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Motherwell Under 20s return to action tomorrow night (Monday) with a home game against Champions Celtic.

Jonatan Johansson’s men will be looking to bounce back from last Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at Tannadice, although ‘Well certainly merited at least a point from that match on Tayside.

They face a Celtic side who are ten behind joint leaders Aberdeen and Hamilton Accies, although do have three games in hand over both sides and will be see this game as a must win.

The two teams met just two weeks ago in the SFA Youth Cup. It was a closely fought contest, which Celtic won, courtesy of two late goals from Liam Henderson and Kieran Tiernay.

[pullquote]We have the quality and our boys should have the confidence. It’s the last time we’ll be on Fir Park for a few months so we’ve got to try and set the tone for the match and take the game to our opponents.[/pullquote]

Under 20s boss Johansson said: “We have lost the last three games, including against Celtic, but in two of those we have played really well and perhaps deserved more.

“The challenge for our players is to go out there against the best Scotland has to offer at this level and show we are good enough.

“We have the quality and our boys should have the confidence. It’s the last time we’ll be on Fir Park for a few months so we’ve got to try and set the tone for the match and take the game to our opponents.”

The match will be played at Fir Park (kick-off is 6pm) with admission prices as follows:

PRICES:

Adults and Concessions:
Season book holders or Well Society membership: £2
Standard: £3

Under 16s:
Season book holders or Well Society membership: £1
Standard: £2

Motherwell have three players away on International duty over the next week.

Gunnar Nielsen has been once again included in the Faroe Islands squad for their UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Greece on 14 November 2014.

The 28-year old former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City stopper will be hoping to win his 25th cap against the 2004 winners.

Henrik Ojamaa has been named in the Estonia squad for their International Challenge matches against both Norway (Tuesday) and Jordan, as well as the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match with San Marino.

The on-loan Legia Warsaw hitman already had seventeen caps to his name but is still looking for his first goal.

Left-sider Zaine Francis-Angol is part of a 23 man Antigua and Barbuda squad that were called up for the Caribbean Cup final round against Haiti on 12th, Jamaica on 14th and Martinique on 16th November 2014.

The former Spurs man will hope to win caps eight, nine and ten over the next four days.

Extended highlights from Tannadice as ‘Well lose to Dundee United by the odd goal in five.

Jonatan Johansson was left frustrated with the manner in which his side conceded after an encouraging performance at Tanandice.

The Fir Parkers played their part in what was an excellent and enjoyable game of football, but came unstuck thanks to three preventable goals.

A poor clearance, a penalty and a set-piece would prove the downfall, with Josh Law and Craig Moore replying for ‘Well.

[pullquote]Goals aside, I am pleased with how we performed. We asked the players to react after last Tuesday’s disappointment against St Mirren and I think we got that.[/pullquote]

“It was a good game tonight,” Johansson said.

“At this level, it was one of the best I’ve seen. I thought we very much deserved a point for the way we played.

“In saying that, if you come to a place like this and lose three goals in the manner we did, you’re always going to struggle.

“Goals aside, I am pleased with how we performed. We asked the players to react after last Tuesday’s disappointment against St Mirren and I think we got that.

“You never like to lose, but we can take positives from tonight.”

Motherwell lost by the odd goal in five in what was a thoroughly entertaining contest at Tannadice this evening.

The Steelmen got their noses in front through Josh Law, before Scott Lochhead drew the hosts level. Ola Adeyemo put United in front from the penalty spot before Craig Moore scored his first goal in six months to level things up again.

However, Adeyemo would have the final say, netting late on to hand Dave Bowman’s men the win.

Motherwell made a bright start and Dom Thomas was first to test Michal Szromnik after nine minute, a low shot forcing the Polish stopper to turn around. Shortly after, Thomas turned provider for Moore, but his skidding effort from 30 yards dropped just wide of the post.

The hosts eventually settled into the game and started to create themselves.

Charlie Telfer shot over, Gary Mackay-Steven saw a low shot blocked by Chris Cadden before Adeyemo brought Ross Stewart into action for this time, his low shot having to be turned away by the Steelmen stopper at his near post.

However, it would be Motherwell who would take the lead just before the half hour.

Paul Lawson did well to win the ball deep in United territory; Moore, Law and McHugh all combined in a lovely triangle, with Moore eventually hooking it back across goal for Law to head home past Szromnik from close range. A fantastic team goal!

The joy was fairly short-lived though as with their next attack, United drew level.

‘Well will be disappointed given they had three separate opportunities to get it up the park, but when Thomas’ hooked clearance landed at the feet of Scott Lochhead, he smashed through Stewart from 25-yards.

Both teams had half-chances to get back in front before the break; Thomas curled a shot inches wide of the post before Mackay-Steven drilled a left-footed effort wide of target.

Into the second half and the home club had two quickfire chances to take the lead, both of them falling to Telfer. The first, a low shot, forced Stewart to block but when it eventually arrived back at the player some thirty seconds later, he smashed it high over the bar.

Motherwell responded with a low shot from McHugh that was well held by Szromnik in the home goal.

United continued to look a threat and Adeyemo almost got on the scoresheet, only to see his close range effort well blocked by David Ferguson. From the resulting corner, Keith Watson got up well to header, but it was way off target.

However, shortly after the hour, United did get in front and it was Adeyemo who made and scored the goal.

The 19-year old former UCD player latched on to a neat through ball to get on the wrong side of Morgyn Neill before being clipped by the defender. The referee pointed to the spot, and Adeyemo dusted himself down to coolly finish.

‘Well went immediately in search of a leveller, and only a goal-saving tackle from Watson denied McHugh an instant reply, the striker almost getting on the end of a teasing Moore cross.

Lawson forced a couple of corners before Johansson’s men eventually did get an equaliser they deserved.

After McMillan’s block, Law drove forward from the middle of the park, pulling defenders towards him, before slipping Moore in on the left channel. The striker raced in on Szromnik before delicately lifting it over the Pole and into the net via the base of the post.

Two minutes later and McHugh almost made it three-two for the Claret and Amber men – latching on to Carswell’s neat pass but his low shot was again well saved by Szromnik at the second attempt.

Play swung from end to end as both teams plugged away for a winner.

Adeyemo passed up a great chance when he blazed a Mackay-Steven cutback over the bar, before eventually scoring the decisive third just nine minutes from time.

Once again ‘Well will be frustrated, given the goal came from a simple set piece.

Feguson inadvertently flicked a searching corner on to the striker, who was lurking at the far post. He got it under control before eventually lashing it past the outrushing Stewart.

To their credit, the Fir Parkers refused to be beat and created a plethora of chances in the closing stages.

Lawson hit a free-kick that almost bounced straight into the net, Thomas shot wide and McMillan curled a shot over as United held on. Young full-back McMillan also hit a stinging right-footed effort that forced Szromnik to tip away at full stretch.

Then, as stoppage time approach, substitute Steven Higgins, who was introduced in place of Bob McHugh, shot over, as did Lawson, he slid to get on the end of a low Carswell square ball.

It eventually ended 3-2 for United, but ‘Well can be proud of their night’s work and no doubt deserved a point for their efforts.

Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden, McMillan, Ferguson, Neill, Lawson, Law, Carswell, McHugh (Higgins – 73mins), Moore, Thomas

Subs Not Used: Currie, Hall, McNulty, MacLean, Anderson

Motherwell FC were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former ‘Ancell Babe’ Sammy Reid.

Lanarkshire born and bred, Sammy signed for his boyhood hero’s in 1956, reportedly rejecting the advances of Rangers at the time.

He made his debut in January 1958 against Lanarkshire rivals Airdrie, aged just eighteen.

His contribution to the club was significant as a talented Inside Forward, who had a who worked incredibly well alongside other legendary names such as Hunter, Reid, St John, Quinn and Weir in an impressive Steelmen side; which famously beat Rangers four times in the same 1959-60 campaign, although sadly and regretfully never lifted silverware.

After impressing in Claret and Amber, netting 19 times in 60 appearances, Sammy had the distinction of being Bill Shankly’s first signing at Liverpool in 1960, leaving Fir Park for a sum of £8,000.

But after failing to make the breakthrough at Anfield the winger, whose brother Billy also played for ‘Well, left the club and later wrote his name into football folklore with his winning goal in Berwick’s 1-0 triumph over the Glasgow giants at Shielfield Park in what remains arguably the biggest upset in Scottish football.

Sammy passed away at the weekend, aged 75, in his home in Wishaw.

Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the Reid family at this sad time, whilst remembering an extremely talented local footballer who played in an outstanding team for those lucky to have seen it.

Following the success of last year’s draw, Motherwell FC will again be running our Christmas Raffle to win a Match Sponsorship package.

For just £5, you can be in with a chance of winning a full match sponsorship package for the game against Partick Thistle on Saturday 27th December.

The package includes:

• Four course meal served in the Joe Wark Lounge with a complimentary bar pre and post match.
• Match programme and team sheet for you and your guests
• Watch the match from seats adjacent to the Directors Box.
• Half time tea served back in the Joe Wark Lounge.
• The ability to pick the MFC Man of the Match.
• Post match visit by the man of the match; you make the presentation and there’s a special MFC gift for each of your guests.

The draw to pick the winning ticket will be at the Ross County game on Saturday 13th December.

You can pick up your raffle tickets from the Chapman Building during the week, we’ll have sellers also in and around the ground on each matchday leading up to the draw.

You can also buy them in Jack Daniels Sportsbar as well as buying them online by CLICKING HERE.

Highlights from Fir Park as caretaker boss Kenny Black guides his Motherwell side to a 1-0 win over Dundee Utd