'Gie's a break ref' was the only printable version of the fans view of the man in black today. A three to nil score was not a fair reflection of the balance of play but we're getting no favours at the moment.
A bright and breezy day in the capital saw the latest revision of Motherwell's developing team take the field against Hearts. The trio of Billy Davies, Pat Nevin and John Boyle were on display at the touchline before the kick off exchanging some light hearted banter.
Ben Kemble failed to make the squad but Paul Harvey got a place on the bench. Stevie Woods had Corrigan, Strong, Okoli and Hammell as a back four. The midfield of Townsley, Chiba, Leitch and Twaddle were to supply Adams and Elliott up front.
Despite early pressure from Hearts we had the home support quiet - just before they scored! Tomashek unleashed a rocket from just outside the box and it flew, unstoppable inside the post.
Captain Leitch kept us in the game with a superb tackle to prevent the second goal.
We maintained our momentum and Townsley almost got a foot to an Elliott shot across the face of the goal just before twenty minutes had passed. Indeed that was Del's last actions shortly after he was injured in a headed challenge for the ball on the edge of the Hearts box. The game was held up for over five minutes while he was fitted with a neck brace and carried off. The Hearts fans were generous in their applause for the injured player. Del suffered a broken nose and concussion.
Nicholas replaced Twaddle in thirty five minutes and the shape and size of the 'Well formation was quite different from the starting shape. Twads had not fully recovered from the flu and his legs had gone.
Eight minutes of added time gave us another two efforts. A good Chiba free kick was headed back across the face of the goal with only a touch needed. Then from a corner the ball landed at Strong's feet seven yards out. It seemed certain that he would slam the ball into the net but it struck the post and the chance was gone.
Then the controversial first twenty minutes of the second half. We had the bulk of the play, looked likely to equalise, had two penalty claims turned down and then Elliott beat the offside trap. He ran through with only the goalie to beat, tried to round him and seemed to be caught by Niemi. He was clear with the empty goal gaping but was unable to keep his balance. It seemed that a penalty was the likely outcome but the ref had none of it.
Of course, Hearts ran up the park and scored (a header from Kirk) and the game was over. The stuffing seemed to be knocked out of the team and in seventy eight minutes a third goal gave the game a score which barely reflected the balance of the play.
After the game Billy said 'we gave it our best shot'. When asked about a failure to reach the top six he pointed out that there had been a few changes in personnel in mid season!
Derek Adams said of the Elliott penalty claim "Stuart said he hadn't been caught" but argued that the intent had caused him to fall and it should have been a penalty in his opinion.
Billy has now a couple of weeks to regroup. It's not an easy job!
Team:
Woods
Corrigan Okoli Strong Hammell (S53 Ramsay))
Townsley (S25 Lasley) Chiba Leitch Elliott
Twaddle (S35 Nicholas) Adams
Subs unused: Connolly Harvey
Referee D Somers
Attendance 11,581
Hearts 3 Motherwell 0
31 March 2001
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