Motherwell 3 Hearts 1

Scottish Cup holders Hearts crashed at the first hurdle when they were soundly beaten by Motherwell in a rain-drenched Cup tie at Fir Park.

The home side dominated most of the match and although Hearts equalised early in the second half 'Well were far too good for the Edinburgh side.

Motherwell made the perfect start after 13 minutes when Pat Nevin's corner was left by Steve McMillan allowing Ged Brannan to thunder a low right foot shot from 25 yards through a ruck of players and into the net.

After sustaining the home pressure Hearts drew level after 56 minutes when Stephane Adam set up Jim Hamilton who side-footed the ball past Andy Goram from 12 yards to make it 1-1.

The lead was shortlived though and nine minutes later Owen Coyle beat the offside trap to collect a pass from Michel Doesburg before calmly side-footing past Gilles Rousset to make it 2-1.

Before the Cup holders could recover again their grasp on the trophy was finally removed when Tony Thomas' low shot squirmed into the corner of the net.

It may have been a bit tight at times in the second half, but the home side should have put the game well beyond Hearts in an action-packed first half.

Andy Goram, making his debut in the home goal, played the part of spectator for long spells as the action revolved around Rousset's goal.

The French keeper had an outstanding save after 24 minutes when McMillan threaded a pass to Coyle who in turn set up the opening for Spencer, but his thunderous shot from 12 yards was brilliantly blocked by the keeper's outstretched hand.

As Motherwell looked to add a second to finish off the game, the injured Nevin was replaced by Derek Adams whose first touch was a delicate pass for Coyle to drive the ball diagonally across the goal and just beyond the post.

The Hearts defence was wilting and it almost caved in five minutes from half time when a defence splitting pass from Brannan sent McMillan into the box.

As the defender lined up to shoot he was tripped from behind by Thomas Flogel but to the amazement of everyone, the referee waved play on and Hearts breathed a sigh of relief.

The Tynecastle club having survived that penalty claim then got themselves back into the game with Hamilton's equaliser but all it did was spur Motherwell on to greater things.

Even leading 3-1, Motherwell inspired by Brannan, continually pushed towards Hearts' goal and only Rousset stood between Motherwell scoring a few more.

Fifteen minutes from time a great break from the home side saw Adams find Coyle all on his own but as he sped towards goal he rattled the ball against the keeper when it looked easier to score.

Then, after Goram was asked to make a rare save pushing a lob from David Weir over the crossbar, Motherwell should have scored a fourth, but Rousset denied Adams.

Teams

Motherwell: Goram, Doesburg, McMillan, Brannan, Thomas, Teale, Valakari, Nevin (Adams 27), Spencer, McCulloch (Matthaei 77), Coyle.

Subs Not Used: Woods.

Booked: Thomas, Teale, Spencer.

Goals: Brannan 13, Coyle 65, Thomas 74.

Hearts: Rousset, Locke (Makel 69), Naysmith, Weir, Pressley, Ritchie, Flogel, Fulton, Adam, Lilley (McSwegan 76), Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: Jenkinson.

Goals: Hamilton 56.

Att: 9,372

Ref: M McCurry (Glasgow).


Taken from sportinglife.com