The sunshine shone on Leith, as Motherwell emerged from an action-packed afternoon of football with a comfortable 2-1 victory over 10-man Hibernian to extend their foothold on fourth-place in the Premiership table.
Apostolous Stamatelopoulous drilled home his maiden Motherwell goal to force the steelmen into the ascendency before a quickfire equaliser brought the hosts level. Hibs were soon reduced to 10-men, as Nectarios Triantis received a second yellow card following a rash challenge, and Motherwell immediately took advantage. Andy Halliday proved to be the hero in the latter stages of the game, forcing home Kofi Balmer’s sensational long-throw from close-range to seal the three points in the Scottish capital.
Stuart Kettlewell made two changes from last weekend’s victory over St. Mirren at Fir Park, with Stamatelopoulous making his first-start since returning from injury, as Balmer also came into the starting XI following Dan Casey’s red card last week. Australian International defender, Johnny Koutroumbis also made his first appearance in the matchday squad following a substantial period of time on the sidelines with a pre-season injury.
The hosts looked likelier to break the deadlock following the early exchanges in the first-half. Aston Oxborough again came to the Steelmen’s rescue, brilliantly parrying a series of goal bound efforts from Ukrainian striker Mykola Kukharevych, with Lennon Miller also showing his defensive capabilities, heading clear Kukharevych’s chance on the goalline.
Heading into the break on level-terms, Motherwell opened the second-half with their most productive spell of the 90-minutes. Miller’s quick free-kick caught the static Hibs backline off-guard, and Stamatelopoulous rifled a magnificent finish high into the roof of the net, sending the travelling support into raptures.
The visitors lead only lasted for around three-minutes, as Junior Hoilett capitalised on a defensive mix-up, curling a precise finish into the bottom-right corner; beyond the reach of Oxborough.
Second-half substitute Moses Ebiye thought he had restored Motherwell’s advantage after converting from close-range, but following a VAR check, the goal was ruled out after the striker had strayed offside.
Hibs were reduced to 10-men in the latter stages of the game after Triantis caught Miller with a rash challenge, leaving referee Matthew MacDermid no alternative but to brandish a second yellow-card.
The steelmen took full advantage, and with less than 10-minutes left to play, former Hearts midfielder Halliday responded to his familiar Easter Road reception, latching onto Balmer’s long-throw in before placing a composed finish into the bottom-left corner in-front of a jubilant away support.
Motherwell held on in the final few minutes to earn their third successive victory and their second victory on the road in the Premiership this season. Stuart Kettlewell’s side now sit one-point clear of Dundee United in fourth-place, level on points with Rangers in third.
