Motherwell 0
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

We welcomed Billy McKinlay back after a three month absence and Hamish French was on the bench after a six month absence from the first team. By the end of the afternoon there was also the welcome addition of two points from what was only our second away win of the season. Conditions were difficult to say the least. The pitch was very heavy and a swirling wind added to the difficulties encountered by the twenty-two players. With nine minutes gone Freddy Van Der Hoorn hammered in a great free-kick but Maxwell pulled off a great diving save, but five minutes later there was no such luck for the Motherwell custodian. Paddy Connolly was the architect of the opening and decisive goal. Out on the right he drifted past a couple of defenders before cutting the ball back into the path of Darren Jackson whose shuffle and first time strike sent the ball soaring high into the top left hand corner of the net. Billy McKinlay stroked in a free-kick, but it didn't count because it had been taken too quickly. Motherwell too, twice had the ball in the net, but infringements ruled both scores out. Paddy Connolly twice broke clear, but was unable to get a shot in.

The second half was more scrappy than the first, but Alan Main provided the highlight with a magnificent double save. Firstly he blocked a fiercely struck shot by McNair and did even better to not only stop but hold Gahagan's follow-up effort. Apart from the return of Billy McKinlay it was also good to see Hamish French come on with around 25 minutes left and appear so sharp after his long lay-off. This win, our first over Motherwell this season, provided a timely boost for the forthcoming cup tie with Hibs and kept alive our hopes of a UEFA Cup spot.