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Our loan boys continued their development with their respective clubs this weekend.

Max Johnston

It was a busy Saturday for Cove Rangers and Max Johnston, with Cove drawing 4-4 with Hamilton.

Max got a second assist in as many matches and played the full 90 minutes.

Scott Fox

Still recovering from a short illness, Scott Fox was named on the bench for Queen of the South as they took on Falkirk.

Falkirk won the game 3-1.

Robbie Mahon

Robbie Mahon was an unused sub for Dunfermline as they beat Kelty Hearts 2-1.

Ewan Wilson

Ewan Wilson started for Albion Rovers as they looked to pick up more points in League two to push up the table.

Taking on a Stenhousmuir side who were amongst the playoff positions, Albion Rovers battled well and had a narrow 2-1 lead going into the latter stages of the game.

With Stenhousemuir chasing the game, Ewan Wilson was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area and stopped a clear goal scoring opportunity. The full back seen red and The Warriors scored from the subsequent penalty to snatch a point.

Daniel Hunter

Cumbernauld Colts took on Celtic B in the Lowland league on Saturday, with Daniel Hunter in the starting 11.

Despite going 2-0 down to Celtic, Cumbernauld continued to battle and ended up winning the match 4-2. Hunter played 79 minutes.

Logan Dunachie

It was a break from league action for East Kilbride, as they played Armadale Thistle in a friendly match at K-Park.

The game finished 4-4 with Logan Dunachie starting the game.

Photo Credit- Cove Rangers

Stuart Kettlewell used plenty youth as Motherwell continued their cinch Reserve League campaign against Hamilton. 

Conceding an early goal again, Kettlewell said the players need to be switched on from the start but was pleased with how his side reacted to the early setback when they got themselves back in front.

Despite Hamilton scoring from the penalty spot to secure a point, it was more game time for the youngsters as they continue their development and can now take the learning points into their next match against Hibernian in seven days.

Motherwell and Hamilton development team played out a competitive 2-2 draw at K-Park.

Stuart Kettlewell’s side were a goal down in the opening minute, but a Corey O’Donnell brace had the hosts ahead at the interval. However, a second half penalty was enough to earn Accies a point.

‘Well named a young starting eleven for the Lanarkshire derby, with only Kian Spiers, Lennon Miller and Robbie Mahon having very limited experience of first-team football. Corey O’Donnell was making his first appearance in 2022 whilst Mo Adam was named amongst the subs after an injury-plagued eight months.

Accies made the best possible start, punishing the hosts with a clinical counter-attack. Adam McGowan collected on the edge of his area and quickly sent Ryan One galloping down the left flank. He cut inside and curled a shot that was palmed away by Matty Connelly, only to fall perfectly for Ellis Brown who shot high into the net.

Motherwell equalised with their first shot on target on 25 minutes. Miller nutmegged Fergus Owens to play in Danny Hunter, his cut-back was perfect for O’Donnell who swept home into the far corner from the penalty spot.

The Steelmen got their noses in front five minutes before the break and it was a really well-worked goal. Great interplay between Wilson and O’Donnell down the left flank had the full-back in an advanced area. Instead of sweeping it across the box, he calmly pulled it back for the striker, who had carried his run forward, and he smashed a first-time shot low into the net for his second.

Hamilton got the game’s second equaliser 12 minutes into the second half. Ally Gould was adjudged to have fouled One inside the area, with referee Ryan Kennedy pointing to the spot. Sub Ben Black stepped up to squeeze the ball under Connelly who had gone the right way.

Both teams had chances to win it, with McGowan going close for Accies and Reece Murray producing good saves to deny substitutes Mark Ferrie and Adam late in the game, but it ended honours even.

Motherwell: Connelly, Max Ross, Ewan Wilson, Ally Gould, Logan Dunachie, Danny Hunter, Robbie Mahon (Adam), Lennon Miller, Corey O’Donnell (Ferrie), Kian Spiers (Wells), Luca Ross (Nevans).

Subs Not Used: Aitken, Bone

“The young players have been well schooled, there are a lot of aspects that aren’t broken.

“I could see straight away that there are good habits here.”

Danny Hunter has joined Lowland League side Cumbernauld Colts on loan for the rest of the season.

The 18-year-old will join up with the David Proctor’s side, who currently play out of Broadwood.

Hunter was the only remaining outfield player in our development team who is too old to feature in the CAS u18s league, with this loan designed to afford him as much game time as possible.

Along with his fellow loanees, Hunter will also be available for our Development League matches throughout the campaign.

“The club has been working through a model that aimed to get all of our young players not eligible to play in the U18s league out on loan and playing matches,” Stuart Kettlewell said.

“In the very short time I have been at the club, I have been very impressed with Daniel’s performance levels and his attitude. He was the last of the outfield players to get fixed up and we’re pleased he is going to a good club with a view to battling hard for a starting slot.

“Although we have the return of the reserve league, this loan will allow us to have the best of both and ensuring Daniel, and all our other lads out on loan, are getting the time on the pitch they need to best prepare for them for first-team football.”

Stuart Kettlewell is our new lead development coach.

The former Ross County boss, 38, takes up his new post today working specifically with our Development and Under 18s teams.

“I am thrilled to join the club,” Kettlewell said.

“I’ve obviously been out of the game for a period of time and I’m just looking forward to getting back in.

“The role fits in with my ethos of developing young players which is important to me.

“I’ve had a couple of opportunities prior to this but after I spoke with the staff and the manager, I knew it was a good fit and the right move for me.”

Kettlewell was a mainstay at Queen’s Park as a player, playing at Hampden for six years. A brief spell with Clyde followed before five years as a player in Dingwall with County, where he won promotion to the Premiership.

He left in 2014 to spend a short spell with Highland League side Brora, before making his return to the Global Energy Stadium in a coaching capacity shortly after.

As Under 20s manager, his side won the 2016–17 SPFL Development League and progressed several players into the first-team squad.

When Owen Coyle left the Staggies in March 2017, Kettlewell was placed in charged of the first-team squad with Steven Ferguson. In his first full season in charge, County not only won a strong Scottish Championship, but they also picked up the Challenge Cup and he was awarded the Championship Manager of the Season award.

He left the club in December 2020 and had been heavily involved in the media, something he will continue to do whilst leading Motherwell’s young guns.

“We ran a robust recruitment process that was designed to find the very best person and I am glad Stuart is with us,” manager Steven Hammell added.

“He’s one of the country’s most well-respected, talented coaches who will form part of our close-knit staff group.

“We spent a great deal of time internally reviewing all the factors that helped assist the group that included the likes of Cadden, Campbell, Hastie, Turnbull and Scott.

“A big part of that, in our mind, was having a dedicated and focused coach who created a first-team mentality within that squad and that is something we hope Stuart can replicate for what we believe is a very talented group at the moment.”

Corey O’Donnell has joined League Two leaders Bonnyrigg Rose on loan until the end of the season.

The young striker, who enjoyed a productive spell on loan at Albion Rovers last term, is recovering from a injury that will keep him out of action for a few weeks.

However, he will soon join up with his teammates at New Dundas Park as they look to record back-to-back promotions following their elevation to the SPFL last May.

“Corey had a couple of loan options, but he was keen on Bonnyrigg as they are a team and a club very much on the up,” Stevie Hammell said.

“He has had a frustrating period with injuries which has limited his time with the first-team since the summer.

“However, now he’s returned to training, we want to ensure he is in a position to continue playing regular matches with the ultimate aim of getting into our first-team squad.”

Young left-back Ewan Wilson has joined Albion Rovers on loan for the season.

The 17-year-old, who turned professional in the summer of 2021, will join our North Lanarkshire neighbours with a view to gaining vital first-team experience.

“Ewan has been making good progress and we now believe he’s ready to take the next step in his development,” Steven Hammell said.

“Albion Rovers has been an excellent destination over the years with the likes of Steven Lawless, Chris Cadden and others getting vital developmental experience at Cliftonhill

“This will be a real solid challenge for Ewan and we wish him well.”

Motherwell and 10-man Ayr United played out a competitive 3-3 draw in the first match of the new cinch Reserve Cup.

Ayr took an early lead before Mark Ferrie levelled midway through the first-half.

An own goal had the Steelmen ahead early in the second half before two defensive blunders had the Honest Men 3-2 up with 15 left to play. Ferrie levelled again before a number of spurned chances cost David Clarkson’s side.

In complete contrast to the 4-0 Reserve League win over Queen’s Park, it was a very young and inexperienced side in claret and amber. Dean Cornelius was the only inclusion with meaningful first-team experience, but David Devine, Robbie Mahon and Lennon Miller could count on some game time at senior level.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start as Ayr took the lead after just 70 seconds. Breaking quickly from a Motherwell free-kick, the hosts burst down the right flank and sent a testing ball into the area. Moffat’s glancing header sent it straight to Jayden Lawson Mitchell who took a nice touch before slotting into the corner.

Motherwell quickly recovered from that early blow to get themselves back into the match. Lennon Miller had a shot sail over the bar and Robbie Mahon fired high and wide of target.

They did eventually draw level after 25 minutes. Dean Cornelius’ neat through pass was perfect for the supporting Danny Hunter, who took a touch and blasted it across goal where Ferrie was on hand to finish neatly from close range.

Although the direction of the game was being played much more towards the Ayr goal, ‘Well would need Matty Connolly to make a dramatic double save to keep the scores level. The first was a David Bangala shot from close range that the young keeper turned around the post. The second, from the resulting corner, was a sliding effort from Michael Hewitt at the back post that he was able to tip away, before comfortably collecting Moffat’s hooked on effort on the rebound.

As the first-half was coming to a close, Ayr were reduced to ten men when young full-back Alex Jeanes was sent off for a second bookable offence after a crunching tackle on Miller.

With a man advantage, ‘Well started the second half on the front foot and a Ewan Wilson shot from distance set the early intentions for David Clarkson’s side. It was quickly followed by the second goal. Wilson was again involved, this time sending a nice ball down the left channel for Hunter, who had again made a supporting run from midfield. He again fired the ball across goal which cannoned off Hewitt and flew past McAdams for 1-2.

It was almost three just minutes later when Luca Ross cannoned a shot off the post. Cornelius, Miller and Ferrie all combined in the area, before the ball fell fortuitously to the winger, but his first-time effort bounced off McAdams’ right hand upright with the keeper stranded. Shortly after, McAdams did react well to a Hunter shot that he tipped over the bar for a corner.

Motherwell’s lack of a killer instinct to grab a decisive third goal was to prove crucial. It gave Ayr encouragement to get back into the match and with their next meaningful attack, the Honest men equalised. A simple near post corner wasn’t dealt with and it bounced off a defender and into the net for the second own goal of the afternoon.

Incredibly, Ayr got themselves back in front just five minutes later, and it was another defensive disappointment for the Steelmen. A loose pass across the back four was gifted to Lawson Mitchell who marched in on goal, rounded Connolly and slotted home.

To be fair to the visitors, they quickly regrouped and got themselves back on level terms just three minutes later. Hunter’s raking pass to the wide left position found Wilson in an advanced area. His first-time cross wasn’t properly dealt with by Hewitt, allowing Ferrie to pounce and fire a low shot into the far corner.

Motherwell went all out to find a fourth and winning goal. They were gift-wrapped the perfect opportunity to do so when they were awarded a penalty with ten minutes left on the clock when Ross was bundled to the ground by Kinlay Bilham. Ferrie had the chance to grab a hat-trick, but his low shot cannoned back off the left hand post and cleared.

‘Well continued to push and Ferrie stung the palms of McAdams with a firm shot from distance before Miller missed a close range header in the dying seconds after sub Dylan Wells had twisted the full-back up and hung up a cross into the six-yard box. Sadly, they couldn’t get it and had to be content with a point. The match went to spot kicks to determine who took a bonus point, and Ayr shaded it 5-3 when Wilson’s effort coming back off the cross bar.

Motherwell: Connolly, M.Ross, Wilson, Devine (Bone – 61 mins), Gould, Cornelius (MacDonald – 61mins (Dylan Wells – 81 mins)), Hunter, Miller, Mahon (Nevans – 70 mins), Ross, Ferrie

Subs Not Used: Aitken