Motherwell Under 20s conceded late on to lose 1-2 to ten-man Rangers at Fir Park this evening.
The visitors took the lead midway through the first-half, but Lee Erwin brought the Steelmen back level before the break with a stinging penalty.
However, despite going down to ten men when Chris Heggarty was given his marching orders as the game entered it’s final quarter, Rangers won it with a goal from full-back Ryan Sinnamon nine minutes from time.
Jonatan Johansson made two changes to the side that put five past Partick Thistle last week. Ross Stewart and Lee Erwin were introduced in place of Max Currie and Steven Higgins, who would take his place amongst the ‘Well substitutes.
Rangers started with intent and both Darren Ramsey and Charlie Telfer fired low shots narrowly wide of Ross Stewart’s right hand post.
Left-winger Ramsey appeared in the mood and he would curl another effort from distance, this time it drifted wide of the far post. Chris Heggarty also saw his header from a corner drop inches wide as the visitors looked to make an early impression.
It took ‘Well eighteen minutes to register an effort at goal and it turned out to be the match’s first on target. Lee Erwin collected from deep and, after striding forward, smashed a low effort that was well held by Kelly low to his right.
Two minutes later, Sinnamon almost inadvertently diverted into his own net after a teasing Cadden cross, but Kelly was again on his toes to make the stop.
It would prove a crucial double-save from the Gers stopper as the Ibrox side took the lead with their next attack. Callum Gallagher met Robbie Crawford’s cross from the left and he rose above Euan Murray to steer a header beyond Stewart and into the far corner.
The same player was at it again ten minutes later; this time meeting a Ramsey cross on the stretch but could only nod over the bar from close range.
Although Rangers were creating the better of the openings, ‘Well were certainly very much in it in and almost drew level on the half-hour, McCafferty getting on the end of Morgyn Neill’s knock down only for his low shot to be saved well by Kelly.
Gordon Durie’s side certainly looked the more threatening though and Gallagher came within an inch of grabbing his and Rangers’ second. A direct ball over the top had the striker in and although he beat Stewart to the ball, he could only prod it wide.
However, it would be ‘Well who would score from the game’s next chance. A ball into the box allowed Moore to get wrong side of Heggarty who was forced to push him to the ground. Referee Lowe had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Lee Erwin stepped up and blasted home, despite the best efforts of Kelly, who got a decent hand to it.
‘Well made a blistering start to the second half and Rangers had Kelly to thank for keeping it level after he made an excellent point-blank save to deny Erwin his second of the night. Seconds later, the Fir Parkers followed that with a hit from Chris Cadden but it drifted wide.
Rangers soaked it up and immediately went back on the attack. Ramsey’s effort from distance was straight at Stewart before Telfer fired a shot of his own that deflected inches wide.
Rangers introduced substitute Jamie Burrows and the forward almost made an immediate impact, but could only watch on in despair as his low shot cannoned back off the post and into the grateful arms of Stewart.
Both teams traded chances in the search for a winner, Erwin headed wide before dragging a shot across goal for the Steelmen, whilst Ramsey and Andy Murdoch went close for the light blues.
Then, with seventeen minutes left, Chris Heggarty was sent off for Rangers, tripping Moore as the striker broke clear. It was his second caution, after being booked in the penalty incident and it looked then as if it was Motherwell’s would go on to take all three points.
However, it was the away side that would win the game thanks to a goal from fullback Sinnamon. He latched on to a neat Telfer through ball and kept his composure to fire high into the net.
It was a cruel blow for Johansson’s side, who battled hard throughout and probably merited a point from the match. The result means ‘Well will finish fifth in the SPFL Under 20s table, despite still having a game to play.
Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden, Ferguson, Murray, Neill, McCall (Johnstone – 72mins), McCafferty, Erwin, Moore, Thomas, Shirkie (Higgins – 81mins)
Subs: Long, Hall, Mackin
