Motherwell found a way not to win at Dens Park and had to settle for a point after a 1-1 draw.
For a third consecutive game Motherwell failed to hold on to the lead as they were unable to capitalise on their major share of possession. A first half Tawanda Maswanhise goal was matched early in the second period by an unmarked header from Luke Graham.
There were three changes from Motherwell’s last outing. Johnny Koutroumbis, Stephen Welsh and Charles-Cook replaced Paul McGinn, Eli Just and Stephen O’Donnell in the starting eleven.
Motherwell dominated the first half and deserved the one goal lead at the interval. Following a couple of early corners Ibrahim Said had a pop over the bar from the edge of the area. Maswanhise put his side under pressure with an unnecessary foul but the Dundee offense was blunt.
The Zimbabwean got his goal after the half hour when Emmanuel Longelo set him up on the left of the penalty area. He passed his man and fired to McCracken’s left to beat him at the near post. It was a lead that Motherwell’s play deserved despite the few opportunities they created.
Dundee were fired up by the half-time pep talk and they got an almost instant reward when a deep cross fell to Graham with his marker Koutroumbis missing. It was a poor goal to lose and it undid all the earlier good work.
It could have been worse five minutes later when Simon Murray chose to miss an inviting open goal. Motherwell regained their control of proceedings and set about regaining the lead. Chances came. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos charged in with a flick in front of the ‘keeper but the attempt was cleared and his momentum took him on to the post with a sickening thump to his shoulder. He was subbed for Esapa Osong.
Maswanhise will regret that he was unable to steer the ball past McCracken from close range.
Yan Dhanda was given a red card for his foot up challenge on Lukas Fadinger but Motherwell were unable to take advantage.
Five draws for the start of a league campaign hardly reflects Motherwell’s refreshing style but until they manage to find a way to make better use of possession in enemy territory and learn to defend crossed balls we have to be satisfied with our lot.
Dundee 1 Motherwell 1
Attendance
Team: Ward, Koutroumbis (O’Donnell 57), Gordon, Welsh (Balmer 78), Longelo, Watt, Said (Priestman 78). Fadinger, Charles-Cook(Just 57), Maswanhise, Stamatelopoulos (Osong 60)
Saturday 13 September 2025
