Honours even as Motherwell restore a little pride

Motherwell 0-0 Dundee Utd. Referee: G Mitchell. Attendance: 5,057. John Boyle, Motherwell's larger than life chairman, last season demonstrated his understanding of the harsh economic realities for a club such as his when he declared an end to the policy of spending a disproportionate amount of the clubs funds on three or four so- called 'star' players.

Yet, despite being of sound mind, he wrote in yesterday's match programme, of manager Billy Davies new-look team: "I'm sure you (the Motherwell fans) will give them a little time to breed the understanding that is needed at this level."

Aye, right. If patience and tolerance are virtues, they are not characteristics that are usually associated with football fans. Boyle was, of course, referring to the previous week's 5-2 mauling at the hands of Dunfermline and, no doubt, attempting to nip in the bud any early signs of panic that may emanate from the Fir Park support.

Nevertheless, there wasn't much evidence of any widespread discontent among the Motherwell ranks as they filtered in for yesterdays clash with Dundee United. Mind you, the home fans took so long to arrive at the ground that it was five minutes into the match before Fir Park began to look even reasonably well attended.

Which was a matter of frustration to the United fans, who had been attempting to goad their hosts, chanting words to the effect that Motherwell aren't very good and might be going down (you would have thought the United fans would understand such a prospect).

In response, the silence was deafening. So they had to revert to requesting, irrelevantly, that we should all stand up if we hate Dundee.

There is a serious point here, however. Boyle's and Motherwell's efforts, these last few years, have been focussed principally on increasing attendances at Fir Park, particularly in the family enclosure. The intention had been, by virtually giving away tickets, to lure hordes of local young fans before they opted for Rangers or Celtic. Unfortunately for the Lanarkshire club, as Boyle acknowledged last season, the policy largely failed.

And have matters improved this season? Well, Boyle and Davies thanked the travelling support who made the trip to Dunfermline last week, for a match that, nevertheless, attracted only 4,800 spectators. United, albeit in their local derby, played in front of over 13,000 the previous week. An attendance of just over 5,000 yesterday was hardly encouraging.

Motherwell looked nervous in the opening minutes. United came at them, but the home rearguard stood firm and fought back, the balance of play swinging firmly in their favour for the remainder of the half. Roberto Martinez, for one, displayed the kind of neat touch that hadn't been in evidence 7 days previous, and he created space for himself in the United box after 14 minutes before squandering the opportunity.

Three minutes later Kevin Twaddle, disappointing this week after a promising display in Fife, smacked a banana kick goalwards, but it curled narrowly wide.

Then followed the first of numerous controversial incidents. On 20 minutes, Motherwell had two claims for a penalty, both for handball and the second from a shot by Neil Tarrant, turned down. It was the striker's first start for the home side since arriving on-loan from Aston Villa, and, as Davies acknowledged, he gave them "different options" with his no nonsense, attacking approach.

Eleven minutes before half time came another incident which had the home side up in arms. Karl Ready had his jersey tugged by Jim Lauchlan, while he was flailing at a loose ball from around six yards, and when a goal seemed likely, even from the boot of this strapping defender. Indeed, so blatant was Lauchlan's grasp of the central defenders shirt that it was spotted by the car park attendant. Not by the referee, however.

Then, shortly before half time, the game's flashpoint arrived. That's usually a euphemism for fight, and this time was no exception. The original tackle was by Tarrant on Jamie McCunnnie, but that was quickly forgotten as every player on the park jumped into the subsequent scuffle.

It would be impossible to pick out the main culprits, though Jim McIntyre, who was first on the scene, and Tarrant both received bookings as the referee tried to restore calm.

Given the scene, it was remarkable that no player was sent off and, though both managers dismissed the incident as being of little consequence after the match, there could yet be repercussions for both teams if the powers-that-be decide to take a look.

The game turned in the second half, in favour of the visitors. James Paterson, for United, came closest to breaking the deadlock after an hour, but his effort from inside a crowded box hit the bar.

That proved the best chance of the game, though this wasn't one of those goalless draws which hadn't seemed an inevitability. There were chances created by both teams that on another day would have produced goals.

But there wasn't too much to despair about, either. This was acknowledged by both managers, Davies commenting that last week's result had been dismissed, with his United counterpart, Alex Smith, saying that the second half had offered plenty in the way of encouragement.

And clearly the fans shared those views. When the final whistle sounded the inevitable boos were anything but deafening. And when they died a quick death, there was only polite applause, especially from the home support, which was reciprocated by the players.

This, you sensed, was deemed an acceptable outcome. The Motherwell fans do seem a patient bunch, after all. Perhaps John Boyle was right.

Copyright 2001
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