Match date : Saturday 24th January 1998 Competition : Scottish Cup 3rd Round Attendance : 2,412
SLOPPY WELL PAY THE PENALTY
Scottish Cup Third Round
Dumbarton 1 Motherwell 1BOGHEAD'S biggest crowd for months saw Motherwell completely dominate the match yet come out of the game with almost nothing to show for their play. Chance after chance went a-begging, and despite taking an early second-half lead the Sons equalised with a questionable penalty and indeed almost snatched an unlikely victory.
The visitors went at their hosts right from the start and Mickey Weir, who had an excellent match, almost opened the scoring in just five minutes. Owen Coyle's long, deep cross from wide out on the left winge was met by Weir, and his downward header looped up and over Goalkeeper Meechan but Gow was on the line to boot clear rather unceremoniously. Motherwell were pummeling the Dumbarton goal, and Owen Colye came twice within inches of scoring against his former team but to no avail. The home side were rarely seen as a threat, and on the odd occasion they did manage to break free of the seemingly constant Motherwell pressure they passed up the chance to threaten with a weak final pass or mis-hit effort. McSkimming then showed some excellent footwork out wide to send in an inviting cross which Mickey Weir managed to get on the end of. Keeper Meechan produced an outstanding save to turn Weirs' effort over the bar for a corner. Meechan was fast becoming the one stumbling block between Motherwell and a barrowload of goals, soon after he was at it again making a brilliant block from a Rob Newman piledriver. Shortly before the interval Eddie May broke into the box in great position but as he drew back the trigger the ball took an awkward bubble on the lunar landscape and the ball trickled harmlessly past as May hit the dirt. At half-time there was no scoring, but only thanks to the bravery of Keeper Meechan.
Half-time Dumbarton 0 Motherwell 0Motherwell at last made the breakthrough just two minutes into the second half with quite a simple goal. Owen Coyle's pass into the box set up Weir, and as he cut it back across the ball broke of Bruce for McSkimming to rattle high into the net. The 'Well fans settled back for the expected avalanche, but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept Dumbarton in the hunt for an equaliser. Tommy Coyne in particular was having what could only be described as a nightmare day at the office, shooting wildly over on three seperate occasions, though the pitch hardly helped his normally deft touches. Willie Falconer saw a terrific volley brillaintly saved by Meechan as Motherwell tried to finish the game off, but it was Dumbarton who were to score the game's last goal. In a rare attack Mooney hooked the ball over his head and into the box. Brian Martin's clearance was only partial, and as the ball bounced loose Sharp ran into Newman as the Dumbarton player attempted to get the ball. Amazingly Referee Tait pointed to the penalty spot much to the annoyance of the large travelling support, and afte the Dumbarton players had stopped partying, Sharp took the kick himslef and sent Woods the wrong way to level. If that was bad, Brian Matin then almost inadvertantly assisted Dumbarton to a shock lead. His attempted header forward merely sliced off the top of his head and ran invitingly towards the Motherwell goal where Flannery collected. As Rob Newman slipped, Flannery raced clear on Woods, but the Motherwell keeper produced an outstanding save to parry the ball round the post. Dumbarton's moment of glory was gone, but they still managed to hang on and force a replay as Motherwell ran out of ideas and luck.
FINAL SCORE Dumbarton 1 Motherwell 1