Rangers v Motherwell 10.12.00
Rangers 2, Motherwell 0
Match Date: Sunday, December 10 2000
Competition: Premier League
Attendance: 46,058
Motherwell Team:
Goram, Corrigan, Kemble (Ouiefio 31), Strong, Hammell , Lasley, Brannan, Leitch (Adams 69), Elliott, Twaddle (Spencer 72), McCulloch.
Subs not used: Connolly, Nicholas.
DISMAL DEFENDING COSTS ‘WELL DEAR
Rangers 2 Motherwell 0
MOTHERWELL FAILED TO TAKE Advantage of a European Hangover as Rangers recorded a win over the Fir Parkers at a quiet Ibrox. Neither side shone in a low-key match but the home side would have been delighted at gathering three points after another early exit from Europe.
The visitors had an early chance when Konterman made a clumsy challenge to foul Lee McCulloch just outside the box. Brannan took the free-kick but hit it directly off the wall, a free-kick which had to be taken three times, with the loose ball being driven well over by Twaddle on the right. The travelling support were then up in anger when a head injury to Elliott was ignored, play not being stopped until Ricksen had driven a shot wildly over from 20 yards out. A long pass by Greg Strong then found Twaddle out wide and his low cross was well cut out by Konterman at the expense of a throw. Rangers then gained a free-kick when Strong pulled Flo back some 30 yards from goal. Johnson found Vidmar but his header drifted way over. Brannan was forced to concede a corner as Mols beat Corrigan to the ball to cross deep. Motherwell broke away with McCulloch supplying Twaddle though his cross was deflected behind by Ricksen who beat Elliott to the ball. However, for reasons known only to Referee Brown a free-kick went Ricksen’s way. The Fir Parkers were playing well and got behind the Rangers defence again. Ricksen again had to look sharp to stop Twaddle’s cross from causing danger. The game’s first booking arrived when Brannan’s rather innocuous challenge on Mols was deemed a yellow-card offenece by the fussy Brown. This was incredible given that just a minute later Ricksen and Wilson combined to foul Elliott on the run with no card being shown. The home side went close when Mols turned Hammel inside the box and cut back for Ferguson whose low shot was well blocked by Goram and cleared. The ball came back in and Johnson, looking off-side, gathered to cross which drifted beyond Flo and out of play. Another off-side decision failed to go the way of Motherwell with Mols going clear on Goram, though an excellent recovery by Kemble saw the danger cleared. A foul by Vidmar on McCulloch gave Motherwell a free-kick 30 yards out. Brannan slipped through to Leitch but, with several players waiting for a cross, he inexplicably sent the ball way out of play. Good chasing by McCulloch forced Wilson into conceding a corner but this was cleared. Rangers had to make an early change when Flo limped off to be replaced by Tugay. Motherwell goalie Goram had to make a good collection when under pressure as McCann swung in a dangerous cross. Vidmar was then only able to deflect Twaddle’s cross for a corner but again this came to nothing. Just after the half hour Motherwell received a blow when Kemble had to be helped off with an injury, Ouifio coming on in his place. Mols turned Strong on the edge of the box to set up Albertz with a chance but his woeful drive endangered only the seagulls. Seconds later it was virtually an action-replay with Albertz sending the ball into orbit. Albertz sent McCann clear on the left and entering the box he drove beyond Goram and also the far post. Motherwell had fallen out of things a bit but came close when Oueifio and McCulloch combined to set Twaddle up to cross, the ball being met by Elliott who headed not far over. Oueifio had to quickly return to defensive duties blocking McCann’s cross for a corner which Goram did well to punch clear. Ricksen made ground to cross for Ferguson but his header was straight at Goram and saved easily. The home side were given a corner when Mols knocked the ball off Corrigan. It was disaster for Motherwell as Konterman beat Oueifio in the air to head into the net. Goram however did well to save Johnson’s shot in the next home attack, the cross from Albertz being deflected out to the 18 where Johson hit the ball first-time.
Half-Time Rangers 1 Motherwell 0
A foul by Konterman on Twaddle gave Motherwell an early chance but the free-kick by Twaddle was awkwardly punched clear by Klos. Rangers broke upfield and Hammel did well to cut out the ball to Mols. Debutante Keith Lasley was having an impressive debut but he could do little but knock the ball behind for a corner as Albertz crossed. Soon after an error by Strong gave Albertz the chance to head towards goal. The ball then went to Mols and onwards to McCann though his cross went way behind. Ricksen should have seen a red card when he retaliated to the challenge by Twaddle. The Motherwell winger then merely stood his ground as the Dutchman jumped to his feet so it was a surprise to see both players booked. Wilson made an important clearance from Twaddle’s cross with McCulloch set to take advantage. Just before the hour Corrigan made a terrific block on Albertz who raced onto the pass from Mols. Motherwell were giving Klos little to do but he had to make a save when McCulloch looped in a header which didn’t trouble the German too much. Albertz escaped a yellow for a crude tackle on Brannan. Motherwell retained the ball well for a spell but a poor final ball continually let them down. Rangers broke away with McCann crossing deep for Goram to do well to punch out, Corrigan conceding the corner under pressure. There was uproar amongst the Motherwell fans when a virtual assault by Wilson on Leitch carried only a yellow card. The Motherwell man recovered after treatment and should have been facing a corner after Ferguson headed behind, though incredibly the Referee pointed for a goal kick. A bad error by Corrigan allowed Albertz to race clear but he dragged his shot well wide of the far post. Both teams then made changes, the home side replacing Albertz with Dodds whilst Motherwell took off Leitch and the injured Twaddle for Adams and Spencer respectively. McCann needed no second invitation to hit the deck when Oueifio came into challenge, the winger appearing to slip more than anything but it was convincing enough to win the free-kick. Tugay slipped through for Ferguson but it was a great interception by Brannan who conceded the corner. Corrigan then slipped again to give McCann a chance but Strong was on hand to clear. Oueifio was then booked for a softish challenge on Kerimoglu. With 12 minutes to go slack defending by Motherwell gave Rangers their second. Kerimoglu clipped the ball into the box where no-one matched the run by Ferguson and he was able to direct the header beyond the static Goram and into the net. Seconds later Mols was given the chance to score with another free header though this time Goram saved the effort. Motherwell didn’t give up and McCulloch forced Vidmar to give away a corner. A fumble by Klos found no Motherwell players able to take advantage with Strong’s poor control pounced upon by Konterman, with Strong conceding a free-kick in an attempt to win the ball back. Rangers brought on Carson for Johson. Motherwell had the last chance, Corrigan driving in a shot from 25 yards which went inches past but that was that.
Full-time Rangers 2 Motherwell 0
Match Report by Ricky Mullen (rmullen@motherwell.co.uk)