Errors end Steelmen’s hopes of UEFA run

Oct 9 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

MOTHERWELL slumped out of the UEFA Cup with a whimper on Thursday when they were outclassed by French side Nancy.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Motherwell lost 2-0 on the night after two mistakes saw them concede two goals inside the space of five minutes.

The 11,000 Motherwell fans who packed into Fir Park and created a superb atmosphere were given a glimmer of hope in the ninth minute when Bob Malcolm went close with a free-kick.

Moments later, Steven McGarry’s netbound header from a Stevie Hammell cross was scrambled clear for a corner.

But the crowd were silenced in 18 minutes when the French side took the lead.

Paul Quinn was penalised for a stupid push at the edge of the box, Benjamin Gavonon’s free-kick was parried by Graeme Smith, and Mark Antoine-Fortune reacted quickest to slam the ball into the net.

Five minutes later, the visitors ended the game as a contest when they scored a second goal.

Gavonon’s free-kick from just outside the box flew over everybody’s heads and deceived Smith before landing in the bottom right corner of the net.

While Motherwell worked hard to get possession, they never looked like threatening Gennaro Bracigliano’s goal.

At the other end, Smith was forced into fine saves to deny Fortune and Monse Zerka early in the second half.

However, Stephen Hughes’ flashing drive landed just over, while substitute Jamie Murphy, who had replaced Malcolm in the 32nd minute, forced an excellent save from Bracigliano with a 20-yard free-kick.

Motherwell: G. Smith, Quinn, Craigan (D. Smith, 75), Reynolds, Hammell, Lasley (Sutton, 64), Malcolm (Murphy, 32), Hughes, McGarry, Porter, Clarkson. Subs (not used): Nielsen, Fitzpatrick, O’Brien, Connolly.