Motherwell 0 - 1 Aberdeen
By Paul Marshall
March 8 2003
A Paul Sheerin penalty after five minutes gave Aberdeen three priceless points in their battle to stay in the SPL and pile the misery on to Terry Butchers side.
Aberdeen arrived at Fir Park with only one league victory this year and had lost their previous three away fixtures. Aberdeen were minus ex - Motherwell defender Eric Delemeux who was sent off against Kilmarnock last weekend. Motherwell were without key midfielders Scott Leitch and Derek Adams due to injury and suspension and it was no coincidence that our midfield was ‘ missing ‘ today.
The Huddle
Motherwell defender David Partridge gave away a stupid penalty on the five minute mark, he dragged Aberdeen full back Phil Maguire to the ground at the back post and referee Dougie McDonald had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick. The only amusing part was the Aberdeen fan’s slow reaction to their side being awarded the penalty. Ex Inverness Caley midfielder Paul Sheerin sent goalkeeper Francois Dubourdeau the wrong way to send the visitors into the lead.
Sheerin steps up !
Motherwell never recovered from the early set back and only had one good chance before half time, top goalscorer James McFadden struck a powerful shot from outside the box but Aberdeen keeper Peter Kjaer done well to tip it past for a corner.
The second half didn’t produce any better football for the 5,636 who had turned up for the match, both sides rarely threatened. Motherwell only real chance of an equaliser came after good work from Shaun Fagan who beat the Dons defence to cut it back for Stephen Pearson who had his weak shot blocked on the line by Russell Anderson. McFadden tested Kjaer in the Aberdeen goal with a free kick from 30 yards but it was never going to trouble the Danish keeper.
Stephen Pearson got sent off for the second time this season five minutes into injury time after taking a swing at Darren Young.
We now head to Ibrox a week on Wednesday and if go into that match with the same performance we could come home with a hiding.
Motherwell: Dubourdeau, Ramsey (Craig 90), Vaughan, Partridge, Hammell, Lasley (Lehmann 59), Corrigan, Fagan, Pearson, McFadden, Clarkson (Offiong 73).
Aberdeen: Kjaer, McAllister, Anderson, McGuire, Tosh, Derek Young (Mackie 76), Darren Young, Clark, D'Jaffo (Hinds 45), Sheerin, Hart.
Att: 5,636
Referee: D McDonald
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