Motherwell made it a very impressive four home wins on the spin with victory in the derby with Hamilton Academical.
The result sets up a crucial game at Easter Road next week, as the Steelmen continue in their bid to overtake Hibs for a top six spot.
‘Well’s trio of teenagers celebrated their call up to the Scotland Under 21 squad with a major contribution in Accies downfall. David Turnbull’s double inside the first 12 minutes set the tone for a fabulous first half performance, with Jake Hastie hitting a third to effectively kill off Hamilton before half-time.
And while the ‘Well youngsters have been claiming the headlines, Mark Gillespie and his back four deserve credit having conceded only one goal during that run.
On a very rare occasion Motherwell kicked off facing the Davie Cooper stand. However, it didn’t affect them and after only two minutes were a goal ahead.
A wonderful headed flick from Curtis Main sent Gboly Ariyibi down the left channel, before sliding the ball across the six yard box for Turnbull whose half-hit effort bounced inside the ‘keeper’s left hand post.
Aryibi was proving a real handful for Ziggy Gordon and the on loan winger skipped past a couple of challenges before his low shot was saved by Gary Woods.
A similar mazy run and quick feet from Ariyibi after 12 minutes ended with Gordon tripping him in the box. Turnbull confidently stroked home the resultant penalty kick to almost kill off Accies before they could find their feet.
With Hamilton struggling to match the movement and passing of the Fir Park players, a long cross field ball from Charles Dunne picked out Hastie, who could only volley his shot over.
Accies seemed to have steadied themselves for almost 20 minutes before ‘Well increased the intensity towards the visitor’s goal.
Just after the half hour, Turnbull and Campbell combined to feed Hastie who cut into the box before testing Woods with a low ground shot.
A couple of minutes later with Accies defending deeply in their box, Turnbull’s shot at goal found its way to Hastie and from six yards he smashed the ball home to make it 3-0.
Ariyibi then set off on another terrific run dribbling the ball towards the byline before forcing a good block from Woods.
A minute from half–time, Turnbull might have nabbed his it a hat-trick. But after a bursting run and cross from Liam Grimshaw, the Motherwell midfielder headed the ball over from a couple of yards.
Three minutes after the break it was Main’s turn to pass up the chance to make it 4-0 when he powered his way into the box only to stumble yards in front of a helpless Woods. A minute later, as Accies failed to clear Turnbull’s corner, from a tight angle Main forced a good save from the Accies ‘keeper.
It took Hamilton until the 54th minute for their first real effort on ‘Well’s goal but James Keatings’ free kick was straight into Gillespie’s waiting hands.
It Woods again who was called into action getting down to block Ariybi’s low shot at the second attempt after Hastie and Turnbull had combined to set up the winger.
Accies, though, made it more of a game in the second half, and Tony Andreu’s chipped shot wasn’t far away from grabbing a goal and giving the visitor’s a boost.
Stephen Robinson swapped wingers after 66 minutes replacing Hastie with Elliot Frear and then Carl McHugh for Alex Gorrin, as ‘Well looked to regain full control of the proceedings.
Fifteen minutes from time Grimshaw sent Frear down the line and after working his way into the box he set up Aryibi but from eight yards he blasted over a begging goal.
Danny Johnson was then given the opportunity to convert some of the many chances being created in front of the Accies goal.
A final opportunity arrived in added on time but on this occasion Turnbull’s 25 yard free kick was firmly held by the ‘keeper as ‘Well were unable to add to their first half haul.
