Saints 3-1 Motherwell

Last updated : 04 April 2012 By Stuart Gillespie

It was a superb Saints performance that got the reward it deserved. It was also a thoroughly entertaining game that saw both teams pushing forward as Saints picked up their biggest home league win since August 2006 (when we played Motherwell!).

As expected, Hugh Murray replaced the suspended Gary Mason, while Andy Dorman was handed his first start when he came in for Alex Burke. It proved a good move. The former MLS midfielder looked lively and played a part in the first goal.

He also went close to scoring early on when he shot at Graeme Smith, with Craig Dargo hooking a shot over the bar. Then came the opener after ten minutes. Dorman laid the ball off to Mark Corcoran, and he charged onto the pass before ramming it through Smith's legs.

Sadly, the advantage was only to last a few minutes thanks to a piece of refereeing incompetence. Former Saint Steven McGarry controlled the ball with his hand, which Dougie McDonald - who had already booked Maxwell for not a lot - decided to ignore. McGarry laid the ball back to David Clarkson, who put the difficulties of the last few weeks behind him as he slammed it past Chris Smith. Will Haining was booked for trying to point out to McDonald that this was football, not rugby, basketball or handball.

Corcoran went close again with a powerful volley that Smith held well before Saints went back in front. Corcoran's corner went all the way to the back post and appeared to bounce off of Maxwell's head before going over the line. It took a few seconds for everyone else in the ground - even those who actually knew the ball had gone in like myself - to realise what had happened and celebrate.

Dorman went close before the break, while just after half time the goal machine grabbed his second and Saints third. Dargo's shot was woeful, but it turned out to be a brilliant pass to Corcoran. He played the ball in to Maxwell, who produced a wonderful finish to double the lead.

That should have been that, but this is Saints we're talking about. Stephen Hughes headed a Ross McCormack corner just wide, before van Zanten became the latest to receive a yellow card - for complaining about a tackle on Corcoran going unpunished. Apparently, this can now be punished with a free kick - which fortunately didn't cost us. Motherwell also had a penalty appeal turned down - ironically for hand ball. Karma is served.

Dorman went close to finishing things off before Chris Porter shot wide for 'Well. They then rather helpfully took McCormack off, before doing the same with Porter after he'd had a header well saved. Almost as strange as McDonald's refereeing decisions that saw five Saints players booked but no Motherwell cautions!

Fortunately, McDonald's attempts to help Motherwell came to nothing. Saints won, and won well. A good performance that keeps up a good run of form and makes you wonder why we couldn't produce this sort of stuff at Love Street last year.

Next up - Rangers at Ibrox. I have a funny feeling this good run isn't going to last much longer!