Motherwell Under 20s slipped to their second successive defeat, going down 4-3 to Dunfermline at East End Park this evening.
After taking the lead, Motherwell were pinned back before eventually going behind.
Despite working hard to equalise before the half-time interval, a 26-second goal and a penalty gave them a mountain to climb in the second half.
‘Well did pull one back with thirteen minutes left on the clock but it wouldn’t be enough as the hosts held on for all three points.
Jonatan Johansson made four changes to the side that lost 4-2 to Hamilton Accies almost two weeks ago.
Out went Fraser Kerr, Adam Cummins, Stuart Carswell and Paul McCafferty. Danny McNulty, David Ferguson, Frazer Johnstone and Dale Shirkie replaced them in a youthful looking Steelmen side.
And Motherwell made the best possible start, scoring after just 90 seconds. Morgyn Neill’s headed clearance sailed over the head of the Pars defence, allowing Dom Thomas a clear run at goal. The youngster kept his cool to slot under Goodfellow and into the net.
That lead lasted just eight minutes though as Pars drew level through the impressive Fayssal El Bakhtaoui. It came via a swift counter-attack; Ryan Ferguson the creator down the right flank. He linked well with the Frenchman who smashed home from just inside the area leaving Stewart helpless.
After the barnstorming start, the game settled with both teams creating half chances to go in front. O’Kane fired a shot wide before El Bakhtaoui forced a decent block from Ross Stewart, the ‘Well stopper eventually gathering at the second attempt, taking a whack in the ribs for his troubles.
At the other end, Dale Shirkie almost got on the scoresheet but was thwarted by the alert Goodfellow, who had raced off his line after Jack Leitch’s clever through ball.
Declan O’Kane had another low shot well held by Stewart before the hosts eventually got themselves ahead on the 37th minute.
Scott Mercer collected the ball from a simple throw-in and charged towards goal. The space opened up and he certainly didn’t waste his opportunity, blasting home from about eight yards.
To their credit, the young ‘Well side showed good character and bounced back just four minutes later with the game’s second equaliser.
Fraser Johnstone’s searching ball allowed Craig Moore in on the right flank. He held off the challenge of Williamson before firing it across goal where Lee Erwin was perfectly placed to convert.
If ‘Well made a quick start to the first half, Pars bettered it in the second with a goal after just twenty-six seconds.
Martin’s long ball from the back found trialist Thomson deep in Motherwell territory. He linked up well with El Bakhtaoui to get away from David Ferguson before sliding the ball past Stewart and into the far corner.
Johansson’s men had Ross Stewart to thank for keeping them in it with a fine double save, the first from El Bakhtaoui then again from Thomson.
However, he would be helpless to prevent a fourth from the penalty spot.
Thomson flicked on another direct ball for the supporting Lewis Spence. There was a clash of legs between the midfielder and the recovering Danny McNulty; referee Gavin Ross was quick to point to the spot.
Thomson stepped up and confidently tucked the kick away with Stewart diving the wrong way.
It looked at that stage as if the game was a mere formality. Indeed, only some super goalkeeping from Stewart prevented Pars from adding to their tally.
The Scotland U19s stopper was on hand to deny Thomson a further twice, the first palmed onto the post from close range, the second was to block a powerful header at the expense of another corner.
It kept ‘Well in it and after Johansson had made a double swap, Cadden and McCafferty replacing Kellock and Johnstone, the Steelmen started to look more of an attacking threat.
Cadden’s first real involvement was to force Goodfellow into a terrific save, the 16-year curling a super effort from distance.
Then, with thirteen minutes left on the clock, Motherwell did get one back. Jack Leitch’s free-kick into the area wasn’t properly dealt with and when Cadden headed back across goal, Craig Moore was on hand to prod home from almost underneath the crossbar – his third of the campaign.
The Fir Parkers threw everything at Dunfermline in search of the game’s third leveller.
Leitch brought out a decent save from Goodfellow, Erwin snatched at a shot that flew well wide and, right at the death, Dale Shirkie could have scored but his low strike was too straight and easily collected by a grateful Pars keeper.
It would end with the Steelmen returning to Lanarkshire with nothing to show for their efforts. Johansson would have been pleased with the attacking threat posed by his side, but even more frustrated at the ease in which Dunfermline scored all four goals.
Motherwell: Stewart, McNulty, Kellock (McCafferty 68), Ferguson, Neill, Leitch, Thomas, Erwin, Shirkie, Moore, Johnstone (Cadden 68)
Subs: Anderson, Higgins, Mackin
Phil McGhee at Fir Park
Our guest journalist for this edition is the Herald’s Chris Jack, who follows Thistle for the newspaper.
