Hibernian 1, Motherwell 0
| Match Date: Saturday, May 10 2003 |
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| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 7,809 | |
| Motherwell Team (3-5-2): |
Dubourdeau, Vaughan (Craig 87), Corrigan, Partridge, Ramsay,
Lasley (Clarkson 72), Leitch, Pearson, Hammell, McFadden, Lehmann.
Subs not used: Woods, McDonald, Kinniburgh
Yellow Cards: Ramsay, Lehmann.
WELL PAY THE PENALTY
Hibernian 1 Motherwell 0
A VERY DISAPPOINTING DISPLAY FROM Relegation-threatened Motherwell saw them slip to four points behind Dundee United with two games to go. It was a lethargic performance from the Fir Parkers who failed to realise the gravity of their situation.
Motherwell had an early opportunity when Brown caught Corrigan late giving a free kick but it was wasted. McFadden then turned on a Hammel long ball but his shot was well held by Andersson. Motherwell were attacking at every opportunity and Lehmann was only an inch away from gathering a Pearson pass as the midfielder latched onto a defence-splitting ball from Lasley. Hibs first real foray up front saw them win a corner off Vaughan which Dubordeau punched away. An elbow from Whittaker caught Lasley in midfield but Referee Willie young failed to spot and play went without stoppage. It then took a tremendous tackle from Martyn Corrigan to deny Riordan as he looked threatening on the edge of the box. Motherwell hit back and a lob from Pearson drifted past. Hibs response was a free kick though Dubordeau punched clear under pressure. There was a soft early booking for Dougie Ramsay who saw yellow for his first tackle, bringing down Riordan.
However, Dubordeau came to collect despite the attentions of Brown. Dubordeau immediately sent a long ball upfield which Lehmann looked to have easily sprung the offside trap only for the linesman to flag. The home fans thought they had taken the lead when Murray knocked a Jack cutback into the net only for the linesman to correctly flag that Jack had taken the ball behind the line prior to crossing. Dirk Lehmann was next to see yellow for a innocuous challenge on Jack. There should have been a yellow given to Brown when he deliberately handled a McFadden flick but Young chose to ignore. Hibs then forced another corner though Leitch hooked away downfield. And they came closer a minute later when Brown headed a free kick wide of the mark. Motherwell were denied a free kick outside the box when McFadden was sent sprawling by Brebner. And within a minute Lehmann then hit the turf after a hard hit from Jack but again there was no free kick given. It was beginning to look like any home challenge would go unpunished, especially when Dubordeau was taken late by Riordan well after the keeper had gathered a cross. Dubordeau recovered to shepherd a shot from Jack well past. The French keeper then had to be alert to take a header from Murray who then proceeded to foul Lehmann but escape punishment. As the break approached Ramsay cleared a Riordan corner before the same home player shot past from just inside the box.
Half time Hibs 0 Motherwell 0
The Fir Parkers were denied a quick opener when Matyus did well to deny Lehmann who looked set to connect with McFadden's flick. Pearson then sent Lehmann clear out wide but Fenwick tackled back to clear. Motherwell gained a free kick when Jack, and not for the first time, clattered into Lehmann. Murray cleared as far as Leitch who immediately returned the ball to the on-side McFadden but the linesman wrongly flagged him offside. Fenwick became the first home player to be booked when he was very late on McFadden. The free kick was in a promising position but Hammel wasted it. McFadden was receiving some rough punishment t and he was taken out of play by Doumbe. Young continued play but Pearson crossed to deeply. Play did stop as Jack was booked for a show of dissent. His team's next effort on goal was a shot from Brebner which was well above the cross bar. Murray was then almost onto a low cross but was beaten to it by a fine Ramsay interception. Doumbe escaped a yellow card when he took Hammel out on half way. And within a minute he incredibly failed to see a card when he was way high on Lasley. A superb tackle from Vaughan then prevented Brown from going in on Dubordeau but a minute later Motherwell all but threw away the points. A loose pass in defence allowed Murray to gather but he clashed with Vaughan inside the box. A penalty was given and Brebner scored from the spot. Referee Young failed to spot an altercation between Leitch and Brown though the Motherwell Captain could be in trouble for an alleged offence. Motherwell made a change, brining on Clarkson in favour of Lasley. Motherwell tried to respond and McFadden almost brought Clarkson right into play only for Fenwick to hook clear.
Leitch then received some rough stuff from Brebner who conceded the free kick. Hammel sent the ball in and Vaughan scored but he was adjudged offside in a decision which looked touch-and-go. Clarkson was then the subject of a rather debateable offside decision when he looked well placed to run onto Ramsay's through ball. Hibs responded with a shot from Brown well past before the Fir Parkers broke upfield. McFadden did well to race upfield and force a great save from Andersson. Teammate Jack was lucky not to walk when he caught McFadden but there was not even a free kick. Hibs burst away up the park and Dubordeau did well to hold a Riordan shot on the angle. Hibs then took Tack off and replace him with Wiss. Motherwell forced a corner but Hibs managed to clear and Riordan cracked a shot off the post. Motherwell made another change, Vaughan making way for Craig before the home side also took Brown off in place of Reid. Motherwell almost made a late equaliser when McFadden found Craig but his poor first touch allowed Andersson in to block though the Motherwell man had a shout for a penalty as he was clattered by the keeper. Andersson then made a superb block as McFadden almost found Lehmann at the back post before time ran out.
Full Time Hibernian 1 Motherwell 0
Match Report by Ricky Mullen