Craigan celebrates

By grabar
May 20 2011

Three first half goals had Motherwell on easy street against St. Johnstone and eased their progress into their first Scottish Cup Final for 20 years.

The Steelmen were three goals up by half time and were in control of the game from then on. The surprising thing for many, including manager Stuart McCall, they did not really play all that well in the opening period but relied more on some outstanding finishing for the three goals.

A delighted manager said, “First and foremost I’m absolutely delighted to be in the final. I think we probably merited it but I looked at the clock after 25 minutes and we were 2-0 up and not really played to be honest.

“We got a goal from a set-piece and a bit of individual brilliance from Jamie Murphy. I said prior to the game we had players in the team like Murphy who could produce a bit of individual brilliance and he certainly did that.

“Without being too negative, we could have played better in the first 45 minutes. St Johnstone had a lot of possession but the third goal was a terrific goal, a good lay-off from Franny (Jeffers) and a great finish from Sutty.”

In truth it could all have been different with Saints being denied by a brilliant save from Darren Randolph in the opening two minutes, when he turned a Danny Invincible header over the bar.

The role of the keeper was praised by one of his defence with Steven Hammell grateful to having this massive presence behind them, “He comes for everything and takes the pressure off you, also with the saves he makes and his kicking is also excellent. It is good when you have a keeper like that behind you as it gives you confidence. They caused us problems at set pieces, and they could have caused us more if it hadn’t been for Darren. He is a big presence and a top, top goalkeeper.”

This provided a platform for the outfield men to take the game by the scruff of the net and kill it off by half time. The first goal came in the fourth minute when Peter Enckelman completely missed a Tom Hateley corner allowing Stephen Craigan to score with a simple header from close range.

It was two nil ten minutes later, Jamie Murphy picked the ball up on the left and drove towards the 18 yard box leaving defenders in his wake before striking a low shot into the bottom right hand corner.

Two great chances were missed by Murphy and Keith Lasley before the third goal did come along, and what a strike it was. A Randolph kick out was flicked on by Sutton to Francis Jeffers whose cushioned header sat perfectly for Sutton to volley into the top corner from 30 yards, despite Enckelman getting a hand to it.

The second half saw Motherwell close the game out in a professional manner, although Randolph did make one more save, this time from Murray Davidson, and the same player also a header crash off the cross bar late on.

The second half had gone to plan, as Hammell confirmed after the game, with the players following the manager’s instructions, “He told us not to be silly, not to go out showboating thinking the job is done. Being professional that was message he was trying to get through, and go out there thinking it is over, if they score they would be right back in it. He was keeping our feet on the ground, and although the second half wasn’t great it was a professional job well done.”

Well side: Randolph, Hateley, Hutchinson, Criagan, Hammell, Humphrey (Jones – 78), Jennings (Ross – 75), Lasley, Murphy, Sutton, Jeffers (McHugh – 66). Subs not used: Hollis, Gunning

Ref: I Brines

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The Road to Hampden - The Semi Final

Discussion started by Fir Park News (IP Logged), 20/05/2011 08:04

Fir Park News
20/05/2011 08:04

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