Motherwell 0, Kilmarnock 1
| Match Date: Saturday, November 9 2002 |
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| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 4, 439 | |
| Motherwell Team (4-4-2): |
Dubourdeau, Ramsay, Corrigan, Partridge, Hammell, Cowan (Russell
86), McDonald, Adams, Pearson, Lehmann (Ferguson 66), Kemas.
Subs not used: Woods, Fagan, Kinniburgh.
Yellow Card: McDonald.
LATE AGONY FOR ROCK BOTTOM WELL
Motherwell 0 Kilmarnock 1
A LATE, LATE STRIKE FROM A HOTLY Disputed free kick gave the visitors all the points and continued Motherwell's slump. It was the fifth straight league defeat for the Fir Parkers who have won just three times in fifteen matches this season, with one of those being against Third Division opposition.
The visitors showed first, Partridge having to clear as Di Giacomo fired in a deep cross. Motherwell hit back, Ramsay's long ball to Lehmann seeing a poor first touch allowing Di Giacomo to knock the ball out for a throw and then concede a corner. Dillon then had to be sharp to deny Adams who looked set to strike. This was cleared as far as Corrigan and he appeared to win fairly ahead of Boyd but the visitors got the verdict. A mazy run from Fowler took him towards the box and only a great challenge from Adams ended the danger. Adams then showed great determination to dispossess Mahood but Referee Clark blew for a foul only he could see. There was an opportunity for Lehmann soon after when a loose ball fell into his path but a great block from Murray allowed Shields to clear. Some sublime skill from Kemas saw him make space near the corner flag but the low cross fell just beyond Lehmann. Twice in quick succession Shields was forced to clear as Kemas hovered inside the box though Cowan perhaps should have done better when he had a shot blocked seconds before. More vital defending from Martyn Corrigan prevented Murray connecting with the cross form Boyd soon after, then it was the turn of Cowan who superbly tackled Di Giacomo on the edge of the box. Di Giacomo then turned provider for Mahood but his wayward shot failed high over.
Motherwell came much closer when Kemas held the ball up giving Adams the chance and his curling shot crept past the far post. The visitors should have taken the lead when slack defending gave Di Giacomo a free shot from 16 yards but he screwed his shot wide with the goal gaping. Kilmarnock were then giving a free kick when Murray and Ramsay clashed out wide and whilst it looked soft the visitors failed to take advantage. What appeared to be a well-won tackle by Kemas on the edge of the Motherwell box had the home fans in anger when Referee Clark favoured Fowler. Up waddled Fulton and his strike was well held by Dubordeau. There was a booking for Innes when he went through Lehmann in midfield. McDonald gathered possession and his superb ball had Pearson racing toward the box but his cross was blocked behind. Motherwell came close when Corrigan saw his shot parried by Marshall who was fortunate to gather at the second attempt. The Fir Parkers then had a shout for a penalty denied when it looked as if Pearson was held by Fowler inside the box. The home fans were further enraged when Lehmann was ridiculously given off side from Dubordeau's kick despite being well on. Then a handball by Di Giacomo was ignored though he shot well over the bar. Referee Clark was doing his best to upset the home support when he then ignored the Linesman's advice and gave a corner when Mahood put the ball well over the bar. The corner was cleared and it was Kemas who had a chance laid on by Lehmann but his shot failed to match the turn. Just before the break Dubordeau did very well to save at the feet of Boyd who'd gone clear.
Half Time Motherwell 0 Kilmarnock 0
The half's first chance fell to Motherwell, Kemas connecting with the pass from Pearson but the shot was held by Marshall. Loose defending from Motherwell presented an opportunity for Di Giacomo but he cracked the shot over on the angle. Corrigan then had to make a brilliant interception as Fowler made the by line. From the throw Partridge cleanly beat Fowler to the ball but the visitors dramatic slump won him a free kick. Shortly afterwards Pearson was turned by Fowler on the edge of the box but fortunately for Motherwell the shot went over the top. Another soft free kick in favour of the visitors occurred when Hammel and Fowler were involved in a shoulder-to-shoulder match up which the Kilmarnock man lost. Motherwell passed up a great chance to open the scoring when Corrigan made a great run forward. He evaded several tackles but with Kemas clear to his right chose to shoot and the weak effort failed to trouble Marshall. The visitors' response was a cross from Shields which, although met by Innes, didn't beat Dubordeau in goals. Innes then made a dangerous run and this time the shot had Dubordeau at full stretch. The ball ran to Murray but he delayed and was eventually crowded out. Slack play in midfield gave Mahood the opportunity to run forward and his shot hit Partridge on it's way over the bar. Pearson conceded a second which was hit well over by Shields. Motherwell made a change, the out-of-sorts Kemas replaced by Ferguson. The Spurs man was immediately involved as he bust into the box but was overcrowded. Adams did gather and his shot was deflected behind. A nasty tackle from Mahood had Adams writhing in agony and the Kilmarnock man saw yellow for his trouble. Adams stepped up to take the free kick but hit his shot off the wall and away.
The visitors forced a corner when Fowler attacked but Pearson restored Motherwell to the attack. McDonald was booked for a foul on Canero but what angered the Motherwell support was a crude tackle seconds previous by Canero on Hammel which went unpunished. Motherwell came desperately close to scoring when Ferguson sclaffed a shot inside the box to Lehmann whose looping header just fell over the crossbar with Marshall well beaten. Di Giacomo then should have been booked when he sent Corrigan flying. Motherwell were looking more likely, though as Cowan came forward he shot weakly with Ferguson wide and clear on his right. The visitors made their first change with Di Giacomo replaced by McSwegan. A push by Innes on Ferguson presented Motherwell with a free kick some 25 yards though Adams failed to repeat his spectacular goal against Aberdeen mid-week with Marshal making a great save. The visiting response was a run and shot from Shields which went over. Another substitution from the visitors had Fulton hobble off seemingly with cramp, Sanjuan taking his place. A nasty studs-in challenge from Sanjuan just moments after coming on should have seen him disappear just as quickly but Referee Clark failed to even speak to the Spaniard. Motherwell then took off Cowan for Russell, with the visitors swapping Murray for Hay. Good defending from Partridge saw him stop Boyd though with time rapidly running out it was the Kilmarnock man who stole the points for his side. From a soft free kick, Hay dramatically hitting the turf as Pearson challenged, Boyd sent in a fiercely struck shot though Dubordeau looked to get down somewhat late as the ball raced under him. It was hard luck on Motherwell who must continue to believe things will turn around.
Full time Motherwell 0 Kilmarnock 1
Match Report by Ricky Mullen