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Motherwell exited the Scottish Youth Cup at the second round stage with a defeat at Queen’s Park on Friday.

Having been under severe early pressure, Motherwell found themselves a goal behind with 20 minutes on the clock.

A cross from the left stood up perfectly to meet the head of Mahon, who powered his header past goalkeeper Wallace.

Ten minutes later, it was two. Good play through the middle presented McCormick with the chance to shoot from 15 yards, and he placed his shot into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Motherwell grew back into it. Rice’s perfectly-placed low free-kick from 25 yards was just turned around the post by the home ‘keeper towards the end of the half.

‘Well then came out flying at the start of the second half and were back in it within two minutes.

Wilson’s drive down the left saw him fire in a low cross, which Adam was on hand to tap home at the back post after a great late run.

The pressure continued. MacDonald’s cross from the left met the head of Adam at the front post, but the forward would be denied an instant second as he headed wide.

A vastly improved ‘Well side had plenty in attack on the pitch as they pushed for an equaliser but they were thanking their goalkeeper for keeping them in with a chance with 15 minutes to go.

With the ball played to a Queen’s man 10 yards out, a certain goal was denied by the acrobatics of Wallace to turn the ball away, with the rebound then being fired wide.

Wallace was again at the rescue as the game raced towards the end, pulling off a great save one-on-one before Motherwell cranked the pressure back up.

It looked like the leveller came with three minutes to go. Rice’s brilliant ball into the area was matched by the run of Gould, but he headed wide from close range and with it, the young Steelmen’s game would end in defeat.

Motherwell: Wallace, Hunter, Gould, Dunnachie, Rice, Wilson, Miller, Spiers (Kasongo 65), MacDonald (Beattie 75), Adam, Ferrie (Ross 22).

Subs not used: Bogan, Boyd.

Three young Motherwell talents have again been called up to the Scotland Under 17 squad.

Adam MacDonald, Lennon Miller and Bailey Rice return to the selection for three UEFA Under-17 Championship qualifying round games in Northern Ireland.

Scotland will take on Northern Ireland in Lurgan on 27 October, before facing Albania in Belfast on 30 October and then Italy in Portadown on 2 November.

The three were previously in the squad for games against Wales in early September.

MacDonald has already turned professional this summer at the club, with Miller and Rice both members of our academy.

Corey O’Donnell has joined Albion Rovers on loan until January.

The young forward, who turned professional in the summer, has trained with the first-team squad for several months.

He featured regularly during pre-season matches and was named amongst the substitutes in the Premier Sports Cup group stage games.

The 17-year-old will now join Brian Reid’s League Two side for at least the next three months.

“This is a great opportunity for Corey to learn about first-team football and continue the progress he’s made since training regularly with the senior squad here,” Motherwell boss Graham Alexander said.

“I’m sure he’ll make a very good impression at Albion Rovers and we’ll continue to monitor him closely between now and January.”

Adam MacDonald, Lennon Miller and Bailey Rice have been called up to the Scotland Under 17s squad.

The Motherwell trio are in Brian McLaughlin’s selection for the national team’s double header of friendly against Wales in September.

MacDonald has already turned professional this summer at the club, with 14-year-old pair Miller and Rice both members of our academy.

Scotland face Wales on Thursday 2 September and then Sunday 5 September, both at Forthbank Stadium in Stirling.

The first match is open to the public, with the second behind closed doors.

We have been forced to withdraw from participating in the SPFL Trust Trophy in the 2021/22 season.

Due to a shortage of players, we will not be able to fulfil our first round tie with Stranraer, and have pulled our B team out of the competition.

We are disappointed that the young players, many of whom are first year pros, will not have the opportunity to take part in the game due to injuries and Covid-19 issues.

Our Club Academy Scotland Under 18s game with Hamilton Academical this Friday has also been postponed as a result.

“Consistent with previous announcements in respect of similar issues in the group stage of the Premier Sports Cup, the SPFL Board has now confirmed that any club unable or unwilling to field a team in an SPFL Trust Trophy first or second round tie will forfeit the match on the basis of a 3-0 defeat,” a statement from the SPFL said.

“Accordingly, Stranraer have been awarded a 3-0 win and will play Partick Thistle in the second round of the competition next month.”

Having racked up over 550 appearances as a player for Motherwell, Steven Hammell is now charged with overseeing the next influx of young talent making their way in the professional game at the club.

The academy director speaks about this year’s new intake, what they will learn and the pathway for youngsters to first team football.

Motherwell B will face Stranraer in the first round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The young Steelmen will be away in the tie, which will be played on 10/11 August 2021.

The venue and kick-off time will be confirmed shortly.

Should they progress, ‘Well will host Partick Thistle on September 4/5.

Our squad numbers for the 2021/22 season have been set.

Notable changes include the moves to number five for Bevis Mugabi and six for Barry Maguire, as well as Steven Lawless taking the number 11 jersey and Stephen O’Donnell switching to number two.

New signings Kaiyne Woolery, Justin Amaluzor and Connor Shields take seven, 17 and 29 respectively.

Motherwell 2021/22 squad numbers

Twelve players have graduated from our youth academy to sign professional terms with the club.

At the back, 17-year-old New Zealand-born goalkeeper Lawton Green is joined by left-back Ewan Wilson and central defenders Sam Campbell, Logan Dunachie and Ali Gould.

In midfield, Adam MacDonald, Kian Speirs and Daniel Hunter all make the step up after rising through from the early age groups.

Forwards Corey O’Donnell and Cody McLeod featured for the first team in the friendly at Dumbarton on Saturday, and turn professional this summer alongside fellow attackers Muhammad Adam and Richard Tambwe.

“We’re delighted for all the boys stepping up and signing professional terms,” Motherwell’s academy director Steven Hammell said.

“We’re excited to see what they have to offer. Every single one of them have plenty of motivation as how their careers can now progress at this club.

“It’s over to them now to continue their development. With the coaching on offer and the people around them who can help them succeed, we’re hopeful they will now show the attitude and application to take their chance.”

Three Motherwell loanees were in action at the weekend.

Ross MacIver started for Morton in their televised Friday night Championship fixture at home to Hearts.

The forward played 75 minutes as the Edinburgh side ran out 2-0 winners.

PJ Morrison continued his run of form for Falkirk in League One, as the Bairns defeated Peterhead 2-1 to open a four-point gap at the top of the division.

Cove Rangers’ 2-1 home loss to Montrose contributed to opening that gap, with Jamie Semple coming on for the final 15 minutes.