By Paul Marshall
January 3 2004

Motherwell came from behind to take maximum points against Dundee United. Things didn't look good for Motherwell after they went in at half time trailing the ' Arabs ' 1 - 0 but a stunning second half hat trick from David Clarkson ensured Terry Butcher's boys picked up their first win in 7 games.





The visitors opened the scoring after 15 minutes from a free kick. Referee Charlie Richmond ruled that Stephen Craigan had fouled Jason Scotland on the edge of the penalty area but the home support thought the Trinidad & Tobago striker went down too easy. Wilson fired in a low shot which Marshall had no chance with.





The turning point in the match came just before half time when Jim McIntyre's header came off the post.


It was a different Motherwell side the fans saw in the second half, they were willing to chase every ball and fight for each other, something that was missing in the first period.





Clarskon's first of the afternoon came on the hour mark when he latched onto a clever through ball from Derek Adams, the striker then ran 40 yards before slotting past Gallacher from a tigh angle. The youngster headed home from a Stevie Hammell corner to get his and Motherwell's second ten minutes later.


Dundee United winger Andy McLaren could have started a riot when he gestured to the home support in the East Stand. He was booked for his troubles.





Alex Burns then brought off a good save from Gallacher with 10 minutes to go.


Clarkson rounded off a good afternoon with his third in injury time to kill off any chance of a Dundee United comeback.





Fans View - Angie

Superb in the second half,davie clarkson shows uncle phil whats required.


Motherwell
Marshall,



Quinn,

Craigan,

Corrigan,

Hammell,

Lasley,

Leitch (O'Donnell 79),

Adams,

Dair,

Clarkson,

Burns.



Dundee Utd


Gallacher,

McCracken,

Innes (Duff 36),

Archibald,

Wilson,

McInnes,

Kerr,

James Paterson (McLaren 66),

Dodds,

McIntyre (Samuel 49),

Scotland.

Attendance - 5,549


Referee - C Richmond