Russ Finds Jinx In Well Armour

Sep 23 2007 Gordon Waddell At Falkirk Stadium

FALKIRK 1

MOTHERWELL 0

RUSSELL LATAPY'S freak free-kick ended Motherwell's 100 per cent away record and their 12-year hoodoo over Falkirk.

But Bairns boss John Hughes reckons the veteran had the limelight stolen from him by teenage sensation Scott Arfield.

The little Trinidadian's 35-yard dead ball was missed by everyone as it crept in at Graeme Smith's back post and nestled in the side net for the only goal.

It could scarcely be described as a highlight in a game between two decent sides that promised so much but just never rose above ordinary.

But gaffer Yogi was grateful that he saw at least one beacon of hope in the game - 18-year-old Arfield.

Hughes said: "I've seen us play better and lose. Our set pieces were poor all day until the free-kick that won the match.

"But at least we saw the next shining light in Scottish football in Arfield.

"It maybe wasn't fair of me to play him in left midfield when he's really right sided but he took to the game like a duck to water.

"Great touch, great energy and he's really kicked on for us this season. It was a really pleasing point out of the game.

"We maybe rode our luck a bit at times but we kept a clean sheet - and you'll never lose if you do that."

Hughes (below), whowas playing last time Falkirk managed a win over Well, had to make four changes from their 1-1 draw with Hibs due to injury and suspensions.

That meant a first league start for Dutchman Gerard Aafjes - and he looked like he was towing a caravan in a brutal introduction to the SPL.

Inside 90 seconds he tasted nothing but dust as David Clarkson blew past him down the left to set up a dream chance.

His cutback inside the six-yard box fell perfectly for striker Chris Porter - but incredibly he found keeper Tim Krul with his point-blank shot with the rest of the goal gaping.

The big hitman also had Well's other decent effort of the half.

He spent seven minutes getting a head knock stitched up but recovered to swivel and crack a magnificent effort past Krul from 18 yards - only to be denied by the face of the post.

Up the other end, the way Well committed to defending their box, it was easy to see why they had a perfect record on the road coming into yesterday's game.

Falkirk's craft only took them so far before they had to graft in two penalty box melees to carve out their best chances.

The first came when Michael Higdon's left-foot volley from 10 yards was deflected wide, the second a despairing clawing stop by Smith as Dean Holden tried to lift a header over him.

Still the home side tried to pick their way though with some skill and thatwas when Arfield attempted to take a grip of the game.

He tested the Well keeper with one 25-yarder then nearly lit up the place with a superb run down the left and a curled shot just over.

The game desperately needed some kind of spark.

It felt as flat in the stands as it looked on the park - but no-one brought out the fireworks for the second half either.

Stevie McGarry forced a save from Krul after finding himself in acres inside the box but apart from that?

All tip-tap and quarter chances.

Even the goal didn't exactly rise above that. McGarry's trip on KennyMilne 35 yards out on the left didn't look even like a half chance, judging by the number of Latapy's free-kicks and corners that had hit the firstman all afternoon.

But Well's stoppers didn't attack this one, they sat too far on top of their keeper.

The ball soared past their heads and by the time Smith could commit himself to the save the ball was already settling in the bottom corner.

Well had one late penalty claim for a handball dismissed by ref Kenny Clark but, that apart, they just didn't threaten.

And Latapy grinned: "I'm almost embarrassed to take the goal but it was a big three points for us.

"I try to get efforts like that on target at least so it increases the percentage chance of it going in.

"And the gaffer's right - Scotty Arfield was terrific.

"We must nurture him carefully but he's got the full package, good maturity and knowledge of the game for such a young guy."

REF WATCH

KENNY CLARK could have made it through 90 tame minutes without a card but still flashed a yellow to Michael Higdon. Otherwise a breeze for the ref. Rating: 7/10.

MATCH STATS

FALKIRK

SHOTS ON 3

SHOTS OFF 10

OFFSIDE 0

FOULS 17

CORNERS 8

BOOKINGS 1

MOTHERWELL

SHOTS ON 1

SHOTS OFF 4

OFFSIDE 3

FOULS 12

CORNERS 5

BOOKINGS 0