The sun bathed Hampden in glorious amber light and shirt sleeved 'Well fans turned up in numbers to see the team qualify for the next round of the CIS cup. The result may be the stimulus we need to start our progress up the League.
We started with the usual 4-4-2 shape but with a couple of changes from Saturday's game at Kilmarnock. McCulloch paired Goodman up front and Adams replaced the missing Spencer (tweaked hamstring). Elliott was rewarded for his goal scoring feat at Rugby Park with his second start in left midfield.
The scrappy first half saw the ball in the air more than the ground and neither team impressed. It was no surprise that the first goal came from a header and to the delight of the travelling 'Well fans it was Greg Strong who rose to convert a thirteen minute corner.
The goal seemed like the perfect time for us to get the ball on the deck and to start passing. But the flowing footie failed to materialise and the Spiders kept up their work rate and should have equalised in twenty two minutes when Goram produced one of his trademark blocks from close range.
Referee 'Windy' McCurrie kept us entertained with a series of poor decisions - Corrigan was correctly booked but just before the break Hammell was shown the yellow card after the whistle for what looked like a fair challenge - his third 'offence'.
There were occasional flashes to cheer up the half - Studs produced a good run on the left and Elliott threatened a couple of times but to no effect.
The half time highlight was Kemble's appearance in the concourse - sensibly declining a Hampden pie and still maintaining that it was never a penalty on Saturday!
The pattern of the second half was similar to the first, the Spiders working hard and pressing while found it difficult to get the ball on the deck. Adams was booked for diving (though the Motherwell fans could not believe it!).
Goram was not troubled and the defence looked comfortable - the one exception was a wonderful header from Corrigan on the goal line, deflecting a fierce shot on to the bar.
The second goal was well taken by Harvey, surging forward with the ball from thirty yards, passing a couple of defenders on the way and slamming home from around fifteen yards. Now we believed that we would win. Until then there was the feeling that the Spiders might sneak one.
Ouiefo took a heavy shoulder knock with five minutes to go. He looks more confident as each game passes and his saving tackles and good clearances are becoming commonplace. Wood came on to replace the Frenchman who left on the stretcher.
The late sub was to play his part in the best (and last) move of the game. Davies, Wood and Kemble combined well to release Le McCulloch who rattled one into the net from the edge of the box. His celebration made it clear that he needed the goal - he had worked hard all game but never had a goal scoring opportunity. Let's hope that it starts his season!
We await the draw for the next round - fingers crossed.
Team
Goram, Corrigan, Strong, Ouefio(s85 Wood), Hammell, McMillan, McCulloch, Goodman, Adams(s70 Davies), Townsley, Eliott(s52 Harvey)
Subs(not used) Woods, Nicholas, Wood
Queen’s Park 0 Motherwell 3
Attendance 1,845
22 August 2000