Motherwell and O’Higgins came away with a point each in a physical encounter at The Warren, Portstewart.
Motherwell took the lead early on when Robbie Leitch struck a free kick from the left hand side of the pitch which drifted into the top right hand corner. David Turnball had a good chance to double the lead, but his header went over the bar.
O’Higgins started to get a foothold in the game; Matias Francisco Meneses crossed in and striker David Andres Salazar forced a great save from Motherwell goalkeeper P J Morrison for the Chilean’s first real chance of the game. Matias Ignacio Sepulveda had the next chance when his well struck drive stung Morrison’s hands.
O’Higgins were really knocking on the door for an equaliser, and it came with Diego Abraham Gonzalez’s volley from inside the penalty area.
The second half started in controversy when O’Higgins’ captain Moises Alejandro Avila was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area. Motherwell’s Ryan Watters saw his penalty brilliantly saved by O’Higgins’ ‘keeper Luis Alfonso Ureta.
The South American side started to dominate possession; Sepulveda drew a fine save from Morrison. Salazar was a constant threat and went close to scoring, but instead saw his effort hit the post. O’Higgins did finally get the goal they were looking for when Jose Ignacio Garces fired a rebound into the roof of the net.
But no sooner had O’Higgins taken the lead when Motherwell equalised: Tom Leighton headed in from a long throw.
No one could find another goal and so it finished 2-2, with both teams looking forward to this evening’s draw.
Ben Smith