A brace from Tawanda Maswanhise meant a dominant Motherwell side easily brushed past Livingston at the Home of the Set Fare Arena.
First Half
It was Livingston who could have found themselves with an early, unexpected lead when Connor McLennan came across a massive chance in the box early on. However, the opportunity would go a waste, with Callum Ward saving for a corner.
Motherwell would take the lead shortly after when in-demand Tawanda Maswanhise would head home Elijah Just’s cross in the 5th minute, continuing his red-hot form to score his 17th of the season. Earlier in the day, reports broke that Blackburn Rovers were preparing a £1.5 million bid for Motherwell’s prolific forward.
Motherwell would continue to apply pressure in the opening stages as Paul McGinn saw his header cleared off the line by Stevie May following a corner, a long range effort from Motherwell would later sting Jérôme Prior’s gloves.
Another chance would follow in Motherwell’s bombardment when Elijah Just found himself in an abundance of space before beating Prior, but his shot would smack off the post.
Motherwell would eventually double their lead in the 28th minute when Maswanhise netted for the second time of the match. On this occasion, his finish was low into the bottom corner leaving Prior, just like the rest of his team, with no chance.
Maswanhise would go close to netting his hat-trick on the cusp of half-time after being played through by Ibrahim Said. But the ever-involved Jérôme Prior would deny him this time.
A rare Livingston chance would fall to Stevie May in first-half stoppage time, but his header following a corner would glance wide, sending David Martindale’s side into the break trailing by two.
Second Half
A largely uneventful second-half allowed Motherwell to stay in second gear and still better their opponents. Motherwell goalkeeper Callum Ward was nearly dispossessed by Robbie Muirhead in his own box, but was quick in his recovery. Aside from this, Jens Berthel Askou’s side were more than happy to retain possession around the midfield as Livingston failed to lay a glove on highflying Motherwell.
Defeat at home now means Livingston have equaled Hamilton Academical’s unwanted 21st century record of 22 winless matches in the top flight. They’ll have the chance to break this duck on Wednesday night in a repeat of the fixture that brought their only victory when they host Falkirk.
As for Motherwell, they travel to Dens Park on Wednesday night.
