Match Date : Wednesday 20th August 1997 Competition : Coca-Cola Cup 3rd Round Attendance : 4,570
Motherwell scorer : Owen Coyle (9, 39, 62)
MORTON MAULED BY COYLES' OWEN TREBLE
OWEN COYLE scored a fabulouls hat-trick as Motherwell overwhelmed First Division Morton to progress to the Quarter-Finals of the Coca-Cola Cup at a humid Fir Park.
Motherwell were able to welcome back the steadying influence of Brian Martin, along with Kevin Christie and Greig Denham, and this gave a more settled look to the defence. Right from the off Motherwell piled everything into attack, and only a poor final ball or some desperate defending from the Morton defence kept the Fir Parkers out. In only five minutes Owen Coyle sent Tommy Coyne clear. From Coyne's cross Franz Resch, in great position, sent his header tamely wide. Soon after, however, Motherwell did make the breakthrough, and it was Hot Shot Coyle who did the damage. Confusion in the Away rearguard between Mahood and former Ibrox man Reid allowed Coyle the merest glimpse of goal, and the Republic of Ireland Internationalist sent in a terrific 20-yard shot which clipped the underside of the bar on it's way over Wylie and into the net. It was the type of finish from a class predator, and set Motherwell up for a comfortable victory. The men from Greenock were rarely seen as an attacking force, though Hawke almost scored very much against the run of play when his header from Reid's cross-ball spinned over Woods but also the net. Motherwell contrived to miss more opportunities, none more so than when Tommy Coyne found himself clear with only Wylie to beat. Much to the dismay of the home support he somehow managed to head wide. Coyle, however, showed his team-mate how it should be done with a second goal near the interval. Real route-one to goal stuff as Woods long punt upfield beat McCahill, allowing Coyle to race through and angle a shot into the far bottom corner.
HALF-TIME Motherwell 2 Morton 0Fir Park fans would have been forgiven for feeling somewhat insecure with a two-goal lead following the Inverness match 11 days ago. Unlike then, though, Motherwell began the second-half determined to put the game well beyond the men from Greenock. It should have been three just after the re-start but Coyle, hero of the match for the home support, contrived to miss the easiest of chances after scoring two brilliant goals. McMIllan's corner was played to the back post where Coyle somehow headed past. Morton almost pulled one back from a rare attack when Flannery's cross was completely miscued by Hawke in good position, allowing Woods to save easily. Austrian import Franz Resch, having an excellant match, nearly scored a first for his new club when his fierce shot was blocked by the busy Wylie. The third goal was merely delayed until the 62nd minute, and who else but Owen Coyle could have scored it. With the Morton defence woefully misplaced Coyle rifled home Martin's pass with a neat sixpence-like turn to claim the match ball. Much to Coyle's disgust he was substituted soon after, a move which also confused the home support. However it transpired later that it was a mix-up, though the Morton defence would not have been complaing. There ended the scoring, but not the chances, with Tommy Coyne passing up a great chance when he missed his kick in front of an open goal. Morton finished the match with ten men after Anderson was instantly red-carded following a reckless late challenge on Stevie McMIllan, though it was one of the few decisions referee Clark got right all night. A competent, comfortable win for Motherwell whilst Morton will clearly have their work cut out to survive in the First Divison this season.
FINAL SCORE MOTHERWELL 3 MORTON 0