Motherwell warm up for Hampden trip by beating Dundee United

Motherwell ensured they will head into their Premier Sports Cup semi-final in high spirits after seeing off Dundee United 2-0 at Fir Park.

Tawanda Maswanhise’s opener just before the break and Elliot Watt’s superb strike with 13 minutes remaining earned the hosts a deserved win.

Steelmen boss Jens Berthel Askou shuffled his pack, making five changes, perhaps with one eye on on Saturday’s Hampden clash against St Mirren.

However, his rotated side were dominant for long spells and comfortably secured back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

Well climbed to fifth in the William Hill Premiership table as a result, one point ahead of United.

Motherwell enjoyed the majority of the ball in the opening exchanges but struggled to create clear-cut chances.

In the 13th minute, there was a nervous moment for goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko when he almost spilled Regan Charles-Cook’s cross.

Kucherenko was more assured when he easily gathered Callum Hendry’s shot with 26 minutes on the clock.

Moments later, a curling effort from Callum Slattery was deflected inches past the post as the home side ramped up the pressure.

Calum Ward had been enjoying a quiet evening in the home goal and he easily claimed Zac Sapsford’s free-kick from the edge of the box.

Askou was forced into a change seven minutes before half-time when Stephen O’Donnell limped off to be replaced by Emmanuel Longelo.

It wasn’t long before the substitute made an impact as the home side deservedly took the lead in the 42nd minute.

A sweeping move ended with Longelo flashing a low cross into the path of Maswanhise to guide the ball beyond the keeper.

After a first half in which they only managed a 28 per cent share of the possession, United were much brighter in the early stages of the second half — forcing a succession of corners.

Maswanhise spurned a great opportunity to double his tally in the 57th minute when he seized on an error by Will Ferry and burst through on goal. However, the Zimbabwe international fired a weak effort straight at Kucherenko.

The rebound fell to Hendry, who weaved past two defenders before being denied by an incredible acrobatic clearance from Ferry to atone for his earlier mistake.

Both managers looked to their benches with 25 minutes left. Motherwell made a triple switch while there were two changes for the visitors.

United had their first clear attempt on goal after 70 minutes when Dario Naamo’s knockdown found Luca Stephenson who steered beyond Ward but against the face of the post.

The game was put beyond the Terrors’ reach in the 77th minute as Longelo stormed forward and slipped the ball to Watt, who produced a superb bending shot beyond the helpless Kucherenko from 20 yards.

The final chance fell to Well, with Slattery blazing high and wide.