Dougie Arnott took just 7 minutes to make a scoring return to fir park, in the 10th anniversary of Motherwells unforgettable Scottish Cup win. Around 3,000 fans turned up for the match, which eventually finished 6-6 after a lighthearted afternoon of great entertainment.
Proceedings began with a minute's silence for the late great Davie Cooper, who tragically collapsed & died four years after the epic 4-3 cup final victory over Dundee United.
All the other members of that winning Motherwell squad were there, apart from Injured Phil O'Donnell & Ian Ferguson, 'Well's first goalscorer in the 91 final. Former manager Tommy McLean and members of his backroom staff were re-united with the players they led to Cup Glory 10 years earlier.
Among the "SELECT" side were fans favorites from different generations, like Joe Wark, Willie Pettigrew, Tommy Coyne & Rab McKinnon.
A minute after Arnott's early strike,'well legend Stevie Kirk -- the super sub who scored in every round in '91, made it 2-0 to 'well in this commemorative match, when he turned in John Phillibens effort.
The Select side hit back with efforts by Billy Davies & tommy Coyne, both of which were well saved by Ally Maxwell.Coyne did get on the scoresheet with a 17th minute penalty, given after Owen Coyle had been fouled in the box. Coyne made it 2-2 a minute later with a low right foot effort and Maxwell then saved a coyle volley after Mckinnons cross.
Chants of "Psycho, Psycho" from the crowd greeted the arrival of hardman Colin O'Neill when he replaced Chris McCart after 26 minutes.O'Neill is still loved by 'Well fans for his amazing 40 yard rocket shot into the top corner in the 4-2 91 Semi- Final win over Celtic.Arnott netted his second of an action - packed afternoon from a kirk cross to put 'Well up after 31 minutes.
A brilliant run & cross by Luc Nijholt was missed by Jamie Dolan,as the 91 team turned the screw. The Select side hit back & Pat Nevin unleashed a great shot into the top corner after Davies' pass to make it 3-3. The effort Pat put into the shot seemed too much for him, as he jokingly staggered back into his own half! That was the end of the first half scoring.
The Cup winners went 4-3 up early in the 2nd period when 'Well fanzine editor Matt Johnstone, making a guest apperance fired home.
The Inevitable then Happened when O'Neill was sent off for Kicking & Pushing Coyle an incident which was no way pre-planned!
McKinnon hammered in a low shot to mske it 4-4 on the 57 minute mark, before select player Joe Wark walked off & lifted up his motherwell top to reveal the t-shirt message,"my name is joe wark & i knew your father". Nick Cusack headed home to make it 5-4 to the Cup Winners after a mistake by Keeper Connolly, who soon made amendsd with a point blank save from Dolan. At the other end Maxwell made a brillant save from McKinnons volley & Coyle missed the Re-Bound.
The fun aspect of the day was further incresed when Kirk took over in goal from Maxwell, who moved out to play on the left wing! Brian Martin netted a close range volley after Coyle's cross to make it 5-5, before O'Neills 40 - Yard backpass to kirk had the newly installed keeper scrambling to save.
Arnott completed his hat trick on the 74th minute after stealing the ball from keeper connolly, who was under pressure after a short Davies backpass.The scoring was competed in the last minute, when Coyles effort rebounded back off the post, hit Kirk and ended up in the net, much to the amusement of almost everyone inside the ground!
The game finished 6-6
