Resilient Ten-man Motherwell secured a slender win over St Mirren to start the potential Stevie Hammell era in encouraging fashion.
Graham Alexander left the Steelmen on Friday after losing to Sligo Rovers in the Europa Conference League but Kevin Van Veen made the difference from the spot. Not even a late red card for Rickie Lamie could help Stephen Robinson ’s men to a late point.
There were home league debuts for the Buddies' Trevor Carson, Declan Gallagher, Mark O’Hara, Jonah Ayunga - who scored four Premier Sports Cup goals - Ryan Strain and Keanu Baccus. Meanwhile, Paul McGinn, Josh Morris and Blair Spittal all made their Motherwell league bows under caretaker boss Hammell.
It was the visitors who started with more attacking impetuous without really testing Carson in the St Mirren goal. On 20 minutes, there was a head collision between McGinn and O’Hara which caused a four minute delay, which saw McGinn depart to be replaced by O’Donnell.
That was followed by three excellent opportunities for the hosts to take the lead, the first of which fell to Ayunga who fired over - as did Strain not long after. And the Buddies were made to pay moments later when Van Veen netted from 12 yards and gave the visitors a half-time lead following Tanser’s handball.
St Mirren had a few chances to grab an equaliser in the second half with Strain and Ayunga firing efforts at goal. Ayunga in the main had a good battle with Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly across the match. Not even a late red card for Rickie Lamie for a late challenge on Baccus with nine minutes to go could change the outcome for the Paisley outfit, as Motherwell secured the three points.
Three Well-come points
The humiliating 3-0 aggregate defeat to Sligo Rovers in the Europa Conference League ultimately ended the reign of Graham Alexander, despite qualifying for Europe on the final day of last season away to Livingston.
The departure of former Scotland and Burnley midfielder Alexander has given academy chief and former defender Stevie Hammell the opportunity to take the team in an interim basis until the Fir Park club appoint a permanent successor.
And if Hammell wants the job long term then today’s victory against St Mirren, thanks to the Van Veen goal, has done his chances absolutely no harm of landing the role, as he gets off to the perfect start.
Buddies suffer
After crashing out of the Premier Sports Cup at the group stage, Stephen Robinson will be bitterly frustrated to be starting the league season with another defeat.
A new season brings new players and among the debutants were actually a trio of former Motherwell players in Carson, Gallagher and O’Hara. Striker Ayunga, Strain and Baccus also made their first league appearance for the Buddies.
The home fans will be disheartened by the loss, particularly given the recent circumstances of their opposition. Things don’t get any easier for the hosts with a tricky trip to face former boss Jim Goodwin and his new look Aberdeen side at Pittodrie next weekend.
Van Veen cool but Ayunga will rue misses
Football has always been a game of chances - taken or not - and that was extremely clear in Paisley this afternoon.
Jonah Ayunga could have had a hat-trick on another day for the hosts, but definitely should have given the Buddies the advantage before the Kevin Van Veen penalty.
But Motherwell’s Dutch striker had ice in his veins to step up and eventually give the Steelmen all three points when it mattered most.
