3 talking points as Motherwell sink St Mirren to secure narrow opening day victory in Paisley

Resilient Ten-man Motherwell secured a slender win over St Mirren to start the potential Stevie Hammell era in encouraging fashion. Graham Alexander left the Steelmen on Friday after losing to Sligo Rovers in the Europa Conference League but Kevin Van Veen made the difference from the spot. Not even a late red card for Rickie Lamie could help Stephen Robinson ’s men to a late point.

There were home league debuts for the Buddies' Trevor Carson, Declan Gallagher, Mark O’Hara, Jonah Ayunga - who scored four Premier Sports Cup goals - Ryan Strain and Keanu Baccus. Meanwhile, Paul McGinn, Josh Morris and Blair Spittal all made their Motherwell league bows under caretaker boss Hammell. It was the visitors who started with more attacking impetuous without really testing Carson in the St Mirren goal. On 20 minutes, there was a head collision between McGinn and O’Hara which caused a four minute delay, which saw McGinn depart to be replaced by O’Donnell.

That was followed by three excellent opportunities for the hosts to take the lead, the first of which fell to Ayunga who fired over - as did Strain not long after. And the Buddies were made to pay moments later when Van Veen netted from 12 yards and gave the visitors a half-time lead following Tanser’s handball. St Mirren had a few chances to grab an equaliser in the second half with Strain and Ayunga firing efforts at goal. Ayunga in the main had a good battle with Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly across the match. Not even a late red card for Rickie Lamie for a late challenge on Baccus with nine minutes to go could change the outcome for the Paisley outfit, as Motherwell secured the three points.

The humiliating 3-0 aggregate defeat to Sligo Rovers in the Europa