Well in cruise control after taking early three goal lead

Both sides had played midweek but Stephen Robinson’s men had an extra 30 minutes with only ten men to contest with while the Dons had wrapped up their game in normal time.

Not only that but the hosts came in to the game on the back of six consecutive wins.

It was therefor a shock to see the Steelmen lead 3-0 inside 25 minutes before comfortably holding on for the three points as midweek shoot-out hero Trevor Carson went all match without making a save.

The Well won a penalty after just three minutes when Bevis Mugabi headed towards goal after a Liam Polworth free kick and the ball struck off the arm of Marley Watkins. 

Mark O’Hara stepped up to take the spot kick and struck it superbly into the bottom right corner.

2-0 came just five minutes later following a blunder by home keeper Joe Lewis who played the ball  straight to Chris Long just outside the box who drove forward and slotted it calmly low to the left of the Dons’ keeper and into the far corner. 

It was then 3-0 on 22 minutes when Polworth’s corner was bulleted home by Mugabi who got up well to make the connection as Lewis got a touch but was beaten by the power.

After that Motherwell were happy to sit back and keep their shape and try and hit Aberdeen on the counter attack as the hosts committed men forward however it took until the 42nd minutes before they were able to really cause any trouble.

It was Andy Considine’s cross in from the left that was inch perfect for Watkins just outside the six yard box who beat Carson with the header but saw it come back off the far post before being cleared as the Steelmen kept their three goal advantage intact at the break.

The second half came and went with no real drama, Scott Wright, Lewis Ferguson, Edmondson and Watkins all had chances for Aberdeen but all were either high or wide of the target.

Polworth had a similar effort from the edge of the area after a good run by Long but that was the only real chance for the visitors.

It was a surprisingly routine afternoon for the Steelmen who at no point needed to move above third gear and Carson went the whole game without making a save.

That being said their were impressive displays from Allan Campbell who dominated the midfield area all afternoon and Tony Watt whose runs on the counter attack saw three home players booked.

There wasn’t much to take away from the game but that doesn’t matter when you leave Pittodrie with three points.

Another bonus for Stephen Robinson will be the lack of exsertion that was required from his players as they prepare for a massive European night on Thursday.