Motherwell 2-3 Kilmarnock: O’Hara and Watt net as Steelmen crash in friendly

A well contested opening 45 minutes was followed by a dominant display in the second half from the hosts, but they were made to suffer for failing to make their dominance pay.

The first half was low on scoring opportunities for both sides.

Long-distance attempts by David Turnbull and Barry Maguire failed to seriously test the Killie keeper, while both also combined at close range, with Turnbull’s knockdown seeing Maguire fire wide from 12 yards.

With 40 minutes played, Chris Burke’s corner from the right preceded Nicke Kabamba getting across the front of his man and steering a header into the left corner.

Early in the second period, Motherwell equalised. Jake Hastie cut inside on the right and stood the ball up to the back post.

Fellow sub Jermaine Hylton read the intention, peeling off and heading the ball down to Liam Polworth, who then teed up O’Hara to fire home a venomous low effort into the bottom right corner from 25 yards.

Hylton could have scored a second for Motherwell within 10 minutes.

Another pass from the skilful Hastie caused trouble for the visiting keeper who missed the flight of the ball under pressure.

But the winger just couldn’t bundle the unexpected ball in at the back post.

Chris Long made his return after signing on for a second year and he was next to seriously test the goalkeeper.

After the ball had been laid off by Watt on the edge of the area, his attempt to disguise a placed shot into the bottom right corner was well read and saved.

’Well continued to press. McGinley’s cross from the left fell sweetly for Watt 12 yards out, but his volley was blocked.

The sucker punch would arrive with 15 minutes to go.

Against the run of play a low cross from the left was met by a Kilmarnock trialist, who was able to steer the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

Then, with five minutes left, Motherwell levelled again.

Hastie again was brilliant down the right, twisting, turning and beating his opposite number all ends up.

His perfectly-flighted to the back post was met by Watt, who headed down under pressure into the net.

Within 60 seconds, Kilmarnock retook the lead. From kick-off, a break down the right played in Kiltie, who fired low past Carson from a tight angle into the left of the net.

Motherwell: Carson, Grimshaw (Cornelius 60), Donnelly (Mugabi 60), Lamie (Hussain 82), McGinley (Johnston 75), Maguire (O’Hara 45), Campbell, (Polworth 45), Turnbull (Long 60), Robinson (Hastie 45), Seedorf (Hylton 45), White (Watt 45).

Kilmarnock first half: Trialist, Millen, Broadfoot, Findlay, Waters, Power, El Makrini, Burke, McKenzie, Brophy, Kabamba

Kilmarnock second half: Lyle, Trialist, Broadfoot (Dicker), Rossi, Taylor, Kiltie, Brindley, Pinnock, Trialist, Cameron, Connell.

Motherwell’s next behind closed doors friendly encounter will see them take on Rangers at Ibrox tonight (Wednesday), kick-off 6pm.

Rangers lifted the Veolia Cup in France at the weekend, defeating Lyon and Nice in back-to-back friendlies.

The Glasgow side are preparing both for the start of the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership season and also the resumption of the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League.

Having lost 3-1 at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 tie before lockdown, they travel to Germany on Thursday, August 6 for the second leg.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that the 2020-21 Betfred Cup group matches will start on Tuesday, October 6, the tournament concluding on February 28, 2021 with the final at Hampden Park.