= Tam Balfour's Quality Blog =: March 2008

Motherwell 1-0 Hibernian (shite)

Motherwell claimed their first in six league matches to keep them in with a chance of a Uefa Cup spot.

David Clarkson was the hero for the home side with a neat control and low, driven finish after only three minutes.

Motherwell dominated the play in difficult conditions and passed up a number of chances to add to their lead.

Hibernian came close through a Dean Shiels strike that came off the bar, but it was one of few opportunites created by Mixu Paatelainen's men.

Although the match was the first on the troublesome Fir Park pitch for more than three weeks, heavy rain had undone any benefit gained from the respite.

And it was Motherwell who coped best with the wet, windy and muddy conditions, taking the lead after only three minutes.

Hibernian defender Martin Canning was caught out by Paul Quinn's long, diagonal ball.

And Clarkson controlled expertly on his chest, before shooting low inside Andy McNeil's right-hand post.

With the early confidence boost, Quinn then strode forward to try a shot from distance which flew inches past McNeil's top corner.

As Motherwell exerted their authority, Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen was vocal from the touchline as he desperately tried to lift his side from a sluggish start.

But the Steelmen had an excellent opportunity to double their lead after 10 minutes, only for Quinn to shoot over from six yards.

Hibs eventually steadied themelves and on 26 minutes Shiels was unlucky to watch his half-volley from the corner of the penalty area crash off the bar with Graeme Smith beaten.

Mark McGhee's men remained on top, although they were unable to take any of a number of chances to add to their tally.

Neither Clarkson nor Chris Porter could get a touch to turn the ball in from Stephen Hughes' cross in front of goal.

And Porter headed just wide before half-time as Motherwell took a slim but deserved lead into the break.

It was more of the same from Motherwell in the second 45, with Hibernian relying on counter-attacks.

Quinn headed over the bar from a Simon Lappin corner six minutes after the restart, and then Clarkson had a shot blocked following Porter's intelligent lay-off.

Keith Lasley then fired wide before goalscorer Clarkson left the field to a standing ovation to be replaced by Ross McCormack

Hibernian's lack of fluency on the park was summed up by Ian Murray shooting well wide from distance, with none of his teammates available for a pass.

But the away team nearly snatched an equaliser with five minutes to go when substitute Clayton Donaldson forced an excellent save from Smith with a low effort.

However, the Hibernian resurgence in the closing stages was too little too late, and Motherwell recorded a vital win in their push for third place.

The Axidents at the Ark

And here is a small video clip to savour - Quality aint too hot but you get the idea! :)

Rudi and Rab show up for Kingpin

Axidents Tomorrow

Just a reminder - Axidents Tomorrow - The Ark - Waterloo Place - 8PM - £6 At The Door

Random Pics From The Phone Cam

Jocks are playing again

The Jocks will be on first so be there sharp!!

Walkies

Kingpin On Thursday?

Rab_Balfour has came out of the Kingpin wilderness and is ready to break some bottoms!! I propose a swedge on Thursday at round about 9pm - You know you want to!!! :o)

Rangers 2-1 Hibernian

SPL leaders Rangers overcame Hibs at Ibrox thanks to goals from Jean-Claude Darcheville and Nacho Novo. Jammy Bassa's or what?

After a sluggish start, Darcheville smashed an impressive shot high into the far corner of the net from an acute angle on 40 minutes. Unreal!!

Substitute Nacho Novo later capitalised on a Chris Hogg mistake to drill in a sharp finish from 14 yards.

Hibs lacked a cutting edge in attack until Dean Shiels found the net after his initial effort had hit the bar.

Rangers are now six points clear of Celtic, who play Gretna on Sunday.

Home manager Walter Smith made five changes from the Scottish Cup draw against Partick Thistle, with Barry Ferguson, David Weir, Sasa Papac, Lee McCulloch and Darcheville returning.

Hibs made two changes following last week's win over Kilmarnock. Out went Paul Hanlon and Merouane Zemmama to be replaced by the more robust duo of Ian Murray and Abdel Zarabi.

The cagey early stages saw both sides strive to keep possession, with Hibs enjoying more success with some neat interplay and crisp passing.

However, it was some crap play from Rangers which presented the visitors with their first sight of goal.

An errant delivery found its way to Filipe Morias, who lifted a neat pass towards Colin Nish, but the big striker misjudged the bounce of the ball as he bore down on keeper Allan McGregor and a great chance was gone.

Rangers' first meaningful effort on goal came on 18 minutes when Papac thundered a long range shot narrowly wide of the target.

Hibs striker Steven Fletcher dragged a shot wide from 20 yards as as both goalkeepers looked on without getting their gloves dirty.

Smith's side had been out-of-sorts but took the lead five minutes before the interval thanks to the sharpness of Darcheville and mince defending from Hibs.

Full-back Martin Canning was caught napping when Papac threaded a simple pass through to his team-mate and the striker cut in from the left flank before slamming a shot beyond Yves Makalambay from a tight angle.

Early in the second half, Darcheville broke clear of the Hibs defence but Makalambay used his large frame to block the Frenchman's shot from 18 yards.

The striker again raced into a dangerous position but was thwarted by the keeper, who was quick to leave his area and kick clear.

Hibs continued to knock the ball around confidently but lacked any punch up front and the home side increased their lead with 11 minutes remaining.

Hogg made a James Hunt of dealing with a long ball from Kirk Broadfoot and Novo was hand to spin on the defender's weak header and shoot low past Makalambay.

Shiels added some trickery for the visitors and McGregor had to make a good save to tip away his shot.

The substitute grabbed a late consolation for Hibs when he latched on to a pass from Nish and followed up his clever chip which hit the crossbar to drill the ball home.