Motherwell v Partick 02.01.03
Motherwell 2, Partick Thistle 2
| Match Date: Thursday, January 2 2003 | |
| Competition: Scottish Premier League | |
| Attendance: 6, | |
| Motherwell Team (3-5-2): |
Dubourdeau, Lehmann (Ramsay 90), Kinniburgh, Partridge, Corrigan, Adams, Leitch (Fagan 66), Pearson, Hammell, McFadden, Clarkson (Ferguson 82).
Subs not used: Woods, Quinn.
Motherwell scorers: Clarkson (9), Partridge (77).
Yellow Cards: McFadden, Pearson, Leitch, Lehmann, Kinniburgh, Hammell.
Red Card: McFadden (37).
FOR FYFE’S SAKE ANYONE KNOW A GOOD REFEREE?
Motherwell 2 Partick Thistle 2
MOTHERWELL FANS AND PLAYERS ALIKE Were left angered and frustrarted by one of the most incompetent Refereeing displays in living memory. Referee Ian Fyfe completely lost the plot, particularly in the first half, when he sent off James McFadden and seemed to book any challenge made by the Motherwell players.
Motherwell had an early chance when Paterson clattered Hammel 20 yards out, though the take by McFadden proved too close to Arthur in goal. McFadden was then the subject of a blatant body-check from Craigan but there was not action taken. The visitors first showing was a low cross from Mitchell but Kinniburgh cleared. Mitchell then fired in another cross but there was a foul on Partridge by Britton. The Fir Parkers forced a corner when good play by Adams and Pearson saw a cross cannon off Mitchell. It lead to the opening goal, for from the corner Clarkson attempted an overhead-kick which just crossed the line. Motherwell almost doubled their advantage just a minute later when McFadden, turning on a pass from Hammel, fired inches past the far post from the edge of the box. Clarkson then pounced on an error from Craigan and the former Motherwell man clumsily brought Clarkson crashing to the ground. No card, but the free kick was played to the back post and Clarkson was only a couple of inches below heading a second. It was Motherwell on top and they pressed again. Perason supplied Adams but his shot was blocked, then McFadden almost made it through, Cragain clearing. However, a blunder from Referee Fyfe led to an unlikely equaliser. Pearson looked to have fairly won the ball from Mitchell but his dramatic tumble convinced the Referee to award a free kick, Mitchell’s tumble causing an injury from which he didn’t recover and was replaced by Walker. Once play resumed, former Motherwell man Burns struck the free kick into the top right corner. The Referee continued his questionable display when he booked McFadden for his first tackle, which Britton typically made the most of. And seconds later McFadden brilliantly turned Archibald only to be scythed down, the Partick man booked in a rare display of honesty from the Referee. McFadden dusted himself down and curled the ball inches over the top. A run from Burns tehn took him to the edge of the box and forced a great save from Dubordeau, the ball breaking for Lilley who fired way over. IT was McFadden again a minute later when he raced upfield and shot again only just past the post. Clarkson was then taken out of the play by Paterson but amazingly play went on, and as Partick broke Britton sent Walker through but Dubordeau saved.
Motherwell were denied a free kick when Craigan sent McFadden crashing to the ground, and seconds later he took Corrigan out and although this time there was a free kick there was still no card. McFadden crashed the ball off the wall and Partick broke though a superb tackle from Lietch stopped Walker going on. Captain Leitch had to leave the field to receive treatment on a knee injury and during his absence Partridge was adjudged to have fouled Britton though it certainly looked an honest clearance. Walker pounced on the free kick and brought out a tremendous save from Dubordeau. Referee Fyfe then failed to spot McFadden being taken out of play by Archibald who should have gone. A minute later, however, it was the Motherwell man who was sent off for a dubious second booking. As Craigan cleared McFadden was a fraction late and whilst a word in his ear would have been enough for most Referees Mr Fyfe chose to book the Motherwell man a second time. Craigan, looking as if he’d been lynched, was suddenly back in play shortly afterwards. There was a yellow card for Buchan of Thistle for a very late clatter on Clarkson. But within seconds Referee Fyfe booked Pearson when the Motherwell man had clearly won the ball from Burns. He further enraged the Motherwell fans when he failed to book Buchan a second time when he clattered into Clarkson. And it was Buchan again who seemed somewhat charmed when he sent Partridge flying, and within a minute it was Adams who was at the receiving end of another Buchan cruncher with Referee Fyfe choosing to somehow ignore. Within the four extra mintues Fyfe booked Britton and Lehmann though goodness knows why, before he then showed a yellow to Scott Leitch for a tame offence to round off an abysmal showing by himself at half time.
Half-Time Motherwell 1 Partick Thistle 1
Britton was treading ice when he deliberately handled the ball shortly after re-start, though despite his Assistant Manager’s comments after the match it would have taken something extraordinary to have had him sent off. The free kick found Lehmann at the edge of the box and his superb header crashed off the cross bar before Partridge somehow scooped the ball over the bar from not too far out. It was to cost Motherwell dear as a contentious penalty gave the visitors the lead. Both Walker and Kinniburgh were pushing and shoving inside the box but as the Partick man lost the ball he fell to the ground, Referee Fyfe seizing the opportunity to award the penalty, booking Kinniburgh in the process. Burns stepped up and made no mistake, taking quite some time to return to play. A terrific run from Corrigan took him way upfield and combining with Adams they opened up a chance for Leitch, though Arthur was equal to the shot. The visitng response from Burns was somewhat wayward to say the least. Motherwell hit back and an Adams shot was diverted by Lehmann though Arthur got down to hold. Britton then looked to be going clear until a superbly-timed Lehmann tackle saved the day. The ball was cleared allowing Hammell to fire in a shot from 25 yards which went over the bar. There was a chase involving Kinniburgh and Britton on the hour mark with the Motherwell man, despite being held back by Britton, the winner, but Referee Fyfe again made an error by awarding the free kick to the visitors. Britton left play, according to his Assistant Manager to save him being sent off by the Referee, and was replaced by Waddell. When the free kick was eventually struck Burns curled it well over. A clever one-two involving Lehmann and Pearson appeared to have put the former through but a crucial delay saw him crowded out. Motherwell captain Scott Leitch then left to be replaced by Sean Fagan. The sub was right in the thick of the action and almost set up the equaliser. He sent Lehmann to the by line and the cross skimmed across the box needing only a touch but none was forthcoming. Burns took the clearance and his run took him towards the box only for a dramatic fall as Partridge put in a challenge, unsurprisingly earning the Motherwell defender a yellow card. Burns, recovered, sent the ball way over the top of the goals.
Big Dirk Lehmann then came agonisngly close again when his powerful header cracked off the crossbar after Arthur had tipped on on. From the corner Hardie desperately hooked clear, and a moment later he had to be sharp to deny Hammell. However, within seconds Motherwell were deservedly level when Lehmann headed back across and Partridge looped a header in at the far post. The visitors took Buchan off, probably for his own good, and brought on McKinsry in his place. Burns then took possession and his low ball across the box found no takers. Referee Fyfe was at it again when he failed to pull back Lennon for a deliberate hand ball but incredibly gave a free kick to Partick. Motherwell came close when Hammel almost picked out Fagan at the back post. Clarkson then made way for Ferguson to a rapturous round of applause. It was Motherwell who looked the likelier despite having ten men and twice in quick succession Pearson was denied by last-ditch challenges. As time ran out Waddel and Adams clashed and despite it looking fair Adams was punished with Hammel booked for no apparent reason, Hardie also joining him in the book. Lehmann then made way for Dougie Ramsay, which more or less was the last action of a match thoroughly ruined by the Referee.
Full-Time Motherwell 2 Partick Thistle 2
Match Report by Ricky Mullen