Motherwell began the Alfred Johansson era with a 2-0 victory over Faroese side HB in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League qualifier. The Steelmen, who finished 4th in the Premiership last season with 54 points (14W-12D-7L), showed resilience despite fielding a makeshift lineup due to injuries and departures.
Martin Moormann opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard strike, followed by Lukas Fadinger’s delicate chip off the bar. The goals came amid a patchy performance, with Motherwell missing key players like Tawanda Maswanhise and Stephen O’Donnell.
The win provides a solid foundation for Johansson, who replaces Jens Berthel Askou after his move to Toulouse. Despite the absences, the new manager’s side showed glimpses of the possession-based style that defined Askou’s tenure. The victory also eases pressure ahead of their next fixture against league leaders Heart of Midlothian on October 24.
Motherwell face a second leg against HB before turning their attention to domestic duties. With a 23-goal difference last season (52 scored, 29 conceded), Johansson will need to strengthen the squad before the Premiership resumes. The club’s recent form-2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in their last five-suggests a team in transition, but the European win offers hope.
