Motherwell 1, Partick Thistle 1
| Match Date: Saturday, August 10 2002 |
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| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 5,788 | |
| Motherwell Team (4-4-2): |
Team: Woods, Ramsay, Corrigan Partridge, Hammell, MacDonald (Kinniburgh
56), Lasley, Leitch, Pearson, McFadden, Lehmann.
Subs not used: Dubourdeau, Fagan, Clarkson
Motherwell scorer: Pearson (83)
Yellow Cards: Ramsay, Hammell, Lehmann.
MORE OFFICIAL WOES FOR WELL
Motherwell 1 Partick Thistle 1
THE FIR PARKERS SUFFERED AT THE Hands of another inept official as Partick left with a point. Debutant Referee Craig Thomson made many bizarre decisions which ultimately allowed the visitors to take a point back to Firhill.
It was Motherwell who attacked from the start with Hardie having to look alert and clear from Hammel, the ball almost making it's way through to Pearson. Partick were certainly not holding back with their challenges and Dirk Lehmann was sent flying by Paterson, Referee Thomson waving play-on. However, a minute later Mitchell conned Thomson by diving as Corrigan challenged near the touch-line, the dramatic fall enough to convince the man in green. Thomson then chose to ignore a push by Paterson on McFadden, the tone already set by the man-in-the-middle. Shortly afterwards Lehmann was barged off the ball by Paterson but as play continued McFadden managed to avoid a lunge from the centre-half before Craigan came in to concede a corner. Archibald knocked behind for a second before Referee Thomson managed to spot a foul on Partridge by Budinaukas yet give the decision in favour of the keeper. Another Paterson foul on McFadden was at last punished with Pearsons' quickly taken effort blocked for a corner. The ball fell for McFadden but the shot was charged down by Paterson and cleared.
Partick weren't seen much as an attacking outfit but the had an opportunity when McLean found McKinstry but his shot went wildly over. The home fans were up in arms when Hammel cleanly won the ball from the diving Mitchell and his fall was enough to convince blundering Referee Thomson to book the Motherwell man. Mitchell's' fall looked as if he'd a six-month injury lay-off ahead of him yet within 10 seconds he was running around like a child. Superb vision from McFadden presented Pearson with a great chance soon afterwards but the ball into the box from the latter was poor. The visitors then made a change, McLean being replaced by the much-disliked Britton. In keeping with his choice vision Referee Thomson then missed a deliberate elbow by Britton into the back of Leitch who recovered after treatment. Not content with getting Hammel booked Mitchell was at it again when his dive ensured Lasley also saw yellow. Motherwell went close when Pearson shot away from two defenders but his angled drive was blocked for a corner. Cleared as far as Ramsay he fired in a 25-yard shot which wasn't far over the bar. There should have been at least a yellow card for former Aberdonian Whyte when he took McFadden out from the back, but Referee Thomson decided a free kick was punishment enough. The visitors had an opening when Craigans' long-ball fell to Burns and his shot on the angle was well held by Woods.
McFadden was again the subject of a cynical Whyte foul and again Thomson thought a free kick was the order of the day, whereas by now Whyte should have been off the field. McFadden stepped up and curled the ball superbly only for Budinaukas to be equal and parry for a corner. Dougie Ramsay was then the subject of a kick off the ball from Britton who was lucky a more diligent Referee was not around, and in keeping with the main official the linesman failed to flag as Burns, well off-side, was allowed to run clear but made a hash of his cross. Britton must have though he could get away with just about anything as within minutes he deliberately palmed a through ball with to gain an advantage and although a free-kick was awarded he should have been booked. Just before the break Britton was at it again, this time elbowing Partridge but there was no surprise in play continuing.
Half-Time Motherwell 0 Partick Thistle 0
The visitors came out quickest with Archibald firing in an angled drive which sailed over the crossbar. Motherwell hit back with Lasley, Corrigan and McFadden linking well to present Lehmann with a chance but Budinaukas saved the header. Martyn Corrigan then fouled Burns giving Partick a free kick some 30 yards out. Lehmann, back covering, safely headed behind for a corner which, when swung in, saw Woods fouled by Whyte but still able to punch wide. Motherwell had a fair claim for a penalty unsurprisingly ignored when Lasley found McFadden and he was sent flying by the challenge from Paterson. As the cross was returned Budinaukas made an outstanding tip round the post to prevent an own-goal from Paterson. Good work from captain Leitch saw him dispossess Whyte and supply McFadden but he was crowded out as he approached the box. Partick attacked with Burns blocked out for a corner.
Motherwell made a change with McDonald being replaced by Kinniburgh as the Fir Parkers reverted to a back three. The corner was cleared though as Paterson broke forward he was cleanly tackled by Leitch but the fall convinced Referee Thomson to give a dangerous free-kick. Swung in, Woods cleanly took the ball before a quite unnecessary and quite cynical challenge from Mitchell saw the keeper slump to the ground. In keeping with Referee Thomson's incompetence he amazingly booked Burns instead, with Mitchell escaping. Thomson further enraged the Fir Parkers when Lasley won the ball from Archibald and as he looked to be racing clear the Referee decided a free kick was to go to the visitors. Motherwell had another player unfairly booked when Lehmann, clearly pushed by Craigan, complained and saw yellow and whilst the booking for dissent was perhaps just it should never have got that far. Perhaps the most bizarre decision of the all though came when, after the standside linesman had flagged for offside against Thistle, Referee Thomson incredibly awarded a free-kick 25 yards out to the visitors for reasons known only to himself. Justice was seen to be down when Hardie found Hamilton with his effort. Stevie Woods then had to get down to hold a snapshot from Mitchell who had managed to remain on his feet, and a minute later again Woods got down well to stop Hardie's header. Motherwell were awarded a free kick when Whyte once more attempted to flatten McFadden, the eventual header from Hammel going wide.
Somewhat surprisingly the visitors took the lead when it looked like they were content to secure a point. McKinstry crossed for Hardie, and, taking advantage of slack marking, set up Burns who headed over Woods. Partick regained possession and Buchan saw a shot cleared away before Motherwell hit right back. McFadden ran wide, well on side, and making the by-line his inch-perfect cross was met by Pearson and the looping header dropped in at the far post. The visitors were given an opportunity to cause trouble in the home defence when Burns, falling as if shot, convinced Referee Thomson to award a free kick 20 yards out. However, Mitchell tried to chip the ball over Woods and perhaps should consider wearing boots the next time he plays. Near the end Referee Thomson again chose to wear his blinkers as Hammel was sent sprawling by Mitchell, before the last action saw Mitchell leave the field to a loud chorus of boos from the home support, subbed by Gibson. However, the loudest noise came at the final whistle when Thomson left the field, the Motherwell fans letting him know how they felt.
Full-Tiime Motherwell 1 Partick Thistle 1
Match Report by Ricky Mullen