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“We were well worth our win and we arguably could have won by more goals. But we won’t get carried away.”

Stephen Robinson speaks after the 3-0 win over Hibernian.

Motherwell emerged from a tight and entertaining game with a convincing 3-0 win over Hibernian.

A screamer from Sherwin Seedorf midway through the first half was all that separated the sides at the end of a keenly contested first 45.

But another penalty converted by Liam Donnelly, for his eighth of the season, and a terrific finish from Jermaine Hylton had the points well wrapped up before the final whistle.

Stephen Robinson kept faith with the side which won convincingly at Hamilton, the only change being the return of Jake Carroll at left back with Charles Dunne moving to the bench. Richard Tait had also recovered from last week’s virus but the defender had to be content with a seat beside Dunne.

It was a furious opening from both sides, and within 30 seconds Mark Gillespie was forced to dive and beat away a Florian Kamberi shot.

A minute later a neat exchange between Christopher Long and James Scott at the edge of the box opened up the Hibs defence. But having created the space the former Blackpool striker’s side foot from 12 yards was blocked by Ofir Marciano’s outstretched boot.

The Easter Road men had more of the ball and referee Steven McLean allowed them two opportunities to break the deadlock. Despite Liam Donnelly’s tug on Scott Allan, the visitor’s were given the advantage until Daryl Horgan’s shot was blocked inside the box.

The ref then awarded Hibs the free kick. Stevie Mallan whipped the ball over the defensive wall and heading just inside the post until a superb one handed save from Gillespie pushed the ball behind.

Liam Polworth, having recovered from an early knock then slid a superb pass behind Steven Whittaker and into Seedorf’s path but his drive from 18 yards was blocked.

Then in the 22nd minute Hibs almost grabbed a controversial opener. A clear handball from Lewis Stevenson just outside his own box was undetected by the assistant referee. Play then raced down the pitch where Glenn Middleton’s angled drive forced another good stop from Gillespie.

The ‘Well ‘keeper immediately sent play to the other end where Seedorf cut in from the left wing and from the corner of the box sent a sensational drive flying low across Marciano and into the corner of the Hibs’ net.

In a highly open and entertaining first half play continued to race from end to end.

The best chance came ‘Well’s way after 36 minutes. Scott, revelling in his role on the right, cut in and sent a cross field pass to Seedorf. When the Dutch winger cut the ball back from the byeline, Scott had continued his run to the corner of the six yard box, only to scoop his shot over the bar.

Gillespie then made another crucial stop, blocking Kamberi’s powerful angled drive with his right boot.

The Fir Park men finished the first half on the front foot and two successive inviting crosses from Carroll found Long and Scott with neither striker able to direct the ball towards goal.

As the second half got underway, Hibs still looked threatening with some sublime passes from Scott Allan opening up the home defence.

Motherwell’s build up play was equally impressive and slick passing involving Seedorf, Carroll and Long produced first corner of the half.

When Polworth’s corner kick found Declan Gallagher towering beyond the back post, his downward header looked like a second goal for ‘Well until Marciano scooped it up and off his line. The ‘keeper was then relieved to watch Long react inside the packed six yard box only to nod the ball over the bar.

Eight minutes later and Long passed up another great chance to extend the home side’s lead. Peter Hartley’s deflected pass played the striker onside but having time to pick his spot behind the helpless ‘keeper he allowed Marciano to stretch out a leg and force his shot over the bar.

You suspected the Fir Park men might regret those missed opportunities to put the game beyond the Edinburgh side.

In the 63rd minute Scott hurdled a couple of challenges as he galloped down the left but his intended lay back for Long found Seedorf running in front of his team mate and the chance was wasted.

That was the last involvement for the tireless pair as they made way for Devante Cole and Jermaine Hylton in the 65th minute.

The ‘Well winger was immediately involved when he was pulled to the ground by Whittaker as he made his way into the box. While the home fans screamed for a penalty the referee astonishingly awarded the free kick to Hibs.

After 72 minutes Adam Jackson should have had the 1600 Hibs fans behind Gillespie’s goal on their feet celebrating an equaliser but his tame effort from 10 yards afforded the ‘Well ‘keeper a comfortable save.

James Scott, now on the right, was still causing Hibs problems and his clever foot work in the corner after 78 miutes earned ‘Well another corner.

Once agin Polworth found Gallagher’s head and when his goal bound effort clattered off Adam’s raised hand the ref immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Donnelly’s run up was short but decisive as he sent Marciano the wrong way and bag his fourth goal in three league games.

Hylton then cheekily nutmegged Whittaker to find Cole who turned his marker only to see Marciano’s boot deny him his first goal.

The ‘Well defence with Gallagher and Hartley in particular stood tall and strong to any kind of fightback from the visitor’s.

However, any doubts the points were staying at Fir Park were erased four minutes from time with a wonderful solo effort from Hylton. An electric burst of pace took the former Solihull Moors winger inside Horgan before he unleashed a thundering drive which Marciano couldn’t prevent from screeching high into his net.

The Hibs ‘keeper was shaping up as the visitor’s man of the match when he produced another flying save in the dying minutes to turn away another effort from Cole as ‘Well ran out comprehensive winners.

Motherwell’s scheduled fixtures with Celtic and Rangers in the remainder of 2019 will all be rescheduled.

The Steelmen were due to travel to Ibrox on Saturday, 26 October and to Celtic Park on Saturday, 9 November.

Rangers were also pencilled to visit Fir Park on Saturday, 14 December.

As a result of Celtic and Rangers’ involvement in the UEFA Europa League, all three fixtures will now be played on the Sunday.

Kick off times for the games are currently set at 3pm. They may be subject to change, if games are selected for television at a later date.

Motherwell’s rearranged fixtures

Stephen Robinson discussed facing Hibernian, offering new contracts and the looming transfer deadline to the media on Friday.

Here’s what he had to say.

On facing Hibs and current form

“I’m not sure what other people were expecting of Hibs. I concentrate on Motherwell.

“But what I do know is they’ve got a very good manager who did wonders last season as well.

“He propelled them into the top six. And they’ve got a very strong squad of players.

“A huge football club and it’s a big test for us again. It sees where we are.

“We’ve beat Hamilton. We got a brilliant away draw at Livingston as well. Make no mistake, that’s a good result on that surface away at Livingston.

“We have to take it a little bit further and try and get the first home win of the season.”

On competition for goalkeeping places

“I’ve offered Trevor Carson and Mark Gillespie new contracts. That’s what we are trying to do. We are trying to build a squad.

“We are trying to keep the squad getting stronger as well as bringing other players in. We have to make sure we secure the players we’ve got.

“So the two goalkeepers, plus another couple of outfield players we are trying to start discussions with early on and keep building what we are doing.

“We’ve got brilliant competition for the number one jersey and there’s nothing between the two goalkeepers.

“Whether they sign that or not, that’s up to them.We’ve put that in front of them.

“I think it would be a real positive to get both signed to keep the goalkeeping department strong.

“There’s other players we’re opening early negotiations with even though their contracts aren’t up until the end of the season.

“We’ve done a lot of transfer activity early on, it’s important we secure people that are here as well.”

On signings before Monday’s deadline

“[We are] always looking.  Always looking.

“I think I’ve said all along it has to be someone that either is going to be in the starting 11, or is going to really push people that are in the starting 11.

“We’ve got our eyes on people. We had a deal fall through last week we thought was over the line.

“But I’m not just going to bring people in to make up numbers. I think that’s important.

“I would rather use the money to secure people that are here. Put contract offers as we’ve already discussed to other people.

“But potentially, potentially we could have one in on Monday.”

Fans outside of the UK/Ireland can watch Motherwell v Hibernian live through our streaming service on Saturday.

Kick off at Fir Park is at 3pm BST, and the game is available as part of a subscription package priced at £12 a month.

To subscribe, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

All of our home matches are broadcast on the service, as well as the majority of away matches in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

If you are in the UK or Ireland and can’t make the game, there’s also a live audio service available for £5.99 a month. All subscribers also get access to extended highlights and full match replays.

2019/20 Motherwell streaming service

Trevor Carson and Liam Donnelly are in the Northern Ireland squad for their matches with Luxembourg and Germany.

The Motherwell duo are in Michael O’Neill’s selection for the respective friendly and Euro 2020 qualifier.

Carson will be looking to add to his four international caps so far, having made his debut for his country in 2018.

The goalkeeper makes his first formal return to the squad after recovering for DVT, although he was involved in a training camp in the summer.

Donnelly, the record cap holder at Under 21 level for his country, makes his return to the senior squad after picking up his only cap in a match with Chile in 2014.

The 23-year-old has started the season in blistering form for Motherwell, scoring seven goals in seven games after switching from defence to central midfield.

Motherwell return to Fir Park on Saturday, with Hibernian the visitors in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Stephen Robinson’s men head in to the game in sixth spot, after victory in the Lanarkshire derby at Hamilton.

Kick off on Saturday is at 3pm. Our Cooper Bar is open from 11am for fans of both clubs.

Tale of the tape

Hibernian currently sit a place behind Motherwell in seventh going into Saturday’s game, with Paul Heckingbottom’s team having a worse goal difference.

A season-opening 1-0 home win over St Mirren for Hibs was followed up by a 6-1 loss at Ibrox, and then a 2-2 home draw with St Johnstone last weekend.

Motherwell got their first win league of the season in a comfortable 3-1 win at Hamilton Academical at the weekend. That result followed on from an opening day 0-0 draw at Livingston, and then the 5-2 home loss to Celtic.

Head to head

The Steelmen won the last encounter between the two sides at Fir Park back in January, with David Turnbull netting in a 1-0 victory.

Hibs however have won four of the last five meetings between the two, three of which have been at Easter Road.

Ticket information

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office for Motherwell supporters. Hibernian fans should contact their club direct.

The cheaper price is for our John Hunter Stand.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Motherwell v Hibernian and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.

Peter Hartley, Liam Donnelly and Christopher Long netted the goals as Motherwell defeated Hamilton Academical 3-1 in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Stephen Robinson hailed the character of his team in their 3-1 win in the Lanarkshire derby over Hamilton Academical.

Motherwell bounced back from two defeats to comprehensively win the first Lanarkshire derby of the season.

Two goals inside the first 21 minutes, from returning captain Peter Hartley and a seventh of the season from Liam Donnelly put ‘Well in charge. And although Ross Cunningham pulled one back for Accies, Chris Long’s goal just after half-time eased the Steelmen to the most comfortable three points.

Although Accies played with 10 men for 70 minutes, the Fir Park men dominated the match from start to finish, with a number of impressive performers in claret and amber.

Following their Betfred Cup exit, Stephen Robinson shuffled his starting line-up. In the absence of Richard Tait, Liam Grimshaw kept his place on the right, but Peter Hartley was recalled to the centre of defence, with Charles Dunne moving to the left.

Having interchanged his strikers in the fixtures so far, James Scott and Christopher Long were given the chance to be paired in the attack.

Facing the 1500 ‘Well fans behind Owain Fon-Williams goal the Steelmen were on the front foot from the kick-off.

After six minutes Sherwin Seedorf played the ball in front of Liam Polworth and his low effort from the edge of the box produced a decent save from the Accies ‘keeper.

A few minutes later and a steady build up on the right involving Seedorf, Alan Campbell and Liam Grimshaw, ended with Polworth pulling his shot wide of goal.

The signs were good for the visitor’s and Seedorf was again at the heart of the action but from four yards in front of goal he failed to connect with Scott’s cross from the left.

The pressure on the home goal and in the 15th minute it had a lucky escape when Hartley got his head to Polworth’s corner only to see the ball rebound from the crossbar and forced over for another corner. From the third consecutive flag kick Harley was finally rewarded stooping to send the ball looping into the net to give his side a deserved lead.

Five minutes later and ‘Well doubled their lead and it was a double whammy for Accies.
Another swift move on the right found Campbell driving for goal and when the ball was deflected across the six yard box, Scott rose to head the ball towards goal.

Jamie Hamilton, on the line, stretched out an arm to deny the striker a goal, conceding a penalty and earning the young Accies defender a red card.

Donnelly buried the resultant spot kick under the diving ‘keeper to put the Fir Park two ahead and in the driving seat.

However, that two goal advantage lasted only two minutes. In Accies first attack a ball into a packed box connected with Hartley’s raised hand – leaving Ross Cunningham to ram the resultant penalty high past Mark Gillespie.

It did little to change the pattern of the game, though, as Motherwell made the most of the extra man to dictate the remainder of the first half.

However, despite dominating possession and pressing Accies into their own area, ‘Well failed to extend their lead. Indeed, apart from Grimshaw’s crisp 30 yard drive which forced a fine save from Fon-Williams the Hamilton ‘keeper was largely untroubled.

While you suspected that ‘Well might pay for not capitalising on their advantage – it took the visitor’s only five minutes into the second half to take a firm grip of the game.

Chris Long collected at the ball at left hand corner of the 18 yards box and then dribbled the ball all the way to the other corner of the box, before firing a low shot beyond Fon-Williams and inside the ‘keeper’s right hand post to make it 3-1.

After a decent contribution Seedorf made way for Jermaine Hylton, who was given just over 30 minutes to further torment an overworked Accies defence.

Long might have nicked another when Dunne’s inviting cross from the left sped across the six yard box narrowly in front of the inrushing ‘Well striker.

After 65 minutes Devante Cole took over from Scott who had impressive afternoon cutting in from the wide areas.

With Motherwell in complete control and Gillespie yet to make a save the visitor’s were still chasing another gaol in the final five minutes.

Good work from the tireless Long ended with his angled shot being deflected beyond the post and the waiting Cole.

In another break the ball found its way to Hylton was beaten by Fon-Williams but by that stage the points were safely heading back across the Clyde.