Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park
Motherwell’s first home match in the SPFL Under 20s ended in defeat as Hamilton Accies ran out 4-2 winners at Fir Park.
In truth, the result actually flattered the home side with Accies passing up countless opportunities to make the result more convincing, particularly in the first half.
The visitors had raced into a commanding 4-0 lead thanks to goals from Lee Kilday, Tony Andreu and an Andrew Ryan double.
Craig Moore pulled two back in the last twenty-five minutes to add some ounce of respectability but there can be no doubt, Accies thoroughly merited their win and were impressive throughout.
Jonatan Johansson was looking to build on the encouraging start at Kilmarnock last week and made two changes – Stuart Carswell and Fraser Kerr came into the side in place of David Ferguson and Chris Cadden.
However, ‘Well made the worst possible start when they fell a goal behind after just nine minutes. A free kick from Scott McMinn was bent into the box and met powerfully by the head of Lee Kilday to leave Ross Stewart in goal helpless.
‘Well tried to rally quickly but Lee Erwin’s long run into the box ended with him dragging a shot wide.
But the Accies were quick to get back on top with Anthony Andrew hitting the bar from 18 yards out before Eamonn Brophy headed narrowly wide.
The goal was only delayed to the 20th minute, Adam Cummins fouled Brophy at the edge of the box, and after initially give a free just outside the area the ref consulted with his linesman and awarded a penalty. Andrew Ryan took the kick and swept it home, sending Stewart the wrong way to double the lead.
Accies went three up three minutes later when a cross from the left was side footed home by Ryan from six yards out. It was all Accies at this stage with Craig Johnston shooting over from 18 yards and Ryan doing the same minutes later.
The closest the ‘Well came was a Fraser Kerr header which was acrobatically saved by keeper Blair Currie.
Any optimism the late chance gave was wiped away as Accies added a fourth goal only minutes after the re-start. A corner was half cleared to the edge of the box and Andrew’s shot wrong-footed Stewart.
Despite the visitors dominating possession it was the Well who scored next on 63 minutes.
Lee Erwin robbed the full-back and Craig Moore swept his cross home from a few yards out
Just as it looked as though the Accies would see out the game with a three-goal cushion, Motherwell pulled one more back in stoppage time.
Dom Thomas bent a corner to the back post where Moore was on hand to sweep home his second of the night.
It was a very bad night at the office for Motherwell who will look to bounce back against Dunfermline next week.
Motherwell: Stewart, Kerr (Higgins), Kellock, Cummins, Neill (Ferguson) Carswell, Leitch (Cadden) Erwin, Moore, Thomas, McCafferty.
Subs Not Used: Currie, Johnstone, Shirkie, Higgins, McNulty
Pictures: Craig Foy