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Images from today’s 1-2 loss to Airdrie in the Irn Bru Cup at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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It was mixed emotions for Stephen Craigan as he watched his U20s put on a brave showing against Airdrie, but ultimately exit the IRN-BRU Cup.

The young Steelmen, with an average age of just seventeen, went toe-to-toe with their senior opponents for the full game, but came up just short.

Former ‘Well striker Iain Russell put the Diamonds in front just before the break before Adam Brown doubled the advantage minutes after the restart.

Dylan Mackin pulled one back with a ferocious strike to set-up a grand stand finale, but despite creating chances, the youngsters couldn’t get level.

It brings to an end Motherwell’s run in the IRN-BRU Cup, but there were plenty of positives for Craigan, his team applauded off at the end by the 1,007 fans inside Fir Park.

[pullquote]They put so much into the game, they had a great appetite for it; I can’t praise their attitude enough. [/pullquote]

“Anytime you’re involved with the Under 20s you always come away with mixed emotions,” he sighed.

“They put so much into the game, they had a great appetite for it; I can’t praise their attitude enough. We maybe came up a little bit short and lacked that little bit of quality in the final third, particularly when coming up against an experienced defensive line, guys who have played a lot of first-team games.

“That’s why I enjoyed being a part of this tournament because it’s a great experience for our lads and a marker for where they’ve got to get to.

“Sometimes when you play against other Under 20s sides you don’t always learn things, but from both the Edinburgh City and this game tonight, it’s been a brilliant experience for all of us. We’re just gutted we’re out.”

A terrific display from the Under 20s came close to producing an IRN-BRU Cup shock against League One side Airdrie, but they came up just short in a 1-2 defeat.

A goal either side of the interval sent the visitor’s on their way to the next round, however, a fabulous strike from Dylan Mackin set up a terrific last half hour.

Despite falling just short, the young ‘Well’s efforts were recognised with a standing ovation from the home fans in the 1,007 crowd at the final whistle.

After taking five minutes to find their feet against their more senior opponents ‘Well had the first crack at goal, Thomas Fry’s low twenty-yard drive forcing Rohan Ferguson to throw himself low to his left and push the ball round his post.

Airdrie’s replied with a long drive from Andy Ryan which produced a firm first save from Peter Morrison.

As the young Fir Parkers gained in confidence Jack McMillan burst towards the goal line before crossing into a packed box but Ferguson cut out the danger. David Turnbull then had a 25-yard drive which whizzed over the bar.

Stephen Craigan’s boys were content in possession as they probed for gaps in the visitor’s defence that was well marshalled by former Fir Park favourite Marc Fitzpatrick.

But it was the home ‘keeper who was tested when he firmly held a curling shot from Adam Brown.

After receiving treatment for a head wound Morrison then produced a couple of reflex saves to deny the Diamonds an opening goal.

In the 21st minute the ‘keeper rose smartly to palm Scott Stewart’s header over his bar. That stop was surpassed seven minutes later Joe Gorman’s effort took a deflection inside the six yard box and as the ball was heading just under the bar, Morrison reacted superbly to beat the ball away.

Ryan Hastie’s speed and footwork earned him an opening at the edge of the opposite box and his left foot drive across the goal forced a good save from Ferguson who pushed the ball beyond the inrushing Mackin.

Just before the half-time whistle Hastie had possession in a similar position but literally lost his boot and footing.

It proved to be a costly slip as Airdrie immediately raced to the other end. And when Ryan rolled the ball back to Iain Russell on the 18yard line he calmly stroked it low inside Morrison’s right hand post.

Before the young ‘Well team could reply after the break Airdrie had snatched a second when Ryan had time in the middle of the box to chest the ball down before driving low and hard past Morrison.

To their credit the young Steelmen then showed great strength of character.

And after firing a shot narrowly over Mackin pulled one back in the 53rd. Darting between Airdrie’s central defenders, the young ‘Well striker hammered an unstoppable drive high into the net.

That restored confidence and twice within a couple of minutes the home side came close to producing an equaliser.

Firstly, from the corner of the box, Thomas Fry curled the ball wide of Ferguson’s post before the ‘keeper firmly held Ross MacLean’s drive at the end of a terrific run.

The ‘Well fans in the Phil O’Donnell stand thought that Luke Watt had rattled home the equaliser when the ball crashed high into the netting, only to realise that it was on the outside of the post.

Morrison then produced a couple of solid stops to keep the deficit to one.

Twenty minutes from time only a terrific save from Ferguson denied ‘Well the equaliser. Substitute Dylan Falconer turned 10 yards from goal before unleashing a thumping drive which the ‘keeper matched with an outstretched hand.

The First Division side had another let-off ten minutes later when Luke Watt was tripped as he burst into the box but referee Mike Taylor waved aside genuine appeals for a penalty.

It took a amazing save from Morrison to deny Ryan, who looked certain to slam Russell’s cross home from four yards until the ‘Well stopper spread himself to brilliantly block.

That kept the game and the fans on an edge until the final whistle but despite pressing the game towards the visitor’s box until the end, the young ‘Well couldn’t find an equaliser and a crack at extra-time their performance deserved.

Motherwell U20s: Morrison; McMillan, Armstrong, Maguire, Watt; Campbell, MacLean (J.Moore – 87mins), Turnbull (Scott – 79mins), Hastie (Falconer – 65mins), Fry; Mackin

Subs: Stevenson, Livingstone

U20s manager Stephen Craigan knows tomorrow nights  Irn-Bru cup clash will be a big ask for his players.

But the Northern Irish coach is confident that his young players will be excited for the occasion.

Speaking to MFC TV, Craigan said: “It’s going to be a big ask with Airdrie being in League One and going full-time this year – they’ve got lots of good players and a good manager.

“I’ve managed to watch them on two occasions and I’ve been impressed with what Kevin McBride’s trying to do and how they’re trying to play and the intensity in their play and the freedom they’re trying to play with.”

[pullquote]It’s going to be a big ask with Airdrie being in League One and going full-time this year.[/pullquote]

He added: “There’s no doubt Edinburgh City was a big test for us but this will be a bigger test again.”

Craigan admits that he is mostly looking for his young players to stick to the game-plan and put in a good performance.

He said: “I just hope that we can go in to it and make an impression on the game – I hope we can play without fear and play free and put in that structure that we’ve spoke about on the lead up to tomorrow night.

“If we’re competitive in the game first and foremost, I’ll be pleased.”

[pullquote]They’re looking forward to it. After we beat Edinburgh City there was a sense of anticipation as to who we’d get in the draw.[/pullquote]

And the manager admits that they are all excited to get out onto the pitch at Fir Park tomorrow night.

He said: “They’re looking forward to it. After we beat Edinburgh City there was a sense of anticipation as to who we’d get in the draw.

“The boys will all have their own reasons to be up for it, for example Dylan Mackin was out at Airdrie on loan.”

He added: “But ultimately it’s exciting for them; they want to play competitive football. We talk about games like the Youth Cup final and against Edinburgh City, and these games are to see how the boys cope with the occasion.”

The game will take place on Tuesday 16th and Motherwell fans will be housed in the Phil O’Donnell stand, with visiting fans in the South Stand.

The Centenary Suite bar will be open from 6pm for home fans to enjoy a pre-match drink.

Motherwell FC can today confirm defender Louis Laing has completed a five-month loan spell to English League Two side Notts County.

Injuries disrupted the player from tying down a spot in Mark McGhee’s starting eleven, but the 23-year-old has secured a move on loan back to Meadow Lane.

The Englishman spent a short spell at the club back in 2014 on loan from Nottingham Forest, and the ex-Sunderland man will hope to make a number of appearances over the next six-months.

[pullquote]We hope a loan to Notts County will help him get regular games and get him sharp. It’s a club he knows well and the perfect place for him to rediscover his top form.[/pullquote]

Laing, who joined Motherwell last season, has made twenty-nine appearances in Claret and Amber, scoring twice.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee said: “Louis has struggled to get a run of consecutive games since I’ve been at the club, mainly because of niggly injuries.

“We hope a loan to Notts County will help him get regular games and get him sharp. It’s a club he knows well and the perfect place for him to rediscover his top form.”

Motherwell U20s are back in action this Tuesday evening when they take on local rivals Airdrie in the IRN-BRU Cup.

Stephen Craigan’s men won the right to face the Diamonds after edging out Edinburgh City FC 2-1 in the previous round.

Airdrie, managed by former Steelmen midfielder Kevin McBride, have had a mixed bag start to the new campaign.

They lost in the Betfred Cup to Partick Thistle and Queen of the South, but beat Stenhousemuir and drew 3-3 with Queens Park.

They then opened their league season with a 1-3 away win at Hampden against the Spiders, but came up short this weekend, losing 2-4 at home to Livingston.

The match will take place at Fir Park, kick-off is 7.45pm. Admission is on the gate, Motherwell fans in the Phil O’Donnell Stand and visiting fans in the South Stand, priced at £5 for adults and £2 for concessions and juveniles.

The Centenary Suite bar, located in the Phil O’Donnell stand, will be open to home fans from 6pm for pre-match drinks.

Highlights from Fir Park as St Johnstone come from behind to win 1-2 in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Action images from today’s 1-2 loss to St Johnstone at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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‘Well boss Mark McGhee was disappointed with his sides performance after losing 2-1 at home to St Johnstone in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

And the manager admitted that a lot of his players looked a bit tired after playing three games in the space of eight days.

Speaking to MFC TV after the match, McGhee said: “It was a very disappointing performance. It lacked energy, it lacked a lot of things today.

“Obviously we’ll try and work out why that was but we’ve had three games in the last eight days so perhaps Wednesday night took more out of us than we realised – both physically and mentally.”

[pullquote] It was a very disappointing performance. It lacked energy, it lacked a lot of things today.[/pullquote]

He added: “Some of our attacking players who are capable of winning you matches didn’t quite have that edge today.

“Obviously the second goal was disappointing but Sammy has been outstanding recently and he’s made just the one mistake, on the whole though we were poor as a group.”

Chris Cadden gave the ‘Well a 1-0 lead in the second half and stretched his good form in front of goal.

And McGhee touched on the midfielder’s strong start to the new season.

He said: “His goal was a positive today, and he’s starting to learn that there’s goals to be had getting in to those positions.

[pullquote]His goal was a positive today, and he’s starting to learn that there’s goals to be had getting in to those positions.[/pullquote]

“He struggled today though, he was one who looked to me like a bit of an empty shell – he maybe suffered more than most from Wednesday’s game.”

He added: “He’s a great young lad and great young player and we have a week now where we can pick him up and dust him down.”

Ahead of the Rangers clash next weekend, the manager believes his side can improve on the past week.

“We’ve got to do an awful lot better than today, first and foremost we have to recover.

“We have to go there and be able to out-run them, let alone out-play them, and once we do that then we can start thinking about how we can out-play them.”

[tab:Match report]

Motherwell hoped to bounce back after being on the receiving end at Celtic Park, but the effects of their midweek tie were evident as they struggled to match a lively St Johnstone.

Although the visitor’s had the bulk of the play especially in the first half, ‘Well sneaked the lead two minutes after the break through Chris Cadden. But Saints quickly equalised through Danny Swanson before Steven MacLean latched onto a lapse by Craig Samson to seal the win for the Perth side.

‘Well did create chances, and Allan Mannus had to pull off a couple of impressive saves, but it was a frustrating day at Fir Park.

Mark McGhee made one change from midweek, with Joe Chalmers taking the left back berth for the injured Stevie Hammell, Lionel Ainsworth, the match winner at Rugby Park, returned to the line-up starting through the middle supporting Scott McDonald.

Saints, after their midweek win over Hearts in the Betfred Cup were confident and the Perth men created the early chances.

Samson was not tested until the 22nd minute when he palmed Chris Millar’s drive from the edge of the box over the bar.

Although Motherwell looked leg weary they came closest to scoring just after the half hour mark. Craig Clay sent Marvin Johnson to the goal line and his ball across the face of goal found Lionel Ainsworth stretching at the back post to turn the ball into the side netting.

Just before half-time ‘Well had another chance when Richard Tait’s cross picked out Ainsworth in a packed box but his half volley was blocked by Brad McKay.

Two minutes after the break ‘Well nicked the lead. Richard Tait burst into the box and his great ball across goal took a deflection off Brad McKay. As the ball rolled free Chris Cadden raced in to slam the ball over the line for the teenager’s third goal of the season.

As Saints looked shattered ‘Well chased a second and within minutes Johnson tried his luck from 30 yards but he steered his drive wide of goal.

McDonald almost made it 2-0 but after Lionel Ainsworth’s shot was blocked, the Fir Park striker steered the loose ball narrowly past.

The Steelmen paid for that miss two minutes later when Saints equalised.

Danny Swanson cut into the box from the right before driving a left foot shot under Samson to make it 1-1.

The “Well ‘keeper then advanced from his line as Kane raced through unchallenged but he forced the Saints’ striker to squeeze the ball beyond his right hand post.

Chris Cadden then tried his luck for a second goal and watched as his well struck drive from 30 yards firm drive palmed over the bar by Mannus.

That was last action for the teenage midfielder as striker Jacob Blyth came on for 27 minutes to impress.

However it was Johnson who came closest to grabbing a winner for the home side, curling a right foot which was heading for the top corner until Mannus stretched high to his left to turn the ball over his bar.

Unfortunately, the winner came at the other end 16 minutes from time and it was a bit of a disaster for Craig Samson who produced so many outstanding saves at Parkhead in midweek.

Chris Kane’s 25 yard drive was well struck but it should have been comfortable for Samson. However, the ‘Well ‘keeper elected to palm the shot down allowing McLean to stoop and nod the bouncing ball over the line for a late and deserved winner for Saints.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 1 – 2 St Johnstone #MFCvSJFC

90′ | 1-1
Three minutes added on here at Fir Park.

89′ | 1-1
Dom Thomas fires a half-volley narrowly over the bar after Marvin Johnson’s deep cross fell to the midfielder.

87′ | 1-1
Sub – St Johnstone make their last change of the afternoon – Craig replaces Swanson.

81′ | 1-1
McDonald picks up a booking for a deliberate hand-ball. The forward turned the ball into the back of the net from Johnson’s cross

75′ | 1-1
Sub – Dom Thomas replaces Lionel Ainsworth with 15 minutes to go.

74′ | 1-2

Goal – Steven MacLean follows in to head in from 4 yards after Samson’s save came back out.

73′ | 1-1
Craig Clay picks up a booking for a late trip.

71′ | 1-1
Double sub: Paton replaces Millar, Wotherspoon replaces Alston for St Johnstone.

70′ | 1-1

Jacob Blyth flicks the ball on to Scott McDonald who cuts in and curls a beautiful strike on goal but Mannus tips over. So close!

bSub: Chris Cadden comes off for summer signing Jacob Blyth.

60′ | 1-1
Cadden forces a brilliant save from Mannus! The youngster strikes on target from 25-yards and the Saints keeper tips it over.

58′ | 1-1
Kane is slipped through on goal by Swanson and with just Samson to beat, drags his right-footed shot wide from ten yards.

55′ | 1-1
Goal – Swanson draws the visitors level after cutting in from the right onto his left foot to fire past Samson from close range.

53′ | 1-0
So close! A brilliant early ball from Tait is controlled by Ainsworth, the ball then falls to McDonald who strikes just wide.

50′ | 1-0
Marvin Johnson strikes wide from 25-yards. The Fir Parkers are playing with confidence here.

49′ | 1-0
Danny Swanson picks up a yellow for another late foul from the visitors.

48′ | 1-0
Tait crosses the ball across the face of goal where CADDEN is lurking to fire home!! 1-0 to the Steelmen!!

48′ | 1-0
Tait crosses the ball across the face of goal where CADDEN is lurking to fire home!! 1-0 to the Steelemen!!

GGOOOAAALLLL!!!

47′ | 0-0

Murray Davidson is given a stern warning from referee Euan Anderson after a late swipe on Chris Cadden.

46′ | 0-0

We’re back underway at Fir Park.

An even first 45 produces no goals so far…

HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 St Johnstone #MFCvSJFC

43′ | 0-0

Tait attempts another cross but it is blocked and goes out for a corner.

41′ | 0-0

Second booking of the afternoon, it’s St Johnstone’s Chris Kane for a wild tackle on Marvin Johnson.

40′ | 0-0

Tait involved immediately again as he puts in a brilliant cross to the feet of Ainsworth, whose strike from 8 yards is blocked

38′ | 0-0
Tait goes into the book for what looks to have been a shirt pull on Swanson.

35′ | 0-0

McManus finds himself on the ball near the opposing by-line, but his attempted cross is gathered by Mannus.

31′ | 0-0

Best chance of the game so far! Johnson beats his man and sends in a brilliant low cross, but McDonald hits wide on the stretch

30′ | 0-0

Marvin Johnson collects the ball out on the right and dribbles inside onto his left foot, but his strike deflects wide.

26′ | 0-0
The Steelmen win a corner now, but similarly to St Johnstone’s it is over-hit and cleared.

bThe following corner is wasteful, and Motherwell see it away.

24′ | 0-0

At the other end, Chris Millar forces a decent save from Samson, who pushes it over for a corner.

23′ | 0-0
Johnson sends in a vicious, low cross, but it is well held by Mannus in the Saints goal.

19′ | 0-0

MacLean is afforded too much time on the edge of the Motherwell box and he strikes low and hard towards goal, but it skips wide.

17′ | 0-0
Heneghan’s clearance crashes off McManus and flashes just past Samson’s post. Still not much in the way of chances so far though.

12′ | 0-0

Kane breaks through on goal but his soft effort is easily brought away from crossing the line by Heneghan.

11′ | 0-0
St Johnstone send in a cross after winning the throw-in, but Kane heads over.

10′ | 0-0
Both sides sharing short spells of possession but little in the way of chances so far.

5′ | 0-0
St Johnstone win a corner but head over, Motherwell break quickly but fail to test Mannus.

5′ | 0-0
St Johnstone win a corner but head over, motherwell break but fail to test Mannus.

Lasley gets the game underway. COYW!!!

St Johnstone subs: Clark, Wotherspoon, Paton, Gordon, Craig, Cummins, Comrie #MFCvSJFC

St Johnstone: Mannus, Alston, Anderson, Millar, Davidson, MacLean, Swanson, Shaughnessy, McKay, Easton, Kane #MFCvSJFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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