Kevin Van Veen hits hat-trick as revitalised Motherwell coast through

Yes, the caveat is that the Steelmen were up against a Championship opponent, and one that performed several levels below that on the night. But after the drudgery served up at times in the Graham Alexander era, this new incarnation of Motherwell is one that has the locals excited for the first time in what seems like an age.

The ascension of Hammell to the top job has seemingly revitalised Kevin Van Veen too. The striker, who looked a leaden-footed, pale imitation of himself in the European embarrassment against Sligo Rovers, is back to his unpredictable, fiery best.

He hit a hat-trick here, scoring two of those from the spot, with an own goal from Inverness skipper Daniel Devine in amongst it all to put Motherwell into the hat with the minimum of fuss.

“I’m pleased with the performance,” Hammell said. “I felt we played with a real style and identity and controlled the game from start to finish.

"The draw is what it is. We were sitting downstairs and someone shouted out.

"If we want to do well in this competition which we do, you need to play good teams, you need to stand up to that.

"We have a lot of games between now and then but when it comes we will be as ready as we can to go after it and put in the best version of ourselves in that game as possible.

"It's our home game, I think we seen tonight we had a great backing and it will be no different for that game. We will need them for sure and we will need everybody to play near to their maximum but when it come we will be ready for it."

Motherwell didn’t take long to hit the front, and the goal was an example of the rather more refined passing style that Hammell has introduced since replacing Alexander.

Some patient play at the back ended with Sean Goss rapping a pass into the feet of Van Veen, who cushioned the ball for Ross Tierney to spread wide to Joe Efford.

The American – another whose fortunes seemed to have turned since the change of management - twisted Harper this way and that, and got the most important part of the job spot on too. His low cross was perfect for Van Veen to arrive right on cue and sweep home.

Motherwell were doing well enough without the need of a hand from the visitors, but they got one in any case to double their lead before the half hour.

A ball down the left flank from Goss released impressive debutant Matt Penney, and the on-loan Ipswich Town man fizzed a low cross across the six yard box. With home players behind him waiting to tap home, Devine had to play it at the near post, but unfortunately for the Caley skipper he could only slice the ball into his own net.

Billy Dodds would have been tearing his hair out with his side at it again before the break, as they struggled to cope with the fluid movement of the Motherwell attack. This time, some neat play following a corner from the hosts eventually saw Goss released into the box, and as he slalomed towards goal he was bundled over by a cluster of Caley defenders.

Referee Kevin Clancy correctly pointed to the spot, and Van Veen did the rest, blasting high into Mark Ridgers’ left-hand corner.

There was more misery for Caley in the second half as they conceded another penalty, this time after some incisive football had cut them open and Van Veen’s cut-back was handled in the area by David Carson. At least, that was the view of referee Clancy, one not shared by the visiting players, who protested vehemently.

It mattered not to Van Veen, who placed the ball on the spot and calmly slotted it low past Ridgers to bring up his hat-trick, and his seventh goal in six games – four of which have been penalties.

Hammell even had the luxury of bringing on Lennon Miller, son of former Hearts and Falkirk striker Lee, who having only turned 16 last Thursday became the club’s youngest ever player.

A bright future ahead perhaps for both the young midfielder, and for Motherwell.