Match Date : Wednesday 10th September 1997 Competition : Coca-Cola Cup Quarter-Final Attendance :
BLUNDERMAN CLARK LEAVES MOTHERWELL FIZZING
Coca-Cola Cup Quarter-Final
Celtic 1 Motherwell 0PAISLEY Referee Kenny Clark's catalogue of mysterious decisions left Motherwell raging as they crashed out of the now meaningless Coca-Cola Cup at Parkhead on Wednesday Evening. Although Celtic did enjoy the majority of the chances, their goal ultimately came as a result of poor officiating on the Whistler's part.
Motherwell were up against it from the start as the home side appeared determined to finish off the tie as quickly as possible, and this was not helped in part by some poor defending in the away ranks. Clarks' first error came in just the second minute when he booked Kevin Christie for his first challenge, setting the tone for any Motherwell player who dared to tackle. Blinker was the main danger man for Celtic, and the Motherwell defence failed to cope with his trickery, being caught out on numerous occasions down the left. The first real chance came on 7 minutes. An aimless punt up the park by ex-Well skipper Boyd found it's way to Donnelly. His shot was parried high by Woods and onto the bar, though the 'Well custodian was on hand to collect at the second attempt. The home side continued to press, and after another couple of near things they did have the ball in the net only for Donnelly to be rightly flagged off-side. Motherwell just could not break out of defence, with Gould having one of his quietest first-halfs of his career. There was no cohesion to Motherwell's play, no-one in midfield to stamp their authority over the match and think about a pass to a team-mate instead of a punt up the park. More chances fell to the home side, and they continued to squander them, with Woods doing well to stop a Burley header on the goal-line. Donnelly then missed the first of several opportunities to come his way as the pressure mounted. However, when the opening goal did come, it was controversial to say the least. Centre-half Greig Denham had gone off injured with a head-knock, but as he waited to come back on Referee Clark refused him permission dispite the fourth official clearly indicating he was okay to return. Blinker crossed to Mahe, and his return was met by the unmarked Larrson at the far post, and sent into the net despite the efforts of Brian Martin on the line. Had Denham been on the park, the goal undoubtedly would not have been scored. In a rare move upfield Motherwell had a fleeting chance, but Coyle could only cut the ball back from the by-line into Gould's arms. Celtics' pressure and effort was slowly beginning to tell, and as half-time approached Motherwell began to see some more of the ball, though without any telling play.
HALF-TIME Celtic 1 Motherwell 0Motherwell Manager Alex McLeish deceided to keep new-signing Eliphas Shivute on the bench as the second half began, though initially the patter of play was still aimed towards the visitors' goal. Four minutes into the second half Celtic should have scored a second, though there was off-side written all over it. Larrson, well offside upon receipt of a Thom pass, raced clear to set-up Donnelly, but Woods blocked brilliantly to keep his side in the match. Donnelly himself passed up a great chance when a cross fell at his feet just yards from goal, but he blazed well over. Then Blinker cut a ball along the edge of the six-yard box, but Larrson just failed to connect. There was a huge cheer from the Motherwell support three minutes later when Namibian International Eliphas Shivute made his debut, coming on as sub for Kevin Christie on 63 minutes. Shivute's powerful running began to cause Celtic problems, and it seemed that his appearance gave the whole Motherwell team a lift as they began to pass the ball and indeed create one or two openings. Celtic were left to hit on the break, though it was Motherwell who came closest when Owen Coyle met a cross on the volley which Gould saved well to his right. Shivute then won a free-kick on the edge of the box when he was crudely fouled by Boyd, though despite some flapping from Gould the opportunity proved fruitless. Celtic broke upfield with just 8 minutes to go, Larrson racing clear only for Woods to again perform heroics and keep Motherwell's chances alive. Sub Lee McCulloch then almost dragged Motherwell right back into it when he sent a long ball through the middle for Tommy Coyne to latch onto. The former Celt hit an accurate shot which almost sneaked under Gould's body, but the keeper somehow managed to smother it and McKay cleared anywhere. Motherwell suffered more misery on the edge of full-time when Referee Clark produced his last blunder of the match by sending off sub Iain Ross. He had been booked earlier in a tussle with McNamara who should also have followed the Motherwell player into the book, though Clark somehow failed to book any Celtic player when there were perfect candidates for a yellow card on both sides. Ross and McNamara chased a ball into the box, the Celtic defender fell rather too easily, and for reasons only known to Clark Ross was deemed to have fouled McNamara sufficiently enough to be sent off. In the end Celtic hung on for a narrow victory.
Motherwell's Man of the Match had to be Stevie Woods for his wonder saves.
FULL-TIME Celtic 1 Motherwell 0