Motherwell 0
Dundee Utd 0
League (SPL)

Match Report

Peter Houston went with the same starting 11 that had beaten Hearts 1-0 at Tannadice the previous Saturday with United looking to record back to back league wins for the first time this season.

The first opportunity of a scrappy first half fell to John Rankin who, just inside the United half, tried an audacious attempt to leave Randolph red faced and put United ahead with what would have been a spectacular opening goal. Motherwell’s first chance fell to Michael Higdon outside the box from a goal kick. He turned sharply and let fly but his shot was tame and tipped wide by Dusan Pernis. Gary Mackay-Steven almost immediately had a chance at the other end but the winger’s good drive was well held by the Irishman Randolph in the the ‘Well goal. The home side was always dangerous when breaking from defensive phases and United were almost caught as Nicky Law played Chris Humphrey down the right. The Tangerines managed to get men behind the ball and force Keith Lasley into clearing the bar with his hard fought chance. In a game that was sorely missing a goal, Motherwell did manage to put the ball in the net on 35 minutes with Higdon tapping him after Kenneth had stabbed the ball against his own post. However, and fortunately for the visitors, Chris Humphrey had taken the ball over the line before crossing low into the box. United began to look the more likely to score before the break. Firstly Rankin had a volley saved by Randolph, then Jon Daly, with arguably the best chance of the game, saw his curling effort parried to safety after Shaun Hutchinson misjudged a long ball. Randolph then saved Garry Kenneth’s looping header from another United corner. It’s fair to say that Dundee United slightly edged the first half. Most likely because the Terrors had dealt with the conditions more so than the home side

In the second half, however, Motherwell started much brighter with the wind swirling in their favour allowing both Humphrey and Hateley opportunities to get the ball into the danger area. Motherwell were making a lot of runs at the United defence and from a corner Hutchinson tested Pernis, heading powerfully and forcing the big Slovak stopper into holding well right on his line. United were not completely without chances with John Rankin forcing a save at the other end. Peter Houston decided to give the back four some extra protection, bringing on Sean Dillon for Johnny Russell and playing the defender in central midfield, marking his return from a calf injury. The game became a bit more end to end without guilt edged chances. Steve Jennings saved the home side from a one on one situation with a last ditch challenge on Rankin after Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle had left Hutchinson, who pulled up with an injury, and played the pass to Rankin. Jamie Murphy threatened with a low strike which was saved after a Motherwell counter-attack and Rankin twice threatened to grab the points for United after failing to connect with a Scott Robertson cross and Randolph saving a long range strike. It has to be said that the weather ruined what should have been a great game between a resurgent United and a high-flying ‘Well side. However, there were some chances in the game. It was the defences of both sides however, that did their jobs to ensure that a share of the spoils was a fair result in the wind and rain at Fir Park.