Motherwell lost at home for the first time since February thanks to the unfortunate central defender’s intervention. With less than ten minutes remaining Laing took a swing to clear Dixon’s low drive from the left wing. The connection in the vicinity of the near post resulted in the ball flying into the net giving Ripley no chance.
Skippy hit the wall
United scored a second with the final move of the game when our ‘keeper was caught upfield after lending his support to a final attack.
There would have been a different outcome had Motherwell capitalised ion the impressive opening spell. Chalmers and McDonald forced Zwick to show his shot stopping skills inside the first ten minutes as we camped in United’s half. It took the visitors some time to match us and over half an hour had passed before a Fraser 20 yard effort brought Ripley into the game.
Motherwell attacked the Cooper end with the help of a moderate wind in the second half. There was a spell of exciting play just before the hour and both teams might have scored. Our ‘keeper stood up to a fine shot and we countered quickly. A ball over the top released Johnson and his thirty yard run gave him a chance to slide the ball beyond Zwick but his attempt was saved. Within a minute we had another great opportunity.
Law made progress on the right wing and then sent a tempting delivery across the face of the goal. Chalmers raced in at the far post but under pressure he scooped the ball high from five yards when it seemed likely that he would score.
Moult, Thomas and Clarkson replaced Fletcher, Chalmers and Leitch but we made no firther clear cut chances. We conceded in the 83rd minute and the game was lost.
Ripley, Lasley and Thomas caught the eye with good performances as did Johnson in the early stages. McDonald took up a leading midfield position leaving Fletcher ahead. There was enough on show to suggest that we have the capacity to improve on last season’s showing but, as ever, results count and that was a point thrown away.
Motherwell 0 Dundee United 2
Attendance 4,859 (795)
Motherwell: Ripley, Hammell, Laing, McManus, Fletcher(Moult 61), Johnson, Lasley (c), Chalmers(Thomas 65), Law, Leitch(Clarkson78), McDonald