Motherwell 0
Dundee Utd 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Paul Hegarty and Maurice Malpas made welcome returns to the side but it was Billy Thomson who laid the foundations for this victory. Billy pulled off a quite remarkable early save from a Farningham header and within quarter of an hour of that we were two in front, which was just as well because both skipper Paul Hegarty and Maurice Malpas had to be replaced shortly afterwards. Profiting from Billy Thomson's heroics, we took the lead seven minutes later. Mair's pass was easily intercepted by Paul Sturrock and Luggy's through ball to Ian Redford was deadly accurate as was Ian's low angular drive which gave Maxwell no chance. Our second came six minutes later when Jimmy Page fed Iain Ferguson on the right. Iain did well to get in a cross from the bye-line which Maxwell got a hand to but failed to hold and Jimmy Page applied the finishing touch. There was a double injury blow within the space of five minutes when skipper Paul Hegarty and then Maurice Malpas had to go off with a reaction to their previous ailments.

The loss of the two international defenders, as it turned out, hardly made any difference and the remainder of the match proved a fairly comfortable passage. In fact, two magical moments by Iain Ferguson almost brought further goals. A back-heeler into the path of Kevin Gallacher left the youngster with only the 'keeper to beat but Kevin ran the ball out of play going wide of the goalie. Then in the last action of the ninety minutes Iain Ferguson wheeled to crack in a sweetly struck 30 yarder which Maxwell just tipped round the post.