Hearts 4, Motherwell 2
| Match Date: Sunday, September 15 2002 |
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| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 8,700 | |
| Motherwell Team (4-4-2): |
Woods, Ramsay, Sengewald, Partridge, Hammell (Russell 88),
Lasley, Corrigan, Adams (Ferguson 81), Fagan (McDonald 61), McFadden, Lehmann.
Subs not used: Dubourdeau, Cowan.
Motherwell scorers: Lehmann (12), McFadden (28).
Yellow Cards: Sengewald, Partridge, Adams, Fagan.
SECOND HALF SLUMP SEES WELL LOSE OUT
Hearts 4 Motherwell 2
A DRAMATIC TURN AROUND Saw Motherwell pass up a golden opportunity to record only a fifth Premier League win at Tynecastle. Two ahead after 30 minutes some sloppy defending gave the home side a win they rarely looked like achieving in that opening spell.
Hearts were first to have a pop at goal. After Hammel had pulled Boyack back on the edge of the box the free kick from Valois forced Woods to palm the ball round at the near post. From the corner De Vries rose to head well wide of the target. An error by David Partridge then presented a chance to Severin but he drove wide as well. Motherwell's first opportunity came when Corrigan found Fagan and his deep cross was nicked away from Lehmann by Severin. The Fir parkers came much closer soon after when Severin knocked out a cross from Ramsay only as far as Lasley and his 25-yard volley wasn't too far off the mark. A minute or so later Adams skewed Lehman's header wide when a look to the right would have found McFadden in the clear. Hearts broke up field with Severin finding Boyack though the shot was wild. McFadden was then dispossessed near his own box giving Boyack a chance but again his shot went well past. It was Motherwell who were beginning to look the more likely and they indeed took the lead with a classy goal. McFadden turned Pressley inside out several times before crossing from the by-line and there unmarked was Dirk Lehmann. Having been on the receiving end of a torrent of abuse from a particular section of "Hearts" fans, who had also launched into choruses of songs more associated with the Govan area of Glasgow, he had the perfect response with his deflected volley racing in at the far post. It sparked great celebrations amongst the travelling support.
The home response was a De Vries header which failed to trouble Woods. Motherwell attacked again and Martyn Corrigan saw his shot deflected over for a corner. Sengewald headed back across goal only for Severin to head high and McKenzie to complete the clearance under severe pressure. Valois of Hearts was then lucky to escape a booking when he caught McFadden late. Daniel Sengewald rose to head off Pressley but there was no corner forthcoming. McKenna then gave away a corner kick as Lehmann pressurised him in defence. McFadden then gained possession and tormented Maybury who, despite desperate attempts, couldn't bring the Motherwell man down though as the pass found Adams he skewed the shot wide. Motherwell pressed again with McFadden combining with Lehmann though this time it was Corrigan who sliced his shot. Hearts weren't seen much in attack though a venture up field by Kirk ended with Valois shot going past. Kirk then caught Ramsay late and again Referee Dallas decided to let it go with a free kick. Motherwell were looking likely and doubled their advantage. McFadden forced Severin into conceding the corner which, when swung in, Sengewald headed across for McFadden to head home. Despite receiving a completely unnecessary elbow from Severin the Motherwell man was able to score. There were a worrying few seconds when McFadden lay flat but he quickly recovered.
Hearts tried to hit back and gained a free kick when De Vries and Sengewald tangled and whilst there was nothing in it the home side got the verdict. However, the visiting defence held firm and cleared. Valois then crossed deep for De Vries who headed way wide. McFadden then broke up field and passed into Lehmann. On the edge of the D he found Adams but the pass wide for Corrigan was too strong and allowed Severin to get in the challenge for the throw. The first booking came when Hammel was carded for a trip on Kirk though it was a bit harsh. Partridge cleared to the side but De Vries and Sengewald again clashed. Hearts were given another soft free kick but this one they made count. De Vries rose completely unchallenged to nod his side back into things. From the kick-off Motherwell attacked and playing a neat one-two Lasley and Adams exchanged but the shot was weak. McFadden was then brought down on the edge of the box by Maybury but play was waved on. A long ball from Hammel then sent Lehmann racing in at an angle. The big German shot for goal only to see McKenna block well and clear. Seconds later McFadden again too Pressley to the cleaners but the low cross only found McKenna who cleared. McFadden then crossed but McKenna arrived just ahead of Fagan.
Half-Time Hearts 1 Motherwell 2
Hearts thought they had an early corner when McMullan's cross was headed behind by Lehmann only for Referee Dallas to point for a goal kick. From the kick out Lehmann found himself being clambered on by McKenna giving the Fir parkers a free kick. As this was cleared Sengewald was rather clumsy with a challenge on McKenna and could have little complaints with the booking. Hearts should have got their first booking when Stamp went studs-in on Hammel but Referee Dallas decided a free kick was enough punishment for the home team. Hearts then came close to levelling when Boyack crossed in and Stamp's shot was headed away nearly on the line by Sengewald. Motherwell were being pushed back and only a terrific block from Woods kept the Fir Parkers ahead. Boyack and De Vries played a one-tow and the former's shot was well blocked by Woods with Corrigan completing the clearance. Hammel then looked to have won the ball fairly from Kirk but the fall convinced Dallas to award the free kick from which McKenna headed wide. Valois then fired in a low shot which Woods got down well to hold.
Motherwell came out of defence and McFadden was found by Lasley. The deep cross fell just beyond Lasley and behind. Severin then was booked for chopping down Fagan and McFadden rose to head narrowly past. Motherwell made a change on the hour, Fagan replaced by McDonald. Hearts gained a corner when Sengewald was forced to head behind. Woods punched the cross partially clear but as it came back in he missed the ball only for McKenna to head over. The Tynecastle team drew level two minutes later with a preventable goal. McMullan was allowed time and space out wide and he was able to pick out the isolated Kirk who headed in at the near post. Soon afterwards Kirk found himself booked for verbals. And a moment or two later Kirk raced from seemingly off side to bear down on Woods but the keeper made a superb stop with Corrigan knocking the ball behind. The corner came to Kirk but he fired past. Derek Adams was next to be booked for a late challenge on Stamp. Referee Dallas had been awarding many split decisions in favour of the home side and from another, when Corrigan looked to have beaten Kirk fairly, De Vries headed past. And the inconsistency of the bookings situation came to light again when McMullan clattered Ramsay late and escaped punishment. Motherwell came close when McFadden again caused problems, Sengewald beaten to the ball by De Vries. Hearts cleared and raced up field to gain the lead. McKenna at the back post picked out Valois, and from the cut back Boyack shot low in at the far post to complete the comeback.
Within two minutes it was four-two to Hearts. Stamp punted the ball up field where Kirk outpaced Corrigan and slotted beyond Woods to compound the travelling supports' misery. Motherwell almost completely collapsed, it was nearly five a minute later when Valois chipped to the far post and the ball drifted an inch past. Kirk then went off to be replaced by Wales. Motherwell took off Adams, who was replaced by Ferguson. He was immediately involved when Hammel crossed but the deflected shot off Pressley was held by McKenzie. A couple of free kicks then baffled the away team and fans alike when firstly De Vries fouled Partridge but got the nod from Dallas, then Corrigan was held back by Wales but got the free kick. Hearts thought they had got a fifth when Woods jumped to catch a cross only for McKenna to clatter into the keeper, the Motherwell man being given the free kick. Partridge and Severin then clashed with the Motherwell man booked and the Hearts player lucky to escape what would have been a second yellow. Just on full time Woods made a superb save from Valois, tipping the shot round the post. The final whistle then came and Motherwell could have few complaints after a dreadful second half.
Full Time Hearts 4 Motherwell 2
Match Report by Ricky Mullen