The inconsistency curse struck again as ‘Well U20s crashed 2-1 to Hibs in Edinburgh this evening.
Stephen Craigan’s side have been unable to put together a run of victories and after last week’s win over Falkirk, they were unable to build at Ainslie Park.
Olly Shaw put the hosts in front twenty minutes into the second half, but ‘Well, through Luke Watt, were level within five minutes.
However, with nine minutes left to play, Calum Crane lashed home a thirty-yard stunner in off the post to give the hosts all three points.
Stephen Craigan was able to call on the likes of Keith Lasley and Steven Hammell, both returning from recent injuries.
David Clarkson, Dom Thomas and Jack Leitch were also listed in an experienced looking Steelmen side.
For their part, Hibs had former Fir Park favourite Henri Anier in their starting line up as the Estonian searches for fitness after a two month lay-off.
Motherwell started brightly and Thomas tested Hibs keeper Tony Reguero inside four minutes but the Spaniard blocked his shot well before gathering at the second attempt.
Hammell fired over from distance and Clarkson had a low bouncing effort well held by Reguero.
Hibs had their first chance on sixteen minutes when Sam Stanton forced PJ Morrison into a good low save. Seconds later, they came even closer when Crane crashed the underside of the bar after the ball had fallen fortuitously to him inside the box.
Motherwell continued to look the more threatening though and Hammell had another long-range effort go over before Mackin had a low shot blocked on route after Clarkson had teed him up with a neat flick.
Stanton forced another save from Morrison before, just on the stroke of half-time, ‘Well somehow passed up the chance to take the lead. Clarkson’s initial shot looked to be going in, but hit Thomas on the way. The winger bundled the rebound off the post before Hibs got it clear.
Motherwell started on the front foot and Jack McMillan had a shot blocked before Thomas fired over from close range.
Hibs did create chances too, Jordan Sinclair forcing Morrison to stoop and catch a low bouncing effort. However, it was the Claret and Amber men who were posing the threat and Jack Leitch almost put his side in front with a neat lobbed effort that forced Reguero to tip over.
From the resulting corner, Ben Hall teed up Thomas but he could only drag it wide of target.
Another corner, minutes later, again almost had Hibs opened up but Reguero did well to block a Mackin header.
And it was an important stop as with two minutes, the home side took the lead. It came out of nowhere – Sterling wasn’t closed down and with time to throw the ball into the area, he picked out Shaw who ghosted in behind Watt and volleyed the cross high past Morrison.
Their lead barely lasted five minutes though as ‘Well soon hit back. Again it was from a corner, Thomas’ kick found Hall but his header was again blocked. However, it dropped to Luke Watt and he did well to quickly turn and smash the ball into the far corner.
‘Well pushed for a winner, but often left themselves exposed at the back and Hibs created a handful of chances on the counter. Anier was twice in on Morrison, but twice the young goalkeeper stood up to make saves.
However, after saving again shortly after, the young stopper tried to get ‘Well quickly on the attack, only for his throw-in to land at the feet of Crane who wasted no time rasping a cracker from distance that went in off the post.
Morrison did make another good save to deny Shaw before Cadden came close to levelling with a cross that almost caught out Reguero, but the keeper just managed to punch over.
Motherwell: Morrison, McMillan, Hammell (Livingstone – 60mins), Watt, Hall, Clarkson, Cadden, J. Leitch (R.Leitch – 78mins), Mackin, Thomas, Lasley (Campbell – 60mins)
Subs Not Used: Long, Maguire, MacLean, Hastie
Goals: Watt (70)