Motherwell 4-0 Bradford City

Jul 27 2008 Chris Sanderson at Fir Park

QUICKFIRE striker David Clarkson found the net in just 16 SECONDS as Motherwell blew Bradford away with a devastating first-half goal blitz.

The result was in little doubt after Clarkson's opener and further strikes from Chris Porter, Darren Smith and Bob Malcolm killed the game as a contest before the interval.

Clarkson had put the home side in front before Bradford had even touched the ball and the 22-year-old admitted it was the fastest goal he had ever scored.

He said: "I've never scored a goal so quick and it helped spur us on.

"It was a bit disappointing we didn't add to our tally in the second half but I felt we didn't let our standards drop.

"The gaffer told us we had to keep going to keep our fitness levels up and not to let complacency creep in."

Well started against the Coca-Cola League Two side with a familiar line-up but had four trialists on the sidelines.

Included amongst a nine-man subs bench were former Celtic midfielder Jim O'Brien, Gambian international Seyfo Soley, ex-Royal Antwerp striker Suleymane Mamam and former Preston North End keeper Phil Imley.

City, managed by ex-Rangers star Stuart McCall, had hardly had time to settle into the Fir Park surroundings before they found themselves behind.

Keith Lasley picked up a Paul Quinn pass and was able to race down the City flank unchallenged. The winger looked up and measured a perfect cross for Clarkson to squeeze the ball inside Bantams keeper Rhys Evans' near post.

Motherwell were firing on all cylinders and almost doubled the lead in the 13th minute.

Stephen Hughes side-stepped his way through the Bradford defence and teed up Clarkson whose effort flew wide.

But six minutes later Well did bag their second when City defender Graeme Lee sent Porter sprawling in the box with the striker netting from the spot.

Well keeper Graeme Smith brilliantly denied Bradford striker Peter Thorne with his legs before the home side killed off the contest with two more goals.

Steve Hammell picked out Smith in the 31st minute and the winger weaved his way around the City defence to rifle home.

Then Smith turned provider five minutes before the break when he sliced through the away defence to fire in a shot which Evans palmed into the path of Malcolm who side-footed home.

With the game over as a contest both managers rang the changes after the interval.

The home side made five substitutions with McGhee handing Soley the chance to impress in the heart of defence. And it was one of the subs who went close on the hour when Paul Slane tried to get in on the goal action.

The 16-year-old did well to create some space but his shot was saved by Evans.

City sub Rory Boulding then smacked the bar with a fine shot five minutes from time before Well stormed up the other end with O'Brien rattling the woodwork after he connected with Kenny Connolly's cross.

  

MOTHERWELL: Smith, Quinn, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Lasley, Hughes, Malcolm, Porter, Clarkson, Smith. Subs: Soley, Imley, O'Brien, Murphy, Fitzpatrick, Mamam, McGarry, Connolly, Slade.

BRADFORD: Evans, Arnison, Heckingbottom, Sharry, Lee, Bower, Topp, Bullock, Colbeck, Thorne (Boulding 56), Brandon.