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Stephen Craigan says there were strong performances throughout his reserves side, as they opened their league campaign with a victory over Hearts.

George Newell and Neil McLaughlin scored second half goals against an experienced visiting team, as ‘Well recorded back-to-back victories after cup success last week.

Motherwell reserves started their league campaign with a 2-0 win over Hearts at Forthbank Stadium.

Stephen Craigan selected a young side for the clash with the Jambos, naming summer signings Christian Mbulu and Neil McLaughlin in the starting team.

Hearts, on the other hand, had an experienced line up on show at Forthbank Stadium. Ryan Edwards, Arnaud Djoum and Harry Cochrane were the three standouts, lining up in the visitors midfield.

It was a fast start for the Steelmen, who put the visitors under pressure from the first whistle and looked sure to take the lead early on when Neil McLaughlin won a penalty in the seventh minute.

As the attacking midfielder attempted to turn an effort on goal, he was brushed aside and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Up stepped George Newell, who sent a decent effort to the keepers left, but Hearts stopper Mason produced an equally decent save to keep the score level.

In a rather dull first half, Hearts went close through Cochrane from distance, and Barry Maguire sent a volley wide of the mark just after the half hour mark.

Craigan made one change at the break, replacing Jamie Semple for Broque Watson.

But it was McLaughlin who went closest to an opener, rising highest from a freekick to nod on target from inside the six-yard box, but Mason did well to palm it away.

With just under 15 minutes remaining, the deadlock was broken.

Mbulu, bringing the ball down in the box and firing across goal, nearly found Jason Krones to prod home, but the centre-back couldn’t connect to find the target. Fortunately, the ball fell kindly for Newell, who made no mistake from eight yards as he made amends for his earlier penalty miss to put the Steelmen in front.

Five minutes later, the lead was doubled and it was a well taken goal from McLaughlin which put the seal on proceedings at Forthbank.

Newell found Watson on the right flank in acres of space. He cut infield and his pass found McLaughlin on the edge of the box, who showed terrific composure to take a touch and fire low beyond Mason to wrap up all three points.

Motherwell’s reserves side open their league campaign this week with a home match against Hearts.

Stephen Craigan’s side take on the Jam Tarts at Forthbank Stadium on Tuesday. Kick off is at 12pm. Entry is free.

The youngsters opened their season with a 3-0 win in the IRN-BRU Cup against East Stirlingshire last week.

Two of Motherwell’s four loanees were in action at the weekend.

Midfielder Shea Gordon was named in the starting XI as Partick Thistle hosted Celtic in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup.

However the game, live on BT Sport, was cut short for the Northern Irishman who was injured shortly before the break. He was replaced by Craig Slater.

Despite pulling it back to 1-1 via Mbuyi-Mutombo with 17 minutes left to play, late goals from Moussa Dembele and Tom Rogic handed Celtic a 3-1 win.

With Greenock Morton and Alloa Athletic already eliminated from the tournament, there were no games for either Ross MacLean or Jake Hastie.

League Two football was on and Neil McLaughlin played a part for Stirling Albion, introduced as a second half sub against Edinburgh City at Ainslee Park.

The young striker was helpless to prevent his side going down 3-1 though, with the Binos having made a difficult start to the campaign.

Motherwell Colts will travel take on Dundee Colts in the second round of the 2018/19 IRN-BRU Cup.

Stephen Craigan’s young side progressed thanks to a 3-0 win at East Stirlingshire on Tuesday night.

Second round ties are due to be played on the weekend of 8 and 9 September.

The venue, confirmed date and kick off time will be announced shortly.

Stephen Craigan’s young Motherwell side progressed to the second round of the IRN-BRU Cup with a 3-0 win over East Stirlingshire on Tuesday night.

David Turnbull, Broque Watson and Jake Hastie scored the goals in the first half at the Falkirk Stadium, as the Steelmen progressed to Thursday’s draw.

Reserve team manager Stephen Craigan was pleased to see his side progress to the second round of the Irn-Bru cup.

The convincing Colts side beat East Stirlingshire 3-0 at the Falkirk Stadium, and the Northern Irishman admitted there is still more to come from his players.

“You can see we’re a little bit rusty,” Craigan said. “It’s our first game of the season for some of the players.”

He added: “It’s against men and it’s senior football, but the encouraging thing for me is that there’s more to come.”

Motherwell’s young Colts side booked their place in the second round of the IRN-BRU Cup with a 3-0 win at East Stirlingshire.

David Turnbull, Broque Watson and Jake Hastie scored first half goals as the youngsters saw off their Lowland League opponents.

Motherwell named a starting line up with first team experience, both in the top flight and lower leagues.

Adam Livingstone, Barry Maguire, James Scott, Liam Brown and the aforementioned pair of Turnbull and Hastie have all featured for the first team, while Rohan Ferguson has 80 games under his belt for Airdrieonians.

There was also a first outing in claret and amber for recent recruit Christian Mbulu, who slotted in at centre back.

The hosts had some early chances, shooting from range and testing Ferguson in goal, but the Steelmen had the lead within 17 minutes.

Collecting a cutback from Brown outside the area, Turnbull curled his shot into the top right corner to open the scoring.

Three minutes later, the advantage was doubled. Hastie burst down the left and squared the ball across the face of the goal, with Watson on hand at the back stick to steer home.

It took a further two minutes for another goal to come. This time Scott’s cross from the right was found by Hastie in the centre of the six yard box, and he bundled the ball past Jamie Barclay.

The second half took time to get going, with the Shire testing at times with runs down the flanks, and the Steelmen struggling to create.

It would be debutant Mbulu who would have the first gilt-edged chance of the half, his header from close range from a corner being well saved by Barclay.

As the game wore on, the hosts ended up down to nine men as two players were forced off injured, with all three changes already having been made.

But chances continued to be few and far between, and Motherwell progressed to Thursday’s draw, the they could be drawn against teams from England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Reserves manager Stephen Craigan is excited for his side to get back to action in Tuesday’s Irn-Bru Cup clash with East Stirlingshire. 

The Northern Irishman admits the squad have had to be patient during a long pre-season, but believes cup football is the ideal way to get started in 2018/19.

Speaking ahead of the first round of the competition, Craigan said: “It’s been quite a long pre-season. We’ve played a number of games in that time, but nothing beats competitive football.

“It will be a difficult game for us. East Stirlingshire have already played three league games and they’re unbeaten, but we’re looking forward to it.”

He added: “We have a young, vibrant squad with players who are trying to make their way in reserve team football, and others pushing for a place in the first team.”

Stephen Craigan will be able to field players aged up to 21 in this season’s competition, as they take on Lowland League opposition.

The match is being played at the Falkirk Stadium with a 7.45pm kick off. Admission is priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

Motherwell’s on-loan pair Ross MacLean and Jake Hastie came face-to-face in the Ladbrokes Championship on Saturday.

Their respective clubs, Greenock Morton and Alloa Athletic, failed to register wins on the opening day and went into the game at the Indodrill Stadium looking to get points on the board.

It would be MacLean’s side who would claim the upper hand, with both players lasting the 90 minutes as Chris Millar’s double secured victory for the ‘Ton.

Shea Gordon also got another full game under his belt in the second tier as he helped Partick Thistle to victory in their first home league match of the campaign.

Having lost to Ayr United the previous week, the Jags were comfortable winners over Falkirk at Firhill, leading 2-0 until a late, late consolation goal for the Bairns.

In League Two, Neil McLaughlin played 75 minutes for Stirling Albion as they lost out 3-0 at home to Clyde.