Motherwell’s second string maintained their excellent form with a 5-1 win over Dunfermline Athletic in the SPFL Reserve Cup.
Conor Sammon netted a double, with Broque Watson, Adam Livingstone and Christian Mbulu also getting on the scoresheet, as Stephen Craigan’s side made it three wins from three in the competition.
Yet it was the visitors who took the lead at Forthbank early doors.
Within three minutes, Kallum Higginbotham’s break inside on the right side of the box past Mbulu allowed him to set up Robbie Muirhead at the back post, who put the ball into the roof of the net from five yards out.
The game ebbed and flowed until the young Steelmen recovered their position 21 minutes later.
Liam Brown took the initiative to drive from midfield into the Dunfermline half, before playing in George Newell. The striker’s shot was blocked but fell to Watson, who had time for several touches before equalising from close range.
Six minutes later, the hosts had the lead. A counter attack saw Watson accelerate clear of two defenders down the right. He then found the space to pick his place for a low cross into the box, where Sammon was waiting to tap home at the back post.
Dunfermline made two changes at the interval, including withdrawing the lively Higginbotham, but it was Motherwell who would come flying out of the traps.
A corner on the right saw the youngsters load the box but Akeel Rehman elected instead to find Livingstone, who had positioned himself 30 yards from goal on the inside right side.
Taking a touch to set himself, he then let fly with a low drive that flew through everyone and into the bottom right corner of the net, past a diving goalkeeper.
On the hour mark, it was four. Again, Watson was at the heart of things down the right flank and his cross from the byline was met by Johnson. The striker then laid it on a plate for Sammon, who took the ball on the half volley from close range and lashed home his second of the afternoon.
Johnson and Sammon then made way for young strikers James Scott and Neil McLaughlin, with more goals to come.
The fifth came from defender Mbulu. After a corner was initially cleared, Livingstone’s lifted ball back into the area was met by the defender at the back post. His header back across goal nestled into the net to make it two goals in two games.
Controlling the remainder of the game, Motherwell got the win to surely guarantee their passage in the competition with a match to spare.
