Motherwell 0, Hibernian 2
| Match Date: Saturday, August 31 2002 |
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| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 5,888 | |
| Motherwell Team (4-4-2): |
Woods, Ramsey, Corrigan, Partridge, Hammell, Lasley, Adams
(Ferguson 56), Leitch, Pearson, McFadden (Fagan 74), Lehmann.
Subs not used: Dubourdeau, McDonald, Kinniburgh.
Yellow Cards: Lasley, Partridge
TOWNSLEY DELIVERS HORROR POSTING FOR WELL
Motherwell 0 Hibernian 2
FORMER WELL MAN DEREK TOWNSLEY Returned to haunt the Fir Parkers with two goals as Motherwell lost their first home match of the season. Townsley, however, was lucky to stay on the park as Referee Clark bottled sending him off for wild celebrations with the away support, having previously booked him for reacting to the home support after the opening goal.
The opening stages saw Motherwell go forward and only a last-ditch interception from Jack prevented Pearson connecting with the through ball from Leitch. There was then an error from Colgan which he only just recovered in time as Lasley hovered about. Jack and McFadden then collided on the edge of the box and as the ball broke Adams saw his powerful drive deflected for a throw. The ball came back in and Lehmann evaded capture but could only drive into the side netting. Pearson looked to break but despite being taken from the back by Fenwick play continued. An error by Zambernardi allowed McFadden to set up Lasley but Referee Clark blew for a free kick for a reason only he knew why. Great play from McFadden almost gave Adams a chance only for Colgan to nip in just in time. Seconds later Stevie Hammel met a pass from Leitch but could only drive wide from outside the box. Dirk Lehmann then made what seemed like an important tackle to win possession back from Luna but despite the linesman being well positioned and seeing nothing wrong Referee Clark awarded a free kick and gave Luna points for impression. Luna again went down with little invitation as this time Partridge challenged and Clark immediately gave the free kick. This one counted, however, as former Fir Parker Townsley curled the ball into the top right-hand corner with Woods struggling to get there. Townsley got carried away with his celebrations and was booked for reacting to the home support.
Motherwell had an opportunity to hit back after Fenwick flattened McFadden but it was wasted. A minute later the visitors passed up a great chance to double their advantage. Murray crossed for Luna who somehow managed to blaze over when it was easier to score. Motherwell were looking somewhat shaky and after Partridge had conceded a corner a free header from Murray sailed over. Zambernardi was then booked when he deliberately tripped McFadden wide on the left. Hibs again passed up a great chance to score when Murray went clear on Woods but the home keeper made a great block though he required treatment which he recovered from. Motherwell had a valid penalty kick claim ignored when, from a free kick awarded when Murray sent Lehmann flying, Pearson saw his jersey pulled by Murray though Referee Clark ignored the obvious. McFadden then made a terrific run taking him by several players before a lack of support saw him crowded out. Referee Clark then eventually stopped play and awarded a free kick to Motherwell following two nasty challenges, firstly Murray on Adams then McFadden felt the force of Dempsie. Hibs cleared and had an effort on goals when a weak Murray shot was easily dealt with by Woods. Just prior to the break McFadden was almost onto a loose ball inside the box but clearing up was Dempsie who conceded a corner.
Half-Time Motherwell 0 Hibernian 1
There was an early yellow card for Partridge when he stopped Luna as the visiting forward bore down on the Motherwell box. Motherwell created the first chance of the half when Adams met the cross from Leitch but the save from Colgan was far from difficult. Just moments later the visitors almost doubled their lead when Luna and Pataalainen combined to set up Townsley and his volley on the angle drifted just wide of the far post. Jack escaped without a booking for a crude tackle from behind on Lasley and shortly afterwards Whittaker then brought down McFadden though Colgan took the free kick easily. Motherwell made a change with Ferguson replacing Adams. The first of several wrongly given offsides came when Ferguson and Lasley combined to send McFadden clear only for the East Stand side linesman to flag very late. McFadden then challenged Colgan for a loose ball and as the ball bobbled Colgan was able to recover just ahead of Lehmann. There was yellow for Murray when his late tackle on Leitch brought a yellow card. And within seconds Matyus was also carded tripping Ramsay. Motherwell then came within an inch of equalising when McFadden's quickly taken free kick found Ferguson and he raced clear before driving an angled shot off the far post which fell behind Lehmann and was cleared. Keith Lasley was next to be carded for a high challenge on Jack and whilst no-one could argue about the booking Pataalainen was lucky not to also be carded for his unnecessary addition to proceedings. Townsley found Luna whose header was saved. McFadden was again left frustrated when Leitch sent him away from a position well on side only for the Linesman to wave his flag. And within a minute he'd done it again, McFadden clearly on but flagged off side. Hibs were given a corner when, despite Luna having the ball knocked behind off his shin he gained the flag-kick. Fenwick was then booked for a trip on McFadden which the Motherwell man himself drove over. McFadden then burst down the wing and his cross found Ferguson whose shot was blocked behind. McFadden then managed to beat the offside trap again and this time the Linesman decided to keep his flag down. Racing clear and with only Colgan to beat McFadden somehow allowed the Keeper to gather at his feet and the chance was gone. It was to prove critical, as the visitors went right up the park and scored.
Hibs broke upfield and Luna picked out Townsley at the far post and he headed home. Despite going right over the advertising hoardings and celebrating with the away support, normally a yellow-card offence, Referee Clark decided to ignore and failed to produce a card, which would have sent Townsley go off. Shortly afterwards Luna headed over from a corner and within seconds the distraught McFadden, who'd slumped to the ground after Hibs second goal, was replaced by Fagan. From a soft free kick awarded when Luna went down under a Partridge challenge Whittaker drove wildly over. Matyus was then lucky not to see red when he deliberately tugged on Ferguson's shirt inside the box, play continued and Ferguson still managed a shot which was saved. Hibs then made a change, Luna replaced by McManus. And a minute or so later Matyus again escaped a red when he was way too high with his feet inside the box as Pearson legitimately went for a high ball. The visiting defender clearly had no right to have his feet so high but Referee Clark not only waved play on but also failed to allow treatment to Pearson until Colgan had kicked the ball out of play. When play did resume Fagan supplied Ferguson but he saw his shot blocked. One player who did escape a booking but could also count himself lucky to stay on the park was Jack of Hibs; with time running out he chose to elbow Ramsay in the face on the blind side of the Referee though quite how the linesman failed to spot is anyone's guess. In injury time Motherwell had another valid penalty claim turned down when Matyus clearly handled in the box.
Full Time Motherwell 0 Hibernian 2
Match Report by Ricky Mullen