Motherwell give Celtic no problems

Last updated : 29 September 2012 By Firparkcorner

At half time and already two goals down, many 'Well fans feared that we might be on the receiving end of a real drubbing but despite losing a man we kept them out with some heroic defending.

There were three changes from the side that lost to the other Glasgow team in midweek.  Hammell's ankle knock gave Francis-Angol a  start and Ramsden and Murphy were preferred to Kerr and Ojamaa.

Penalty_save

Randolph saves Brown's penalty

We had our best spell in the first ten minutes.  The ball was moved effectively down both flanks and we managed a few decent balls across their box but no clear cut chance emerged.  In fact, Forster didn't have a save to male all afternoon.

The first real attack from the visitors signalled the turning point.  A stramash in our six yard box was followed by a Brown free kick and the fist a many fine saves by Randolph.  Hutchinson took a booking for the team when he knocked Commons off the ball. 

Hateley had what turned out to be our best chance in half an hour when he had the opportunity of a clear shot from twenty yards.  His shot was high.  The game was to be lost within five minutes.  We struggled with the pass over the top of our defence all game and it was a great ball that eluded Hutchinson to release Hooper that started the rot.  The striker finished well and we were one down.   Worse was to follow.  Brown squared a ball into the six yard box and Cummins met it square on and could only direct it into the net.

That was not the end of the day for the young defender as he pulled Commons down inside the box.  As he settled into the early bath Brown stroked the penalty to Randolph's left but our mad stood tall and  saved the spot kick.

There then followed 35 minutes of heroic defending.  Wave after wave of Celtic attacks rained on or goal in front of the South stand.  The visitors had almost unlimited possession of the ball and they camped in our last third for a frighteningly long time.  There were plenty of last gasp blocks and impressive saves before the relief of the final whistle.

The gulf in quality between the sides was clear for all to see and we can only be grateful that the  margin of their win was kept to two.  Now that we don't have to face any of the Glasgow teams until the New Year we can concentrate on the task of being top of the rest.