The team seemed to have gained a degree confidence that has not been evident in recent weeks. We were seen as an attacking force for much of the game and had we had we been on the right side of a few refereeing decisions we might have scored the vital opening goal.
After 15 minutes it appeared to everyone in the ground except Craig Thomson that Morris had fouled Pearson deep inside the penalty box. Our claims were brushed aside but the whistler will maybe feel a wee bit embarrassed when he watches the TV highlights.
The farce that erupted in the final minute of the first half was another episode that the officials will regret. First there was the muddled decision that awarded then cancelled a goal. There's no doubt that Thomson's initial reaction was to give the goal but the later consultation with the assistant produced a change of mind. But that was just the start of the controversy.
Law 8 governs the procedure for restarting the game in this situation. There should be a dropped ball on the six yard line nearest to the point where the ball was when play was stopped. For some reason, known only to the referee, he did not allow a Motherwell player to contest the dropped ball. Despite Pearson's protests, Thomson made it clear possession had to be given to United. (Had Pearson contested and then kicked the dropped ball, after a bounce, directly into the net a goal kick would be awarded).
Those incidents apart, we competed well for most of the match. Erwin linked up well with Sutton and Pearson showed enough to suggest that his return will pay dividends and Ramsden opened his scoring account in his 71st appearance in claret and amber.
The manager described this game as "one that got away". "All over, despite the loss, it was an encouraging performance. We’ve now got to build on that, ensure that sort of commitment is not a one off and go into next week’s game with the backing of our support."
The travelling support, boosted in part by the excellent reciprocal deal for season ticket holders, kept up a noisy and tuneful barrage for the entire game. With any luck they will not have to wait long before they can celebrate a 'Well win.
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