North Motherwell secured a vital three points in the CSFA C League against a gritty Mill Utd Colts side.

 

The game started in torrential rain as both sides looked to move up the table after finding themselves near the foot of the table in the opening few games of the season.

 

North were presented with a massive opportunity within the opening minute of the game, James Carrigan being gifted a free header in the Colts six yard box, but could only head straight at Colts stopper Ronan Gemmell.

 

The opening stages were cagey but it was to be Colts to strike first. Luke Magee racing through on goal, having his shot spilled into the path of Daniel Devanney, who stroked the ball into an empty net to make it 1-0 Colts.

 

The tone was set. North being dominant in their possession but Colts looking like scoring every time they went on the counter attack, especially Magee who was causing havoc for Colts, constantly breaching the defensive line and creating a glorious chance for himself. With a surging run he could only fire his shot straight at Andrew Clark in the North goal.

 

However, it was North who were to score next. Arron Wylie with a magnificent run down the left hand side slotted it to Carrigan who made no mistake this time with his effort, his shot coming off the bar and in to draw his side level.

 

Defender Ben Vinnicombe was having a superb game in the North defence, making two vital challenges to prevent Colts creating potentially goal scoring opportunities. There was to be one more chance however  before the half closed, Colts having a corner turn into a goalmouth scrap before eventually being cleared off the line.

North came out the traps quickly and made an impressive start by putting themselves into the lead, the ball came in to Justin Kelly who latched onto the ball before knocking it over the keeper, putting the ball into the empty net on the other side.

 

Controversy after ensued as Magee was ruled offside after Lewis Robertson’s shot ricocheted off the goalkeeper, leaving Magee with what would have been an empty goal to aim at had he not have been ruled off.

 

It became a scrap with not much happening in terms of goal opportunities for either team, this did not seem to bother North who were content with their lead, whilst Colts began to get more and more desperate in their pursuit of a goal. Five minutes from time it was all over, Devanney’s corner met the head of Joshua Stark who headed high to make it 3-1 on the day to the North.

Overall, North Motherwell were deserving of their three points with a hard fought win over a hard working Colts side who pushed them all the way and made them dig deep for their points.