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“It was a very good result and performance.”

Stephen Robinson reflects on the 3-0 win over St Mirren.

Another solid workman-like performance from Motherwell gave a comfortable win over St Mirren and close the gap on third-placed Aberdeen to a single point.

Desperate to turn their decent away form into points, Motherwell were favourites to return from Paisley with all three.

But it took a quick double from James Scott midway through an untidy first half to put the Fir Park men in control. Allan Campbell’s goal midway through the second sealed the points to strengthen their hold on third place.

With three games this week, Stephen Robinson made a couple of changes to the side which defeated St Johnstone. After coming on as a sub James Scott retained the striker’s jersey at the expense of Christopher Long. At the other end Bevis Mugabi stepped in for Peter Hartley for his second start of the season.

The early exchanges were very scrappy with neither side able to hold onto the ball. Joint bottom of the league, the Buddies had a bit more urgency to their play but it took 17 minutes before a ‘keeper was tested.

James Scott playing wide on the right touch line cut across the box but his low left foot shot was straight at Vaclav Hladky.

Two minutes later Saints, desperately searching for a win, passed up a chance to threaten Mark Gillespie’s goal when Calum Waters’ free kick was easily defended.

Even at this stage the ‘Well defence, with Mugabi solid alongside Gallagher, provided a terrific platform to build from the back – but the distribution further up the park was not ideal.

The game badly needed a spark and it arrived from the visitors after 27 minutes.

An exchange of passes in the middle of the park allowed Liam Grimshaw to find Scott wide on the left.

There looked little threat to the home goal until the teenage striker dribbled the ball past a couple of defenders before smashing a low drive across the ‘keeper and inside the far past for a stunning opener.

That dented home confidence and five minutes later Scott and ‘Well made it two.

Liam Polworth’s pass split the Saints central defenders inviting Scott to advance towards goal, which he did before confidently clipping the ball past Hladky.

From that point the Steelmen threatened every time they broke upfield and it might have been an eight minute hat-trick for Scott. However, after again dragging the ball into the box from the left, his powerful drive took a deflection to carry the ball off target.

Despite the failure to add a third goal Robinson’s men and the travelling support appeared more than content at half-time after a slow start to the 45.

Jim Goodwin’s men, the poorest scorers in the league, had the monumental task of breaking down Motherwell’s firm defensive unit from the start of the second half – but it never looked likely as Gillespie waited until the final minute of the game to make his first save.

Goalmouth action at either end, though, was a rarity. As such the ‘Well fans behind Hladky’s goal were off their seats as Gallagher, although offside, headed Polworth’s free kick just outside the post.

However, the Fir Park faithful were on their feet with justification after 67 minutes to celebrate a third goal.

Jermaine Hylton’s speed carried him between a couple of defenders and his cross found Campbell, who squeezed the ball over the line to kill off any thoughts of a Saints revival.

Motherwell, on the other hand were not content with their comfortable lead.

From a succession of Polworth corners, Devante Cole’s lofted shot was headed off the line by Ryan Flynn, before Mugabi’s drive was deflected over the bar and Gallagher’s header was a fraction too high.

Mark O’Hara and Sherwin Seedorf were given some game time. With eight minutes remaining Christy Manzinga also came off the bench but he was unable to repeat his goal scoring debut from Saturday.

Junior Morias looked to have netted a consolation goal for the Buddies but the ball bounced off the post and beyond the ‘Well keeper. From eight yards Tony Andreu seemed certain to slam the rebound home but Gillespie recovered and at full stretch somehow kept the ball out to claim another clean sheet.

There’s live audio commentary available from St Mirren v Motherwell on Wednesday.

To subscribe and get live video streams all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

2019/20 Motherwell streaming service matches

St Mirren are Motherwell’s hosts in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Wednesday night.

Kick-off against Jim Goodwin’s side is at 7.45pm at the Simple Digital Arena.

The story so far

Sitting 11th in the table, St Mirren are level on points with bottom club St Johnstone and 10th placed Hearts. A 10-goal better goal difference keeps them ahead of the Perth club, with Hearts a place higher on account of having scored four more goals.

The club’s second season in the top flight came after surviving the play-off final against Dundee United on penalties last campaign. This term, they’ve picked up al 11 of their points at home.

Form guide

The 11 points gained at home come from a possible 21. Motherwell, on the other hand, have accumulated 10 points from a possible 21 on the road.

With one win and four defeats in their last five matches, recent performances at home to Hibernian and away to Aberdeen resulted in narrow defeats which didn’t tell the whole story, as they passed up chances in both to at least take a point.

Three to watch

Vaclav Hladky

Despite a season in which St Mirren have struggled at the wrong end of the Scottish Premiership, only four teams in the table have conceded fewer goals than the Paisley side.

Much of that is owed to the performances of Czech keeper Vaclav Hladky, who after playing a key role in ensuring Saints’ top flight survival last season, has been pivotal yet again in the early stages of 2019/20.

There has been speculation linking Hladky with a host of clubs both home and abroad, and he has already intimated his desire to win a move to England when his contract at St Mirren expires at the end of the season.

Stephen McGinn

After injury ruled Stephen McGinn out of the first three months of the Scottish Premiership season, the Saints captain has stressed his determination to make up for lost time.

McGinn returned to the team in the 2-0 victory over St Johnstone in late October and last Tuesday’s 2-1 home loss to Hibernian marked his 200th appearance for the club.

It was to be a disappointing evening for the 31-year-old, who voiced his frustration at refereeing decisions that he insisted played a big part in taking the shine off his big night, though after back-to-back losses it’s imperative he plays a captains role as St Mirren look to get back to winning ways against ‘Well.

Jonathan Obika

Jonathan Obika looks to be settling into life at St Mirren after penning a two-year deal with Jim Goodwin’s side in the summer.

The Englishman began his career with Tottenham, before a vast number of loan spells seemed to hamper his career building up much in the way of momentum.

He eventually made the move to Swindon Town on a permanent basis and two years at Oxford United followed.

Obika appears to finding his scoring touch – netting three times in his last seven appearances, making him the club’s top scorer in the league.

Get your tickets in advance

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office.

There are no cash gates are available at St Mirren. Pre-purchase is encouraged from the Fir Park ticket office or online to save queues at the away ticket booth on the night.

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

Wherever you are, there’s live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month. Just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Motherwell assistant boss Keith Lasley talked form, facing a dangerous opponent and prioritising constant improvement over worrying about league position on Tuesday.

Here’s what he said to the broadcast media.

On a busy December

“We do set short term targets. We don’t have an overall one if you like, but it’s good to have targets. I won’t tell you what they are, but we do. And we are striving for them in this period coming up as well.

“We know if we can take as many points as we can on the run up to this break, we put ourselves in a good position going into that break.

“We don’t have a massive squad but in many ways that’s a good thing. We’ve got a good, tight-knit group of people that are really committed. They are desperate to play and make an impact.

“I think team selection has been pretty consistent. That’s down to form more than anything across the board. But we’ve got some guys on the bench and are around about it that are itching to get in there and contribute. They’re training fantastically well and pushing on the guys that are playing.

“We’re going to need everybody. You mentioned the many games coming up and these guys staying motivated and staying hungry, which they are, is really important to us. As I said for the harmony of the whole group and pushing on.”

On facing St Mirren

“We won’t underestimate St Mirren. That’s for sure. We’ve watched most of their games.

“The manager and I were at the Hibs game last week and they were very unlucky to lose that game.

“The Aberdeen game was a very similar story. They had chances to not only draw the game, but possibly win it, when you’re looking at the chances within the game.

“We certainly know how St Mirren have been playing and we’ll give them the respect that they deserve.

“You see how tight it is from bottom to top and we need to be at it tomorrow night. That’s what we can take care of and why we will be preparing as well as we do.”

On recent form

“We look at our form in general to be honest. We don’t get too uptight about away form. We just want to win football matches. We managed to do that on Saturday and we want to carry it on into tomorrow night.

“Before that, funnily enough our away form has been pretty good overall. But it’s certainly not something that we’re conscious of, or really thinking about on a daily basis.

“It’s just another game of football for us and it’s about being ready for that game. Our preparation has been good. It was a good result on Saturday but we felt as if aspects of our play could have been better.

“That’s the good thing for ourselves. We still think that there’s more to come from this team and hopefully in these upcoming games you’ll see that.”

Our William Hill Scottish Cup match with Dundee will be played on Saturday, 18 January with a 7.20pm kick off.

The game at Dens Park will be shown live on BBC Scotland.

Ticket information will be available shortly.

It’s straight back to Ladbrokes Premiership action on Wednesday night, as Motherwell head to St Mirren.

Kick-off at the Simple Digital Arena is at 7.45pm.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell have won three of their last five, all at home, against Kilmarnock, Livingston and St Johnstone. On the road, they’ve lost at Celtic and Hibernian in the same time period.

St Mirren have won one and lost four of their last five. A 2-1 home victory over Ross County came in the run, as did defeats against Aberdeen, Hibernian, Hearts and Celtic.

Head to head

Motherwell have won three of their last five matches against the Paisley side, with one draw and one win for St Mirren.

The Steelmen have won their last two visits west, winning 2-0 and 2-1 respectively last campaign.

Get your tickets in advance

There are no cash gates are available at St Mirren. Tickets can be bought from an away ticket booth on the night.

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

Wherever you are, there’s live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month. Just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Our popular calendar signing will be held this year on Thursday, 12 December.

The first team squad will be at the Centenary Suite at Fir Park between 6pm and 7.30pm on the night to meet fans and sign autographs. Just turn up on the night to see the squad.

Calendars can be purchased from the club shop from Monday, 9 December in store or online at motherwelldirect.co.uk.

Devante Cole, Peter Hartley, Jake Carroll and Christy Manzinga all net as Motherwell run out convincing winners over St Johnstone.

“It was a fantastic result. But we can play better. We defended brilliantly and we were ruthless when we had to be.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to the 4-0 win over St Johnstone.