WE HAVE witnessed Ronny's Roar this season.
Yesterday was the day Baraclough's bawl was brought bubbling to the surface.
Celtic manager Ronny Deila's infamous fist pump following a victory has been so common the Norwegian is probably getting treated for repetitive strain injury. There has been little opportunity for his Motherwell counterpart Ian Baraclough to enjoy similar public displays of affection towards three points, however, given the Lanarkshire side had only recorded four victories under his stewardship prior to yesterday's jaunt to Kilmarnock.
The emphatic outpouring of emotion which greeted the fifth, an emphatic and vigorous swipe towards the travelling support at full-time, was not without justification in what is a week of great consequence for all teams involved at the foot of the SPFL Premiership. Having seen Deila's 'Roar' in Paisley on Friday night, this 2-1 win for Motherwell stretched their lead over bottom-markers St Mirren to seven points ahead of their meeting at Fir Park on Tuesday.
A goal down early on after a mistake from goalkeeper George Long allowed home debutant David Syme to score, Baraclough's team grew stronger after Stephen Pearson levelled seven minutes before half-time, with Lee Erwin's winner on 77 minutes.
"It means the world to me," said Baraclough of the win. "It is absolutely everything. We've not had a lot to celebrate this season and the fans have played their part again. They were noisy and backed the team."
It was a first half an hour to test the resolve of the 917 Motherwell supporters who travelled to Rugby Park yesterday. Knowing the importance of a win, they were forced to watch through the cracks in their fingers as Kilmarnock caused havoc in attack.
Tormentor-in-chief was Tope Obadeyi. The man from Birmingham often cuts a frustrating figure as his pace and quick feet don't always combine to great effect. They clicked superbly here. Playing on the left, the 25-year-old was allowed far too much space to rampage up and down, skipping by opposing players with ease.
For all Obadeyi's influence, it was Syme, enjoying his first start and appearance at Rugby Park, who was the unlikely man to put Kilmarnock in the lead. While it was Paul Cairney's floated free-kick which delivered the ball to his head on 17 minutes to score, the honour of the assist is likely to fall to goalkeeper Long, who came flying out his goal to punch and miss, allowing Syme to nod into an empty net.
With Ross County taking the lead at Tannadice, Motherwell needed a response if the 11th-placed SPFL Premiership side were to not slip six points behind the Highlanders. Stephen McManus had the ball in the net moments later only for him to be penalised for climbing, while Conor Grant, Lionel Ainsworth and Erwin all went close. The latter was particularly guilty of wasting a chance after his delicate chip over Syme was not rewarded with a finish of similar quality as the ball was volleyed high into the Moffat Stand.
The breakthrough finally came seven minutes before half-time. Erwin's header and flick nudged the ball out right to Ainsworth, who smashed a low right-foot shot at goal. It seemed to be flying wide of Craig Samson's far post when it was redirected into the near corner via the boot of Pearson.
In the second half Scott McDonald struck the bar and Erwin dragged a free shot wide from 10 yards. But while the 21-year-old squandered two chances previously, he was not to miss for a third time with 13 minutes left to play. McDonald shuffled the ball to his team-mate on the left of the box, who dribbled forward, faked a shot on his right, only to then drill an unstoppable drive with his left into the far corner.
"I think the top six is going to be really difficult now," said Gary Locke - who had been named Kilmarnock's new permanent manager on Friday - as his side slipped five points behind Hamilton Academical. "We need to bounce back next week."
Kilmarnock (4-4-2): Samson; Barbour, Syme, Ashcroft, Westlake; Obadeyi, Cairney (Kiltie 80), O'Hara, Johnston (Eremenko 80); Magennis, Miller (Eccleston 69) Subs not used: Brennan, McKenzie, Clingan, Smith Booked: Cairney, Syme, Obadeyi.
Motherwell (4-4-1-1): Long; Law, Laing, McManus, Straker; Ainsoworth (Carswell 82), Pearson, Lasley, Grant (Sutton 58); Erwin (Ramsden 90), McDonald
Subs not used: Twardzik, Kerr, N Thomas, D Thomas Booked: Pearson, Law, Laing.
Referee: Euan Anderson. Attendance: 4532
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