The last such occasion was on Burns’ Night 2006 when we faced Celtic. A crowd of 22, 595 turned up to watch us take on the league leaders, we were in 7th place at the time. Ritchie Foran gave us the lead in 10 minutes but Zurawski levelled on the half hour. We played well and looked the better team for most of the game. McDonald was at his best and caused the Celtic defence all sorts of problems.
The game looked certain to reach extra time before the disaster. Martyn Corrigan put too much of a pass back to Smith in our goal and the ‘keeper was forced to handle. Maloney scored and we were shattered. It was a cruel, cruel end and later Butcher reported that Corrigan was ‘inconsolable’. We cheered the team off the park for their efforts.
The disappointment we suffered in 2006 was in stark contrast to the semi-final celebrations that took place at Easter Road a year earlier. We took on Hearts at the supposedly neutral venue in Edinburgh and packed the stadium. A fleet of buses ferried Motherwell fans to the game at a subsidised cost of £2 a head (and free for OAPs).
We took the lead in twenty minutes when Craigan headed home a free kick. The next hour saw Hearts press and we had to survive a few close shaves. The tie seemed won when we were awarded a penalty with ten minutes left. Foran, as usual, converted and our thoughts turned to the final but a shock was to come.
Burchill scored what seemed like a consolation with 5 minutes still on the clock. Clarkson then missed a sitter before Thorarinsson made the score 2-2 in added time. It was a huge blow given that we had been in the lead for so much of the game. Who would be the stronger in extra time?
Step up a young Marc Fitzpatrick. With penalties seconds away Clarkson released Fitz on the left. He charged into the box and, in front of the ranks of Motherwell fans in the steep South Stand, shot across Gordon and into the far corner. We had won it with the last kick of the game. Cue wild celebrations and a happy journey home!
We’ll know our semi final opponents on Friday. Will have cause to celebrate in February?