Superb performance by Steelmen stuns United

Jan 22 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

MOTHERWELL cruised to a resounding 4-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday, a result which took them up two places to seventh spot in the SPL.

United looked the likelier side early on and Paul Dixon fired a free-kick narrowly past after Steven Hammell had fouled Warren Feeney inside the opening minute.

Feeney then volleyed straight at Graeme Smith and should have done better than head a Craig Conway cross wide.

Against the run of play, Motherwell took the lead in 22 minutes. Paul Quinn’s throw-in was returned to him by Jim O’Brien and he sent an excellent cross to the back post, where Fitzpatrick had timed his run perfectly to head home from close range, his first goal since Boxing Day 2006.

The home defence was in disarray and Clarkson could have doubled Motherwell’s lead three minutes later but his back-post volley was turned onto his own bar by Scott Robertson.

But ’Well’s second goal was only delayed until the 27th minute when Maros Klimpl sent a blistering drive past helpless Lukasz Zaluska via a deflection off Willo Flood.

Motherwell went 3-0 up in 33 minutes when Chris Porter robbed a hesitant Garry Kenneth and found O’Brien, who released Clarkson to pick his spot for his fifth goal of the season.

The three points were safely tucked away but it could have been worse for United when Porter again mugged Kenneth but this time his cross was blasted over by Clarkson from an acute angle at the near post.

But Motherwell sealed a brilliant day in 64 minutes when Fitzpatrick latched onto a slack clearance by United sub Danny Swanson and set up Porter, who calmly drew Zaluska before slotting home his ninth goal of the campaign.

Motherwell: G. Smith, Quinn, Reynolds, Craigan, Hammell, O’Brien (McGarry, 72), Hughes, Klimpl, Fitzpatrick, Porter (D. Smith, 83), Clarkson (Murphy, 72). Subs (not used): Krysiak, Malcolm, Sutton, Hutchinson.

l Following Wednesday’s postponement, Motherwell’s Homecoming Scottish Cup fourth round clash with Inverurie Locos will now take place on Monday (7.45pm).

’Well have agreed a pre-contract deal with Inverness keeper Michael Fraser (25), who will join the Fir Park club when his current deal ends in the summer.