Inverness v Motherwell 04.03.06

Match Date: Saturday, March 4 2006
Competition: Scottish Premier League
Attendance: 3,183.

Motherwell Team (4-4-2):

Meldrum, Corrigan, Craigan, McLean, Hammell, McBride (O'Donnell 80), Kerr, McCormack, Foran (Paterson 87), Scott McDonald (McGarry 84), Clarkson.
Subs Not Used: Alexiou, Hamilton, Fagan, Kinniburgh.

A SECOND-HALF Penalty from Richie Foran saw Motherwell take the points at a wintry Inverness and claw back three points in the chase for the top six. In a tight match the Fir Parkers were perhaps just about deserved winners on the day.

The home side went close early on when Craigan had to clear a Black header from almost on the line after Dargo had crossed deep. Black and Dargo combined again with the former shooting wide. Brian Kerr attempted to push into the Inverness box but Tokely blocked his path.

McBride crossed deep where Dods had to concede a corner though this came to nothing. Meldrum’s kick then fell to Dargo but he was unable to make it count for Inverness. A McDonald cub back was then crossed by McBride into the path of Clarkson but he was inches away from connecting. Martyn Corrigan looked to have won from Hart but the free kick went to the home side. McCormack cleared to McDonald and he appeared to be taken late by Black but play continued.

There was a foul when Proctor brought down Foran and Motherwell had the free kick not far from the box. Hammell curled it in but it went past the far post. Proctor then conceded a corner and from this Craigan eventually was only able to direct the ball wide of the target. Wyness played a ball wide for Hart but his cross was well hooked to safety by Craigan. McCormack did well to regain possession in midfield and his forward past had Munro clearing as Clarkson threatened to pounce. Scott McDonald was the subject of two late challenges, and although the first from Munro carried a free kick the second, a late lunge from Duncan, saw play continue.

There was an early change for the home team when Proctor, who had gone down heavily after a challenge by McLean, had to be replaced by Morgan. Wyness then won the ball near the edge of the box but saw his shot curl past the far post. Kerr partially cleared the free kick though it came back in and Morgan headed wide. Morgan was becoming heavily involved and he curled a shot wide after breaking forward. Motherwell broke with McDonald racing upfield and he appeared to have been taken out by Tokely but play failed to stop.

After Motherwell had won a corner the home side broke forward and it took a fabulous save from Colin Meldrum to keep them out. Hart crossed in towards Wyness and his first-time shot was superbly parried by Meldrum with a corner conceded. The corner fell to Tokely but Meldrum was on hand to take. Proctor then cleared as McDonald looked to connect with a Foran ball in.

Alan McCormack looked to have been taken out inside the box but play continued despite there being evidence of a clear push. An overhead kick by Dargo was the last action of the half, with Meldrum on hand to hold the effort.

There was an early booking for Morgan of Inverness when he blatantly dived over the feet of McLean after running into the box. A minute later he was at it again though this time the Referee inexplicably failed to show him a second yellow when he dived as Corrigan challenged.

McBride raced down the wing and his cross the ball ran away from Clarkson. However, Motherwell had the perfect opportunity to take the lead a minute later from the penalty spot. Foran was involved in the build up and as McCormack ran into the box he looked to have been nicked by the leg of Tokely as tumbled to the ground. The Referee pointed to the spot and booked Tokely, with Richie Foran doing the necessary and slotting the ball home.

Motherwell pushed forward again and won another corner but this was cleared. Tokely was then on hand to clear just in the nick of time as McBride’s cross looked destined to be netted by the leg of Foran. Motherwell should have had another penalty when McDonald raced away into the box. As he rounded Brown the former Motherwell keeper took him down but despite looking long and hard at the incident, the Referee decided it was not a penalty.

There was a booking for Black who failed to keep his mouth shut shortly afterwards. The visitors forced another corner as they kept the pressure up but again the home defence was able to keep Motherwell out. Morgan and Wyness combined to cross into the box but McLean was on hand to end the threat. A clever one-two involving David Clarkson and Martyn Corrigan saw the latter drive in a shot which only just cleared the far post with Brown struggling.

Inverness made a change, Duncan making way for Keogh. Morgan was lucky not to see a second yellow when the Referee decided his late challenge on McBride was neither a free kick nor a booking. Clarkson neatly flicked on for McDonald and despite looking on side the flag came up to halt his progress. The home response was a Wyness header from a Tokely cross which went well wide.

Clarkson then made the by line but his cross was cleared by Tokely. Dods then played Morgan wide and his ball for Wyness saw a shot fall the wrong side of the post for the home side. Both teams then made a change, for Inverness it was Hastings replaced by Bayne, whilst Motherwell took off McBride in place of Phil O’Donnell. The Motherwell sub was immediately involved, playing McDonald wide but the cross win was cleared by Dods.

Inverness keeper Brown then did well to hold a Clarkson header after a cross from O’Donnell. McDonald then left to make way for Steve McGarry. Shortly afterwards Richie Foran was replaced by returning from injury Jim Paterson. McGarry was then fouled by Munro but the Inverness defence cleared. Paterson then saw a header loop over the top as he met a Kerr cross.

Inverness tried to draw level, Wyness seeing a shot deflected wide by McLean, who also cleared the corner. Wyness then saw a shot go into the side netting and the last Inverness chance went. Indeed, McGarry was just an inch or two away from doubling the advantage when McLean’s knock on fell just beyond him