Dunfermline 1, Motherwell 0
| Match Date: Saturday, September 21 2002 |
|
| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 4,987 | |
| Motherwell Team (4-4-2): |
Woods, Corrigan, Partridge, Sengewald (Ramsay 24), Hammell,
Lasley (Ferguson 82), Adams, Leitch, Pearson (Fagan 45), McFadden, Lehmann.
Subs not used: Dubourdeau, Russell.
Yellow Cards: Leitch, Lasley, McFadden.
WELL LOSE FOURTH-IN-A-ROW AT BOGEY GROUND
Dunfermline Athletic 1 Motherwell 0
ANOTHER DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE Saw Motherwell lose their second game in succession for the first time this season. In a poor game all-round, the only goal came well into the second half when a no-scoring draw looked likely.
Motherwell did come close to opening the scoring in the first minute. After a Wilson foul on McFadden the ball fell for Derek Adams but he saw his goal-bound shot blocked near the line by Skerla and cleared. Skerla then gathered possession and was dispossessed by McFadden only for fussy Referee Richmond to blow for a foul. Wilson played the ball long for Crawford to nod on though Partridge was on hand to head away from danger. Only a superbly timed tackle from Martyn Corrigan then denied Crawford as he threatened to go clear on Woods following a flick from Nicholson. A good one-two involving Corrigan and Lasley then opened up the home defence. As Adams threatened Wilson arrived to nick the ball to safety. Stevie Woods was called upon for the first serious save of the match when he had to get down to hold a fierce angled drive from Crawford after he had been played in by Brewster.
Motherwell were awarded a free kick when Hampshire sent Pearson flying near the halfway line. Wilson headed clear and allowed Dunfermline to break. As Brewster burst forward Referee Richmond tumbled over much to the amusement of both sets of supporters. It was then the Fir Parkers turn to break but a crucial delay prevented a possible goal. Lasley fed Pearson on the edge of the box but the midfielder took a pause and by the time he chose to shoot he was well crowded out. Lehmann regained possession but Referee Richmond decided that the ball-winning tackle on Wilson was clearly a home free kick. Halfway through the first period Motherwell were dealt a blow when Daniel Sengewald had to leave the field with a nasty head blow, and although similarly injured Brewster returned to play. Sengewald was almost immediately replaced by Dougie Ramsay. Whilst the change was being made a cross from Mason was headed wide by Wilson. From the kick by Woods the ball was collected by McFadden. He managed to shake of his three markers and almost chipped Ruitenbeek, the home keeper able to recover and save.
Clever play from Dirk Lehmann then set up Lasley with a chance but his deflected shot was held by Ruitenbeek again. Motherwell then gained a free kick when Thomson climbed all over Lehmann some 25 yards out. Hammel crossed and although Lehmann soared high to head on the ball went wide. Motherwell fans and players alike were angered when, as Mason clearly carried the ball out, a corner was given to Dunfermline. Lehmann knocked behind for a second which Mason headed well past. Moments later it was the turn of Nicholson to knock the ball behind only for a corner to be awarded which was cleared. Five minutes from the break Motherwell had a great opportunity when a superb long ball from Pearson found McFadden He twisted and turned Wilson but Skerla was on hand to deflected the power from the shot. Dunfermline burst upfield with Nicholson finding Brewster and the first-time effort sailed over the bar. Just before the break Keith Lasley became the first booking for what appeared to be no more than winning the ball from Kilgannon.
Half-Time Dunfermline Athletic 0 Motherwell 0
The Fir Parkers had to make a second change at the break, Pearson being replaced by Sean Fagan. Motherwell tried a rather ambitious method of restarting the match when, right from kick off, Adams attempted to score from the half way line and had it been on target Ruitenbeek would perhaps have struggled to get there. A nasty challenge from Wilson on Fagan then went without as much as a free kick, Referee Richmond choosing to allow play to continue. And moments later Kilgannon headed well out of play but amazingly Richmond decided Dunfermline should take the throw. James McFadden then picked up a rather unnecessary booking when he wrestled Wilson to the ground in a show of sheer frustration. There was no question of that being a foul, however, seconds later Hammel fairly won possession back from Kilgannon yet Referee Richmond blew for a rather soft free kick, to say the least.
Only a terrific save from Stevie Woods then kept the scoreline blank. Brewster's' lay off was met by Crawford and his powerful shot was turned away by the alert Woods. Dunfermline then made a double change, Brewster replaced by Dair and Kilgannon by McGroarty. The home fans then howled for a penalty when Bullen headed over, claiming he was being held by Partridge. Another booking came the way of Motherwlel when Leitch was yellow-carded for a soft foul on Mason. However, shortly afterwards Wilson of Dunfermline saw yellow when he just couldn't keep his mouth shut at conceding a free kick. Dunfermline then came close when Dair crossed for Bullen whose header was saved by Woods. It was another Motherwell man to see yellow and again a rather soft booking, Adams for a trip on Mason. Motherwell then conceded the game in completely preventable fashion. Woods failed to come for a cross forcing Corrigan to knock behind, the two exchanging fierce words immediately afterwards.
The Fir Parkers inability to deal with Bullen in the air was to cost them dear as he rose unchallenged to nod in at the far post. Motherwell tried to hit back and although retaining possession for much of the remainder of the match did little with it. Adams and McFadden combined inside the box only for Thomson to appear and clear just in time. Motherwell had an appeal for a penalty denied when Wilson used McFadden as a frame to climb and head away for a corner. Both sides then made a change, Motherwell taking off Lasley in place of Ferguson with the home side replacing Dempsey with Walker. From a cross by Ramsay it was Lehmann who headed well wide soon after. Fagan was then the subject of a sandwich between Dempsey and Wilson a free kick was awarded some 30 yards out. McFadden strode up, sent in a well-struck effort, but Ruitenbeek got down to hold it. Near the end Corrigan found Adams but his looping header was held under the bar.
Full Time Dunfermline Athletic 1 Motherwell 0
Match Report by Ricky Mullen