Motherwell lose out to Welsh side

Jul 9 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

MOTHERWELL’S new boss Jim Gannon got off to the worst possible start on Thursday as his side slumped to an embarrassing defeat against Welsh minnows Llanelli in their Europa League first qualifying round first leg.

A crowd of 4307 packed into New Broomfield in Airdrie, chosen because Motherwell’s new pitch is still bedding down, and on this performance the team will need a significant overhaul as well.

While this was one of the worst results in Motherwell’s history, it’s probably the finest recorded by Llanelli.

To be fair, Gannon wasn’t helped by the fact that more than half a team had left the club since the end of last season. Graeme Smith, Paul Quinn, Maros Klimpl, Brian McLean, Bob Malcolm, David Clarkson and Stephen Hughes were badly missed.

This mass exodus meant debuts for new keeper Michael Fraser and Ross Forbes, who returned from a successful loan spell at Dumbarton. Those available had to adapt to a new 4-2-3-1 formation, but that didn’t seem to deter them as they swept forward.

Motherwell should have taken the lead in six minutes when Forbes released Jamie Murphy and he raced clear of the defence but, instead of having a go, he tried to square to John Sutton and this allowed defender Lee Phillips to clear.

Stephen Saunders sent a header over the bar before a Jim O’Brien shot flashed wide from 18 yards out.

Llanelli barely got a touch in the opening 28 minutes and seemed content to soak up the pressure before they took a shock lead.

Veteran player/manager Andy Legg’s long throw-in from just inside the ’Well half caused panic in the box and a corner was hastily conceded.

Legg curled the ball towards the far post and Stuart Jones rose unmarked to place a simple header past Fraser.

This didn’t change the flow of the game as Motherwell continued to attack but simply failed to trouble Ashley Morris in the Scarlets’ goal.

Paul Slane came on at half-time for the anonymous Keith Lasley and the youngster’s direct running brought new life to the game. His first attempt came just five minutes after the restart but was blocked.

Before that, Steven McGarry’s flicked header across the face of goal created panic but John Sutton was just inches away from making the vital connection.

Other than that, Motherwell were reduced to half-chances, with Sutton heading just wide and Murphy and Slane sending long-range efforts past.

The effort put in by Llanelli was demonstrated as the second half neared its conclusion with almost half their team being treated for cramp, but they continued to fight for every ball as they battled to secure a historic win.

Motherwell had failed to trouble Morris up until the hour-mark but nearly snatched an equaliser as the game moved into stoppage time when the lively Slane saw a low shot brilliantly saved at full-length.

The keeper was then tested again as he took two attempts to hold a 25-yard effort from Forbes.

When the final whistle sounded, Motherwell trudged off knowing they had taken part in one of the biggest shocks not only in their history but possibly Scottish football’s history. A stark improvement will be needed tonight (Thursday) at the Parc y Scarlets if the Steelmen are to remain in the competition.

Motherwell: Fraser, Saunders, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, O’Brien (McHugh, 74), Lasley (Slane, 46), Forbes, McGarry, Sutton, Murphy. Subs (not used): Kosiorowski, Smith, Fitzpatrick, Hutchinson, Page.