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Motherwell under-20s return to Development League action on Wednesday night with a clash against St Johnstone. 

The youngsters head in to the match in fine form on the back of two consecutive 1-0 wins on the road in the league, over Falkirk and Kilmarnock.

But now the Fir Parkers are back at Forthbank Stadium and, following Sunday’s comprehensive 9-0 victory over Burntisland Shipyard in the Scottish Youth Cup, are on the hunt for a fourth straight victory in all competitions.

One point and one place separates Stephen Craigan’s side from league leaders Dundee, whilst St Johnstone come in to the match eleventh in the table on 7 points. 

The Fir Parkers have lost just once in the league this season, and are searching for a sixth victory in their eighth game of the campaign.

If you’re going to the match entry is free.

If you’re not making it, you can follow all of the action with live updates on twitter, as well as catch the report, match highlights and reaction online.

Kick off is at 6pm.

Highlights from Excelsior Stadium as Stephen Craigan’s youngsters win 9-0 against Burntisland Shipyard under-20s.

Under-20s boss Stephen Craigan hopes his players can take confidence from their third round SFA Youth Cup win over Burntisland Shipyard.

And despite the visiting side knocking out Livingston on their way to the third round, the youngsters cruised through the encounter to win 9-0.

Craigan admitted his side were rarely tested defensively but hopes his forwards can take confidence from the convincing victory.

[pullquote]Is it a little bit greedy at times? Yes. Is it a bit ruthless at times? Yes it is as well, but that’s the mind set we want them in, go and get goals, so if it gives them confidence then great.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, he said: “When you’re playing against a team and you’re dominating possession and there’s crosses coming in to the box, go and fill the box and go and get your opportunities to score goals.

“So if today can build their confidence, fine, because it’s something we’ve always spoke about in training, continually try to give them shooting drills and finishing drills and encourage them to shoot more often.”

He added: “You see young Cole Starrs come on and the only thing in his mind is to get goals. Is it a little bit greedy at times? Yes. Is it a bit ruthless at times? Yes it is as well, but that’s the mind set we want them in, go and get goals, so if it gives them confidence then great.”

Motherwell cruised into the fourth round of the SFA Youth Cup with a 9-0 victory over Burntisland Shipyard.

The Steelmen were comfortably 4-0 ahead at the break against a Burntisland team who were full of endeavour and effort throughout. As they tired, ‘Well added a further five during the second half to complete the scoring.

Stephen Craigan’s side listed two changes to the team that beat Kilmarnock last midweek. Ross MacLean and Luke Watt dropped out, too old to play in the competition, and were replaced by Dylan Falconer and the returning Liam Brown.

‘Well played Cumbernauld Colts at the same stage of the competition last season and struggled to break down the Lowland League side for large spells. Key to that was the failure to grab an early goal, something that Craigan and McManus would’ve drilled in prior to kick off.

There was delight then when after just eight minutes when the Claret and Amber men went ahead, James Scott doing well down the left before sending in a low, whipped cross that the unfortunate Kyle Walls could only turn into his own net.

That gave the Steelmen confidence and they doubled their advantage fourteen minutes later when David Turnbull’s low shot from distance was parried by Craig Richardson, only for Alfredo Agyeman to slot home the rebound.

It was soon three and Turnbull was again the creator, this time sliding in a neat through ball for James Scott on the left channel and he confidently swept the ball past Richardson into the far corner.

Then, just before the interval, Dylan Falconer got in on the act, turning his marker on the edge of the box before sending a stinging low shot through Richardson and into the net.

There was no rest bite for the Shipyard in the second half as within two minutes, ‘Well had made it five.

Ageyman was fouled on the edge of the area, allowing Liam Brown the opportunity to take the kick. He nonchalantly slotted a side-footer past the wall and into the far corner to mark his return with a goal.

It wasn’t long before ‘Well had the ball in the net again, James Scott rising well at the back post to nod in a header despite the best efforts of Richardson in the visitor’s goal to keep it out.

Agyeman bagged his brace after 69 minutes, good work on the left flank by Falconer was rewarded when his pin-point cross found the Italian-Ghanaian striker in acres of space to bullet home a header to make it 7-0.

The roof threaten to cave in for Burntisland when Turnbull got himself a goal just three minutes later to make it eight. Again a free-kick caused all the damage, and the Scotland U19 International was able to take a touch inside the box before flicking a neat header over Richardson.

To their credit, Burntisland regrouped and had a couple of half chances of their own before substitute Cole Starrs rounded off the scoring five minutes from time, the sixteen-year old heading home from close range to grab his first goal for the Under 20s.

Motherwell: Morrison, Bowers, Livingstone, Maguire, Armstrong, MacDonald (Brown – 69mins), Brown (Kettings – 55mins), Turnbull, Falconer, Agyeman, Scott (Starrs – 60mins)

Subs Not Used: Hemfrey, Hastie, King

Motherwell under 20s will take on Burntisland Shipyard in the third round of the Scottish FA Youth Cup tomorrow afternoon.

The Fir Park youngsters have been drawn as the home side for the fixture, which will kick off at 12 noon at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.

Stephen Craigan’s side enjoyed a stellar run last season as they vied to defend the trophy they lifted two season ago, making it all the way to the last four where they were knocked out by eventual winners Celtic.

Shipyard won a dramatic encounter against Livingston to secure progression to the third round, holding out to win 3-2 earlier this month.

Highlights from Fir Park where a frustrating game ends with a 0-1 win for Hibs.

Stephen Robinson reflected on an afternoon when his side “got what they deserved” in the shape of a 1-0 loss against Hibs.

But the Fir Park boss admitted it wasn’t like his team, and that he expects higher standards going forward.

Following the Betfred Cup semi-final win against Rangers and an important win over Dundee, it’s been a hard and busy week for the club.

[pullquote]I think we got what we deserved. We weren’t at the races today and there were seven or eight who were below par from what we’ve come to expect.[/pullquote]

And following his side’s third game in a week, Robinson said: “I think we got what we deserved. We weren’t at the races today and there were seven or eight who were below par from what we’ve come to expect, but let’s not take anything away from Hibs.

“I thought for 20 minutes they were the better team, then we got to grips with their system, but they were coming out with every second ball, every header and every challenge they won, which isn’t like us at all.”

He added: “Whether that’s a hard week has maybe caught up with us but we’ll go again on Tuesday and we’ll sit down and make people aware of why we’ve been winning football matches.”

Images from this afternoon’s game agisnt Hibernian at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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