On 16 November 1996 Motherwell travelled to Rugby Park in desperate need of points. We had just suffered three defeats in a row and had now won since a home win against Kilmarnock six games back. We were second bottom of the ten team league but level with our hosts on points.
Alex McLeish sent out the following eleven:- Howie, Philliben, McSkinmming, Dolan, Martin, McCart, May, Arnott, Coyne, Davies and Roddie.
We were in the lead early when Philliben (at right back!) delivered a long pass to Roddie on the opposite side. The winger set it up for an easy tap in and Coyne had his first of the afternoon. In the second half we were given a break when referee Waddell choose to interpret McGowne’s sliced clearance attempt as a pass-back and when Meldrum caught it an indirect free kick was awarded. Jamie Dolan tapped the ball sideways and Softy thundered the ball into the net. Goals from Philliben were as rare as hens teeth and he made the best of the chance to celebrate.
Wright got one for Killie before a display of one-twos between Davies and Coyne led to the Cobra’s second. Wright scored another, this time a penalty and the game was set up for a tense finish. In injury time Coyne’s genius made it 4-2. Gus McPherson made a mess of a throw-in and from a wide position on the left our hero snatched the ball and for thirty odd yards lobbed the ball over Meldrum without even taking a look at the goal. This action took place in front of the Motherwell fans in the stand behind the goal. It was a spectacular end to the game and gave Tommy his only hat-trick for Motherwell.
It proved to be a turning point in the season as we beat Celtic at Fir Park the following week. However, the season ended with the dramatic van der Gaag free kick against Dunfermline to keep us from a relegation play-off.