A superb 2-0 win over third placed Hearts moved ‘Well six points clear of the foot of the table.
Another hard working and well managed performance from the Fir Park men saw them earn a second win in five days and demonstrated a strong case for working under Kettlewell on a permanent basis.
To highlight the significance of the win Robbie Neilson’s side are the third most consistent side in the cinch Premiership with only one defeat, since the sides last met at Tynecastle in November.
And while it was only a last minute penalty that denied Motherwell a hard earned a point on that occasion, Kettlewell’s men were determined to take all three points after goals from Jon Obika and Blair Spittal either side of the interval put them in the driving seat.
Not surprisingly, ‘Well’s interim manager made stood by the same starting eleven which made such a dynamic start against St. Mirren before ultimately claim three precious points.
Fir Park fans hoping for a repeat against third placed Hearts were disappointed as the Edinburgh side, backed by a travelling support of 2,400 that packed the Tommy McLean stand, started the game on the front foot.
For the opening six minutes ‘Well were pinned back in their own half as the Tynecastle side controlled the game with almost complete possession and forcing a couple of early corners.
The first foray into the Hearts’ half came after seven minutes Jon Obika and Kevin van Van combined on the right but the final ball into the box was too far in front of ‘Well’s Dutch striker.
A minute later van Veen lifted the ball over Alex Cochrane providing Max Johnston with a chance to claim his second goal of the week but from an offside position he dragged the ball wide of target.
Gradually the Steelmen became the side to take control of possession and with Hearts pressed into their own half for a lengthy period James Furlong, who a great 90 minutes, on a few occasions found himself with time to cross into the box but his final ball was misplaced.
After 20 minutes the visitor’s finally made a break towards the home goal but from 20 yards Stephen Humphreys fired his shot well wide of Liam Kelly’s goal.
At the other end in a congested box Obika nudged the ball to Blair Spittal and his firm drive towards goal was blocked by Jim Hill.
There were claims for a penalty when van Veen dragged the ball past Robert Snodgrass before tumbling to the deck but referee Don Robertson waved play-on.
Snodgrass then turned provider, when after winning the ball at the edge of the box he clipped a delightful ball towards the unmarked Lawrence Shankland. The league’s top scorer looked to be adding to his tally until his well placed downward header across Kelly rebounded from the foot of ‘keeper’s right hand post.
Seven minutes from half-time a terrific save from Zander Clark rising high to his right hand corner to turn a 20 yard drive from Sean Goss over the crossbar denied ‘Well the opener.
The goal was only delayed until the resultant corner from Furlong came into a packed box. When the ball was cleared only as far as Goss at the edge of the box his drive was again on target but Obika’s touch from six yard made sure the ball ended up beyond Clark to silence the Hearts’ support behind his goal.
As the Fir Park men pressed to double their lead before half-time Neilson’s men came close to an equaliser.
Callum Butcher, who was a rock at the heart of the home defence, was adjudged to handle the ball 25 yards from goal. Stephen Kingsley with an impressive record of free kicks from that area curved the ball over the defensive wall only to watch it clip the top of the crossbar and leave Motherwell holding on to a slender lead at the break.
In a dramatic start to the second half, though, ‘Well doubled their advantage within a minute.
Again Obika and van Veen worked well on the left before the latter’s inswinging ball was backheaded by Spittal. And when the ball rebounded from Clark’s left-hand post it was the former Ross County man who followed it up to calmly whip the ball into the net and make it 2-0.
Encouraged by the vociferous home support, ‘Well chased a third and it almost came when Obika laid the ball into Dean Cornelius and his low drive took a slight deflection to carry it just wide of goal.
With the equally vocal Hearts’ fans demanding a response from their side, the visitor’s passed up a great chance to pull one back after 55 minutes. From a Hearts’ corner, Hill’s header towrds the back post found Toby Sibbick a yard from goal but he tamely rolled the ball to the waiting Kelly.
In an attempt to get back into the game Neilson made double substitution but it was Motherwell who looked more likely to extend their lead.
And Goss typified the Steelmen’s determination and tenacity when he held off three opponents before winning a free kick on the left side of the visitor’s box.
From Spittal’s inswing free kick Clark was forced to turn the ball over the bar before van Veen was flagged offside.
Hearts looked more menacing around Kelly’s goal and the ‘Well stopper had a couple of comfortable saves to claim efforts from George Grant and Shankland.
It was the home side who came close agin, with Clark turning Butcher’s header over the bar before Dan Casey, who had set up the chance was flagged offside.
As the game entered its last 10 minutes, Kettlewell aiming to keep a firm hold of his side’s two goal lead, brought on Slattery and Stephen O’Donnell.
Three minutes from time Slattery produced a well timed sliding tackle to deny Shankland a clear shooting chance from six yards.
The six minutes additional time provided Hearts with some hope of taking something from the game.
But with Bevis Mugabi replacing Butcher in the centre of the home defence, Motherwell looked assured and in control as they enjoyed a standing applause from the appreciative home fans at the final whistle.
