Dundee Utd 2, Motherwell 0

Match Date: Tuesday, January 2 2001
Competition: Premier League
Attendance: 6,311

Motherwell Team:

Goram, Corrigan, Strong, McMillan, Hammell, Townsley, Brannan, Leitch (Adams), Twaddle (Elliott), Spencer, McMulloch (Goodman).
Subs not used: Woods, Lasley.

DISMAL WELL GIVE POINTS AWAY 

Dundee United  2     Motherwell  0 

A QUITE AWFUL PERFORMANCE From Motherwell saw them lose rather meekly to a Dundee United side who in turn recorded just their second win in 24 league matches. With several players looking already on Holiday United had little to do to win the match. 

Right from the off the home side were the hungrier and it took a terrific tackle from Ged Brannan to prevent Miller racing through. Motherwell broke upfield with Townsley and he combined with Spencer but the pass for McCulloch caught the striker just off-side. A push by Lauchlan on Spencer then gave the Fir Parkers a free-kick 22 yards out but Corrigan lost possession allowing United to break. Miller made light of his portly frame to run upfield and slip the ball to Hamilton but Corrigan had made ground to recover his mistake and cleared the danger via Goram. It was Spencer and Townsley who then combined to give McCulloch a chance at the back post but his header went wide of the mark. United won a free-kick when Miller, who appeared to be having trouble staying on his feet throughout the match, fell under a lightweight challenge from Townsley. The free-kick was, however, cleared easily by Strong. The centre-half was in action again shortly afterwards when he had to cut out Aljofree's deep cross which was destined for Lilley. Seconds later Aljofree had a great opportunity to give the home side the lead when he was all alone near the penalty spot but upon receipt of Easton's pass he drove wide of the far post. A mis-hit chip by Aljofree then had Goram scrambling towards his line forcing the Goalie to tip the ball over for another corner. Miller drove the ball in where McConalogue headed wide. The homesters had a further chance when a loose ball from Miller fell to the feet of Griffin but he lost his bearings allowing the ball to run to Goram. Fir Park Striker Lee McCulloch was then lucky to escape injury when Partridge was very late with a tackle, the tall forward just able to leap out of the way with Referee Martindale only issuing the meekest of warnings. Play in fact continued until Miller had set up Lilley who volleyed way wide. A body-check by Aljofree on Townsley then gave the visitors a free-kick 35 yards out but Strong directed a header past. Miller was orchestrating things for the homeside and again he opened up a chance for Hamilton but his effort rolled towards the corner flag where McMIllan cleared. Motherwell then won a corner as De Vos blocked McCulloch's cross. Townsley had a header blocked before Hammel chipped back in, the ball falling just inches beyond Spencer at the back post. The Fir Parkers then came within an inch of taking the lead. Corrigan trapped Spencer's cross and slipping the ball into the path of Brannan a 25-yard shot screamed narrowly past the upright. A slip by Stevie McMillan allowed Lilley to make the by-line and although he appeared to send a cross behind the corner was given. Partially cleared to Lilley he in turn sent the ball behind again though this time there was no corner. It was the 29th minute before Motherwell seriously tested Gallacher in goal. Corrigan and Townsley combined to give McCulloch a chance to shoot but Gallacher dealt with the effort. Partridge then tugged Townsley's shirt wide on the right to give Motherwell a chance to test Gallacher yet further. Brannan swung in a dangerous free-kick but there were no takers and the ball ran past. Motherwell should have won another dangerous free-kick when De Vos took Spencer out of the play as he ran onto Twaddle's pass but play was waved on much to the Motherwell bench's disgust. United then carved out three quick-fire opportunities from the edge of the box though the chances, for Hamilton and Easton, troubled nobody. The United defence then opened up to give Brannan a chance to shoot from 18 yards but rather uncharacteristically he drove the ball well wide. As half-time approached McConalogue escaped a booking when he sent Spencer flying. 

Half-Time     Dundee United  0     Motherwell  0 

Again United came out the more alert and forced a quick corner. Lilley's back heel to Easton saw a cross knocked behind and as the corner was swung in De Vos ensured Townsley could not clear giving Griffin a chance but he shot wide. Lilley then sent Aljofree wide but he sent an angled drive way over. Scott Leitch was fortunate not to be booked when, much to the delight of the visiting support, he gave Miller a taste of his own late tackling with Referee Martindale playing advantage. The ball broke to Hammel but his chip into the box saw both Twaddle and Spencer get in each other's road and the ball was eventually cleared. Greg Strong became the game's first booking when he brought down Hamilton. Spencer made a terrific clearance as the ball almost fell for Hamilton. United's Aljofree should have been sent off for stamping on Hammel, Referee Martindale clearly indicating what had occurred but choosing to issue a yellow. Spencer drove in a low cross but Gallacher beat everyone to gather low at his near post. A minute later United took the lead and it was no more than they deserved. Easton rose to head home Lilley's cross with the Motherwell defence static to say the least. Motherwell tried to hit back and De Vos conceded a free-kick when he hauled McCulloch to the ground. Brannan knocked the ball to Hammel and his drive was racing towards the net until McCunnie got a vital touch to send the ball behind. United broke upfield and after forcing a corner took the lead with another show of inept Motherwell defending entirely to blame. Lilley made room to cross for Hamilton and he headed home from near the penalty spot without a defender remotely close. Motherwell boss Davies responded by taking off Leitch and replacing him with Adams. United almost grabbed a third when Lilley sent a shot inches past. John Spencer had a chance from 25 yards out and to be fair his drive was well held by Gallacher. Motherwell were back in defence when Strong conceded a corner from Easton's cross. Hamilton rose to head towards goal only for Townsley and the post to clear the danger. The visitors made a further substitution when Elliott came on for Twaddle. Former Kilmarnock man Lauchlan then had to do well to block Adams ball in for a corner with Strong then setting up McCulloch but De Vos blocked the effort. Lauchlan then rode his luck when deliberately bringing down McCulloch on the edge of the box. There was no red nor was there a goal as Townsley saw his header saved. With a quarter-of-an-hour to go Don Goodman made a welcome return after injury, replacing McCulloch. However, it was United who almost increased their lead when Lilley saw a shot blocked and cleared. Griffin then sent a wayward shot high and wide as he raced onto a loose ball. There was a harsh booking for Townsley when he was carded for a challenge on McCunnie. The United Youngster made a spectacular rolling dive which was completely unnecessary as any contact made was very minimal if at all. United made their only substitution when Thompson replaced Hamilton. Motherwell had the last chance, Goodman passing to Townsley and his lay-off was summed up by Brannan's high, wide and very ugly shot. 

Full-time     Dundee United  2     Motherwell  0

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

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