Match date : Saturday 28th March 1998 Competition : Premier League Attendance : 5,012
Motherwell scorer: Owen Coyle (52).
SUPER STEVIE SPRINGS COYLE FOR VICTORY
Motherwell 1 Dundee United 0GREAT WORK By full-back Stevie McMIllan laid the foundations for Motherwell's third successive home victory, and surely has gone a long way to securing top-flight football for Motherwell Football Club. United could point to the chances which hit the woodwork, but at the end of the day all three points stayed at Fir Park.
Motherwell began the brightest and could have taken an early lead had ex-Motherwell keeper Sieb Dykstra not been in good form. With new signing from Gothenburg, Stefan Lindqvist, playing a prominent role in the midfield, it was the Fir Parkers who looked like opening the scoring. Denham's long ball from defence was flicked on by Falconer. Coyle played a quick one-two with striking partner Tommy Coyne, before crossing for Simo Valakari whose first-time effort was brilliantly parried by Dykstra and cleared for a corner. United, giving debuts to Alsford and Jenkins from English Third Division Chester, were being given all sorts of problems by the Motherwell strike-force, but the final ball was lacking somewhat and this allowed United to come more into the match as the first-half progressed. Some of the tackling was fierce, with Zetterlund first into the referees book after a succession of over-the-top tackles from the Swedish forward. Also in the book went Denham and McMillan, though their challanges were punished somewhat unfairly. As half-time approached the visitors came more and more into the match, and they almost scored on the 42nd minute mark. Olofson's pass to McSwegan saw the latter rattle a shot off the top of the cross bar, and as the ball rebounded into play, Lindqvist was there to clear.
Half-Time Motherwell 0 Dundee United 0The home side began the second-half in determined mood, and just like the corresponding fixture in December of last year, they took the lead 7 minutes after the break. Olofsson, crowded out on the edge of the box, lost possession to McMillan. Despite being clipped from behind McMillan kept running, gaining 50 yards and beating two players before sending a slide-rule pass through to Coyle who had timed his run to perfection. Clearly on-side, he drew Dykstra, before slotting the ball beyond the former QPR keeper, and into the back of the net. Motherwell brought on Eliphas Shivute for a run-out, the Namibian star having impressed many foreign sides with his great performances in the recent African Nations Cup. Shivute had time to make one mazy run which almost set up another chance for Motherwell. Near the end United upped the pace in an effort to level the match. Twice in quick succession the ball was cleared from virtually on the Motherwell line. Firstly the ball deflected off Martin's chest and looked destined to cross the line before Lindqvist rescued his new side. Then Martin himself hoisted the ball clear as it threatened to bobble over the line. Dolan's free-kick was met with a free header by Winters, but the ball skimmed the post on it's waypast and their last chance was gone. In the final seconds Denham and Winters chased a long punt up the park. As they entered the box a collision took place, with United screaming for a penalty. The Referee got this one spot on by waving away their claims as Winters was clearly giving Denham as much of a push as the Motherwell man was metering out.The final whistle went soon after, with Motherwell celebrating their third win in-a-row at Fir Park, whereas United left in the knowledge they are now back in the danger zone.
Full Time MOTHERWELL 1 DUNDEE UNITED 0