Motherwell v Hearts - latest updates from Fir Park

Published on Wednesday 7 January 2009 19:47

THE Latest updates from the Clydesdale Bank Premier League match between Motherwell and Hearts at Fir Park, kicking off at 7.45pm.

Read our match report

21.38

FULL TIME: Motherwell 1 Hearts 0

21.20

Graeme Smith made his first save 30 seconds after the restart when he gathered Eggert Jonsson's 30-yard drive, but Hearts failed to get any attacking momentum.

Hearts sporadically threatened with corners but the only time they produced an effort at goal was when Obua headed harmlessly over from Driver's delivery.

Nade was replaced in the 63rd minute by Calum Elliot, who returned to Hearts this week after scoring 11 games in 14 league games on loan for Livingston.

20.50

HALF-TIME: Motherwell 1 Hearts 0

The visitors eventually began to exert some pressure after the midway point of the half but Motherwell worked hard to prevent them breaking through.

Hearts were handed a chance to put the ball into the box when they were awarded a free-kick 30 yards out but Christian Nade headed two yards over from Andrew Driver's delivery.

Motherwell were closing down their opponents in determined fashion and comfortably took their lead into the interval.

20.18

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo had angered his counterpart Mark McGhee on the eve of the game by declaring his interest in Motherwell striker Chris Porter.

If the declaration was designed to unsettle the Englishman, it backfired spectacularly as Porter headed Motherwell in front in the 11th minute.

The home side had enjoyed the territorial advantage in a scrappy opening but they produced a flowing move to take the lead.

Jim O'Brien's backheel found Stephen Hughes and he turned a defender inside the box following a one-two with Paul Quinn, before standing up a cross to the back post for Porter to head into the bottom corner.

Hughes almost turned another Hearts defender inside the box moments later before David Clarkson took down a high ball and volleyed wide as Motherwell looked to press home their advantage.

20.00

GOAL

Motherwell 1 (Chris Porter 11) Hearts 0

19.52

HEARTS were forced to make three changes for their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Motherwell at Fir Park.

Christos Karipidis, Jason Thomson and Laryea Kingston all dropped out after picking up injuries in Saturday's goalless draw with Hibernian.

However, Marius Zaliukas and Lee Wallace returned from suspension and David Obua was back after injury.

Motherwell were unchanged following their 0-0 draw at St Mirren.