Match Date : Saturday 20th September 1997 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 7,420
ELIVA DEBUT AS SHIVUTE GIVES WELL BITE
Motherwell 1 Hibernian 1ELIPHAS SHIVUTE added much-needed bite to the Motherwell attack as the Fir Park side ran league-leaders Hibs all the way on Saturday. Although the Namibian International failed to score, he caused no end of problems for the Easter Road side, and left Motherwell fans eager for the next appearance of lightning-quick Shivute.
Motherwell took the game to Hibs right from the start, but despite dominating the first-half the teams did go in at the interval on level terms. Shivute began in positive form, with several neat passes including one exquisite back-heel to a team mate. The Namibian star, who was voted Man of The Match, almost brought his new team-mates a penalty early on when Tommy Coyne put him through inside the box. Only an expertly-timed tackle by Hibs defender Willie Miller stopped Shivute racing in on former 'Well trialist Gottskalksson. Motherwell continued to press throughout the first-half, Falconer sent Valakari through the midfield, and the Finnish Internationalist's chip found Coyne. His first-time pass inside to Coyle saw the latter send the ball high over the bar from good position under pressure from Welsh, but the Home support were becoming more and more encouraged with their sides performance, whereas Hibs appeared a shadow of the side which had swept to the top of the league a week before. Shivute then had the 'Well fans roaring with approval when he beat two men on the wing with a great display of good foot-work, but his cross was disappointing and was easily dealt with. Hibs only real attack of the half should have seen them take an undeserved lead. Lavety to Miller, and his low cross along the six-yard box only just by-passed Crawford thanks to the intervention of Stevie Craigan. At half-time Motherwell were well ahead on points, but the scoreline remained blank.
Half-Time Motherwell 0 Hibernain 0Both sides produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance during the opening period of the second half, with the visitors the hungrier, more eager side and Motherwell seemingly incapable of stringing two passes together. It took Hibs less than two minutes to open the scoring, Charnley played the ball long to Lavety on the edge of the box, and the former Saint Mirren man picked out Tony Rougier at the far post whose first-time effort ripped into the net by the helpess Woods. Motherwell were beginning to toil somewhat, and a mistake by Eddie May almost allowed Hibs to double their lead. Lavety latched on to the ball, raced into the box, but his shot clipped outside of the stanchion and went past. Rougier then cut inside Martin to curl a ball invitingly along the six-yard box with no takers. Motherwell at last began to realize they could take something from this match, and Shivute, who had been quiet for a spell, almost helped Motherwell back on level terms. His clever ball in to Coyne saw the Eire cap set up Weir for a shot. That was blocked only as far as Coyle, and he rattled in an effort which the Icelandic 'Keeper did well to push away for a corner. The introduction of McCulloch for the out-of-sorts Weir seemed to add bustle to Motherwell's midfield, and just after this Motherwell did indeed level the game. Eddie May fed Coyle, and his curling ball was headed back across goal by Willie Falconer to find Tommy Coyne sliding in at the back post to rifle the ball home from a tight angle. Eliphas Shivute then almost capped his full Motherwell debut with a goal near the end. Playing a 1-2 on the edge of the box with Falconer, he burst into the box and rammed in an effort with the outside of his foot into the side netting. However, he could have maybe done better to square the ball to the unmarked Owen Coyle just insdie. Motherwell had a claim for a penalty turned down near the end, and at full-time both sets of supporters applauded their teams off the park after a good, competative 90 minutes.
In a fiercely competed match, Charnley, Miller and Lavety were booked though it has to be said Miller was fortunate to stay on the park considering the abuse he directed at the East Standside linesman following the Motherwell goal.
FULL TIME Motherwell 1 Hibernian 1