Scottish Cup holders Hearts crashed at the first hurdle when they were soundly
beaten by Motherwell in a rain-drenched Cup tie at Fir Park.
The home side dominated most of the match and although Hearts equalised early
in the second half 'Well were far too good for the Edinburgh side.
Motherwell made the perfect start after 13 minutes when Pat Nevin's corner was
left by Steve McMillan allowing Ged Brannan to thunder a low right foot shot
from 25 yards through a ruck of players and into the net.
After sustaining the home pressure Hearts drew level after 56 minutes when
Stephane Adam set up Jim Hamilton who side-footed the ball past Andy Goram from
12 yards to make it 1-1.
The lead was shortlived though and nine minutes later Owen Coyle beat the
offside trap to collect a pass from Michel Doesburg before calmly side-footing
past Gilles Rousset to make it 2-1.
Before the Cup holders could recover again their grasp on the trophy was
finally removed when Tony Thomas' low shot squirmed into the corner of the net.
It may have been a bit tight at times in the second half, but the home side
should have put the game well beyond Hearts in an action-packed first half.
Andy Goram, making his debut in the home goal, played the part of spectator
for long spells as the action revolved around Rousset's goal.
The French keeper had an outstanding save after 24 minutes when McMillan
threaded a pass to Coyle who in turn set up the opening for Spencer, but his
thunderous shot from 12 yards was brilliantly blocked by the keeper's
outstretched hand.
As Motherwell looked to add a second to finish off the game, the injured Nevin
was replaced by Derek Adams whose first touch was a delicate pass for Coyle to
drive the ball diagonally across the goal and just beyond the post.
The Hearts defence was wilting and it almost caved in five minutes from half
time when a defence splitting pass from Brannan sent McMillan into the box.
As the defender lined up to shoot he was tripped from behind by Thomas Flogel
but to the amazement of everyone, the referee waved play on and Hearts breathed
a sigh of relief.
The Tynecastle club having survived that penalty claim then got themselves
back into the game with Hamilton's equaliser but all it did was spur Motherwell
on to greater things.
Even leading 3-1, Motherwell inspired by Brannan, continually pushed towards
Hearts' goal and only Rousset stood between Motherwell scoring a few more.
Fifteen minutes from time a great break from the home side saw Adams find
Coyle all on his own but as he sped towards goal he rattled the ball against the
keeper when it looked easier to score.
Then, after Goram was asked to make a rare save pushing a lob from David Weir
over the crossbar, Motherwell should have scored a fourth, but Rousset denied
Adams.
Teams
Motherwell: Goram, Doesburg, McMillan, Brannan, Thomas, Teale,
Valakari, Nevin (Adams 27), Spencer, McCulloch (Matthaei 77),
Coyle.
Subs Not Used: Woods.
Booked: Thomas, Teale, Spencer.
Goals: Brannan 13, Coyle 65, Thomas 74.
Hearts: Rousset, Locke (Makel 69), Naysmith, Weir, Pressley,
Ritchie, Flogel, Fulton, Adam, Lilley (McSwegan 76), Hamilton.
Subs Not Used: Jenkinson.
Goals: Hamilton 56.
Att: 9,372
Ref: M McCurry (Glasgow).
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