Well and Bathgate stage fitting tribute to McGrillen

CRAIG BROWN kept his promise and brought a strong Motherwell to Bathgate's Creamery Park for a tribute game in honour of Paul McGrillen, who died tragically a year ago.

The result - 4-2 in favour of the Fir Parkers - was not nearly as important as celebrating the life of ex-Motherwell and Bathgate player McGrillen. A presentation was made to McGrillen's family before and after the game.

Motherwell started at pace and Bathgate keeper Andy Carlin made some fantastic saves to keep the score down. He was beaten in the tenth minute when Gary Smith chipped the ball into the top corner and lost another just before the half hour with a tap in from six yards.

Graeme McLaren pulled a goal back with a nifty piece of footwork only a minute later, but Motherwell regained their two-goal advantage when Shaun Hutchison headed home a corner. Bathgate scored a second in the 50th minute. Steven Payne's free kick was blocked by the keeper only as far as Gary McCulloch who slotted the ball home. Motherwell weren't finished though and Robert McHugh scored from a cut back on the hour mark.

After the game Paul McGrillen's father presented the trophy to the winning Motherwell side saying. "Paul would have loved to be playing in this game.

He scored the winning goal for Bathgate when they lifted the Scottish Junior Cup and as a family we are delighted to be here in a celebration of his life."

Motherwell manager Craig Brown commented: "Bathgate made it tough for us when we think that we are a full-time squad with a lot of the players making the breakthrough into the first team."