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Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell beat Partick Thistle 2-0 in the Development League.

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson was satisfied with his side’s second half performance in today’s 2-0 win over Partick Thistle

After a dull opening forty-five men, JJ’s men sprung into life, with goals from Conor Grant and Steven Higgins enough to secure all three points for ‘Well.

Speaking post-match to MFCTV the Finn said, “I thought it was a good competitive game.

“I enjoyed it and although the first half was scrappy, I was pleased with the second half.

“In the first half we wanted to play the ball from the back, as we didn’t do that well enough last week but it became  a little bit too laboured. We didn’t go forward enough – it’s alright playing from the back but there has to be an end product too.

“In the second half we were sharper and looked forward more. We put Conor in the hole behind the striker and I thought he did really well. He’s got a fantastic left foot and did well for his goal.

“It’s great to get a team on the back foot straight away after scoring and we did that. I said to Higgy after the game that it’s not often you see him in the box getting tap-in’s, but today he did that, got his reward and killed the game.”

Two quick-fire second half goals gave Motherwell U20s a comfortable win over Partick Thistle this afternoon.

The Steelmen, flush with first-team experience, got their noses in front just before the hour when Conor Grant smashed a low shot through goalkeeper Connor Cullin.

Ninety seconds later and Steven Higgins had doubled the advantage and that was enough for ‘Well to see it through and take all three points.

Jonatan Johansson made just two changes to the side that drew with Ross County last midweek. Zaine Francis-Angol and Dylan Mackin dropped out, replaced by Stuart Carswell and Conor Grant.

The game took some time to really get going – the pitch was dry and neither side could really get their foot on the ball. Ben Hall had a half chance on the eleventh minute, heading Grant’s corner just over.

Thistle took twenty minutes to register an effort at goal but two quick-fire efforts from Matthew McInally and Dale Keenan both ended up in the Davie Cooper Stand.

The closest any side came during the first-half was on the half hour when McInally’s shanked cross from the left almost caught out Long, but the young Northern Irishman was grateful the spinning ball came back off the frame of the goal.

Fraser had a shot straight at Long and, likewise, Grant had a free kick straight at Cullin but neither side managed to get themselves ahead before the break.

The Jags made a positive start to the second forty-five and only an excellent close-range save by Long denied midfielder Dominic Docherty, who had made a late run into the area.

‘Well responded immediately through MacLean, who got on the end of a wonderful Stevie Hammell cross from the left but his low shot was deflected just wide by the charging Thistle rear-guard.

Fraser had another shot straight at Long and Jack Leitch swept a MacLean shot just wide of target before the Steelmen eventually got their noses in front.

Leitch’s inviting channelled ball down the left had Higgins on the scamper with former Hamilton defender Ryan Finnie. After a coming together, Higgins emerged with the ball, squared it inside for the supporting Conor Grant who drilled it low through Cullin and into the net.

Incredibly, ninety-second later, ‘Well doubled their lead. Substitute Dylan Mackin, brought on at the interval in place of Craig Moore, fired a low shot that forced Cullin to palm away. Higgins was quick on the follow up and he slotted home into the net.

‘Well could and should have made it three just sixty-second later. Ross MacLean’s deep cross to the back post almost found Mackin on the stretch but he couldn’t get a good connection and the chance was gone.

Other than a Fraser shot from distance that flew wide, that was the end of the chances. Both teams made changes but as the weather took a turn for the worse, the game soon ended with ‘Well holding out for the win.

Motherwell: B.Long, Watt, Hammell, Carswell, O’Brien, Hall, Grant, J.Leitch, Moore (Mackin – 46mins), Higgins (R.Leitch – 79mins), MacLean

Subs: Currie, McNulty, McCall, Watters, Mackin, McMillan

The Under 20s are back in action this afternoon (Monday) when they take on Partick Thistle at Fir Park.

A very young Steelmen side lost 1-0 the last time the teams locked horns just one month ago at the Excelsior Stadium.

And now looking to build on last week’s battling point against Ross County, Jonatan Johansson’s men will look to finish the season strongly.

Entry to the match is free-of-charge with kick off scheduled for 2pm.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough was left to rue missed chances as his team lost 2-0 to Hamilton this evening.

The Steelmen hit the woodwork on three separate occasions and found Michael McGovern in top form throughout the ninety minutes.

On the other hand, Accies were clinical, twice capitalising on Motherwell’s loose possession to score via Jason Scotland and Ali Crawford.

It leaves ‘Well with a huge task to avoid finishing in the Playoff spots with four games left of the current campaign.

[pullquote]I’m frustrated that we have created more chances and better chances and to come away without scoring is amazing for me. We just weren’t clinical enough.[/pullquote]

He said: “I’m frustrated that we have created more chances and better chances and to come away without scoring is amazing for me. We just weren’t clinical enough.

“We created good chances, there were six or seven at least that I counted, we hit the woodwork a couple of times and their keeper has pulled off a couple of good saves from one-on-ones. That has cost us.

“Their two goals have come from positions of good possession, we have given it away cheaply, they have broken and been clinical. There’s the difference.

“We still have to believe we can bridge the gap.”

Extended highlights from New Douglas Park as Motherwell lose 2-0 to local rivals Hamilton Accies.

Action pictures from this evening’s frustrating 2-0 loss to Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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Phil McGhee New Douglas Park

Motherwell found no compassion from their neighbours as a goal in each half gave Hamilton the points at New Douglas Park.

Conversely, with only 12 points to play for the result leaves the Fir Park side needing a couple of ‘snookers’ if they are to escape from the play-off spot.

Facing an Accies side which had gone some time without a win, the ‘Well players knew a win was imperative in their battle to get out of eleventh spot. And the fans who outnumbered the home support were fully aware of the importance of the game – with an impressive display of handheld cards in the club’s colours stretching across the away stand before the kick-off.

However, after a solid first half when they created numerous chances and twice struck the woodwork, ‘Well never looked like recovering from Accies’ second goal early in the second half.

The visitors had an early scare when Josh Law bundled into Dougie Imrie 12 yards in front of goal but referee John Beaton waved away appeals for a penalty.

It took until the tenth minute before a ‘keeper was tested, Michael McGovern diving high to his left to palm away a rising 18 yard drive from Lionel Ainsworth.

Accies opened the scoring after 21 minutes when Jason Scotland dragged the ball between Loius Laing and Anthony Straker at the ‘D’ of the penalty box before drilling his shot low into George Long’s right hand corner.

‘Well came within a whisker of an equaliser three minutes later when Erwin latched onto a McDonald pass at the edge of the box before firing in a shot which skimmed the outside of the post.

Ian Baraclough was then forced into a change, Laing limping off to be replaced by Fraser Kerr.

Before he could settle into his defensive role Accies almost doubled their lead on the half hour mark when Michael Devlin’s looping header came crashing down from the underside of the crossbar.

Two minutes later it was Motherwell’s turn to curse their luck. McDonald superbly picked out Johnson at the corner of the box, who cut inside before lashing his shot beyond the ‘keeper and against the face of the bar.

McDonald was again the provider just before the break when his pass released Erwin but McGovern raced from his line to block the striker’s shot on goal.

That left ‘Well needing a bit more luck and at least a couple of goals in the second half. And the 2,000 fans behind McGovern’s goal were almost cheering the equaliser three minutes after the break when Ainsworth’s in-swinging free kick curled just beyond the ‘keeper’s post.

At the other end Long was tested by Darian MacKinnon’s rising shot. However, Long was beaten again in the 52nd minute when Ali Crawford rifled the ball low into the corner to make it 2-0 and leave Motherwell with a mountain to climb.

On the hour ‘Well made their second change, Dom Thomas coming on for Johnson. He gave a moment of hope when his low shot looked to sneak inside the post but instead rolled into the side netting.

With 17 minutes remaining McDonald made way for John Sutton who grabbed a late double against Accies at Fir Park.

Sutton came close heading an Ainsworth free kick beyond the post, but Well’s night was summed up two minutes from the end when Erwin raced away from the home defence only to play the ball off the advancing ‘keeper.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at New Douglas Park

 FT | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC

Hamilton Accies 2 – 0 Motherwell

90′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Four minutes added on.

88′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Another good stop from McGovern, again denying Erwin from a 1v1 situation.

85′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Yellow card for Hasselbaink for time wasting.

83′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
From the free-kick, Sutton’s glancing header goes just past the post.

82′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Lyon booked for hacking down Thomas as he skipped past him.

77′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Sutton inches away from connecting with Thomas’ cross. Would have made the closing stages of the game interesting.

73′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
One last throw of the dice, Sutton on for McDonald.

72′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Devlin booked for time wasting.

68′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Ainsworth’s shot is delfected wide for a corner….Thomas’ strike comes off the side of the post!

66′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Accies sub, Scotland off for Hasselbaink

59′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Motherwell sub, Dom Thomas on for Johnson.

58′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Hamilton Accies sub, Tena off for Lucas

52′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Goal – It’s 2-0. Crawford with a powerful low strike from 20 yards into the bottom corner. A lot to do now.

47′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Johnson wins a free-kick, wide on the left…Erwin’s header flashes inches past the post!

45′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Second half is underway. Big performance needed.

HT | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Half time here and it’s Hamilton Accies 1 – 0 Motherwell

44′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Great chance again for Erwin but McGovern does well to save hos low shot with his feet!

32′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Off the bar from Johnson!! Cut in off the right and curled a great effort which was unfortunate not to go in!

31′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Similar chance up the other end but Kerr gets his free header all wrong and nods it well over the bar.

30′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Devlin’s looping header from Crawford’s corner, crashes back off the bar!

28′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Forced change for Motherwell, Kerr coming on for the injured Laing.

24′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Glorious chance for an equaliser but Erwin’s half-volley from McDonald’s lay off skims the post!

21′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Goal – Scotland puts Accies ahead, firing past Long from the edge of the box.

14′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Hamilton win their first corner of the game. Crawford takes, Lasley heads clear at front post.

12′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Decent chance there for ‘Well as Ainsworth picked out McDonald who then found Johnson but his cross was gathered.

11′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Chance! Ainsworth’s shot from just inside the box is deflected by Hendrie but McGovern reacts well to make the save.

7′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Johnson’s cross is block and it goes out for a corner. Headed clear by Scotland.

5′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
First chance for Accies. Falls awkwardly for Gillespie on the edge of the box and he scuffs his shot just wide.

Kick-Off | #HAFCvMFC
Lasley and Johnson get the game underway. COYW!!

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