Motherwell sunk by late Samaras strike

May 8 2008

Motherwell 1 Celtic 2

MOTHERWELL were controversially denied a point in their quest for UEFA Cup football as Celtic ran out 2-1 winners at Fir Park on Saturday.

Referee Steve Conroy blundered by awarding the champions a corner with 11 minutes remaining, despite the ball clearly being headed over the bar by Celtic’s Bobo Balde.

Barry Robson sent the set-piece towards the back post, where it was nodded over the line by sub Georgios Samaras for a winning goal that was cruel on Motherwell, although their defending had been shoddy.

Boss Mark McGhee made five changes to his team, with Luke Daniels making his debut in goal in place of dropped Graeme Smith, while Brian McLean, Darren Smith, Marc Fitzpatrick and Keith Lasley replaced Paul Quinn, Ross McCormack, Simon Lappin and Stephen Hughes.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium in the opening 45 minutes, with very little to warm the fans — save for an effort from Lasley that went inches past, before Andreas Hinkel’s drive flew narrowly wide at the other end.

Motherwell passed up a good opportunity when Smith drove down the right before picking out Fitzpatrick in a good position 12 yards out, but his disappointing effort was comfortably saved by the Hooops’ Artur Boruc.

The game finally burst into life in the 60th minute when Brian McLean floated in a superb cross from the right, allowing Chris Porter to stoop and send a powerful header past the helpless Boruc for his 16th goal of the season.

However, within a minute Celtic were level, when Shunsuke Nakamura picked up a loose ball on the right of the box and crossed for former Well striker Scott McDonald, who held off McLean before heading his 30th goal of the season past Daniels.

Celtic made a double substitution shortly after the goal, with Samaras and Scott Brown coming on for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Nakamura, which revved them up as they searched for a winner.

Motherwell then chased for a leveller, but despite a frantic final 10 minutes, the best they had to show for their efforts was when a Stevie Hammell drive flashed across the six-yard box but went past the far post without taking a touch.

Despite Samaras’ late strike to deny Well a point, the race for third place is still in their hands.

MOTHERWELL: Daniels, McLean, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, D. Smith (McCormack, 74), Malcolm, Fitzpatrick, Lasley (Murphy, 86), Porter, Clarkson (Hughes, 81). Subs not used: Meechan, Lappin, McGarry.