Match Date : Saturday 22nd February 1997 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 12,131
RUB OF THE GREEN DENIES BRAVE 'WELL
Motherwell 0 Celtic 1
A QUESTIONABLE 10th. minute goal by Jorge Cadete took all three points in this tense encounter at a blustery Fir Park. All the pre-match talk was of new Parkhead signinig Anoni, but he didn't even make it off the bench. Motherwell began the match in positive fashion, but were denied yet again by some poor refereeing. Twice within 30 seconds Celtic players handled the ball, firstly Boyd palmed a McMillan chip forward, then McKay bundled a Van Der Gaag pass. On both occasions Referee McCluskey chose to ignore the valid Motherwell claims, as well as his Linesman who flagged for the McKay hand-ball. Celtic broke forward, Cadete played a long ball across the box which was put out for a throw-in, then a corner. Di Canio took the flag-kick, the ball was knocked across his line by Ross, but Martin headed clear. From the second corner, Di Canio and Cadete got into a fankle on the edge of the six-yard box, and the chance was gone.From Howie's kick-out, McCulloch tapped a pass back to Owen Coyle. His chip found Tommy Coyne clear, and, despite being fouled by Kerr, he stayed up and shot towards goal when many a striker would have collapsed claiming a penalty. Unfortunately for Motherwell, ex-Fir Park favourite O'Donnell popped up on the line to clear for a corner. Eddie May took the corner, swung it towards goal, but there was Boyd to head narrowly past his own far post. However, Motherwell were unable to create anything from the next corner, and were made to pay by Celtic. Kerr kicked out, found Cadette, who passed towards Donnelly on the wing. Ross made the ball firstly, but was wrestled to the ground by the young Celtic striker. Amazingly, Referee McCluskey waved play-on, Donnelly found Di Canio, who in turn slotted a pass through to Cadete who looked way off-side, and he finished past Howie. Although T V evidence appeared to support Cadete, there was no way the Linesman could have been certain Cadete was on-side such was the speed of the move. Motherwell were visibly rattled by this further example of questionable officiating, and were leaving gaps at the back. Martin, playing expertly, cleared from Di Canio as the Italian bore down on goal. A McKay clearance was misjuged by Fraser Wishart, the ball fell to Di Canio who played a pass to Cadete, however, his shot was well over. Motherwell were under pressure at this point, and following a rare poor Brian Martin clearance, McStay shot high and wide. Ian Ross then was fouled by Donnelly, amazingly McCluksey awarded the foul to Motherwell, but the Fir Park side were so stunned by this change of heart the free-kick came to nothing. Malky McKay cleared the next Motherwell attack towards Di Canio, who played a clever ball through to Cadete. Clear one-on-one, he shot towards goal, but Scott Howie was on hand to produce a great save. Motherwell almost drew level twice inside the next few minutes.. Firstly, from a throw, Ross played the ball into the box to Eddie May. He turned his marker, and shot towards the far post, forcing Kerr to save with his feet. Then, following a crude Boyd foul on Coyne, Martin played a deep ball into the box, where Lee McCulloch attempting an overhead kick appeared to be caught slightly and the chance was gone. Motherwell kept up the pressure, Wishart played a one-two with Valikari, crossed the ball in and Kerr, under pressure from Coyne, dropped the ball but recovered to clear just in time before McCulloch pounced. Mitchell Van Der Gaag almost gifted a second to the hungry Cadete. Short with a pass back, the Dutch defender could only watch as Cadete's first-touch wasn't quite good enough. The Portuguese striker's cross was then nodded back to Howie by the apologetic Dutchman. The last chance of an action-packed first-half fell to Motherwell, Grant's poor clearance fell to Valikari, and his pass to Coyle was prodded through in the direction of Coyne, but Kerr was first to the ball.
Half-Time Motherwell 0 Celtic 1
Referee McCluskey continued to infuriate the home support with more inconsistent decisions in the Second-Half. From the kick-off, Di Canio's poor pass was intercepted by Wishart. The ball broke to Valikari, onto Wishart after a one-two with Coyle, and the play flowed towards Coyne. His pass found May, but he was clearly fouled by Boyd, but no free-kick was given. Celtic broke forward, McStay to Di Canio, and his back-heel found McKinlay. He fell over when challenged by Wishart, an automatic foul in Referee McCluskey's eyes. Thom's ball went wide to the fiery Italian Di Canio, he cut inside but held the ball too long, and when he did release it in the form of a shot, it was easily blocked and cleared. Peter Grant then produced his fourth bookable challenge on Owen Coyle, but the referee, despite giving a free-kick, only glared towards Grant when a card should have been produced. Good play by Celtic on the wing released McNamara, his cross found Cadete, but he shot wide from close in thanks mainly to good defensive work by the stalwart Martin.. Shortly afterwards Martin brilliantly headed a McKinlay cross clear under great pressure. Howie then saved well from a Di Canio shot. From the kick-out, McKay's headed clearance fell to sub Essandoh 25 yards from goal, and his dipping volley flew centimetres over the crossbar. Motherwell kept up their efforts to equalise, and despite being clearly fouled twice, Valikari managed to put in a cross which was just cleared by the massed Celtic defence. Di Canio broke forward, passed to Donnelly, but sub Denham produced a brilliant tackle when the Celtic striker was clear on goal. The Italian forward then played a one-two with McStay, but there again was Martin to block well. The action then swept to the other end, May crossed in, Coyle flicked on, and Coyne was inches away from a first-time volley. However, he was able to collect and shoot, but Boyd blocked on the edge of the six-yard box. Time then ran out on Motherwell as they chased the leveller, with Celtic just holdling on to the three points. An important win for the Parkhead men, a little fortunate it has to be said under the circumstances, whilst Motherwell can take great heart from their performance as they approach a crucial stage in the season facing Hibs and Kilmarnock away in their next two league matches.
FINAL SCORE Motherwell 0 Celtic 1