Ten man Motherwell return to third after win over Pars

Motherwell’s 3-1 win over Dunfermline last night saw them return to third in the SPL despite playing 70 minutes with ten men.

This game was full of incident last night, starting in the off in the fifteenth minute when Motherwell’s new signing Henrik Ojamaa was flagged offside when he was clearly four yards onside!

Three minutes later Well were reduced to ten men when skipper Stephen Craigan was sent off for making a movement of his head towards Andy Barrowman. This did not deter Motherwell who went on to dominate possession and always looked the better side.

The lively Ojamaa scored before the break when he picked the ball up about 30 yards from goal, turned a defender and cracked a shot past Ian Turner from 18 yards. The big goalie didn’t look too clever with this one as it bounced over his hands.

Well were two up seven minutes after the break, and this time the keeper had no chance as Nicky Law’s 18 yard shot ripped past him and into the top corner of his net.

The Pars did pull one back when sub Andy Kirk hit a sweet volley from about 10 yards out from a left wing cross. There hopes of an equaliser were dashed with 10 minutes left on the clock when Chris Humphrey side footed under Turner from a tight angle after excellent build up play from Higdon and McHugh.

This was a game of contrasting fortunes for the two sides. The Pars stay rooted to the bottom of the table, and on this form will have a struggle to move away from there. Their passing was sloppy and their tempo was not good enough, two factors identified by boss Jim McIntyre after the game.

Well were delighted with the win which saw them return to third in the table, and at the same time record a win at home for the first time since September. This now sets up a big match atFirParkon Saturday when St. Johnstone are the visitors and are only three points behind the Steelmen.