A prolific first half allowed Stuart Kettlewell’s men to extend their impressive run of form as they eased past a lacklustre Livingston and claim another three points and all but remove the threat of relegation.
A stunning ninth minute opener from Kevin van Veen, followed by quick double from the Dutch striker and Max Johnston had the Steelmen three ahead at the interval and en route to making it an amazing five wins from their last seven games.
The ‘Well boss, after his side’s fabulous win at Easter Road last Saturday, not surprisingly, stood by the same starting eleven. That allowed Mikael Mandron to make his first home debut partnering Kevin van Veen in a powerful looking attack.
After an explosive opening and an early goal in their last three home games, the Fir Park men continued that trend opening the scoring within ten minutes.
Johnston had a great chance after four minutes when Van Veen measured pass sent the full back clear through on goal but his weak effort was easily blocked by Shamal George.
Four minutes later Van Veen showed the teenager how to finish as he grabbed his 17th league goal of the season.
In a sweeping move, Sean Goss found Mandron on the left touchline. His delicate pass inside sent James Furlong galloping towards the box and his low cross allowed Van Veen to take a touch before lashing a left foot drive high past the ‘keeper for a fantastic team goal.
At the other end the Fir Park men showed gritted determination when firstly Blair Spittal and then Dan Casey produced tenacious tackles to deny Livingston a goalscoring chance.
The subsequent treatment to Stephane Omeonga and a further delay as referee Grant Irvine sorted out his communication system, took the sting out of the game.
But just when ‘Well appeared to have lost their early initiative they struck with two goals inside a minute to virtually kill of the Lions.
In the 33rd minute a long ball from McGinn floated over Jack Fitzwater and seemed destined for his waiting ‘keeper until Van Veen fastened on to the ball and from the tightest of angles squeezed his shot ball between George and his left hand post to make it 2-0.
A minute later it was 3-0, although it took a VAR check to overrule the assistant referee’s raised flag for offside.
Spittal looked to have timed his run perfectly to latch onto McGinn’s through ball before hammering his shot off the ‘keeper at the edge of the box. Johnston kept a cool head to steer the loose ball into the open goal -although he had to wait a couple of minutes before celebrating his second goal of the season in front of the main stand.
Motherwell started the second half determined to extend their lead and Spittal’s run and cross into the box found Johnston but his drive was deflected over the bar.
Calum Butcher’s injury forced the first substitution after 58 minutes, Ricki Lamie taking over his defensive role.
A couple of minutes later Van Veen’s clever footwork set up Spittal and his solid drive from 20 yards forced George into a diving save.
With the second half drawing to its forgone conclusion ‘Well came close to adding a fourth goal.
Firstly, Spittal had another attempt at goal this time deflected over the bar. From his corner McGinn’s low overhead kick sent the ball clattering off the post.
Then eight minutes from time Van Veen thought he had claimed his hat-trick. From a Goss free kick his header was palmed out by George and with the ‘keeper grounded Van Veen calmly lifted the ball over him and into the net.
His celebrations and hopes of claiming the match ball were curtailed when a VAR check indicated that the striker was initially offside
