Match Date : Saturday 9th August 1997 Competition : Coca-Cola Cup, 2nd Round Attendance : 4,247
WOODS STINGS THISTLE IN SHOOT-OUT DRAMA
Motherwell (2) 2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle (0) 2 FOR the third season in-a-row Motherwell fans had to endure a nailbiting penalty shoot-out in the Second Round of the Coca-Cola Cup. After disposing of Clydebank in 1995, and falling to lowly Alloa a year ago, Caley Thistle pushed the Fir Parkers all the way only to be denied by two wonder saves by Home Hero Stevie Woods.
Caley began the game on the backfoot as Motherwell attempted to put the game beyond last seasons' Third Division Champions, and after a few near things the home side put themselves in the driving seat with two goals in six minutes. Both came from headers, and should have signalled the opening of the floodgates. The first goal was a simle as a training ground exercise. Billy Davies put in a deep corner from the far right and up leapt Willie Falconer to bullet home the opener on 17 minutes. The Inverness team looked visibly shaken, and fell further behind in the 23 minute when Ian Rosss' cross was expertly directed into the far bottom corner of the net by Owen Coyle, who could not hide his enjoyment. Then, inexplicably, Motherwell appeared to believe the job was done and Inverness would just fold. However, Caley suddenly upped their game and began to win more and more possession as the half progressed. Indeed, they almost snatched back a goal when firstly Wilson and then former Fir Parker Brian Thomson went close, only to be denied on both occasions by the alert Woods. A neutral observer would have noticed that whilst Motherwell still held the ball Caley were the hungrier side.
Half-Time Motherwell 2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0The old adage of "It aint over 'till it's over" certainly should have been the spur for Motherwell to put the game beyond Caley as quickly as possible. Unfortunately for the home support Motherwell still appeared to be playing well within themselves and unable to up the gears. It was still a surprise when Caley pulled a goal back in the 56th minute. As Christie of Caley chased a ball into the box Stevie McMillan unnecessarily barged the former Celt and a penalty was the inevitable outcome. Brain Thomson, who had said prior to the match playing against his former team was a better prospect than any other, swept the spot-kick past Woods and Caley were right back in it. The match became more of a contest as Caley began to play a bit, though 10 minutes after Caleys' penalty counter Motherwell almost snatched back the two-goal advantage which, at that time, would surely have put the game beyond Inverness. Tommy Coyne met Ian Ross's cross on the volley, but former Saint Mirren keeper Les Fridge, once a target for Motherwell, acrobatically saved the effort. Caley really should have levelled on 71 minutes when Hastings sent Wilson clear in the box. However, hero of the day Woods made a brilliant save at Wilson's feet as the Thistle man looked certain to score. Fridge again froze out Coyne with another wonder save, before Caley stung Motherwell with a late equaliser which was no more than they deserved. Clever work between Addicoat and Stewart saw the former slip the ball beyond Woods to square the match. As the match neared extra-time one final effort from Motherwell saw Doerner's shot tipped over the bar by Fridge, but the corner came to nothing and extra-time became inevitable.
FULL TIME Motherwell 2 Inverness Caledonain Thistle 2The main talking points of extra-time were the sendings-off of Brain Martin and Billy Davies. Wilson of Caley made a dangerous late challenge on Martin, who took a swipe at the Thistle man without making any contact. However Referee Dougal, who appeared to book anyone who moved, sent off Martin when surely a booking and stiff lecture would have been sufficient. As for Wilson, he was booked though would surely have deserved to walk had Dougal been consistent. Dougal wasn't finished there, and he further enraged the Motherwell support by inexplicably ordering off Billy Davies, apparently for foul and abusive language. Caley were unable to take advantage of their new-found superiority in numbers, and it was Motherwell who almost snatched things near the end when Fridge was brave to take the ball at Coyne's feet. There was to be no more scoring, and a penalty shoot-out was to decide who progressed to a Third Round tie at home to Greenock Morton.
Penalty Shoot-Out
Motherwell Inverness Caley Thistle Coyle scored Stewart scored McMillan scored Noble saved Weir scored Hastings saved Coyne scoredThe sense of relief around Fir Park was immense, though Inverness were in the end worthy opponents who will surely do very well in their attempts to reach the First Division.
FULL TIME Motherwell 2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2
a.e.t Motherwell win 4-1 on Penalties