Motherwell 3 - 0 Inverness CT

Match info: Scottish Premier at Fir Park Stadium

Date: 16/02/2013 KO: 15:00 Ref: C Murray Att: 4,179

Home team/scorers Scores Away team/scorers

Motherwell

Michael Higdon 30,56
Nicky Law 52

3
vs
0

Inverness


FT (ht: 1-0)

  • Last Updated: February 16 2013, 18:59 GMT

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall hailed his attack-minded team for turning around their home form after a 3-0 victory over Inverness sent them into second place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Michael Higdon celebrates one of his two goals
Michael Higdon celebrates one of his two goals

Motherwell only won one of their opening 10 Fir Park matches in all competitions this season - a 4-1 victory over Inverness. But they have now scored 15 goals in five home SPL matches and collected 13 points which helped them leapfrog the Highland side today.

Michael Higdon netted a double - the first a tap-in on the half-hour mark and the second a wonderful first-time volley from the edge of the box in the 56th minute.

Nicky Law grabbed the second with a typical burst into the box and good skill and persistence, and Motherwell enjoyed a comfortable last half hour.

McCall said: "That's us in the last five (home) games we have averaged three goals.

"You were asking, and had every right to ask, coming into December about our home form. Thankfully just like last season we have turned it round.

"We are not only winning games but we would like to think we are entertaining as well and scoring goals to boot."

In the absence of suspended captain Keith Lasley, McCall felt he got strong performances from central midfielders Law and Stuart Carswell along with centre-backs Shaun Hutchinson and Simon Ramsden, who suffered a suspected broken bone in his hand but could still play against Dundee United on Tuesday.

And he was delighted with his side's front play as Higdon took his tally for the season to 18 goals, a third of them against Caley Thistle.

McCall said: "I thought it would be an open game, we always have good games against Inverness. They played their part first half and knocked it about well.

"I thought we always carried a threat. I think the difference was clinical finishing. Obviously we got lucky with the first one. It was a good move to get Henrik (Ojamaa) in down the side but he has screwed his shot and big Michael is there.

"But the second and third goals were class. Lawsy I thought all day was outstanding, great skill and a good goal and our third was a terrific strike, which he is capable of. He is technically very good."

Inverness suffered their fifth defeat in six matches and failed to bounce back from Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock, when they lost a last-minute equaliser after dominating.

Manager Terry Butcher had been generally pleased with their form before their trip to Fir Park. But he was not happy today.

"We were second best," he said. "They showed more hunger and appetite for the game and got the goal at the crucial time.

"I thought we started the game very well. You could see our lads were a little bit leggy after the midweek game, they put a hell of a lot into the Kilmarnock game and there was a lot of heartache when we didn't win the game.

"There have not been many times we have come up second best against a team and unfortunately it has always been Motherwell.

"The pivotal moment was the first goal, we defended like amateurs. It gave them a lift and knocked us back."

Meanwhile, McCall played down anticipation that free agent James McFadden could re-sign for Motherwell after returning to the club to train.

The 29-year-old spent several weeks with his former club in the summer before moving to Sunderland after talks with Motherwell chief executive Leeann Dempster failed to come to fruition, but is again looking for a club.

McCall said: "We have had Marc Fitzpatrick in with us, we have had Jim O'Brien in with us, I think the young boy (Paul) Slane might be coming in on Monday to train with us. We are just an open house.

"There is nothing to speak about on my point of view at the moment."


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