Sutton opened the scoring for Motherwell at Fir Park
Motherwell's young guns shot down Kilmarnock with a clear-cut victory to celebrate the first first game on Fir Park's relayed surface.
John Sutton fired into the far corner to put Well ahead after 14 minutes after a period of home pressure.
After Steven Old pulled down Jim O'Brien, Ross Forbes slotted home the second from the penalty spot.
Shaun Hutchinson volleyed in the third after the break break before Jamie Hamill's superb finish for Killie.
Kilmarnock full-back Tim Clancy had returned from injury to replace Garry Hay in the only change from the side that beat Hamilton, while Motherwell were unchanged following their 2-2 draw with St Johnstone.
Motherwell started on the front foot and twice worked Cammy Bell in the opening stages.
Hutchinson had a header saved following a Forbes free-kick and the Kilmarnock goalkeeper got down well to hold Jamie Murphy's strike from 18 yards.
Conor Sammon glanced a header just wide at the other end following Steven Old's cross, but Motherwell soon took the lead in the 14th minute.
Jim O'Brien slipped the ball into the path of Sutton just inside the box after a positive run and the striker turned Simon Ford before shooting across Bell and into the corner of the net with his left foot.
Hamill was off target from two difficult shooting opportunities as Motherwell remained comfortably in control.
Another burst of pace by O'Brien almost extended Motherwell's lead.
The former Celtic winger turned inside after a Mark Reynolds throw-in and fired a shot that bounced awkwardly in front of Bell, but the Killie keeper managed to turn the ball past the post.
O'Brien did create the second goal when he ran on to a clever pass down the left from Ross Forbes.
Forbes scored Motherwell's second from the penalty spot
The Killie right-back brought down O'Brien as he ran towards goal and referee Crawford Allan pointed to the penalty spot.
Forbes converted the 45th-minute penalty by placing the ball just beyond the outstretched arm of Bell and into the corner.
Old did not reappear for the second half, with Danny Invincibile coming on and Hamill dropping to right-back, but the game was almost beyond the visitors by the time the substitute had touched the ball.
Murphy skewed a volley wide following Sutton's chest-down and O'Brien missed a great chance to top his impressive play with a goal.
Invincibile soon had a chance to give Kilmarnock a much-needed lift when the ball fell for him on the edge of the box, but he shot just wide with Ruddy scrambling.
O'Brien engineered another shooting chance following a Reynolds throw, but Bell caught his 25-yard strike and Well sub Chris Humphrey, on for Murphy, lobbed a first-time volley on to the top of the net.
The visitors began to step up a gear and Kevin Kyle missed a great chance when he headed over from six yards after Sammon's cross found him in space.
Hutchinson soon made Killie pay further when he thundered a volley into the corner from 12 yards in the 68th minute after Clancy had only half-cleared an O'Brien corner. Kyle then shot weakly at Ruddy from 20 yards following a rare mistake by Hutchinson.
Motherwell squandered several chances to hurt Kilmarnock on the counter attack and Hamill netted a consolation two minutes from time.
Ruddy had pulled off two comfortable saves from Sammon, but he was beaten by Hamill's clever volley after Sammon's deep cross.
Forbes came so close to restoring Well's three-goal advantage in injury time when his 25-yard strike bounced off the underside of the bar and just the wrong side of the line.
Motherwell manager Jim Gannon: "I am pleased that we got off to a good winning start at home but there were things in the second half things that disappoint me.
"We changed things tactically today. I brought in Stevie Saunders at right-back to try to neutralise the aerial threat of Kilmarnock. It worked really well.
"John (Sutton) gives us a bit of physical presence up front and he took his goal excellently.
"We changed things second half. We tried to over-complicate our corners in the first half. We made it simple second half - put it right on top of the keeper.
"Stevie Saunders is unbelievable in the air. He has got a fantastic leap.
"Ross Forbes got himself a goal, but that wasn't his best game, there is more to come.
"Young Hateley, Saunders, Hutchinson were immense today, but naturally Ross with his talent is going to catch the eye."
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies: "I was really disappointed with the first-half performance. We resorted for some reason to the long ball.
"They were warned before the game that Motherwell would be up for it but they didn't respond.
"At 2-0 the next goal is crucial. Kevin Kyle misses a free header and then we go up the park and give a man who was designated to be picked up a free strike at goal.
"The second half was better, but we've got no complaints. Motherwell deserved to win so we've got to take it on the chin and bounce back.
"When my players are not playing at their best, they're not going to win many games.
"They have to provide it week in, week out and that was the message that was put across at the end there."
Live text and stats
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Scottish Premier
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
Motherwell
3 - 1
Kilmarnock
R
(HT 2 - 0)
Sutton 14
Forbes (pen) 45
Hutchinson 68
Hamill 88
Motherwell
21 Ruddy
04 Reynolds
05 Craigan
28 Hutchinson
43 Saunders
06 Coke
24 Hateley yellow card (Jennings 63)
11 Sutton
15 Murphy (Humphrey 51)
17 O'Brien (Slane 75)
27 Forbes
Substitutes
47 Kosiorowski,
29 Page,
07 Humphrey,
08 Jennings,
16 Fitzpatrick,
35 McHugh,
45 Slane
Kilmarnock
13 Bell
02 Clancy
05 Wright yellow card
06 Ford
14 Old yellow card (Invincibile 46)
07 Bryson
10 Taouil
12 Skelton
23 Hamill
16 Kyle
18 Sammon yellow card
Substitutes
01 Combe,
15 O'Leary,
08 Pascali,
11 Invincibile,
17 Owens,
19 Flannigan,
22 Kelly
Ref: AllanAtt: 5093
MOTHERWELL
KILMARNOCK
Possession
Motherwell51%
Kilmarnock49%
Shots on target
Motherwell6
Kilmarnock6
Shots off target
Motherwell8
Kilmarnock6
Corners
Motherwell10
Kilmarnock0
Fouls
Motherwell8
Kilmarnock14
Final Result
Full Time
90:00+1:50 The match has reached full-time.
90:00+1:11 Shot from 30 yards from Ross Forbes.
89:46 Foul by John Sutton on Jamie Hamill, free kick awarded. Jamie Hamill restarts play with the free kick.
89:13 Ross Forbes produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.
88:30 Foul by Gavin Skelton on Giles Coke, free kick awarded. Shaun Hutchinson takes the free kick.
87:38 The assist for the goal came from Conor Sammon.
87:38 GOAL - Jamie Hamill:Motherwell 3 - 1 Kilmarnock Jamie Hamill scores a goal from inside the penalty area high into the middle of the goal. Motherwell 3-1 Kilmarnock.
84:57 Conor Sammon takes a shot. Save made by John Ruddy.
83:02 Conor Sammon takes a shot. Save by John Ruddy.
81:12 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil by Giles Coke. Jamie Hamill takes the direct free kick.
79:54 The assistant referee signals for offside against Kevin Kyle. Shaun Hutchinson restarts play with the free kick.
77:14 Tim Clancy challenges Chris Humphrey unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Ross Forbes,
Cameron Bell makes a save.
74:37 Free kick taken by Tim Clancy.
74:37 Substitution Paul Slane is brought on as a substitute for Jim O'Brien.
74:37 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil by Chris Humphrey.
72:42 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Ross Forbes played to the near post, save by Cameron Bell.
72:10 Unfair challenge on Chris Humphrey by Tim Clancy results in a free kick. Ross Forbes crosses the ball in from the free kick,
Frazer Wright manages to make a clearance.
71:19 Ross Forbes fouled by Craig Bryson, the ref awards a free kick. Ross Forbes takes the free kick.
71:03 Kevin Kyle takes a shot. Save by John Ruddy.
67:52 GOAL - Shaun Hutchinson:Motherwell 3 - 0 Kilmarnock Goal scored by Shaun Hutchinson from inside the box to the top left corner of the goal. Motherwell 3-0 Kilmarnock.
67:23 Jim O'Brien takes the inswinging corner, Tim Clancy makes a clearance.
65:15 Conor Sammon produces a cross, Header from deep inside the area by Kevin Kyle goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
62:41 Substitution Steve Jennings on for Tom Hateley.
60:14 Jamie Hamill takes the free kick.
60:14 Booking The referee shows Tom Hateley a yellow card.
60:01 Mehdi Taouil fouled by Tom Hateley, the ref awards a free kick.
58:32 Booking Booking for Frazer Wright.
57:18 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Frazer Wright by John Sutton. Tim Clancy restarts play with the free kick.
55:52 Foul by Craig Bryson on Jim O'Brien, free kick awarded. Tom Hateley produces a cross, Chris Humphrey produces a right-footed
shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.
55:30 Jim O'Brien takes a shot. Save made by Cameron Bell.
55:00 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Hamill on Chris Humphrey. Free kick taken by Stephen Craigan.
51:44 The offside flag is raised against Kevin Kyle. Shaun Hutchinson takes the free kick.
50:24 Substitution Jamie Murphy goes off and Chris Humphrey comes on.
50:24 Corner taken by Ross Forbes, Steven Saunders produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand post.
49:35 Daniele Invincibile produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the target.
47:25 Jim O'Brien takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
46:37 Effort from the edge of the box by Jamie Murphy goes wide of the left-hand upright.
46:07 Jamie Murphy fouled by Tim Clancy, the ref awards a free kick. Stephen Craigan takes the direct free kick.
45:29 John Ruddy takes the direct free kick.
45:29 Booking Conor Sammon is given a yellow card.
45:16 Steven Saunders fouled by Conor Sammon, the ref awards a free kick.
45:03 Substitution Daniele Invincibile replaces Steven Old.
45:01 The second half kicks off.
Half Time
45:00+0:50 The first half comes to an end.
45:00+0:31 Conor Sammon takes a shot. Save by John Ruddy.
44:44 GOAL - Ross Forbes:Motherwell 2 - 0 Kilmarnock Power penalty scored by Ross Forbes. Motherwell 2-0 Kilmarnock.
43:55 Booking Booking for Steven Old for unsporting behaviour.
43:41 Steven Old concedes a Penalty for a foul on Jim O'Brien.
42:53 Effort from long distance by Ross Forbes goes wide right of the target.
38:43 Jim O'Brien takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, Steven Old makes a clearance.
38:31 Jim O'Brien takes a shot. Save made by Cameron Bell.
37:40 Gavin Skelton produces a left-footed shot from long distance which goes wide right of the goal.
35:58 Shot by Steven Old from just outside the area goes over the net.
33:41 Jamie Hamill has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
33:12 Kevin Kyle challenges Giles Coke unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Craigan.
31:05 Foul by Mehdi Taouil on Steven Saunders, free kick awarded. Ross Forbes crosses the ball in from the free kick. Corner taken
by Jim O'Brien from the left by-line to the near post, Frazer Wright fouled by John Sutton, the ref awards a free kick. Cameron
Bell takes the free kick.
29:39 Corner taken left-footed by Ross Forbes from the left by-line, clearance by Frazer Wright.
28:45 Handball decision goes against John Sutton. Cameron Bell restarts play with the free kick.
28:04 Corner taken right-footed by Ross Forbes from the right by-line to the near post, Tim Clancy manages to make a clearance.
26:37 The assistant referee signals for offside against Conor Sammon. John Ruddy takes the indirect free kick.
24:30 Jim O'Brien is caught offside. Cameron Bell takes the free kick.
24:03 The referee blows for offside against Kevin Kyle. John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.
22:05 Free kick awarded for a foul by John Sutton on Frazer Wright. Simon Ford takes the direct free kick.
21:36 The referee blows for offside against Kevin Kyle. John Ruddy takes the indirect free kick.
20:17 Outswinging corner taken by Ross Forbes from the left by-line played to the near post, Frazer Wright fouled by Shaun Hutchinson,
the ref awards a free kick. Cameron Bell takes the direct free kick.
18:21 Corner taken left-footed by Ross Forbes to the near post, Conor Sammon manages to make a clearance.
13:47 Assist on the goal came from Jim O'Brien.
13:47 GOAL - John Sutton:Motherwell 1 - 0 Kilmarnock John Sutton fires in a goal from the edge of the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Motherwell 1-0 Kilmarnock.
13:15 The ball is swung over by Steven Old, Conor Sammon has a headed effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the
left of the goal.
12:50 Shot by Tim Clancy. Blocked by Stephen Craigan.
11:17 Jamie Murphy has an effort at goal. Save by Cameron Bell.
10:19 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen Craigan by Conor Sammon. John Ruddy takes the direct free kick.
9:17 Ross Forbes takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Effort on goal by Giles Coke from inside the
penalty box misses to the right of the target.
7:54 The offside flag is raised against Jamie Murphy. Cameron Bell takes the indirect free kick.
6:47 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen Craigan by Conor Sammon. John Ruddy takes the direct free kick.
6:05 Frazer Wright challenges Jamie Murphy unfairly and gives away a free kick. Centre by Ross Forbes, Shaun Hutchinson takes a
shot. Save made by Cameron Bell.
0:00 The game gets underway.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Bookmark with:
What are these?