Jon Obika’s deflected goal midway through the first half was enough to give Motherwell a narrow victory and three points and extend their advantage at the top of their Viaplay League Cup group.
In truth, though, Stuart Kettlewell’s side took very little else from a game, where Queen’s Park more than matched them. Indeed, apart from a dominant spell either side of the interval when the Fir Park men spurned a number of chances to extend their lead, they failed to get the better of the Championship side.
This early evening televised game provided Fir Park fans the first glimpse of the new look Steelmen. The ‘Well boss made the minimum of changes to the side that returned from Dumfries with 2 points in midweek.
Shane Blaney and the re-signed Dan Casey came in to form the central defensive trio alongside Paul McGinn, in front of Liam Kelly, alternating with Aston Oxborough for the ‘keeper’s gloves.
And the Motherwell rearguard was given some testing moments in the first 20 minutes as Queen’s, very comfortable in possession, bravely took the game to the Premiership side. Three consecutive corners put some pressure on Kelly’s goal before Casey cut out a promising cut back from Barry Hepburn.
It was 25 minutes before ‘Well finally threatened Calum Ferrie’s goal. A fine build u should have resulted in the opening gaol but two yards from an open goal Obika somehow stooped to head Stephen O’Donnell’s low cross wide of the post.
A couple of minutes later Callum Slattery hooked Blair Spittal’s cut-back over the bar as the fans sensed the breakthrough wasn’t far away.
