Match date : Saturday 25th April 1998 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 5,745
Motherwell scorer: Eliphas Shivute (28).
SLACK 'WELL CRASH AS PARS PURR TO SAFETY
Motherwell 1 Dunfermline 3MOTHERWELL Produced probably their worst 90 minutes of the season as they crashed to only their second Fir Park defeat since November. It was not so much that Dunfermline were the better side, more that Motherwell's comical defending gifted their opponents all three points.
It was the home side who began better though, and within the first 60 seconds Motherwell had swept upfield to force a corner. Lidqvist met Coyle's inswinger, but just as a goal looked likely Shields was able to clear the danger for his team. Namibian International Eliphas Shivute was having a busy time early on, and he almost scored with a terrific turn and shot inside the box which had the Motherwell support on their feet to acclaim a goal only for the ball to drop the wrong side of the post. Then Westwater in the visitors' goal only just beat Shivute to the ball as the Namibian sped past the Pars defence as Motherwell attempted to press home their advantage. However, it was the visiting side who were to make their first real concerted period of pressure tell, and they took the lead in 18 minutes thanks largely to some shocking defending from the Fir Park side. Shields held off a challenge from Motherwell full-back McMillan to drive a low ball along the goal, and there was recent Scotland-B Cap Andy Smith in splendid isolation to knock the ball into the net. It could have been worse as the Motherwell defence looked extremely shakey, firstly a Britton shot went narrowly past and Woods had to look smart to hold Millar's attempt. Against the run of play Motherwell drew themselves level just before the half-hour, and it was a debut home goal for Motherwell's African star Eliphas Shivute. A cross from Willie Falconer fell at Shivute's feet, and taking a second touch, his drive took a wicked deflection off Tod and into the back of the net. This should have spurred the home side on, but instead some more gift-wrapped defending saw Dunfermline regain their lead. French and Britton combined to set up defender Craig Ireland on the edge of the box, and his first-time shot flew into the net off the post. It was Motherwell, however, who looked the likelier team to add to their tally as half-time approached. Stefan Lindqvist could only watch in agony as his tame header in front of goals was held by Westwater when the Swede really should have scored, and Falconer saw his weak effort meet similar fate.
Half-Time Motherwell 1 Dunfermline 2It was clear the Motherwell manager Harri Kampman was displeased with his team's efforts in the first 45 minutes as Motherwell came out in a much-more determined mood to take something from the game. Willie Falconer saw his shot go past,then Tommy Coyne came even closer with a net-bound effort cleared unceremoniously off the line by Andy Tod. This early promise was soon extinguished by a third Dunfermline goal which all but ended the game as a contest just 9 minutes into the second half, and again the defending was nothing short of shocking. McCulloch's cross appeared to be heading out of play but as if to underline the difference in the level of determination between the sides, Tod managed to stop the ball and deliver a low cross. Woods and Craigan left the ball to each other, but whilst the two Motherwell players dallied Gerry Britton sneaked in to tap the ball home and effectively seal the match in Dunfermline's favour. Dunfermline then appeared content to sit on their advantage, whilst Motherwell introduced Davies and McCulloch in an attempt to peg back the score. Davies saw a terrific shot tipped over, then Denham had his header booted off the line by Squires, but that apart it was a comfortable-looking Dunfermline who almost grabbed a fourth. Falconbridge turned Martin inside the box and only a great save from Woods kept the scoreline down. With Hibs gaining an unlikely point at Parkhead Motherwell head for Perth knowing only a win will be accpetable.
Full Time Motherwell 1 Dunfermline Atheletic 3