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Stephen Robinson was pleased by the character shown by his side during their 3-1 comeback win over Clyde in the Betfred Cup.

The Motherwell manager saw his side a goal down at half time but they recovered to book their place in the knockout stages.

Conor Sammon, Danny Johnson and Elliott Frear spoke after the comeback 3-1 win over Clyde.

The result guaranteed Motherwell’s top spot finish in their Betfred Cup group, and a place in Sunday’s draw for the knockout stages.

Motherwell left it late to secure the win they needed to take the top spot in group G and progress to the last 16 of the Betfred cup.

Three goals in the final 15 minutes from strikers Curtis Main, Danny Johnson and Conor Sammon saw off a plucky Clyde side which had looked determined to hold onto David Goodwillie’s first half opener.

In the knowledge that nothing less than three points would guarantee their progress from the group stages, Motherwell had only injured pair Charles Dunne and Ryan Bowman missing from what might be considered their strongest line-up.

That meant Peter Hartley returned to partner Carl McHugh  at the centre of defence while at the other end Main was back to pair up with mid-week goal hero Sammon.

The pressure on the Clyde goal was immediate and a couple of efforts from Main and Andy Rose sailed over Kieran Hughes’ crossbar.

The Bully Wee ‘keeper made his first save when he comfortably gathered Main’s tame effort from 20 yards. Hughes’ next stop was much more impressive diving full length to palm Elliot Frear’s left foot drive, at the end of a mazy run, round his right hand post.

In a collision with his own ‘keeper, McHugh came off second best and having failed to recover after onfield treatment, was replaced by Liam Donnelly.

Another tempting cross from Frear found Main six yards out but he sent his header narrowly wide of goal.

At the other end, Carson was virtually a spectator for the first half hour until he picked the ball out of his net after 31 minutes.

David Goodwillie looked offside as he chased a long ball into the ‘Well box, closely marked by Hartley. As the former Scotland striker checked back though, the ‘Well captain slid and won the ball, only for it to sit up kindly for the forward who kept his composure and side-footed beyond Carson in to the far corner.

That stunned the ‘Well players who failed to muster a response for the remainder of the first half.

When the game resumed, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin had replaced Alan Campbell. The Spaniard’s first action came within five minutes but he could only rattle a 25 yard free kick into the defensive wall.

The tempo of Motherwell’s game was lifted, though, with crosses from Frear and Cadden whizzing across the home box with no takers.

On the hour Stephen Robinson decided to go with three up front bringing on Johnson for Tait.

As Clyde bravely defended their lead and Motherwell needing a break in front of goal, it came after 76 minutes. Gorrin, who enjoyed an influential 45 minutes, whipped in a corner which Rose headed towards goal. And although the ‘keeper got a touch to turn the ball on to the bar, the ball rebounded down for Main to nod it over the line.

The ‘Well players sensed a killer second goal and within two minutes they were in front. Cadden burst from the middle of the park before feeding the ball out to Frear. His cross found Johnson beyond the six yard box who lashed his finish high into the net to put Steelmen ahead.

Danny Lennon’s side kept chasing an equaliser but in the final minute another sweeping move sent Frear heading for the goal line. This time his cross into the centre found Sammon who cushioned his header directing the ball in off the post to ease any doubts that ’Well would take the three points they needed.

Tickets are now on sale for our Ladbrokes Premiership opener with Hibernian.

The match on Sunday, 5 August will kick off at 3pm, as the Steelmen return to top flight action.

The game is currently all-ticket for travelling Motherwell supporters. You can buy yours online right now through our online ticketing platform.

Adult tickets are priced at £23. Those aged over 65, between 12 and 17 or full-time students can get in for £14, while it costs £12 for children aged 11 and under.

Richard Tait says the team know exactly what’s expected of them as they play for top spot at Clyde.

After a draw at Stranraer in the second group match, Motherwell must beat the Bully Wee to secure first place and guaranteed qualification for the knockout stage of the Betfred Cup.

It’s a must-win for Motherwell as they make the short trip to Cumbernauld to face Clyde on Saturday.

Here’s all the important information you need if you’re heading to the final Betfred Cup group stage match.

You can pay at the gate

The same pricing applies at Broadwood as for all of our games in the competition so far. At the gate you can pay £12 for adults and £6 for concessions to get in.

Motherwell fans should enter via turnstiles A, B and C in the main stand.

The permutations

A win for Motherwell will guarantee we progress to the knockout stages of the Betfred Cup. The draw for the last 16 takes place on Sunday.

A draw – and a bonus point win on penalties – would put the Steelmen on nine points but behind Queen of the South on goals scored unless the game finishes 5-5 or any higher score draw.

In the event of Motherwell finishing on eight or nine points and coming second in the group, only four of the eight runners-up progress. It would then come down to results in other groups.

Team news

Charles Dunne has joined Craig Tanner on the sidelines long term with a groin injury. Ryan Bowman is also likely to miss out through injury.

Further reading

• Scene setter: ‘Well travel to Clyde
• Manager urges ‘intensity and quality’ at Clyde
• In Numbers: Building up to Clyde showdown
• Need to Know: A look at Clyde

The final game of Group G pits Motherwell against Clyde in the Betfred Cup on Saturday. 

Three points would guarantee top spot in the table for the Steelmen, who face the Bully Wee for the first time since 2011.

Broadwood battle

A trip to Broadwood Stadium will not be an easy task for Stephen Robinson’s team, who face a Clyde side in strong form at home.

Danny Lennon’s side have lost just once in their last eight games on their own patch, picking up six wins and a draw in the process.

The League Two side’s strong form stretches back to the start of the year, with just two home defeats inflicted on Clyde in 2018.

Top-flight experience

The League Two side have a number of key personnel, but in John Rankin and David Goodwillie, they have two particularly experienced players in their ranks.

Club captain Rankin, 35, made more than 100 appearances for Hibernian and Dundee United, and signed in the summer from fellow Group G side Queen of the South.

Goodwillie, 29, also played for Dundee United in the top flight and spent long spells of his career in England, playing for the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool.

Building momentum

Not only do the Bully Wee have an impressive home record to defend, but the prospect of a strong group stage in the Betfred Cup could transition in to strong start in League Two.

Three points would mean Danny Lennon’s side would finish level on points with ‘Well, with goal difference deciding who would finish runner-up to Queens.

However, three points for ‘Well would leave them as winners of the group and could see Clyde finish fourth in the table, meaning Saturday’s opponents have a lot to play for.

Stephen Robinson says Motherwell must show the performance levels that gave them wins over Edinburgh City and Queen of the South, as they prepare to face Clyde.

The Steelmen must win at Broadwood to finish top of their Betfred Cup group and qualify for the knockout stages, but the manager has warned against the sort of form that saw the team draw at Stranraer.