George Newell and Peter Morrison played their part as Albion Rovers secured what could be a vital win in their fight to stay in League Two.
Rovers, who earlier in the day received a huge boost in the shape of an annulled result against Clyde leading to an unexpected three points, made it one to remember by beating Stirling Albion 1-0 at Forthbank.
Gregor Fotheringham got the game’s only goal, after great work by Newell in the build-up.
Morrison would play a big part himself, making an excellent save in the dying seconds, ensuring his team are now within two points of Berwick Rangers at the foot of the League 2 table. Neil McLaughlin was an unused sub for the Binos.
Elsewhere, Broque Watson started for East Fife, as they kept themselves in the promotion hunt with a 3-1 win over Stranraer.
Motherwell’s reserve side suffered a late equaliser to draw 2-2 away at Ross County on Monday.
Maurice Ross’ side led through James Scott’s double, but were pegged back by goals from Joel MacBeath.
The County player’s second came three minutes into stoppage time, just as the young Steelmen looked to have taken all three points.
A youthful claret and amber contingent made the trip north, albeit with three players – Adam Livingstone, Liam Brown and Scott – already having picked up first team minutes.
With 25 minutes played, the visitors had the lead. Scott fired for goal just inside the box, and found the net to open the scoring.
On the stroke of half time, he doubled his advantage, nodding home from close range.
The Staggies didn’t give in, however, and reduced the deficit on the hour mark. MacBeath found room from close range to put the ball past Ferguson.
As County pushed, it looked like Motherwell would still take the win back down the road, despite Ferguson having to come to the rescue in stoppage time and Tony Dingwall hitting the post.
Their final chance got them the equaliser, MacBeath firing home to make their pressure pay.
“We’ve definitely got the technical and tactical side going in the right direction,” Ross said after the game.
“But we need to maybe be a bit more streetwise to win football matches.
“We were in full control in the first half. We had great movement, great play and scored two great goals.
“Ross County were physical and we struggled to handle that in the second half.
“Afterwards in the dressing room, we spoke about game management. In the last minute we had the ball down in their corner, but instead of holding on to it, we lost it and they went up the park and scored.”
Motherwell’s reserves fell to a 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Falkirk on Monday.
Maurice Ross’ side had the lead midway through the first half, but went in behind at the break and ultimately failed to recover.
Liam Donnelly, Elliott Frear and Danny Johnson added first-team experience to the ranks, with Frear grabbing ‘Well’s opener.
Akeel Rehman set the winger free down the left side of the box, before his low shot found its way past Leo Fasan in the Falkirk goal with 19 minutes played.
Minutes later, the Bairns were level. Lavery raced onto a flick-on, before keeping his cool to beat Rohan Ferguson.
Just after the half hour mark, the visitors were ahead. Dunne surged forward from left back, beat two men and fired an unstoppable shot into the net.
Frear and Donnelly had chances to get the Steelmen level again, before Falkirk extended their lead with 18 minutes left on the clock.
Dunne was again involved, laying it on for Kidd to beat Ferguson, despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.
Reece McAlear then pulled one back from McKinstry’s corner to give Ross’ side hope as the clock wore down, but the Bairns were to restore their two-goal advantage.
Lavery was fouled in the box by Ferguson, before putting his penalty past Ferguson to guarantee the three points.
Reserves & Under 18s
Reserves in action on Monday
Sunday 03 March 2019
Motherwell are back in action in the SPFL Reserve League on Monday against Falkirk.
The match will be played at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie. Kick off is at 2pm.
Reserves & Under 18s
Reserves reach League Cup final
Monday 25 February 2019
Maurice Ross says the rate at which his youngsters are developing is exciting for everyone at the club.
Motherwell’s reserves ran out 2-0 winners over St Johnstone on Monday, reaching the SPFL Reserve League Cup final with Hearts.
“I’m delighted for the players getting to the final,” he said. “They deserved it.
“We’ve gone toe-to-toe with them and deserved it. It could maybe have been 2-1, they had a few half chances.
“There is so much goes into what they are doing there. It’s not a case of turning up. It’s all planned, the majority of it.
“They are so loyal and humble. They are desperate for knowledge, and it makes my job easy.
“It’s mainly about development. But when they are developing at that rate, I am excited.”
Late goals from George Newell and Akeel Rehman were the difference between the two sides.
A youthful second string played well in an even first half, but grew into things further as the game wore on.
With 12 minutes to go, substitute Stuart McKinstry brilliantly dummied to send two defenders the wrong way on the inside left of the box. His low cross was then met by Newell, whose scuffed shot went past a helpless visiting goalkeeper.
As St Johnstone gambled on an equaliser, McKinstry was again the provider from the left for Rehman. Getting a second bite at it, he fired home just before the full time whistle to secure progression.
Subs not used: Hemfrey, Bowers, Watson, Jack Brown.
Reserves & Under 18s
Goals as Reserves reach final
Monday 25 February 2019
George Newell and Akeel Rehman were on target as the second string reached the SPFL Reserve League Cup final with victory over St Johnstone.
Reserves & Under 18s
Loan Watch: Maguire learns the hard way
Monday 18 February 2019
Barry Maguire was left with plenty to ponder after being sent off in Queen of the South’s home defeat to Dundee United.
The defender was caught in possession by Peter Pawlett, leading to the 20-year-old hauling him down in the box, denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity and seeing red.
His team lost out 1-0, with Nicky Clark netting the resulting penalty.
PJ Morrison and George Newell were both starters for Albion Rovers, as they lost out 1-0 at promotion-chasing Clyde.
Newell had a late, late chance to grab an equaliser for his side, dragging a stoppage-time shot wide of the post.
Neil McLaughlin played 90 minutes in League Two for Stirling Albion, as they twice threw away a one-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Elgin City.
Former ‘Well man Dylan Mackin was again on target, as the Binos conceded two in the last 10 minutes to lose out.
Broque Watson wasn’t in action for East Fife as they lost in the IRN-BRU Cup semi-final, owing to his involvement with the Motherwell Colts earlier in the season.
In England, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair got his first minutes for Crewe Alexandra in a 1-1 draw with Paul Scholes’ Oldham Athletic.
The left back came off the bench midway through the second half, as his team scored a stoppage time leveller at Boundary Park.
Reserves & Under 18s
‘Reserves on learning curve’ after draw
Monday 18 February 2019
Maurice Ross says his reserve side’s 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle was a valuable learning experience in attacking play for the youngsters.
Motherwell controlled possession for almost the entirety of the game, but struggled to create clear scoring chances against a defensive side in wet and windy conditions at Lesser Hampden.
The team did carve out openings in the first half in particular, but fell behind in the second half and rescued a point through Conor Sammon’s equaliser.
“We were in full control, which is what we like,” said Ross. I”t’s maybe an insight for the lads what it’s like when top teams have the majority of the possession.
“Top teams move the ball with a constant eye on an opportunity to get in behind and kill you. We kept it with an idea of keeping it.
“That is where I think the development will come. We aren’t just trying to move the ball about, we are trying to move an opponent about to find a space we can exploit and move into.”
First teamers Sammon, Liam Donnelly and Danny Johnson started the match as part of a youthful Motherwell side.
The trio would all contribute scoring chances in the first 45, with Johnson going close and Sammon having a goal disallowed for offside.
Jamie Semple also had two big chances towards the end of the opening period, but twice missed the target.
Ross’ side continued to dominate in the second half, but they struggled to create chances early on and were punished on the counter.
Having escaped an arguably more-dangerous counter attack situation 10 minutes before, ‘Well were done when Dean Watson slid in Ally Roy, who was composed enough to steer past Rohan Ferguson one-on-one with 65 minutes on the clock.
Motherwell continued to press on from going behind and finally got the goal their play deserved with eight minutes remaining.
Sammon found a yard of space on the left side of the six yard box, before brilliantly turning his body, spinning and rifling the ball into the far corner of the net.
“We got done with their goal but we didn’t panic,” added Ross. “We should have been three up at half time, but a draw isn’t a problem. It’s a development game, results aren’t the most important thing.
“We want to see they’ve got an idea of how to win football matches. They came up against a team sitting deep with nine behind the ball, but we were in the position where we could move the opponent around.”
Reserves & Under 18s
Reserves in action on Monday
Monday 18 February 2019
Motherwell’s reserve side take on Partick Thistle in the SPFL Reserve League on Monday afternoon.
Kick off at Lesser Hampden is at 2pm.
Reserves & Under 18s
James Scott signs contract extension
Friday 15 February 2019
James Scott has signed a three-and-a-half-year extension to his contract with the club.
The striker, a regular scorer for reserves, has already notched up four substitute appearances for the first team, after making his debut as a 17-year-old back in April 2018.
His deal was due to expire in May of this year, but his development has been rewarded with a new contract that will expire in the summer of 2022.
“We have extremely high hopes for James and he is already knocking at the door for a first-team spot,” Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson said.
“We will continue to push him and develop him as he is a very talented boy. He is still very young and learning the game, but I have high hopes for him.”
“He has only just turned 18, but I hope to see him breaking into the first team in the near future.
“We are continuing to have positive discussions with one or two other young players, and hope to have an announcement on that front soon.”
The young striker added: “I am really happy to have signed a new contract with the club.
“I’ve already had a taste of playing in the first team, and now I want to push even more to get playing time as soon as possible.”
