St Mirren 2, Motherwell 0

Match Date: Saturday, August 5 2006
Competition: Scottish Premier League
Attendance: 5,036.
Motherwell Team (4-4-2):

Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Donnelly, Paterson, McGarry, Kerr, O'Donnell, Foran (McDonald 53), Hamilton, McCormack (Clarkson 59). 
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, McBride, Fitzpatrick, Connolly, Reynolds.

Booked: Craigan.

DIRE PERFORMANCE RINGS ALARM BELLS

Saint Mirren  2     Motherwell  0

A VERY POOR Performance from Motherwell saw them slump to a second successive defeat at the start of the new season, and the alarm bells are already ringing out for the Fir Parkers. It was another disappointing performance in front of a good travelling support that vented their feelings long before the end.

An early foul by Lappin on McGarry gave Motherwell a free kick some 40 yards out. Foran out jumped the defence but couldn’t direct his header towards goal. There was then an elbow for Stephen Craigan, delivered by McGowne, but Referee Smith decided to merely award a free kick without as much as warning McGowne. Soon after McGowne then fouled McCormack. He got up to find Quinn but the misdirected cross was easily gathered by the unchallenged Smith. McGarry was working hard and he forced an error from McGowne only to see Smith clear up. The ball fell for Molloy but as Foran tackled the Love Street man took a dramatic tumble, enough to convince the Referee to award a foul. There seemed little prospect of a goal for either side, but some slack play from Motherwell saw the home side edge ahead. Kean flicked the ball beyond Donnelly and his low cross appeared to be turned over the line by Paul Quinn ahead of Sutton. Quinn was more accurate in his attempt to clear moments later when he cut out a Van Zanten ball towards Kean. Another foul by McGowne, who should by now have been booked, saw McCormack gingerly recover. He was able to take the free kick himself but couldn’t direct it to anyone but Smith. Molloy then brought down Foran but this free kick, although better delivered, broke fortunately for Smith in goals. Good play from Motherwell tested the home keeper soon after. Craigan’s long ball found McGarry and Hamilton volleyed the resultant header towards goal, though Smith was equal to the shot. Saint Mirren attacked and Murray fired in a dangerous shot, which Smith saw comfortably over. Kerr was adjudged to have fouled Brady conceding a free kick some 20 yards out. Kean met the ball in but his header went wide of the upright. Motherwell came close near the half hour. Foran met a corner and was unfortunate to see his header go narrowly over the top. Stevie Craigan became the first booking of the match for a rather innocuous trip on Molloy who again made the most of things. Sutton then made a run right to the edge of the box but a superb Craigan tackle stopped his progress. Just before the break Murray sent McCormack flying but there was only a free kick awarded. Again, McCormack was able to recover, but once more Smith held the free kick.

Half Time     Saint Mirren  1     Motherwell  0

Motherwell began the second half with a great deal more purpose than they had shown in the entire opening 45 minutes. McGarry made the by line and crossed in for McCormack, but as he looked set to pull the trigger Murray hooked clear. McCormack and Kerr then set up Hamilton but a crucial delay allowed the home side to scramble clear. A long free kick from Molloy eased the pressure and, as Quinn headed behind for a corner, it was to prove decisive. Lappin swung the ball in and as Quinn attempted to head behind again he merely diverted the ball into the net for his second own goal of the game. Quinn attempted to alleviate the deficit and sent a long ball towards McGarry. He appeared to win fairly from Broadfoot but the slump to the ground convinced Referee Smith to award a free kick. Motherwell changed, Foran making way for McDonald, in an attempt to create more up front. However, the home side almost made it three. Sutton attempted to lob Smith and although the keeper was unable to gather at the first attempt he bravely held the loose ball under pressure. Kerr tried to hit back, his 25-yard shot from an O’Donnell pass wasn’t far away. Once again, Molloy went down very easily under minimal O’Donnell pressure and gained a free kick. Smith again kept Motherwell in with a shout when he superbly parried a Sutton effort to concede a corner. This broke to Sutton who drove well wide of the goal. Hamilton won well in midfield to set up McDonald but a late flag denied his progress. A further change by Motherwell saw McCormack make way for Clarkson, but this was greeted with derision by the away support. McGowne was at last booked for his latest in a long line of fouls, this time for dissent. Brady then tested Smith who was in no mood to be beaten again. His kick out fell to Hamilton and setting up McGarry the 20-yard shot was well held. Jim Paterson then conceded a foul, Molloy falling rather desperately, but Smith was on hand to parry the effort form Sutton with Craigan clearing. Van Zanten was there to deny McDonald finding McGarry with a cross at the expense of a corner. Swung in it fell to Clarkson but he saw his shot deflected behind. Motherwell resumed on the attack soon after, Clarkson crossing for McDonald but the header went wide. A home change saw Kean replaced by Corcoran. Broadfoot fouled Hamilton to concede a free kick soon after. Kerr side footed towards McGarry but the ball in was way too strong. Motherwell conceded successive corners but this time stood firm. Breaking upfield, McGarry ran onto a McDonald ball but drove wide. McGarry then did well to dispossess Broadfoot but after finding Hamilton a poor shot saw the ball go wide. Craigan then did superbly well again to deny Corcoran as he threatened to race clear. Motherwell had a shout for a penalty denied when a McDonald cross looked to have struck Broadfoot on the arm. However, it came to nothing, and Motherwell left pointless, and at the foot of the table.

Full time     Saint Mirren  2     Motherwell  0

Match Report by Ricky Mullen

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