Match date : Saturday 20th December 1997 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 4,607
Motherwell scorer: Owen Coyle (61, 69).
PAR-FECT RESULT AS COYLE SPRINGS
OWEN COYLE Scored a marvellous double as Motherwell secured their second win in-a-row on league business since April 1996. His double, added to the one last week against Dundee United, put him top of the Fir Park goalscoring charts and pulled Motherwell six points clear of second-bottom Hibernian.
The early stages were, however, dominated by a Pars side in terms of possession if little more. The first chance fell to the men from Fife, a free-kick from Den Bieman was played towards the back post. Tod was beaten in the air by Newman, but as the ball broke back in their direction Tod was able to get a low drive in which smacked the outside of the post. Within minutes, however, their were two incidents which certainly livened things up. Firstly, John Philliben could count himself lucky to escpae punishment when he tripped Petrie after the striker had released the ball. Petrie limped off to be replaced by Moore, whilst Philliben escaped a yellow card. Then, just seconds later, came a potential flashpoint which Referee Young somehow and his incompetent linesman failed to spot. Chasing a loose ball on the half-way line, Stevie McMillan and Ivo Den Bieman collided as both players attempted to win the ball. However, even though McMillan had won the ball, Den Bieman carried right through striking the defender in the face with his outstretched boot. It looked serious as firstly the Physio and then the Club Doctor were summoned onto the pitch, and McMillan was carried off motionless. Den Bieman was roundly booed for his disgraceful challenge, but for some unknown reason neither Referee nor linesman, just yards away, saw anything amiss. Motherwell were forced to bring on Billy Davies and reshuffle the defence as a result of McMillan's injury, though it later emerged that he fortunately suffered no more than a cut which required four stitches and concussion. In the remaining 25 minutes there were a couple of noteworthy chances. Firstly, Tommy Coyne was unlucky to see his header well saved by Westwater, whilst at the other end sub Moore shot wildly over despite a clever build-up. Just prior to the break Shaun McSkimming created chance for himself but caught in two minds his cross-cum-shot flew wide of the far post.
Half-Time Motherwell 0 Dunfermline Athletic 0Motherwell upped the pace after the break seeking to gain another valuable three points in an effort to climb up the table. Dunfermline, on the other hand, seemed content to sit in and hope to hit on the break, a tactic which was to prove their downfall. After Billy Davies had shot just wide, Motherwell took a deserved lead thanks to a piece of induvidual brilliance from the on-form Owen Coyle. Just on the hour mark, Martin's throw-in towards the edge of the box was controlled by Coyne then a brilliant flick saw Coyle race into the box. Beating two men inside a packed box and with two more bearing down, Coyle slammed the ball wide of Westwater into the far bottom corner for as good a goal as will be scored all season. Within 10 minutes it was two, and a simple but effective goal it was. A great run by Namibian Internationalist Eliphas Shitvute saw the pacy midfielder race from his own half towards the edge of the Dunfermline box. With great awarness, he slid a pass sidewards to Billy Davies, whose far post cross was met on the volley by the unmarked Coyle for number two. Soon after, it was almost three. Mickey Weir, on for the injured Hendry, fed Brian Martin, and his excellent low cross was met at the near post by Shivute who saw his first-time drive fall just the wrong side of the post. Shivute saw himself booked for no more than an inoccuous challenge, and when the virtual assault Den Bieman escaped with first-half it was a ridiculous decision by Referee Young. Andy Tod almost grabbed a consolation for Dunfermline when he met the woodwork for a second time, but the result was beyond doubt and Motherwell comfortably saw out the remaining time to secure a second home win.
FULL TIME Motherwell 2 Dunfermline Athletic 0