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Extended highlights from the Indodrill Stadium as ‘Well lose 1-0 to Dundee in the SPFL Development League.

Jonatan Johansson bemoaned his side’s lack of a killer instinct after losing 1-0 to Dundee this afternoon.

The young Fir Parkers creating a plethora of opportunities, but were either wasteful in front of goal or found German keeper Arvid Schenk in inspired form.

The disappointment and frustration was compounded by a poor goal conceded, a set piece just fifteen minutes from time.

Asked how his side managed to lose the match, the Finn was blunt: “We didn’t take our chances; it’s as simple as that!

[pullquote]Football is about scoring goals and we’ve had two or three games this season that we’ve created a lot of chances, but the killer instinct isn’t there which is unfortunate, because we are creating enough to win many games.[/pullquote]

“If you ask me, ‘Am I disappointed with how we played?’ – then no, not really.

“We played well both halves, the energy was there and there were some good individual performances. We put pressure on them, we pressed high up the park.

“However, football is about scoring goals and we’ve had two or three games this season that we’ve created a lot of chances, but the killer instinct isn’t there which is unfortunate, because we are creating enough to win many games.

“We will work hard at improving that side of our game for the upcoming matches.”

Motherwell Under 20s lost 1-0 to Dundee this afternoon in a game they really ought to have won.

Jonatan Johansson’s young side were on top for the majority, creating a host of chances, including hitting the frame of the goal and coming up against a keeper in inspired form.

However, they were punished at the other end fifteen minutes from time when Matthew Allan prodded home a swerving corner at the back post.

The Steelmen made four changes to the team that beat Celtic seven days ago. Adam Cummins, Paul Lawson, Stuart Carswell and Ross MacLean dropped out, replaced by Luke Watt, Ben Hall, Craig McCall and Steven Higgins.

And it was the visitors who made a positive start to the game and could and should have been ahead inside six minutes.

A teasing ball between the goalkeeper and right-back Andrew Black caused confusion, and when the defender nodded it past the outrushing keeper, it looked to be rolling into the net, but bobbled just past the post.

From the resulting corner, Dom Thomas’ cross was perfect for Morgyn Neill but despite a free-header from six yards, the big defender put it over.

Thomas had a shot of his own ten minutes later comfortably saved, before Dundee’s Josh Skelly had their first attack of note, sending a 20-yard shot over the bar.

Dylan Mackin also had a neat turn and shot inside the area well saved by German keeper Arvid Schenk. The former VfL Wolfsburg II stopper was even more impressive shortly after, getting down well to save from a stinging Thomas half volley at the expense of a corner.

Just before the break, the Dark Blues had their best effort of the half, Skelly capitalising on some good play down the left, only to see his darting shot well stopped by Ross Stewart in the ‘Well goal.

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with ‘Well creating chances. Thomas had the first shot after just three minutes, but Schenk was again up to the task.

Minutes later, Mackin played in Higgins with a lovely flick, only for the defender to be crowded out at the expense of a corner. From the resulting kick, Thomas got another shot away but again, it was comfortable for Schenk to catch.

It took Dundee ten minutes to register an effort in the second half, but when it came, it was close. Philip Roberts reacted quickly to a smart free-kick from Kevin McBride, but the former Inverness CT winger pulled a low shot narrowly wide of the far post.

However, it wasn’t long before play was back up the other end and Schenk was again able to thwart the Steelmen, racing off his line to stop Higgins’ chipped finish after the forward had been played in by a lovely Craig McCall slide rule.

Shortly after, Thomas had another shot from the left edge of the box, but with Schenk at full stretch, it dropped half a yard over the crossbar.

Dundee were content to hit on the counter and German striker Luka Tankulic sent a low shot three of four yards wide before Philips tried an ambitious shot from distance on his left foot, which hit the corner flag on its way out for a goal kick.

It was still stalemate but anyone inside the ground would’ve been scratching their head at how ‘Well didn’t take the lead on the 70th minute.

Schenk could’ve caught a corner but instead, opted to punch. When it squirmed out into the penalty box, there were big appeals for a penalty when Higgins was pulled down.

The referee played on and ‘Well had three or four shots at goal, all blocked in an over-crowded eighteen yard box.

It was to prove crucial as Dundee got themselves ahead just minutes later. The goal came from a corner after Stewart had turned around a low Philips shot. Motherwell’s marking was poor and when Matthew Allan peeled off his marker at the back post, he bundled it home despite ‘Well protesting for a handball.

Those of a Claret and Amber persuasion would struggled to believe how they were behind in a game they had controlled for the vast majority. It got even more frustrating when Mackin sent a blistering volley crashing off the post, albeit credit should again go to Schenk who got a slight, if unorthodox, touch on route.

The Steelmen threw the kitchen sink at in the last ten minutes. Sub Ryan Watters almost scored with his first touch, heading a Neill cross straight at Schenk before the big keeper was again in form, turning away a low drive by Cadden with no Motherwell striker there to gobble up the rebound.

It was a frustrating old afternoon for the Fir Parkers who left Clackmannanshire with nothing, but deserved so much more.

Motherwell: Stewart, Watt, McMillan, Hall, Neill, Ferguson, Mackin, Cadden, Higgins (Watters – 85mins), Thomas, McCall (R.Leitch – 77mins)

Subs Not Used: Currie, McNulty

Extended highlights from the Highland Capital as a poor Motherwell lose 3-1 to hosts Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Kenny Black criticised Motherwell’s poor showing against Inverness, describing it as “not good enough”.

The Fir Parkers were hoping to build on the encouraging win and performance against Dundee United a fortnight ago, but were extremely poor in the Highland Capital, eventually losing 3-1.

Indeed, had Inverness been more ruthless in attack, the scoreline could have been much worse for the Claret and Amber men.

Caretaker boss Black was in no mood to mince his words and sympathized with the supporters who made the long journey north.

He said: “I don’t think the team gave enough in the 90 minutes and 3-1 flattered us.

[pullquote]It wasn’t good enough – simple as that. I didn’t think we caused Inverness any problems at all and at times it was like some of our players had never seen a ball before.[/pullquote]

“It could have been more and as much as I enjoyed the game against Dundee United a fortnight ago it was the total opposite today.

“It wasn’t good enough – simple as that. I didn’t think we caused Inverness any problems at all and at times it was like some of our players had never seen a ball before.

“The better team won on the day. I thought they were far better, far brighter and they passed the ball better than we did.

“You are looking to try to cause them problems, and our only attack in the first half resulted in the goal – and it was probably the only time we strung three or four passes together.

“It was hard work watching that today and I feel for the supporters that travelled up. They showed a lot more enthusiasm than some of our lads.”

Action pictures from this afternoon’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Inverness CT in the SPFL Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

[svgallery name=”invernessct221114″]

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee at the Caledonian Stadium

A lacklustre Motherwell turned in a poor display and were soundly beaten by Inverness CT in the Highlands today.

After an encouraging and welcome win over Dundee United, hopes were that ‘Well would be able to build, but in truth, Kenny Black’s side failed to get out of first gear for the whole ninety minutes.

The home side had taken the lead in the 29th minute when Billy McKay ran clear of the Motherwell defence, but the managerless Steelmen levelled just two minutes later through Henrik Ojamaa.

But Caley Thistle displayed more of the qualities that see them share top spot in the second half as they went back ahead through Marley Watkins close-range header on 70 minutes before Josh Meekings secured the points eight minutes later as he slid in to meet a corner-kick at the back post.

Black named an unchanged side from the one which defeated Dundee United 1-0 in their last outing, while Caley boss John Hughes welcomed back impressive youngster Ryan Christie into his starting eleven.

The early stages of the match were fairly uneventful, with Caley seeing most of the ball but with side creating anything of note until the 24th minute when Greg Tansey’s 30-yard free-kick sailed just wide of the post.

But five minutes later Billy McKay put the home side ahead after being sent clear on the right by Ryan Christie and he finished coolly beyond Dan Twardzik in the Motherwell goal.

That sparked the game into life – and just two minutes after going ahead, Caley were pegged back to level terms by Ojamaa after the Estonian got on the end of a John Sutton cutback before keeping his composure to blast the ball beyond Dean Brill. It perhaps wasn’t merited, but the visitors would very much take it.

Ryan Christie almost put Caley back ahead with half-time beckoning, but he was denied by a tremendous Twardzik save to keep the scores level.

Inverness began the second half well and should have retaken the lead inside two minutes of the restart as the usually deadly McKay again broke clear before rounding Twardzik, but his shot, albeit from an angle, was high over the goal.

The Northern Irishman wasted yet another chance when he lofted a ball over the bar from just inside the area after escaping the attentions of Craig Reid. The home side kept plugging away however, and they were rewarded with 20 minutes left when Graeme Shinnie sent a ball into the box and it was headed home from close-range by Marley Watkins.

And on 78 minutes, the points were secured as Josh Meekings got himself on the end of a Tansey corner at the back post to make the game safe.

There should have been even more for the vast majority of the 3,037 crowd to cheer as Watkins hit the bar from just six yards out after Caley broke at pace and substitute Aaron Doran played him in.

However, the final whistle signalled a thoroughly merited victory for the home side against a Steelmen side who frustratingly failed to cause the home defence any problems at all.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at the Caledonian Stadium

FT: inverness CT 3 – 1 Motherwell #ICTFCvMFC

91mins: ‘Well get a free-kick 25 yards out which Vigurs fires straight into the wall #ICTFCvMFC

3 minutes added on #ICTFCvMFC

84mins: Final ICT change, McKay off for Ibra Sekajja #ICTFCvMFC

81mins: Off the bar by Watkins! ICT break and the cross found Watkins free at the back post.Should have made it 4. #ICTFCvMFC

80mins: Vigurs is then booked for hauling Ross down as Caley broke #ICTFCvMFC

79mins: Doran is booked for a tackle from behind on Vigurs #ICTFCvMFC

76mins: GOAL! Meekings pokes home from a corner to make it 3-1 #ICTFCvMFC

75mins: ICT sub, Christie off for Ross #ICTFCvMFC

73mins: Twardzik reads Watkins’ cross/shot well and manages to gather it in. McKay was lurking #ICTFCvMFC

72mins Motherwell sub, Ramsden makes way for Erwin #ICTFCvMFC

70mins: GOAL! Watkins makes it 2-1 tapping home from close range #ICTFCvMFC

69mins: Raven’s ball into the box is half-cleared to Christie who whips it well over #ICTFCvMFC

65mins: ICT sub, Doran on for VIncent #ICTFCvMFC

63mins: Another good save from Twardzik, this time diving low to his left to beat away Watkins’ curling effort #ICTFCvMFC

59mins: ICT get the break of the in the middle of the field and counter quickly, Christie slid in McKay who curls it just over #ICTFCvMFC

56mins: Motherwell sub, Ainsworth makes way for Law #ICTFCvMFC

53mins: Long range shot form Christie but it’s pretty harmless and Twardzik gathers with ease #ICTFCvMFC

47mins: Incredible chance! McKay skip past Twardzik but somehow, with all the goal to aim for, he scoops the ball well over from 12 yards

Teams are back out for part two. Watkins and McKay kick-off #ICTFCvMFC

Half-time in the Highlands and it’s 1-1. ICT largely in charge but could only hold their lead for 2 minutes. #ICTFCvMFC

HT: Inverness CT 1 – 1 Motherwell #ICTFCvMFC

44mins: Tansey’s left-footed shot from 22 yards is thankfully deflected just wide of the left-hand post #ICTFCvMFC

41mins: What a save by Twardzik! Christie cut in from the left and fired it towards the bottom corner but Dan gets down to it! #ICTFCvMFC

40mins: Entering the final 5 minutes of the first half. Still 1-1, perhaps luckily so for The Steelmen but we’ll take it #ICTFCvMFC

34mins: Ainsworth is very nearly played through by Ramsden but Brill gets off his line sharply and sweeps it clear #ICTFCvMFC

31mins: Unbelievable! Ojamaa hammers home Sutton’s cutback to make it 1-1 with our first venture into the ICT box #ICTFCvMFC!

GGOOOAAALLLLL!!!

29mins: GOAL! That’s been coming. McKay is slid through 1v1 and he isn’t going to pass that one up, slotting it past Twardzik to make it 1-0

23mins: Closest chance so far for ICT. A great free-kick from Tansey flashes inches wide of Twardzik’s right-hand post #ICTFCvMFC

…McKay heads just wide at teh back post #ICTFCvMFC

21mins: ICT turning the screw. Only a last-ditch interception from Kerr prevented Watkins a clear scoring opportunity then seconds later..

20mins: Williams finds an opening on the edge of the box but his attempt on goal is poor, blazing it well over the bar #ICTFCvMFC

18mins: Mistimed tackle by Lasley in centre of the park, maybe lucky to escape a booking #ICTFCvMFC

…has the sting taken out of it by McManus allowing Twardzik to gather easily. ICT have had the best of the opening exchanges #ICTFCvMFC

15mins: Slack midfielding from ‘Well allows Shinnie some space to get down the left wing and deliver a cross to Watkins, whose header…

12mins: Christie whips a good ball into the box but Kerr cooly nods it back to Twardizk with Watkins lurking #ICTFCvMFC

11mins: Second corner of the game for ICT but there’s no takers for Tansey’s back-post ball #ICTFCvMFC

10mins: Neat spell of passing there from ICT but Vincent over-hits his through ball to McKay and it goes out for a goal-kick #ICTFCvMFC

7mins: Christie jinks forward and slides in Watkins on the left wing but his floated cross is easily gathered by Twardzik #ICTFCvMFC

3mins: ICT win the first corner of the match. They work it short and Tansey delivers, straight to McManus who heads clear #ICTFCvMFC

Lasley and Ojamaa kick off the action #COYW #ICTFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell caretaker manager Kenny Black:

“I don’t think the team gave enough in the 90 minutes and 3-1 flattered us.

“It could have been more and as much as I enjoyed the game against Dundee United a fortnight ago it was the total opposite today.

“It wasn’t good enough – simple as that. I didn’t think we caused Inverness any problems at all and at times it was like some of our players had never seen a ball before.

“The better team won on the day. I thought they were far better, far brighter and they passed the ball better than we did.

“You are looking to try to cause them problems, and our only attack in the first half resulted in the goal – and it was probably the only time we strung three or four passes together.

“It was hard work watching that today and I feel for the supporters that travelled up. They showed a lot more enthusiasm than some of our lads.”

Inverness CT manager John Hughes:

“We knew that coming off a win the other week they would be galvanised and they would have that siege mentality.

“In the first half it was a wee bit sticky and it took us a while to break the game down.

“We didn’t really get started until we changed the shape and made a few substitutions, but after that we played well and dominated the football. I’m delighted we picked up the three points.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”209″]

Kenny Black expects another tough test as ‘Well once again go toe-to-toe with SPFL Premiership high-fliers.

Two weeks ago, the caretaker boss, who five days previous picked up the reigns from the departed Stuart McCall, locked horns with then top-of-the-table Dundee United, running out 1-0 winners thanks to Iain Vigurs’ goal.

The job doesn’t get any easier for Black, with joint leaders Inverness CT next up on their own patch.

But whilst the former Steelmen midfielder concedes his side has a tough match ahead against a team who haven’t lost at home all season, he insists the squad travel north with optimism after that excellent result against the Terrors.

Speak to the broadcast press at Motherwell’s pre-match news conference, the 50-year old said: “Going up to Inverness is never easy at the best of times, they’re playing with a lot of confidence and consistency, which makes the job really tough.

“They’ve benefited from Big Yogi (John Hughes) having a summer with them and you can see them starting to reap the rewards from that.

“They’ve also managed to keep virtually the same starting eleven for most games this season, that has helped them win games which breeds confidence.

“From our point of view, we’re going there to give it our best shot. “

[pullquote]Going up to Inverness is never easy at the best of times, they’re playing with a lot of confidence and consistency, which makes the job really tough.[/pullquote]

Black is also hopeful the players will respond to a slightly calmer week that the turbulent few days leading to the match against United.

“The week leading up to the Dundee United game was a difficult one for us all,” he admitted.

“We have had a couple of weeks now to digest that and we know exactly what is required now.

“The commitment was what I was happy with against Dundee United. They are totally focused. They realise they have to continue put in these performances.

“We don’t know what is going to happen, a new manager or a new owner is going to come in, whatever. However, we will be professional as we can be and concentrate completely on the job at hand.”

Skipper Keith Lasley is adamant events off the field will have no negative effect on the team.

Former boss Stuart McCall resigned prior to the Dundee United match after almost four years at the helm at Fir Park.

The club announced at the start of this week that it has been agreed to delay the appointment of a new manager until the issue of ongoing ownership of the club is resolved and that Kenny Black would continue on as Caretaker.

That gave some clarity to all concerned and although the new appointment is not far off, experienced Captain Lasley insists it won’t impact at all and the players remain firmly behind Black on the quest for more victories.

“As players we can’t control anything behind the scenes; a takeover and the management situation,” he told the press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference.

[pullquote]What we can do is go out there and put on a performance like we did against Dundee United. We spoke about it as players, all we can control is out on that park at three o’clock on a Saturday.[/pullquote]

“There is a little bit of uncertainty around the club, but we will try to provide a bit of certainty on the park at least to try to get as many good results until things are resolved.

“Initially the week Stuart left was a difficult week, it was an unexpected turn of events.

“We made a point of speaking as players and saying that it’s football – bad people come and go for different reasons, but good people come and go as well.

“But it’s what inside the dressing room that counts. All we can do is stick together and do what we can on the pitch. The performance against Dundee United hopefully showed that we are all behind Kenny.”

Jack Leitch says he will use Craig Moore as motivation as he battles back from his cruciate ligament surgery.

The 19-year old, who has featured 18 times for the Fir Park first-team, ruptured his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) against St Johnstone Under 20s at McDiarmid Park just over three weeks ago.

Orthopedic surgeon at Ross Hall hospital in Glasgow, Professor Gordon Mackay, has developed an innovative new procedure, the internal brace, designed to stabilise the internal joint, thus allowing tissue to recover without traumatic and invasive surgery.

Early results were extremely positive and in May of this year, Leitch’s teammate Craig Moore became the first pro footballer anywhere in the world to undergo the new technique.

The results were staggering – Moore was back available for selection just eighteen weeks later and it would’ve been even quicker but for a minor unrelated rehab setback.

Now Leitch, son of club legend and current Academy Director Scott, has undergone a similar operation and hopes to use Moore as his inspiration.

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, the midfielder said: “Obviously no-one likes to get injured, but I am feeling upbeat about things.

“The surgery has gone well and to plan, and I can’t wait to start the recovery process now.

[pullquote]I can definitely draw inspiration from Moorey. He did fantastically well to get back so quickly and but for a setback, he would’ve been back a few weeks ago.[/pullquote]

“He worked extremely hard and I need to follow that lead, mirror what he did and hopefully get the same results.”

It was an innocuous incident at a rain-soaked McDiarmid Park that actually caused the trauma.

Seconds after the whistle had blown to start the second half of a Under 20s game ‘Well eventually ran out 0-1 winners, Leitch went in to challenge near his own corner flag.

However, the fall was awkward and the screams alerted to something serious, as did the universal sign of a serious injury, when a stricken player lies virtually motionless, but for a single arm raised towards the bench.

He was carried off and within days, after the swelling had subsided, he was in Glasgow for a scan to reveal the extent of the damage.

“It’s an unusual one,” he said, with a calm assurance.

“Craig (Moore) did his ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) but my problem was around the back, the PCL, and the surgeon said it wasn’t a usual football injury, but something more common in snow boarding or car accidents.

“This is probably the first major injury I’ve had to deal with so it will probably test my character a little bit, but I am sure I will be strong enough to come through it.

“I will now work with Adam Stokes, who is a fantastic physiotherapist, and try and use the time to improve my overall fitness. I am absolutely targeting to be back as soon as possible and want to play as much a part of the current season as possible.”