Kilmarnock 1, Motherwell 4
| Match Date: Saturday, April 21 2002 |
|
| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 5,642 | |
| Motherwell Team (4-4-2): |
Woods, Ramsay, Ready, Strong, Hammell, Adams (Martinez 83), Corrigan,
Pearson, McFadden, Ferrere (Elliott 64), Lehmann (Clarkson 85).
Subs not used: Dubourdeau,
Kenniburgh
Motherwell scorers: Adams (21), McFadden (71), Elliott (72), Pearson (74).
Yellow Cards: Ready, Adams, McFadden.
'WELL WORTH SAVING? DAMN RIGHT WE ARE!!!!
Kilmarnock 1 Motherwell 4
THE RALLYING CALL TO MOTHERWELL Players and fans alike worked wonders as the Fir Parkers recorded easily their most impressive performance on the road this season. After the traumatic events of Wednesday a 110% effort both off and on the park ensured a day to remember, and much needed optimism for the future.
It was Kilmarnock who broke from the kick off and although Canero burst into the box Hammel was on hand to concede the corner. Playing at right back was Dougie Ramsay and he partially cleared before McLaren ran the ball out. Motherwell were right up for the match and almost took the lead when Pearson latched onto a quick through from McFadden but his angled drive went narrowly over.
Innes then made a saving clearance as Pearson almost got on the end of a Lehman flick before Ferrere was only a foot or two away from giving McFadden a clear run on Marshall. There was an early booking when Ready was perhaps unfairly carded for a first challenge, this one on Johnson who made the most of it with a dramatic fall to the turf.
A more blatant foul by Fowler left McFadden rolling in agony but sub Referee Mitchell completely ignored the incident. The home side then put together a move which almost broke the stalemate, Fowler and Dargo combining with the latter shooting past from the edge of the box. A brilliant block by Ready then stopped McLaren scoring after Dargo had crossed low from the wing. There were afters between McLaren and Ready though the Kilmarnock player was fortunate not to see red for a kick out at the Motherwell man, with Ready having pushed back escaping a second yellow. The Rugby Park men were enjoying a little spell on top and a low, driven cross from McLaren needed only a touch but it sailed out wide. Motherwell should have had a free-kick on the edge of the box when Lehmann was sent flying by Shields but play went on with Canero bursting downfield only for Ready to clear. A free kick from Mclaren was booted away by Ready but as it bounced and McLaren and Hammel chased the latter was penalised despite the Kilmarnock man pushing equally as hard. Motherwell cleared, however, and it took an important last-ditch tackle from Mahood to stop Pearson. It was the visitors who took the lead with a tidy finish from the much-maligned Derek Adams. A great run by Stephen Pearson took him into the box and a one-two with Lehmann had the youngster clear on Marshall. He was then brought down by Innes but as the ball broke Adams was on hand to stroke it beyond the keeper and send the away support wild with delight.
Kilmarnock's response was a Johnson shot well over from a good position near the six-yard box. There were screams for a penalty from the home support when Ready and Johnson clashed in the box. It would have been harsh to have given it and the flailing Johnson did his cause harm by clearly diving. The home side upped things with efforts from Ngonge and then Dargo failing to trouble Woods in goals. Motherwell weren't to be outdone and they forced three successive corners with Marshall looking none to clever as he flapped at the second. There should have been at least a yellow for a shockingly late tackle from Fowler when he hit Ferrere on the touchline. Referee Mitchell saw fit only to award a free kick. Marshall managed to punch this one out and Ready was only prevented from netting by a vital Johnson interception. A brilliant cross-field pass from Ferrere then almost had McFadden clear only for Marshall to smother. The home response was a McLaren curler which Woods handled easily. McFadden then returned the compliment to Ferrere but the cross drifted out Woods was then to the rescue for Motherwell a minute later when he rushed from his goals to bravely block at the feet of Fowler. Shortly afterwards Johnson completely missed the ball as a cross came in from the right. McFadden gathered but he was hacked down by Shields though play failed to stop. As the interval approached the Rugby Park outfit tried to equalise but efforts from Mahood and then Canero went wide.
Half-Time Kilmarnock 0 Motherwell 1
Kilmarnock forced an early corner which Ready was on hand to deal with. He cleared with Pearson carrying the ball forward. Finding Lehmann the German almost connected with Adams who was clear. Motherwell should have been awarded a penalty three minutes into the half when Dindeleux brought Ferrere down inside the box. There was no doubt about reasons known only to Referee Mitchell it wasn't given. McFadden, who had set up the opportunity with a superb pass, found himself in the box for a rash challenge on Innes though in truth both should have seen yellow, Innes reacting to the tackle. Dargo was booked minutes later for a quite awful tackle on Stevie Hammel who lay injured.
The Motherwell players and fans alike were up in anger when Ferrere was wrongly flagged off-side running from well on to gather a Ready pass. A horrendous sliced clearance from Ramsay then conceded a corner but the resolute Motherwell defence cleared. Pearson broke again, the midfielder having his best game in a Motherwell jersey thus far. He made it to the edge of the box but a delay ain passing allowed Dindeleux to clear. The home team then made a double substitution, Murray replacing McLaren who left to a chorus of boos from the visiting fans, and Boyd replacing Ngonge. A great take from Stevie Woods under severe pressure kept his goal intact, Murray's deep cross being safely gathered. Dirk Lehmann then had a chance to double the advantage but his shot hit the side netting when he would perhaps have been better served crossing to the unmarked McFadden at the back post. Motherwell then made a change with Stuart Elliott replacing David Ferrere. A dive by Murray, who had been booked in the previous match for a similar action at Fir Park, managed to convince Referee Mitchell to card Ramsay. The Motherwell man then lost out at the corner flag to Canero and his cut back was met by Johnson some 16 yards out and he levelled for Kilmarnock. That would have deflated many a team, but not Motherwell.
Roared on by their fans they put the game out of sight in an explosive five-minute spell. Chasing a long ball McFadden controlled on the edge of the box. Side-stepping Dindeleux he fired home to give Motherwell back the lead. Just two minutes later and it was three. Stephen Pearson made a run down the wing and his inch-perfect low cross was swept home by Elliott. The Motherwell support were in raptures, but it was far from finished. After Lehmann had been brought down some 30 yards out by Mahood the free kick was taken by Hammel. He disguised a pass wide for McFadden and dinking a superb cross to the back post Lehmann, Elliott and Pearson all went for the ball with the latter nodding home. It was ecstasy for the Motherwell fans and players alike. The shell-shocked home side could only respond with a weak Johnson shot well past. If anything, Motherwell looked like scoring more. Elliott found Pearson but his shot was blocked behind. Adams then went off to a round of applause with Martinez taking his place. Dindeleux for Kilmarnock had a shot but it too failed to trouble Woods. A third change for Motherwell saw Lehmann replaced by Clarkson who made his debut. Stuart Elliott then had a couple of efforts go close but the game ended with the Motherwell fans, who had sung more or less non-stop the entire 90 minutes, celebrating a momentous win with the players. Motherwell will survive, that was the message.
Full-time Kilmarnock 1 Motherwell 4
Match Report by Ricky Mullen