Motherwell Under 20s brought a three-game losing run to an end with a fantastic 2-0 win over Celtic at Fir Park tonight.
The Steelmen matched last season’s Champions all the way and a goal in each half from Dom Thomas secured the victory; Jonatan Johansson’s first against the Parkhead club since arriving two years ago.
Indeed, but for an incredible save from Leonardo Fasan to deny Dylan Mackin, the result may have been even more empathic.
To be fair, Celtic threw everything at it in the last fifteen minutes, including crashing a shot off the woodwork, but it was the Claret and Amber men who held firm for all three points.
‘Well made three changes to the side that performed so well at Tannadice six days ago. Josh Law, Bob McHugh and Craig Moore all dropped out, replaced by Adam Cummins, Ross MacLean and Dylan Mackin.
The visitors, who just fifteen days ago knocked the Steelmen out the SFA Youth Cup, made the brighter start and ‘Well had to look smart do block a Keiran Tierney effort, with the resulting corner also causing a problem that Ross Stewart eventually mopped up.
Johansson’s men weathered the early storm though and should have taken a lead on the ninth minute. A corner was only half cleared and when it was whipped back into the box, David Ferguson met it inside the six-yard box but could only head over when a goal looked certain.
‘Well were dealt a blow when Paul Lawson hobbled off and was replaced by Steven Higgins. Thankfully, the early prognosis is that it’s not too serious. That change meant a swap in shape, with Cadden joining Carswell in the middle of the park, with sub Higgins operating on the flank.
The game continued on though and Celtic again went close when Joe Thomson curled a shot narrowly wide of target. Motherwell replied through Mackin, who did everything right with a lovely spin inside the area, but his low shot fizzed wide.
The game hit a fifteen minute lull, with little in the way of goal mouth action, before Beram Kayal flashed a shot wide and Mackin again did well to create space for himself inside the area, only for his effort to be blocked.
However, just before the interval, ‘Well did get their noses in front. Dom Thomas pressed hard on Filip Twardzik, forcing the defender into a loose past. Thomas surged in on goal and kept his composure to drive it low under Fasan for 1-0.
It took eleven minutes for the second half to explode to life as Celtic came close to a leveler. Kayal’s low shot hit a deflection and despite going the wrong way, Stewart made the block. The ball squirmed loose, but Neill was on hand to swipe it away.
It would prove a crucial block as, with their next attack, ‘Well made it 2-0.
Similar to the first goal, ‘Well won the ball in the middle of the park, Stuart Carswell doing superbly well to pick up on a loose Kayal pass and drive his team forward.
He eventually picked out Thomas with a well-timed pass, allowing the forward to close in on goal, work it onto his left foot and curl it high into the top corner from twelve yards.
To their credit, Celtic set about trying to reduce the arrears and long-range strikes from Liam Henderson (twice) and Calum Watters went close, but were either comfortably stopped by Stewart or sailed wide.
However, Stephen Frail’s side had their keeper, Fasan, to thank for an incredible stop that prevented a third for the Fir Parkers.
There was some great play in the build-up, Thomas releasing Higgins down the left with a lovely pass.
The sub cut it back perfectly for Mackin and his strike looked destined for the net, but for an astonishing stop from the Italian who managed to turn it around the post. From the resulting kick, Cummins went close as ‘Well threatened to bury the match.
However, it was the visitors, as would be expected, who finished the stronger, throwing everything forward to try and get back into the match.
Henderson had another two long-range efforts sail over before substitute Paul George came within an inch of goal, seeing his twenty-yard effort cannon back off the inside of the post as ‘Well somehow survived.
George had another two efforts, one ballooned over and the other high and wide in the Maxim Office Park Stand as the Steelmen showed their metal.
The game eventually finished with ‘Well returning back to winning ways. It’s an excellent three points and one the former Finnish International will hope his young side can build on.
Motherwell: Stewart, McMillan, Ferguson, Cummins, Neill, Carswell, Mackin, Lawson (Higgins – 18mins), Cadden, Thomas, MacLean
Subs Not Used: Currie, Hall, McNulty, Watt, Anderson, R.Leitch