'Well defeated 4-1 at Hibernian

The game got off to an explosive start with two goals within the first five minutes.

Motherwell went ahead after a foul on McDonald was followed by a sensational left footed Marvin Johnson free-kick which went in off the bar.

But Hibs were level within two minutes when Lewis Stephenson’s corner was collected by Paul Hanlon who crossed for Jason Cummings to shoot past stranded ‘Well keeper Craig Samson.

Johnson then volleyed over from Stevie Hammell’s corner at the other end. The home fans were continually booing McDonald, after his recent decision to snub a move to Hibs and sign a new one-year contract at Fir Park.

Hibs duly went 2-1 up on 18 minutes when good work from John McGinn and Cummings on the left set up new signing Grant Holt for an easy close range finish.

McDonald endured a meaty challenge from Hibs’ Marvin Bartley before Hibs’ trialist keeper saved McManus’s fine flick header from Hammell’s corner.

The hosts then scored a stunning third goal with McGinn’s thumping header from a Stevenson cross from the left.

And it should have been four for Hibs as Fraser Fyvie shot wide after Boyle had beaten Hammell and McManus too easily on the right wing.

McManus’s long punt forward then found new ‘Well signing Jacob Blyth, whose low shot was turned round the post by the keeper.

Samson saved ‘Well on 39 minutes when he got down to save Boyle’s shot after a good run by the Hibs winger.

The final action of the first half saw McDonald make a fine run before having a shot blocked by Hanlon.

‘Well’s first half defending was poor and it didn’t look much better on 49 minutes as Hibs sub Dylan McGeouch evaded the Steelmen’s rearguard and shot wide with his left foot.

Blyth went off injured after a clash of heads with team-mate Carl McHugh following a corner, before more uncertainty in the ‘Well backline preceded Boyle shooting wide.

Motherwell’s second injury blow on the hour mark saw Johnson hobble off after a tough challenge from Liam Fontaine. He was replaced by Alan Campbell.

Another mistake from the visitors saw them concede a fourth goal when James Keatings shot home a Sam Stanton pass after a poor ball inside by ‘Well’s Richard Tait was intercepted.

Amid a flurry of substitutions, Hibs almost made it 5-1 when Holt’s pass picked out Boyle in space and his effort was stopped by Samson low to his right.

Keatings, Stevenson and Keatings all had shots saved by Samson late on to end what was a poor afternoon for Motherwell.

Hibs: Trialist, Gray, Stevenson, Hanlon, McGregor, Bartley, McGinn, Fyvie, Holt, Cummings, Boyle.

Motherwell: Samson, Tait, Hammell, Heneghan, Cadden, McManus, McDonald, McHugh, Blyth, Johnson, Lasley.

Referee: Kevin Clancy