Dunfermline 3, Motherwell 1
| Match Date: Saturday, January 5 2002 |
|
| Competition: Tennents Scottish Cup | |
| Attendance: 5,131 | |
| Motherwell Team (4-4-2): |
Woods, Corrigan (Elliott 77), Deloumeaux, Strong, Hammell, Lasley, McFadden,
Soloy (Forrest 45), Dow (Pearson 55), Adams, Kelly.
Subs not used: Brown, Martinez
Motherwell scorer: Elliott (81).
Yellow Cards: Adams, Pearson.
NO CUP OF CHEER FOR WELL BELOW PAR
Dunfermline Athletic 3 Motherwell 1
ONE OF THE MOST DREADFUL PERFORMANCES From a Motherwell side in years saw the Fir Parkers crash out at East End Park. Indeed, the first half ranked way high in the "to-be-forgotten" list with the large travelling support unimpressed to say the least.
Motherwell actually began in attack; a Deloumeaux forward ball finding Corrigan but his header was easily saved. McFadden then made a terrific pass which only just evaded Kelly. Dunfermline then began to take control of the error-strewn Motherwell side. It took a last-ditch clearance from Strong to stop Crawford connecting with the pass from Bullen. Then Crawford laid the ball off for Bullen who drove way over the bar. The Pars were finding an alarming amount of space on the left, Petrie crossing for Bullen but he headed wide of the mark. A minute later Bullen again had a chance but he shot wide running onto the pass from Petrie. Motherwell did win a free kick when Soloy was fouled by Ferguson. The ball was knocked on by Strong but Adams soft header was gathered without any problems. Adams was then sent crashing to the ground by a lunge from Thomson though somehow Referee Underhill couldn't spot the foul.
The Fir Parkers were enjoying a short spell of attacking play and an Adams/Kelly combination presented McFadden with a chance but he drove wide on the angle. More open spaces presented the Pars with another opportunity, as Hammel was slow to get back giving Crawford the time to crack in a shot which went wide. One of the few successes for Motherwell was the form of James McFadden, and he tormented the home defence again. He forced a corner which Ruitenbeek took under no pressure. After 21 minutes Dunfermline took the lead. Bullen made the by-line and his cut back was met by Crawford who had the easiest of tasks to knock in, Corrigan slow to cover his run. Corrigan then failed to find Woods with a header back giving away the corner which Woods did well to hold as Bullen headed goal wards. It was almost two when Bullen sent in a curling shot which Woods did very well indeed to tip round the post. The visitors were awarded a free kick when Ferguson again fouled, this time Deloumeaux, and it took an important block by Thomson to stop Corrigan's shot troubling Ruitenbeek. Back came Dunfermline. With the Motherwell defence backing off Mason had a free shot but sent it wide.
Motherwell did attack again though the final effort was never troubling Ruitenbeek, Dow chipping over after good work by Kelly and Hammel. Important defensive work in the home ranks then snuffed out Dow as he looked to run onto Kelly's pass, Thomson making the clearance. However, with the visiting defence in such generous mood it was only a matter of time before a second was scored. Nine minutes from the break it came. Corrigan was adjudged to have fouled Bullen though it did look as if the forward was backing into the Motherwell man. Seconds later Thomson curled past the open wall as Adams looked on to score. Adams was then involved in a clash with Skerla which looked very 50-50 but Referee Underhill decided a foul for Dunfermline. Kelly headed behind for a corner which Thomson sent wide. Motherwell almost pulled one back when great work from Soloy opened a chance for Dow but his shot was deflected off Thomson making the save from Ruitenbeek routine.
Half-Time Dunfermline Athletic 2 Motherwell 0
Motherwell made a change for the start of the second half, taking Soloy off in place of Forrest, but within a minute or so it needn't have mattered. More slack defending gifted the Pars the game-winning goal. Bullen's header was gathered by Crawford and he turned easily in the box to drive beyond Woods. There should have been a booking for Ferguson as he chopped down McFadden but the cards stayed in Underhill's pocket. Andy Dow was then replaced by Pearson for Motherwell. Again it was McFadden who looked the only one likely in claret and amber to trouble the home side. He made a terrific run into the box but his square ball was palmed by Ruitenbeek and with no Motherwell man there the home defence cleared. Adams then summed up his day when, onto a cross, he fell over the ball on the penalty spot in space and the chance was gone.
Motherwell then had a shout for a penalty ignored when Ferguson looked to have clearly handled the ball inside the box. The Pars then took off Petrie in place of McGroarty. There was unnecessary commotion when Pearson quite legitimately chased a ball in to the box and with it still loose slid in as Ruitenbeek came out. There was little if any contact, Ruitenbeek lying as if shot yet moments later running around like a spring chicken, with Pearson booked and McPherson let off pushing and verbally abusing the young Motherwell midfielder. Another deliberate handball, this time against Thomson, went without a blink of an eye from the Referee. Good defending from McPherson then stopped Hammel at the back post as Motherwell, with much more possession, tried to at least trouble the goalkeeper. The Motherwell support chanted the name of Stuart Elliott but still, the most potent threat in Motherwell's arsenal, stayed on the bench.
A clever move involving Adams and Kelly then opened up the home defence but the ball in struck Pearson before he could react and ran past the post. Crawford then almost took advantage of a slip by Deloumeaux but the ball ran out. A push by Ferguson on Pearson failed go carry the obvious yellow though the free kick was headed on by Strong with Kelly turning and shooting on 18 though Ruitenbeek saved. Pearson then set up Forrest for a shot but he drove way over the bar. The home side made another change; Ferguson going off to a chorus of boos from the away support to be replaced by Kilgannon. At last Elliott was brought on, in place of Corrigan much to the displeasure of the Motherwell support who felt Adams should have made way. Motherwell continued to try to pull something back, Strong's looping header gathered under the bar. The home side were rarely seen much in attack but Strong had to be solid to block the shot from Crawford. With 10 minutes left Motherwell won a corner when McPherson blocked Hammel's cross. Adams swung it in and there was Elliott to knock in a consolation goal for Motherwell. The Pars immediately took McPherson off in place of Dair. More dramatics from Ruitenbeek, as Adams fairly challenged, saw the latter booked. It was unnecessary from Ruitenbeek and the Motherwell support let him know. A deliberate trip from Crawford on Deloumeaux went without a card and soon after the whistle went on Motherwell's Cup hopes for another year.
Full-time Dunfermline Athletic 3 Motherwell 1
Match Report by Ricky Mullen