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It’s back to action for the reserves on Monday, with a trip to face Ross County in the SPFL Reserve League.

Maurice Ross’ side make the trip to the Highland Football Academy for their first game in the competition of the 2019/20 season.

Kick off in Dingwall is at 2pm.

Motherwell’s Colts side bowed out of the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup with a 4-0 loss at Clyde on Tuesday night.

A youthful Steelmen squad held their own in large spells against League One opposition, but struggled to create telling chances and were punished by their opponents.

It took five minutes for the experienced hosts to take the lead.

A long throw was flicked on at the front post and over the heads of the Motherwell defence. David Goodwillie was waiting to put the ball into the net from close range on the right side of the goal.

Clyde continued to test PJ Morrison in the visiting goal, before the youthful Steelmen started to settle into possession. But they failed to open up the home defence to seriously test David Mitchell in goal.

After a balanced start to the second half, a decisive counter attack doubled the hosts’ advantage.

A breakaway following a loose pass in the middle set Goodwillie scampering clear.

His shot came back off the right post and into the path of Ally Love, who steered home into the empty net.

It didn’t take long for the third to come. Ally Love’s corner from the right drifted over everyone and Martin McNiff was there at the back post to head it in.

PJ Morrison had to stand tall on several occasions in one v one situations to keep the score down, as Clyde went hunting to add to their three-goal advantage.

The fourth came with five to play. A free-kick from the left made it to the box unchecked, and McNiff netted his second, with the ball bouncing up past a helpless Morrison.

Motherwell: Morrison, Brown, Devine, Hussain, Carroll, Kettings, McDonald, Ferguson, Cook (Williamson), Robertson, Starrs.

Subs not used: Hemfrey, Muir.

Maurice Ross’ Motherwell Colts side will take on Clyde in the second round of the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup.

After defeating Spartans 1-0 in the first round on Wednesday night, the youngsters will make the trip to Broadwood on Tuesday, 13 August. Kick off is at 7.45pm.

Ticket prices are set at £5 for all. Fans can pay at the gate at the stadium.

Motherwell’s Colts progressed to the second round of the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup with a 1-0 win over Lowland League side Spartans.

Jamie Semple’s first half strike was the difference for Maurice Ross’ side, who progress to play Clyde at Broadwood next Tuesday.

A youthful Motherwell side benefitted from the first team experience of David Devine and Semple, while PJ Morrison also started in goal in his first competitive appearance since an impressive loan spell at Albion Rovers last term.

After the early exchanges, the youngsters started to put their foot on the ball and patiently build from the back, looking to spring an attack.

Their reward came after just 17 minutes. Devine’s ball from deep into the six-yard box was met at the left and back post by the onrushing Semple.

Taking the ball out of the air he made a stab at goal, only for the goalkeeper to block. In a flash, the ball was spilled back at his feet, allowing him to take a touch and then lift the ball into the roof of the net from point blank range.

Motherwell could have went two up when debutant Ross MacIver’s first half effort was cleared off the line, and Spartans showed late attacking promise as the 45 wore on.

The second half saw both sides struggle to create chances, with the hosts retaining the majority of the possession.

Motherwell: Morrison, Brown, Devine, Hussain, McDonald, Kettings, Semple, Robertson, Cook (Williamson), MacIver, Starrs.

Subs not used: Hemfrey, Muir.

A young Motherwell side will be in Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup action on Wednesday night, as they play host to Lowland League side Spartans.

Having reached the quarter-finals of the competition last time, Maurice Ross’ side head into the game at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie with pedigree in the cup.

Tale of the tape

The young team are yet to play a competitive game so far this season for the Steelmen, although they have been ticking over with closed door matches and first team action for many across pre-season.

Spartans have played two Lowland League matches so far. After losing 2-1 at home to BSC Glasgow in their first game, they then defeated Edinburgh University 2-0 at the weekend.

Competition pedigree

Both teams are just starting out in the competition for 2019/20 in the first round.

Last season, Spartans fell at the first round stage to fellow Lowland League side East Kilbride.

After a 1-1 draw at K-Park, Kilby progressed 5-4 on penalties.

They’ve twice reached the second round of the competition, losing to Linfield and Stranraer respectively.

Motherwell lost to eventual winners Ross County in the last eight at Fir Park, despite taking the then-Championship side all the way.

Adam Livingstone’s remarkable free-kick gave hope, before the Staggies ran out 2-1 winners.

Ticket information

Kick off at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie is at 7.45pm. Fans can pay at the gate. Adult entry costs £10, with concessions going for £5.

At stake

The winners of the tie will face Clyde away on Tuesday, 13 August 2019.

Our Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup match with Spartans will be played at Airdrie on Wednesday, 7 August.

Motherwell’s Colts side were quarter finalists in the competition last season, before falling to Ross County in a thrilling match at Fir Park.

Kick off is at 7.45pm. Fans can pay at the gate. Adult entry costs £10, with concessions going for £5.

Should Maurice Ross’ side progress, they will face Clyde away one week later.

Reece McAlear has left Motherwell to join Norwich City on a permanent basis, subject to international clearance.

The 17-year-old will join the East Anglian side after 13 months as a professional at Fir Park.

Motherwell tried to secure the player on a longer contract during the summer, but it was clear that any extended stay beyond May 2020 was extremely unlikely.

Despite that, several approaches from Norwich were rejected, before terms were finally agreed on a deal which gives the club a short-term cash injection, coupled with the ability to claim future money should the player develop further.

“It is very much our hope that the player development pathway we provide at Motherwell results in our academy graduates progressing to professional level, then eventually into the first team,” chief executive Alan Burrows explained.

“We had high hopes for Reece. He was getting closer and closer and indeed, played several first-team friendly matches during pre-season. We had positive conversations with the player, his family and his representatives about extending his stay.

“However, it was clear this was an opportunity Reece wanted to explore and probably would’ve explored, when his contract expired at the end of the season, had we not managed to agree a deal with Norwich now.

“This will see the club secure cash in advance, as well as maintaining some economic rights should his career continue to develop.

“It also demonstrates clearly the excellent work of our scouting and coaching staff, and further emphasises Motherwell as the club for young footballers to progress.”

Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to thank Reece for his time at Fir Park and wish him every success in his future career.

David Devine has added another year onto his Motherwell contract.

The young central defender had a meteoric rise after signing professional terms in January, culminating in his Ladbrokes Premiership debut against Livingston just four months later.

The 18-year-old has also featured prominently in ‘Well’s pre-season matches this summer, appearing in every fixture so far.

His new deal will expire in June 2021.

“We are pleased David has agreed to extend his deal with the club,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

“He has progressed at an impressive rate since joining up with the group in January and we think he could have a bright future in the game.

“Crucially, David together with his representatives and his family recognise the importance of a pathway to the first team and he has that here at Motherwell.”

Motherwell’s Colts side will face Spartans at home in the first round of the 2019/20 Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup.

Maurice Ross’ team, who reached the quarter finals of the competition last season, will take on their opponents on Tuesday 6 or Wednesday 7 August 2019.

Should the young Steelmen be successful, they will then be in second round action away to Clyde on Tuesday 13 or Wednesday 14 August.

Venues, kick off times and ticket prices will be announced shortly.

Our squad numbers for the 2019/20 season can now be confirmed.

Liam Grimshaw, Peter Hartley, Allan Campbell, Barry Maguire, James Scott and Adam Livingstone are the notable changes in numbers.

New signings Jake Carroll, Casper Sloth, Christopher Long, Jermaine Hylton, Liam Polworth and Declan Gallagher will wear 3, 8, 12, 14, 19 and 31 respectively.

The first year graduates from the academy will start at number 35 and Sam Muir, and finish with goalkeeper Matty Connolly on 43.

MOTHERWELL FC SQUAD NUMBERS FOR 2019/20