Dundee Utd 1
Motherwell 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

The equality which has been the hallmark of fixtures between United and Motherwell at Tannadice continued with yet another one all draw, the fifth in the past six meetings. Motherwell began in sprightly fashion with first John Clark forced to hurriedly head a Cooper cross for a corner and from the corner a shot by Russell struck Dave Narey but went harmlessly through to Alan Main. Our first attack brought us a goal. Freddy Van Der Hoorn pumped the ball high deep into Motherwell's half. Chris McCart misjudged the steal in and advanced on the'keeper. Darren Jackson went down in the box as he tried to round Maxwell and a penalty was awarded much to the disgust of the Motherwell players. After their protests had subsided Mixu Paatelainen stepped up to slot home the spot kick. The visitor's retort was quick and almost straight to the point when McCart rose to forcefully head a Cooper corner against the lace of the bar. Then a Patterson header drifted past the far post. With 14 minutes gone it was Motherwell's turn to get the benefit of a spot-kick award. Kirk blocked Alan Main's kick from hand and in the chase for the loose ball and the keeper was adjudged to have pulled down the Motherwell midfielder. Alan Main, however, redeemed himself with a fine save from Cooper's penalty strike. Unfortunately the equaliser was only delayed. In 27 minutes Bobby Russell, standing on the edge of the box, volleyed home just inside the post. Before the interval Michael O'Neill saw a header slip past the far post, Freddy Van Der Hoorn sent a crashing shot inches over and Darren Jackson's header from a Kevin Gallacher cross looked a cerltin scorer until Maxwell managed to deflect it for a corner with his foot.

Chances were fewer in the second half though Kirk hit the side-net and Darren Jackson hit a 30 yarder which Maxwell saved. During the last ten minutes we were well on top but despite finishing strongly we failed to really test Maxwell and the seemingly inevitable draw between the two sides had struck again!