Motherwell U20s lost 3-4 to Dundee in a quite incredible Development League match at Fir Park today.
Dundee were two ahead inside the opening five minutes when Craig Wighton notched a double with the home defence all at sea.
Ross MacLean and Dom Thomas has the Steelmen at level pegging before the ninth minute before Dundee got back ahead two minutes later, Lee Cameron scoring the game’s fifth goal.
Despite passing up a host of chances, ‘Well couldn’t get level for a second time and a Luke Watt own goal restored the Dee’s two goal advantage.
Thomas grabbed his second, and Motherwell’s third with a blistering strike from distance and despite numerous chances and three goals chalked off for offside, the Fir Parkers couldn’t get that second equaliser.
Jonatan Johansson made seven changes to the team that comfortably saw off Hearts last midweek. Danny McNulty, Jack McMillan, Ben Hall, Craig McCall, Nathan Thomas, Paul Lawson and Steven Higgins dropped out, replaced by Stevie Hammell, Simon Ramsden, Fraser Kerr, Mark O’Brien, Jack Leitch, Dom Thomas and Craig Moore.
Motherwell made a positive start and forced three corners, all of which the visitors managed to clear. Then, with their first venture over the halfway line, Dundee scored.
Andrew Black and Cameron combined down the right, before slotting in Wighton who fired it under O’Brien and past Currie into the first corner.
Astonishingly, two minutes later, Dundee doubled their lead. A corner from the right was headed down by Kostadin Gadzhalov for Wighton who found himself in yards of space. His first effort was blocked by Currie, but the striker was able to prod home the rebound.
Shell-shocked, ‘Well sought about getting back into the match and they pulled one back inside two minutes later. Stevie Hammell’s ball was perfect for Moore who cushioned a header for the supporting Dylan Mackin. He played in MacLean who slid a nice shot past Brodie.
A further two minutes past before the Steelmen equalised. The home side pressed high to win the ball back and when Moore slid in Thomas, he wriggled away from the full-back to fire under Brodie into the far corner.
The scoring wasn’t finished there though and, astoundingly; Dundee got their noses back in front on the 12th minute. A long ball from the back allowed Luka Tankulic to out jump Fraser Kerr. The ball dropped to Cameron, who had got the wrong side of the ‘Well defence, and he kept his cool to hold off O’Brien and slot home.
‘Well went in search of a second equaliser and Brodie saved well from Mackin before Jack Leitch dragged a low shot wide of target. Mackin then had another shot, this time from a Thomas cut back, but he blazed over.
Down the other end, Tankulic brought about a smart save from Currie after driving a shot from distance.
It was the Steelmen who were the team in the ascendancy though and Moore prodded wide before Brodie was in action again, saving well from Moore again with Leitch narrowly missing the rebound.
Moore was in the thick of everything and he again went close, flicking a Ramsden ball back into the box just wide before being denied again just before the interval when Brodie flapped at a Hammell cross but the striker’s effort was deflected wide.
Johansson’s men made a good start and Moore had the ball in the net after just three minutes but the assistant John McCrossan had rightly ruled the striker was offside when O’Brien had fired the ball into the box.
It was to prove a crucial call as with their next attack, Dundee got their fourth. Cameron picked up on a long diagonal into the right flank, and his cross looked bread and butter for Max Currie, but with little communication in the ‘Well back line, he crashed into Luke Watt and the ball tricked into the net. Josh Kelly smashed it in but replays show the ball was already over the line.
The Fir Parkers wouldn’t give up though and seven minutes later, they were back to within one. Dom Thomas collected the ball thirty yards from goal and with the Dundee defence backing off; he unleashed a stringing effort into the far corner, with Brodie helpless.
‘Well pressed for a fourth and both Moore and Ramsden brought about saves from Brodie before substitute Steven Higgins had the ball in the net, but once again assistant McCrossan had his flag up. This time replays would show the assistant was incorrect with the forward a yard on.
To complete what was a bizarre afternoon, three minutes later ‘Well had the ball in the net for a sixth time. This time it was Higgins who was the provider, whipping an excellent cross in for Moore who bulleted the ball home. Again, McCrossan’s flag would frustrate the home side.
The home side pushed and pushed to get level, but Dundee held firm.
