Kettlewell left furious over ‘laughable’ red card
IT would be safe to assume that Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell will be glad to see the back of Aberdeen for another season.
Yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at Pittodrie was his side’s third of the campaign against their bottom-six companions, ending an impressive away run in the league which had yielded three wins from their last three.
Stefan Gartenmann’s excellent header on the hour mark settled what had been an even contest, coming just minutes after the visitors had Jack Vale sent off following a mistimed challenge on Jack MacKenzie.
Until then, there hadn’t been a great deal to talk about in what was a lacklustre affair between two sides with little to play for but pride.
Not that you would think that given Kettlewell’s reaction postmatch though, as he directed his anger towards Craig Napier for making the decision which he deemed cost his side a chance of picking up maximum points.
‘For me, it’s laughable,’ he said. ‘Anyone who has played the game, watched the game, studies the game, you will see the ball has dropped over his shoulder and he has hooked it.
‘I thought it might have been our foul. The Aberdeen player actually comes charging in, doesn’t decelerate at any point, and spins Jack around.
‘When he (the referee) brandishes the red card, we all know VAR isn’t going to turn it over. I couldn’t believe it was given as a red card, neither can the players.
‘I spoke to some of the Aberdeen officials, people who have been around the game a long time, and there’s a smirk on their face almost because they got a big decision in their favour.’
The 39-year-old also criticised the general attitude of the man in the middle, adding that he was refused an opportunity to discuss the matter further after full-time.
‘The request came very amicably, we wanted a conversation about a couple of things,’ he continued. ‘Part of that was about his communication to some of our players — experienced players who have played for their country — and, in my opinion, that derogatory manner that you speak to players. It’s not going to get a great reaction.’
Looking to bounce back following last weekend’s heartbreaking Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shootout loss to Celtic, Aberdeen looked leggy in the early stages and could have fallen behind with six minutes on the clock, as Stephen O’Donnell’s low drive was kept out by the feet of Kelle Roos in the Dons goal.
Aberdeen’s Junior Hoilett was next to threaten, jinking in from the left and bending a strike inches over.
Talisman Bojan Miovski got his first sight of goal midway through the first half, but couldn’t direct his back-post effort on target after doing well to get on the end of a delightful MacKenzie cross.
MacKenzie then took it upon himself to liven things up for an increasingly frustrated home crowd, but his strike from distance sailed harmlessly over Liam Kelly’s goal, before Dante Polvara’s rasping drive from the edge of the area went the same way.
A chorus of boos greeted the halftime whistle and spoke volumes about the poor product on offer.
The hosts emerged from their dressing room with a spring in their step, and could have quickly gone in front courtesy of captain Angus MacDonald, but his goalbound strike was headed off the line by Lennon Miller.
The key moment arrived on 56 minutes, as the visitors were reduced to ten men. Vale’s attempt to win a 50-50 with MacKenzie was reckless — catching the left-back in the groin — leaving the referee with little choice but to award the straight red.
It would prove to be costly as the hosts broke the deadlock four minutes later. Hoilett’s wicked corner from the right was met by Gartenmann, who directed his header in off the far post.
Motherwell were aggrieved, as the final touch before the award of the corner appeared to come off the goalscorer. Replays suggested they may have had a point.
The result should have been put beyond doubt when Hoilett broke free down the left before releasing Miovski. His return ball found the Canadian at the back post, who poked wide with the goal gaping.
Theo Bair — a peripheral figure for much of the afternoon — glanced wide from an inviting Georgie Gent cross as Kettlewell’s side made a rare foray forward.
Goalkeeper Kelly — on his 150th Motherwell appearance — kept the visitors in the game shortly after with two fantastic stops in quick succession, first tipping over from Hoilett before denying substitute Duk with a strong left hand as the Dons pushed for a second.
One turned out to be enough as the Pittodrie support celebrated what was just a fifth home league win of a forgettable campaign.
Caretaker manager Peter Leven was full of praise for the character his side displayed following their Hampden heartbreak.
‘We looked a bit tired to start with and I thought we were trying to force the passes,’ he said.
‘You always have that worry that you have that dip after last week’s emotions, but I thought the boys’ character was brilliant.
‘Overall, I’m happy with the clean sheet and the three points.’ ABERDEEN (4-5-1): Roos; Devlin, Gartenmann, MacDonald, MacKenzie (Jensen 74); McGrath, Polvara, Barron (Lopes 71), Clarkson, Hoilett; Miovski (Sokler 95). Subs (not used): Doohan, Hayes, Phillips,
Duncan, Milne, Rubezic. Booked: Gartenmann. MOTHERWELL (3-5-2): Kelly; Casey (Halliday 70), McGinn, Blaney; Gent (Shaw 88), Zdravkovski (Nicholson 70), Miller (Ebiye 81), Spittal, O’Donnell (Mugabi 81); Vale, Bair. Subs (not used): Oxborough, Ferrie, Wells, Butcher. Booked: McGinn. Sent off:
Vale.
Referee: Attendance: 14,794.