Scottish Premier League - Saturday 18th September 2010
Fir Park, Motherwell
A SECOND-HALF goal from Scott Vernon ended the Dons’ run of two consecutive defeats at Fir Park this afternoon.
Jamie Murphy had put Motherwell ahead in the 35th minute of what was a very low-key first half, but Aberdeen came back to claim a deserved point.
In a stark contrast to the start of last week’s game at Tannadice, the fans had to wait until the 19th minute for the first real chance when a last gasp tackle from Paul Hartley was required to keep the home side out.
In the 23rd minute, Motherwell keeper, Randolph, just beat Maguire to a loose ball inside the box, the Dons striker toppling over the advertising boards in the aftermath.
In the 31st minute, Hateley fired a free kick from 25 yards straight into the wall, but four minutes later, Motherwell were ahead after Ifil was beaten for pace by Murphy on the left. As the winger charged into the box, Ifil managed to get back, only to lose his footing and stumble to the ground, leaving Murphy free to slot past Langfield from a tricky angle.
Aberdeen weathered a spell of pressure from the Steelmen following the goal, and could have snatched an equaliser before half time. Vernon was put through on goal in the 42nd minute; the former Blackpool striker controlled it well, but then hit his shot well wide when he should have done better. A minute later, Murphy tried to lob Langfield from the edge of the box, but overhit his effort.
About 10 seconds into the second half, Maguire took a sore one to the head and required treatment. Three minutes later, Vernon was nearly in again. Maguire played a great ball in to him, but the Englishman’s touch let him down as the ball went behind for a goal kick.
In the 53rd minute, Vernon charged down Randolph’s clearance, but the Dons couldn’t convert and the defence cleared.
The leveller came in the 56th minute. Maguire showed great strength and fight to keep the ball on the by-line, before firing a low, hard cross between the keeper and the defence, leaving Vernon with a tap-in.
A minute later, the home support accused Vujadinovic of pulling back the striker when he was last man, but the referee waved play on.
Maguire went on a good run in the 61st minute, before passing to Considine on the left; his shot was saved well by Randolph though. The defender was involved again three minutes later, sending in a dangerous cross that the keeper did well to hold; any spillage and Maguire was right there.
In the 65th minute, a Motherwell free kick 20 yards out was blocked by the wall. Maguire and Vernon linked up again in the 72nd minute, Vernon only finding the side netting with his header. Diamond made a vital interception in the 80th minute, to prevent Lasley restoring his side’s lead.
The home side had another great chance with 85 minutes on the clock. Murphy beat McArdle and cut inside towards goal, but luckily, blasted his shot high over the bar.
Motherwell could and should have snatched all three points at the death. A Gow cross found Jennings unmarked at the back post, but thankfully the Liverpudlian somehow managed to head wide.
In conclusion, it wasn’t a classic, but a point gained at a difficult venue after two straight defeats is surely a good thing.
McGhee’s five at the back has been criticised, but this was far from the anti-football displayed by Scotland’s Shame on Tuesday. Both teams had chances to win it in the second half and a draw was probably a fair result.
Vernon looks to be building a decent partnership with Maguire upfront, and his second goal in two games should have him brimming with confidence going into Wednesday’s League Cup tie against Raith.
Ronaldanho
Danny McKay won RedTV's Junior Reporter competition: click here
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