Motherwell 1 - 1 Aberdeen: No one wins, except for entertainment

Published on Saturday 21 November 2009 19:39

Jutkiewicz 13 McDonald 68

MOTHERWELL and Aberdeen cancelled each other out in a highly entertaining match featuring a fairly ridiculous ordering off. After heading in Aberdeen's equaliser, Gary McDonald ran to the away support and lifted his jersey in celebration. For that, he was issued with a second yellow card by referee Crawford Allan and so the visitors spent the rest of the match safeguarding a point with ten men.

"I think it's ludicrous," said a bemused Dons manager Mark McGhee on his first return to Fir Park since leaving Motherwell in the summer. "He's not even taken his jersey off. I think the referee would argue he's interpreting the rules, but that can't be right. Scoring a goal and getting sent off for that makes a mockery of the game."

Both sides played well and both had plenty of chances. Motherwell had the majority of them, but could not turn their superiority into goals. Manager Jim Gannon gave credit to Aberdeen then praised his keeper John Ruddy whose performance in goal was truly exceptional. Several times Ruddy denied the visitors with memorable saves.

"John's probably the best keeper in Scotland at the moment," said Gannon. "He's got the presence and the quality and we're glad to have him. He's destined for great things."

Aberdeen very nearly went ahead early on. Lee Miller's diving header from close range was palmed away brilliantly by Ruddy who really showed his reflexes. It proved to be a key moment in the match because Motherwell then scampered up the park and scored, with Lukas Jutkiewicz beating Jamie Langfield at his near post. It was a decent strike from Jutkiewicz – his fifth goal of the season – but Langfield's positioning was questionable.

Aberdeen were then scrambling to prevent the home side from going two up. With the Dons defence in disarray, Jamie Murphy tried to lob the advancing Langfield. The lob didn't quite come off though Murphy managed to get a second bite at it. However his header was cleared away by an alert Andrew Considine.

Giles Coke set off on a superb run down the middle and let fly, his excellent curled effort flashing just over the crossbar. Ross Forbes was the next Motherwell man to have a go, seeing his low shot hit the side-netting. In another Motherwell attack, Mark Reynolds teed one up from distance and drove his shot high of the target.

Towards half-time Aberdeen twice came close to equalising. Maurice Ross swung in a high cross and the ball fell to Michael Paton who blasted a shot towards the Motherwell goal but Ruddy again excelled himself with a tremendous block. In the last chance of the first period, Miller drilled a long-range shot just wide of the post.

As the second half got under way Coke was guilty of a high and reckless tackle on Peter Pawlett, the Motherwell player perhaps fortunate to only receive a caution from the referee. The still limping Pawlett was in with a chance moments later but Ruddy – with a little bit of help from his defence – was able to keep the Aberdeen youngster at bay. Down the other end, John Sutton's solid drive forced Langfield into an excellent save. As Aberdeen tried again, Charlie Mulgrew fired in a free kick but Jerel Ifil's header did not match the quality of the delivery.

Mulgrew's next dead ball effort was a corner and from it Aberdeen drew level. McDonald arrived in the goalmouth with a downward header into the Motherwell net. Off he went to celebrate in front of the away support, lifting his shirt up over his face. It was McDonald's last act in the match with the referee taking a dim view of the player's actions.

Both sides had now to adjust to the sudden change in circumstances. Motherwell had the man advantage but they were no longer in front.

Aberdeen gave as good as they got in the final spell. In the heavy rain, Motherwell tried to make their numerical superiority count but Aberdeen refused to make it easy. Motherwell substitute Jim O' Brien created the opening for an inviting cross but Jutkiewicz's acrobatic effort fell flat.

The ten men could even have nicked it as the game headed into injury time. Considine swept in a low cross but both Miller and Aberdeen sub Darren Mackie managed to miss it, a good chance gone begging.

MAN OF THE MATCH

No doubt about it. John Ruddy was head and shoulders above the rest with a commanding display in the Motherwell goal.

QUICK FACT

That's the seventh time Motherwell have drawn this season and the sixth time Aberdeen have drawn. Perhaps a draw was always on the cards. But as draws go, it was an exciting one.

TALKING POINT

The big subject for discussion was the sending off of Gary McDonald. There have been more flamboyant goal celebrations before and the decision did seem to be a little bit harsh.