Match date : Saturday 22nd November 1997 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 12,018
Motherwell scorer : Tommy Coyne (80)
'WELL SPARKLE TO PROVE THEIR POINT
Motherwell 1 Rangers 1UP-AND-AT-'EM MOTHERWELL came from behind to secure a worthy draw against Rangers at Fir Park on Saturday and further enhance their Premier League survival prospects. Despite going a goal behind, Motherwell all but dominated the entire second period and were unlucky not to take all three points.
Both sides were fielding under-strength teams, though Rangers, still able to field 12 current Internationalists, were hit less severely by injury and suspensions. The first near-thing came at the away end, Goram hitting a clearance off Tommy Coyne but luckily enough for Rangers the ball went out of play. Thern then produced Rangers' first attempt on goal, shrugging off two challenges upon receipt of Ferguson's pass but his shot from 20 yards was easily dealt with by the in-form Woods. Goram then had to look smart soon after when, after Hendry had evaded Bjorklund's wreckless lunge and fed Christie, the latter's cross almost reached Coyne as he bore down on the Rangers' keeper. With Valakari winning every ball he contested, the Motherwell players seemed to take heart from this. Coyle won a foul on the touchline by the Main Stand, and when Hendry's shot from the free-kick was blocked, it was fed back in by Valakari, eventually falling for Coyne to fire in a shot which wasn't far away. Albertz then gave the ball away to Coyle, though his resultant turn and shot was a poor effort by the Irish International's normally high standards. Rangers then took the lead rather by surprise on 20 minutes. Goram's goal-kick was headed down by Albertz to Negri, who was being well policed by the impressive Craigan. Negri was, on this occasion, able to knock the ball back for Thern. His first-time pass cut through the middle of the Motherwell defence to find McCoist and he nudged the ball past Woods despite Christie's attendance to open the scoring. Negri then was able to get a rare shot in on goals but Craigan was able to get enough on the ball to allow Woods to save easily. Motherwell quickly got over the shock of losing the goal when Goram had to look smart to cut out Coyle's cross to the far post as McSkimming and McMillan closed in. Tommy Coyne, who was seeing a lot of the ball, was caught narrowly off side when Hendry's pass into the box fell into his path. It was more end-to-end now, and Albertz got onto Negri's header, but Woods clutched the ball from under the bar. Motherwell raced up the park, and from McMillan's cross, Porrini headed high into the air, and as the ball fell Coyne lashed in a volley which could have gone anywhere but unfortunately for Motherwell wide of the post. Feguson's shot from Cleland's throw was well saved by Woods as Rangers tried to double their lead, and shortly afterwards Albertz, in great space on the edge of the box, shot straight at Woods when the German elected for pace rather than culture. Just before half-time Craigan sent Coyle clear, but Coyle's pass to Coyne fell the wrong side of the hitman and the chance was gone. However, Motherwell would have taken great heart from a fighting first-half performance.
Half-time Motherwell 0 Rangers 1It was non-stop attacking from the Fir Park side in the second half as they showed keeness in abundance. John Hendry, who was having an excellent match in midfield holding the ball up and supplying great passes, sent another good ball to May. The former Falkirk man looped in a ball towards Coyle, who was barged in the back by Bjorklund. Play-on insisted referee Martindale, who had just perhaps made his only real mistake of the whole match. The ball broke for Coyne, and his shot was blocked by Gough otherwise Goram was beaten. Motherwell kept up the prssure and Hendry pounced on Porrini's poor clearance but Goram was equal to the task. Rangers attempted to break out but Albertz long ball to Negri was expertley intercepted by the reliable Phililben. He in turn sent a terrific raking pass for Coyle to chase, but Bjorklund just got a touch in for a corner, which came to nothing. A clever passing movement from Motherwell then almost led to the leveller. Graigain to McMillan on the half-way line, and the under-21 Internationalist produced a great piece of skill to beat McCall and send a pass on to Coyle. The ball broke off Gough for McSkimming and his looping shot just beat the wrong side of the far post. The visitors retaliated with a good move of their own, Albertz, Negri and Ferguson allowed Thern to feed McCoist on the edge of the box. His finish, however, left a lot to be desired as he curled the ball high and wide from 18 yards. Motherwell then won another corner, McMillan drove it in and the ball flicked off Albertz head, forcing Goram into a brilliant save. The pressure was on, May's throw-in to Tommy Coyne was laid off for Valakari to curl in a cross. McSkimming got in a great header, but Goram somehow managed to clutch the ball away, and then get down to block Coyne's follow-up shot. It was all Motherwell at this point, Coyle dispossessed Ferguson 30 yards out, and although Gough beat Coyne to the ball, the Rangers' captain's pass was won by McSkimming. McMillan, in support, was fouled by McCall, though had the Referee played advantage Motherwell may well have scored. The free-kick, however, was headed over by Christie in good position. An increasingly rare Rangers attack produced a corner. Cleared by Woods, Durrant returned the ball for Negri, but he was well off-side as he headed against a post. Normal service was soon restored as Valakari's cross was met by Coyle whose mis-timed shot was easily saved by Goram. Coyne then headed over from McMillans' cross as Motherwell really turned the screw, and surely an equaliser had to come. Eventually it did. Motherwell threw on Arnott for May, and the striker certainly caused the Rangers defence problems with his intelligent running. Motherwell pushed forward, Gough's clearance to Negri was then intecepted by Craigan. His forward pass was only partially cut-out by Gough, and Coyle, bursting his way through firstly Gough's flailing legs and Bjorklunds' outstreched limbs, cut the ball back across goal for Tommy Coyne to knock home with the greatest of ease. If ever a team deserved to score, it was Motherwell. Kevin Christie then produced a lung-bursting run beating Stensaas with consumate ease on the wing before cutting inside McCall to fire in a shot. Bjorklund blocked it for a corner, but it was a joy to watch. Motherwell were still pressing right up to the last minute, but an unfortunate slip by Craigan almost led to a completely undeserved winner for Rangers. >From the throw-in, the ball was eventually played to Durrant. He fed Negri out wide, and as he jinked his way into the box, Stensaas gathered the pass and fired in a shot which the ever-alert Woods did well to save on the line. It would have been completely unjust had Motherwell lost, but they can be heartened by a great team performance which will surely re-start their season.
FINAL SCORE MOTHERWELL 1 RANGERS 1