscar Priestman, Tom Sparrow and
Ibrahim Said offered the lead that the others followed. The back line were well schooled in playing
out from deep while Alex Poulsen took to the sweeper role when needed. He was not called to make a save until deep
in the second half.
Early dominance by the ‘Well produced lots of crossed balls
but the big Faroese defence lapped them up.
The first goal was a beauty. The
ball fell to Martin Moorman around 25 yards out and he rattled a left footed
drive high into the net. It was a
perfect settler for the new team.
The visitors were more adventurous midway through the half
but there was no real threat. Motherwell
were soon back in attack and Said came to the fore. He had a header rebound off the bar, a flick
just past the post and a turn and shot just wide. One up at the break.
The second came just before the hour. Mikey Booth passed to Fadinger and the
midfielder sent the ball high beyond Mork.
Paulsen produced a couple of stops late on as HB fought to make
a mark. They showed enough to ensure the
next week’s second leg is no foregone conclusion.
Motherwell 2 Havnar Boltfelag 0
Attendance: 7,767
Team: Paulsen,
Wilson, Moorman (Whyte 90), Girwood-Reich (Ross 67), Sparrow, Priestman,
Fadinger, Williams (Charles-Cook 77), Said (Weir 90), Booth, Vogt (Longelo 67)
Thursday 23
July 2026
