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Stephen Craigan was pleased with how his young side handled the Youth Cup occasion to book their spot in the Quarter Final.

The Steelmen, who have barely got past the first round in recent years, roared into the last eight, eliminated their second top league team, after beating Partick Thistle earlier in the year.

Ross MacLean’s 20-yard free-kick on the half hour was enough to separate today’s game with Kilmarnock, and the former Fir Park skipper declared himself content with progress so far, with ‘Well looking in control for large spells and limited the Ayrshire side to very few opportunities.

“I’m delighted to be through, but even more pleased with the way we managed the game,” Craigan told MFC TV after the match.

“If anything we could have been a lot more comfortable after getting ourselves into so many good positions, but we deserved to go through.

[pullquote]“It is a wee marker about how we’re moving forward. We played Kilmarnock earlier in the season and drew 2-2; they were one of the better sides we faced in the league, but today I thought we were slightly ahead of them, which tells me the players are taking things in.[/pullquote]

“We have to be careful not to get too carried away, yes it’s back-to-back wins, yes it’s back-to-back clean sheets, but I also want us to be more ruthless.”

The win puts Motherwell in the Quarter Final of the Youth Cup, the first time the club has reached that stage in many, many years.

The Northern Irishman admits he would love his side to go all the way to Hampden, which could be just two games away.

He said: “Our aim, before the game, was to get beyond Christmas in the competition.

“I said to a few of the older lads like Cadden and Thomas, who are both ‘96’s’, that this is their last year in the competition, but encouraged them to not see this as their last game in it.

“Would we like to win it? Of course! A lot may depend on the draw but with the improvements and the strides we’re making, I don’t think we fear anyone.

“We have already eliminated two top-level clubs and with one or two lads still to come back, we’re in a strong position.

“The chance is there for the players – it’s up to them how far we can go.”

Motherwell progressed to the Quarter Final of the Little Big Shot Youth Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock today.

The hosts controlled large periods of the game, particularly during the first-half, and limited Killie to very few attempts at Brett Long’s goal.

The winning goal came on the half hour when, after Dom Thomas had been fouled on the edge of the area, Ross MacLean curled home a stunning free-kick past Miller and into the net.

Stephen Craigan named almost the same side that progressed through the last round against Stenhousemuir, with Jake Hastie starting ahead of Dylan Falconer the only difference.

‘Well had first-team experience in the shape of Luke Watt, Chris Cadden, Ross MacLean and Dom Thomas. Killie could call on Syme, Splaine, Frizzell and McLean for players who had featured for Gary Locke’s side.

It was the Fir Parkers who made a bright start to the game and after Allan Campbell had dragged a low show wide of target after just sixty seconds, they should’ve gone ahead with just two minutes on the clock.

Dylan Mackin and Thomas combined down the right, and when the latter flashed a low cross across the face of goal, Jake Hastie could only scoop an effort high over the bar from close range.

It was the Steelmen who continued to set the agenda from an attacking point of view, creating numerous openings including a MacLean cut-back that almost picked out Thomas before being cleared, a Thomas shot that bounced just wide of target and something similar from Luke Watt, who tried his luck from 30-yards out.

MacLean also had a header that squirmed past Miller in the home goal, only for Hodge to hook it off the line as it headed towards the net.

Kilmarnock’s first real venture up the park came on the 27th minute when they forced Brett Long to tip over a whipped McLean free-kick from wide on the left.

However, it looked a matter of time before the Claret and Amber men made their pressure count and on the half hour, the goal finally came. Dom Thomas was the creator when, after dancing around a few challenges, was crudely felled on the edge of the area.

MacLean stepped up, and wrong-footed the goalkeeper with a curling free-kick that flew over the wall and into the far corner.

Just before the interval, another free-kick, this time from Watt, caused problems for Miller who looked to have been caught under it, only to recover and tip over, albeit at the expense of a sore looking collision with the goal frame.

As expected after a fairly disappointing first-half, Killie came out with the foot firmly on the accelerator at the start of the second half.

However, despite having more of the ball, it was ‘Well who created the first chance when a solo run from Thomas ended with a fierce shot that went narrowly off target.

Kilmarnock’s best chance of the game came shortly after that Thomas effort, when following a neat passing move, a reverse ball had Wilson in on the right side of the box, but his shot flew just over the bar.

Motherwell’s reply was swift when MacLean let rip from distance, skimming the top of the bar as it flew over, and Thomas, who after being sent scampering away by Mackin, shot inches wide of the right hand post.

Thomas had a free-kick cannon off the wall and Kilmarnock had a sight of goal via Sibbald only for the ‘Well rearguard to recover enough to make his chance more difficult.

As the game neared his conclusion, Thomas was so close to adding a second with a net-bound looking effort that only went wide after flicking Mackin on route.

However, despite a few long balls into the area, ‘Well comfortably seen out the game and safely progressed to the last eight of the competition for the first time in well over a decade.

Motherwell: Long, McMillan, Livingstone, Watt, Hall, Campbell, Hastie (Turnbull – 86mins), MacLean (R.Leitch – 71mins), Mackin, Cadden, Thomas

Subs Not Used: Morrison, Maguire, Falconer

Goals: MacLean (30)

Booked: Campbell

Today’s proposed SPFL Premiership match with Partick Thistle at Firhill has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Horrendous overnight conditions in the West of Scotland, coupled with a bleak forecast for the rest of the day, forced Thistle to have the match official Greg Aitken check the surface at 9.15am this morning and he deemed it unfit to stage the match

No date has, as yet, been scheduled for the re-arranged match.

Top scorer Louis Moult wants ‘Well to start picking up results, even if it is at the expense of free-flowing football.

The Steelmen currently sit eleventh in a fairly congested SPFL Premiership table, with the top-six clubs still within relative touching distance.

Since Mark McGhee’s arrival in September, the Fir Parkers have collected some impressive points from Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hearts, but disappointments have came in the shape of defeats to Inverness, Ross County and Champions Celtic.

Now Moult, who hit 39 goals in his previous two seasons before arriving in Scotland, and who already has eight to his name in Claret and Amber, is anxious to find some consistency, regardless of the opposition.

He said: “We need to win the games against the teams around us, it’s not good enough picking up points against the likes of Aberdeen and Hearts.

“We need to go Thistle and ensure we’re at it in exactly the same way as against those teams I mentioned.

[pullquote]“Personally, I think we ought to be higher in the table, but I understand football is a results based industry and you get what you deserve. If we’re lower than we should be, then that’s our fault.[/pullquote]

“Some of our performances have been good at times, but the result not so much. We either need to switch that round or, ideally, get both a good showing and a positive results.”

Speaking about how own performances, Moult has been satisfied with his return, but is targeting more in his debut season north of the border.

“I’ve been pleased with the goal tally so far,” he explained “but the key is to try and maintain that ratio and even add to it. It’s my job to work hard, score goals and help the team and that’s what I intend to do.

“Some players don’t go for it, but I have set myself personal targets about what I want to try and hit and so far, it’s going okay.”

‘Well fans should note the the Fir park Ticket Office-will be open tomorrow (Saturday) between 10am and 1pm.

Tickets for the game against Celtic will be available as well as possible Christmas gifts such as:

Our Flexi-ticket package allows supporters to choose when to visit Fir Park and watch the mighty Steelmen with prices starting from £30.

Buying a tile in the tunnel or brick on the wall of the Davie Cooper stand is the perfect gift for those supporters who pay homage to Fir Park every other Saturday, leaving your special message for fellow fans to read or inspire the players on a match day you can have your say!

For £5 you can enter our Christmas raffle for the chance to win sponsorship of our match against St Johnstone on 30th December. The offer includes four course hospitality for 20 friends or family, complimentary bar pre & post-match with the highlight having the exclusive right to choose and meet the man of the match! Tickets available via www. motherwellbuyonline.co.uk

We have limited places available at our party nights on 11th & 18th so why not join us at Fir Park for your festive celebration. Click here for more details.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee expects another tightly-fought contest as his team prepare to face Partick Thistle at the weekend.

The Steelmen battled Hearts to earn a 2-2 draw in the lashing rain last weekend, halting a run of two defeats.

Thistle have been on a good run of form in recent weeks too and have hauled themselves up to ninth spot, level with eighth-placed Inverness.

Indeed, just seven points separate Hamilton in fifth and ‘Well in eleventh and any team in that pack who can string a run of results together could find things looking very positive indeed.

And McGhee told the broadcast press at Motherwell’s pre-match news conference: “I think the whole league is really tight and by tight I mean there’s not a lot of points between the teams in the top six and ourselves and secondly, the quality of the sides.

“We’ve taken points from Aberdeen and Hearts, the two teams right up there; on their day, most teams can beat one another in this division.

“We won’t be treating Partick Thistle any different to Aberdeen, Hearts or anyone else, regardless if they are close to us in the table or not. It’s another three points up for grabs and both teams will fancy themselves to get them, so it’ll make for a fascinating head to head.”

McGhee is also aiming for his side to find some level of consistency after an up and down start to his second managerial reign at Fir Park.

The Steelmen have taken a point each from high-flying Aberdeen and Hearts, as well as beating Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. However, the ‘Well have also lost to Inverness CT, Ross County and Celtic.

The Scotland Assistant boss hopes that being having a more settled feel to the starting eleven, positive results will follow.

“Progress requires consistency and up until now, things have been a little stop-start,” he explained.

“We lost recently at Ross County, but had three or four big players missing, so it’s difficult to really judge that against the others.

“When we get to the stage where we’re starting to see consistency in selection, with the team I hope can challenge to win matches, then hopefully consistency in results will follow and we can really measure how we’re doing.”

Referee for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership match against Partick Thistle at Firhill is Greg Aitken.

Greg is relatively new to the scene, certainly in the top-flight, and indeed, it’ll be the first time ever he has handled a Motherwell FC match in league football.

It won’t be his first match in charge of Motherwell though, as he was the man in the middle for the painfully disappointing Cup exit at Cappielow back in late September of this year.

That match turned out to be Ian Baraclough’s last as ‘Well boss as the Steelmen crashed out 3-2 after extra time.

The 38-year old’s stock has been on the rise and after his ‘rookie’ season last year, where he handled five SPFL Premiership matches at Rugby Park, New Douglas Park, McDiarmid Park and Tannadice, he has been busy again this season.

Interestingly, Greg has handled a match in every single competition during 2015/16, from League Two to the Premiership as well as both domestic Cup competitions.

His only match in the top flight this year actually featured Saturday’s opponents, Partick Thistle, when they went down 1-0 to Ross County in Dingwall in the same week ‘Well lost at Morton.

Interestingly, 50% of his career top-flight matches have involved Partick Thistle, with a 2-0 defeat at St Johnstone last January coming before an impressive 2-0 win at Tannadice a month later.

Over his three and a half years doing senior football, Greg has handled 93 games and has booked 304 players (3.2 per game). He has sent off 31 players (a red card every three matches).

He will be ably assisted by Gavin Harris and Ralph Gordon, with Andrew Dallas on Fourth Official duties.

Extended highlights from the Excelsior Stadium as Motherwell U20s run out 2-0 winners over Partick Thistle.

Stephen Craigan was delighted with his team’s explosive start, which helped Motherwell to a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle today.

The Fir Parkers have gone behind in eight of their games this campaign, but dominated the first forty-five against the Jags, scoring twice and probably could have had more, but for some missed chances.

And whilst the visitors made a better fist of it in the second half, they rarely threatened the home goal.

Craigan was pleased his squad got back to winning ways and even more so with the positive platform they gave themselves during the first period.

He told MFC TV: “We haven’t traditionally started games well this season. First halves of quite a lot of our games have been poor and we’ve found ourselves behind and had to come back.

“So it was pleasing to be in at the interval with a commanding lead. I actually joked to Keith Lasley about what we were going to speak about as normally we have to motivate them to get back into the game.

[pullquote]It was pleasing to be in at the interval with a commanding lead. I actually joked to Keith Lasley about what we were going to speak about as normally we have to motivate them to get back into the game.[/pullquote]

“The key message at half-time was to try and manage the game and keep a clean sheet, ensuring we’d win it. I was interested to see how they would do that and although we perhaps didn’t have the same control, make as many passes or build any patters of play, I never felt we were really under any pressure.”

Craigan also praised Allan Campbell, who got himself amongst the goals for the first time this season.

The 17-year old has been the stand out performer for the Under 20s this season, and the former Fir Park skipper was delighted he finally got off the mark.

“Allan started the season ever so well, but I think he has faded away a little over the last few weeks,” he explained.

“However, I thought he was back to something close to his best today. He was making tackles in midfield, he was breaking attacks up and he’s prepared to take the ball under pressure to help us take a foothold in the game.

“His goal was a reward for him as he doesn’t get too many shots away, so I was delighted with him. He’s got a bit future at Motherwell.”

Motherwell Under 20s returned to winning ways after a comfortable 2-0 success over Partick Thistle this afternoon.

First half goal from both Allan Campbell and Ross MacLean was enough to give Stephen Craigan’s men all three points.

And although the second half failed to reach the heights of the first, the Steelmen rarely came under threat, but for a late strike against the post from Thistle sub Mark Lamont.

The hosts made several changes to the side that lost to Hibs last midweek. PJ Morrison, Stevie Hammell, David Clarkson, Dom Thomas and Keith Lasley all dropped out, replaced by Brett Long, Louis Laing, Ross MacLean, Allan Campbell, and Jake Hastie.

The visitors made the brighter start and Declan McDaid dragged a shot way off target after just two minutes then, shortly after, brought out a good low save from Long before the Northern Irishman had to stop from Dominic Docherty.

Motherwell eventually took control of the game and Jack Leitch had the host’s first effort on goal, but Thistle keeper Mark Waters comfortably saved his low effort.

However, he was powerless to stop the next effort as the Steelmen took the lead. Campbell and Hastie combined on the edge of the box, with the former eventually taking on the shot that went in off Waters’ right hand post.

‘Well went in search of a second and they should’ve had it after 21 minutes, but Chris Cadden could only screw Hastie’s cutback high over the crossbar from fifteen-yards out.

It was all Motherwell and Waters had to produce an excellent stop to keep it at 1-0. The Thistle goalkeeper kept out Mackin, who had laced a fearsome effort at goal after latching on to a neat channelled ball from Jack McMillan.

There was a sense of when, rather than if, Motherwell would grab a second goal and it eventually came after 28 minutes. Thistle had managed to clear a few Jack Leitch corners, but when he picked out Hall in the area, the defender’s header hit the post before Ross MacLean nipped in to prod home the rebound.

Just before the interval, Motherwell almost made it 3-0. Mackin combined well with Cadden on the right flank and when he got the return pass, the striker took aim and fired at goal. It deflected and spun into the path of Hastie, but the winger’s shot flew into the side netting.

The Steelmen started the second much as they finished the first. Luke Watt had a low shot deflected just wide and, second later, after winning the ball deep in Thistle territory, MacLean’s dinked cross for Leitch almost found the midfielder, but on the stretch he fired over.

Hastie had a fizzing effort on goal that was also blocked as ‘Well went for the killer third, but an increase in the wind speed impacted both teams with very little in the way of goal mouth action for almost twenty minutes.

Thistle broke that lull when left-back James Penrice got on the end of a cross from the right, but his low effort crashed into the side net. A minute later, Kevin Nisbet forced Long to turn a powerful shot around the post as the Glasgow side battled hard to get back into the game.

They went even closer four minutes later when substitute Lamont picked up on the left flank, cut inside onto his right foot and crashed the post with a 25-yard effort that had Long beaten.

Motherwell finished the stronger though and Campbell had a shot that forced Waters to save, before Louis Laing had a header that again forced the Thistle stopper to block.

It was a satisfying win, the propels the Fir Parkers into ninth in the table, one point behind Sunday’s Youth Cup opponents Kilmarnock.

Motherwell: Long, Watt, McMillan, Watt, Laing, Campbell, McLean, J.Leitch (R.Leitch – 81mins), Mackin, Hastie (Livingstone – 76mins), Cadden

Subs Not Used: Morrison, J.Moore, Falconer, Turnbull, Maguire