[tab:Match report]
Motherwell failed to make it a memorable double over Aberdeen as an Andy Considine goal ensured that his side took something back north from two visits to Fir Park.
The defender’s scrambled goal early in the second half was scarcely deserved but the Dons doggedly defended their lead deep into injury time as the Fir Parkers failed to produce the little spark that would have given them a share of the points the overall play merited.
‘Well made two changes from the midweek cup tie, Charles Dunne returning to the left side of a back three and Gael Bigirimana replacing the injured Andy Rose.
It was a less frenetic opening and with Derek McInnes bringing in Kari Arnason and Scott McKenna to blunt the ‘Well front two, meaning there were little openings.
The home goal had an early scare when Cédric Kipré carelessly conceded possession to Stevie May, but from wide on the left the striker drilled his shot narrowly beyond the far post.
For a spell midway through the half, Trevor Carson’s goal was under pressure from a series of corners but there was nothing to threaten the ‘Well ‘keeper.
At the other end, it took until the half hour for an attempt at the Aberdeen goal but from 25-yards Louis Moult powered his drive over Joe Lewis’ bar.
From then until half-time, though, the play steadily mounted towards the Dons’ goal.
Gael Bigirimana, who had a highly influential 90 minutes, drilled a corner low and hard across goal where it rebounded off Arnason forcing Lewis to smother the ball on his line and prevent an own goal.
Carl McHugh then volleyed Bowman’s knockdown wide of goal before Peter Hartley collected Allan Campbell’s cross, only to steer his right foot shot the wrong side of the post.
Motherwell started the second half in the same fashion and a sequence of passes along the Dons’ penalty area found Cadden, only for his powerful strike to be palmed behind by Lewis. Cadden’s corner found Hartley rising high in the penalty area but his header slipped just over the bar.
While a ‘Well goal looked on the cards it was a surprise when it arrived at the other end after 56 minutes. Shay Logan’s cross found its way to Ryan Christie and although Carson got down well to palm his effort onto the post, Considine bundled the rebound over the line to put the visitors ahead.
Stephen Robinson immediately sent on Elliott Frear and Alex Fisher, shortly followed by the introduction of Craig Tanner as ‘Well attempted to break down a Dons side determined to make up for their cup exit.
Twelve minutes from time, Frear raced in behind the visitor’s defence but with Tanner arriving unmarked in front of goal he cut back behind his fellow sub.
The Steelmen continued to chase a deserved equaliser and Carson’s superb save from Greg Stewart kept them in the game until added time when all of the action was contained to the Dons’ box.
Firstly, Moult was flattened by two defenders on the penalty spot but referee Nick Walsh waved away strong appeals for a spot kick. A minute later he did award a free kick on the edge of the box but Moult’s effort deflected off the wall to carry the ball over the bar.
From the corner, the ball fell between Moult and Hartley and it was the defender’s left foot which sent the ball high over the goal and end ‘Well’s claim for a point.
[tab:Reaction]
Alastair Reilly at Fir Park
FT: Motherwell 0 -1 Aberdeen
90+4′ | 0-1
Ball falls to Hartley inside the box but he volleys well over the bar
90+2′ | 0-1
Free-kick to Motherwlel wide on the right. A chance to deliver….but it’s headed away by Aberdeen
Four minutes added on.
90′ | 0-1
Freekick to Motherwell 25 yards out….Moult’s shot is delfected over for a corner.
88′ | 0-1
Wild challenge on Bigirimana from Shinnie earns him a yellow
85′ | 0-1
Aberdeen sub, Christie off for Rooney
83′ | 0-1
Stewart gets s some space on the left and forces a great save from Carson!!
79′ | 0-1
Aberdeen sub, May off for Ball
77′ | 0-1
Frear breaks away down the left but his pull-back has no takers!
70′ | 0-1
Motherwell sub, McHugh off for Tanner
50/50 | Today’s Half Time Draw winning numbers are: 176917 for £200, 176984 for £100 & 176132 for £50. Thanks to all who bought tickets.
58′ | 0-1
Double Motherwell change, Tait and Bowman off for Frear and Fisher
56′ | 0-1
Goal – Christie’s backheel comes off the post and falls to Considine who stabs home from close range
55′ | 0-0
Aberdeen sub, Tansey off for Stewart.
53′ | 0-0
Hartley heads goalwards but the ball loops over the bar from Considine’s head. Goal-kick given.
53′ | 0-0
Bigirimana feeds Cadden on the edge of the box but his powerful shot is beaten away by Lewis
49′ | 0-0
McHugh booked for a challenge on Christie about 25 yards from goal. Christie strikes the free-kick over the bar.
‘Well get the second 45 underway. COYW!!
HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 AberdeenTranslate from German
42′ | 0-0
Hartley tries to curl one into the bottom corner with his weaker foot but it slides past the post.
34′ | 0-0
Close! Ball breaks to McHugh who volleys towards goal but it drifts wide of the post.
32′ | 0-0
Chance! Bigirimana fires in a low corner which comes off McLean and forces Lewis into a good save!
31′ | 0-0
Campbell wins the ball and sets up Moult who tries a shot from 25 yards. Well over the bar.
29′ | 0-0
Chance for Aberdeen as Arnason nods on a second ball but Considine then knocks heads it past the post.
25′ | 0-0
Succession of corners there for Aberdeen but the defence hold strong, with Carson punching clear from Considine
20′ | 0-0
Nice little passing spell there but as Moult clips the ball over the top, Considine heads clear under presssure from Bowman
10′ | 0-0
Cadden forces a corner….Bigirimana curls it in but it’s a routine gather for Lewis.
8′ | 0-0
May robs Kipre and from just inside the box, fires hard but wide of the post.
5′ | 0-0
May’s cross is put out for a corner by Hartley….deep ball in is laid off for Christie but he fires high and wide.
Aberdeen get the game underway. COYW!!!
[tab:Reaction]
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes
[tab:Man-of-the-match]
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