Better show but ’Well still waiting for their first win

Aug 27 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

‘PANIC NOT’ will be the cry from Fir Park after yet another frustrating match on Saturday against Dundee United, with Motherwell disappointed not to have picked up all three points.

The draw leaves McGhee’s side with just a point to their name after the opening day loss to Hearts at Tynecastle and a defeat at the hands of Aberdeen at Fir Park last Saturday.

But if the Lanarkshire outfit can continue playing with the attacking enterprise they showed on Saturday and for the majority of last season, then they will once again not be far away from finishing in third place behind the Old Firm.

Chris Porter missed a penalty on the hour mark that would surely have given Motherwell all three points after he was tripped by Garry Kenneth. His effort was well saved by goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska. The home side had taken the lead through debutant John Sutton in 34 minutes after he got on the end of a Keith Lasley header but United defender Lee Wilkie pegged ’Well back, heading home from a pin-point Margaro Gomis cross.

The visitors made the brighter start and Prince Bauben struck a ferocious drive from 25 yards that Graeme Smith did well to parry.

United’s confidence after their 1-1 draw with Celtic last Sunday was very much evident in the early part of the game.

They again came very close to scoring after a mistimed header by Paul Quinn allowed Warren Feeney to flick the ball on to Gomis, whose chip, that looked to be heading for the far corner, hit the post and bounced away to safety.

But in the second half is was all Motherwell.

Porter had a header stopped and then David Clarkson, clean through, tried to lob Zaluska but the keeper got a hand to the effort and got lucky when the striker hit the bar from the rebound.

United had another scare when Porter went down in the box but referee Dougie McDonald waved play on.

Right up until the final whistle, Motherwell believed that the goal to deliver their first win of the season was waiting for them.

But despite having the lion’s share of possession and chances during the second half it failed to materialise.

In the dying minutes, Marc Fitzpatrick should have burst the net from eight yards out.

However, his effort went high and wide and the chance was lost.

The home fans made their way to the exits wondering how on earth they did not win that game.

Striker Chris Porter said after the match: “I felt we should have won.

“It's our first point of the season but we know we should have picked up all three.

“"We played really well but couldn't put the ball in the back of the net.

"I suppose I am to blame because I missed the penalty.

“It was a good save by their ’keeper but at the end of the day it's a missed penalty.”

He added: "There was a shout for a second penalty towards the end but you don't tend to get two penalties in one game.

“The ref didn't give it and it just wasn't my day."