Motherwell U19s lost for the first time in almost two months as a first-half Blair Henderson strike separated the sides.
The Steelmen dominated possession throughout the ninety minutes and spurned a number of chances, including a 43rd minute penalty where Stevie Hetherington’s low effort was beaten away by goalkeeper Ryan Goodfellow.
Keiran McGachie twice hit the woodwork as the young Motherwell side battled hard but the Pars held firm for the three points much to the disappointment of Gordon Young and the watching Stuart McCall.
Motherwell went into the game on the back of some excellent form and opted for the same starting eleven for third successive game.
And the Fir Parkers carried that form into the early part of the match; taking the game to their opponents. As early as the opening two minutes, Lee Erwin created space for himself on the left flank before delivering a tantalising low ball across the face of goal. It was a yard or so ahead of Keiran McGachie though and it rolled out harmlessly for a goal kick.
That was a sign of things to come and sixty seconds later; McGachie came within an inch of netting his sixth of the season. The former Stenny man burst clear of the Pars’ defensive line and rounded goalkeeper Goodfellow. Unfortunately for the big striker, the angle was tight and his low shot came off the outside of the left hand post.
Incredibly, despite having the lion-share of possession and the best of the chances, Dunfermline took the lead with their first attack and the ‘Well rearguard will have nightmares when they watch a re-run of the goal. Darren Brownlie’s pass-back put Willie Muir in trouble and the ‘keeper could only slice the ball high into the air. It looked to be heading into touch but Brownlie kept it in, allowing Allan Smith to collect. His cross was cut out by Adam Cummins but the Liverpudlian could only watch on in horror as his attempted clearance deflected fortuitously into the path of Blair Henderson who tucked home from close range.
‘Well went quickly in search of a leveller and a McGachie header from a Francis-Angol cross forced keeper Goodfellow into the save. Down the other end, Dunfermline were getting most joy out of pressing Motherwell high up the pitch and they did so again, midfielder Millen finding unlikely space just inside the area but his effort was turned blocked by the sliding challenge of Adam Cummins.
If that was close, the same player came closer ten minutes before the interval when he rounded off an excellent passing move with a low shot that came back off the post. Motherwell’s reply was a low shot from Mboa Mekongo that was pounced upon and held by Goodfellow.
At that point, Gordon Young probably would’ve settled for a 1-0 deficit at the interval but his team had a great chance to get level from the penalty spot. McGachie, Motherwell’s most potent attacking weapon, was the architect, dancing round a few challenges inside the area before eventually being tripped by Jack Brice. Stevie Hetherington quickly grabbed the ball but his low effort was expertly saved by Goodfellow low to his right.
‘Well boss Stuart McCall joined his colleague Young in the dressing room at half-time but it took a while for either side to really stamp their authority. Motherwell dominated in terms of possession and had a number of cross balls flash across the face, but keeper Goodfellow was rarely troubled.
The first noteworthy chance came on the 69th minute mark when McGachie flashed a twelve yard header just wide of the post. The same player burst through again a minute later but his low shot on the diagonal was watched wide by the Dunfermline goalkeeper.
‘Well introduced Adam Ashgar in place of Josh Watt and the substitute almost brought his side with the best chance of the half. A neat move involving Darren Brownlie, Mboa Mekongo led to the young midfielder with an opening at goal. He lost his footing on the now greasy surface and his effort was blocked.
Motherwell were dominating possession but were lacking the luck and composure in front of goal. Less than a minute after Ashgar’s effort, McGachie sent another looping header goalwards but, incredibly, it hit the outside of the post and dropped wide.
It would sum up a frustrating afternoon for Motherwell who now face the long journey north to Aberdeen next week hoping to return to winning ways.
Motherwell: Muir, Brownlie, Francis-Angol (Lynch – 89mins), Cummins, Murray, Mboa Mekongo, Hetherington, MacDonald, Watt (Ashgar – 66mins), McGachie, Erwin (Moore – 29mins)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Green
