A late decisive winner ended Motherwell’s exciting Premier Sports’ Cup run, as Rangers narrowly progressed to the final.
Andy Halliday’s opener after 25 minutes had ‘Well fans dreaming of a return to Hampden next month, but second-half goals from Cyriel Dessers and a rather fortunate second from Nedim Bajrami ended such hopes of progression.
However, the Steelmen’s efforts were thoroughly recognised by the ‘Well fans, who remained behind after the final whistle to applaud the players as they trudged over to reciprocate their support.
Following the midweek win over Dundee United, Stuart Kettlewell made two changes to the starting line-up. Liam Gordon returned from suspension to replace the injured Stephen O’Donnell, while Andy Halliday came back into the fold at the expense of Tom Sparrow.
Not surprisingly, after his two goals at Tannadice, Tawanda Maswanhise retained his place, supporting Apostolos Stamatelopoulos in attack.
Lennon Miller confidently led Motherwell onto the pitch, becoming the club’s youngest ever captain. However, the match faced an immediate wait, as kick-off faced an impromptu delay due to the smoke hanging over the pitch from pyrotechnics at both sides of Hampden.
When vision was restored, it was Rangers who had the first attempt at goal. Aston Oxborough scooped up Vaclav Cerny’s shot before Liam Gordon nodded the ball behind.
Cyriel Dessers was next to have a pop at goal, but despite getting in behind the ‘Well defence, the forward dragged his shot across the face of goal and beyond the far post.
At the other end, Jack Butland was untroubled until the 25th minute, when the Steelmen broke the deadlock.
A hopeful long ball found Maswanhise at the edge of the penalty area, and when the ball broke to Steve Seddon, the defender whipped an inviting cross into the six-yard area. Halliday, sneaking in at the back post, timed his run to perfection, stretching to delicately clip the ball past Butland.
Oxborough was called into action to preserve the Steelmen’s lead moments later. The commanding shot-stopper threw himself across goal to palm Connor Barron’s low drive round his right-hand post.
The Fir Park stopper was soon forced into a couple of saves before half time, again at full stretch to beat away Mohamed Diomande’s curling shot before palming John Souttar’s headed effort behind to keep his clean sheet intact.
Unfortunately for the Steelmen, it took Rangers five minutes to finally beat Oxborough. Barron squared the ball across to Dessers, and from eight yards, he scooped his finish beyond Oxborough.
That prompted an immediate change for ‘Well, with Tom Sparrow coming on for Seddon and Wilson taking a step back on the left side.
While that change prompted a bit more action around Butland’s box, Kettlewell made a double change after 63 minutes, swapping his front-two, with Zach Robinson and Jair Tavares coming on.
Six minutes later, Marvin Kaleta’s whipped pass sent Sparrow racing down the right-hand side but the substitute couldn’t strike a clean connection on the ball, allowing Butland to easily gather.
At the other end, Oxborough produced another fine save low to his right, pushing Cerny’s drive across his goal to safety.
A positive late challenge from Kaleta brilliantly delayed a promising Rangers attack, but the interception took its toll on the ‘Well defender as he limped off with Shane Blaney taking his place in the back five.
It was Rangers, though, who found the winner ten minutes from time, with the goal carrying more than a slice of good fortune.
Oxborough had Bajrami’s angled shot covered at his near post until Balmer’s sliding challenge inadvertently deflected the ball over the ‘keeper and into the far corner of the net.
Six minutes of additional time was the signal for Dan Casey to join the attack, but despite a late flurry towards Butland’s goal, ‘Well couldn’t find an equaliser to prolong their cup run.
