Motherwell's dismal home record continued as they crashed 2-0 to Hearts in
their Scottish Premier League encounter at Fir Park.
A late first-half goal from Darren Jackson and a second on the hour mark from
Gary Wales ensured the points headed back to Edinburgh without too much
trouble.
Motherwell have not won a League game at Fir Park since last November when
they beat Celtic 3-2 and on the evidence of this game it could be a while before
the players enjoy a home win bonus.
Motherwell started the game determined to improve on their poor recent home
form and had a great scoring chance within three minutes of the kick-off.
A Stephen McMillan pass found John Davies alone in the box but the
midfielder's shot from 10 yards went wide of the post.
Minutes later Well striker Don Goodman burst through on goal but tried to beat
Hearts defender Steven Pressley once too often and eventually lost possession.
The game developed into a midfield battle and the Edinburgh side's first
attempt on goal came after 20 minutes when Thomas Flogel's shot from 20 yards
was easily saved by Well keeper Andy Goram.
At the other end a 30-yard effort for Motherwell midfielder Simo Valakari was
comfortably held by Hearts keeper Antti Niemi.
Next stop was McMillan with a free-kick from the edge of the box but the ball
sailed high over the bar.
On the half-hour mark Goodman missed the best chance of the game when he raced
onto a Lee McCulloch pass, outpaced Pressley but shot wide of the post with
Niemi beaten.
In the 37th minute Motherwell had another great chance when McCulloch played
Goodman in but Hearts keeper Niemi pulled off a great save from the striker's
low drive and followed it up with another stop from Derek Adams.
Then with two minutes of injury-time played Hearts took the lead.
Jackson picked up a Fitzroy Simpson pass, turned McMillan and drove low past
Goram from the edge of the box.
The home side started the second half in a bright fashion and within two
minutes of the re-start Valakari came close with a 30-yard effort which just
grazed the bar.
But on the hour mark Hearts doubled their lead. Flogel's cross came in from
the right and was missed by the Motherwell defence, but Wales was on hand to
smash the ball past Goram from six yards.
The home side looked dispirited and Hearts looked increasingly likely to add
to their lead on the break.
After 76 minutes Wales nearly made it three when he broke clear of the
Motherwell defence but his low shot from the edge of the box went narrowly past
Goram's left-hand post.
To add to the Fir Park side's troubles, midfielder Davies was carried off with
a serious head injury after colliding with substitute Paul Harvey's knee. With
all three substitutes used, Motherwell were down to 10 men.
In injury-time Goram had to pull off a great double save off Hearts substitute
Gary McSwegan to prevent the Edinburgh side grabbing a third.
Teams:
Motherwell: Goram, Corrigan, McGowan, Kemble, McMillan,
Townsley (Nicholas 69), Valakari, J. Davies, Adams (Nevin 67),
McCulloch (Harvey 72), Goodman.
Subs Not Used: Craigen, Woods.
Hearts: Niemi, Murray, Pressley, Leclercq,
Simpson (Severin 83), Cameron, Tomaschek, Flogel, Naysmith,
Jackson (Adam 85), Wales (McSwegan 85).
Subs Not Used: Rousset, Makel.
Booked: Flogel.
Goals: Jackson 45, Wales 59.
Att: 5,588
Ref: Jim McCluskey (Scotland).
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