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.<\/p>\n
Tawanda Maswanhise’s opener just before the break and Elliot Watt’s superb strike with 13 minutes remaining earned the hosts a deserved win.<\/p>\n
Steelmen boss Jens Berthel Askou shuffled his pack, making five changes, perhaps with one eye on on Saturday’s Hampden clash against St Mirren.<\/p>\n
However, his rotated side were dominant for long spells and comfortably secured back-to-back victories for the first time this season.<\/p>\n
Well climbed to fifth in the William Hill Premiership table as a result, one point ahead of United.<\/p>\n
Motherwell enjoyed the majority of the ball in the opening exchanges but struggled to create clear-cut chances.<\/p>\n
In the 13th minute, there was a nervous moment for goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko when he almost spilled Regan Charles-Cook’s cross.<\/p>\n
Kucherenko was more assured when he easily gathered Callum Hendry’s shot with 26 minutes on the clock.<\/p>\n
Moments later, a curling effort from Callum Slattery was deflected inches past the post as the home side ramped up the pressure.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Askou was forced into a change seven minutes before half-time when Stephen O’Donnell limped off to be replaced by Emmanuel Longelo.<\/p>\n
It wasn’t long before the substitute made an impact as the home side deservedly took the lead in the 42nd minute.<\/p>\n
A sweeping move ended with Longelo flashing a low cross into the path of Maswanhise to guide the ball beyond the keeper.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Both managers looked to their benches with 25 minutes left. Motherwell made a triple switch while there were two changes for the visitors.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The final chance fell to Well, with Slattery blazing high and wide.<\/p>\n