Match date : Saturday 13th December 1997 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 4,555
Motherwell scorer: Owen Coyle (52).
COYLE GIVES WELL THAT ELUSIVE WINNING FEELING
Motherwell 1 Dundee United 0A SUPER OWEN COYLE strike after 52 minutes gave Motherwell a slender victory at Fir Park on Saturday, and brought to a end a miserable league run at home of no wins since mid-April. Despite the scoreline, Motherwell were worth their three points as they looked them more eager side throughout the ninety minutes.
Rob Newman made his Motherwell debut on his 34th Birthday having signed a three-month loan deal from Norwich City just the day before, and he slotted in well at the heart of the Fir Park defence. However, it was the visitors who took the early initiative, and really should have scored when Robbie Winters, in splendid isolation at the far post, headed tamely past when it looked easier to score from Zetturlund's corner. More Tayside pressure saw United go even closer, Golden Oldie Maurice Malpas saw the ball break to him at the edge of the box, and he smacked a 16-yard shot just the wrong side of Woods' net, although the keeper did look to have this one covered. Despite having the early chances, United were heavily reliant on quick breakaways, though one dash up the park was brought to an abrupt halt when Rob Newman wished Robbie Winters a warm welcome by upending the United forward just inside the Motherwell half. Winters eventually got up, and Newman received a Birthday Card of the wrong sort from Referee Underhill. Motherwell were struggling with the final ball despite having a lot of the midfield possession, with chances being at a premium. Indeed, the next effort fell to the away side, though Eastons' 25-yard shot went well wide after Woods had punched clear. The home fans at last had something to get excited about when Tommy Coyne, working away beaverishly, first-timed Hendry's knock-down towards Dykstra's far post. The intelligent, curling shot went just past. However, the opening goal almost came from the most farcical of situations. Pressley's back header beat Dykstra and was rolling towards the goal-line when the big Dutchman just managed to claw it back before it went over, with Coyne just inches behind.
Half-Time Motherwell 0 Dundee United 0The home side upped a gear after the interval, and just 7 minutes into the second half took the lead. Skoldmark's pass to Pressley saw the latter lose control, allowing McSkimming to knock the ball on to Tommy Coyne. He in turn chipped on to Owen Coyle at the edge of the box, and the former United hitman chested the ball down and rattled a shot low and hard under Dykstra and into the back of the net to set Fir Park alight with noise. With United's recent poor goalscoring record, having failed to hit the net since a five-goal romp over Aberdeen some four-and-a-half matches ago, it now appeared that Motherwell were more likely to score again. Eliphas Shivute, who had a quiet game up to now, produced one of those lung-bursting runs from well inside his own half. Beating man after man he made the byeline, cut inside another man, but was eventually beaten only by the lack of support and the chance was gone, but the run itself produced a standing ovation for the likeable Namibian. Being a natural athelete, Shivute previously was unable to show his talents in the crowded street of midfield, but outwide he is a revelation. United then relieved the pressure somewhat when Winters, doing his flipper impersonation, was awarded a rather soft free-kick in a dangerous position. Olafsson's shot from 26 yards whistled past with Woods in good position to cover. Motherwell were forced into a substitution when Eddie May, who was showing signs he was returning to the form which persuaded Alex McLeish to sign him, fell in a heap in the United box chasing a through ball. This sparked a flurry of substitutions, with United bringing on McLaren to join McSwegan in an attempt to draw level. The closest United did come to scoring, however, was when Woods' clearance smacked off Olafsson but went wide of the post, much to the Motherwell custodian's relief. Near the end Tommy Coyne almost doubled Motherwell's advantage when his excellent attempt to curl the ball from 18 yards fell just the wrong side of the post. In sheer desperation, Dykstra joined the United attack in a last-minute effort, but the corner kick was well claimed by Woods. With all eleven Motherwell players inside the box there was no chance of a spectacular break, but the final whistle soon followed. Motherwell celebrated their first home win of the season, whilst United clocked up another 90 minutes without a goal.
FULL TIME Motherwell 1 Dundee United 0