Match report

Saturday, 06 March 2010
Late winner for Motherwell

Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Saints (1) v Motherwell (2)
Attendance [3,669]

Steven Milne was recalled to the side for this afternoon’s home game against Motherwell and Savo’s reintroduction (at the expense of Cillian Sheridan) was one of two changes from the last weekend’s game at Hibs – Graham Gartland replacing Danny Grainger being the other.

Motherwell came to Perth as the form team and looking to create a club records run for games without conceding a goal and it was Craig brown’s side who looked the livelier in the opening minutes.

John Sutton and his manager Craig Brown were both left with a look of disbelief on their faces when the Well player went down in the box under a challenge from Dave Mackay but it looked like referee Craig Thomson got the decision correct.

Kenny Deuchar and Chris Sutton both had headers on target as the sides exchanged early blows but it was the visitors who made the breakthrough in 12 minutes and it wasn’t a good goal from a Perth point of view.

Michael Duberry – otherwise superb all afternoon - was left trailing in Jamie Murphy’s wake down the left and as he landed on his backside Graeme Smith came rushing from his goal but the loose ball bounced over him and although Murphy’s first shot was blocked by Graham Gartland, the Motherwell man was on hand to slam home the loose ball.

Saints looked to get abck into it and Liam Craig saw his fine free kick from 25 yards saved by Ruddy and then there was a succession of chances as the ‘Well keeper saved point blank from Deuchar and the from the resultant corner kick, Dave Mackay’s header was cleared and Duberry slammed the loose ball wide of goal.

However, the equaliser came eventually in 26 minutes. Dave MacKay pounced on a clearance and fired it low to the edge of the box where Kenny Deuchar provided a nice back-heel and with Murray Davidson putting pressure on a defender, Steven Milne slotted it past Ruddy from 12 yards.

Steven Anderson was unable to shake of a knee knock as was replaced by Danny Grainger and the remainder of the half was pretty even although Motherwell had chances in the closing moments from Sutton and Murphy – Graeme Smith saving well to deny the latter.

The second half was a bit of a low-key dour battle with neither side really clicking into a gear which would have justified a winner and although Saints had more of the ball it was Motherwell who had the clearer chances.

In 57 minutes the visitors took a quick free kick and it needed Michael Duberry to make a last-ditch clearance from Murphy's shot to put it wide of the post.

Kenny Deuchar had our best chance of the half but headed a Chris Millar cross wide of goal and then with just five minutes to go the roof fell in on Saints when Motherwell grabbed the winner.

Motherwell sub Jutkiewicz broke down the left and fire din an effort which Smith could only parry into the path of Sutton who wasted no time in firing home the ball from 3 yards.

SAINTS: Smith, Mackay, Anderson (Grainger), Duberry, Gartland, Millar, Moon, Davidson (Morris), Craig (Morais), Deuchar, Milne.
Subs not used: Main, Connolly, Sheridan, Swankie

MOTHERWELL: Ruddy, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Humphrey, Jennings, Sutton, Lasley (Coke), Murphy (Jutkiewicz ), O’Brien (Forbes), Hateley

Subs not used: Fraser, , McGlinchey, McHush, Saunders

Referee; Craig Thomson

Att: 3,669.