Despite taking a first-half lead, Motherwell U20s crashed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Celtic at Firhill this evening.
The scoreline doesn’t tell the true story of the match though with Johansson’s side turning in a very decent performance, arguably their best showing of the season so far.
Kallum Higginbotham had the Fir Parkers in front early on with an audacious chipped penalty after Craig Moore had been tripped just inside the area.
But a super strike from Paul George had the hosts level before the break and late goals from substitute Patrick Twardzik and Bahrudin Atajic handed Stevie Frail’s side the points.
The Fir Parkers made two changes from the side that thrashed St Johnstone 5-1 last Tuesday. Both Bob McHugh and Lee Hollis were rested after first-team commitments yesterday and were replaced by Omar Daley and Ross Stewart.
Celtic looked strong too with the likes of Anthony Stokes, Paul Slane and new signing Remi Garshon amongst their starters.
Motherwell were by far the better side for the opening half hour but it actually Celtic who created the first chance.
George played in former ‘Well winger Slane but he hesitated, allowing Saunders to get a good block in. The ball spun out to Lewis Kidd but he screwed the rebound a foot or so wide of the post.
Johansson’s side quickly grew into things and posted intent with a Higginbotham free-kick over the bar and a bouncing Hetherington’s shot from distance well held by Thomson in the home goal.
It wasn’t long though before the Claret and Amber men took the lead. A lovely ball through the middle had Craig Moore racing in on goal. Bearing down on Thomson, he was fouled by Stuart Finlay with the referee pointing to the spot.
On-loan Huddersfield forward Higginbotham stepped up and cheekily dinked the ball down the middle, with Thomson diving low to his right.
Motherwell should have added to that lead.
After a mix-up in the home defence, Omar Daley found himself in space inside the box. Despite slipping the ball past Thomson, it cruelly bounced wide of the far post.
Minutes later, Antiguan International Zaine Francis-Angol went on a mazy run before unleashing a stinging effort which fizzed inches over the crossbar.
The away side would live to rue those misses as Celtic brought themselves back into the match ten minutes from the break.
Picking up thirty-five yards from goal, Paul George strode forward before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top corner with the outstretched Stewart completely helpless.
The goal came very much against the run of play but it gave Celtic a swagger and they finished the half the stronger.
Indeed, it took a fine save from Stewart at the feet of Atajic to keep it at 1-1, thankfully for ‘Well Kidd once again lashed the rebound wide.
Into the second half and the Steelmen were again the side setting the agenda. A Fraser Kerr shot, after good link-up play between Daley and Higginbotham, had to be deflected wide for a corner.
The resulting kick eventually found its way to Omar Daley who’s stinging drive cannoned off the crossbar and out for a goalkick.
Celtic had the ball in the net when Atajic completed a patient move with a neat finish but was correctly flagged offside by the assistant before the ball was in the net.
It was, unfortunately, a prelude of what was to come.
Five minutes after seeing his goal disallowed, the same player picked up the ball inside the area and as he tried to turn, was bundled to the ground by Steven Saunders.
The referee, who fifteen minutes earlier booked Atajic for simulation, this time pointed to the spot.
Substitute Patrick Twardzik kept his cool to send Stewart the wrong way.
To rub salt into Motherwell wounds, Celtic added a third with just a few minutes left on the clock. Atajic, who had caused problems all evening, collected the ball on the counter. He got a bit of luck with the ball striking his hand in the build-up but he certainly finished with aplomb, curling a shot into the far corner.
The match ended in defeat for the ‘Well but Johansson and Black will take plenty of positives from a battling performance.
Motherwell: Stewart, Kerr, Cummins, Saunders, Francis-Angol, Watt, Hetherington, Carswell, Daley, Higginbotham, Moore
Subs Not Used: Currie, Murray, Leitch, Johnstone, McCafferty, Shirkie
