Match date : Saturday 21st February 1998 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 8,375
Motherwell scorers: Owen Coyle (5), Willie Falconer (37)
HEARTS HOODOO STRIKES AGAIN
Motherwell 2 Heart of Midlothian 4MOTHERWELL MADE IT THIRTEEN GAMES Without a win against Hearts as they threw away a two-goal lead at Fir Park. Indeed, Motherwell have now lost their last seven matches against the Tyncecastle side, despite a particularly bright start in this encounter.
The home side dominated proceedings in the first-half and could so easily have been a couple of goals to the good very early on. With Caretaker Jim Griffin watching on, McMillan's low cross bounced along the six-yard line evading everyone, including Tommy Coyne who only had to touch the ball to score. Hearts had a chance when the ball broke off Falconer and clear for Adam, but Woods was quick to clear. However, Motherwell deservedly opened their account in five minutes with a lovely goal. The recalled Billy Davies delicately chipped in to the box for Coyne. His chest-down for Falconer saw the ex-Aberdeen man cross back in, and there was Owen Coyle to head beyond Roussett and into the far corner. Motherwell were making a mockery of the division which almost serperates the clubs. Excellent inter-play involving Newman, Davies and May saw Coyne sent Davies clear, though his chip was easily saved. A rare Hearts attack saw Hamilton go down in the box as Martin challenged, Hearts claimed penalty but it definetely was not. The ball broke to Fulton, and his 25-yard shot flew wide. Motherwell had their own shout for a spot-kick waved away when Owen Coyle appeared to be pushed by Naismith when he looked certain to score from only four yards. Hearts had a couple of opportunities of their own as they attempted to claw their way back into the game. Weir should have scored with a free header, then Fulton saw his 25-yard shot tipped over by Woods. However, normal service was resumed soon after when Motherwell doubled their lead. Martin's clearance found Coyle, and he in turn played a pass out wide for Tommy Coyne. A quick one-two later, and Coyle was wide at the edge of the box. He evaded Salvatori, crossed to the centre of goal, and Falconer, who had kept his intelligent run going, was there to head home. Hearts, however, hit back immediately. Fulton's cross was headed in by Hamilton, though with Motherwell temporarily reduced to ten men the goal perhaps could have been avoided had Ross not been injured. Just before the interval Motherwell almost regained their two-goal advantage. Naismith was caught in possession on the edge of the box, Coyle squared for Coyne but again Coyne missed his kick with only Roussett to beat and the chance was gone.
Half-Time Motherwell 2 Heart of Midlothian 1IT all went horribly wrong for Motherwell after the break. McCulloch slid in to win the ball off Fulton but strangely a free-kick was given. From the kick, McCann crossed for Cameron far post but he missed his kick and the chance to level matters. Hearts were clearly up for it, and Cameron saw his first-time shot saved by Woods. A Weir mistake almost gave Motherwell back their two-goal advantage, but Coyle chose to curl a shot which went wide despite Coyne being in good position. Hearts almost equalised in controversial circumstances when Hamilton headed past - he had pushed Rob Newman out the way to get to the ball but Newman's claims were ignored. Motherwell were beginning to lose the midfield battle, and Hearts equalised on 58 minutes, though the goal was controversial in itself. Adam strolled through the midfield towards the Motherwell box and laid the ball off for Hamilton, his poor control allowed the ball to run through to Woods. However, the Keeper, despite clutching the ball, had it forcibly removed by Cameron, and Hamilton shot home. In other circumstances a foul may have been given, but Hearts were not punished. McCann was causing problems for the Motherwell defence again down the right wing, and his dangerous cross was cleared in the nick of time time by Falconer. Hearts were sensing unease in the 'Well back four, and went ahead with another poor piece of defending. Adam sent in a cross which was only partly cleared to Fulton, and he drove a shot into the net. Fulton was then booked for joining the Hearts supporters in the South Stand, but several other Hearts players who accompanied him were not!! Woods in goal was looking quite uncertain, and he palmed away a cross and a header under minimal pressure from Weir, but he redeemed himself when quick to clear from the on-rushing Adam. Motherwell began to wake up after that, with Falconer unlucky to see a net-bound header cleared off the line by Frenchman Adam. Martin sent in the return, and Roussett clutched in front of May. McCann shot just by at the other end after fouling Valakari but he was allowed to progress. Play raged to the other end, and after Cameron had body-checked McCulloch, amazingly escaping a booking, Roussett needed two attempts to clutch Garcin's free-kick as Newman slid in. Just when it looked likely Motherwell would level, a mistake cost them dear as Hearts finished the match off. Coyle's pass inside for Coyne was too strong, and ran on towards McCann. His cross was met by Adam who, despite being clearly off-side, headed easily into the net. It was almost five, Martin being dispossessed in front of goal, but Hamilton shot narrowly wide. The home side had two late attempts to claw back the deficit, Adam again clearing off the line from a Falconer header, and with time running out, McCulloch saw his shot scrap past the post.
FULL TIME Motherwell 2 Heart of Midlothian 4