Motherwell were eliminated from the Youth Cup on Tuesday afternoon, following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ross County.
Torran Lambie’s penalty was the difference between the sides in a match that saw plenty of action.
That action started after just four minutes. Zack Tomany managed to get on the end of Mikey Booth’s corner; however, the winger’s header went just wide of the post.
Three minutes later, Ross County’s Calum Brown forced a good save from Jack McConnell in the Motherwell net after the Staggies broke forward.
Jakub Leszcynski went nearest next for County, with the forward muscling his way past the Motherwell defender but shooting wide.
Tomany went close again on 14 minutes. The winger picked up the ball on the left-edge of the box, cut inside, and curled an effort on target, but Jayden Reid was on hand to tip over the bar.
On 28 minutes, the best chance of the game arrived. Arran Clark fed a lovely ball in behind for Zander McAllister; the midfielder continued his run and poked the ball past the on-rushing keeper. The ball rolled towards goal, but the Ross County defence got back in time to scramble clear.
Five minutes later, captain Booth curled the ball around the wall from a free-kick and found the inside of the post with the keeper beaten.
Motherwell stopper McConnell was called into action on 40 minutes when, at the end of a Ross County counter, Leszcynski unleashed a strike towards goal, but the keeper got a strong fingertip to the effort to keep the ball out.
The second half was somewhat quieter. But on 52 minutes, the match-winning moment arrived. Left-back Andrew Arnott was punished for diving in to block a shot in the area. The full-back’s attempt at the block ended up in him colliding with the County player, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Substitute Lambie stepped up and, despite McConnell going the right way, converted. 0-1.
That goal sparked Richard Foster into making some alternations to his side, with the introduction of Nathan Lawson.
It almost had the perfect impact instantly after conceding. Rocco McColm fired just wide of the post, when a cross into the area eventually fell for the midfielder.
Lucas Weir and Robbie Hunter were introduced to the action, and it was the former who came close with a header on 70 minutes from a glancing header.
Weir again went close four minutes later, when he held the ball in back to goal, swivelled, and got a shot away, which was saved.
Ultimately, their efforts would come to nothing, and Ross County held onto the win, progressing to the fourth round of the Youth Cup.
“It’s been a disappointing day,” Richard Foster said.
“Firstly, you always want to progress in the cup. We haven’t achieved that, and that’s a sore one to take.
“But secondly, our performance wasn’t there. We saw in flashes some spark from individuals, but nowhere near the level I know these players can reach.
“There was a lack of fight and energy. That’s something we have addressed openly in the dressing room after the game.”
Motherwell: McConnell (GK), Williamson, Gillies, Marshall, Arnott, McAllister (Forrest 61′), Booth, McColm, Tomany (Weir 61′), McLean (Hunter 61′), Clark (Lawson 52′).
Motherwell subs: Friel, Creer, Thomson, Forrest (61), Lawson (52′), Hunter (61), Weir (61).
