Match date : Saturday 9th May 1998 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 5,861
Motherwell scorer: Ian Ross (67).
'WELL OLD GUARD SIGN OFF MISERABLY
Motherwell 1 Aberdeen 2HOME FANS Will be glad to see the back of another disappointing season as Motherwell slumped to a fourth successive defeat to end the season very much on a downer. And with several players set to leave the club under Manager Harri Kampman's proposed purge, it was a sad farewell from certain players.
Defensive indicision has plauged Motherwell all season, though there was on mistaking Stevie McMillan's decision to inexplicably handle the ball inside the first minute. With no apparent danger, McMillan raised his hand to prevent a cross reaching the far post, and there was no doubt it was a penalty kick. Billy Dodds took it, and Scott Thomson, making his competative debut and also his final match in goals for Motherwell, was unlucky not to save it diving the right way. It should have been two not long afterwards when Jess sent a ball through to Newell. Somehow, from virtually point-blank range, the ex-Blackburn Rovers striker made an appalling miss as he skied the ball over the bar. Motherwell were creating little in the way of attacking football, with Aberdeen looking the more likely. And it was no real surprise when a clever move led to a second for the Granite City men. Billy Dodds was again the man on target, taking receipt of a great ball from Jess and controlling with ease before slotting the ball high beyond Thomson. Eliphas Shivute attempted to lift his side with some positive runs, but there was little in the way of back up for the Namibian International who has been an instant hit with the Fir Park faithful. One run in particular saw him ghost by two defenders but as path was being blocked, the lay-off found no takers and the chance was gone. At half-time the home side were roundly booed off the park after another poor performance.
Half-Time Motherwell 0 Aberdeen 2Motherwell were a transformed side after the break and tried manfully to get back into a match they were almost requring tickets to just take the field. It took 22 mintues before Motherwell did score, and it was a good peice of skill which allowed the home side to drag themselves back into the match. Owen Coyle attempted to chip the ball over John Inglis, and as the ball broke to the in-rushing Ross, he jinked by the Dons defender and as Whyte closed in calmly slotted the ball beyond Leighton and into the net. Motherwell were doing all the pressing with Aberdeen seemingly content to take all the home side could throw at them. As time was running out it should have been all square, the normally-reliable Tommy Coyne seeing his effort smack off Scotland keeper Jim Leighton's legs at virtually point-blank range. Time ran out on the Motherwell attempts to level the match, and as the final whistle went a pitch invasion greeted the players as they trooped off in disappointment. Minutes later some of the sqaud came out, several as if to say their farewells, including Brian Martin and Tommy Coyne, both of whom gave their jerseys to the fans. Both teams will now undergo major surgery in an attempt to be a more potent force next season, particularly Motherwell with at least half the current squad set to leave.
FINAL SCORE Motherwell 1 Aberdeen 2