HibeesH hammered by Well’s half-fit forwards
motherwell 3
Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson has a message that should frighten Premiership defenders.
He believes his dynamic front players are still 40% short of top fitness.
You wouldn’t have known that as the Steelmen dominated a lacklustre Hibs side in the areas of the pitch that really mattered yesterday.
Robinson was delighted to see his men record a convincing victory but is determined they won’t rest on their laurels.
He will now use the international break to add even more zip to their game.
He said: “I think they’re working at about 60%.
“I’m talking about attacking players like Sherwin Seedorf, Jermaine Hylton, young James Scott, Chris Long and Devante Cole.
“Where they played before, they didn’t have to do any defending. They could just stand out wide.
“That can’t happen here. We can’t carry players.
“If we can get them into decent shape over the next few weeks then we have some exciting talent on our hands.”
Those players provided plenty of stimulation for the home supporters as Seedorf and Hylton both hit the net.
Scott is still only 19 but continues to look very promising, while Liam Donnelly got his eighth goal of the season from the penalty spot.
The tone for the game was set after just two minutes.
Indecision in the Hibs defence gave Chris Long a chance in the middle of the penalty area and his shot was well saved by the keeper.
Seedorf fired Motherwell into the lead with a goal that was a combination of class and simplicity.
He raced down the left wing and cut inside before firing the ball across goal into the corner of the net.
Horgan looked like he might be a threat running at the home defence but his play was all a bit random and, like the rest of his team-mates, he ran out of steam as the minutes ticked by.
Scott Allan showed the odd flash of his undoubted ability in creating an opening for Kamberi.
He set the striker up with a lovely through ball but a shot was comfortably saved by Gillespie.
Hibs had plenty of the ball as they went in search of an equaliser but there was a lack of incisiveness about their play.
Most moves were just a little sluggish, with players performing in small sections of the pitch and unable to create a proper flow to the attacks.
Motherwell were sure of victory when a Gallagher header hit Jackson’s arm and Donnelly stroked home the penalty kick.
A third goal came when Hylton took a run at the insipid Hibs’ rear-guard and thumped a shot beyond Marciano.
Back-to-back victories have restored morale at Motherwell after two defeats and a draw had led to a bit of grumbling from the stands.
Winger Seedorf, a relation of Dutch legend Clarence, was delighted to have scored his first home goal in claret and amber.
He said: “That was the best feeling to score. I’ve been waiting on it for a long time.
“It’s one of the best I’ve scored in my career and I’m pleased to get it at Fir Park.
“It was a great all-round performance from the team.
“There’s more to come from me. I’m still trying to get fitter.
“I’m growing, the team is growing and we’re getting pushed every week.”
motherwell:
Gillespie 7; Grimshaw 6, Gallagher 7, Hartley 8, Carroll 6; Polworth 6, Campbell 7, Donnelly 7, Seedorf 6 (Hylton 66, 6); Long 6 (Cole 66, 5), Scott 8 (Maguire 86, 5). Unused subs — Carson (Gk), Tait, Ilic, Dunne. hibs:
match stats
did a great josb of marshalling the Motherwell defence and is forming a formidable partnership with Declan Gallagher.
PETER HARTLEY