The Under 20s kept up their excellent run of form with a fine 0-3 win against Hamilton at New Douglas Park this afternoon.
The win means Stephen Craigan side have now gone five without defeat and pulled themselves to within seven points of fifth placed St Johnstone, with a game in hand and a match against the Perth Saints next midweek.
After a fairly low-key first-half, ‘Well stepped it up in the second half with goals from Wes Fletcher, Jack Leitch and Dylan Mackin securing all three points against the SPFL Development League’s second place team.
With a Youth Cup Semi Final in store this Sunday, ‘Well listed several changes to the team who have played regularly over the last few weeks.
Kieran Kennedy, Jack Leitch, Dom Thomas and Wes Fletcher all started to give a more experienced look to the visitor’s squad.
And it was the Steelmen who made a positive start, Allan Campbell firing a shot over the bar from distance before former ‘Well man Alan Martin did superbly well in the Accies goal to deny Fletcher at the back post.
Motherwell continued to set the agenda and a Thomas shot was again well held by Martin before Ross MacLean got up above Rico Quitongo to loop a header at goal, but it dropped the wrong side of the right hand post.
MacLean was almost in again two minutes later, after an excellent Luke Watt pass, but his first touch let him down and the chance was gone.
Accies’ first sight of goal came on the 22nd minute when Ronan Hughes struck a long-range effort at the ‘Well goal but it sailed high and wide of target.
It was the Fir Parkers who finished the half stronger, with a Barry Maguire effort from a corner going wide and a Jack Leitch shot forcing Martin into another low save low to his left.
Craigan’s men made a positive start to the second period too, Thomas shooting over after some excellent set-up play from Fletcher.
Accies’ Redmond hit the side net when he might have squared it across goal, but it was ‘Well who started to exert their authority and eventually took a deserved lead on 63 minutes.
Fletcher held the ball up on the right, before knocking it back for MacLean to whip into the area. Accies’ clearance landed at Robbie Leitch who cannoned a low shot off the base of the post. Fletcher was first to react and slotted the rebound into the net.
Three minutes later and ‘Well doubled their advantage. Fletcher was again the man stretching the game, and when he squared it for Thomas, the winger dribbled round two challenges before pulling it back for Jack Leitch who slammed home from close range.
It was almost three shortly after as the Fir Parkers threatened to run a mock. Fletcher was again involved, hassling the Accies defence before winning it deep in enemy territory. He rolled it back for Thomas, who hit a low shot off the post and wide.
Thomas had another effort from distance before ‘Well did make it 0-3 with five minutes left on the clock.
Thomas was the man with the assist again, dancing his way around players in the penalty box before cutting it back. Sub Davie Turnbull’s strike was well blocked by Martin, but it spun out to Mackin who tucked it home despite the Accies keeper’s best efforts.
It rounded off an excellent afternoon for Craigan’s side, who now travel north to Dingwall on Sunday hoping to book their place in the Youth Cup Final for the first time in almost three decades.
Motherwell: Long, Watt, McMillan, Maguire, Kennedy, Campbell, MacLean, J. Leitch (Hastie – 82mins), Fletcher (Mackin – 76mins), Thomas, R.Leitch (Turnbull – 76mins)
Subs Not Used: Morrison, Moore, Falconer, Livingstone