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Extended highlights from Motherwell under-20s 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock in the Development League. 

Stephen Craigan felt his side’s fast start against Kilmarnock set them up for their 2-0 victory.

James Scott’s third minute opener was followed up by a near Deimantas Petravičius finish before the half hour mark.

And the Northern Irishman said that his side could then go on to play their way for the remainder of the game.

“We’re pleased with the win,” Craigan said. “But it felt as though it looked like we hadn’t played in a couple of weeks, a few haven’t played in even longer than that.

“The longer the game went on, we looked a bit fatigued, but we started the game well which we’re pleased with.

“Getting the early goal definitely settles you down quite a bit, which allowed us to not be distracted from what we’re trying to do.”

Motherwell Under 20s picked up a comfortable three points with a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock. 

The youngsters controlled their Development League clash for the majority of the 90 minutes, and notched all three points thanks to well taken goals from James Scott and Deimantas Petravičius.

It was a perfect start for the young Steelmen at Forthbank Stadium, who found themselves a goal ahead after just three minutes. 

A lovely through ball from Liam Brown released James Scott, who did well to stay onside and coolly dispatch beyond Jasmin Koranovic in the Killie goal. 

Just over ten minutes later, George Newell released himself down the right flank by cleverly flicking a header beyond his marker and bearing down on the box. His smart cut-back nearly found the arriving Jake Hastie, but it was well cut out by Aiden Wilson. 

Just before the half hour mark, ‘Well doubled their advantage. 

The pace of Petravičius proved too hard to handle for Kilmarnock, and, bursting through on goal, the winger made no mistake from inside the area to give Stephen Craigan’s side a two goal advantage. 

That deficit remained as the referee blew for half time, but as the two sides got back underway for the second half, ‘Well didn’t let their grip of the game slacken.

A decent ball in to the box fell kindly for Newell, but a crucial touch by defender Thomas Dempsie turned the danger behind at the expense of a corner. From the set piece, the danger was only cleared as far as Ross MacLean, who sent his effort narrowly over the crossbar. 

Hastie should have made it three when a pinpoint, cross-field ball from Bowers sent the winger in on goal. But, opting for power, he pulled his effort wide of the far post. 

The visitors rarely tested Rohan Ferguson between the sticks, but when he was called in to action he didn’t disappoint. An effort from just a couple of yards was matched by the young stopper, who sprung across goal to deny the Killie striker from turning the ball home. 

Immediately down the other end, ‘Well went close through Scott, who twisted and turned to make a yard for himself, but slotted the ball wide of the post. 

The youngsters held on to their clean sheet in a controlled manner for the remainder of the game, and picked up a rather professional three points. 

Trevor Carson has been called up to Northern Ireland’s squad for their forthcoming friendly with South Korea.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper has earned a recall to Michael O’Neill’s selection after a fine season with the Steelmen.

Carson has been in previous squads for his country but is yet to win a full international cap.

Northern Ireland host South Korea at Windsor Park on March 24.

Stephen Craigan’s Motherwell Under 20s side are back in league action on Monday night as they host Kilmarnock.

The match at Forthbank Stadium in Stirling kicks off at 6pm. Entry is free.

A win against Killie will put the young Steelmen fourth in the SPFL Development League ahead of Hearts.

Alfredo Agyeman scored the decisive goal win Motherwell defeated Kilmarnock 1-0 at Rugby Park earlier in the season.

Eddie Wolecki Black praised his team’s battling qualities after Motherwell Ladies recorded their second successive home win with a 3-1 win over Central Girls.

Despite continuing their strong early season form, the ‘Well boss said he didn’t feel his side quite match the standards they have set in their early season performances.

“We said we wanted to make our home venue a tough place to come for anybody and we’ve backed up the win in our opening game here with another winning performance today,” Black said.

“There’s one thing about us, we’re competitive there’s no doubt about that. If teams want to have a physical battle with us we are more than capable of matching that as we showed against Central.

“That’s not to say that they were physical, I just believe we are more than capable of standing up for ourselves.”

Motherwell battled back after conceding an early goal to take a 2-1 lead into half-time courtesy of Hayley Cunningham’s penalty and Kerry Montgomery’s superb curling effort.

They would secure victory with 10 minutes remaining when Suzanne Mulvey turned home Sophie Gallagher’s lay-off.

“We were more pleased with the second half because we put the game to bed and saw the game out,” Black added. “It was a big victory as I don’t think we were at our best.”

Eddie Wolecki Black’s Motherwell Ladies side showed their fighting spirit as they recovered from an early setback to defeat Central Girls 3-1 at the Braidhurst Campus.

The women of steel found themselves a goal behind after Niamh Johnston headed into her own net from a dangerous corner after just nine minutes. But a stirring comeback saw ‘Well battle back into the game.

A two-week break from competitive action – and disrupted training schedule due to the severe weather – was evident as Motherwell were uncharacteristically slow out of the blocks. The visitors thoroughly deserved to make the breakthrough after controlling much of the early proceedings.

The goal seemed to be the wake-up call the home side needed though and Suzanne Mulvey’s shot on the turn spun wide of the target, before the hosts were offered the perfect opportunity to restore parity. Sammy Hare was bundled over just inside the box and Hayley Cunningham made no mistake from the spot.

Seven minutes later and ‘Well were ahead in wonderful fashion. The move began with Kerry Montgomery picking up possession inside her own half and driving forward before laying the ball to Mulvey.

She superbly picked out the Northern Irish international who had continued her run, before lashing the ball beyond Sarah Alexandrina King in the Central goal.

It was a goal of real class from Motherwell who were beginning to control the game. However they suffered a major let-off before the break when Ellie Kane’s brilliant effort was tipped on to the bar by Clare Johnstone and, with the goal at her mercy, Abbie Callaghan was unable to turn home the rebound.

The second half was a much more physical affair, with neither team really creating a great deal in front of goal. But it would be the home side who would secure all three points with 10 minutes remaining.

After the Central defence failed to clear their lines, Mulvey turned home from Sophie Gallagher’s lay off.

Victory for ‘Well means they move up to second in SWPL2, with another home fixture to look forward to next Sunday when Aberdeen visit Braidhurst.

Extended highlights from New Douglas Park as ‘Well lose 2-0 to Hamilton Accies.