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Plenty minutes in the bag for our loan boys this week on loan, as they were in action midweek and at the weekend.

Max Johnston

Keeping his place in the side, Max Johnston played the full 90 minutes when Queen’s Park were the visitors to The Balmoral Stadium.

Cove would run out 2-0 winners, with Johnston helping his side keep a clean sheet.

Scott Fox

Scott Fox was an unused sub as Queen of the South beat FC Edinburgh 3-0 away from home.

Robbie Mahon

Over 7000 were in attendance as Falkirk faced Dunfermline in League one.

Robbie Mahon was an unused sub as he watched his Dunfermline teammates win 1-0 at the Falkirk Stadium.

Ewan Wilson

Ewan Wilson wasn’t involved in the action on Saturday when Albion Rovers took on Stirling Albion.

The left back was serving a suspension after he seen red for a handball the weekend prior. Albion drew 1-1 with high flying Stirling.

Corey O’Donnell

After 45 minutes in the reserves, it was a return to first team action for Corey O’Donnell after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The forward came on in the 73rd minute for Bonnyrigg against Elgin at New Dundas Park. Despite a late comeback, Elgin hung on for a 3-2 win away from home.

Logan Dunachie

East Kilbride took on Stirling Uni on Saturday away from home.

Dunachie was an unused sub with Stirling claiming all three points with a 2-0 win.

Daniel Hunter

Daniel Hunter was on the bench for Cumbernauld Colts on Wednesday night, when they were beaten 4-2 by Gala Fairydean. Hunter played the last 27 minutes in the game.

He was an unused sub on Saturday against Cowdenbeath.

Our loan boys continued their development with their respective clubs this weekend.

Max Johnston

It was a busy Saturday for Cove Rangers and Max Johnston, with Cove drawing 4-4 with Hamilton.

Max got a second assist in as many matches and played the full 90 minutes.

Scott Fox

Still recovering from a short illness, Scott Fox was named on the bench for Queen of the South as they took on Falkirk.

Falkirk won the game 3-1.

Robbie Mahon

Robbie Mahon was an unused sub for Dunfermline as they beat Kelty Hearts 2-1.

Ewan Wilson

Ewan Wilson started for Albion Rovers as they looked to pick up more points in League two to push up the table.

Taking on a Stenhousmuir side who were amongst the playoff positions, Albion Rovers battled well and had a narrow 2-1 lead going into the latter stages of the game.

With Stenhousemuir chasing the game, Ewan Wilson was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area and stopped a clear goal scoring opportunity. The full back seen red and The Warriors scored from the subsequent penalty to snatch a point.

Daniel Hunter

Cumbernauld Colts took on Celtic B in the Lowland league on Saturday, with Daniel Hunter in the starting 11.

Despite going 2-0 down to Celtic, Cumbernauld continued to battle and ended up winning the match 4-2. Hunter played 79 minutes.

Logan Dunachie

It was a break from league action for East Kilbride, as they played Armadale Thistle in a friendly match at K-Park.

The game finished 4-4 with Logan Dunachie starting the game.

Photo Credit- Cove Rangers

Stuart Kettlewell used plenty youth as Motherwell continued their cinch Reserve League campaign against Hamilton. 

Conceding an early goal again, Kettlewell said the players need to be switched on from the start but was pleased with how his side reacted to the early setback when they got themselves back in front.

Despite Hamilton scoring from the penalty spot to secure a point, it was more game time for the youngsters as they continue their development and can now take the learning points into their next match against Hibernian in seven days.

Motherwell and Hamilton development team played out a competitive 2-2 draw at K-Park.

Stuart Kettlewell’s side were a goal down in the opening minute, but a Corey O’Donnell brace had the hosts ahead at the interval. However, a second half penalty was enough to earn Accies a point.

‘Well named a young starting eleven for the Lanarkshire derby, with only Kian Spiers, Lennon Miller and Robbie Mahon having very limited experience of first-team football. Corey O’Donnell was making his first appearance in 2022 whilst Mo Adam was named amongst the subs after an injury-plagued eight months.

Accies made the best possible start, punishing the hosts with a clinical counter-attack. Adam McGowan collected on the edge of his area and quickly sent Ryan One galloping down the left flank. He cut inside and curled a shot that was palmed away by Matty Connelly, only to fall perfectly for Ellis Brown who shot high into the net.

Motherwell equalised with their first shot on target on 25 minutes. Miller nutmegged Fergus Owens to play in Danny Hunter, his cut-back was perfect for O’Donnell who swept home into the far corner from the penalty spot.

The Steelmen got their noses in front five minutes before the break and it was a really well-worked goal. Great interplay between Wilson and O’Donnell down the left flank had the full-back in an advanced area. Instead of sweeping it across the box, he calmly pulled it back for the striker, who had carried his run forward, and he smashed a first-time shot low into the net for his second.

Hamilton got the game’s second equaliser 12 minutes into the second half. Ally Gould was adjudged to have fouled One inside the area, with referee Ryan Kennedy pointing to the spot. Sub Ben Black stepped up to squeeze the ball under Connelly who had gone the right way.

Both teams had chances to win it, with McGowan going close for Accies and Reece Murray producing good saves to deny substitutes Mark Ferrie and Adam late in the game, but it ended honours even.

Motherwell: Connelly, Max Ross, Ewan Wilson, Ally Gould, Logan Dunachie, Danny Hunter, Robbie Mahon (Adam), Lennon Miller, Corey O’Donnell (Ferrie), Kian Spiers (Wells), Luca Ross (Nevans).

Subs Not Used: Aitken, Bone

“The young players have been well schooled, there are a lot of aspects that aren’t broken.

“I could see straight away that there are good habits here.”

Danny Hunter has joined Lowland League side Cumbernauld Colts on loan for the rest of the season.

The 18-year-old will join up with the David Proctor’s side, who currently play out of Broadwood.

Hunter was the only remaining outfield player in our development team who is too old to feature in the CAS u18s league, with this loan designed to afford him as much game time as possible.

Along with his fellow loanees, Hunter will also be available for our Development League matches throughout the campaign.

“The club has been working through a model that aimed to get all of our young players not eligible to play in the U18s league out on loan and playing matches,” Stuart Kettlewell said.

“In the very short time I have been at the club, I have been very impressed with Daniel’s performance levels and his attitude. He was the last of the outfield players to get fixed up and we’re pleased he is going to a good club with a view to battling hard for a starting slot.

“Although we have the return of the reserve league, this loan will allow us to have the best of both and ensuring Daniel, and all our other lads out on loan, are getting the time on the pitch they need to best prepare for them for first-team football.”

Stuart Kettlewell is our new lead development coach.

The former Ross County boss, 38, takes up his new post today working specifically with our Development and Under 18s teams.

“I am thrilled to join the club,” Kettlewell said.

“I’ve obviously been out of the game for a period of time and I’m just looking forward to getting back in.

“The role fits in with my ethos of developing young players which is important to me.

“I’ve had a couple of opportunities prior to this but after I spoke with the staff and the manager, I knew it was a good fit and the right move for me.”

Kettlewell was a mainstay at Queen’s Park as a player, playing at Hampden for six years. A brief spell with Clyde followed before five years as a player in Dingwall with County, where he won promotion to the Premiership.

He left in 2014 to spend a short spell with Highland League side Brora, before making his return to the Global Energy Stadium in a coaching capacity shortly after.

As Under 20s manager, his side won the 2016–17 SPFL Development League and progressed several players into the first-team squad.

When Owen Coyle left the Staggies in March 2017, Kettlewell was placed in charged of the first-team squad with Steven Ferguson. In his first full season in charge, County not only won a strong Scottish Championship, but they also picked up the Challenge Cup and he was awarded the Championship Manager of the Season award.

He left the club in December 2020 and had been heavily involved in the media, something he will continue to do whilst leading Motherwell’s young guns.

“We ran a robust recruitment process that was designed to find the very best person and I am glad Stuart is with us,” manager Steven Hammell added.

“He’s one of the country’s most well-respected, talented coaches who will form part of our close-knit staff group.

“We spent a great deal of time internally reviewing all the factors that helped assist the group that included the likes of Cadden, Campbell, Hastie, Turnbull and Scott.

“A big part of that, in our mind, was having a dedicated and focused coach who created a first-team mentality within that squad and that is something we hope Stuart can replicate for what we believe is a very talented group at the moment.”

Corey O’Donnell has joined League Two leaders Bonnyrigg Rose on loan until the end of the season.

The young striker, who enjoyed a productive spell on loan at Albion Rovers last term, is recovering from a injury that will keep him out of action for a few weeks.

However, he will soon join up with his teammates at New Dundas Park as they look to record back-to-back promotions following their elevation to the SPFL last May.

“Corey had a couple of loan options, but he was keen on Bonnyrigg as they are a team and a club very much on the up,” Stevie Hammell said.

“He has had a frustrating period with injuries which has limited his time with the first-team since the summer.

“However, now he’s returned to training, we want to ensure he is in a position to continue playing regular matches with the ultimate aim of getting into our first-team squad.”

Young left-back Ewan Wilson has joined Albion Rovers on loan for the season.

The 17-year-old, who turned professional in the summer of 2021, will join our North Lanarkshire neighbours with a view to gaining vital first-team experience.

“Ewan has been making good progress and we now believe he’s ready to take the next step in his development,” Steven Hammell said.

“Albion Rovers has been an excellent destination over the years with the likes of Steven Lawless, Chris Cadden and others getting vital developmental experience at Cliftonhill

“This will be a real solid challenge for Ewan and we wish him well.”