A Jack Leitch inspired Under 20s made it six wins on the spin with a ruthless 5-1 win over 10-man Falkirk this evening.
Skipper Leitch grabbed a memorable hat trick and there were goals for David Ferguson and the lethal Craig Moore, who added his eleventh of the campaign.
Falkirk’s only goal came via Kris Faulds midway through the second period period , whose cause was certainly not helped by a dismissal of Connor Greene on the stroke of the half time interval.
Jonatan Johansson made just one change to the side that saw off Montrose two days ago. Adam Cummins came back into the side in place of Morgyn Neill, who has performed exceptionally well in recent weeks.
Motherwell made a positive start to the match and Steven Higgins stung the palms of Graham Bowman with a fierce shot. Inside thirty seconds.
Dom Thomas followed that with a snapshot from the edge of the area that fizzed low past the post as the visitors enjoyed a fruitful opening five minutes.
However, as the game wore on, Falkirk came more and more into things Kris Faulds had the first shot at goal with a long-range effort that flew past Ross Stewart’s post.
By the midway point of the first half, the hosts were well on top but any chances created were from distance.
Stewart’s first real action came on the half hour when he stood up well to Scott Shepherd’s smashed effort. Within thirty seconds, it was Falkirk’s Bowman who had to make another good block, denying Craig Moore who had raced away 1vs1.
Two minutes later, Bowman was again well placed to stop Thomas’ long-range half volley as ‘Well searched for the opener.
However, it was the Bairns who almost took the lead. Shepherd was again denied by another good Stewart save before Faulds’ cross-cum-shot from the right flank hit the top of the bar, much to the relief of all in Claret and Amber.
It was to prove a vital break as, a minute later, Motherwell took the lead in spectacular circumstances. An attack eventually landed back at the feet of the skipper who took a touch to set himself before unleashing a dart of a shot high past Bowman into the postage stamp top right corner.
It went from bad to worse for Stevie Crawford’s side when they were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half time. Craig Moore beat the offside trap but, as he bore down on goal, Connor Greene brought him down just inside the box. A penalty kick and an early bath for the young defender!
Moore, normally so lethal, hit the post with the kick but there would be a long second half in store for the home side.
Johansson would ask his side to be more ruthless in the second forty-five and they would do just that, doubling the advantage after just seven minutes.
Dom Thomas was involved, showing some nice feet before teeing up Paul McCafferty who whipped a deep ball towards the back post where fullback David Ferguson was on hand to prod through the goalkeeper and into the net.
Bowman would thwart Motherwell once again with another good save, this time from Higgins, but he would be pick it out his net once again some three minutes later.
A quick-thinking corner from Thomas found its way to Leitch on the edge of the area. His touch spun the ball into the air before smashing a cracking volley past the helpless goalkeeper to all but secure the win.
Falkirk’s response was a free kick from Luke Leahy that clipped the top of the crossbar on the way out. But it wasn’t long before ‘Well were back on the attack, Craig Moore denied for a third time by Bowman, who saved despite being outnumbered by Claret and Amber attackers.
The fourth wasn’t far away though and it was a great moment for captain Leitch, who grabbed his hat trick after muscling his way through the home defense and coolly slotting past Bowman.
Falkirk did eventually score a goal their first-half play merited when Faulds finished off a quick counter attack.
However, the four-goal lead was quickly restored by Moore; the little striker finally netting after getting on the end of an excellent Morgyn Neill through ball before lifting it over the outrushing Bowman to complete the scoring.
That fifth goal came after Bowman, Falkirk’s best player by some distance, made another excellent save at the feet of Thomas who looked certain score after good build-up play and pass by Moore.
The win rounds off an excellent month for Johansson and his side; six wins from six games, nineteen goals scored with just two conceded. There is a week’s break now before the youngsters return to action against Dundee United in a fortnight’s time.
Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden, Ferguson, Cummins, Murray, Leitch, McCafferty (Neill – 68mins), Shirkie, Moore (Mackin – 79mins), Thomas, Higgins (McCall – 75mins)
Subs Not Used: Currie, Hall, Kellock
We continue our opposition manager section by speaking directly Gary Locke. The Hearts legend turned boss chats about the difficulty in picking up the pieces at Tynecastle and his hopes for the rest of the 2013/14 campaign.
