Motherwell 1, St Johnstone 1
| Match Date: Saturday, April 6 2002 |
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| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 3,418 | |
| Motherwell Team (3-5-2): |
Dubourdeau, Bernhard, Deloumeaux, Strong, Corrigan, Adams, Martinez
(Ready 45), McFadden, Hammell, Ferrere (Nicholas 89), Elliott.
Subs not used: Woods, Cosgrove, Fagan.
Yellow Cards: None!
Motherwell scorer: Elliott (68)
SAFETY POINT FOR THE WELL
Motherwell 1 Saint Johnstone 1
MOTHERWELL SECURED THE POINT THEY NEEDED To finally relegate the visitors and secure Premier Division football at Fir Park next season. Trailing to a goal mid-way through the first half, Stuart Elliott pounced on a rebound to score his first goal since January and send the Perth men down.
Saint Johnstone were understandably on the attack from the off and were presented with an opportunity when Martinez was adjudged to have fouled Connelly. However, the same visiting player then blasted way over upon receipt of the free kick. Good work from McFadden then created the first chance for Motherwell though his pass to Corrigan resulted in a blocked shot for a corner. The Fir Parkers kept the pressure up with Ferrere and Hammel both seeing shots cleared desperately. Saint Johnstone broke upfield with Dods and he saw a 25-yard bouncing shot well held by Dubordeau. Soon afterwards Dubordeau was able to watch confidently as a shot from Lovenkrands rasped wide. Uncertainty between Deloumeaux and Dubordeau almost then allowed McBride in on goals though fortunately Deloumeaux was able to recover the situation. Livewire David Ferrere then managed to hold off the attentions of Dods to supply Elliott but his shot was weak and easily cleared by McCluskey. After McBride had a shot go way over the visitors were awarded a corner when it looked as if Connelly had fouled Martinez. However, a terrific clearance from debutant Frank Bernhard ended any danger. McFadden then went on a run which was ungraciously ended by Dods. From the free kick Ferrere brought out a great save from Cuthbert and as the ball fell to Elliott his shot was deflected allowing Cuthbert to gather. Saint Johnstone then took the lead on the 22nd minute. Poor defending allowed Hartley time and space to compose himself and steer a cutback into the corner of the net from the edge of the box. Motherwell tried to hit back but where immediately thwarted when McFadden looked to enter the box but a quite blatant dive from Murray quelled the attack with the award of a free kick in his favour. A nasty tackle from Dods on Elliott failed to carry what would have been a merited yellow card, then fussy Referee Clark warned Elliott for wigging a finger in the direction of the linesman after a very close off-side call. More uncertainty in the home rearguard then gave Lynch a chance to lob Dubordeau although fortunately for Motherwell the ball struck the crossbar with Bernhard clearing. The visitors continued on the attack with Hartley firing in a shot which Dubordeau unconvincingly punched wide. Minutes later Hartley again shot for goals only for the ball to hit the side netting with the sparse away support convinced it was in. James McFadden almost drew Motherwell level when he pounced on a loose McCluskey clearance and curled in a shot which only cleared the bar by an inch or two. Deloumeaux and Dubordeau were clearly not on the same wavelength and near the break only a terrific interception from Bernhard prevented Connelly making it two. At the other end Dods had to make a similar stop otherwise Ferrere would surely have scored. Just before the interval Ferrere and Cuthbert jumped for a cross which the keeper dropped, though McCluskey was on hand to clear.
Half-time Motherwell 0 Saint Johnstone 1
Motherwell made an immediate change with Karl Ready replacing Roberto Martinez. However, it was the visitors who were first on the attack with Connelly bringing out a good save from Dubordeau. A superb pass from Bernhard then picked out McFadden and clever footwork took him to the by line but there were no home feet to meet the low cross. Saint Johnstone then won a corner which, when swung in, saw Bernhard make an error though fortunately Dods was unable to capitalise. Bernard then attempted a shot from some 30 yards out and it was only just over the cross bar with Cuthbert well beaten. A mistake from McCluskey then gave away a corner which McFadden played to Ready. The big man turned well inside the box but volleyed over the bar. Motherwell were beginning to press with Ferrere connecting with Hammel's pass and the angled 25-yard drive superbly tipped over. The corner came in but Elliott and Bernhard failed to communicate with the former heading wide. Motherwell had a shout for a penalty ignored when McCluskey appeared to bring down Elliott as he ran into the box. The visitors broke though Bernhard did well to stop McBride getting to the ball ahead of Dubordeau. A run from McFadden looked promising but his shot was high. Saint Johnstone were fading somewhat as an attacking force but they should they still carried threat when Hartley headed a McCluskey cross just over. Eric Deloumeaux was beginning to make threatening runs and from one he was crudely brought down by McCluskey. Up stepped Ferrere but his dummied for McFadden whose shot was deflected through to the Keeper. A minute or so later Motherwell drew level. Deloumeaux made a superb run to the edge of the box and his shot struck the post, rebounding out to the grateful Elliott who gleefully smacked it high into the net. Motherwell then forced successive corners as they tried to get ahead. Saint Johnstone made a change, McBride making way for MacDonald. Referee Clark was clearly intent on making no bookings and he allowed Weir away with a quite awful challenge on Elliott. Sub MacDonald then attempted to make an immediate impact when he held of Bernhard to make the six-yard box but Deloumeaux with a superb block stopped his progress at the expense of a corner. Dubordeau came for the ball but missed allowing Lovenkrands a chance but he volleyed way over. Motherwell should have went ahead when a great run from Elliott and a terrific cross saw McFadden mis-hit in front of goals though the attentions of Weir played a part, Cuthbert gathering. Connelly was another to escape a booking when he firstly deliberately blocked a free kick then showed dissent, Referee Clark deciding again words were enough. Motherwell were looking the likelier with Corrigan sending Adams clear only for Cuthbert to superbly block. Another visiting change saw Connelly go off for Malcolm. Great play from Motherwell almost saw them make it two, only desperate defensive blocks stopping Elliott and then McFadden scoring. The superbly-named Emmanuel Panther then arrived, a sub for Hartley. Only a great block by Cuthbert then stopped McFadden before the visitors almost grabbed a lifeline with MacDonald thwarted by Deloumeaux. What should have been a red card failed to even be yellow when Weir took out Elliott as the winger breezed by. Motherwell then replaced Ferrere with Nicholas with the games last action a corner which Bernhard headed wide. The final whistle went and Motherwell were officially safe.
Full-time Motherwell 1 Saint Johnstone 1
Match Report by Ricky Mullen