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Extended highlights from Falkirk Stadium as Motherwell U20s extend their win streak to six with a 5-1 win over The Bairns

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Jonatan Johansson praised his ruthless Steelmen side as they hit five past Falkirk this evening.

After a close first-half, which ‘Well were leading 1-0 courtesy of a Jack Leitch stunner, Falkirk were reduced to ten men, leaving them with an uphill struggle.

Motherwell took full advantage, Leitch adding a further two to complete his hat-trick which came after David Ferguson’s first of the season, and before Craig Moore’s eleventh.

The win is Motherwell’s sixth in a row and Johansson was full of praise for his young troops and skipper Jack Leitch in particular.

[pullquote]Recently they’ve shown confidence and belief and that’s helped us continue this run of wins. The victories just seem to be coming by themselves and it’s a shame we don’t have a game next week.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “The first half wasn’t great, but we hung in there and got a little bit of good fortune with the goal and them getting a man sent of then in the second half we kept passing the ball and made them tired.

“Leitch’s goal came at a perfect time. We were talking before the game that the role of a midfielder is also to get assists and get shots on goal and he certainly did that today.

“He’s been performing well for us and as well as his goals was instrumental in our win. Hopefully this will give him confidence and he can continue to attack in games instead of sitting in.

“Recently they’ve shown confidence and belief and that’s helped us continue this run of wins. The victories just seem to be coming by themselves and it’s a shame we don’t have a game next week.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

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

Extended highlights from Links Park as Motherwell U20s beat SPFL League Two side Montrose 4-0.

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U20s boss Jonatan Johansson hailed his side’s professional performance after beating Montrose 4-0 this afternoon.

The Steelmen, who went into the match on the back of four straight wins, looked comfortable throughout and safely progressed after goals from Craig Moore, Euan Murray and a Steven Higgins double.

The Finn called on his troops to adopt a professional and hard-working attitude before the match, and that’s exactly what he got from his men, who will be in the fourth round hat for the first time in over six years.

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “We did what we set out to do and played some nice football too.

[pullquote]Apart from a small spell in the first half, our superiority shone through and it’s pleasing to go through to the next round scoring four really good goals.[/pullquote]

“Apart from a small spell in the first half, our superiority shone through and it’s pleasing to go through to the next round scoring four really good goals.

“I hope we can continue to do well in this competition as it’s a great thing for a young professional to remember when they get older.

“I was lucky enough to win the Finnish Youth Cup and although, at the time, you don’t think too much of it, when you come to play a final at the National Stadium, it’s something that will live with you forever.

“It’s too early to talk about winning it but it’s a massive prize up for grabs for these boys and we will continue to try and maintain the form we have shown in the last month.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

The U20s made it five wins from five and safely progressed to the 4th Round of the Youth Cup with a 4-0 win over Montrose.

Steven Higgins opened the scoring for the Steelmen before man-of-the-moment Craig Moore doubled the advantage shortly after.

Euan Murray made the game safe with a third on the stroke of half-time before Higgins added his second, and Motherwell’s fourth, to complete the scoring before the hour.

Jonatan Johansson opted to made four changes to the side that beat Aberdeen at Fir Park twelve days ago.

Max Currie, Adam Cummins, Paul Lawson and Bob McHugh all dropped out, replaced by Ross Stewart, Chris Cadden, Steven Higgins and Dale Shirkie.

‘Well came out the traps flying and Paul McCafferty forced home goalkeeper Cameron Johnston into a good save inside five minutes.

Shortly after, Moore almost opened the scoring with a downward header but once again, goalkeeper Johnston was well placed to make the stop.

It did look like it was more a case of when, rather than if, Motherwell would grab the lead and Steven Higgins did just that after 21 minutes.

Dom Thomas and David Ferguson combined on left flank before knocking it inside for the young striker. He took a touch to set himself before drilling it hard under the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.

Moore almost doubled the advantage just two minutes later but a timely defensive block denied him. From the resulting corner, Murray came close to heading home at the back post but the spinning cross was a yard too high.

The score stayed the same until the 40th minute when Moore grabbed his customary goal – his tenth for the Under 20s already.

The on-form hitman, fresh from his stunner for the first-team yesterday, latched on to a short back past to deftly flick the ball over the outrushing Johnston with his first touch. A great poachers goal and a sign of just how confident the 19-year old is at the moment.

It quickly went from bad to worse for the hosts as ‘Well made it three on the stroke of the half-time interval. Jack Leitch’s curling corner towards the back post was begging to be finished off, and Euan Murray duly obliged, powering a header into the net to all but secure the win.

Johansson replaced goalscorers Moore and Murray at the break but it didn’t appear to have any detrimental effect on the performance.

Indeed, it should have been 4-0 just five minutes after the restart when David Ferguson coolly slotted home Chris Cadden’s cross, only to be thwarted by the assistant’s flag. MFC TV replays would show it was an incorrect call.

It wouldn’t deter the visitors though who scored again shortly after.

Higgins beat the offside trap to get on the end of Morgyn Neill’s pinpoint pass over the top. With enough bounce still left on the ball, he coolly lobbed it high over Johnston and into the net – his fourth of the campaign.

The Steelmen saw out the rest of the match in a professional manner, keeping the ball for long spells. Montrose did have a chance to score though Sam Simpson but, despite racing clear one-on-one with Ross Stewart, he dragged his shot wide of target.

The Fir Parkers will now be in the hat for the fourth round draw for the first time in over six years.

Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden, Ferguson, Murray (Hall – 46mins), Neill, Leitch (McCall – 59mins), McCafferty, Shirkie, Moore (Kellock – 46mins), Higgins, Thomas

Subs Not Used: Currie, Mackin

Motherwell Football Club is inviting youth organisations to come enjoy the matchday experience at Fir Park.

We are looking to build relationships with local Boys Brigade, Girl Guides/Rainbows, Scouts/Cubs, Football Clubs (Boys/Girls) Martial Arts Clubs etc etc.

It is our aim to have at least two youth organisations in for every single match at Fir Park – with a maximum of one application per group, per season.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “We are Scotland’s Community Club and are always looking to reach out and create relationships with various groups and organisations around Lanarkshire and beyond.

“We have designated family areas which is perfect for kids to come and enjoy football, even if it for the first time.

“We have complimentary tickets available for youth groups available on a game-by-game basis – limited to one per season with the aim of getting as many involved as possible.

“It goes without saying that the groups would need to be efficiently supervised by adults but, as a club, we are keen to get involved and showcase SPFL Premiership football. ”

If you or your youth group would be keen to build a partnership with Motherwell Football Club and claim complimentary group tickets, contact the Ticket Office Manager Wendy MacFarlane on 01698 333333 or email ticketing@motherwellfc.co.uk..

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell came from behind to beat Hearts 2-1.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Pictures from the 2-1 win over Hearts in the SPFL Premiership at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Craig Foy Photography.

[svgallery name=”hearts191013″]

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was delighted with his side’s resolve after coming back from behind to beat Hearts 2-1 at Fir Park.

Ryan Stevenson scored a deflected shot slightly against the run of play but an inspired substitute saw league debutant Craig Moore smash home a leveller just eighteen seconds after coming on the pitch.

Shaun Hutchinson completed the comeback with a bullet header off an Iain Vigurs corner to confirm the three points and the Steelmen’s fourth consecutive home victory.

The win keeps the Fir Parkers in third place, level points with Inverness Caley (who play Partick Thistle tomorrow) and four behind leaders Celtic.

[pullquote]The lads showed good character and we eventually got the winner I felt we deserved.[/pullquote]

McCall told MFC TV: “I am really pleased; I felt we deserved it over the ninety minutes.

“We thought if we could score first we could zap the life and hope out of them but that didn’t happen.

“In the first half, although we had a lot of the ball and created one or two half chances, we didn’t play at the tempo we want.

“We talked at the interval about how we needed a little spark and that came after the break and I felt we were terrific for the majority of the second half.

“Even although we went a goal down, which can happen on the break, we knew we still had thirty minutes to play. I always felt we would score and we did. It’s a great hit from Craig Moore and I am delighted for him; he has worked so hard.

“The lads showed good character and we eventually got the winner I felt we deserved. It’s a good three points and we are already looking forward to next weekend.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–