Motherwell earned a first league win with two goals in added time to send stunned Aberdeen home with nothing.
The Fir Park faithful were treated to a thrilling conclusion to a game that seemed to heading for a goalless draw. Three added minutes had been signalled with neither team able to find the net. Aberdeen substitute Marko Lazetic was through with Callum Ward stranded yet he refused the obvious lob and frittered away his chance . A calmer head could have won the match and he was to pay dearly for the spurned opportunity.
Inside the final minute Apostolos Stamatelopoulos got the ball to Johnny Koutroumbis. The defender took the ball, turned and from the centre of the box tried his luck. Dimitar Mitov misjudged the shot and the ball squirmed under his body to give the Cooper Stand patrons an unexpected thrill.
Remembering Bobby Graham
The game was won yet there was still time for Aberdeen to concede a soft penalty thanks to a VAR intervention and Stamatelopoulos converted to seal the deal. The first win was recorded and the new manager was able to enjoy his first three points.
Jens Berthel Askou fielded that same eleven that delivered the League Cup win against the same opponents last week and after a respectful minute to remember Bobby Graham the visitors got the game underway in the steady rain.
Kevin Nisbet forced Callum Ward into an early save with his header in the first attack of the game. The visitors showed more enthusiasm for their task than in the previous week and they pinned Motherwell back several times. The ‘Well found it difficult to play through the high press and often resorted to the ball over the top in the direction of Tawanda Maswanhise. Chances were few in front of the South Stand.
Motherwell fared better in the second period. Emmanuel Longelo fired a tempting ball across goal from a free kick but Stephen Welsh was unable to make contact. Stamatelopoulos took a touch when a first time shot may have found the net and later he saw a quick reaction header flash by the post.
As time ran out it seemed that a sixth Motherwell draw was on the cards and Aberdeen would remain barren but the tumultuous finale delivered the win for the Mighty ‘Well.
Happy day!
Motherwell 2 Aberdeen 0
Attendance
Team: Ward, O’Donnell (Koutroumbis 74), Gordon, Welsh (Balmer 94), Longelo, Watt, Said (Halliday 94), Fadinger (Priestman 75), Charles-Cook (Osong 85), Maswanhise, Stamatelopoulos
Saturday 27 September 2025
