Motherwell are now in touching distance of the next round in the Viaplay Cup, having picked up their second win in the group against Queen’s Park.
Jon Obika’s deflected goal midway through the first half was enough to give Motherwell a narrow victory and three points and extend their advantage at the top of their Viaplay League Cup group.
In truth, though, Stuart Kettlewell’s side took very little else from a game, where Queen’s Park more than matched them. Indeed, apart from a dominant spell either side of the interval when the Fir Park men spurned a number of chances to extend their lead, they failed to get the better of the Championship side.
This early evening televised game provided Fir Park fans the first glimpse of the new look Steelmen. The ‘Well boss made the minimum of changes to the side that returned from Dumfries with 2 points in midweek.
Shane Blaney and the re-signed Dan Casey came in to form the central defensive trio alongside Paul McGinn, in front of Liam Kelly, alternating with Aston Oxborough for the ‘keeper’s gloves.
And the Motherwell rearguard was given some testing moments in the first 20 minutes as Queen’s, very comfortable in possession, bravely took the game to the Premiership side. Three consecutive corners put some pressure on Kelly’s goal before Casey cut out a promising cut back from Barry Hepburn.
It was 25 minutes before ‘Well finally threatened Calum Ferrie’s goal. A fine build u should have resulted in the opening gaol but two yards from an open goal Obika somehow stooped to head Stephen O’Donnell’s low cross wide of the post.
A couple of minutes later Callum Slattery hooked Blair Spittal’s cut-back over the bar as the fans sensed the breakthrough wasn’t far away.
When it arrived in the 28th minute it owed a lot to a cruel deflection. Obika collected Slattery’s pass at the edge of the box and although his left foot shot was on target Ferrie had it covered until Will Tizzard’s outstretched leg carried the ball past his helpless ‘keeper.
There was almost a repeat at the other end two minutes later. Former Fir Park winger Dom Thomas cut in from the right before trying to curl the ball towards goal. A touch from Casey looked to have carried the ball over his keeper but Kelly stretched high to palm the ball away.
A minute before the interval the Steelmen almost doubled their advantage but Slattery’s thumping drive from 18 yards came crashing back off the crossbar.
Within a minute of the restart the home side passed up another chance to extend the lead. A wonderful mazy run from McGinn deserved a better finish but Spittal’s effort from 20 yards sent the ball high into the Davie Cooper stand.
As ‘Well stepped up the pace the Queen’s goal was lucky to survive some poor defending after 52 minutes. From his own byeline Fox tried to play in his ‘keeper but having rolled the ball into the six-yard box he was relieved as Ferrie reacted to clatter the ball of the advancing Obika and send the ball over the bar.
That was Obika’s last involvement as 18 year-old Mark Ferrie was given 30 minutes to find a crucial second goal.
For all that Motherwell were more determined and sharper at the start of the second half the Championship side still chased an equaliser and it almost arrived after 67 minutes.
A cross ball came off Pape Souare’s raised arm and in the absence of VAR, Steven McLean’s decision to award a corner wasn’t overturned. When Thomas floated the flag kick towards the front post Tizzard’s touch sent the ball glancing off the face of the bar as ‘Well desperately cleared the ball out of the six-yard box.
With 20 minutes remaining Kettlewell tried to take the sting out of the visitor’s game sending on the experienced Harry Paton for 16 year-old Lennon Miller.
As the Steelmen were forced deeper into their own half, Queen’s looked the more likely to grab and equaliser.
Ten minutes from time the tie was almost beyond them as Spittal had a double opportunity to make it 2-0.
His first attempt from Slattery’s pass was firmly held by Ferrie. Inexplicably, the ‘keeper then gave possession back to Spittal and his lob over the stranded Ferrie bounced off the Queen’s crossbar.
Sensing that a second goal wasn’t coming the ‘Well boss made a double substitution bringing on Nathan McGinley and Barry McGuire for the final five minutes as ‘Well held on to their slender lead and three points.
