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Motherwell produced a history-making performance to be the first Colts side to reach the quarter finals of the Irn-Bru Cup.

Goals in either half secured a 2-0 victory over Irish outfit Sligo Rovers, during a convincing afternoon for Stephen Craigan’s side.

And it was a very bright start for the youngsters at Fir Park, taking the lead after just 12 minutes.

Darting in to the box from the left flank, Jake Hastie fired home from a tight angle, courtesy of a deflection.

The young Steelmen continued their strong start, playing some neat football against their Irish opposition.

Kyle MacDonald nearly rounded off a nice spell of possession with a rasping finish, but it strike the side of the net.

Before long, the visitors started growing in to the game, with Rhys McCabe at the heart of things.

The midfielder tried his luck from distance on three occasions in quick succession, the first rising over the bar before Rohan Ferguson produced two fine saves on a sloppy surface to keep Craigan’s side in front.

A brief stop at the start of the second half forced Sligo in to their second change after making one at the interval, with Patrick McClean being forced off through injury and being replaced by Seamus Sharkey.

And Craigan’s side turned the screw as they started to control the fixture.

It should have been 2-0 when Broque Watson found plenty of space and time at the end of a swift counter-attacking move, but he opted for a first time shot which was tame and straight at McGinty in the Rovers goal.

Before long though, it was 2-0 and it certainly arrived in style. Christian Mbulu, brining the ball under control just inside the Sligo box, showed neat footwork before thundering a stunning effort in to the top corner with the outside of his right boot.

From then until the final whistle, the youngsters produced a mature performance to hold on to the clean sheet and make it to the last eight of the tournament.

Rohan Ferguson, Adam Livingstone and Neil McLaughlin look ahead to Saturday’s clash with Sligo Rovers.

The youngsters have a chance of being part of the first Colts side to make it to the quarter final of the Irn-Bru Cup, with St Mirren the only other side remaining in the competition.

And there’s certainly been a buzz around the club this week. Adam Livingstone said: “There’s a lift among the squad, training has been even better this week and it just feels different from a normal game.”

Sligo Rovers are the visitors to Fir Park on Saturday, as Motherwell look to becoming the first ever Colts side to win a spot in the IRN-BRU Cup Quarter Final.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Head to head

Motherwell have never faced SSE Airtricity League Premier Division side Sligo Rovers in a competitive fixture.

However, the teams did square off in a pre-season friendly in July of 2015. Dom Thomas and a late Wes Fletcher goal gave Ian Baraclough’s ‘Well a win ahead of the 15/16 campaign.

The story so far

Motherwell ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over East Stirlingshire at the Falkirk Stadium before edging out fellow Colts side Dundee 2-1 at Dens Park.

Sligo booked their spot in the third round with a 4-1 win over Livingston Colts at the Showgrounds.

Elsewhere in the competition

The action gets under way on Friday evening when League 1 leaders Arbroath host League 2 pacesetters Edinburgh City at Gayfield.

There are seven matches on Saturday, including an all-Championship encounter between Dunfermline Athletic and Alloa Athletic at East End Park.

Ross County, second in the Championship, face Montrose at the Global Energy Stadium while in-form East Fife welcome Queen of the South to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium.

There are two all-non SPFL ties – Dublin-based Bohemians play National League Sutton United at Dalymount Park and Welsh side Connah’s Quay Nomads are at home to Coleraine of Northern Ireland.

The quarter-final draw takes place at The Hub in Edinburgh next Tuesday, October 16, at 1.00pm, with ties to be played on the weekend of November 17/18.

Ticket information

Motherwell fans can reserve their tickets online up until 10pm on Friday 12th through our ticketing website then collect them from the Ticket Office on matchday. Those that do will be in with a chance of winning of a year’s supply of Irn Bru.

Both sets of fans can pay at the turnstiles on the day of the match. Adult tickets are just £8, concessions £4 and kids aged under 15 is just £2.

Sligo supporters will be situated in the first two sections of the John Hunter stand, nearest to the Cooper Stand. Sligo fans should enter via the Cooper Stand turnstiles 7 & 8, where they will be directed to their section.

Motherwell fans should enter via John Hunter Stand turnstiles 1-5 as usual, all turnstiles will take either cash or pre-ordered tickets. The barcode readers will not be in use for this match.

Pre-match

Our Cooper Bar is open from 11am in the Davie Cooper stand, offering food and drinks to supporters of both teams.

Team news

Defender Shaun Bowers will miss out with an injury and the game will come too quick for young striker Cole Starrs, who is close to making a return from a cruciate ligament injury.

Sligo will have to do without former Hamilton Accies man Lee Lynch who is ill and will miss out. Defender Gary Boylan has an ACL injury and will miss the rest of the campaign for the Bit o’ Red.

IRN-BRU Cup action returns to Fir Park this Saturday when Sligo Rovers take on Motherwell Colts in the third round of the competition.

Here’s the game previewed in numbers.

Three

The number of Colts teams who have made it to the third round of the competition since the new Challenge Cup format came into being back in 2016/2017.

Celtic did it in the first year, beating both Annan Athletic and Cowdenbeath before eventually being eliminated by Livingston at Almondvale.

This season, St Mirren have joined ‘Well at this stage following wins over Kilmarnock and Hamilton Accies Colts. Saints now face Queens Park at home on Saturday for a place in the last sixteen.

Six

The number of youngsters in Stephen Craigan’s squad who have first team experience under Stephen Robinson.

Adam Livingstone, Barry Maguire, David Turnbull, Jake Hastie, Liam Brown and James Scott have all featured in the first team having impressed with the reserves.

There are other waiting patiently in the wings too, with the likes of Kyle MacDonald and Jamie Semple continuing to put in strong performances, to name a few.

’81

Craigan’s youngsters go up against experienced first team opposition in Sligo Rovers, with 36-year-old Raffaele Cretaro the most experienced in the Irish outfit.

The ’81-born forward is partnered by some other players with experience on their side, including 28-year-old Seamus Sharkey and 26-year-old Rhys McCabe.

However, the Bit o’ Red also have some exciting youngsters, including 18-year-old’s John Mahon and Darren Collins.

Saturday’s matchday magazine for Motherwell Colts’ clash with Sligo Rovers is now on sale in the ‘Well Shop.

And thanks to the generosity of our publishers Curtis Sport, all those who have purchased a ticket will receive a complimentary programme upon arrival at Fir Park.

There is plenty to be found in the 24-page issue, including exclusive interviews with David Turnbull and Barry Maguire, as well as a look back over the journey the Colts have gone on to reach the last-16.

Pick up your copy of the magazine, styled like an Irn-Bru can, now.

To get in the spirit for Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup clash, a few of the boys tried their hand at Bru Pong. 

The aim is simple: clear up the opponents cups of ginger by tossing a ball in to the cup.

Motherwell host SSE Airtricity League Premier Division side Sligo Rovers at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon.

Stephen Craigan’s side have beaten both East Stirlingshire and Dundee on their way to this stage as part of an impressive start to their domestic campaign.

The youngsters have also won both Reserve Cup matches and collected seven points from their first four league matches, including wins over both Hearts and Hibs.

They now face Sligo Rovers on Saturday, looking to create history by being the first Colts team to book a spot in the Irn-Bru Cup quarter-finals.

The ‘Baraclough Derby’

When the draw was first made, fans of both clubs took to social media to jokingly dub the tie – ‘the Baraclough Derby’.

Bara was in charge of the Bit ‘o Red between 2012 and 2014, culminating in one of the most successful periods in the history of the club. He won the Premier Division in his first season, the FAI Cup in his second and the Setanta Sports Cup in his last, before switching the Fir Park in the winter of 2014.

Although his time in Scotland was brief, he succeeded in keeping the club in the Premiership, famously beating Rangers home and away in the play-off final. He also brought Marvin Johnson and Louis Moult to ‘Well, both of whom combined netted the club over £1m in transfer fees.

A season almost complete

The League of Ireland operates a summer calendar, meaning the 2018 campaign is almost at an end. Indeed, Gerard Lyttle’s side have just three games left, but secured their top-league status following last weekend’s 2-1 win over bottom side Bray Wanderers – only their third home win of the season.

Currently sitting in eighth, they could still catch the three teams ahead of them when they wrap up the campaign with matches against champions Dundalk, Bohemians and third-placed Shamrock Rovers.

A familiar face or two

A handful of those likely to feature for Sligo on Saturday have plied their trade in the Scottish leagues.

The most notable is midfielder Rhys McCabe, who started his career at Rangers before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday back in 2012.

After three years at Hillsbrough, he was back north with Dunfermline before signing on at the Showgrounds in June 2017.

Others who have been in Scotland include Irvine-born Lewis Morrison (Kilmarnock & St Mirren), Lee Lynch (Hamilton Accies) and Caolan McAleer (East Fife, Airdrie & Morton)

Life on the road

Whilst Sligo’s form at home has been a disappointment for their fans, results on the road have been very impressive.

They have won at the home of almost every top-league team this campaign, with the exception of runaway leaders Dundalk, European contenders Shamrock Rovers and Waterford.

Rovers have collected 38 points so far this term, 26 of them on their travels. Only the teams that will finish first and second have amassed more away points, so Saturday’s trip to Fir Park won’t faze this Sligo squad.

We meet again…

Although this is the first time Motherwell and Sligo have locked horns in a competitive fixture, the teams faced each other in friendly action back in the summer of 2015.

Dom Thomas had put the Fir Parkers ahead after just eight minutes, however the home side were soon level through Keith Ward.

It stayed that way until virtually the last kick of the ball when Wes Fletcher slotted home what was his second goal of that particular pre-season campaign.

Barry Maguire is looking forward to the atmosphere of playing at Fir Park as Motherwell’s youngsters prepare to face Sligo Rovers.

The Colts take on the Irish side on Saturday, as they look to become the first young team to reach the quarter-finals of the IRN-BRU Cup.

Maxine Welsh can’t wait for the opportunity to play on the big stage when the women of steel take on Spartans in the semi-final of the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup.

The 20-year-old has battled back from almost two years on the sidelines through injury, to play an important role in Donald Jennow’s side capturing the SWPL2 title.

On Sunday, ‘Well will aim to continue their success by reaching the final of the Scottish Cup, following in the footsteps of their male counterparts, who contested two national finals last season.

“I’ve spent quite a lot of my time as a senior player injured, so have never played in a cup final at this level,” Welsh said. “Everyone is really looking forward to Sunday, it’s a big occasion and an exciting one to be involved in.

“Most of our more experienced players have played in high profile games and know how to handle the pressure that comes with it.

“We’ve been working hard in training and I think with the mix of youth and experience within the team, we’ll fancy our chances.”

Many of the Motherwell squad have sampled great success in the Scottish game and Sunday’s big game at Forthbank Stadium won’t be a step into the unknown.

Welsh believes the more experienced figures within the team have been vital in providing guidance to the younger players in the build up to what will be for some, the biggest game of the careers so far.

“The more experienced players can also help the younger players deal with the pressure, they’ve done this for years and the information they pass on is invaluable,” she added. “Playing and training alongside such experience and hard workers pushes you.

“I’ve also been putting in extra work in the gym and it seems to have paid off for me.

“We were written off a bit at the start of the season as we had a lot of older players, some of which hadn’t played in a while.

“There’s a great unity within the team as well as determination and motivation to prove the doubters wrong.”

Former Glasgow City youngster Welsh, has had to recover from ACL surgery to restart her career at Motherwell.

She was reunited with Eddie Wolecki Black when the former ‘Well boss brought her to the club in May and she believes she has made good progress following a difficult start to life at the club.

“When Eddie asked me to come in, I hadn’t played in a while and was pretty nervous,” she admitted. “I arrived after not playing for two years, from there I had to build my fitness up and bide my time a bit.

“The girls and the coaches gave me a chance though and I feel like I’ve developed a lot in a short space of time.

“When I got my chance, it wasn’t in my natural position, but I was more than happy to take the role as it’s not for me, it’s for the team.”

By the time Motherwell take to the field on Sunday, it will have been a fortnight since they were last in competitive action.

There has been no let up in training though and Welsh believes Jennow’s dedicated approach to the team will ensure they are well prepared for what is their biggest game of the season.

And the youngster, who has adapted superbly to her role at centre back, hopes the Motherwell fans can get along to back those in claret and amber.

“Donald won’t settle for anything other than what he knows we’re capable of,” Welsh said. “He pushes us in every training session and prepares everything for us to ensure the standards won’t slip.

“He does all his work and we want to repay him for all his efforts.

“We saw a few more fans along at the Hearts game and it’s nice to have people taking an interest and supporting the team.

“It gives you that big game experience and it would mean a lot to have a good support on Sunday.”

Five of Stephen Robinson’s first team squad will be in international action over the coming days.

Chris Cadden and Allan Campbell are on Scotland Under 21 duty, as Scot Gemmill’s side continue their push for at least a play-off spot in qualification for the 2019 UEFA European Under 21 Championship.

Goal difference currently keeps the Scots in third place behind Ukraine in second, who the pair travel to face on Thursday.

A win in Kiev will set up a final game with England which, depending on results, could be a shootout for top spot or a potential play-off place.

Northern Ireland Under 21s are also in contention to reach the play-offs, as they face a double header away to Iceland on Thursday and then at home to Slovakia next Tuesday.

Liam Donnelly’s side are a point behind the Slovaks with two games to go, with Iceland sitting three points behind. All three teams can finish in second and claim a possible play-off spot, depending on results in other groups.

At senior level, Trevor Carson and Gaël Bigirimana are also in qualification action.

Carson’s Northern Ireland play two UEFA Nations League matches away from home on Friday and Monday.

The goalkeeper’s side are in Austria first, before heading south to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia are the runaway leaders in the group, having won both of their matches so far. Northern Ireland and Austria have only played once, both against Bosnia.

Bigirimana meanwhile is in action in the qualifying stages for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Burundi.

His nation have never reached the tournament before but have made a great start in their group, winning their first match and drawing the second against Gabon.

Group leaders Mali lie in wait on Friday in Bamako, before the two sides meet again in Burundi next Tuesday.