MOTHERWELL FC: UN- #BELIEVE- ABLE
This weekend was always going to be a special one. As I write this installment, I am on the train to work, before flying out to Canada tomorrow. Excitement levels are reaching fever pitch so over the weekend, much focus was on making sure everything was packed and ready to go.
It was also my cousin Barrie's 30th birthday party on Saturday night, followed by a pub Sunday where he had a midget ( that's the PC term, I checked) dressed as a policeman, handcuffed to him for a pub crawl. Again, events which had some high points.
If that kind of thing wasn't enough, THE MIGHTY WELL STROLLED TO THEIR FIRST SCOTTISH CUP FINAL IN 20 YEARS!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the caps there, but for the 90 minutes where Murphy and co decimated St Johnstone, I was speaking in upper case, so much so that my job that involves talking on a phone all day may suffer a little. I'd imagine the 7500 other Claret and Amber revellers feel the same today as they go back to work.
Hampden on Saturday was one of those days that we don't often get as Motherwell fans. A day when we don't necessarily hit top form, but come away with a comfortable win and be in complete control of the game.
For the first 3 minutes it didn't look that way though. Saints came out the traps quickly and forced a great save for the cameras from pop star botherer Randolph, in the middle of our goal. It looked like it may be a long afternoon. This would have been made even more unbearable had the chap behind me kept making jokes about how the defence would find it hard to mark Danny Invincible, as they couldn't see him, because, y'know he's "invincible". He made the joke about 5 times in the game, not one of his friends pulling him up for it. To be fair though, "Invisible" would have been a better name as he did not much of note.
Jamie Murphy had tweeted before the game for us to #believe and his self belief certainly was evident. His first probing run led to Jeffers getting a corner from another avid Twit, Michael Duberry. From Hateley's corner, Enckelman flapped and waved goodbye to his teams chances as Stephen "Jim Gannon" Craigan bulleted his first goal in 5 years in to the empty net. Soccer AM's Crossbar Challenge and subsequent dig at Gannon, must have added to his fire to win the game, as he played one of the most assured matches of his career in one of the most important in claret and Amber.
The joy he felt as it hit the net was increased 7000-fold as we all piled on top of one another, hugging and shouting. Craggs was doing the same, screaming what looked like a worse tirade than Rooney did, but not in to a camera, like the man who spent 90 minute in Craigan's pocket did.
1-0 after 5 mins and we were buzzing. One Stephen Craigan echoed around the cavernous National stadium, drowning out the sound of of 3000 tractor keys being looked out of blue and White pockets. A little under 10 minutes later and we had our hands tickling the Cup's handles. Murphy picked the ball up around 40 yards out, slalomed through a hapless string of men in blue, reached the edge of the box and beat Enckelman with ease.
Rob McLean asked Stuart McCall if Murphy's performance was a "double edged sword" on Sportscene, as he may have played his way out of Fir Park. If we win the Cup, and Murphy plays like that against Celtic on May 21st, he will deserve the kind of move that he deserves. If Connor Sammon can make it in the EPL, Jamie Murphy can do it too.
He was a constant threat and could have scored another mazy solo goal just after Lasley should have put us 3-0 to the good. Instead, that honour was left to John Sutton. The man couldn't not score on Saturday. It was a Cup game, live on telly, the ideal components for a Sutton goal. The only doubt would be if he'd score a header or a tap in or react to some horrific Mulgrew-esque mistake. None of the above.
His touch to Franny was returned with interest and his looping volley from 35 yards, despite Enckelman doing his best Darren Randolph impression, slammed in to the top pokey and nestled in the net. Time stood still as the spinning Mitre left Sutty's boot. It felt like I was watching the half time replay things on FIFA. I took an age to go in, but meant I could savour every second of it.
It had Motherwell written all over it. It was like a mixture of Colin O'Neill's v Celtic in the 91 semi and Faddy's stupendous strike to beat France. It showed that Motherwell have the quality to compete on the big stage when needed and are capable of the spectacular . These are the things needed to win the coveted Cup, 20 years since we did last.
The Omens are there. A scorer in every round (Kirk and Sutton), One game went to a replay ( Morton and Dundee United), we put out the holders ( Aberdeen and United), the 3rd goal in the semi was from 35 yards ( O'Neill and Sutton), Northern Irish internationalist scored in semi ( O'Neill and Craigan), the year ends in a 1 and it's a Tory Government. These may just be coincidences but if we #believe like Murph, who's to say it won't happen?
As I enjoy my future sister in laws wedding this weekend, just outside Toronto, I'll be keeping an ear out for the Well score. McCall has carte Blanche for the rest of the season to put out whatever team he wishes. Top Six is in the bag, but with the cup final in the back of everyone's mind, he may wish to experiment with the youngsters or give the likes of McHugh and Casagolda a run in the team
to see how they fare. Only Stu Mac knows.
The man has gone from the shakiest of starts, to becoming a Motherwell legend in 5 months. Granted, the players at his disposal are those mainly of McGhee. Gannon and Brown, but he has them playing his way. It may not be McCalls squad, but they are most definitely his men.
YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
Up The Well!!!
