Motherwell returned to Premiership action with a bang on Saturday afternoon with an emphatic 4-0 win over Ross County at Fir Park.
Tony Watt’s first domestic goal of the season in the 37th minute and second-half strikes from Mark O’Hara, Callum Lang and Devante Cole secured the host’s third win of the campaign.
Well’s attack-minded players looked as fresh as they ought to have been in the opening stages after almost a month without a game, although both Allan Campbell and Watt were unsuccessful with early attempts at goal.
The visitors had their own bright moments, with Regan Charles-Cook causing problems on the right and Ross Stewart bringing runners into the game with his link-up play.
Stephen Robinson was dealt a blow in the 28th minute when Trevor Carson was forced off due to injury, handing a debut to new signing, Aaron Chapman.
His outfield players stepped up to the mark ten minutes later, though, as Motherwell took the lead. A quick transition released Nathan McGinley down the left wing and he delivered an excellent cross which was bundled into the net by an under pressure Watt.
Charles-Cook almost provided an instant reply for the Staggies, but his off-balance effort was cleared off the line by Declan Gallagher on the stroke of the interval.
The hosts fired a warning directly after the break when Liam Polworth went close following a mazy run and their advantage was eventually doubled in the 54th minute.
Mark O’Hara was the scorer this time, keeping his cool to send Ross Doohan the wrong way from the spot after Watt had gone tumbling in the box under a challenge from Alex Iacovitti.
County roared back in the ensuing minutes, with Stewart first denied by a goal-line clearance from Watt and then skewing wide from close range when it had looked easier to score.
The forward was then punished for his profligacy in the 64th minute, when Well substitute, Callum Lang, turned in a Gallagher knock-down from close range, putting the game out of sight.
The Staggies continued to throw men forward, though, and Devante Cole added further gloss to the scoreline when he raced clear to confidently fire beyond a helpless Doohan with 18 minutes remaining.