Match date : Saturday 2nd May 1998 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 6,754
'DISMAL DEFENDING CONTINUES POOR 'WELL RUN
Saint Johnstone 3 Motherwell 2MORE Bad defensive work saw Motherwell slump to their third defeat in-a-row, and their fourth consecutive McDairmid Park loss, as the Perth Saints saw their dream of a place in next season's UEFA Cup remain alive.
Motherwell began the better of the two teams, and in the glorious Perthshire sunshine took advantage of a slip in defence to go ahead inside the first five minutes. It was Brian Martin, who had earlier in the week criticised Manager Harri Kampman's tactics, who latched on to Tommy Coyne flick following good work by McMillan and Coyle and Martin finished with a low drive in the centre of goals. However, some quite awful defending saw St Johnstone grab an equaliser after just a quarter-of-an-hour, moments after Stevie McMillan had acted sharply to deny an O'Boyle cross. This time Stevie Woods elected to come for a harmless ball into the box then, inexplicably, decide to leave it to Eddie May who was hoplessley positioned to clear. In nipped Jenkinson who needed no second invitation to put his side level. If that was bad, then the defending which allowed Jenkinson another effort was deplorable. McQuillan breezed by May and sent in a low cross which found Jenkinson at the far post - somehow, from all of 6 inches, he was able to blast the ball high over the bar. Motherwell were creating little of note, and it was left to the Perth men to do all the attacking. O'Boyle saw a point-blank effort brilliantly blocked by Woods who was clearly keen to atone for his earlier error. The shambolick nature of the Motherwell defence then allowed Grant an effort, but fortunately for the visitors he clearly had left his shooting boots behind and was well wide in good position. However, at half-time, Motherwell somehow remained on level terms.
Saint Johnstone 1 Motherwell 1It appeared that it would only be a matter of time before a goal was scored, especially as St Johnstone came out with all guns blazing. McQuillan sent in a low cross which broke to O'Boyle, but with the goal at his mercy a last-ditch tackle from Brian Martin appeared to put the Irishman off and his shot went past the post. However, it was Motherwell who rode the early pressure and began to assert themselves more as the second half porgressed, and they duly took the lead on the hour mark. Kernaghan, continuing his one-man vendetta against Motherwell after having been sent off at Fir Park in February, deceided to bundle Billy Davies off the ball inside the box. No doubts about the penalty, and up stepped Tommy Coyne who despatched as clincal a penalty as you are likely to witness leaving Main with no chance. Whilst Motherwell were looking menacing going forward, the fear always existed that their fragile defence would crumble, and 12 minutes later it did with embarrasing ease. Jenkinsons' corner was met by O'Boyle, and although his header came down off the bar McLuskey, depsite having three Motherwell defenders in close attendance, was able to pick his spot with ease. O'Boyle was then able to jink his way into shooting from 20 yards but Woods tipped it over the top. Saint Johnstone were hitting on the break with effect now, and McAnespie fired in a shot which May somehow was able to specatacularly boot off the line. However, with just two minutes left disaster struck for Motherwell. A long, hopeful punt from the Saints defence landed and Jenkinsons's feet, and he was able to run clear of the static Motherwell defence to shoot from 18 yards for the winner. Sub Eliphas Shivute almost forced a leveller for Motherwell when he burst into the box and attempted to get in a shot, but sheer weight of numbers blocked him out and the game was lost. Fortunately events elsewhere saw that Hibs lost their battle against relegation, but major changes will have to happen at Fir Park if Motherwell are to avoid trouble next season.
FULL TIME Saint Johnstone 3 Motherwell 2