Phil McGhee at Fir Park
Motherwell claimed another hard earned point from an Old Firm double header. However, while the television audience got their money’s worth from a thrilling encounter, Stephen Robinson’s men will feel short changed after conceding a two goal lead from a first half they dominated.
Goals from Curtis Main and Alan Campbell within the opening 16 minutes should have had ‘Well on course for their first league victory over Rangers for 15 years. However, a quick double from James Tavernier and former Fir Park favourite Jamie Murphy at the start of the second half, left both teams level over the ninety minutes.
Motherwell were unchanged from the side which earned a point from Celtic a fortnight ago, with Scotland Under 21s Alan Campbell and Chris Cadden returning from international duty to form a middle pairing in front of Carl McHugh.
And ‘Well’s press on the visitor’s goal the from the start was rewarded after only eight minutes. Main fed the ball to Cadden a couple of yards inside the box. And when Russell Martin clattered into the back of the midfield man, referee Nick Walsh had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Main was equally confident sendingWes Foderingham the wrong way to make it 1-0.
If that surprised the Ibrox side, they were stunned eight minutes later when the Fir Parkers doubled their lead. Main did extremely well to hold off two challenges at the edge of the box before rolling the ball in front of the supporting Campbell, who calmly side footed the ball beyond the advancing ‘keeper and made it 2-0.
Rangers finally responded midway through the half when Jamie Murphy, who scored many fine goals in claret and amber, was denied on his return to Fir Park, when his low angled shot was brilliantly palmed away by Trevor Carson.
That aside, the remainder of the first half and chances belonged to ‘Well as they looked to kill off the game.
After almost catching out Foderingham at his near post, Cadden came within inches of extending the lead after 38 minutes. Great work on the right by Richard Tait and Campbell allowed Cadden to cut in on the angle before thundering his drive off the crossbar.
Minutes later, the move was repeated, but this time Campbell’s shot from five yards was blocked by Russell Martin. Five minutes from the break, Main showed great control and awareness chesting the ball into his path before volleying the ball over the ‘keeper and just over the bar.
A third goal may have put the game to bed, but home fears were realised within six minutes of the restart when Rangers pulled one back.
There looked to be minimal contact with Elliot Frear when James Tavernier went down in the box. Throw in to that the fact that the winger won the ball, it was an extremely difficult decision to take for the Steelmen when the referee pointed to the spot. Tavernier slammed the spot kick high into the net as the momentum swung Rangers’ way.
And two minutes later, the Ibrox men were level with a trademark goal from Murphy who dribbled across the penalty area before cutting the ball back across the box and inside Carson’s right hand post.
However, any thoughts of self pity from the home side were erased in the next attack when Main created space at the corner of the box and produced a measured shot which curled beyond Foderingham, only to rebound off the face of the keeper’s left hand post.
In an exciting final twenty minutes, with both teams chasing a winner, Daniel Candeias looked certain to complete the visitor’s fightback. But Carson, demonstrating the form that earned him his first Northern Ireland cap, stood strong to block the shot with his foot.
There were more claims for a penalty, especially from home fans, as Bruno Alves finding Curtis Main a handful throughout the game, twice hauled the ‘Well striker to the ground.
