The heavy rain prompted some concern that the pitch would be playable but the hard working groundstaff cleared enough of the standing water to allow the game to survive. Still, the treacherous surface and the gale force wind made the game a lottery and the sense of playing football in such conditions has to be questioned.
Shaun Hutchison took advantage of Mark Reynolds’ trip to Sheffield to deliver a solid performance alongside captain Craigan. Otherwise we fielded the same team that lost to United in midweek.
Fir Park in the driving rain
Inverness had the advantage of the gale in the first half and they made good use of it. A corner at the Cooper end swirled wildly and caused some panic but Hutchison was on the line to make a vital clearance. On the half hour Rooney sprinted free but Randolph did well to parry his effort. The relief was short lived though and the ball was soon part of a bagatelle game in and around our six yard box. Fortunately, we escaped without loss.
There was little to report of Motherwell in an attacking sense until the second half. With our backs to the wind we found it easier to make progress, often by going over the top for Murphy or by a series or speedy runs by Humphrey.
The winger supplied a few tempting balls low across the six yard box but there were no takers. Murphy looked like our most likely scorer but his accuracy let him down. Our best chance came after the hour when Forbes was presented with the ball six yards out from the post. The route to goal was open but the ball came to him too quick and his sclaffed effort was cleared.
Pre-match preparations
We had a big stroke of luck when Hutchison made his only error in the game. He missed the ball close to halfway and Foran pounced. Our old favourite ran thirty yards with only Randolph barring his way and it was with some relief that we saw his effort run wide of the post.
Motherwell had the best of the closing stages but a draw was probably a fair result. The wet and windy conditions were the only winner today.