Aberdeen 1, Motherwell 1
| Match Date: Saturday, December 7 2002 |
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| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 9,569. | |
| Motherwell Team (4-4-2): |
Dubourdeau, Quinn, Kinniburgh, Corrigan, Hammell,
Adams, Leitch, Fagan (McDonald 89), McFadden, Ferguson (Clarkson 90), Lehmann.
Subs not used: Woods, Sengewald, Russell.
Motherwell scorer: Kinniburgh (59).
Yellow Cards: Fagan, Ferguson, McFadden.
WILLIE KINS THE WAY TO THE NET
Aberdeen 1 Motherwell 1
MOTHERWELL CONTINUED THEIR REVIVAL BY Picking up a point away at Pittodrie. William Kinniburgh, deputising for the suspended David Partridge, slammed home a close-range equaliser to give Motherwell a point they fully deserved.
The Fir Parkers broke upfield in the first minute after a home move had broken down. McFadden sent Ferguson wide but the cross was just too strong for Hammel to take advantage of. James McFadden was at it again seconds later, making a mazy run forward before sending Lehmann towards the box, and although Anderson partially cleared Rutkiewicz was dispossessed by McFadden but Referee Thomson rescued Aberdeen by awarding a foul. Aberdeen pushed forward themselves with Mackie supplying Young but his shot was well held by Dubordeau. A tackle from behind by Anderson sent Lehmann flying and Motherwell gained the free kick. Cleared wide Ferguson was body-checked by McAllister but again Motherwell failed capitalise. McFadden was causing problems for the home side and he forced a corner. However, it was the home side who went close when Dubordeau had to make a superb save as Young fired in from 25 yards. Aberdeen were let off the hook a minute later when Ferguson robbed McGuire but Lehmann fired well over when he should have done better. Then Ferguson raced clear onto a great ball from McFadden but a poor touch just as he reached the box ended with a high shot well over the bar. Some slack defending from Motherwell had D'Jaffo heading towards goals but fortunately for the Fir Parkers he failed to find the target. From Dubordeau's kick Lehmann was pushed by Anderson and the free kick awarded. Cleared, Motherwell almost immediately gained another and this time Anderson was booked for his late trip on Fagan. Adams effort was deflected wide and the corner swept away.
Seconds after D'Jaffo had a header easily held some superb defending from Lehmann denied McAllister going clear. The ball broke for Mackie and it took a tremendous charge down from Quinn to stop him in his tracks. However, just before the half hour controversy reigned as the home side took the lead. Derek Young quite clearly pushed Kinniburgh and with the absence of a whistle from the Referee or a flag from the linesman he raced clear to slot the ball under Dubordeau. There was almost an immediate response from Motherwell when McFadden did well to set up Ferguson but the weak effort failed to beat Preece. Just moments later, however, only a dramatic goal line clearance from McAllister denied Lehmann as his header looked set to level. Then McFadden made a trademark run into the box but with support lacking he was crowded out. Next in the book was Darren Young as he was carded for tripping Lehmann. In fact McAllister could have seen a quick second yellow when he fouled McFadden though Referee Thomson incredibly decided to wave play on. Motherwell were responding well to going behind and Fagan had a chance but dragged his volley wide. Another incredible decision from Thomson saw Kinniburgh booked when he and Young clashed, the card in reality should have gone the way of the home midfielder. Then McFadden was caught late by Anderson but waving apparent advantage McAllister took possession making Referee Thomson's decision all the more baffling. And he further enraged the travelling support when he booked Ferguson for quite legitimately attempting to block a clearance from Preece, the Aberdeen keeper making the most of the challenge by dramatically rolling over Ferguson's outstretched leg. At last Thomson gave Motherwell a decision when McFadden was blocked by Young. Taking the free kick himself McFadden curled not far wide. Great skill from Corrigan then sent McFadden away but the forward pass struck Adams on the head and ran through to Preece. Just on the interval Motherwell again attacked, Adams seeing an effort desperately blocked before McFadden also suffering the same fate.
Half-Time Aberdeen 1 Motherwell 0
The half had hardly begun when Rutkiewicz saw yellow for a blatant trip on McFadden. The Aberdeen support were howling at Referee Thomson when a moment later Hammel did likewise on Young but as Rutkiewicz received his for persistent fouling it was Hammel's first foul. There should have been red for former Motherwell favourite Deloumeaux when he made a two-footed lunge at Scott Leitch, and could consider himself fortunate indeed to only be booked. Clearing, Aberdeen attacked and it was Kinniburgh to the rescue as he denied Tiernan who looked set to go to test Dubordeau. Referee Thomson then decided that a body-check by Young on McFadden didn't merit a booking seconds later. Motherwell took the free kick and Quinn's long ball found McFadden. He laid the ball off to Lehmann and the shot went past the far post. Downfield the ball went and as Lehmann looked to clear he was barged to the ground by McGuire though incredibly the throw went to Aberdeen. The Fir Parkers cleared their lines and pushed upfield where Lehmann forced a corner. He himself rose to meet the ball from Hammel but sent a header wide of the mark. D'Jaffo made a run for Aberdeen and despite the attentions of Adams made his way to the edge of the box. He got in a shot but failed to cause Dubordeau any concern. Motherwell did draw level just prior to the hour mark and it was an unlikely source. A corner from the right fell to Kinniburgh and he slammed the ball home much to the delight of Motherwell players and fans alike. The home side made an immediate change, D'Jaffo being replaced by Mike. They tried to regain the lead with Young bursting into the box though his progress was checked by an outstanding piece of defending from Quinn. Just after Young had escaped a card after hauling down Adams it was McFadden who saw yellow for his first foul of the game when he brought down McGuire. Motherwell dealt with the free kick easily and Quinn then sent McFadden running upfield. He won a corner off McGuire but this was hooked away.
McFadden went close moments later when he rifled in a 25 yard attempt but Preece got down well to hold the shot. Young Shaun Fagan, recently back from suspension, was then booked when his attempt at winning the ball from McGuire was deemed foul. This, compared to Young's two-footed effort on Leitch a minute later for which he escaped any punishment, was harsh to say the least. Ferguson then passed up a great opportunity when he ran onto a through ball and with two in support chose to go alone and was crowded out. Aberdeen then had a chance when Preece sent a long ball for Mike but he mis hit his effort and the ball was cleared. Mike then fouled Dubordeau but play continued and as the ball bobbled Adams hooked clear on the penalty spot. The home side were reduced to ten men when Rutkiewicz was very late on Fagan. Referee Thomson immediately produced a second yellow and subsequent red for the Aberdeen youngster. Motherwell tried to push for the winner but Leitch's header was cleared. McNaughton then fired well over from 30 yards before Motherwell replaced the limping Fagan with McDonald. A dangerous run from Mike ended with a deep cross which McDonald did exceptionally well to clear. The home side forced a late corner which was dealt with by Motherwell, who made a last-minute change with Ferguson replaced by Clarkson.
Full-Time Aberdeen 1 Motherwell 1
Match Report by Ricky Mullen