Dundee Utd 2, Motherwell 1
| Match Date: Saturday, February 1 2003 |
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| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 6,672. | |
| Motherwell Team (3-5-2): |
Woods, Kinniburgh, Vaughan, Partridge, Corrigan, Adams (Fagan
73), Leitch (Lasley 83), Pearson, Hammell, Clarkson, Craig (Offiong 67).
Subs not used: Ewings, Cowan.
Motherwell scorer: Adams (19 pen).
Booked: Leitch, Partridge, Craig.
THROWING IT ALL AWAY
Dundee United 2 Motherwell 1
MOTHERWELL CONTRIVED TO Miss some golden opportunities allowing their hosts to take all three points in this crucial clash at Tannadice. Playing against 10 men for a full 70 minutes the Fir Parkers could not take advantage and dropped back to the basement.
Within the first few minutes' confusion between Craig and Clarkson 25 yards out allowed Dodds to hook the ball on for Smart. He was flagged offside but despite the Referee's whistle continued to play on and net, the Referee allowing him to escape punishment. More confusion amongst the Motherwell players, this time between Vaughan and Woods, allowed the ball to run just past the post for a corner. No one picked up Tod as he ran into the box to meet the cross and he scored from just inside the box. Motherwell attempted to hit back and Adams appeared to be bundled over in the box by Chiarini though play was waved on. There should have been a yellow card for Easton when he smashed into Pearson. From the free kick Vaughan sent in a dangerous ball but there were no takers. United then won a corner off Corrigan which found it's way to Miller but he curled way over. More slack visiting defending almost gifted Tod another goal though Woods was alert to the header. Another later Easton tackle, this time on Clarkson, gave Motherwell a free kick 30 yards out though Adams header was saved. Clarkson was then struck off the ball by Chiarini but unsurprisingly Referee Somers failed to spot, though there could be no excuse for his Linesman who had a clear view but failed to act. A clever run from Craig took him into the box and he forced a corner, however, there was no challenge on Combe and he held easily. A great challenge from Corrigan prevented a second home goal when Miller and Dodds combined to send Smart clear. Craig was then sent flying by a nasty Miller challenge but there was no booking. However, a minute later there was controversy when Combe was red-carded. Clarkson went through on a ball from Pearson and was clearly caught by Combe. Trying to keep his feet Clarkson eventually fell and Referee Somers pointed to the spot, sending off Combe despite the over-the-top protests from the home players. United then took off Smart and replaced him with Gallagher to take over in goals, and the new keepers' first job was to pick the ball out of the net after Adams had slotted home the penalty. The home response was from a free kick after Dodds had hit the turf. Bollan strode up but the ball was well over the bar. Then a corner gained was well held by Woods.
There was a booking for Dodds when he kicked out a Partridge. Another foul from Chiarini had Clarkson writing in agony though somehow the booking went to Leitch, presumably for complaining. Hammel took the free kick but sent it way over. The home fans were beginning to claim for everything and howled for a penalty when Kinniburgh blocked a shot though it appeared to strike the defender on the chest. Motherwell were beginning to attack with regularity and came close when Craig and Hammel combined to send in a dangerous cross. There was no one on hand but the return cross from Corrigan was plucked from Craig by Gallagher. Motherwell then forced a corner but a poor take allowed United to break though they failed to take advantage. There was then the injustice of a booking for Partridge when he was booked for a late tackle on Dodds. Injustice because seconds before an off the ball incident where Miller caught Adams was completely ignored. A booking did come for Bollan when, skinned by Clarkson, he enacted revenge and was yellow carded. A long ball from Corrigan had Craig charging towards the box and he caught Gallagher just as the keeper plucked the ball. It was there to go for but Craig was booked, with the home fans baying for a red. The Tannadice men attacked with McCracken picking out Miller but his looping effort went over. A terrific ball in from Hammel then had the home defence in all sorts of difficulties but Chiarini got lucky and cleared. As play swung to the other end and as Kinniburgh looked to have beaten McCracken fairly the free kick was given. Adams came in to knock the ball behind for a corner and he himself headed this clear of the box. Miller became the next booking when another nasty challenge saw him carded. Motherwell almost took the lead when Hammel and Corrigan combined to send in a low ball which Adams caught but his miss-hit shot slipped wide of the far post. More pressure from Motherwell forced a corner but the last effort of the half fell to United when Dodds had a 20-yard effort saved.
Half-Time Dundee United 1 Motherwell 1
The home side made an immediate change, McCracken replaced by Wilson. Again Motherwell passed up a great opportunity to take the lead when Leitch, turning in side the box onto a Corrigan pass, shot past the far post when he perhaps could have done better. Then McIntyre somehow escaped a booking when, despite the Referee indicating a dive inside the box, play continued without the hint of a yellow card. United then took off Tod and brought on Lilley. There was then a terrific effort from Pearson which Bollan just managed to take the sting out of. Clarkson then forced a corner which Vaughan headed wide. Motherwell continued to attack with Corrigan sending Adams wide but despite a poor cross Gallacher just plucked the ball out from just under the bar. What looked like a sandwich involving Dodds and McIntyre on Partridge somehow ended up in a free kick for the home team. Motherwell broke upfield but another poor Adams pass had the chance break down. It took a super save from Stevie Woods to deny Lilley as he connecting with McIntyre's cross. United won a second corner but this one was more effectively dealt with. Adams then looked to have won the ball from Dodds and start a break but the Referee pulled play back with a free kick. A header from Chiarini was saved by Stevie Woods. His opposite number then made a vital sae as Pearson looked to pounce. Pearson then snapped at a loose ball but could only drive the ball wide from outside the box. Motherwell then gave a debut to Newcastle United striker Richard Offiong, who came on to replace the impressive Craig. However, he had yet to touch the ball when some slack defending allowed the home side to take the lead again. Duff found Miller inside the box and despite not connecting properly his shot managed to beat Woods and hit the net. It was somewhat of in injustice at this point but Motherwell still had plenty of time to level things.
Hammel was having a nightmare of a match and he was beaten by Lilley but cover from Vaughan conceded a corner. Just four minutes after losing the goal Motherwell really should have levelled. Pearson's cross found Adams on the edge of the six-yard box and with the goal more or less gaping he headed wide of the far post. It was Adam's last involvement as he was replaced by Sean Fagan. One player who could count himself very lucky was Miller who escaped a second yellow when he clattered into Clarkson from the back. The end result was only a free kick which Bollan put high into the stand. Offiong was causing problems for the home defence with his pace but his team mates were rarely using it. He did force a corner but this was cleared. A clash between Kinniburgh and McIntyre looked somewhat innocuous but the home side got the free kick. Miller battered it off the wall and the ball was cleared. Leitch then left to be replaced by Keith Lasley. Motherwell came close when Clarkson saw his looping header hit the top of the net. The Fir Parkers were pushing up and after Bollan had conceded a corner Partridge had an effort hooked off the line. Pearson then found Corrigan but his 18-yard effort was clutched by Gallacher. Despite being under pressure United almost snatched a third when the broke upfield with Dodds racing onto McIntyre's pass and with only Woods to beat he curled the ball past the post. Right on the final whistle Clarkson failed to connect with a cross just yards out and Motherwell's last opportunity was gone.
Full-time Dundee Untied 2 Motherwell 1
Match Report by Ricky Mullen