Way back at the start of January we kicked off the New Year with a game against SPL newcomers Partick Thistle. The game began and it looked as if it was going to be a fast and furious. Most people will remember this match because of shocking decisions made by referee Ian Fyfe. The game actually finished with only one player being sent off and that was James McFadden for two yellow cards. The referee was a disgrace and ‘Well fans will never forgive him. The game finished and the final score was 2-2.
After that game the SPL shut down for three weeks and Terry Butcher gave the team a week off. They returned for the Scottish Cup game against Kilmarnock. James McFadden was available for the match before he started his four-match SPL ban.
25th January - At Rugby Park the away section was full, claret and amber everywhere and cheery happy faces as Motherwell began their Scottish Cup campaign. The game was a close one and it was won with a goal from James McFadden. Motherwell fans went wild at the final whistle. Every ‘Well fan waited on the draw after the Rangers game later that evening. At a quarter to eight the draw was made. Again Motherwell were paired away only this time we have a lower league team to face. On the 22nd February we are to face Clyde in the Scottish Cup fourth round. I expect this to be another good ‘Well day out with Motherwell being allocated a stand and also half of another if needed. The total allocation for ‘Well fans is 3000.
‘Well returned to league business on the Wednesday night after the cup game and again it was a trip to Rugby Park. I must admit this game was not a very exciting one with the game finishing one nil to Kilmarnock. I have to say that the support that night was really different from the cup game. The best entertainment all night for was when my mate was thrown out for banging the back bits on the stand. A few Motherwell fans were not happy and were shouting stuff at the “ Rock Steady “ security menas they escorted him from the ground. Again Motherwell left without any points.
Then it was the big game. Dundee United away. Bottom versus second bottom. United with new manager Ian McCall in charge for the first time. His team took the lead after only four minutes through Andy Tod who was making his home debut. After twenty minutes there was a gimmer of hope. David Clarkson made a dangerous run through on goal only to be grabbed down by Alan Combe. Referee had no alternative but to send him off and award ‘Well the penalty. Paul Gallacher came on and his first touch of the ball was to pick out Derek Adams’ penalty kick. One-one was the half-time score. United then came out on top in the second half and won the game through a mis-hit shot from Charlie Miller. Again another defeat that moves us down to bottom and now the game in hand, which we have against Dunfermline, really is an important game, which we must win.
In the next few weeks we have home games to Hibs, Celtic and then Dunfermline before we play against Clyde in the Scottish Cup. I hope you all enjoyed reading this and I will now be updating regularly.