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MOTHERWELL V HAVNAR BOLTFELAG | |
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MOTHERWELL V HAVNAR BOLTFELAG | |
09 Aug: UEFA Cup Prelim. Round 1st Leg: H 3-0 (MFC Exiles Club Newsletter 4)
After a 3 yea gap Motherwell were back in Europe and for the first time were playing in the UEFA Cup. havnar Boltfelag of the Faroe Islands were 'Well's opponents and Motherwell were expected to run up a handsome scoreline against their amatuer opponents.
'Well were obviously rusty and it took them a while to get into their stride. After 15 minutes Phil O'Donnell made an enterprising run through the middle and saw his shot well saved by Johannesen. The opener came in 21 minutes and was knocked home by World Cup striker Tommy Coyne. Rab McKinnon's cross was knocked into the path of Coyne by Paul Lambert and he slid the ball into the corner of the net. It was all Motherwell now and Rab Shannon could have made it two but saw his shot blocked right in front of goal. A great run by Jamie Dolan took him past three defenders and he played a lovely ball inside for Paul McGrillen to blast the ball home. Despite almost constant Motherwell pressure Havnar impressed with their spirit and looked a pretty tide side. however they were fortunate not to go in 3-0 down at half time when Rab McKinnon hit the post with a scorching shot just before the break.
The thrashing of Havnar never materialised in the second half as 'Well struggled to finish off the tie. Tommy Coyne could have grabbed his second but the impressive Johannesen saved again. The game needed a lift and got it in 65 minutes when super sub Stevie Kirk made his appearance. Minutes later O'Donnell was through on goal but again the Havnar keeper blocked his effort. A goalmouth scramble saw 'Well fnas roar for a penalty but the Welsh referee was having none of it. Suddenly Havnar broke away and but for an excellent save by debutant Stephen Woods a tough away game could have been in prospect. Then with less than 6 minutes to go Stevie Kirk got the goal that put the game beyond Boltfelag. A superb long ball from Brian Martin was controlled by Kirkie and he expertly lobbed the keeper to make it 3-0 to 'Well. Kirk almost scored again when he headed over in front of goal as 'Well piled on the pressure. In injury time sub Billy Davies hit the woodwork not once but twice and was unlucky not to get his first goal for the club. But the match was won steadily if not spectacularly and should put 'Well in the hat with the likes of Kaiserslautern, Juventus and Inter Milan.
23 Aug: UEFA Cup Prelim. Round 2nd Leg: A 4-1 (AGG 7-1) (MFC Exiles Club Newsletter 4)
'Well strolled into the UEFA Cup first round proper with a very professional performance. Coyne, Lambert, O'Donnell, McKinnon, Krivokapic and Arnott were all left out through either injury or to give them a breather but it didn't matter as Motherwell won easily. Stevie Kirk shot over and Rab Shannon had an effort saved early on as 'Well tried to finish the tie quickly. The opener came in 12 minutes when Kirk nodded an Alex Burns cross past the Havnar keeper. Eight minutes later Billy Davies got his first for the club and what a cracker it was, he took the ball in midfield, pushed forward and rifled the ball home from all of 25 yards. Jamie Dolan and Chris McCart both failed to convert further chances before the break. Havnar rarely troubled Stevie Woods but could have scored just before the break when Clementsen surged through the 'Well defence only to run out of steam and shoot straight at Woods.
HB came right into theings after the break helped by a gale force wind as their back. A goalmouth scramble ensued in front of Woods goal but the danger failed to be properly cleared and Andreas Hansen headed home to the delight of the Havnar fans. Moments later it could have been all square as John Philliben almost put the ball into his own net. motherwell gradually regained their composure and soon it was 3-1. Billy Davies shot from distance and Johannesen could only parry his effort. Kirkie raced in and clipped the ball over the keeper to get his 2nd and Motherwell's third. Just before the end Alex Burns got number four when he shot home after being set up by Stevie Kirk. A good performance saw Motherwell progress and ofcourse we now know the Steelmen's reward to face top German side Borussia Dortmund in Round One.