16-07-11: Motherwell (a) 2-1 (HT 0-1) Crowd (4,798)

Fir Park was United's next destination on their short Scottish tour, where they took on Motherwell on 16th July 2011 in front of a crowd of 4,798 of which at least 1,913 were Leeds fans. Once again United tried to give a taste of the action to as many players as possible and kicked off with: Paul Rachubka; Paul Connolly, Patrick Kisnorbo, Leigh Bromby and Aidan White; Jonathan Howson, Adam Clayton, Michael Brown and Lloyd Sam; Billy Paynter and Ross McCormack. It was a step up in class against the Scottish Premier League side but it was Leeds that created the first chance in the first minute as Lloyd Sam got in a cross which Billy Paynter got to but pulled wide, but Motherwell soon threatened and Paul Rachubka had to make a smart save at the near post after five minutes. The near 2,000 Leeds fans were making themselves heard as Jonathan Howson, aided by Adam Clayton and Michael Brown sitting tight in central midfield, was able to play a more advanced role. It was Clayton that seemed to have been the provider for the first Leeds goal, when Billy Paynter scored from close range, but the celebrations were cut short by the linesman's flag. Motherwell soon showed they were also a threat as Steve Hammell hit a post after cutting in from the wing. The rain had started falling and soon the conditions started to get greasy and in the thirty-fourth minute two Motherwell defenders sent Lloyd Sam sprawling in the box. Ross McCormack, a former Motherwell favourite took the kick and it was saved low to the left by Darren Randolph. A Motherwell retort saw Kisnorbo concede a free-kick on the edge of the box, but the resultant effort sailed harmlessly over the bar. After thirty-nine minutes the home side did take the lead when Chris Humphrey found space on the right and Jamie Murphy got on the end of his cross to slide the ball in just inside the post. McCormack had the ball in the net a minute later, as Lloyd Sam provided him with the oppurtunity, but the whistle had already gone for an infringement. Aidy White made an enterprising run of over fifty yards but his cross was cleared over the home team's bar by Shaun Hutchinson almost on the stroke of half-time. Manager Grayson made four changes at the break sending on Alex Bruce for Leigh Bromby in central defence, Ben Parker for Aidan White at left-back and Max Gradel for Adam Clayton and Robert Snodgrass for Lloyd Sam in midfield. The home side Jordan Halsman for Steve Hammell at left-back and Ross Forbes for Keith Lasley in midfield, as the rain started to pour down to greet the return of the two teams. It was the home side who went on the attack with Paul Connolly doing well to cut out one cross and Alex Bruce heading out from under his own bar from the corner. It was Bruce who went close at the other end as he saw his header turned over the bar, while Ross McCormack watched his shot turned wide. Zac Thompson came on in midfield for Michael Brown, seven minutes into the second half, to see a Robert Snodgrass header go close after Billy Paynter had charged down a clearance and fed Max Gradel who had given Snodgrass his chance. It was the little Ivorian who threatened again on the hour, but his shot was deflected straight into the arms of Darren Randolph and as Motherwell replied Paul Rachubka was quick off his line to fist the ball clear. Ramon Nunez replaced Billy Paynter after sixty-two minutes and four minutes later there was a double change as Tom Lees replaced Patrick Kisnorbo in central defence and Nathan Turner came on for Jonathan Howson in midfield. Thompson started and finished a move which saw Ross McCormack return his pass but was denied by Darren Randolph, and the keeper also pushed the resultant corner over the bar under pressure from Robert Snodgrass. It was from that corner that United equalised with Randolph failing to collect cleanly and Alex Bruce was on hand to score from close range after sixty-eight minutes. Paul Rachubka saved a Michael Higdon header and Zac Thompson saw his shot deflected wide. Once more the home team failed to defend the corner conclusively but Randolph was able to stop Alex Bruce's shot with his legs. Lewis Turner came on for Paul Connolly after seventy-four minutes and the home side brought on Gary Smith to replace striker Michael Higdon. Just one minute later United took the lead with a stunning solo effort from Ramon Nunez as he weaved his way through the Motherwell defence to create an opening for himself to slip the ball past Randolph for a fine goal. Paul Rachubka and Ben Parker made good stops to thwart the Motherwell comeback. Max Gradel almost created a third but was denied by a good challenge as Ross McCormack waited for his final pass, but at the other end, Alex Cairns, who had just replaced Paul Rachubka in the eighty-fifth minute, got involved by collecting a free-kick. With two minutes left on the clock Motherwell made their final two changes as Steven Saunders replaced Tom Hateley at right-back and Robert McHugh came on for Jamie Murphy up front, leaving goalkeeper Lee Hollis, defender Jonathan Page and Outsde-Left Steven Lawless unused on the home bench. Cairns then pulled off another fine save a little later as United recorded their second successive victory in Scotland, with Ross McCormack being the only player to have played a full game.

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Report: Courtesy Mark Ledgard