Motherwell march on in Europa League
Scottish Premier League outfit Motherwell have progressed to the play-off stage of the UEFA Europa League after seeing off the challenge of Aalesunds FK with a 4-1 aggregate win in the third qualifying round. Following a creditable 1-1 draw in Norway - where Motherwell were unfortunate not to win after conceding a penalty in the dying seconds - they conquered their Norse opponents 3-0 at Fir Park.
Jamie Murphy opened the scoring after just four minutes of action and John Sutton doubled the advantage with a strike which hit the top corner in the 13th minute. Substitute Jonathan Page made sure of the Steelmen’s progressing when he fired home his first senior goal in the 89th minute.
Manager Craig Brown had made just one change after his side’s impressive showing in the first leg, with Chris Humphrey starting in place of Ross Forbes in midfield. It proved to be an inspired change as Humphrey set up the opening goal. After the home side pushed forward strongly in the opening minutes, the winger crossed for 20-year-old Murphy – who became Motherwell’s all-time top scorer in European competition when he netted in Norway – to thump the ball into the top corner from 12 yards.
Pivotal to goal
Humphrey was also pivotal to Motherwell’s second goal, as he delivered another good cross from the right. The ball found its way to defender Steven Saunders on the edge of the penalty area and his low drive was guided into the net by Sutton.
The away side, now seeking two goals to progress, had to start pushing forward themselves. They did so, but Motherwell’s stern rearguard, led by captain Stephen Craigan, snuffed out any threat presented by Aalesunds who failed to threaten goalkeeper Darren Randolph. With winger Demar Philips injured, Aalesunds struggled to create any openings. Petter Orry Larsen found himself with a decent chance when he found some space but his 20-yard effort sailed over the target.
Pressing forward
Motherwell, despite being wary of conceding and leaving themselves a single goal from being dumped out of the competition, kept pressing forward when the opportunity presented itself. They almost found themselves with a third when Humphrey’s effort from the edge of the box went wide of the goal. Murphy then broke forward to deliver a dangerous-looking cross into the box but the ball was cleared by Aalesunds’ rearguard.
Murphy also had two strong appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Richard Trutz before half-time. The striker was shoved in the back when trying to connect with a high ball, and then he saw a shot on goal blocked by Trond Fredriksen’s hand.
Pressure on home side
After the break, Aalesunds looked much more lively as they looked to pull themselves back into the tie. Some pressure by the away side led to Motherwell’s defence looking nervous for the first time. A pair of good efforts saw Magnus Olsen shoot just wide from the edge of the box before Ville Jalasto came close to netting with a header.
Aalesunds continued to look for that elusive goal, which would put them on the verge of qualifying. They came close to finding it after 75 minutes when Didrik Flotre headed wide after some good work from Jalasto to deliver a cross. Olsen had another good chance but blazed over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
Motherwell, however, made sure of their progression in the 89th minute when Murphy bustled past the visitors’ back-line. Despite having a chance to shoot, he rolled the ball along the goal-line for Page to tap in and send the Fir Park faithful home delighted.
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