Match date : Saturday 17th January 1998 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 49,443
GERS SNEAK WIN AS YOUNG BLUNDERS BADLY
Rangers 1 Motherwell 0REFEREE WILLIE YOUNG blundered badly on several occasions at Ibrox to gift all three points to the side he allegedly followed as a boy. Two particular second-half incidents when Rangers players clearly fouled Motherwell forwards Coyne and Coyle in the box enraged the travelling contingent from Lanarkshire, but no doubt delighted the home fans.
Motherwell threatened first, Ian Ross's initial forward run and cross was expertly knocked down by Coyle for Coyne, but Porrini was there in the nick of time to clear. Rangers broke forward, and Barry Ferguson's ball to Durie saw the Scotland man force Woods into turning the ball wide for a corner which came to nothing.. The impressive Ross then sent a long-ball to Coyne who trapped the ball with exquisite ease. His lay-off allowed McSkimming to send in an inviting cross, which broke to Coyne, though his net-bound effort was deflected by Thern just wide of goal with Goarm beaten. The pressure was on the home side now, and from a free-kick awarded after Gough had pulled Coyle down, Martin headed over the bar from good position. The home support were growing restless as the 5th of May 1997 looked likely to repeat itself. From good Motherwell possession, Garcin, McSkimming and Ross combined to send McSkimming clear wide left. His inswinging cross was met by Tommy Coyne, but despite there being no contact made with any Rangers players, a foul was mysteriously given. Gascoigne then showed the skillful side of his erratic nature by showing clever close control to dribble towards the edge of the area. His ball into the area was cleared for a corner by Newman. Gascoigne again claimed possession, with Motherwell players backing off as even the slightest challenge appeared to carry an automatic booking and free-kick. From Gascoigneto Cleland, but his poor cross was cleared to McSkimming. The Motherwell midfielder was takcled late by Porrini, though this again was waved away. Gascoigne, at the heart of every Rangers move, curled a shot beyond Woods but also the far post. Rangers then gained a free-kick as Newman and Durie clashed. Despite the latter pulling the former's jersey, Referee Young again chose to ignore anything the home side did unfairly. Thern swung in the free-kick, Brian Martin cleared partially, and as Durie hooked towards the far post, Woods raced off his line but failed to collect, and there was Cleland to sweep the ball into the net. Rangers appeared to gain heart from the goal, and Durie was next to threaten the Motherwell goal, though on this occasion Woods was equal to the task saving Durie's curling shot. Motherwell should have been awarded a penalty soon after when McSkimming's header was clearly palmed away on the line by Gough, amazingly enough STV failed to even show this. The Motherwell midfielder then almost gifted Rangers a second, dallying around too long 30 yards from goal. Porrini gained possession, fed Gascoigne, but despite making it to the penalty spot unhindered he shot wildly over. Coyne and Ferguson clashed in the midfield, Rangers were rightly awarded a free-kick but Young ignored the kick Ferguson aimed at Coyne. From the kick, Gough forced Woods into another good save. Gascoigne produced another mazy run helped by the reluctance of Motherwell players to pick up another booking, and once inside the box his final effort was cleared off the line by Martin and hooked clear. Motherwell were appearing disorganised at the back, and just before half-time Durie headed down and over the bar when it would have been easier to score. However, the visitors could have gone in level, Eddie May, in great position on the edge of the box, was unfortuante to trip over and the ball was booted out for a throw. This was cleared as far as Garcin, but his first-time volley flew wide.
Half-Time Rangers 1 Motherwell 0It was Motherwell who began the second-half, and they almost began it with a ban. Shaun McSkimming's 22-yarder, had it not bobbled as he went to hit it, could well have troubled Goram as it sneaked past the post. Motherwell brought on Valakari for May, and this added bite to the Motherwell attack. Gascoigne then showed the other side of his character when, after losing possession to Ross, cynically hacked the young player down but escaped a card. He continued to show dissent towards the Referee, but Young was clearly intent on ignoring anything Gascoigne did. From the free-kick, Weir curled the ball in too close to Goram, though the Keeper did have two attempts at claiming the easy ball. McSkimming was again caught in possession near his own box, Cleland gathering. As he passed to Gascoigne, Weir challenged the England International, but despite the Geordie aiming elbows in every direction, connecting with Weir, the free-kick incredibly was awarded in his favour. The free-kick, taken by Gascoigne, was deflected narrowly wide. Motherwell then brought on Shivute for Weir and McCulloch for Garcin in an attempt to add pace to the attack. 'Well then began to exert some concerted pressure on the Rangers rearguard, Falconer just inches away from Coyle's cross. A moment of controversy then occurecd when Coyle raced onto Martin's long ball. As Coyle entered the box, Porrini tackled making contact firstly with the Motherwell player and then the ball. It looked a clear penalty, but to add insult to injury, Young booked Coyle. Either it was a penalty or a back-pass, yet Blundering Young deceided to show the yellow card to the Motherwell forward!! Rangers brought on Vidmar for McCall in an attempt to shut out Motherwell. The home side had a rare chance when Ferguson shot wildly over from outside the box, but Motherwell resumed the now-normal service of attacking Rangers at every given opportunity. After a foul by Ferguson on McCulloch, Newman sent his free-kick into the box. Gough then climed all over Coyne, using the Irish International's shoulders as a lever, but for reasons best known to Referee, Young indicated that he thought Coyne had backed into the Rangers player. From the moment the kick was taken to the second Gough headed the ball away, Coyne barely moved - an amazing decision. Valakari then passed to Eliphas Shivute, and the likeable Namibian International showed clever shielding work before passing inside to Brian Maritn. Onto Ian Ross, definetly Motherwell's man-of-the-match, and his great run set up Owen Coyle, but his first touch allowed the ball to squirm away. Durie then had a chance to finish the match but headed over with Gascoigne to his side in better position, then Gough's header was blocked by Woods who bravely saved at Durie's feet as the Ibrox team attempted to finish off the match, though Rangers were able to hang on and saw out time to record a rather undeserved victory.
FULL TIME Rangers 1 Motherwell 0