Woeful ’Well are sinners as they blow big chance and slump to Saints

Apr 22 2009 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL’S campaign to finish in the top six for the second consecutive season ended not so much with the anticipated fireworks, more a damp squib, following Saturday’s disastrous home defeat to struggling St Mirren.

Mark McGhee’s men knew that victory over the Buddies would pile pressure onto fellow top-six aspirants Hibs, who would then have to beat title challengers Rangers next day to assure a place at the top table – no small feat.

However, two moments late in the game at Fir Park – the first ridiculous, the second sublime – consigned ’Well to a quintet of meaningless fixtures against the clubs desperately fighting relegation.

Motherwell chairman John Boyle had reduced admission prices to £5 in an attempt to increase the backing for the home side. It partially paid off with an additional 2000 watching this match compared to the previous home game against Aberdeen.

Unfortunately, the standard of football on display – dreadful pitch aside – meant that the subsidised fans would still have felt short-changed, if not for Saints’ second goal which was worth the price of admission alone.

Skipper Stephen Craigan returned to the side following a calf injury. The Ulsterman replaced Brian McLean at centre-half as McGhee reshuffled his back four in the wake of last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Rangers.

McLean moved to right-back, Paul Quinn switched to left-back and Steven Hammell pushed forward into midfield, taking the place of Steven McGarry, who dropped to the bench.

But the new-look defence appeared unsettled during the opening exchanges when Dorman sent an inviting free-kick into the Motherwell penalty area which the home side struggled to deal with.

Gradually, however, McGhee’s men began to control possession and Clarkson came close with a strike from the edge of the box which was saved by the visitors’ ’keeper Mark Howard.

Then Sutton headed wide following a cross from Paul Quinn, followed by a Stephen Hughes effort which was deflected wide.

Motherwell failed to convert their superiority into goals and could count themselves fortunate to go in at half-time level, when Graeme Smith saved from the onrushing Drago.

After the interval Howard again had to save smartly from Clarkson, who had unleased a fierce strike.

The Steelmen, undoubtedly aware of the clock ticking down on their top-six aspirations, continually searched for the breakthrough and both Sutton and McLean headed close.

But it was St Mirren who stunned both the home side and its support by opening the scoring in the 77th minute, following what can only be described as a schoolboy error from ’Well centre-half Mark Reynolds.

Dargo met a long, high ball forward and lofted a first-time pass into the six-yard box, which Reynolds inexplicably scuffed into the path of Thomson and the Buddies midfielder turned the ball into the empty net.

It was a crushing blow for the Fir Park men and meant ’Well had to score two goals in just over 10 minutes to have any chance of finishing off their season with some dream fixtures against the SPL’s elite.

Alas, those slender hopes were extinguished and the dream turned into a nightmare just five minutes later.

As Motherwell pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Saints Andy Dorman was afforded time and space and sent a wonderful strike from all of 30 yards over the flailing arms of Smith and high into the back of the net.

Game over – and effectively season over.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, McLean, Craigan (Sheridan 85), Reynolds, Hammell, O'Brien, Quinn, Klimpl (Murphy 79), Hughes, Clarkson, Sutton.

St Mirren: Howard, Ross (Barron 83), Haining, Cuthbert, Camara, Dorman, Murray, McGinn, Thomson, Hamilton (Wyness 72), Dargo.

Booked: Murray, Haining. Goals: Thomson 77, Dorman 87.

Att: 6626

Ref: M. McCurry.

Motherwell...... 0 St Mirren.............2