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Highlights from Creamery Park as Ross County come from behind to sink Motherwell Under 20s 2-1.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Jonatan Johansson cut a frustrated figure as the same old mistakes returned to haunt his Motherwell U20s side.

The Steelmen scored early on through Craig Moore but were pinned back by Tony Dingwall’s leveller before Gary Glen scored the winner for Ross County.

Whilst the Staggies can be pleased with the quality of both goals, ‘Well were once again left to count the cost of slack defending.

In truth, County had another two decent chances after their second to make the scoreline more convincing whereas Sean McCarthy in the visitors goal was rarely troubled.

[pullquote]I’m an ex player and know what it is like. You don’t think too far into the future then, all of a sudden, it is December and players need to start getting their game together.[/pullquote]

And the Finn fired a warning shot to his players who are playing for the football futures.

“The disappointing thing for me is for the last three games we could do this interview and repeat it three times and that is what is so frustrating.

“It’s all very well saying it’s about learning but there is only so many chance you get to prove that you have learned. The mistakes we talked about for the last two games keep happening all I time.

“I’m an ex player and know what it is like. You don’t think too far into the future then, all of a sudden, it is December and players need to start getting their game together.

“I felt like we were comfortable in the opening stages however they changed a little bit and put more pressure on us making us kick long. As soon as teams put pressure on us we get nervous on the ball and it is the same story every week.”

-WATCH THE INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Motherwell Under 20s slipped to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of 10-man Ross County this evening.

Craig Moore headed his side in front but Barry Smith’s side got level through Tony Dingwall midway through the first half.

Former Hearts striker Gary Glen scored the winner with seventeen minutes left to play before getting himself sent off ten minutes later.

Jonatan Johansson made five changes from the side that lost at Dunfermline seven days previous. Out went Ross Stewart, Ross Kellock, Fraser Johnstone, Dale Shirkie and Lee Erwin, replaced by Max Currie, Adam Cummins, Paul McCafferty, Bob McHugh and new signing Lionel Ainsworth.

Much like last week, the Steelmen made a great start and were ahead after just three minutes. Jack Leitch and Lionel Ainsworth combined on the right flank. Leitch eventually worked it onto his left foot before hanging up a cross towards the penalty spot where Craig Moore was well placed to head beyond the outstretched arm of Sean McCarthy.

McHugh and Ainsworth both passed up half chances as the home side dominated the first twenty minutes.

County started working their way into things and Gary Glen posted intentions with a stinging drive that Adam Cummins had to deflect wide for a corner.

Tony Dingwall then fired a shot from distance over the bar before eventually netting the equaliser just before the half-hour.

The youngster collected on the edge of the area after patient County build-up. He took a touch inside his marker before striking a lovely shot high into the top corner with Currie left helpless.

Motherwell tried to hit back but two McHugh shots failed to trouble McCarthy, with one wide of the post and the other over the bar.

Then, three minutes before the interval, Jack Leitch came so close to putting his side ahead again. Industrious play by McHugh on the right flank created the chance. His cutback was perfect for the midfielder but his shot cannoned off a defender before coming back off the base of the right hand upright.

County started the second half on the front foot with Glen sending an early volley high over the bar. Down the other end, McHugh scooped over from close range after getting on the end of a David Ferguson header from a corner.

Thomas had a low shot comfortably held by McCarthy and Moore almost found himself in after a long clearance, but the ball just wouldn’t sit down and the resulting shot was straight at the goalkeeper.

Neither team stamped their authority on the half until County got themselves ahead on the 73rd minute.

Gary Glen was the scorer but Kyle MacLeod would take just as much of the plaudits with a super ball through. The experienced hitman got in behind the home defence, worked the angle before slotting into the far corner.

Minutes later, the same player went though one-on-one again but his finish was poor, hitting it straight into the hands of Currie much to the frustration of the Staggies bench.

County continued to press for the killer third and Marc Klok came close with a free-kick from thirty yards, but Currie was well positioned to turn it away before it was eventually hooked clear.

There was a moment of controversy eight minutes from time when goalscorer Gary Glen was sent for an early bath. The forward must have said something to the assistant referee after what appeared to be a routine throw-in decision.

It was certainly an odd ending to the game but it certainly didn’t affect the visitors who, despite their man disadvantage, comfortably saw out the game with no scares.

Motherwell: Currie, Ferguson (Shirkie – 84mins), McNulty, Cummins, Neill, Leitch, Ainsworth, McCafferty, McHugh, Moore, Thomas (Cadden – 65mins)

Subs Not Used: Long, Kellock, Johnstone, Higgins, Anderson

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All you need to do is vote for the ‘Well player you think has been the stand-out performer for August and you could be chosen at random to congratulate our star man in person.

To cast your vote, simply visit our Cash Converters SPL Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

The Cash Converters Football Facebook page will also give you the opportunity to enter the draw to take part in the next Convert for Cash, and the chance to win a whole host of other prizes.

Competition closes at 5pm on Wednesday 4th September 2013.

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson has demanded an improvement from his side after back-to-back defeats.

The youths got the season off to a great start with a win at Kilmarnock but have lost to both Hamilton Accies and Dunfermline in recent weeks.

With some experience players, including new recruit Lionel Ainsworth, lined up to start, the Finn expects a much better showing when they face Ross County at Bathgate Thistle’s Creamery Park tomorrow night.

[pullquote]We have been looking nervous when we come under pressure so we’re trying to coach them away from that, be positive and learn from our mistakes.[/pullquote]

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV he said: “Defensively we are making silly mistakes and that is the sign of a young and inexperienced team.

“We have been working a lot on that in training this week. We have been looking nervous when we come under pressure so we’re trying to coach them away from that, be positive and learn from our mistakes.

“We are going to make some adjustments to the side too. We have two or three more experienced players so I want us to pass the ball better, work hard as a team and cut out the errors, which will allow us to play more in the opponents half.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Highlights from Fir Park as goals from Anier and Sutton help Motherwell come from behind to beat Kilmarnock 2-1

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

‘Well boss Stuart McCall was pleased to pick up all three points but has called for his men to be more ruthless in front of goal.

Much like the Partick Thistle match seven days previous, Motherwell had several chances to extend their lead but were denied by a combination of good goalkeeping and slack finishing.

That allowed Allan Johnston’s side to push for an equaliser late in the game and the Steelmen had Lee Hollis to thank for a couple of excellent save.

McCall would like his side to be more comfortable in the closing stages, but was thrilled to win and move to third in the SPFL Premiership table.

[pullquote]All in all, I thought we deserved to win. We can play better in spells and can be more fluid; we just need to get that goal to kill teams off.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “We played some good stuff at certain parts of the match and created some good openings.

“We were delighted to come in at the break 2-1 ahead and from there, we were looking for the lads to kick on and get more goals.

“Samson has had a couple of good saves to deny big Sutty [John Sutton] but much like last week, whilst there is only one goal in it, it’s still on a knife-edge. We then go down to ten men and are up against it and have Lee Hollis to thank for a couple of excellent saves.

“All in all, I thought we deserved to win. We can play better in spells and can be more fluid; we just need to get that goal to kill teams off.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Pictures from the 2-1 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Professional Football League Premiership at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Craig Foy Photography.

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