TIRED MOTHERWELL FAIL TO SHINE IN THE SUN
Ashington 0 Motherwell 0 Cr: 250 1 Scott Howie 2 Eddie May 3 Iain Ross (Sub Denham 61) 4 Kevin Christie 5 Brian Martin (cpt) 6 Frank Rolling (Sub McCallum 70) 7 Mickey Weir 8 Billy Davies (Sub Burns 45) 9 Tommy Coyne (Sub Hendry 56) 10 Willie Falconer ( Sub McCulloch 56) 11 Stevie McMillanFORTUNATELY this was not an important match as Motherwell failed to get out of first gear in the sunshine at Ashington, a team fromt he Northern Breweries Second Division. The fairly large travelling support had expected a similar result to the one Motherwell acheieved 9 months ago when they trounced Peterlee 8-0, but left thinking even a single-goal victory would have been acceptable after a lethargic performance against a team five divisions below the English Third Division.
Right from the beginning Motherwell appeared to be a yard short of pace and indeed were fortunate at times to keep their own goal intact. Inside the first two minutes McGrane of Ashington had a header tipped on to the crossbar by contract rebel Howie and over for a corner. This early scare prompted 'Well to raise their game, and in 6 minutes Falconer's cross was headed narrowly past by Tommy Coyne. However, despite having the lions' share of possession, goals were not to be forthcoming. Willie Falconer saw a flashing header from Weir's corner go by, then another Weir pass Coyne's flick was well held by Hero keeper for Ashington Neil Fairburn. Kevin Christie got in on the act when his goal-bound volley was cleared from the line, then seconds later he had a shot tipped over the bar by Fairburn. Trialist Frank Rolling then showed some neat skill by breezing by three defenders on a run from inside his own half, then unleashing a terrific shot which grazed the crossbar on it's way over. Although Ashington fought well for every ball, Motherwell still appered to have so much possession they didn't know quite what to do with it at times. Just prior to the interval, three quick chances failed to break the stalemate. Mickey Weir's cut inside saw a shot well saved; Willie Falconer's volley following excellant work by Christie brought out a brilliant save; and Tommy Coyne's effort fell just the wrong side of the post. However, half-time came and the score still stood goal-less.
Half-Time Ashington 0 Motherwell 0The second half of this match was, to put it mildly, extremely dissapointing with no real chances to speak of inside the first 25 minutes. Motherwell did still retain most of the ball, but passes were going astray and any through balls were being comfortably dealt with by the impressive Fairburn. The Fir Park side introduced 5 second-hal f substitutes, including three strikers in an attempt to make a breakthrough which never came. With 18 minutes to go Alex Burns saw his 25-yard shot whistile by the post, but 2 minutes later a Weir/Hendry combination saw the latter cross for McCulloch to fire in a tremendous header which Fairburn somehow saved at point-blank distance. Ashington began to tire noticebly, but Motherwell could not capatilise. Inside the last 10 minutes they had three great chnaces. Denham's header was well blocked by Fairburn, then the home keeper had possilby his best save when, after Burns had sent Hendry clear, the former Tottenham Hotspur striker's shot was finger-tipped round the post. Near the end Ashington almost stole the match when Sampson's header cracked off the crossbar. Soon after the final whistle went on a match which must have had Motherwell Boss Alex McLeish frowning with worry.
FINAL SCORE Ashington 0 Motherwell 0