The away side started the game brightly, but play was quickly interrupted as centre back Richard Taylor went down in distress after a collision and required treatment after just 2 minutes. The St Mirren defender was able to continue and soon after, the away side drew first blood. Killian Phillips did well to win the ball in the Motherwell half and played it to Mark O’Hara. The St Mirren captain goes wide to Bwomono who finds Phillips in the box where the midfielder takes a delightful touch and volleys into the bottom left corner.
This seemed to ignite Motherwell and after 15 minutes they had their first clear sight of goal. O’Hara gives the ball away cheaply with a short back pass to Alex Gogic. Moses Ebiye nips in, and he’ll probably think he should have done better as his effort hits the side netting. This began several Motherwell attempts and they eventually level through a Lennon Miller penalty in 18th minute. Miller, with a shot well blocked by Philips wins a corner which leads to Dan Casey being pulled down by Marcus Fraser. Fraser is booked and Motherwell are level after the subsequent spot kick. The equaliser follows a series of chances for the away side. A speculative effort from Richard Taylor sails over the bar, followed by a clever, clipped ball from Phillips into the path of Olusanya and the man in form hits side netting. Motherwell grow into the game with Zdravkovski dictating things in the middle of the pitch.
An in-swinging corner from the youngster Lennon Miller almost catches Balcombe out and the goalkeeper has to be alert to tip the ball over the bar. With half an hour played, the home side have a series of chances. A deceiving cross from Dan Casey requires a smart save from Balcombe after good play from Zdravkovski. The Saints keeper makes another fine save from the resultant corner. St Mirren gain a corner themselves which is delivered by O’Hara and is met by Taylor at the back post to head across goal, but it floats just over the head of Mandron. Moses Ebiye and Zach Robinson were thorns in the side of the St Mirren defence all afternoon and it took a last-ditch challenge from Alex Gogic to stop the former going through on goal.
Bookings galore followed as the half fizzled out with Olusanya, Tanser and O’Donnell all put in the referee’s book but just before the halfway mark, Motherwell have the ball in the back of the net again and it’s a 2nd for their 18-year-old playmaker Lennon Miller who was quickest to react and fire past Balcombe. A lengthy VAR check for handball followed, but the goal was confirmed and put the home side in front going into the break. This goal, which ended up being the decisive winner, seemed to waken up St Mirren again and efforts from Mandron, Phillips and Fraser required Oxborough to be at his best with a couple of top class saves.
The whistle blew for half time. Referee Lloyd Wilson and his assistants were greeted into the tunnel with boos ringing around the stadium.
Half Time: Motherwell 2-1 St Mirren
The half started frantically with the away side winning a free kick in the Motherwell half. This was whipped in by Boyd-Munce and Mandron won it at the back post, heading back across goal to an onrushing Phillips. The hard-working midfielder sees his shot cleared off the line, deemed by the referee, as the hand of Dan Casey.
The Motherwell defender was sent off and Andy Halliday was also booked for strongly protesting. The penalty for St Mirren was taken by captain Mark O’Hara who hits the post and Motherwell and Dan Casey breathe a sigh of relief. The home side are quick to make a change, in some way, too quick and substitute Kofi Balmer was booked for entering field of play before the referee gave permission for him to enter the field of play.
The away side started the half with more intent and chances for Phillips, Olusanya and O’Hara followed but Saints just couldn’t find a way through. It wasn’t long before Motherwell got to grips with the game and a mistake from Gogic let Miller through on goal, but the forward couldn’t convert for his hat trick as his shot trickled past the post. With half an hour to play, both teams are down to 10 men as Scott Tanser picked up a second yellow for a challenge in his own half.
This only fuelled Motherwell and the Fir Park side began to knock at the door of the St Mirren goal. Balmer’s long throws and balls into the box from Ewan Wilson continued to cause St Mirren problems. Miller made a darting run to meet one of Wilson’s delightful crosses but again couldn’t convert for his third of the afternoon. With 20 minutes to play the game started to become scrappy with no clear cut chances at either end. Tame efforts from former Motherwell man Kevin Van Veen didn’t trouble Aston Oxborough as the goalkeeper collected the ball and took the sting out of the game. As the game drew to a close, both sides had a series of corners which resulted in nothing. With 8 minutes added, St Mirren substitute Roland Idowu loses the ball at the edge of his box, the ball is whipped in and Stamatelopoulos forces a fine save from Ellery Balcombe. The half ends with a number of unthreatening free kicks for either side.
Goals, VAR and red cards made this game entertaining for the neutral but there will be fingers pointed at the officials by both sets of supporters for various reasons.
Full time Motherwell 2-1 St Mirren
Player of the match: Lennon Miller
The 18 year old has been a breath of fresh air since solidifying his place in the Motherwell starting 11 and shows no sign of slowing down. Anything Motherwell created came through the youngster. His pace, power and technical ability were apparent and caused the St Mirren back line problems all afternoon. More than deserving of his brace, the home fans will be hoping they can keep a hold of him for seasons to come.