Inverness CT 2, Motherwell 0

Match Date: Saturday, April 21 2007
Competition: Scottish Premier League
Attendance: 3,804
Motherwell Team (4-4-2):

Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Reynolds, Murphy (Quinn 46), Kerr, Vadocz, McBride (McGarry 20), Paterson, McDonald, Clarkson (Darren Smith 76).
Subs not used: Meldrum, McCormack, Molloy, Fitzpatrick.

Booked: Paterson.

DISMAL WELL FAIL TO INSPIRE

A TRULY Miserable performance from Motherwell saw them lose out to a far-from classy home performance from Inverness, the Thistle side though clearly wanting the points a lot more than a lacklustre visiting outfit.

Inverness showed first; the run from Hastings found Paatelainen but his cross drifted behind the near post. The Finn was there again to cross in more accurately this time though Craigan hooked clear. Munro was heavy on Clarkson to concede a foul, and another, Bayne on Corrigan, immediately followed this. However, neither came to any danger for the Caley defence. Indeed, only an offside flay denied Dargo latching onto a deflected Duncan shot. McBride tried to push forward for Motherwell but was subject to a late Hastings tackle. He recovered to combine with Clarkson though Munro cleared. Danny Murphy appeared to have successfully defended a Hart cross for a goal kick but a corner was given. Motherwell broke away with Clarkson finding McBride; he was clearly taken out by Paatelainen but play continued. Graeme Smith came to Motherwell’s rescue when he superbly parried a Paatelainen volley from a corner, but just a minute later he was helpless as Inverness took the lead. Dargo’s shot from just inside the box looked comfortable for Smith until it took a massive deflection and shot into the net for yet another own goal. After Martyn Corrigan was adjudged to have fouled Bayne a free kick 25 yards out presented another chance, though Smith saved the effort from Bayne. Kevin McBride had failed to shake off the earlier hefty Paatelainen challenge and was replaced by McGarry. Motherwell forced a corner when McDonald put Munro under pressure, and, cleared to Kerr, his deep cross found Smith but he was declared offside. Paterson ran onto a Murphy pass moments later but the lay-off to McDonald saw a shot deflect through to Fraser. Soon after McDonald had another opportunity, taking McGarry’s cross and firing in a low drive which again had the sting taken out by a defender’s leg before being gathered by the home keeper. Motherwell were enjoying a more productive spell and it took a crucial Dods interception, at the expense of a corner, to deny McGarry. A short header back by Corrigan had the away fans worried with Dargo nearby, Smith gathering just in time. Dods should have seen yellow for a clumsy, careless challenge which left Clarkson in pain but play was waved on. Motherwell regained possession with McDonald supplying McGarry but his inviting lob in found no takers. Hart was almost through soon after for Inverness but he saw his progress halted by a fine Craigan tackle on the edge of the box. The ball ran to Rankin who saw a low shot held by Smith. Inverness passed up a great chance to double their lead when, after Dargo and Munro had combined; Hart had a simple job to net but blasted over from the penalty spot. Motherwell’s response was a shot from McDonald which sailed over on the angle. Jim Paterson became the first booking for a tackle on Hart which looked a rather soft card. The free kick was launched deep by McCaffrey and, headed down by Bayne, no one picked up Dargo on time and he finished. 

Half-Time     Inverness CT  2     Motherwell  0

Quinn replaced Murphy at half time as Motherwell made a tactical change. Soon into the half McDonald was flattened by another Duncan challenge and a free kick was awarded. Cleared as far as Clarkson he saw his effort comfortably held by the Inverness keeper. A loose ball fell into the path of Bayne as Inverness attacked though he saw Smith gather the rather tame shot. Rankin took Clarkson out of the play to concede another free kick some 20 yards out on the right. Although McCaffrey partially cleared Paterson soon returned and it was McCaffrey who knocked the ball behind for a corner. However, the home defence was on hand to clear the danger. Rankin by now must have been running close to a booking, but he escaped again despite another late foul, this time on McDonald. Teammate Paul Quinn was fouled by Paatelainen who, like Rankin, had been guilty of several fouls but the Referee retained his card once again. A fierce low cross from McDonald caused problems for the Inverness defence, Dods forced to knock behind with McGarry waiting to tap home. Dargo went down under a Craigan challenge and won a free kick though Rankin saw his take cleared. Another Dods foul on McDonald brought only a free kick, and soon after Inverness made a change when Dargo limped off to be replaced by McBain. Motherwell almost pulled a goal back when Vadocz met a Paterson cross with an acrobatic effort which Fraser did well to get down to. David Clarkson made way soon after with Darren Smith taking his place on the field. Motherwell were seeing much more of the ball, Inverness attacking on the break with one such attack seeing Bayne heading a Rankin cross over the cross bar. McDonald then sent in a high cross which Fraser gathered at the second attempt, the ball dropping kindly for him with McGarry in close attendance. Duncan became the first Inverness player booked on the day for being unable to keep his mouth closed. Inverness came close to adding a third when Rankin drove a volley narrowly past from a partially cleared free kick. Reynolds did well to clear a Paatelainen low cross shortly afterwards following a free kick into the box. 

Full Time     Inverness CT  2     Motherwell  0

Match Report by Ricky Mullen

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