Motherwell mathematically secured their Premiership status for the forthcoming season after cruising to a convincing three-goal cushion over Livingston on Saturday afternoon, defeating the visitors 4-1 at Fir Park which confirmed the Lions’ relegation to the Championship.
Theo Bair placed an accurate penalty kick beyond Shamal George after a handball from Georgie gent’s whipped delivery from the left of the near post. A miraculous strike from distance soon doubled the Steelmen’s advantage, with Sam Nicholson rattling the crossbar before landing beyond the goal-line for his second goal in claret and amber.
The Canadian striker soon added his second of the game midway through the second-half, with Gent’s whipped delivery across the face of goal being met by Bair, who powered home a precise header at the back post. Dan Casey headed home a fourth in the latter stages of the game , with Joel Noble netting a consolation for the visitors a few minutes later.
Stuart Kettlewell made two changes from the defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie last weekend. Andy Halliday replaced Davor Zdravkovski in midfield whilst Sam Nicholson came in for the suspended Jack Vale to support lone striker Theo Bair.
After feeling aggrieved by a VAR decision to show Jack Vale a straight red card last weekend, the Fir Park men got the benefit of the doubt on this occasion.
Georgie Gent whipped a ball in from the left but as it struck Mickey Devlin, the Blackburn loanee immediately appealed for a spot kick. Referee David Munro wasn’t convinced but after checking with the trackside monitor he pointed to the penalty spot Bair stepped up and Molly slotted his penalty into the bottom-left corner.
Motherwell continued to flood the Livingston penalty area and doubled their advantage moments before the half-time whistle. Stephen O’Donnell drilled a low pass to Nicholson about 25 yards from goal. The former Hearts man took one touch before turning and unleashing a stunning drive which flew past George and into the net off the underside of the ‘keeper’s bar to round off a fine first half performance from the home side.
Motherwell were immediately on the attack from the restart and Bair’s hooked cross fell kindly across the edge of the penalty area, but Blair Spittal’s high volley sent the ball straight to the waiting ‘keeper. As the pressure on the visitors defence mounted, Halliday’s volley from outside the box flew just wide of the target.
With the final throw of the dice, Martindale made the last of three substitutions on the hour mark that resulted in a bit more pressure around the ‘Well box.
Five minutes later, Kettlewell aimed to counter that, bringing on Harry Paton and Zdravkovski.
And within two minutes, it was game over as ‘Well made it 3-0.
Once again, Gent sped down the left and when his cross emerged in the penalty box, it found Bair lingering in the six-yard box. A superb diving header powered the ball into the top corner and make it 15 for the season.
Dan Casey made it 4-0 after 74 minutes with a firm header, although it took another VAR check to overrule Livi’s claims for an infringement.
Almost straight from the delayed restart, the Lions grabbed a goal when Nouble’s looping header carried the ball over Kelly and in off the ‘keeper’s far post.
Nevertheless, the Steelmen comfortably held out in the final few moments to secure their SPFL status, with an assured 4-1 victory at Fir Park.
