St Mirren 0, Motherwell 1

Match Date: Saturday, September 9 2000
Competition: Premier League
Attendance: 5,274

Motherwell Team:

Goram, Oueifio, Kemble, McMillan, Hammell, Twaddle (Townsley), Brannan, Leitch (Corrigan), Elliott, Spencer (Goodman), McCulloch.
Subs not used: Woods, Wood.

Motherwell scorer: McCulloch (53).

WELL OFF THE MARK AT LAST

Saint Mirren  0     Motherwell  1

A GOAL BY LEE MCCULLOCH Gave Motherwell a deserved win at Love Street. It could and should have been more as the Fir Parkers at last managed to turn domination into three points.

 Motherwell were up for the match right from the kick-off and it took an important clearance from Roy in goals to prevent John Spencer. The ball fell for Kemble and he ran through the middle unchallenged to unleash a 25-yard shot which almost sneaked inside Roy's far post. The home keeper sent the ball long for Paeslack to run onto but he was stopped buy Ouefio who put the ball out for a throw. Paeslack met the throw to turn and shoot but there was Goram to get down to hold. There was a blow for Motherwell when John Spencer went off injured after just 4 minutes to be replaced by Don Goodman. Nicolson of Saint Mirren was lucky to stay on the park when he appeared to elbow Stuart Elliott, the incident going unnoticed by Referee Dougal. He gave Motherwell the free-kick but failed to take any other action. A dangerous cross by Kevin Twaddle was met by McLaughlin who was alert enough to deny McCulloch contact. Saint Mirren broke forward with Quitongo. Picking out McGarry in space the striker should have done better but instead of testing Goram he shot way over the bar. Slack play by Oueifio gave the ball back to McGarry but his poor cross allowed Motherwell to break. Twaddle raced down the wing and crossed for Goodman. The header was brilliantly parried by Roy who managed to keep the ball in play. Unfortunately for Roy the linesman thought otherwise and gave a corner to Motherwell. As if to make up for the error Walker knocked behind for a corner which was not given. A terrific ball by Brannan to McCulloch was laid-off in the direction of Goodman and he brought out another great save from Roy. McCulloch winning a corner off Turner. Motherwell were pressing, UEFA supplied Twaddle and his cross was knicked away by McGowan. Hammel then sent Elliott towards the box and beating Nicolson he was unlucky to see Roy advance to save. Saint Mirren were rarely seen in attack though it took a header behind from Goodman to prevent Paeslak connecting with a free kick. Murray then had to produce a desperate block to stop Brannan's 25-yarder, then the home team broke forward though Nicolson's shot was way over. Play swung again to the other end with McLaughlin having to produce a last-ditch block from Elliott's though ball. Clever play by Goodman on the wing gave Twaddle an opportunity to cross and though McCulloch met the ball in Roy was there to gather. Some slack play at the back by Oueifio was pounced upon by Paeslack but the Motherwell defender recovered to concede the corner. Motherwell almost went ahead 10 minutes from the interval when Brannan blasted in a net-bound shot which struck Goodman and went wide. A corner conceded by Brannan gave Saint Mirren a chance though as the ball fell to Walker he failed to react and the chance went a-begging. Seconds later the home side won another corner though this time Goram punched well clear. Stuart Elliott burst away down the far side and his cross in was mis-hit by Twaddle giving Roy an easy take. Don Goodman gathered the kick-out and his long ball for McCulloch saw a clash with Turner. McCulloch looked to have won the ball fairly but Referee Dougal enraged Motherwell by giving the award the other way. Saint Mirren broke away and Paeslack went clear but his weak shot was easily saved. Stevie Hammel made a good run in midfield to supply Elliot and it took a terrific block by Roy to stop the Northern Irish International scoring. Don Goodman and Lee McCulloch then saw shots desperately blocked by Walker and Turner just before the half-time whistle went.

Half-Time     Saint Mirren  0     Motherwell  0

It was a similar start to the second half as the visitors headed forward. Lee McCulloch robbed Walker of possession but the ball ran on for Roy to collect. Motherwell were retaining possession with Saint Mirren struggling to put any play together. Stevie Hammel then forced a corner which Goodman met with an over-head kick. Much to the relief of the home support Roy was on hand to save. The home side attacked and taking advantage of hesitancy by Goram midfielder Murray crossed deep. Just as McGarry looked likely to nod home Hammel popped up with Goram gathering the stray ball. A great pass by Elliott was swept behind for a corner by McGowan. The former Motherwell defender cutout the inswinger but at the expense of another flag-kick. However, a minute later Motherwell made the pressure count by taking a deserved lead. A superb ball by Leitch was gathered by Twaddle near the by-line and his cross was knocked into the net by the unmarked Lee McCulloch. Motherwell then forced a succession of chances which should have put the game beyond Saint Mirren. Brannan headed a Twaddle free-kick past, Lee McCulloch turned on the edge of the box to drive towards goal which was saved. Then the best chance of all came when Leitch sent McCulloch in on goal but the striker dragged his shot across the goal and wide. Motherwell were almost made to pay for the misses when Turner sent Quitongo racing into the box but his shot hit the outside of the net. The PA announcer thought otherwise and began to play celebratory music only to be stopped red-faced seconds later. Paeslack then appeared to handle the ball inside the Motherwell box but was allowed to progress and won a corner. Walker came rushing in but was beaten by Kemble who cleared. Turner at the back for the home side then made a vital tackle on Elliott who was almost clear on Roy. Both Motherwell and Saint Mirren then made changes, Twaddle going off to be replaced by Townsley with Paeslack making way for Brown. A good run by Goodman ended with a fierce shot which Roy had to gather at the second attempt. The far-side linesman then made an incredible blunder when he gave Saint Mirren a corner despite Brown running the ball out of play, but justice was done with the poorly taken corner. Scott Leitch went off to a rousing ovation from the travelling support, Martyn Corrgian coming on in his place The home side made a double-substitution when McGarry and Murray made way for Yardley and Bowman respectively. A poor defensive pass by Townsley almost let Brown in and McMillan was forced to bring down the midfielder at the expense of a free kick and a yellow card. McCulloch deflected the free-kick behind and Townsley completed the clearance. Motherwell went close again when Hammel made a great run to shoot not far past. A late tackle by Brown on Hammel went unpunished but Motherwell retained possession. Goodman laid-off for Corrigan but his drive went over. Derek Townsley then curled a 20-yarder inches over as Motherwell sought to make the game safe. However, with two minutes to go Goram was forced to make a great block from Yardley's header. The ball fell to the back post and Nicoloson missed a chance. Motherwell swept upfield and had a fair claim for a penalty denied when Walker tripped Goodman in the box. To add insult to injury Referee Dougall then booked Goodman alleging a dive. Motherwell held on to record an important first win.

Full-time     Saint Mirren  0     Motherwell  1

Match Report by Ricky Mullen (rmullen@motherwell.co.uk)