Despite taking a lead early in the second half, Motherwell U20s lost 2-1 to Dunfermline at East End Park this evening.
BOB McHUGH grabbed his second of the season just four minutes after the half-time interval but ‘Well were quickly pegged back via veteran striker Craig Dargo.
Pars winger Alex Whittle grabbed the all important winner 18 minutes from time after springing the offside trap to fire past Hollis, securing all three points for his side.
‘Well boss Jonatan Johansson made six changes from the side that beat Hamilton seven days previous – ROSS STEWART, FRASER KERR, FRAZER JOHNSTONE, OMAR DALEY, STUART CARSWELL and Axel Bossekota all missed out, replaced by LEE HOLLIS, MORGYN NEILL, ADAM ASGHAR, PAUL McCAFFERTY, JOSH WATT and CRAIG MOORE.
Both teams traded possession and a series of corners during the opening exchanges but nothing to really threaten either Hollis or Ryan Goodfellow in goals.
McHugh did have the first real effort in anger after twenty minutes, following some patient build-up from Hetherington, but his shot from the edge of the area blazed high over the bar.
Moore followed that was a low shot which presented few problems for Goodfellow before Neill crashed a header off the bar, getting on the end of a Josh Watt corner, but the referee had already blew his whistle after spotting an infringement.
Pars’ most threatening spell during the first-half came just before the interval when Dargo flashed a teasing ball across the six-yard box but ‘Well escaped with no takers in Black and White waiting to finish the move.
It was the visitors who finished the half on the front foot with McHugh again firing over and Moore slipping at the vital moment after a great pass from Watt had him closing in on goal.
Although Dunfermline were the first to register a chance in the opening exchanges of the second half, when Kirk latched on to a long ball to fire an effort straight at Hollis, it was the Steelmen who took the lead just four minutes in.
A long ball from the back from Murray was flicked on by Moore towards the box. McHugh beat Kerr Young in a footrace and prodded the ball past the outrushing Goodfellow for his second in consecutive games.
John Potter’s side looked to hit back quickly and Andy Kirk’s low shot straight at Hollis was a warning to ‘Well that the home side were still in the match.
It wasn’t heeded though as with their next chance, the hosts drew level. A rather innocuous looking high ball towards Kirk looked as if it would be dealt with by the ‘Well rearguard. EUAN MURRAY and Neill got in each other’s way and the ball somehow squirmed through to Dargo; the veteran striker was in on goal and kept his nerve to tuck it under Hollis from close range.
The goal seemed to knock the confidence of the young Motherwell players as Dunfermline turned the screw. So much so, they took the lead ten minutes later albeit there was more than a hint of offside about the goal.
Motherwell had cleared the initial cross as the ball landed at the foot of Shaun Byrne who wasted no time clipping it back into the danger area. It flew over the head of everyone before landing kindly at the feet of Alex Whittle who appeared to be standing half a yard offside. There was no flag and the Scouse winger took full advantage, slamming home from ten yards out.
To Motherwell’s credit they threw everything at the home side and only some sensational goalkeeping from Goodfellow denied them what would have been a deserved share of the spoils.
He made a great save from JACK LEITCH low to his left, minutes after somehow turning a Moore header onto the bar from point-blank range.
With just seconds to go, Moore came within an inch of levelling after turning brilliantly inside the box but his fearsome shot shot past the far post and out for a throw-in.
It was to be the last effort of what was an evenly-matched, keenly-contested game of football. Johansson will be disappointed to leave Fife with nothing but will take plenty of positives from some of the performances of his younger players.
Motherwell: Hollis, Cummins, Leitch, Murray, Neill, Asghar, McCafferty (Johnstone 66), Hetherington, McHugh, Moore, Watt
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Green, Thomas, Shirkie
Goals: McHugh (49)
