Dunfermline 3, Motherwell 0
| Match Date: Saturday, April 5 2003 |
|
| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 4,086 | |
| Motherwell Team (4-4-2): |
Dubourdeau, Corrigan, Vaughan, Partridge, Hammell, Cowan, Adams,
Leitch (Craig 80), Lasley (Fagan 80), Lehmann, McFadden (Clarkson 73).
Subs not used: Woods, Kinniburgh.
Yellow Cards: Leitch, Lasley
Red Card: Vaughan
SOMERS FREEZES WELL OUT
Dunfermline Athletic 3 Motherwell 0
ANOTHER APPALLING PERFORMANCE From bungling whistler David Somers helped to ensure Motherwell remained at the foot of the SPL. Time and again he infuriated the Motherwell fans and players alike with a string of bizarre decisions.
Dunfermline began on the attack with Bullen being allowed a free header from Brewster's cross which he directed well over. Motherwell replied with a claim for a penalty denied when Bullen clambered all over McFadden in the box. Play swept to the other end with Vaughan conceding a corner, though Dubordeau gathered. What looked like a fine tackle from McFadden on Bullen turned into a home free kick with Somers somehow deciding McFadden had dispossessed the Dunfermline man unfairly. They broke forward with Brewster curling his effort past. McFadden then cut back a ball for Lehmann near the penalty spot and the German was sandwiched between Bullen and Wilson though again Somers waved play on. Again Dunfermline broke quickly and Bullen won a corner. Two quick corners immediately followed though a third was given despite Brewster heading wide. Motherwell won a corner of their own when Grondin deflected McFadden's ball wide and a moment later Wilson was very late on Adams giving a way a free kick 35 yards out. Brewster cleared the ball off than hand of McPherson but there was no penalty. McFadden was then the subject of a hack from McPherson with Referee Somers deciding on just a free kick. A minute later Leitch slipped a pass through for Lehmann whose turn and shot wasn't so far past. However, a minute later Dunfermline went ahead. Hampshire scored as Dubordeau deflected a shot from Brewster into his path, the Motherwell defence looking somewhat static. Dubordeau then missed a deep Grondin cross but Hammel mopped things up.
The Fir Parkers were extremely unlucky not to draw level two minutes later. Lehmann made a superb run to the by line and his cut back had Lasley and Grondin stretching for the ball with the latter clipping the ball off the inside of the post and running along the goal line out of harms' way. As the corner then came in Bullen impeded Lehmann but play continued. And another penalty claim went when Cowan's cross struck Kilgannon. Motherwell were right back into things with Lasley sending Adams wide but his poor cross was frustrating with options inside the box. Wilson became the first booking when a quite awful challenge from the back on McFadden saw him fortunate to only see yellow. Scott Leitch was then booked for a late tackle on Grondin, the tackle coming after the linesman had already flagged for offside. A free kick was given which Brannan sent wide. The width of the post again denied Motherwell a leveller in a 30 second spell which completely changed the game. Lasley's header was palmed onto the post by Stillie and a long desperate punt upfield had Brewster and Vaughan chasing the ball. Vaughan tugged at Brewster's jersey but both remained on their feet and continued the chase until, just inside the box, Brewster fell under a soft shoulder challenge. Referee Somers decided that the original challenge was a red card offence and sent Vaughan off. Somers then further enraged the Motherwell fans when he awarded a corner despite Wilson clearly heading wide. Hammel was then the subject of a foul from Bullen who went unpunished and headed over. There was then the incidence of Dubordeau being barged by Brewster as he went for a cross ball. An obvious foul though not in the eyes of Somers who waved play on with Partridge clearing. Just before the break Brannan shot wide.
Half Time Dunfermline Athletic 1 Motherwell 0
Just after the restart Lasley saw yellow for a rather soft foul on Grondin who amazingly recovered soon as the card came out. Referee Somers further enraged the away fans when he failed to produce a second yellow for Wilson when he again tackled Lehmann from the back. As play was allowed to continue he then stopped play as Hampshire hit the turf easily. With five minutes of the half gone Motherwell slept at the back allowing Nicholson to run clear on a Brewster flick and he beat Dubordeau with an angled drive. Motherwell tried to hit back with Brewster losing possession to Corrigan but he was rescued by Somers awarding another soft free kick. Brannan hit the effort in with Dubordeau tipping the ball over, the corner coming in to Bullen who drove well wide of the target. Wilson again stayed on the park after another tackle from behind, this time leaving Leitch writing in agony. Hampshire then caught Partridge high but with no booking forthcoming. Terrific work from Corrigan then stopped Bullen going clear inside the box. Motherwell attacked with Lehmann looking set to test Stillie until Wilson again fouled him but not in the eyes of Referee Somers. The home side made a change with Bullen replaced by Hunt. A pull by Hunt was ignored allowing the Irishman to then win a corner off the Motherwell defender. Wilson sent his header wide and as the ball came back in his header was then saved. Motherwell should have halved the deficit but passed up a superb opportunity. Hammel made great ground on the left and his low cross found Adams clear on Stillie. However, with only the keeper to beat he weakly shot at the former Aberdeen man and the chance was gone.
McFadden was receiving some rough treatment and he was again the subject of a late, late challenge, this time Mason sending him flying without a hint of a yellow card. A deflected effort from Hampshire was then well held by Dubordeau before the East End park side made another change, Brewster replaced by Hamilton. Motherwell were still attempting to grab a goal with McFadden heading an Adams cross over. It was McFadden's last involvement, replaced by Clarkson a moment later. Dunfermline were then given a free kick when Kilgannon and Leitch collided. Motherwell cleared but fell further behind two minutes later. Hunt was able to turn on the edge of the box and score after a one-two involving Hamilton and himself. It could have been worse, Dubordeau getting down well to hold Hamilton's low drive. Lasley became the third Motherwell change, Fagan taking his place seconds after Leitch was replaced by Craig. Motherwell's heads were visibly down and Dubordeau came to the rescue to deny Hampshire a second. He was then replaced by McGroarty. Certain Somers was not going to send him off Wilson was at it again, this time attempting to halve Lehmann. Grondin then not only fouled Adams late but proceeded to kick the ball away without punishment. From the free kick Lehmann passed up a great opportunity with a free header he sent wide. In the last minute Hamilton shot for goals though Dubordeau held well.
Full Time Dunfermline Athletic 3 Motherwell 0
Match Report by Ricky Mullen