Gannon’s reign gets off to a bad start as Well crash

JIM GANNON suffered the worst possible start to his Motherwell reign as the Steelmen suffered a shock first-leg defeat in the Europa League first qualifying round last night.

Stuart Jones capitalised on some poor defending midway through the first half to head home a famous winner for Llanelli at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

Gannon, who was unveiled as Motherwell manager on Tuesday, had called on his new players to implement some of the ideas he had introduced in his first few training sessions.

But they lacked any invention as Motherwell struggled to break down the organised Welsh Premier League runners-up.

The shock factor in the result was dissipated to some extent by the under-strength nature of Gannon’s squad.

With Cardiff-bound Paul Quinn about to become the ninth first-team player to leave Fir Park this summer, Gannon handed debuts to former Inverness goalkeeper Michael Fraser and young midfielder Ross Forbes. Teenager Steven Saunders came in at right back to face up to 42-year-old Llanelli player-manager Andy Legg.

There was little evidence in the opening minutes that Motherwell would struggle as they created two clear chances.

Jamie Murphy beat the offside trap to run on to a lofted pass from Forbes but he elected to square for John Sutton when a shot was on and Llanelli cleared. Saunders then volleyed over from 10 yards from Stevie Hammell’s corner.

Motherwell paid the price for some static defending in the 28th minute. Legg swung in a corner to the back post and Jones headed past the stranded Fraser. The Welsh side put themselves about and Jones, Rhys Griffiths and Michael Howard were all booked for blatant fouls.

Motherwell 0

Llanelli 1